AUTHOR VISIT Carolinda Witt Wednesday, 6th February 6pm, Parkes Shire Library
You never know what you will find when you go looking for relatives, but imagine Carolinda Witt’s surprise when her mystery grandfather turned out to be Walter Dicketts, MI5’s double agent ‘Celery.’

Carolinda has been a guest on ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski and is the 2018 Winner of the Non-Fiction Prize awarded by the Society of Women Writers! Hear her talk and purchase copies of her book at special discounted prices.

RSVP by 4th February on 68612309 or parkes.library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

DIGITAL EXHIBITION The Art of Ageing 13th – 23rd February 2019
The exhibition is a NSW Government initiative which aims to challenge people’s views on ageing and the experiences of older people across the state. The exhibition celebrates the lives of older people living in regional NSW.

The Art of Ageing digital exhibition will be displayed in the foyer of Parkes Shire Library as well as the main body of the library to coincide with NSW Seniors Festival.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS RECOMMENCE
Once Upon a Story Time, Story Time and Rhyme Time all start the week of February 5th. Children’s Service Officers, Sandie and Debbie are excited to launch this year’s programs with a visit from “Dudley Dog” author Adam (Toby) Maidens. He will be reading from his book and giving some insight into where “Dudley Dog” will be travelling to next. He will be selling and signing books but is mostly looking forward to having fun with our youngest readers.

Parkes Relay for Life is less than 60 days away and organisers are urging participants to not leave it till the last minute to register their teams. This year the event moves to the more sheltered Pioneer Oval after wind adversely affected the event previously. The relay is to be held overnight on Saturday, 23rd March with team and individual registrations now open on the Parkes Relay for Life website.

Family registrations are also available.

“We would normally expect to see between 400 – 600 people at a relay in Parkes, especially since we only get one here everyother-year,” said Brendon Argyle of Cancer Council NSW.

Relay For Life is a community fundraising challenge, with all funds raised going towards Australia’s leading cancer charity, Cancer Council. Underpinned by research, 61,000 Australian lives have been saved by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment over the past 20 years.

Cancer Council NSW is 95% community funded, which means events like the Parkes and District Relay for Life are vital in keeping the Cancer Council going. “The more participants join us in a relay the more Australians we can help. It really is that simple,” said Brendon.

Cancer Council is the only organisation in Australia that works across every area of cancer, across all aspects of the cancer journey – from research and prevention, through to information, support services and advocacy programs.

Funds raised will directly and indirectly benefit the local community. Working in local communities means Cancer Council can deliver programs and services that best meets the needs of each district. Cancer Council also partner with community-based organisations and health services to support local communities.

With the new school year starting this week, Parkes Shire Council reminds local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.

“Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, and they may behave unpredictably,” said Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay attention and be patient as there are more cars, buses, cyclists and young pedestrians about. “When the orange (wig wag) lights on the back of a school bus are flashing, slow down to 40km/h as students are either getting on or off the bus.”

“Parking signs around schools are there to keep children safe. You cannot stop in a ‘No Stopping’ zone. You can drop-off or pick-up passengers in a ‘No Parking’ zone as long as you are only there for two minutes and no more than three meters away from your car,” said Melanie.

There are 40km/h school speed zones around all schools in between 8 to 9:30am and 2:30 to 4pm on school days. The school zone in Bushman Street is operational all day from 8am to 4pm. Police will be targeting school zones to
ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit.

Newell Highway upgrades and major work on Five Chain Lane northwest of Parkes were announced in Parkes by Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight on Wednesday. Minister Melinda Pavey, said over the next four years 30 new 1.5 km lanes would be added to the Newell Highway with work commencing in six weeks’ time.

Parliamentary Secretary Rick Colless confirmed that Parkes Shire Council had secured funding of $1.3 million for sealing, widening and improving drainage of Five Chain Lane, allowing heavy vehicle access come rain, hail or shine.

The RMS boasts a new works approach in which as much bitumen as possible will be delivered in the shortest time, and the employment of local contractors will be considered a key component to the works. This upgrade will reduce the Newell journey by 25 minutes.

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith voiced his appreciation of the State Government support, acknowledging that the Newell is the third busiest state highway. “But this is the one that is really important to regional people,” he said.

“We are also planning a better future for the Great Western Highway with the longterm vision of a dual carriageway for the Bells Line,” said the Minister, “and we intend getting as much freight on rail as possible.”

By Beth Thomas

A severe storm with lightning, rain and hail caused severe damage in Parkes on Tuesday night. The wild weather with wind gusts of up to 98km/h uprooted trees and blew off roofs just before midnight, left thousands of people without power and caused thousands of dollars in damage, mostly on the eastern and southern side of town. There were fortunately no reports of any injuries.

Emergency services crews, assisted by Council crews, started responding through the night and continued on Wednesday and the rest of the week to the high number of calls received, and clearing storm debris that made some streets look like a war zone.

Bill Dudley in Orange Street was very relieved he was at the back of his house when a mature pine tree fell on his roof causing  severe damage. Many residents could not believe the destruction caused by the storm. “I have never heard the wind blow like that,” said one, while another said: “I saw the wind pick up our trampoline and dump it on the washing line, squashing it!”

By 3pm on Wednesday the power outage to most of the more than 3,000 homes and businesses was restored. Some households had a blackout of more than 15 hours. David Crough of Essential Energy said the storm caused significant damage to the power network. Additional crews and equipment from Bathurst, Forbes, Narromine and
Orange had to be brought in to assist.

Council notified residents that once the urgent jobs were dealt with, storm debris and green matter would be collected from the kerbside. Residents can also deposit green and mixed waste caused by the storm to the Parkes Waste Facility free of charge until close of business on Sunday.

For trees down in backyards and damage caused to personal property, you need to contact the SES on 132 500.

By Maggi Barnard

Parkes was literally shaken up for the 2019 Elvis Festival with several records tumbling as the event keeps on growing in popularity. A record-breaking 27,000 fans descended on our town in early January to celebrate the All Shook Up theme, while 11,000 people lined the streets to watch the ever popular Northparkes Mines Street Parade boasting 182 entries.

With more than 200 events on offer, and almost non-stop free entertainment on the Cooke Park main stage and top quality buskers in Clarinda Street, the notes of the King’s evergreen songs echoed to every corner of our town.

By Sunday one resident was convinced her chooks were cackling to the rhythm of ‘Return to Sender’!

It was not only the international performers, like feature artist Ted Torres Martin, who filled venues to capacity. Local group Amitie amassed a huge following, while Parkes’ young dancers showed the way with the Parkes Boppers and Twinkle Toes dancers rock ‘n rolling all over town.

Talented local musician Mick Green featured in the band for the All Shook Up Special opening night show sharing the stage with Lance Lipinsky and other artists. Peak Hill’s Erin O’Leary was crowned Miss Priscilla and won over the crowds with her bubbly personality.

The festival’s hard working and friendly volunteers, and Parkes Shire Council’s staff also flew the flag for Parkes ensuring everything ran smoothly and the masses went home with only praise on their lips.

Dressing up has become a vital element of the Parkes Elvis Festival that adds to its vibrancy and colour. Some local businesses had to put in emergency orders to ensure enough stock for the high demand for 50’s fashion trends.
And next year from 8 – 12 January, the costumes promise to be even more fun with the theme the 1966 American musical film Frankie and Johnny!

By Maggi Barnard