Tracy Dawson found a novel idea of sharing her love of books with the community by creating a street library in Oswin Street that is open all hours!

There is nothing more a bookworm loves doing after reading than sharing books with others.

That is why Oswin Street now boasts the second street library in Parkes after self-acknowledged bibliophile Tracy Dawson decided to create a treasure of literary happiness under the Norfolk pine in her garden.

“I have so many books and I like the idea of recycling them in this way instead of just dumping them at an op shop.”

For Tracey, who is also the librarian at Parkes High School, spreading the message of the importance of reading is a life’s mission. “Reading is not just important when you’re at school, but also for your career.”

“Reading not only improves spelling, grammar and writing, but also helps to stimulate your imagination and critical thinking. These qualities are very important in how we use technology in solving problems these days.”

Tracy is also an avid recycler and used an old internet server box from school to create a beautiful home, called Ollie Os- win, for the books in her front yard where it’s accessible from the street to neighbours to share the joys of reading.

The idea is that books come and go at all hours, no-one needs to check them in or out. People can simply reach in and take what interests them, and when they are done, they can return them, or pass them on to friends.

The very talented Jess Macdonald from Ellery Creations by Jessica was selling items she had made at the first Greenparkes Garden Centre Market Day last Saturday.

A new initiative by Greenparkes Garden Centre not only makes it easy to shop locally for Christmas, but also helps out families hit hard by the drought.

The first market day last Saturday with eight stall holders from all over the Parkes Shire was well supported by the public.

“It was a good day,” said Jenny Jewell, owner of Greenparkes Garden Centre. “The stall holders were all very happy.”

Jenny said some of the stalls were run by the partners of farmers who had become breadwinners. “Everyone is doing it tough.”

The idea of the market days came from Jenny’s daughter, and the plan is to run it every Saturday until Christmas.

Jenny said as the market continued until 3pm, it gave people time to attend after their sporting commitments. Booking a spot is essential as Jenny would like to maintain a variety at every market.

Last week’s market included home made items, essential oils, creative signs and kitchen appliances.

If you would like to take part you need to bring your own equipment, including cash float and EFT facilities. For more information contact Jenny on 0428 634 650 during business hours.

By Maggi Barnard

The Pink Up Parkes committee members are very happy with the result of the very first Pink Up Parkes campaign. They are at the back (L-R) Dianne Green, Bill Thomas, Marg Applebee, Jenny Breaden, Ruth Taylor, chair Carolyn Rice OAM and Lorraine Parker. In front are Beth Thomas, Virginia Rice and Cr Ken Keith OAM. (Photo: Christine Little)

The very first Pink Up Parkes campaign exceeded all expectations with well over $34,000 raised for the McGrath Foundation during October.

“It is very exciting what was achieved considering we are in the midst of a severe drought,” said Marg Applebee of the Pink Up Parkes Committee. “We aimed for $20,000, and the final amount has not been confirmed as money is still coming in.” She said donations could still be made, and asked all businesses and organisations to deposit any outstanding money.

Chairperson of the Pink Up Parkes Committee, Carolyn Rice OAM thanked the community for their enthusiasm and support, as well as her committee members who had put in many hours to make it all happen.

Community members, businesses, schools, organisations and clubs got onboard and organised a variety of different activities, events and fundraisers in support of the campaign. Marg said the committee did not even know about all the events.

As the plan is to run the campaign again next year, she asked people to put it in their calendars and start thinking about how they would like to get involved.

The Pink Up Parkes Committee thanked the Parkes Shire Council, Central West Lachlan Landcare and the Parkes Business Chamber for all their support in making it a huge success.

Northparkes Mines became the first mine in Australia to get White Ribbon accreditation. Employees of the mine have been supporting the annual march for the past three years.

The annual White Ribbon March took place in Parkes on Monday with about 150 people taking part to raise awareness of domestic violence.

As Parkes is currently ranked 30th in the state for incidents of domestic violence, the event was a good opportunity to create awareness.

“We believe in the capacity of the individual to change and to encourage change in others,” said Secretary of the Parkes Domestic and Family Violence Committee, Tina Nash.

Community members joined participants from two schools, Holy Family and Parkes High, Fire & Rescue 417, Currajong Disability Services, Ron Dunford Pharmacy and Northparkes Mines.

Guest speakers included Chief Inspector David Cooper of Parkes Police, Mayor Ken Keith, General Manager MLAHMC Seth Toomey and White Ribbon Ambassador Kaidyn Haynes.

Tina said the march was about coming together as a community and saying you would ‘stand up and speak out’ should you witness this type of behaviour. “We are happy with the event, but would like to emphasise that you do not have to be a victim or survivor of domestic violence to attend the event.”

Tina said the objectives of the White Ribbon campaign were to create widespread awareness of the positive role that men play in stopping violence against women; to enable leadership, particularly by men and boys, to bring about social change, and to build collective knowledge and understanding of the effective prevention of violence against women.

The news that White Ribbon Australia has recently gone into receivership does not affect the annual event as it would continue to be supported by the Parkes committee alongside the international White Ribbon movement.

In Australia, one in three women has experienced physical or sexual assault in her lifetime. The mission of White Ribbon is to change the attitudes and behaviours that support or excuse this violence against women in Australia.

Why do you like reading and what do you read?

Ava Pearce: I like reading because it helps me to learn new knowledge. I like Tilly, a girl who hides her special things in a stair, and Fancy Nancy.

Local artists are invited to book a space on an introduction wall at the temporary Parkes Library in Clarinda Street.

The OUR ARTS wall will feature an artwork or photo that represents local artists of all art forms, and could include a band showing a photograph of everyone with their instruments, a potter in the studio, or a photo of a sculpture or painting. The wall will serve as the starting point to locate pop-up art spaces where artists can exhibit their work.

The need for exhibition space was one of the key themes that arose at a Parkes Shire Arts Advisory Council workshop with local artists and representatives of art/cultural groups earlier this year.

The purpose of the wall is to showcase and promote the many practicing artists and arts/cultural groups in the region.

The aim is to install the images by mid-December, with images added or changing over time.

If you are interested, provide images before Friday, 13th December to Kerryn Jones at the Parkes Library. For image specifications contact Kerryn on 68612338 or email: kerryn.jones@parkes.nsw.gov.au