Articles Archives - Page 261 of 459

So Good To See People Enjoying Themselves

June 5, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The staff at the Roasted Kombi on Wednesday were (L- R) Debbie Mitchell, Danielle Adams, Kelvin Rowe, Ellen Thomas and Gabrielle Boland.

Life returned to the Parkes CBD coffee shops and restaurants after the relaxation of COVID-19 regulations with patrons flocking to their favourite spots despite freezing winter weather showing up on the first of June.

“The last two Saturdays have been hectic,” said Kelvin Rowe, co-owner of the Roasted Kombi. “We’ve been absolutely smashed with so many people coming for breakfast.”

He said it was just brilliant to see people leaving their homes and coming out to enjoy themselves. “It is so good to see especially the older generation coming out and enjoying their daily coffee. We missed seeing them every day, and it’s great having them back.”

Norma Oliver and Jan Sunderland were happy to go No more take away coffees. out and enjoy a coffee together at Roasted Kombi on Wednesday.

Kevin said they had pretty much gone back to what it was like before the isolation regulations. “It is really good. We are still a little bit down on lunch times.”

Kelvin added that they were very happy to have achieved their goal of not having to let off any staff members during the lockdown period. “We did have to cut their hours, but with the delivery service we brought in, we managed to keep them all.”

He said the one positive of slowing down during the lockdown was having time to add new items to the menu like kebabs, waffles and loaded chips. “You become complacent when you are so busy. The new items have been very popular.”

Kelvin also wanted to thank all their patrons for their support during COVID-19.

From Monday, 1st June, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants can have up to 50 customers.

Other restrictions eased include travel to regional NSW for a holiday, visits to museums, galleries and libraries, beauty and nail salon operators can begin treatments, and up to 20 people can attend weddings, 50 at funerals and 50 at places of worship.

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

June 5, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Sergeant Martin Ling from the Parkes Highway Patrol reminds members of the public that police patrols will pay more attention to drink drivers over the long weekend.

Double Demerits: Don’t spoil your very first road trip after isolation by not sticking to the road rules. This is a reminder that this long weekend double demerit points will be in place from today, 5th June to Monday, 8th June.
Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said officers would be targeting excessive speed, alcohol and drug driving, fatigue, seatbelt, helmet and mobile phone offences.
“With the opening of pubs and clubs, we will be paying more attention to drink drivers.” He reminded the public to take advantage of the local taxi service or use a designated driver.

Power Outage for Tottenham and Tullamore: To enable work to be safely completed on the electricity network, a planned power outage will affect Tottenham, Tullamore and the surrounding area on Sunday, 14th June between 9am and 3:30pm. The planned power outage was originally scheduled for mid-May, but had to be postponed after heavy rain. Crews will replace seven cross-arms, two insulators and one power pole, along with other maintenance tasks. As part of Essential Energy’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all maintenance work requiring a power outage is carefully assessed, however these works do need to be completed to ensure the network remains safe and reliable for customers.

Make Staying Connected A New Daily Routine: R U OK? is calling on Australians to include staying connected in their daily routine as they deal with the lasting impact of the Coronavirus. “The pandemic has inspired some wonderful examples of how caring our community can be and we need to hold on to that because that sense of genuine care and concern can be life changing for those grappling with the impact of recent events,” said R U OK? CEO, Katherine Newton. “In the morning think about who in your world might be struggling and make a plan to reach out to them and ask ‘Are you okay?’. That simple question and a conversation has the power to change someone’s life for the better.”
To #StayConnected:
• Think about who in your world might be struggling.
• Make ‘time to ask’ as part of your daily routine.
• Make a phone call, send an SMS, video call, email or chat over the fence, go for a walk together or catch up for a cuppa. If you need guidance on how to support someone, visit ruok.org.au

Do The Poo Test! Cancer Council NSW is encouraging all NSW residents to stay on top of their routine health checks, in particular those that are eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. “We are urging eligible Australians to participate when their screening invitation or reminder letters arrive in the mail. Be sure the kit is still valid by checking the expiry date on the back of the envelope.”

Blood Donations ‘Essential’: Donate now. Make an appointment online or call 13 14 95.

Parkes VIC Re-opens: With regional travel in NSW back on the cards from 1st June, the Parkes Visitor Information Centre (VIC) and Henry Parkes Museums have reopened.
The VIC will be open on weekdays from 9am – 4pm, while the King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit and Parkes Motor Museum will also re-open on weekdays with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.
The Parkes Historical Society will also re-open at the same times and manage their patrons in line with Government regulations.

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club members are enjoying being back on a much fuller Lake Endeavour, and are using kayaks to keep fit until they are allowed to paddle in a dragon boat again.

What’s on @ The Library

June 5, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

YOUR LIBRARY IS BACK!

We are looking forward to seeing you back at the library – it’s nice and warm inside so come in for a visit! Currently Parkes branch is open Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm, with Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore branches open normal hours. Check our webpage for details and temporary conditions of entry.

WHAT ARE YOUR EARS READING?

Now that we are able to hit the road and travel around NSW, you might be interested in borrowing from our extensive collection of audio books. We have something for everyone from crime and mystery, to romance and biographies, from contemporary issues to children’s books. Hands-free reading while you’re driving, cooking or just relaxing. We also have a large collection of e-books and e-audiobooks that can be downloaded.

STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH

Phosphorescence: on awe, wonder & things that sustain you when the world goes dark. By Julia Baird

Julia Baird’s search for the ‘light within’ and for what makes people shine has resulted in the perfect book for 2020 as the world seems to have been turned upside down. This beautifully written book investigates how we can find the light within each of us that will sustain us through the darkest of times. Baird shares her own personal accounts and investigations into seeking out awe and wonder in the world, paying more attention to the present and living deliberately, finding stillness and silence, being with friends, and finding the extraordinary in the everyday or ordinary. Now available in hard-back or audiobook at Parkes Shire Library.

STORYTIME ONLINE

Don’t forget Storytime on our Facebook page every Wednesday at 10:30am to see library staff reading children’s books – it’s the next best thing to actually being here in the library!

Pandemic Does Not Halt Highway Work

June 5, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Funding for the Parkes Bypass was confirmed as part of progress made at a recent meeting of the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee (NHTF). Councils along the 1,700km highway held a video conference for the quarterly NHTF meeting to hear from transport industry representatives and relevant government departments.

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications said the Newell Highway Upgrade Program provided $100 million for the Parkes Bypass. They also reported on the Federal Government’s $300 million commitment to the NSW Section of the Toowoomba to Seymour Corridor under the Australian Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative. ROSI funding will target projects that provide better freight transport access to the Newell Highway, increase network connectivity, and support better safety outcomes for all road users.

Director Western Transport for NSW, Alistair Lunn provided an update on the construction of 30 overtaking lanes. “We [Transport NSW] have now completed eight overtaking lanes, including north-bound of the Parkes Radio Telescope and the Bundaburrah site.”

“We anticipate opening the Peak Hill north and southbound overtaking lanes by June 2020 – that will be 12 overtaking lanes open by the end of the financial year.”

Tenders have been closed for flood studies to occur between Forbes and West Wyalong. A detailed study of that area has been done and planning is now underway to engage with councils and landowners over the coming months.

Alistair also reported that the Parkes and Coonabarabran bypass planning continued, a truck stop was planned for Dubbo, and the new Forbes truck stop was nearing completion among other projects.

“It is positive to hear that progress continues to be made on a number of significant projects, despite the unprecedent times posed by COVID-19,” said Chair of the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee, Cr Ken Keith OAM.

He said the workforce was delighted that the state and federal governments had recognised the importance of the strategic freight corridor.

Special Opening Planned For New Cooke Park Centre

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

IMAGE: parkes shire council

Local talent and community groups in the Parkes Shire will feature in a special show to mark the official opening of the new multi-purpose centre in Cooke Park.

Council will form a Cooke Park Multi-purpose Centre Inaugural Performance Committee to manage the event.

Construction of the new pavilion on Welcome Street is progressing well, with work expected to be completed by December this year.

“The multi-purpose centre will become a feature in Council’s landscape for years to come, so it’s only fitting that we hold a very special celebratory opening,” said Mayor Ken Keith OAM.

The event is expected to feature local Parkes Shire talent and community groups. It will also provide an opportunity for Council to test out the functionality of the new centre including audio, lighting, backdrop and screen into green room, use of side screens and filming, prior to the 2021 Parkes Elvis Festival.

The official opening will be a post COVID-19 event.

Dance To The Beat Of Your Own Drum

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Maralyn Nash in her art studio at home.

True to the phrase ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, I have found this time of enforced isolation to be a wonderful opportunity to finally have the time again to become completely immersed in my art.

Having time to dream and reconnect with my imagination and creative ideas and retreating into my inner artist’s world has felt like going back in time, to be living again at a much slower and gentler pace of life.

I love working from my home art studio where I have created an inspirational artistic environment surrounded by Indian and African artefacts, textiles and colourful prints and paintings from my bohemian travelling days.

And being surrounded by the beauty of my garden with nature all around me and various walking trails only footsteps away, has certainly helped me to create a safe and harmonious sanctuary to live and work in during these uncertain and unprecedented times.

Although it has been a massive adjustment to adapt to a much more socially isolated lifestyle, especially being used to regular trips to Sydney and the south coast beaches, as well as frequently flying inter- state to visit my son.

As I have reduced my art therapy client work, I have been able to focus on completing the artworks to go with my book ‘The Naked Artist Journey’, which is a large project I have been working on for over five years.

It is a book about the vibrancy, energy and emotions of colour through the lens of my travel memoirs and adventures. I am currently working on a series of mandala paintings and mythical winged creatures, as well as other imagery to bring together my twin passions of art and writing.

My biggest learning so far is to go at your own pace and enjoy the ‘dance to the beat of your own drum’ as the creative process is as equally important as the finished art product.

By Maralyn Nash

Shire Libraries In Readers’ Good Books Again

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Library members will be able to visit libraries again from Monday next week.

Good news for book lovers is that with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, libraries will be opening their doors again from Monday, 1st June.

“We are delighted to be re-opening to the public on Monday – the library team have certainly missed seeing our members and visitors during the closure period,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Cultural Education & Library Services, Kerryn Jones.

“To ensure the health and safety of all our members, visitors and staff, there will be some temporary limitations to our programs and service, as well as changes to our regular opening hours.”

Kerryn said they were unfortunately unable to reinstate the 24-hour library service at Trundle and Tullamore at this time. “However, our township members will still be able to visit the libraries during normal opening hours and borrow library items using the new click and collect service.”

NSW Health has provided strict protocols as to how libraries must operate in a COVID-19 safe way and Parkes Shire Library will introduce the following conditions of entry: exclusion of staff and visitors who are unwell; limit the number customers; maximum 30 minute stay, including use of computers; sanitising hands upon entry; and physical distancing at all times.

Storytime, author talks and book club will continue to be delivered online. Follow the Parkes Shire Libraries Facebook page for the latest library updates.

The Fire

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

I saw the night sky glowing, it was a crimson flaming red

The smoke it billowed overhead, it filled our hearts with dread.

We knew this was no picnic, the fireman said ‘just go’

No time to look for trophies, just flee this fearsome foe.

We left our home and comforts, with memories galore

Our hearts were surely broken, this was our home no more.

In time the fires subsided, thanks to the falling rain

It rained and rained then rained some more, put out the cruel flame.

I look upon my burnt-out block, my eyes filled to the brim

How can I start again to build, with just the will within.

It’s then I know I’m not alone, there’s so much desolation

We all pitch in with strength renewed – you see we are – Australian.

By Warren Tanner
Parkes February 2020

Creativity In A Time Of Crisis

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

RESILIENCE… Parkes Shire Drought Officer Roger Kitson and local artist Sean James Cassidy are organising ‘The Art of Resilience’ competition for students aged 6 to 18.

Creativity is known to bring relief in a time of crisis, and art created during hardship often results in masterpieces.

We have been living with this long, slow burning drought for quite some time, and young people in the Parkes Shire now have an opportunity to express their emotions using music, poetry, photography and art.

‘The Art of Resilience’ competition invites students aged 6 to 18 to create works using the theme resilience in the face of drought, and also the bushfires and COVID-19’.

“Emotions and feelings cannot be shared just through speech. The arts are an important part of a society’s language. Art is an important part of a community’s conversation,” said local artist and organiser of the competition Sean James Cassidy.

Sean is collaborating with Parkes Shire Drought Officer Roger Kitson, who has been working with farming families for the last 18 months across the Parkes Shire.

“Creative arts can be used as a means of self-expression, mental health, healing and unity, as well as equip us with resilience and provide hope,” is Roger’s observation of this time of crisis.

According to Roger a drought is very different to other natural disasters as it takes place over such a long period of time. “This means people are affected in so many different ways. I am really interested to see what the youth are going to come up with in this competition.”

Sean said that was why they were not too specific in what the art should be about. “There are so many different emotions and issues that resulted from the drought, and the youth have such a different perspective on things.”

Roger said when he first moved to Parkes he was amazed by the amount of local talent. “This competition will provide an opportunity to showcase the creative capacity that exists within our region’s young people. I can’t wait to see the collaborations that might come out of this.”

The competition categories include photography, song writing, poetry, drawing and painting. Entry forms can be found on the Art of Resilience Facebook group or downloaded from Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Submissions close Friday, 31st July, and the winners will be announced on Friday, 14th August. Winners will be selected from Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore, and will be showcased as part of The Art of Resilience exhibition to take place on Friday, 16th October (subject to the latest COVID-19 restrictions and advice).

Winners of the song writing and poetry categories will have their work professionally produced into a collaborative CD, while winners of the painting/drawing and photography categories will have their work professionally published in a digital style format.

Budget And Plan On Public Exhibition

May 29, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire General Manager, Kent Boyd.

The Parkes Shire Council will be building up its reserves over the next two years for future projects as set out in the draft Operational Budget and Plan for 2020-21.

“Over the past five years, there has been over $195 million in assets constructed which is probably the biggest build over a five-year period that Council has ever done,” said Parkes Shire General Manager, Kent Boyd at the May Council meeting last week.

“We have done that with the assistance of substantial grants, but it’s now time to exercise a little bit of moderation to build our finances back up for the next term of council.”

Kent said the focus was on completing the projects that were currently going. “We want to finish those off and start to strengthen our reserve balance.”

The draft operational budget and plan will go on public exhibition after it was adopted by Councillors last Tuesday.

“It is a difficult year for a lot of people. We currently have a two-stream economy running in the Shire. People involved in the construction, mining and agricultural industries are thriving, while our hospitality and retail sector have felt the full impact of COVID-19,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.

He made special mention that over 50% of the budget would go towards roads, rates and sewer across the Shire, ensuring that service delivery to the community continues to be priority.

Councillors Alan Ward and Neil Westcott both commented on the tough times continuing on from the effects of the ongoing drought, and hardships in front of us because of COVID-19.

“We must now buckle down to make sure we do everything we can to support our ratepayers during this time of hardship,” said Alan.

The Mayor reminded residents to contact Council’s Finance Team for a confidential discussion if they were experiencing hardship in paying rates.

YOUR LIBRARY IS BACK!

WHAT ARE YOUR EARS READING?

STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH

STORYTIME ONLINE

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