The Maternity unit at the Parkes Hospital is open again with birthing possible under the care of a midwife.

The Lachlan Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) started booking in expectant mothers from Thursday last week. The unit has been closed for almost two years because of a shortage of medical practitioners.

“I welcome the service as an option, however I will continue to pursue the Local Health District on the recruitment and retention of obstetricians and other specialists,” said Member for Orange Phil Donato, who has been very vocal on the planned downgrade to maternity services.

“Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) provides a mother with a midwife who cares for them during pregnancy, birth journey and afterwards,” said Acting Lachlan Health Service Manager, Jenni McGee.

“MGP is for women with a low risk pregnancy, and no medical conditions. Mid-wives are trained specialists in normal pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. They also have support from specialist GP obstetricians if required during pregnancy.

“When pregnant women call the central intake line on 6861 2439, they will speak to our maternity team about the choices available. This is ultimately a decision based on both a risk assessment and the mother’s choice,” said Jenni.

“Where the pregnancy is low risk, mums can now choose to birth at either Parkes or Forbes through the MGP. They will have a primary midwife working with them throughout their pregnancy which really helps develop understanding and trust. “Two midwives will attend the birth and the primary midwife will visit mum and baby at home for up to six weeks after the birth.

“If there are any developments during the pregnancy that changes the risk assessment, the midwife will work with mum and her other healthcare providers to make arrangements to give birth at Forbes, where obstetric and anaesthetic services are available.”

The late Donald Chisholm from Parkes has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the announcement of the 2021 Australia Day Honours List.

Donald posthumously received the award for “service to the community through a range of roles”. He was the manager of the Astro Dish Motor Inn between 2015 and 2020, and a former publican at the Parkes Phoenix Bar and President of the Rotary Club of Parkes to name but some of his endeavours.

He made a huge and diverse number of community contributions not only in Parkes, but many other country areas in NSW, as well as in regional South Australia and Victoria. In 2012 Donald was awarded a certificate for 50 years involvement in cricket from the NSW Cricket Association.

After his death the Parkes Rotary Club gave him a Paul Harris Award, which is the Rotary’s highest honour for its members.

“It is wonderful that Donald was awarded an OAM,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith at the Australia Day celebrations on Tuesday. “We are very happy for his wife Valerie.”

Donald was also well-known in Cowra and Wellington for his community involvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Lynch is known for his dedication in his daily life to helping others and on Tuesday he received the Citizen of the Year award as part of the annual recognition given to Parkes citizens on Australia Day.

“I am honoured and humbled,” he said after accepting the award. “Honoured that someone thought enough of me to nominate me.”

He said the other nominees, Ana Mill, Barry Garment and Hedley Nicholson were equally entitled to the award.

Michael, who looks for every opportunity to support his fellow citizens, said the people he admired the most in the community were the ‘backroom boys and girls’. “Those people who keep the wheels turning in order to keep the big wheel turning. They make my job and commitment a lot easier.” Michael is an extremely active member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, assisting those in need and advocating tirelessly on a range of social justice issues. In this role he has been particularly active in drought assistance. Since 2018 he has visited over 1,000 farms in the Parkes Shire and beyond, offering both financial assistance and a listening ear. Michael is also very active with the Prostate Cancer Support Group, Parkes Veterans Golf Club and his church community.

He said none of it would be possible without the support and assistance of his wife, Peg.

The Parkes Library & Cultural Centre, including the Parkes Country Universities Centre, will remain closed to carry out the flood damage repairs following the storm event on Saturday, 2nd January.

“Repairs have commenced and at this stage we hope to reopen on Monday, 15th February at 9:30am, pending the completion of the repairs,” said Council’s Director of Planning & Environment, Brendan Hayes.

Despite the closure of the facility, the following services will still be available: Online Collection for all members with eBooks, eAudiobooks, Beamafilm, emagazines, StoryBox, Computer School; Local and family history enquiries via phone or email 6861 2339 or dan.fredericks@parkes.nsw.gov.au; Returns chute is available at the Bogan Street entrance – there are no overdue fines and current loans can be kept past the due dates until the library reopens; One computer is available for free public use at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street. This includes accessing the Internet and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Use will be limited to 30 minutes – bookings can be made by calling 6861 2333.

Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services, Kerryn Jones said: “The Parkes Library is an integral hub for our community, and it is disappointing to see the doors closed as a result of the recent storm. We look forward to being able to reopen this fantastic space for our community members to enjoy again.”

Although the Parkes Country Universities Centre (CUC) is closed, the Centre Manager Jacob Cass, is still available to assist students to navigate their study options for 2021. Head to the CUC Parkes Facebook for more details.

The branch libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore will continue to operate as normal.