It’s always exciting when a school day turns into a celebration when you can dress up in party hats and superhero costumes and eat lots of cake.

This is what happened at the Parkes Early Childhood Centre (PECC) on Wednesday for the centre’s 65th birthday.

A bright and colourful scene greeted the special guests as the children sang a welcome song in their party gear in the sun.

President of the management committee Craig Smith said it was a great occasion for the centre still going strong after 65 years.

Parkes Mayor and patron of PECC, Ken Keith told the children he attended 60 years ago when it was the Parkes Preschool. “The legacy left by Lindy Farrant (Director) is astonishing. We aimed to make it the best childhood centre in the state and succeeded!” He praised Lindy’s significant contribution over the years.

Lindy, who has been Director since 1994, announced her retirement last week. “I warmly and sincerely thank all the staff, committee members, families and children for everything you’ve contributed over the years,” she said.

“We have a special surprise for Miss Lindy,” said Acting Director Colette Genet-Marks as she handed Lindy balloons shaped in the number 33 to represent the years she has been involved with the centre.

Then it was time to cut the special birthday cake with the centre’s new logo much to the delight of the children.

By Maggi Barnard

 

School students from across drought-affected NSW have the opportunity to take a break and spend a night with the stars.

The first ‘Wish Upon a Star’ initiative will bring 150 students from drought affected schools to see the Schools Spectacular and enjoy a fun weekend away.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell encouraged principals to nominate students for this trip which will be a no-cost treat to families battling the unrelenting drought.

“We want to give 150 kids a fun weekend to take their minds off the challenges of the drought for a few days,” said Sarah.

The students will travel from hubs at Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga on Friday, 22nd November to stay at Sport and Recreation Centres at Narrabeen, Broken Bay and Berry, and attend the Schools Spectacular matinee on Saturday, 23rd November. They will also visit the beach for a swim and try water sports and other activities.

Nominations close today through the Department of Education. Schools can nominate up to four drought-affected students.

Over 80 members attended the Parkes Evening View Club’s annual Spring Fashion Parade at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club recently. Fashions from Rockmans, Rockmans BeMe and The Red Chandelier were shown raising almost $2,000 to support three Learning for Life Children through the Smith Family. Pictured are the volunteers who were the models.

 

Parkes has a brand-new water source producing up to two megalitres of water per day which is equal to two Olympic size swimming pools of water.

The new water recycling scheme, designed to conserve water, was officially opened last Friday

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the scheme would create an entirely new water source and relieve stress on Parkes’ water supply.

“By replacing potable water used to maintain the town’s public spaces with recycled water, Parkes will be able to handle the extra demand placed on its water supply.”

Mayor of Parkes Shire Council Ken Keith said water security was one of the key issues facing rural communities, and the new, local water source would help service the needs of the community.

“Not only does the scheme reuse water that would otherwise be wasted, it’s supported by solar power to offset the energy costs of treating and transporting water, which reduces our greenhouse gas emissions,” the Mayor said.

“The recycled water scheme strengthens the town’s water security at a time when Parkes is on the cusp of significant economic development and ensures Council’s green spaces are climate resilient.”

The project was jointly funded with the Federal Government investing $8,725,000 million, and Parkes Shire Council contributing $12,175,000.

By Maggi Barnard

The devastating impact of the drought in rural Australia has prompted several initiatives to see the light over the last month in support of country town businesses and entrepreneurs.

Go Country for Christmas was launched last week to encourage fellow Australians to support rural and regional communities by purchasing their Christmas presents from a business based in the country.

A new social media campaign called #buyfromthebush also started that markets to people in the city encouraging them to buy remotely in the lead up to Christmas.

Liberal Senator for NSW, Hollie Hughes, encouraged Australians to think outside the box when buying presents this Christmas at the launch of Go Country for Christmas. “We don’t need to buy from the usual suspects, just go to gocountryforchristmas com.au and get the same thing you had in mind but buy it from a small regional business,” she said.

The website gives consumers an easy and accessible directory enabling them to buy Christmas presents from a registered country business.

Businesses that have an online presence and haven’t yet registered on the website, can go to www.gocountryforchristmas.com.au. Consumers and retailers taking part in Go Country for Christmas, can use the #gocountryforchristmas on your social media accounts to spread the word.

The town of Trundle had a streak of good news last week receiving two sets of funding.

The War Memorial Hall received $10,475 from the Federal Government for air conditioning to ensure the longevity of this much loved venue.

A further grant was announced by the Member for Orange Phil Donato MP of $3,050 for the Trundle Multi-Purpose Service for the purchase of one mobile transport chair and one bariatric wheelchair.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack was in Trundle last Friday announcing the grant for the hall.

“From its original purpose as a memorial to the town’s First World War servicemen to the site of the annual ABBA Festival each May, this hall, which hosts 3,000 people every year, is the heart of the Trundle community,” said Mr McCormack.

Spokesman for Trundle War Memorial Hall Committee Andrew Rawsthorne said the upgrade would make a big difference, with the installation of air-conditioning and heating the hall committee’s number one priority.

“We notice hall bookings crash during the summer months because of the heat and this will allow a lot more use of the hall, which is good for the hall and good for the community,” he said.

The Western NSW Local Health District announced this week a midwife-led birthing service will be introduced at Parkes Hospital, while efforts continue to return medical obstetric services.

It is expected the service will be operational by the end of next year. Birthing will continue to occur at Forbes, with both towns continuing to offer pre and post-natal care.

Acting Chief Executive Mark Spittal said while the district continues to make every effort to recruit obstetric GPs and anaesthetists, a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) was a safe and effective model for low-risk births where medical intervention is not anticipated or planned. “Where appropriate, the MGP offers families a level of choice that hasn’t previously been available in both Parkes and Forbes,” Mark said.

“This will enable birthing to return to Parkes for mums not needing medical services such as an induction or caesarean.

“The available medical obstetric services will be focussed at Forbes to ensure there is stability and certainty as to where services are available.

Mark said when it came to maternity services, local women and families told them they wanted certainty and safety more than anything else.

“Establishing the MGP will create a level of certainty for families as they approach the birth of their child,” he said.

Plans for developing the new service are already underway. A project officer will work with various parties to bring the Parkes and Forbes maternity services together to offer a single, effective, safe service.

A number of critical factors need to be put into place to support the MGP, including ensuring staff are fully trained and that processes are in place to assess women during pregnancy, and to cater for unexpected births or complications during birth.