The Funky Crowd’s brave shave last Saturday was a huge success with over $18,000 already raised for the Leukaemia Foundation, tripling their goal of $5,000.

Six nurses stepped up to the World’s Greatest Shave challenge, called themselves The Funky Crowd, and organised a fundraiser at the Coachman Hotel last week with an auction and lucky door prizes.

“We had the best time,” said Wendy Baigent, who lost her husband seven years ago to Leukaemia. She was joined by col-leagues Helen Nash, Sharon O’Brien, Jenni McGee, Tania Elsley and Susan Cornish.

Sharon and Tania coloured their hair and the rest had their hair shaved by barber Matt Cyrus from Inkredible Experience and Debbie Winter from Janice Cassidy Hair Salon. “They did a fantastic job,” said Wendy.

The nurses were joined by three young boys who also shaved their hair in support of a mate who has cancer.

Wendy said they were overwhelmed by the support of the community. “Parkes has given us so much support. I can’t thank the businesses around town enough for their generosity and everyone who donated money and time to come to the night.

Donations are still welcome in support of The Funky Crowd’s brave shave. Go to the World’s Greatest Shave website and look for the team name.

The younger generation in Peak Hill received a make over from the Walkabout Barber last week in an early celebration of Youth Week.

The Walkabout Barber and his team from Newcastle gave fresh and free hair styles to 60 young people and children. Brian Dowd, who runs his mobile barber shop that operates out of a converted trailer, also gave a mental health chat about 90 people who turned up during the day.

Brian is trained in trauma counselling after recovering from attempting to take his own life, and decided to commit his life to helping other people by combining haircuts with mental health first aid for communities around Australia.

The Walkabout Barber has visited more than 35 communities and provided more than 2,100 free haircuts.

The visit of the Walkabout Barber was delivered by Neighbourhood Central, Parkes Shire Council, and the Peak Hill Aboriginal Medical service with the support of the NSW Youth Week Grant.

(Photos by Torin Hando – Neighbourhood Central Youth Worker)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St George’s Anglican Church is getting excited about the upcoming arrival of well-known Christian Apologist Kevin Simington for a short-term ministry of eight weeks with them. Kevin is a popular author and conference speaker who has been in high demand as a guest speaker in churches in various parts of Australia.

He is about to be ordained as Anglican minister in Bathurst after many years teaching Biblical Studies, and pastoring churches in Sydney and the Central Coast. His ordination will take place on Saturday, 24th April at 11am at the All Saints Cathedral.

After ordination, Kevin will take up the role of Ministry Consultant for the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst. This position was recently created by Bishop Mark Calder to assist parishes come to terms with changing demographics in Australia, and to provide training to key members of parishes to develop leadership, particularly in these difficult times.

He will conduct planning meetings for the Parish leadership in Parkes, seminars for the public on two key contemporary issues, and preaching in Parkes and Peak Hill each weekend.

Kevin is the author of 13 books and is a senior writer for My Christian Daily, an international Christian magazine. He maintains a presence on the internet with SmartFaith. net

Kevin will also be lending a hand musically in Parkes. He plays in a cover band on the Central Coast, and his band called Retrovibe will be in Parkes for a free, outdoor concert on Saturday, 22nd May on the grounds of St George’s Anglican Church.

During his eight weeks in Parkes, Kevin will also be conducting two community seminars. The first, entitled, “Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering?”, will be on Wednesday, 5th May 5 at 7:15pm at St George’s Anglican Church. Entry will be free and include supper. The second seminar, “Evidence for Belief”, will be on Wednesday, 9th June.

Canowindra is less than an hour’s drive from Parkes and has a lot to offer for those looking for new experiences and adventures.

BALLOON JOY FLIGHTS
Is a balloon flight on your bucket list? Canowindra is the balloon capital of Australia and the historic home of hot air ballooning because the atmospheric wind conditions are the most favourable for all year hot air ballooning. Balloon Joy Flights is a small family-owned company run by Graham, Jan and Anton Kerr offering you the opportunity to experience the magic of hot air ballooning. The company has been a commercial balloon flight operator since 1988. Canowindra also hosts the Cabonne Community Glow every year and will again take place on 1st May this year with hot air balloons lighting up the night sky. www.balloonjoyflights.com.au

EDDY’S
If you are easily charmed by the character of old buildings, then Eddy’s is the place to stay in Canowindra. Offering group accommodation in an authentically restored 100-year-old historic convent building, Eddy’s cater for 2 – 32 people with 10 bedrooms (four with ensuite bathrooms) and reverse cycle air-conditioning in each room. There is a large commercial kitchen available opening onto a large semi-enclosed deck with BBQ area. You are also able to host your own party with a large dining room and plenty of entertaining space. Eddy’s is the ideal base for small to larger groups looking for accommodation for a wedding or hen party, a cycling club, or a conference. www.eddysofcanowindra.com.au

THE BLUE BOWERBIRD
The Blue Bowerbird is a unique online gift store with a bricks and mortar shop located in Canowindra. The shop offers a large range of unique gift wares ranging from animal related items to man cave products and much more. Over the years the owners have build a strong relationship with their suppliers and can access unique products, and are constantly searching and adding to their collection. The Blue Bowerbird can ship Australia wide and internationally. www.thebluebowerbird.com.au

CANOWINDRA INTERNATIONAL BALLOON CHALLENGE
Every April since 2010 Canowindra bursts at the seams as in excess of 5,000 people come to see the spectacle of Australia’s largest hot air balloon festival. This year’s festival takes place from 24th April to 2nd May. A highlight of the week’s events is the Small Acres Cyder KeyGrab on Sunday, 2nd May, where over a dozen hot air balloonists take off from out of town and head back into the sports oval and try and grab the key off the pole to try and win the prize. The signature event of the festivalis the Cabonne Community Glow, which kicks off from 3pm @ the Tom Clyburn Oval on Saturday, 1st May.
COVID travel restrictions have forces us in a nice way to explore what is great in our region, and in the Central West we are very fortunate to have an abundance of new experiences on offer. Historic Canowindra, set on the banks of the beautiful Belubula River, is famous for its crooked main street that follows the route of an old bullock track. The town’s fascinating colonial history, includes the famous story of the whole town being bailed up in a pub for three days by bushranger Ben Hall and his gang in 1863. In 1955, a rock bed full of thousands of rare Devonian fossils was uncovered by chance near Canowindra. It contained fossils of bizarre fish with crushing jaws and armour from 360 million years ago, long before dinosaurs roamed the planet. Many of these are now on display at the intriguing Ages of Fishes Museum.

THE OLD VIC INN
A magnificent heritage listed building located in the picturesque historic main street of Canowindra, the Old Vic Inn is a destination within itself. The Old Vic Inn provides the perfect base to explore the region’s ample attractions where you can meander through the engaging township, taste the abundant country hospitality, or just sit back on the veranda and drink in the charm! The family run inn features old world charm, ensuite rooms, lounge areas, dining and bar facilities providing the perfect venue for family getaways, conferences, weekends away and special occasions. www.oldvicinn.com.au

PERENNIALLE PLANTS
Owners of Perennialle Plants, Nerida and Chris Cuddy, have refurbished a historic building dating back to 1909 in Canowindra and will be opening a brand new store today.
They have taken care to restore elements of the building to reflect its original design that will house their high quality garden tools, gift ware, rustic items, wrought iron ware, natural brushes and designer home-wares – all sourced for their beauty and practicality.
Nerida, a schoolteacher and musician said in an ABC story the new shop offered possibilities of setting up flexible, creative areas in the storefront and the adjoining shed for community events.
For her, a highlight is a grand piano, on loan from some locals, that sits in the front display room. “It lives in our building, so that was the cherry on top for me,” she said.
“We hope musical people will come and play and just add to the atmosphere and enjoyment of this place.”
The couple also run a unique nursery, which will take another couple of weeks to relocate to the new premises. The rare collection of frost and drought tolerant shrubs and perennials, sourced from around the world and grown in Canowindra, will add to the charm of the new main street location. Perennialle Plants is an online nursery too with plants and garden tools on mail order at www.perennialle.com.au Plants are carefully packaged and posted weekly.

The Parkes Shire is celebrating Youth Week 2021, starting today and running until Saturday, 24th April, with a program packed with free activities, workshops and events.

Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to come together and express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives and create and enjoy activities and events with like-minded individuals.

The theme for this year is ‘Together more than ever’. With that in mind, this year’s events are focused on bringing the local youth together to learn and create in a collaborative way. “From banner making and illustration workshops, a chill-out session with JABBA and Gracey Jones, testing your trivia knowledge at the CUC Trivia Night, a backstage experience at the Wicked production at the Parkes Little Theatre, to a games day, plus more,” said Cultural, Education & Library Services Manager Kerryn Jones. “There is something for everyone in this year’s program.”

Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “One of the events we are running during Youth Week is a ‘Skills for Youth Workshop’, which will be held in the Marramarra Makerspace Studio in the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre on Monday, 19th April from 4 to 6pm.

“The interactive workshop aims to inspire and educate 16 to 21-year-olds on a range of topics, including seizing opportunities, mental health and the importance of supporting friends, road safety, resume writing and job application tips and tricks.

For more information on the Skills for Youth workshop or to register your attendance, contact Council’s Events Officer at events@parkes.nsw.gov.au. Bookings are essential for all the events, please call the Parkes Shire Library on 6861 2309. For more information about the Youth Week program, visit Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.