Articles Archives - Page 291 of 448

Fashionistas Unite – It’s The Parkes Picnic Races!

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

A highlight on the Parkes social calendar takes place tomorrow when the annual Parkes Picnic Races make a fashionable return from 11:30am at the Parkes Racecourse.

This year’s Fashions on the Field guest judge is Anna Barwick, a former Peak Hill local. Anna is a pharmacist, academic, PhD student, mum of two, fashionista and Miss Royal Easter Showgirl in 2008. She is also a keen Fashion on the Field entrant at country race meets, and has won the Lady of the Day at Tamworth Cup in 2017 and 2018, Armidale Cup, Guyra Cup, Walcha Cup, Tomingley and Mungery.

Parkes Picnic Races is a regular outing on her calendar. Known on Instagram as the ‘Phashionable Pharmacist’, Anna appreciates classic and cutting edge looks, while reflecting the seasonal racewear guidelines. This year at Parkes Picnic Races, her attention will be drawn to unique and superbly finished style.

The day also includes a five-race program, including the Coradgery Cup, as well as full TAB and betting facilities, canteen and bar services, a coffee van, and live entertainment by Trundle band Geroholom Johnson.

Entry is free for under 16-year-olds, and $20 adult general admission tickets are available at the gate on the day. For more details, visit parkespicnicraces.com.au.

The Courage To Reconcile

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Australia is at a critical juncture on our journey to reconciliation.

National Reconciliation Week is held between 27 May and 3 June every year, and the theme for last week’s celebration was ‘Grounded in Truth Walk Together in Courage’ representing the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community.

This relationship must be grounded in truth and the journey towards reconciliation, and requires us all to walk together with courage to become reconciled.

Proud Wiradjuri Elder and Parkes local, Robert Clegg, said: “The Aboriginal community has had a bad history. The present is alright. But the future gets better.”

Robert was born on the banks of the Bogan River and is proud of the Wiradjuri people’s history and culture.

Robert believes: “We need to teach the language. Learn the language. Keep our culture alive. Once we as Aboriginal people learn who we are, and when the Australian people learn who they are, we can have a conversation to learn where we want to be. Because in the future everyone will know where we stand, and why we stand.”

As Australia moves forward, reconciliation needs to be adopted in the minds, actions and, most importantly, the hearts of all Australians. Doing this will create a strong Nation with respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

By Adam Nicholson

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Ogre

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Excitement is building for tonight’s opening of the latest Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society production that also only features juniors.

Shrek the Musical Jr will only play for two weekends and tickets are selling like hotcakes at www.parkesmandd.com.au The shows are on Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2 and 5:30pm, Sunday at 2pm and Monday at 2pm. Don’t miss out on the ultimate feel-good show! There is also a special Autism friendly show for the first time ever on 15th June at 2pm.

Snippets…

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

STUDENT LEADERS IN PARLIAMENT… Phil Donato met with year 12 leaders from Parkes High School and
six other schools in the Orange electorate at the NSW Parliament last week as part of the Student Leadership Program. Students had the opportunity to ask attending MPs about leadership, making decisions and representation.

Winners: Congratulations to the winners of the two recent competitions in The Parkes Phoenix! Emily McQuie won a double pass to the Parkes Picnic Races, and Candace Smith won a family pass to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Moonwalk Into Parkes: Be out there in the Parkes Region this winter season and be amazed by all things space and science, when Parkes and the world celebrate the 50th anniversary of man landing on the moon. In July 1969, the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope played an important role in history, when it received and broadcast the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon for the first time. The Dish received television signals that allowed six hundred million people,
one fifth of humanity at the time, to watch the broadcast. In celebration of this 50 year milestone, CSIRO will be hosting an open day weekend at The Dish on the 20-21st July. Parkes Shire Council has launched a ‘Be out there’ winter campaign featuring Apollo 11 Deals to encourage visitors to explore more of our region during their stay. The campaign launched on 1st June and will run until the end of July. Visitors can view all the special offers and open
day event details at www.visitparkes.com. au/apollo11

History Blog: Is it possible to go from life in the country to the highest level of government in NSW? James McGirr went from a dairy farm in Parkes to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. His political career coincided with the 1930s – a decade that commenced with the Great Depression and ended with the world in the throes of a second world war! McGirr then helped the state deal with post-War issues, such as a severe housing shortage. Read about “Big Jim” on Parkes Library’s history blog https://historyparkes.org/2019/05/31/james-mcgirr-from-parkes-to-premier/

Scholarships For Rural Students: Students are invited to apply for scholarships under the expanded third round of the $58.1 million Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships program. Eligible students could benefit from up to $18,000 which could go towards the cost of their university or vocational education. The scholarships cover courses including certificate IV through to a PhD. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.education.gov.au/rural-and-regional-enterprisescholarships. Applications close on 14th June. Regional
and rural students can access more assistance through the $53.9 million injection to Youth Allowance.

A Weekend Of Celebrating Culture

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Central West Lachlan Landcare, in partnership with the Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party celebrated National Reconciliation Week at Bulgandramine last weekend.

The formerly aboriginal mission site, 22km west of Peak Hill, was returned to the local Wiradjuri community and is a unique and special space used to celebrate and learn more about Wiradjuri culture.

The celebration included performances, music and story telling, tasting of traditional foods, Wiradjuri dance and language, children’s activities and history talks, and a Sunday church service.

It was a great weekend to catch up with old friends and make new ones, with participants coming away with a sense of healing and a feeling of achievement for providing a cultural celebration for the community.

Animal Antics…

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Hand Raised Birds Are Easy Pets
Hand raised birds are one of the best and easiest pets you can own. Being hand reared they are cuddly, tame and easy to handle. Many hand raised birds can be taught to mimic or talk.

Hand raised birds are fed and raised by humans, thus ensuring them to be tame and human oriented. They make fabulous pets who are loyal and fun to the very end. It’s best to keep them indoors, but play and talk to them a lot. They can become your best friend for the next 25 to 30 years.

The Parkes Pet Barn have some hand raised conures for sale and includes green cheeks and sun conures. Originally from South America, sun conures live for about 30 years and have lots of personality. They love attention and are quite easy to train as long as they are socialised from a young age.

Conures do have the ability to talk, however it takes a lot of patience and training. Conures often grind their beaks as a form of self grooming. This is very common and should not be of concern, it is also an indication that your bird is feeling relaxed.

Like all parrots, it is very important to give conures plenty of toys to play with. They have a tendency to chew as well so toys that are made from natural wood are highly recommended. Toys that have a variety of shapes, colours, materials and sizes are the best for sun conures as this will stimulate them mentally as well.

Conures like a large variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as the nuts and “parrot pellets” occasionally.

Students Do Important Work On Aircraft

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes High School students working on the restoration of aircraft at the Parkes Airport received encouragement from the second highest office in the country when they shook hands with the Deputy Prime Minister recently.

The students were helping volunteers put the wings on the Heron and preparing the Convair for taxiing trials and engine runs, when Michael McCormack dropped in to inspect the aircraft museum. He was very interested in the work of the students.

The sponsors of the Heron project were also impressed with what the students had achieved inside and out. Future jobs include more sanding to repaint, while the cockpit section of Neptune 302 will be brought inside for restoration.

The students also participated in an emu parade and picked up all the fallen trees and limbs littering the creek line adjacent to the outdoor area. The clean-up has vastly improved the appearance of the museum from the access road.

By Mike De La Hunty

Harmony Concert Strikes A Chord

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The New Harmonies concert at the Parkes Services Club last Sunday was a sell out! The community concert was a huge success with performances by the Parkes Shire Concert Band, Tapestry, the Parkes Community Choir, Parkes Public and Middleton school choirs, Lachlan Regional Orchestra and the Forbes Town & District Band. “It was a wonderful collaboration for all the groups involved,” said one of the organisers. Special thanks to Parkes Services Club, Sue and Jim Connors and all participants. Raffle won by Jeanette MacGregor.

Question of the Week?

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

What exciting things do you have lined up for this long weekend?

Helen and Callum Rowbotham: We’re off to Broken Hill for a family reunion on Corey, my husband’s side. About 46 adults and 12 kids will be coming from everywhere and all meeting together for a great catch-up.

Dooley Thomson: I’ll kick back around the fire on Friday evening, have a few beers and a bit of a dance no doubt. Probably head to the races on Saturday, get my 1970s Woodstock on and head to the footy to watch the Spacies smash the Swampies.

Alex and Marty Sammut-Paul: We’ll be running around with Alex to all the shows at the Parkes M&D for Shrek Junior. We are so excited!

What’s On @ The Library

June 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

PARKES LIBRARY IS ON THE MOVE!
The big news is that during June/July Parkes Library is going to pack up and move to a temporary location in Clarinda Street for one year. The present library space is about to undergo extensive renovations and expansion. Stay tuned for further details.

TO THE MOON AND BACK ART WORKSHOPS
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June
Midday – 4pm
Cost: $20 per student
Regional Arts NSW and Parkes Shire Library invite 12 to 17-year-old students to a weekend art workshop in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Parkes’ role in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. Experienced local artist Leanne Wilson will lead the workshops and participants will produce a canvas artwork which will be displayed at a public exhibition during the anniversary celebrations. Places are strictly limited, book early to secure a place. Bookings and payment at Parkes Library.

AUTHOR TALK AND AUTHOR WORKSHOP – AMANDA HAMPSON
Wednesday 19 June
Author Workshop: 10am – Midday
Author Talk: 6 – 7pm
Amanda Hampson grew up in rural New Zealand. She spent her early twenties travelling, finally settling in Australia in 1979 where she now lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In researching her upcoming novel, Sixty Summers, Amanda embarked on a European trip retracing her own youthful journey from the 1970s. She is the author of two non-fiction books, numerous articles and novels The Olive Sisters, Two for the Road, The French Perfumer and The Yellow Villa. Bookings required due to limited places at Parkes Library, library@parkes.nsw.gov.au or call 6861 2309.

BOOK CLUB
Peak Hill – First Wednesday of every month @ 6pm
Parkes – Last Wednesday of every month @ 3pm or Last Thursday of every month @ 6pm

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