BEFORE AND AFTER… Tommy Davis with his long locks (left) and after the big shave done by Dolly Allan (right).

It’s Pink Up Parkes month and one resident has already taken a big step in showing his support and raising funds for the McGrath Foundation. Currajong Disability Services (CDS) client Thomas Davis kept his promise and shaved his locks to raise vital funds.

Thomas, or Tommy as he is known, talked about doing a shave months before, and last week he had his curls snipped by Dolly Allan, also of CDS.

“I think it’s a great initiative by Tommy,” said Indigo Kriedemann of Currajong Disability Services. “So far there have been around 500 donations. He is a credit to himself, his family and Currajong,” she said.

The idea first came to Tommy before the start of the 2019 NRL season when he was originally going to shave his hair if the Canterbury Bulldogs won the wooden spoon.

While the Bulldogs rallied to finish mid-table, the idea soon developed into something else and more supportive of a worthwhile cause – cancer and the McGrath Foundation. “I just wanted to make a difference,” said Tommy, “and hopefully I have. I can’t thank everyone enough for supporting me and the McGrath Foundation,” he said.

If you want to get behind Tommy’s cause, call Currajong on 6863 4713. The Mcgrath Foundation raises money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia. More nurses are needed to meet the growing rate of breast cancer diagnosis in Australia.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro released the draft master plan for the Parkes Special Activation Precinct recently. The plan outlines how land should be used across the 4,800 hectare purposely zoned precinct, what businesses could exist and operate there, and how an eco-industrial hub can be established and thrive. Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd said: “We are excited to be working with the NSW Government on the next step towards our community’s long-term vision of developing Parkes as a national logistics hub and inland port.”

“The State’s first Special Activation Precinct will be designed to take advantage of the unique economic opportunities of Parkes’ strategic location at the epicentre of the national freight and logistics network and will create up to 3,000 jobs over the next two decades, adding to the diversity of our economy especially in times of drought.” Kent encouraged residents to take up the opportunity to have their say during the consultation period and help Parkes reach its full potential.

The draft master plan follows 12 months of detailed investigation into the area by government and independent advisors. As part of the investigations, an independent consultant identified land owned by Parkes Shire Mayor as one of the parcels that was strategically important to the hub. To protect against potential conflict of interest, Parkes Shire Council has robust procedures in place to ensure there is no question about probity.

The Parkes National Logisitics Hub Probity Plan, available on Council’s website, describes the principles to be applied, the processes to be used and the controls that will be implemented to promote the integrity of any land acquisitions and ensure that all aspects of the process continue to be above reproach and fair to all. To view the draft master plan and to have your say until 20th October, visit www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/exhibition

At the September meeting of the Bogan Gate CWA were (L-R) Ros Edwards (Secretary) Ken Engsmyr, Evelyn and Bill Shallvey, Marion McIntyre (President) and Hilda McPherson (Treasurer).

The Bogan Gate CWA branch welcomed three Parkes residents to their September meeting.

Ken Engsmyr from the Parkes Rotary Club and Bill and Evelyn Shallvey. Bill talked about East Timor and showed photos of his trips there with a group of helpers.

He talked about how they packed several large containers with surplus equipment from the old Parkes and Forbes Hospitals, Southern Cross and Mater Aged Care, including roofing from Southern Cross.

Other events of the club included the annual Friendship Luncheon at the Bogan Gate Hotel; and the International Day meeting in August with International Officer Heather Veal organising a beautiful meal represent-ing Papua New Guinea. Guest Speakers Chris and Kay Owens from Dubbo, who had lived in PNG for 15 years, spoke of their time there.

Upcoming events for the club are the next Trivia Night on Saturday, 12th October at 7pm in the Bogan Gate Hall. Organise a team of four to six, and ring Marion on 6864 3233 or Ros 6864 1023. A special invitation to Parkes and Forbes people to come for a drive and experience a fun night.

Tuesday, 15th October the Oxley Group of CWA has their Annual Conference in Tullamore; next CWA meeting is on Thursday, 17th October for the AGM.

Media reports that Parkes is forecast to run out of water in March next year has been disputed by Mayor Ken Keith.

“Parkes is not at immediate risk of running dry contrary to recent media reports,” the Mayor said. “It is deeply disappointing that these figures have been quoted.”

He said while there was no doubt that the current drought situation was dire, our community could rest assured that Parkes would have water through 2020 and beyond. “We are very much able to service our residents, businesses, and visitors to the region.

“On the back of the misleading reports we have had some visitors questioning their travel plans as they do not want to be further a drain on our water supply. I would like to reassure everyone that Parkes is not at imminent risk of running dry. We encourage visitors to come and support our local businesses and enjoy everything Parkes has to offer, including the 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival,” Ken said.

Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd said Council upgraded the raw water infrastructure in 2016-18 as part of Council’s $100m multi award-winning Integrated Water Infrastructure Program.

Council constructed new, more efficient water and wastewater treatment plants, upgraded the raw water supply infrastructure, constructed a new river pump station and refurbished Council’s bores. “There are now eight bores that collectively allow an increasing extraction capacity while spreading the drawdown of water over a larger area to minimise impact on the aquifer,” Kent said.