Articles Archives - Page 267 of 459

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.

Make Separating Household Waste Your Next Goal

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

If you are running out of ideas to do at home during this time of isolation, why not get into sorting and separating your household waste?

The 2019 NetWaste audit found that 50% of the average Parkes household bin is made up of recyclable materials and food and garden waste.

Over the course of a three-week period, three tonnes of general waste, recycling, and food and garden waste were collected from Parkes households to provide a detailed break-down of waste streams.

The general waste red-lid bin contained 18% recyclable materials and 32% food and garden organics.

“If sorted correctly, paper and cardboard can be recycled into products such as corrugated and kraft paper,” said chair of the Parkes Shire Waste Facilities Committee, Cr Alan Ward.

“Garden and organic waste can be processed into compost. These valuable resources are too good to waste.”

Organic material has a detrimental impact on the environment when sent to landfill. It produces large quantities of methane when compacted and buried in landfill, as it breaks down without oxygen.

By diverting food and garden waste from landfill using the green-lid waste bin, it is turned into compost. Sorting materials into the appropriate bin also diverts waste from landfill and contributes to the longevity of the local waste facilities.

To learn more about what is accepted in your three-bin service, visit Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Polaris 7 Day Sales Event

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

While living and working circumstances have certainly changed over the past month a very big part of business at Forbes Small Engines is servicing the agricultural sector. At this time this key area of our economy is continuing to improve after harsh climatic conditions. Demand and inquiry for Polaris side by side and ATVs have been encouraging due also to the beautiful rain received.

For this reason, Polaris will have a Seven Day Sales event for the very first time across the country where there will be offers available that are not even seen at field days.

With all traditional field days cancelled, this Seven Day Sales Event will include the following bonuses exclusively for the week:

Additional warranty “3 years peace of mind” on top of the standard factory warranty; 2.99% finance on Polaris Generals Rangers and RZRs (excluding Ranger 500); and $2,000 free accessories on selected Ranger models.

The Polaris Seven Day Sale commences today Friday, 17th until Friday, 24th April.

Call Forbes Small Engines on 6852 3228 for a quote or to arrange a demo.

POLARIS THINK OUTSIDE

Snippets…

April 17, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Staff at the Parkes Hospital received some delicious baked goods made by Chris and Jason Spicer from Currajong Disability Services. The staff members are (L-R) nurses Chelsea, Tania, Dr Lo, Sue, Jeremy and Alex. Read the article HERE

Ring Them Bells: The Parkes Ministers Association under the leadership of Pas- tor Andrew Taggart from the AOG church is inviting all churches to take part in a united prayer time. Michael Lynch from the Catholic Church suggested to use Thursday evenings from 6 to 7pm as community prayer time and invited churches to ring their bells during this time. People are also encouraged to light a candle in their window during this time to let the community of Parkes know about the prayer time. Everyone is invited to pray for our community during this hour every week.

Dangers of Sanitiser: NSW Health is reminding parents that alcohol-based hand sanitiser is dangerous if ingested, particularly for children. NSW Poisons Information Centre said while hand sanitiser was an important tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19, it has seen a spike in the number of calls due to hand sanitiser exposure incidents, mostly by babies and young children ingesting it at home. “Hand sanitiser products should be stored safely and out of reach of children,” said Genevieve Adamo of the NSW Poisons Information Centre. “When they are used by young children it should be under the supervision of an adult.” Most minor ingestions can be safely managed at home but telephone assessment is still important. “Calling the Poisons Information Centre first to see if you or your child needs to go to hospital may prevent unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department.” Contact the 24-hour Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Blood Donations ‘Essential’: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is calling on people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. “We need donors now more than ever,” said WNSWLHD Haemovigilance Clinical Nurse Consultant, Karen Beattie. “The government has actually made blood donation one of the 16 reasons you can leave your home. There are 800 blood donation cancellations per day nationally and blood products shortages are potentially going to be a reality.” The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood need 29,000 blood donors every week. They have introduced procedures to meet social distancing requirements and keep their donors safe. “The need for blood never stops. Blood is needed every day by Australian patients.” The WNSWLHD is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to make and hon- our their appointments to prevent a potential shortage of blood supplies. Make an appointment online or call 13 14 95.

Parkes Ambulance staff with treats made by Currajong Disability Services participants. Read the article HERE

Poppies To Remember

April 9, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Marley Paton and Charles Anderson.

Two Parkes Shire students are among the winners of the 10th annual Anzac Writing Competition.

Bogan Gate Public Schools’ Marley Paton (11) won the primary school category for the north division with her beautiful poem called Poppies to Remember.

Charles Anderson (13) of Trundle Central School received a highly commended for the secondary category in the north division for his poem.

A total of 680 entries were received from 34 schools across the Riverina electorate, with the winners each receiving a book prize.

“I really wanted to enter the competition to challenge myself and to have fun,” said Marley. She said she believed it was important to remember Anzac Day in order to remember the soldiers and the other people who fought and worked as hard as they could to save and protect our country.

“My poem is about how the poppies make us remember the soldiers and the nurses who saved our country. I feel like we don’t always remember the nurses.”

Charles also entered a poem. “I tried to put myself into the shoes of a boy whose father was at the frontline and wrote to him about life on the farm.”

He said the competition was a great opportunity for students to reflect on the past. “It is good to celebrate Anzac Day so we can remember what they’ve done for Australia.”

Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who runs the annual competition, said the winners stood out among a quality field of talented writers.

“As Anzac services have been cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is now more important than ever for us all to remember our ANZACs and invoke their resilient spirit.”

All winning entries can be found in the 10th annual Anzac Day commemorative booklet. The Parkes Phoenix will publish the two Parkes Shire students’ poems in the issue before Anzac Day.

Make Mental Health A Priority

April 9, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Right now, during the Coronavirus Pandemic, it is important that we look after all aspects of our health, including our mental health.

One in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common illnesses are depression, anxiety and substance use disorder. While it’s very common, misunderstanding and stigma surrounding these conditions is widespread, leading to a high incidence of people not seeking help.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds with 800,000 people dying to suicide every year around the world.

Parkes Pharmacy is a safe place to talk about mental health concerns. You’re always welcome to come in or call and chat to our pharmacists. They are trained in mental health first aid – whether it be for a chat, or to sit down in a private space to discuss any concerns. We can help you find services.

As we work together to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, it is important that we stay mentally healthy by: eating well, keeping active, staying in touch with family and friends by phone or video calls, and seeking help when needed.

There are other resources and support services also available:
• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP): 02 6363 8444 / ramhp.com.au
• Mental Health Line by RAMHP: 1800 011 511
• Lifeline 24-hour crisis support: 13 11 14 / Lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36 / beyond-blue.org.au

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Our Gal – Rochelle Frame

April 9, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes two weeks before Christmas last year. I love how friendly everyone is, and the horses. Every time you drive around a corner, there is a horse!

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at the fantastic Parkes Phoenix as an Advertising Executive. I enjoy meeting the Parkes community and talking to anyone over the age of five.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love to take photos, my passion is photography, however I do love a glass of red wine, dark chocolate and a bit of comedy.

What makes you proud? My family – having moved from tropical north Queensland to Parkes was a big change and they handled it fantastically. Also with all the changes that have happened so far, they are still happy.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be any animal that can live in the ocean.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite song is ‘You are my Sunshine’. It’s a song my mother use to sing a lot.

Tell us about your best holiday. I travelled by myself around Europe. I had the best time, and visited seven different countries.

What is on your bucket list? To go on a hot air balloon in the early morning.

Go Online With Musica Arioso

April 9, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

If you had asked Musica Arioso six months ago if they would be a predominantly online business by Easter 2020, they would have laughed.

And then the unimaginable happened, a global pandemic, social distancing and the closure of non-essential services.

“We simply had to dive in boots and all. We are in uncharted territory with our chil- dren feeling the stress of our stress and the uncertainty of what lies ahead,” said Gail Smith.

Music is well known for its benefits of relieving stress and anxiety. While sporting clubs and events have been cancelled, and social gatherings are on hold, music has not been cancelled.

Musica Arioso are now bravely striding into the vast online world, and that is where you come in! With so much time at home, regular music lessons can help bring some structure to your day. You could discover a talent.

They are offering 30 minute online class- es for a range of instruments including piano/keyboard, ukulele, voice, recorder and guitar.

Contact Gail Smith on 0414 478 585 or email musicaarioso@gmail.com for information on how to book your time. After all, everyone deserves a little music in their life.

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