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Around Australia In 52 Days

February 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

READ AROUND AUSTRALIA… Participants in the Summer Reading Club received their certificates last week after reading over 1,000 books in 52 days.

From the underground bakery in the ghost town of Farina, past Promised Land, Cape Tribulation, Wiseman’s Ferry, Labrador and Banana to Cook, the town in the middle of nowhere.

It is fun travelling around Australia when you’re reading books. This is what participants in the Summer Reading Club discovered over 52 days of the holiday’s when they read a total of 1,131 books! Library staff selected 52 interesting and some weird destinations around the country for the Read Around Australia program.

Every time a participant finished one reading record with ten books on it, they got to pick a surprise destination and move the library car to that place on a giant map in the library. Every destination had a bit of write up for the participants to learn about the place. “They really enjoyed moving the car to a new destination,” said Debbie Gould of the Parkes Shire Library.

There was also a Samsung Galaxy A tablet to be won, and Cooper Bland of Parkes was the lucky winner his name was drawn from all participants. he is with Debbie Gould of the Parkes Shire Library.

Library members from Parkes, Peak Hill and Trundle took part in the program. Eight-year-old Vashti Williams of Trundle said she really enjoyed taking part in the program. “It encouraged me to read more books.”

The program concluded with a celebration last week when all the participants received a certificate. It was a great opportunity to discover weird and wonderful places around Australia… did you know Marble Bar in Western Australia features in the Guiness Book of Records for 161 consecutive days of the temperature not dropping below 37.8 degrees Celsius?

By Maggi Barnard

SNIPPETS…

February 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Kerri Miles and Alexandra Hall from Pink Orchid Café & Florist will be participating in the Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme for the first time.

Businesses Join Forces: The Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme is celebrating 10 years and 15 local businesses have put their hands up to help fight driver fatigue and reduce the road toll. Participating businesses in the Parkes Shire are Railway Arts and Crafts (Bogan Gate), Railway Hotel (Bogan Gate), Parkes Coffee Pot, Parkes Services Club, Pink Orchard Café & Florist and Casho’s (Tullamore). A total of 92 businesses across the Hunter, South West and Western regions of NSW will participate to encouraging drivers to take regular breaks by offering a free cup of tea or coffee to any driver more than 100km away from their home. “If it wasn’t for the participating businesses supplying the ‘free cuppas’, this scheme wouldn’t be possible and I would like to thank the 15 enthusiastic businesses across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils who are taking part in this year’s scheme,” said Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business. There is also an active Facebook page.

Takata Airbags: Thousands of NSW families are at risk from faulty Takata airbags. The manufacturers fear partners and children of vehicle owners are being exposed to danger when travelling in vehicles that still carry the faulty airbags. Car manufacturers have replaced more than 1.07 million faulty airbags in NSW, which represents more than 92% of affected airbags. There are still 90,432 faulty airbags on the road that require urgent replacement. This includes 3,308 of the highly dangerous Alpha and critical airbags. Vehicle owners should check the recall status of their vehicles by using the automotive industry’s Takata airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and by taking prompt action to arrange for the free rectification of any affected vehicles. It’s a very simple check, just enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).

Open Invitation To Farewell: Lindy Farrant, Parkes Early Childhood Centre Director of 30 years, is retiring and there is an open invitation to the public, including children, to her afternoon tea farewell at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, 7th March from 2 – 5pm. RSVP by Friday, 28th February to pecc@bigpond.net.au

At last it came and it’s been glorious! According to the BOM rainfall measured from 5 to 11 February has Trundle leading the scoreboard with 82.9ml, followed by Parkes with 37.2, Peak Hill with 35.2 and 26.4ml at Alectown. This photo was taken at Welcome Weir last weekend by Glen ‘Harbo’ Harbridge.

Healthy Ageing

February 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

As we grow older, our bodies and minds undergo a range of changes as a natural part of ageing.

As individuals, these changes can impair our quality of life and wellbeing by restricting activity, mobility, social connectedness and community participation.

This is why it’s important to take a positive and personalised step towards healthy ageing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined healthy ageing as a “positive concept emphasising social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.”

To take a step towards healthy ageing is to look at ways to improve, both your mental and physical health. Look at any changes you can make to positively change your lifestyle and reduce your risk of some preventable aging downfalls. Be proactive with your health, visit the doctor routinely and take charge of your medications.

Being social can also positively impact both your mental and physical health! Routine and scheduled social activities are a great way to interact with the community and meet with people who are experiencing the same changes.

Parkes Pharmacy offers a range of services to help you take control of your health. These services include blood pressure and blood glucose tests, dose administration aids, medication checks and a free delivery service!

We can provide remedies and advice for minor ailments, such as magnesium supplements for muscle health, and other worrying health issues. But most importantly we are always here for a chat. So, pop into store today to see how we can help personalise your healthy ageing approach.

“Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living” – WHO

The Blue Dish Painting Creates Awareness

February 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Mal Smith, Sebastian Sadgrove with his painting and John Sarkissian at The Dish.

It is not all about space science and finding alien life at the Parkes Radio Telescope as a Currajong Disability Services (CDS) participant has discovered.

Sebastian Sadgrove’s artwork called the Blue Dish on display at the Visitor’s Centre has received wonderful feedback and will soon be immortalised with a plaque at a special event on 3rd April.

“It is a dream come true and hopefully I inspire others with autism and disabilities to achieve their goals too!” said Sebastian who donated his creation after The Dish started participating in World Autism Month turning it blue.

“The support shown to me and autism in Parkes and the Central West by the community and CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope has been phenomenal.

Operations Scientist at the Parkes Radio Telescope, John Sarkissian could not be more pleased with the initiative shown by Sebastian and CDS.

“We try to do our bit for the local community and were more than happy to support the idea to light the dish in blue,” said John.

Site Leader Mal Smith agreed saying: “We love supporting local groups. This is a unique painting and we love it!”

With World Autism Month fast approaching in April, Sebastian will be very proud to see his painting showcased at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope for the cause of autism.

Parkes Improves Palliative Care

February 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Patients, families and carers will soon benefit from refurbishments to Parkes Hospital and Orange Health Service thanks to a $245,000 boost from the NSW Government.

Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the refurbishments in Orange and Parkes would help bring comfort to people at the end of life.

In Parkes, the funding will be used to create a larger and more private space for palliative care patients and their families and improvements are also planned for a courtyard area near the inpatient unit.

The Aboriginal Health Worker in Palliative Care will work with the local health service team to create culturally appropriate and comfortable spaces.

“For many people, our hospitals are the best possible place to be cared for in their last days of life, so it’s important we provide comfortable and private spaces and facilities for both patients and their families.”

“Providing good palliative care is a priority for us, and we are working with partner organisations to develop services both in the community and in our hospitals,” said Scott.

Parkes and Orange hospitals are two of 34 palliative care facilities across the state to be refurbished over the next two years.

The NSW Government’s 2019-20 budget commitment also includes recruitment of 100 new palliative care nurses, more Aboriginal Health Workers, and support for digital health to improve access to palliative care.

Community Donations Light Up Parkes RFS’ Heart

February 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Headquarters Captain Vicki Williams (left) and Senior Deputy Captain Steve Chester (right) with Parkes Leagues Club Manager Luke Malam who handed over the $6,726.25 donation collected from patrons during the Parkes Elvis Festival in January.

The Parkes Headquarters Rural Fire Service received donations of almost $7,000 this week from the community.

The Parkes Leagues Club raised a staggering $6,726.25 during the Parkes Elvis Festival. Club Manager Luke Malam said local patrons and from afar helped to fill buckets with their donations of coins and notes. Luke said the coins weighed so much it took a car ride to the bank to have them counted.

“Donating to the local Parkes Headquarters Brigade was at the top of our list, as it means the local firefighters can continue the great work they do, protecting not only our community but those around us,” said Luke.

The Leagues Club has always been committed to supporting the Parkes Community and donates in excess of $50,000 each year to local sporting groups, charities and community organisations.

The second donation came from Centrelink staff. They love a mufti day, especially during the Elvis Festival, and raised $142 for a cause they thought was very important. This brought the total amount donated to Parkes Headquarters this week to $6,868.25.

Parkes Headquarters Captain Vicki Williams and Senior Deputy Captain Steve Chester could not thank both organisations enough. “Donations from our community mean so much,” said Vicki. “These donations will be wisely spent on the brigade’s new fire station to create a place that members can enjoy between incident callouts, and to assist with the training of current and new members.”

Parkes Headquarters members also collected donations during the Elvis Festival over two nights in Cooke Park and raised over $3,000. This amount was donated to Jenolan Caves Brigade as they had lost their station during the fires whilst serving their community.

Ella Pass With Flying Colours

February 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

NO FEAR OF FLYING… Ella Ross (15) successfully completed her first solo flight at the Parkes Airport last week.

Ever since Ella Ross set foot on a plane for the very first time she knew she wanted to learn to fly.

Her first flight was a present for her 12th birthday, and last week the 15-year-old Year 10 student did her very first solo flight.

“I flew to Darwin with my Nan and Pop when I was seven, and when we got off I told them I wanted to be a pilot. I had to wait until I was 12 though to start flying lessons. After my first lesson I was even more keen.”

Ella did her first lessons with Dale Redfern, chief flying officer of the Parkes Recreational Aviation Centre, and remembers how she never said a word for the first six lessons.

As she stood proudly next to the two-seater Flight Design MC plane she flew all by herself, her current instructor Brett Preisig of the Parkes Aero Club praised her hard work and diligence. “Ella is a great student who is very thorough and business-like when she operates a plane.”

Ella is not daunted by the ‘flight path’ ahead, which includes the last of five exams she has to sit, building up more hours of solo flights and training to get her passenger and navigation endorsements and flight certificate.

She might take her sister as her first passenger. “I think my mum will be too scared.” Ella is not yet certain where the flying will lead her after school, but she thinks flying solo around the Australia and even the world “would be pretty cool”!

Level 3 Water Restrictions For B-Section Pipeline

February 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Under Level 3 water restrictions, which started last Saturday for some of the smaller communities in the Parkes Shire, hand-held hoses are allowed.

Level 3 Water restrictions on the Parkes Shire Council controlled section of the Forbes to Tottenham water supply system started last Saturday, 1st February.

The 130km B-section pipeline, which runs from Forbes to Tottenham via Gunningbland, Bogan Gate, Trundle and Tullamore, is currently struggling to meet the demands induced by the ongoing drought.

Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd said: “Significant extraction from standpipes, particularly along the Parkes Shire section, has meant that at times supply to communities within the Lachlan Shire has been almost completely exhausted. Lachlan Shire Council have been forced to cart water by truck to Albert Reservoir to ensure basic supply to their consumers further along the pipeline.

“With Tottenham on Level 4 restrictions, it’s only fair and reasonable the Parkes Shire section of the supply system moves to Level 3.”

Under Level 3 Water restrictions, domestic users can water with hand-held hoses, soaker hoses, micro sprays and drip systems between the hours of 6am and 9am; and 6pm and 9pm on alternate days: For odd numbered properties (1,3,5 etc) the days are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. For even numbered properties (2,4,6 etc) the days are Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. No watering is permitted on Mondays. Watering systems and non-fixed sprinklers are not permitted.

Snippets…

February 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Work at Cheney Park has commenced to upgrade amenities.

Cheney Park: Work on the Cheney Park amenities refurbishment has started. Funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, the project includes a reconfiguration of the facility to include a separate control room and storage space, a new unisex disabled access toilet and compliant ambulant toilets in both male and female change rooms, fresh paint of facilities throughout, new kitchen appliances, and a new PA system.

Shop Parkes Gift Cards: In its first year of operation, the Shop Parkes Gift Card Program has become one of the most successful community gift card programs in NSW. From December 2018 to December 2019, over $200,000 was loaded onto the Shop Parkes Gift Cards with over $100,000 of that spent in local businesses throughout the year. Businesses wishing to participate in the program are encouraged to contact Council on 6861 2333 or council@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Innovative Model Of Care: Western NSW residents will benefit from a brand new Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS) providing 24 hour virtual and face-to-face medical services across the region. Eighteen new doctors will take on roles with the VRGS, which will provide consultations via video conferencing with patients.

Western NSW Local Health District (WN- SWLHD) Rural Health Director of Medical Services, Dr Shannon Nott said the innovative model of care met community expectations for continued service delivery in rural areas. “The primary purpose of this service is to provide local support for local medical and nursing staff – it is not a replacement for our staff. It’s an innovative model of care which aims to set the standard in rural and remote virtual care across Australia and address the longstanding challenges of recruitment and retention across many rural and remote sites across NSW. The 2019- 20 budget for WNSWLHD is $979 million – an increase of $35 million. WNSWLHD will also benefit from the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion commitment to recruit a record 8,300 frontline health staff, including 5,000 additional nurses and midwives.

New Standpipe Usage Scheme: A new standpipe usage scheme started on Tuesday with no charge for water up to 25kL per week to approved farming enterprises. Any additional approved farming enterprises usage will be charged at a reduced rate of $3.50 per kilolitre. All standpipe users must reapply for standpipe access. For more information about the new Parkes Shire Standpipe Usage Scheme visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

See author Kathleen Collier at the Parkes Library on Friday, 14th February at 10:30am.

Unexpected Valentine’s Date Ideas

February 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Whether you and your significant other have been together for years or just a little while, the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift is time spent together. Why not consider doing an out-of-the-box activity this year?

Take a hike: Sometimes it takes a tourist to make us remember the ridiculously beautiful nature that’s in our backyard. If you add a picnic to the mix, your date will love it.

Brewery or wine tasting: There are plenty of opportunities available in our backyard for a great day of tasting.

Challenge each other: Spend a couple of hours playing Monopoly or any other board game that takes your fancy.

A themed dinner and movie night at home: Watching Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck fall in love in Roman Holiday is definitely more satisfying when accompanied by a big plate of homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

A poetry reading: Check out the love letters and poems of the best writers at the Parkes Library, open a bottle of wine and take turns reading each other your favourites.

Karaoke: If singing is your poetry, celebrate your chemistry by singing classic couples duets, or listen to your favourite love songs.

An Escape Room: By now, most people know about this activity and have done it with friends, but how about doing it as a couple? There is an Escape room in Dubbo!

A sunset (or sunrise) watch: Plan your day to watch the sunset from a special place.

Glamping: The date doesn’t have to end at sunset. Why not take a break from your regular routine and spend the night with some nature? Cozy up in a tent with your favourite snacks.

Stay home and make cocktails: There should be some form of food too, of course, but why not spend an evening attempting to recreate your favourite cocktail.

Do yoga together: Join a class and con- sider it couple’s therapy without the label.

Easy come easy go: If you just want to spend quality time with each other without a fuss, make sure to book a table for the special Valentine’s dinner at the Parkes Services Club!

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