Not-for-profit community organisations are invited to apply for a 2019 Australia Post Community Grant, with funding of up to $10,000 available to each recipient. The initiative aims to support projects and services that address locally identified needs that strengthen social connections and reduce barriers to participating in community life.

Speaking on the launch of the program, Australia Post Executive General Manager Community and Consumer, Nicole Sheffield said it was another way for Australia Post to help communities thrive and prosper.

“Through this program, we’re funding projects that bring people together to address local needs.”

“With so much change to the way we live, work and shop, it’s more important than ever that we have strong, vibrant local communities where people can connect to shape our shared future,” said Ms Sheffield.

The 2019 Australia Post Community Grants will support initiatives that:
• Help people connect with each other through group activities (e.g. volunteering programs, civic engagement and environmental activities);
• Reduce barriers to participation in community life (e.g. transport, ability to pay, or access to community spaces); and/or
• Develop skills and leadership capability to strengthen community networks.

The launch of the 2019 Community Grants program follows the completion of this year’s Australia Post Workforce Grants which saw over 400 recipients receive $500 each towards community projects across Australia as nominated by Australia Post’s local staff members. Funds can go to events, training, equipment, supplies, excursions, camps and facilities enabling better community connectedness.

Eligible community organisations can apply for an Australia Post Community Grant for up to $10,000 via www.auspost.com.au/grants. Applications close on Sunday 4 August and all applicants will be notified of the outcome in October 2019.

Pink Lady Pie

Ingredients:
1 packet (275g) puff pastry
3-4 Pink Lady apples, size depending
2 tbsp brown sugar
A little butter
1 egg, beaten with a splash of full-cream milk
Icing sugar to dust (optional)

Method:
This is a cross between an apple tart and a strudel. It’s very easy to make, but you have to work quickly. You can substitute Pink Lady Apples with any large eating apple, but if you do, make sure to add another tablespoon of sugar as the Pink Ladies are especially sweet.

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees/gas 4 – make sure you do this in plenty of time as you have to work quickly and you need the oven to be hot and ready. Keep the pastry in the fridge while you work. Peel, quarter, core and thinly slice the apples and mix in a bowl with one tablespoon of the sugar. Grease a baking tray with the butter. Lay the pastry out on your work surface with the wider side facing you. Brush  the pastry with the egg wash and scatter the apples evenly over it, leaving a little room around the edge.

Now roll the pastry into a roll away from you, as tightly as you can. Pinch the edges together and place the parcel as carefully as you can onto the tray. Brush with more egg wash, sprinkle over the remaining sugar and put straight into the oven to cook for 20 minutes until golden and crispy. Dust with a little icing sugar (optional) and then serve sliced with softly whipped cream, custard or ice cream.

Keep Fish Safe And Healthy During Winter

Fish can become stressed during winter months, leading to health problems. Follow these seven simple tips to help your fish to continue to thrive when the temperature drops.
1. Avoid drafts: Make sure that your fish tanks are not exposed to cold drafts at night – close doors, use door stoppers and window drapes.
2. Check temperature: It may sound obvious but take the time to check the temperature of your tank with a thermometer. Make sure the water temperature hasn’t dropped below ideal conditions for your fish.
3. Check the size of your heater: Use the manufacturer’s recommendations to check that your heater is big enough for your tank.
4. Check water parameters: Eliminate any other stresses and ensure that your water quality is correct for the fish you keep. Purchase a quality testing kit and test your water regularly. To prevent issues, keep the tank clean and check that your filters are fully operational.
5. Avoid large water changes: Filling the tank with cold water can reduce the temperature significantly, leading to stress and disease. Try more frequent, but smaller, water changes instead.
6. Treat with medication as needed: Fish under temperature stress can commonly suffer from fungal disease or white spot. Keep an eye out for these, and treat with medication as needed.
7. Feed a nutritious diet: Boost the immune systems of your fish and ensure they are eating a quality diet. Frozen foods can also be a big help in adding vitamins and minerals to the diet.

Come speak to one of the friendly staff at Parkes Pet Barn for further advice.

The arts can be undervalued in the role it plays in a community. In the current time of drought, people are often getting relief by having a creative outlet, whether it is going to local music or dramatic productions, taking up hobbies, or learning a new skill.

These allow people an escape, giving life its bounce.

In October 2018, representatives from many of the Parkes Shire’s arts and cultural groups met to discuss the formation of an Arts Advisory Council. This Council would aim to provide a conduit of communication between the various arts and cultural groups to different parts of the Parkes Shire Council (PSC) and other arts organisations, to improve the access to advice and services that they can provide.

Since October, the Parkes Shire Arts Council (PSAC) has been officially established.

Members include representatives from the Parkes Painting group, Parkes Potters group, Parkes Shire Concert Band
Inc, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society, along with other groups. The PSAC formed an Executive including Chair, Margot Jolly.

“It’s really exciting to see the arts and cultural groups in Parkes coming together to assist the Council in providing amazing arts facilities in our vibrant and growing community. It was a positive move by Warwick Tom who initiated the first meeting. So far, we’ve been getting excellent support from Councillors and Council staff,” said Margot, at this week’s meeting.

The Parkes Shire Arts Council will also be meeting in late August to formulate its strategic plan, with each group to bring their priorities to the meeting. The PSAC is calling for arts or cultural groups or individual artists not yet represented, to provide their contact details so they can be invited to the meetings and be sent updates on the group’s progress. Please email these details to Kerryn Jones: Kerryn.Jones@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

PARKES LIBRARY IS ON THE MOVE!
Parkes Library is going to pack up and move to Clarinda Street (next door to Discount Dave’s) for one year as the present library space undergoes extensive renovations and expansion. During July and August there will be some disruptions to programs and service as the staff pack up the collection and relocate, but we will try to minimise these as much as we can.

TO THE MOON AND BACK ART EXHIBITION
As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Parkes’ role in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission, an exhibition of paintings by local teenagers will be displayed at the Cedar Café from July 19th. Come along for a coffee and see our amazing young artistic talent!

LOCAL BOOK LAUNCH
Tree Change: An Innocent’s Progress Dr Rick Newton moved with his wife Barbara Newton and their two children to Tullamore approximately 21 years ago. Rick was looking for a change from medical practice and to fulfil a life-long dream to raise cattle. Rick has recorded some humorous short stories from his and Barb’s experiences as fledgling
farmers. Helen Gray has thoroughly enjoyed illustrating the wonderful stories for the book. The book is dedicated to the memory of Geof Horsburgh and Geoff Williams. Books will be on sale and the original pen drawings are up for auction on the night to raise money for research into brain cancer and stroke prevention. Book Launch & Auction: Tuesday July 23 @ 6pm, at the Parkes Library.

FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINES
Have you seen the new digital magazines in our online library? There is something for everyone from cooking, home decorating, gardening, lifestyle, science & technology. If you visit the Parkes Library website www.parkes.nsw.gov.au then to My Online Library – eMagazines – Parkes RBdigital Collection and then you can download the RBdigital app and then login with your Library membership number. Remember Library staff are available to help you download the app if you need.

The Central NSW Councils welcome the focus on regional NSW in the recent state budget. The following are some of the investments pertinent to the Parkes region.

• $355 million to extend critical drought assistance measures for farmers and rural communities.• $170 million for the Drought Stimulus Package.
• $185 million in on-farm Emergency Drought Relief measures including continuing transport cost rebates and waiving annual land rates.
• Additional $350 million towards the Farm Innovation Fund.
• $15 million to build on partnerships with groups like GRDC, CSIRO and UNE to develop new R&D capacity and help keep our primary producers world leading.
• $2.8 million over two years to extend the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, including rebates for farmers who prefer drones as alternatives to quad bikes.
• $52.4 million for continued delivery of overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway.
• $5.8 million for planning the Newell Highway upgrade at Parkes.
• $3 million for detailed investigation of potential international air freight hub sites, once the current prefeasibility study is complete.
• $100 million allocated for round three of the Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects and programs in the regions, including $50 million aimed at supporting young people.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole were in Parkes this week to inspect concept designs for the bypass project which has joint funding from the State and Federal governments.

“I am excited to see the project progressing,” Mr McCormack said.

“The 10.5 kilometre bypass will improve road efficiency, pedestrian access through Parkes and traffic flow. We will see increased reliability of trips for motorists and reduced travel time of up to 10 minutes compared to the existing route through town.”

“The goal is to reduce congestion and delays caused by the two rail level crossings and four 90-degree bends which are difficult for heavy vehicles to safely navigate on the current route,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr Toole said the bypass should remove more than 1000 trucks per day from local streets, and also facilitate connectivity to the Parkes Special Activation Precinct and the Inland Rail.

Parkes Shire Mayor and Chair of the Newell Highway Task Force Cr Ken Keith OAM said this is a great outcome for the Parkes Shire community.

“I encourage our community to provide feedback on the revised Concept Design while it’s on public display in the coming months,” Cr Keith said.

Local residents, business owners and road users are encouraged to attend the upcoming information sessions to find out more about the project.

The concept design and Review of Environmental Factors will be on display at rms.

work/parkesupgrade, at the Parkes Shire Council Administration Centre and Service NSW Parkes from Monday 1 July to Friday 9 August 2019.

Tax time can often be a difficult time of the year as you become overwhelmed with what to do. To be prepared this year set aside some specific time now to go over your paperwork and create a checklist. This will ensure you tick off all of your required and are able to lodge before the rush.

A lot of individuals become uncertain with what they can and can’t claim at tax time. It can often be a very time consuming and frustrating time, so you can always reach out and ask the professionals in Parkes such as Peter Woods & Associates, David Bickett and Ward and Associates Accountants for advice.

Running your own small business in today’s world, and keeping abreast of change can be a complex task. The requirements to keep up with changes in tax laws and software requirements can take away valuable time from running your own business.

The team at Peter Woods and Associates are able to support you and your business, and make this process easier. They can assist not only with tax returns and activity statements, but also the requirements of running a business, business advice, and accounting software (MYOB, Xero, Phoenix amongst others) including single touch payroll solutions.

Peter Woods and Associates is a long established accounting firm with over 20 years’ experience in the accounting field, they recognise that every business is different and will require different levels of support at different times in the business lifecycle, let them know how they can help you.

It’s important to collate all of your documents such as PAYG summaries, pension or government allowance, interest earned, rental property income, business income, work related expenditure, investment expenses, charity donations and private health insurance, just to name a few.

Tax planning should be customised to individual needs, and should be undertaken with the assistance of an expert. When planning now you should certainly consider strategies available specifically for Small Business Entities, such as the immediate write off deductions for capital items, and bringing forward expenses into the 2019 financial year. Other tools to discuss with your accountant or advisor include the use of Superannuation Contributions as a deduction or Farm Management Deposits as a strategy.

This time of year is also ideal for planning and forecasting for the new financial year. Professionals can refine the process of identifying both the goals and the concerns of clients, and work with them to map a plan for the coming years. This includes a cash flow forecast and projected Profit and Loss, and is ideally revisited regularly through the new financial year. Planning and measuring performance are essential for reaching your personal and business goals.

The sooner you get in touch with the experts, the sooner you can lighten your load.