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Commemorate Anzac Day At Home

April 24, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

SOLO… Amelia Leach of the Parkes Shire Concert Band, will be playing the Last Post on her trumpet from her mailbox at 6am tomorrow.

Although there will be no dawn services, street parades and public ceremonies tomorrow to commemorate Anzac Day, we can all do something special to ensure we will always remember it.

“Australians are known for their qualities of mateship, humour, ingenuity, courage and endurance – and during this time of uncertainty, it’s particularly important that we demonstrate these qualities and harness the ‘Anzac Spirit’,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.

“By paying our respects from home we can ensure we keep the Anzac legacy alive, and also keep our friends, family and community safe by helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The Parkes Shire Council has compiled a list of suggestions for how locals can acknowledge Anzac Day and ensure Australian servicemen and women are appropriately remembered.

• Stand at the end of your driveway at 6am and/or 10am on Saturday, 25th April and observe a minute’s silence, or you can play The Last Post on an instrument. Amelia Leach, member of the Parkes Shire Concert Band, will be playing her trumpet from her mailbox at 6am, as will several other members of the band.

• St George’s Anglican Church in Parkes will play the Last Post and Reveille over the external speaker system at 6am. At 7:30am there will be an online Service of Remembrance that has been pre-recorded and may be accessed through https://parkesanglican.online.church. There will be a link to the recording made available later during the day on Facebook or searched through YouTube.

• At 2pm Geoff Steventon will host a biblical talk on ‘Christians in the Military – What does the Bible Say’. Geoff is the Pastor of Koinonia Community Church in Peak Hill. He served in the Army Reserve for 34 years, joining as a Private and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

• Tune into the ABC’s live broadcast of the national Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra from 5.30am. There will also be a 10am service from the Anzac Memorial in Sydney on ABC and streamed live.

• Record yourself reciting the ode or share a message of support for veterans on social media using the hashtag #ANZACSpirit.

• Reach out to a mate. Many people are alone during this time of isolation. It’s an opportunity to invoke the ANZAC value of mateship.

• Make a paper poppy wreath for your door or fence to show your support.

• Bake a batch of Anzac biscuits!

• Donate to the ANZAC appeal online, www.anzacappeal.com.au. to help provide specialist services to thousands of veterans and their families.

Geoff Stokes is the Anzac Day piper, and has played Flowers of the Forest, a lament for Anzac Day, at the Dawn Service and morning ceremony for many years. He also played first violin in the local orchestra.

Letter from the Publisher

April 24, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Dear readers,

I would like to write to you personally and on behalf of the entire Phoenix Group of Newspapers to thank you for your continued support of our publications over the last few weeks during the Coronavirus crisis.

This is a stressful period for many, and will no doubt continue to be over the next few weeks, at least. While we have done it tough here at the Phoenix, there are many other local businesses doing it much tougher, and I would like to let them all know that our thoughts and best wishes are with them. We will continue to support our local community as best as we can by providing all the up to date local news, as well as continuing to offer our publishing space to all our advertisers, past, present, and future.

With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm to our readers and advertisers that we will continue to publish our weekly newspaper as we normally would. I understand that there is currently much uncertainty around community media, but we are here to stay. We have plans in place to ensure our future viability, and while our staff are all working remotely from home at the moment, they are all still contactable by phone, email and social media, and are still responding to all enquiries that come their way.

While there are challenges, we will still be the local voice of our community, as we have been over the last few years. Our newspapers will continue to be free of charge, and while there are some outlets that we cannot distribute from at the moment, our newspapers will still be available from all others, and we will still be distributing our rural copies through Australia Post.

Please let it be known that we are with everyone through this tough time and will always be available to support our community wherever we can.

Kind regards,
Joshua Matic,
Publisher
The Phoenix Group of Newspapers

Snippets…

April 24, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

CONGRATULATIONS! The Parkes Phoenix family is a little girl richer. Sylvie and Brodie Everingham-Potts welcomed Azalea Eve into the world on Tuesday, 20th April at 3:30pm, weighing in at 3.34kg.

Temperature Screening: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has implemented screening and temperature testing for all people coming into health services, including the Parkes Hospital, as part of the state wide response to COVID-19. Thermal thermometers will be used requiring no contact. The testing will apply to all visitors, staff and contractors. People will also be asked some screening questions. For more information on COVID-19 follow the WNSWLHD on Facebook, contact the Public Health Helpline on 1300 066 055 or contact healthdirect online or on 1800 022 222.

Food Security Not In Question: The latest report by Australia’s Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES) has confirmed Australia has one of the most secure food supplies in the world and is not at risk because of COVID-19. Australia ranks in the top 10% of countries under the Global Food Security Index defined by the World Food Summit. The index measures 34 criteria covering affordability, availability, quality and safety.

If Your Purchase Is Taking A While: Australia Post has informed customers that due to reductions in air freight capacity, there may be delays on the letters and parcels network, particularly to regional and rural communities. Delays will mean: Priority Mail services may be suspended; The delivery time for Perth and Brisbane may increase by up to five days, North Queensland up to seven days, and Tasmania by three days; and the Next Day Express Post Services into regional and rural communities may not be able to be maintained. “Our people continue to work tirelessly under difficult circumstances, so we’re asking everyone to be kind and treat our dedicated people with the courtesy and respect they deserve – whether it be in a call centre, Post Office or dropping your delivery off.”

Micro Grants To Arts: Arts OutWest is offering micro-grants of $300 to $1000 to assist individuals and organisations during the COVID-19 crisis. The first round of applications close on 30th April. To be eligible you can be an individual, organisation or arts-based business but must be based in the Arts OutWest region; your request must be arts related and related to recent hardship through the effects of COVID-19 on your arts practice; and the request must offer a way of improving the negative effects of COVID-19. To apply download the application form from the artsoutwest.org. au website or contact Arts OutWest for a copy on 0418 618 688 / artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Farmer Ana Feeds Frontline Fighters

April 24, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Farmer Ana with her trays filled with delicious slices.

After the successful Farmer Ana cake drive to help drought stricken farmers, Ana has turned her sights on frontline workers combatting the Coronavirus.

“I care for the community and these people face trauma and tragedy every day. The slices are a way of saying thank you,” said Ana.

“I will be baking trays of delicious slices for the frontline workers that can accept them.” Ana has already delivered trays to the Parkes and Forbes hospitals, and plans to make contact with other workers such as paramedics, police, fire service and other community workers soon.

To keep the project going, Ana welcomes donations of flour and cooking additives to help her continue baking. Contact Ana on 0423 150 949.

‘Reel’ Creativity By Currajong Sewing Group

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Donna Apps with some of the designs.

The Currajong Disability Services Sewing Group continues to come up with creative and innovative ways of staying afloat and keeping up with the times.

With the rain of recent times, the group added umbrella bags to their range of items, and following on from a world-wide trend during the Corona crisis they’ve started making teddy bears too.

“We’ve gone from drought to rain and with rain comes umbrellas and umbrella bags,” said Deitre Jackson of Currajong Disability Services Sewing Group. “When enough have been made we will make a decision on what will be done with them,” said Deitre.

She said the teddies would be popular too. “Whenever we have branched into that area before it has always been well received.”

In one of the more positive outcomes of the Corona pandemic – people from all around the world are coming together in fun and creative ways. Parkes residents have joined the bear hunt by putting teddy bears and other stuffed animals in their windows for families to take their kids on a bear hunt.

Crime

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

What is a crime? There are many crimes or offences. A lot are contained in the Crimes Act but many more are contained in other statutes both of the State and Federal Parliaments. The range of offences vary from murder down to parking.

Most criminal matters are commenced by the Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions by way of court attendance notices (formerly known as Police charges/summonses). Those charged with an offence will appear firstly before a magistrate in a local court. In some cases, issues of bail may need to be considered.

Magistrates deal with over 90% of criminal matters summarily, but the more serious offences are committed to the district court or supreme court for trial before a judge and/ or jury.

Unlike civil matters, criminal matters must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ having regard to the elements of the offence. This is when a solicitor’s professional knowledge becomes essential for the client (ie the person charged with an offence).

It should be noted that in civil matters the standard of proof is much less in that the plaintiff usually has to prove their case ‘on the balance of probabilities’.

Police will have a fact sheet (which is not evidence but outlines the Police case) on the first appearance before the court. The fact sheet and instructions from the client will help the solicitor in deciding whether to advise the client to plead guilty or not guilty. Sometimes an adjournment is necessary to obtain further information.

Once a plea is entered, the magistrate may adjourn the matter for hearing, sentence the client, commit the client for trial in a higher court or other options, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and the previous criminal history of the client. For further information contact us.

“Just Do The Right Thing”

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

FRESH AIR… Parkes residents are very grateful for the recently extended walkways around town and behind the new water filtration plant to help keep fit during the Corona pandemic. Some walkers have added a fun element to the route by building stone towers along the way.

Life has certainly changed for us in Parkes after almost three weeks of living under Australia’s toughest Coronavirus lockdown regulations in NSW with heavy fines for breaking these rules.

The Parkes community are coping well with these changes, but there still seems to be confusion about some of the rules and how it applies to rural living compared to being in a city. The Parkes Phoenix asked Parkes Police Officer in Charge, Chief Inspector David Cooper to clarify some of the rules for our readers.

“The community of Parkes has generally been very good with regard to social distancing and isolation,” said the Chief Inspector. “We have had cause to issue a number of infringements to people unwilling to abide by the rules. Those people were only issued tickets after multiple warnings and advice, or they were committing other offences at the time. Police in Parkes are using discretion at all times and infringements are only issued as a last resort.”

“To those people who think the rules don’t apply to them and continue to have ‘gatherings’ – my advice to you is stop. You will be issued infringements if you come under Police notice.”

He asked all residents to “just do the right thing for this relatively short time. Only we can stop the spread of this virus. Complacency has no place in our day to day lives when it comes to COVID-19.”

Chief Inspector David Cooper

Our well-being is vital during these times and many residents are using the exemption of being allowed outside for exercise, but are we doing it correctly?

The Chief Inspector said walking or running near your home or within the town limits would be absolutely fine. “If you have to drive to get to your walking point – you probably need to reassess that option unless it is relatively close. Here in Parkes no drive is longer than about 10 minutes so those short drives to get somewhere are fine. Walking the dog with family is a great option.”

Another favourite pastime these days is getting all those DIY jobs done at home. “Driving to the hardware shop to get things for home repairs is fine. Going there to have a browse because you are bored is not a reasonable excuse,” said David.

Finally, the Chief Inspector had one important message for everyone: “Follow the State and Federal Government directions and warnings. Only leave the house if it is essential; if you do leave the house, wash your hands and practice good social distancing measures.”

The following are guidelines from the Government on what you can leave your home for:
• Work, if a person can’t work from home
• School or an educational institution
• Shops for food and other essential items
• Get medical care
• Exercise, but only if the exercise is done alone or with one other person

The police have the power to deliver on-the-spot fines of $1,000 to individuals who breach those rules.The maximum penalty is $11,000 and six months in jail.

You can only be with one other person outside, unless they’re part of your immediate family or are housemates. The same rule applies for having another person over to your house.

If you are inside, there can only be two people gathered in that room, and social distancing must be adhered to.

By Maggi Barnard

NPM And COVID-19

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The health and safety of CMOC-Northparkes Mines’ employees, contractors, their families and the local community remains their top priority during this pandemic.

“As an industry, we are working closely with NSW and Commonwealth governments, regulators and health professionals to ensure we are able to continue operating safely,” said Managing Director Hubert Lehman. “The Northparkes leadership team continues to meet on a daily basis to review the current measures we have implemented onsite to prevent the potential exposure and risk in our workplace.”

These measures include, but are not limited to, health screening, increased cleaning and sanitation, working from home arrangements and social distancing. These measures align with the guidelines provided by the government, health professionals and the NSW Resources Regulator.

“The continued operation of our mine site, managed in strict compliance with these COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, will support jobs and allow us to continue to de- liver economic benefits within the community – especially at such a critical time,” said Hubert. “Let’s continue to support each other during these difficult and unprecedented times – we are all in this together.”

For more information visit www.northparkes.com or contact the Community and External Relations Advisor on 6861 3621.

Kindness Flows From Currajong Kitchen

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

LEFT: Jason Spicer hard at work in the Currajong kitchen. RIGHT: Chris Spicer ready to deliver the goods.

It might not always make the headlines, but during difficult times acts of unconditional kindness are what makes life for everyone better.

This week’s feel good story comes from the Currajong Disability Services (CDS) kitchen. CDS participants Chris and Jason Spicer decided to bake cakes to show their gratitude and appreciation for all the front- line workers at Parkes Hospital.

“It’s a tremendous gesture from our guys and something they really wanted to do,” said Dane Millerd of CDS.

“As an organisation, I know I am not alone when I say that there are many ways we want to help,” said Dane.

The act of giving didn’t go unnoticed with the Parkes Hospital staff praising the effort and kind token of support by posting a Thank You photo.

“It was our way of giving back to the community and also showing our appreciation to front line medical staff who do so much for us,” said Indigo Kriedemann of CDS.

“We are hoping to continue this and assist other community groups where we can, especially in the current environment,” Indigo said.

The Parkes Ambulance Service were also beneficiaries of Currajong’s cake baking and cooking courtesy of Heather Coates and Donna Apps. The treats were dropped off last Monday and well-received by the ambulance officers.

Learner Drivers Can Have Driving Lessons

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Learner drivers can continue lessons with a supervisor, including driving to the supermarket.

Learner drivers and their supervisors are allowed to continue driving lessons under the current COVID-19 restrictions.

The advice comes following a highly publicised incident in Victoria last week when a 17-year-old learner driver was fined for non-essential travel – a decision that was later reversed.

NSW Police Chief Inspector David Cooper reminded Parkes residents that the Government’s advice was to stay home and only undertake essential travel.

“Under the Public Health Orders a person cannot leave their place of residence without a reasonable excuse.”

“A reasonable excuse includes travelling for the purposes of work where you cannot work from home, so driving instructors can leave their house for their work – to teach people how to drive.”

“We consider that it would be a reasonable excuse for a person to leave their house to receive driving lessons (either from a driving instructor or a member of their family), given that this is a learning activity that cannot be done from home and is akin to the listed reasonable excuse of travelling to attend an educational institution where you cannot learn from home.”

“Learner drivers could also continue to drive with a supervising family member for any of the listed reasonable excuses for leaving the house – for example driving to the supermarket,” Chief Inspector Cooper said.

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