The Parkes Phoenix is once again running its very popular competition, and this year Spring is magnificent after all the rain. So, go out and get snapping, we would love to see what you see! Ivey Lane Photography has sponsored a $50 gift voucher as the prize. Enter via our Facebook page or email your photos to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. Entries close 30th October. Carla Greef sent us this one of a friendly critter she came across.
Class group 6C at Parkes Public School all wanted to be the ‘i’ in kind when the school celebrated kindness for a week to focus on the good in the world during these times of turmoil.
“Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people’s lives, regardless of the weather.”
After the mixed up beginning to the year, Parkes Public School decided to focus on the good in our world, and the good we can show other people. The whole school celebrated a week of kindness as term 3 is drawing to a close.
All members of the school community took part in some way. “We all talked about how we can be kind, how we can help others belong and how we can use our power to make the world a happier place,” said teacher Erin Woolstencroft. “Last Thursday we took time to check in with each other for R U OK Day.”
There was a chocolate fairy who visited the teachers, classes made gifts for each other, there were discussions on how students could help people in our local community, and the week finished off by being the ‘i’ in kind. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Lianna Richings and Sophie Kim.
Principal Coral O’Neill.
Jack Gould.
Ben Woolstencroft.
At the official opening of the Parkes to Narromine Inland Rail track in Peak Hill on Tuesday were Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP and Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton MP.
The final golden clip was hammered into place to signify the completion of the very first section of Inland Rail at Peak Hill on Tuesday.
“What a significant and momentous day,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack. “Inland Rail is nation-building and today recognises a great milestone in this transformational infrastructure.”
Peak Hill was an appropriate location for the historic achievement as the first shipment of Australian made steel was delivered to Peak Hill on 15th January 2018 to begin the project.
“This is real progress, and our Government has already delivered more than 1,800 jobs and $100 million in local stimulus through Inland Rail.”
“We have invested $25 million in ballast and capping (800,000 tonnes) from Parkes-based companies Calvani Crushing and Ausrock Quarries – a great example of how local procurement is at the heart of Inland Rail.”
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government and Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said Inland Rail would present new growth opportunities for farmers, producers and manufacturers in the regional areas of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
“We’re now looking ahead to the Narrabri to North Star project, scheduled to commence construction later this year, where we will see similar local benefits as Inland Rail provides a must needed catalyst for stimulus in our regions.”
The Parkes to Narromine project included upgrades to 98km of existing corridor and 5.3km of new rail; 1,862 people worked on the project; 762 of these were residents from the Parkes area; 302 Indigenous people worked on the project; 197 of whom are local Indigenous workers; 99 local businesses supplied to the project, nine of which are Indigenous businesses; the total spend was $109.7 million with local businesses; $14.1 million of which has been spent with Indigenous businesses.
Ellie Hawkins.
Ellie Hawkins, Scheduling Engineer at CMOC-Northparkes Mines, has been named a finalist for the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards.
Ellie is a finalist in the inaugural Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award category. Earlier this year, Ellie was announced as the joint winner of the Young Achiever of the Year award as part of the NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards. Northparkes Managing Director Hubert Lehman said: “2020 has been a big year for you. We are very lucky to have you on our team!”
Students at Parkes Public School celebrated a week of kindness. Here is Kaiden Lord at the kindness wall.
Christmas Parade and Carnival Cancelled: At the recent Parkes Action Club meeting members voted to cancel the annual Parkes Street Parade and Christmas Carnival. The members recognise that the Parkes community has been very supportive of this event in the past. However, due to COVID-19 concerns the members felt this is the safest way forward for our community.
Last Day To Have Your Say: Today, 18th September is the last day to take part in the survey to have your say on whether the Parkes Elvis Festival should take place next year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Parkes Elvis Festival has been moved from January to 10-14 March 2021, but the final decision will be made by 28th September. Your contribution will help make the decision regarding the festival proceeding in March 2021. Complete the survey via the Your Say Parkes platform – https://yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au/2021-parkes-elvis-festival
Power Outage on Sunday: Bogan Gate, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore and the surrounding area will have a power outage on Sunday, 20th September from 7am to 4pm to enable work to be safely completed on the electricity network. According to Essential Energy the planned power outage was required to enable an authorised contractor, working for a customer, to undertake work on the electricity network. Essential Energy crews will also undertake maintenance work on the electricity network at the same time replacing more than 20 power poles, and other electricity network equipment including cross-arms, which have reached end of life. Affected homes and businesses have been notified of the power outage. The scheduled works are reliant on suitable weather conditions and may be postponed if the conditions are unfavourable or any unforeseen circumstances arise.
Grants To Support Youth: The Youth Action Projects Grant Scheme have grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 available for projects which respond to the social challenges facing those aged 15 to 24. Projects need to be either new initiatives that recognise and respond to the hardship young people face now and will face in the future, or existing initiatives which already provide a valuable on-going service to young people, but which need further funding to continue. There will be a particular focus on employment, transportation, mental health and the impacts of COVID-19 and last summer’s bushfires. The grant round closes 7th October. Visit www.fya.org.au/yapgs
Have you seen what the renovated part of the CBD looks like at night? Why not make use of the good weather at the moment and take a night time stroll around town? (Photo: Les Finn)
At the launch this week were (L-R) Principal Parkes East Public School Michael Ostler, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP, Life Education Officer Alana Masi, Mayor Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM and Life Education NSW CEO Jonathon Peatfield.
Students at Parkes East Public School were the first in NSW to experience a new-look outdoor Healthy Harold classroom this week.
The new agile alternative to the famous van, is the Life Education inflatable outdoor classroom. It fits in the back of a purpose-built ute and inflates in a matter of minutes.
Life Education NSW CEO Jonathon Peat-field said the new outdoor pop-up classroom would help Life Education to reach more children, across vast distances, faster than ever before, and in a COVID-safe way.
Jonathon was in Parkes on Tuesday to attend the trial launch of the classroom with 350 students from Parkes East Pub- lic School. He was joined by Life Education NSW Board Director and Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
Given his long-term support of Life Education, the Mayor was delighted to see this new innovation in action. “Life Education should be congratulated on their agile approach to advancing their outreach in our area,” he said.
Parkes East Public School Principal, Michael Ostler said: “We were disappointed when Harold couldn’t visit in the van earlier in the year (due to COVID -19) but jumped at the chance to be the first school in the state to utilise this outdoor option.”
Life Education, with well-known mascot Healthy Harold the giraffe, has been delivering health education for more than 40 years. For the past 10 years, more than 15,000 children from 16 schools in the Parkes region benefitted from the program.
In 2018, Life Education launched the first version of the pop-up classroom for indoor use. The latest outdoor version has greater ventilation for hot weather and assists with physical distancing during COVID-19.
MENTAL HELP…At the launch of the new collaboration were (L-R) Di Gill (RAHMHP Consultant), Tom Norris (Garema), Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller, Claire Nicholson (Garema), Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, Ross Williams (Garema) and Marg Applebee (Central West Lachlan Landcare). (Photo: Jenny Kingham)
Following on from the worst drought, 2020 has so far thrown several other challenging curve balls at our community.
Community health has become a priority and an exciting new collaboration between Gotcha4Life, Landcare NSW, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and Surf Lifesaving NSW will bring new programs to the Parkes and Forbes Shires to build mental fitness.
The four organisations saw the opportunity to work together in regional, rural and coastal areas in NSW by delivering workshops and training focussed on the concept of ‘prevention through connection’.
The mayors of both Parkes and Forbes have expressed the support of their respective councils for the outlay of programs.
Marg Applebee, Coordinator for Central West Lachlan Landcare, and Di Gill, RAHMHP Consultant are pleased to be working with Gotcha4Life to help activate these programs in the Parkes and Forbes shires.
Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to connecting corporate Australia, government, community and NFP to help prevent and reduce instances of poor mental health in Australia. “We are so excited to work alongside such powerful and purpose-driven organisations, who have local reach into communities across NSW, enabling us to build mental fitness with local relevance and sustainable impact,” said CEO Tim Hodgson.
Founder of Gotcha4Life and television and radio personality, Gus Worland said: “Our vision at Gotcha4Life is a world where people are open, honest and supportive in their relationships and comfortable to express themselves when they are not ok. We envisage a society in which everyone has a Gotcha4Life mate who they can open up to and rely on no matter what.”
“This collaboration will be vital to help engage people across NSW who are battling with the effects of drought, fire and COVID-19,” said Gus.
Dr Adrian Zammit, Chief Executive Officer at Landcare NSW said while his organisation’s mission was to continue to care for the land and environment, it was founded on a series of close-knit communities that needed support. “With over 70 local coordinators supported by their own local Landcare groups across NSW, we have the opportunity to assist with facilitation of this important program across the state.”
RAMHP Manager Tessa Caton said continuing to find new ways of building mental fitness and capacity in rural communities was absolutely essential after the challenges 2020 has brought.
“Whilst Surf Life Saving NSW isn’t an organisation that we rely on day to day in the country, they are an important link in this partnership and well-placed to provide practical support for initiatives and programs on the ground.”
The launch of Gotcha4Life in the Parkes and Forbes Shires on Zoom with Gus Worland will be on Wednesday, 23rd September at 7pm. Register via EventBrite, follow the links on Central West Lachlan Landcare’s website and social media sites. Invitations will also be sent to sporting clubs, schools and other organisations.
At the opening of the Coradgery fire station were (L-R) Assistant Commissioner Kelly Browne AFSM, Philip Donato MP, Parkes Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton, Brigade Captain Brian Cantrell, Supt. Ken Neville AFSM and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott MP.
The Parkes Shire’s fire fighting facilities received a further boost last Friday with the opening of two fire stations and the handover of a new tanker to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).
The Coradgery Brigade Station at Goonumbla and Waratah Rural Fire Brigade station in Peak Hill were officially opened by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott who was joined by Member for Orange Philip Donato and NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Kelly Browne.
At the opening of the Waratah fire station were at back Group Captain Grant Byrne, Supt. Ken Neville AFSM and Brigade Captain Nigel Newbigging. In front are Assistant Commissioner Kelly Browne AFSM, Minister David Elliott MP, Elliott Newbigging (Nigel’s son), Philip Donato MP and Parkes Mayor Ken Keith.
The minister welcomed the $570,000 investment at the Waratah Rural Fire Brigade for its first ever station. “The new station will not only be able to store the brigade’s two tankers but it will also be a meeting point for members and their families.”
A new $330,000 category 1 tanker was also handed over, replacing a 24-year-old fire truck.
Phil said the new $97,442 Coradgery station replaced a farm shed which previously housed the brigade’s tanker. “I am sure it will be very greatly welcomed by the 37 current volunteers and the local community.”
The assistant commissioner praised all RFS volunteers for their ongoing efforts each and every day, particularly when dealing with emergencies in the Mid Lachlan Valley.
“We also thank the family, friends, employers and colleagues of these and all volunteers. We know it takes their ongoing support and patience which in turn enables Rural Fire Service volunteers to do what they do to save lives and property.”
Maria and Cliff George donated their land for the brigade station to be built.
At the launch of the Parkes Revitalisation project on Tuesday were (L-R) Cr Neil Westcott, business owners Marty and Gregor Sammut-Paul, Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM, Parkes Shire Council Director Works & Services Ben Howard, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Project Manager Rob Staples and Cr Alan Ward.
After 12 months of inconvenience and disturbance, the transformation of the lower end of the Parkes CBD has injected new life and vitality into our town.
The vibrancy of the new landscaping, trees, garden beds, modern street furniture, newly paved footpaths and the green areas that feed into Cooke Park are set to attract more visitors.
The revitalisation project of $4.2 million was officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack on Tuesday ahead of the expected opening of the new multi-purpose centre in Cooke Park in December.
“Things happen in Parkes where people are positive,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “These developments are so important to the future success of the town as you want more people to come and visit, to stay and to invest.”
“Tourism and visitor markets are drivers for growth in Parkes and the streetscape revitalisation and the coming multi-purpose centre will enable real growth in the town, benefitting community events and helping secure new ones.”
Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith said the project delivered an inviting space, wonderful streetscape and beautiful lighting at night to make it very special. He thanked all the businesses who were interrupted for over 12 months for their understanding.
The 70 members who signed up for the virtual challenge are enjoying the beautiful outdoors at the moment on their walks and runs.
Instead of preparing for regattas, dragon boat enthusiasts have set themselves a challenge of a very different kind this Spring.
Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) has come up with a great innovative idea to keep dragon boat clubs in the Central West engaged with one another over this period of time where regattas are not allowed, while at the same time raising funds for Cancer Council NSW.
The Western Region have dragon boat clubs at Parkes, Dubbo, Mudgee, Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Forbes and Wagga Wagga.
Two PDBC members Beth Thomas and Maggi Barnard set up a virtual challenge of walking to each Western Region town and around each dragon boat club’s waterway, making a total of 1,648 kilometres.
Seventy members from six clubs signed up for the challenge, which started on 1st September. They are covering these distances in record time while benefiting from the online camaraderie and sharing pictures and comments of their walks. The walkers of each club receive uniquely designed online postcards to mark each dragon boat town they pass through on the virtual map.
“What a fabulous idea to engage us all in this activity,” said a participant Rhonda Lang from Dubbo. “It’s so motivating, we just make sure to walk (or maybe run) just that little bit further or that extra day per week. Got to be good for our health and fitness.”
Another participant Robyn Diamond said: “What a wonderful motivator to get us all walking at such a gorgeous time of the year.”
This Saturday many of the walkers will be meeting in reality to walk in Nangar National Park, in accordance with COVID guidelines, and enjoy a BYO picnic together.
At the end of the challenge the clubs are planning to come together once more for a celebration barbecue, kayaking and medal presentation, if restrictions allow.
By Beth Thomas