Articles Archives - Page 308 of 448

Snippets…

December 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Garden Gnomes: The Parkes Garden Club celebrated 2018 with a Christmas lunch at the Station Motel last week and were entertained by Tapestry singing Christmas carols. The new 2019 President, Norma Garment welcomed everyone hinting at fresh and exciting garden events budding in the new year. Joyce Cole swept the floor with the various raffle tickets drawn on the day, while Robyn Burns won the lucky door prize – a gorgeous hand-crafted succulent garden display created by Kelvie and Faye Blackstock. Daphne Hutchins was the overall winner for 2018 in the monthly flower competition. Parkes Garden Club invites interested gardeners of any age to their first meeting in 2019 on Saturday, 9th March at 5pm at Lions Park for a BBQ.

Do You Share A Birthday With Elvis? Tuesday, 8th January 2019 will be Elvis’s 84th birthday, and everyone is invited to celebrate with cake and free entertainment in Cooke Park at 10:30am. Bring along proof of your birth date to go into a draw to cut the birthday cake! Entertainment will be provided by Parkes’ one and only Elvis Tribute Artist, Barry Green, and the fabulous Parkes Boppers dance group. Bring a chair or rug and be ready to be ALL SHOOK UP for Elvis 2019!

2018 Quota Wrap-up: At the November business meeting members dressed up in support of Loud Shirt Day raising $250 to support the Shepherd Centre’s commitment to “give the gift of sound and speech to deaf children”. Quota members took part in the White Ribbon Day march to raise awareness about domestic violence, while 50 emergency hygiene packs made by Parkes members were handed to the Parkes Police Station for domestic violence victims. The Club received eight $100 gift cards from the members of Quota International of Lower Clarence for distribution to drought affected farmers/families. A huge thank you to Michael and Peg Lynch (St Vincent de Paul
Society) who are distributing the cards. Quotarians have volunteered once a week at the Parkes Public School in partnership with other organisations for the Breakfast Program. As part of this year’s Christmas party, gifts will be placed under the Giving Tree at Target as part of the Interagency – Combined Churches of Parkes annual program.
Quotarians thank all those who have supported fund raising throughout the year and wish all a Merry Christmas.

Mayoral Notes…

December 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

This week two of our newest recreational spaces were officially opened, just in time for the Christmas break. The ribbon was cut on the Pac Park rejuvenation project in Parkes and Lindner Oval project in Peak Hill, both projects co-funded by Council and the NSW Government’s Social Housing Improvement Fund.

As part of the Lindner Oval project, new play equipment, a new shade cloth, and a new outdoor exercise station were installed. The Pac Park project included the construction of two shelters, two table settings, a double electric barbecue and lighting. Both projects aim to support and encourage our residents to head outdoors and lead healthy and active lifestyles.

Council has signed two monumental documents this week. The first, a Voluntary Planning Agreement between Clean TeQ Sunrise and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, which will deliver a $340,000 contribution per annum towards community enhancement projects once construction of the mine commences. The second, CMOC Northparkes Mines and Council have renewed a Joint Funding Agreement to extend the Parkes Shire Grants and Aboriginal Project Officer positions for a further three years. Both agreements are set to deliver a range of positive outcomes for our community.

Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer is urging locals to be patient and take care when travelling these Christmas holidays. Double demerit points will be in force for 12 days over the Christmas and New Year period, with increased police presence on our roads targeting speed, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Parkes Shire Council’s Administration building will close for the Christmas break today, 21st December, and re-open on Wednesday, 2nd January 2019. With 2019 only a few weeks away, a reminder to get your tickets and make plans for your 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival experience from 9th to 13th January. For all event details visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

On behalf of the Councillors and Council staff, I would like to wish our residents a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy 2019.

Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Congratulations from Phil Donato…

December 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to the young men and women who have completed their HSC this year – no small feat! A passed exam is a happy event unlike any other.

As you know, there is no secret to success. It’s the result of hard work and more importantly, resilience. Not everything goes to plan and it’s not the wins that make us who we are, but our ability to handle the setbacks along the way.

Whether your HSC results exceeded what you expected or fell a little short, you’ve put in the hard yards and for that you deserve a huge pat on the back.

It’s important to know that your future isn’t determined solely by those numbers, as plenty of opportunities will arise if you’re ready to meet them. Your future is determined by your attitude, choices and – here’s that word again – your resilience moving forward.

You may have put some pressure on yourself, or you may have felt the pressure from others, to have the enormous question of “what you’re going to be” all figured out by now. But the truth is that you find the path on the way, and there are plenty of paths to choose from.

I wish you happy beginnings in the next chapter of your life.

Cheers,
Phil.

Legal Eagle

December 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

What To Do After A Car Accident

If, by bad luck, you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are things you must do, and things you should do.
Things you must do:
• Stop as soon as you have the accident.
• Give your name, address and car registration details to the driver of the other car, to any person injured, and to the owner of any property damaged.
• Give the name and address of the car owner if it is not you.
• Give assistance to any injured person.
• Notify the police if someone is killed or injured, a driver did not stop and give their details to the other driver or drivers, any driver appears to be affected by alcohol or drugs, or any vehicle has to be towed away. In this latter case, and if the police do not come to the accident scene, you must report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
Things you should do:
• Make notes about the accident.
• Draw a plan of the scene and location of the cars.
• Take photos of the scene and location of each car.
• Take the names and addresses of any witnesses.
• Get the details of the other car, its owner, and its insurers.
• Notify your comprehensive insurance company immediately, and, if any person is injured, notify your green slip insurers.

If you have been injured, consult your solicitor as there are strict time limits for making an insurance claim.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Young Swimmer Receives Award

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

A talented Parkes swimmer received a visit from a special guest at his school last week to present him with a state award. Member for Orange, Philip Donato MP presented a NSW Government State Representative Award to Matty Price at Holy Family Primary School last week for his achievements at the Australian School Swimming Championships in Hobart earlier in the year.

Matty, who is in year 6, did exceptionally well in the championships in the five races he qualified for. He won a silver medal in the 100m backstroke, a bronze in the 50m butterfly and a bronze in the medley relay team event. He also achieved four personal best times.

“I am delighted to present this award to young Matty for his outstanding contribution in representing our region at the Australian School Swimming Championships,” said Phil.

“Matty has displayed a commitment to his sport well beyond his years, working exceptionally hard to not only bring back the medals, but more importantly, achieve his own personal bests.

“It’s an honour for me to be able to recognise Matty’s contribution to sport, as his dedication sets an example for others – both young and old. I look forward to staying updated on your future swimming endeavours!”

Let’s Make Everyone Feel Loved In Our Community

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Christmas is a time for love and laughter and for most of us it is a special time we spend with our families.

Sadly, there are people who have no such luck. Whilst loneliness and social isolation is not something that comes about just at Christmas time, feelings of loneliness can be exacerbated as people are making plans to be with friends and family. It is also a hard time for people who have lost a loved one.

There are about 224,000 older Australians living in social isolation all year round, and half a million pensioners spend Christmas Day alone. This is a huge concern at Christmas time as the effects of loneliness can be devastating.

Recent scientific research data confirms that effects of loneliness can increase the chance of premature death at all ages. Studies have also shown that day-in, dayout, chronic isolation does real, physical damage, leading to higher blood pressure, increased stress and less and lower-quality sleep.

Indeed, those who perceive themselves to have few meaningful social connections are more likely to die earlier.

At fear of being pitied or feeling a burden, older people often put on a brave face and often don’t like to talk about their feelings of loneliness. Make it your act of kindness this Christmas, and New Year’s resolution for 2019 to help at least one person feel less lonely.

Neighbourhood Central says you can help an older person stay connected or reconnect with friends and family, to join a social group in the community or to help out at a charity. By helping others and meeting new people it will give that person a sense of purpose, and a way to start feeling loved, needed, and purposeful.

No matter what your age, being loved and having someone to care for you is important to us all!

Parkes Once Again Partners With NASA For Groundbreaking Mission

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

MOMENTOUS OCCASION… John Sarkissian, CSIRO Operations Scientist at the Parkes Radio Telescope, explains how Voyager 2 crossed into interstellar space on 5th November after 41 years in our solar system.

The Parkes Radio Telescope is once again playing a major role in an incredibly rare event mission scientists at NASA have been anticipating for decades.

NASA’s Voyager 2 entered interstellar space (the space between stars) approximately 18 billion kilometres from Earth on 5th November, 41 years after its launch. “I was in Year 9 and clearly remember it,” said John Sarkissian, CSIRO Operations Scientist at the Parkes Radio Telescope.

“It is a really exciting time and such a valuable scientific moment,” said John who has spent many 14-hour days at The Dish since last month to ensure everything runs smoothly as the Parkes antennae tracks Voyager 2 for 11 hours every day to receive real time data for NASA.

Although Voyager 2 is the second spacecraft to exit the heliosphere, a protective bubble created by our Sun, after its twin Voyager 1, John explains that not all instruments were functioning on Voyager 1 at the time. “That is why this is such a major project as we will not have this opportunity again for decades. It took 41 years and we cannot lose this opportunity.”

John’s excitement is apparent as he explains that it is the first time that scientists are able to sample interstellar space. “We are getting back incredibly valuable and detailed information and learning a lot about
what it is actually like. Before we could only guess, but this time we have a man-made instrument sending back information!”

As Voyager 2 is so far from Earth, 120 times further from the Sun
than earth is, the signal takes 16.5 hours to reach Earth and is incredibly
weak. “That is why you need very big antennae to receive
the signal, and as Voyager 2 is very far south and below the horizon
for telescopes in the northern hemisphere, the Parkes Radio Telescope
and Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex are
the only facilities in the world capable of having contact with the
spacecraft.”

Parkes is doing the bulk of the tracking on a daily basis as Voyager
2 isn’t able to record its data on board, and transmits it directly from the instruments back to Earth.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said: “We’re proud to help NASA solve the scientific challenge of capturing this once in a lifetime opportunity as Voyager 2 ventures into interstellar space.

“Our team at Parkes has partnered with NASA on some of humanity’s
most momentous steps in space, including the landing of the Mars Rover Curiosity and, almost fifty years ago, the Apollo 11 Moon landing.”

It is the fourth time Parkes is helping to track the Voyager mission. On its journey, Voyager 2 has famously flown past Jupiter (in 1979), Saturn (in 1981), Uranus (in 1986) and Neptune (in 1989), returning valuable images and data.

By Maggi Barnard

Carols Create Community Cheer

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Shire Concert Band performed some Christmas classics at the Carols in the Park event on Sunday.

The makeover for Carols in the Park proved to be a huge success on Sunday with well over 1,500 people attending this annual community event. Despite the temperature soaring in the high 30s, the preshow attracted a good crowd of supporters for the four talented local acts taking to the stage.

The Doug Richards Trio jazz band featuring Amy Butler and Duncan Clements impressed the crowd. The Lachlan Regional Orchestra was led
by 18-year-old Matthias Kelly on his debut as conductor, while Belinda Boland supported by her husband Travis and friend Glen Westcott performed some beautiful Christmas carols.

Completing the afternoon set were Rachael Whitchurch and her husband Ben with their signature chilled-out Americana style performing their favourite Christmas songs.

As the park started filling up, the Parkes Shire Concert Band set the tone for the second part of the program. The Carols Band harmonised beautifully to get the huge crowd singing along for the community carols, while the primary schools choirs were a favourite for many. Local a capella group Tapestry once again highlighted the depth of singing talent in our community.

Organiser Emma Brown said she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the community’s support and how much people embraced the new format. “I would specially like to thank Shannon and Elle McCutcheon, Carolyn Butler and the Carols band for their time, work and dedication in the months leading up to Carols in the Park.”

Comments were all positive and encouraging of the idea to feature local talent at the preshow.

Another addition this year was a free souvenir program and kids book handed out to everyone attending. The 2018 Carols in the Park souvenir program contained not only the full colour program and song words, but also information about upcoming events and Christmas services in Parkes. The Bible Society created a children’s book illustrating the Christmas story.

By Maggi Barnard

Funding To Screen Students for Hearing and Speech

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

From (L-R) are Valerie Chisholm, Cathy Clarke, Raelene
Rout and Miriam Luyt with the cheque for PECC.

Quota International of Parkes wrote out a cheque for $2,000 to Parkes Early Childhood Centre (PECC) in support of an ongoing partnership with PECC to cover the cost of screening all children about to leave pre-school to start their formal education.

The total cost of the screening is $4,000 and Quota hope to raise the remainder in the first half of 2019. PECC staff assess all children four years of age and above for speech/language delay. Parents are advised of the need for further assessment if required. An integral part of the process involves hearing tests, as well as further assessment by a speech pathologist to ensure children entering kindergarten have the best possible transition to school.

By Lynn Rogers

Snippets…

December 13, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Fiery Talent At Carol Festival: Former Organist at St George’s Anglican Church, Richard Morgan, will again make the trip from Sydney for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at his former church on Sunday, 16th December starting at 7:30pm. Richard will also be conducting an organ recital of Christmas tunes from 7pm. This year he will be accompanied by Rebecca Wilson, solo cornet for the NSW Fire and Rescue Band. The evening will feature a mix of carols, old and new, with local a capella group Tapestry. The service is specifically designed to lead the audience through the plan that God has for the world. Starting with creation, the carols track
through the various promises God made to his people, and prophecies, until its culmination in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s= son, who was crucified to bring us back into a relationship with God, after we had fallen out of it and the Garden of Eden. The format is based on the service performed each year at King’s College Cambridge, based on a service devised by the former
Archbishop of Canterbury, Arthur Benson in 1880.

Country Music Christmas Charity Muster: Santa will be at the muster tomorrow (Saturday) at the Starlight Lounge at the Parkes Services Club at 7:30pm. There will also be a Lucky Members Draw, Christmas nibbles, dancing, kiddies prizes and walkup performers. Proceeds will go to Parkes Can Assist. All Welcome. At the AGM in November the following people were elected: Margaret Thurn – president; Lindy Charlton – vice-president; Lyn Pengilly – secretary; Frances Charlton – treasurer; Di Capes – assistant treasurer; publicity committee – Lindy Charlton, Chris Cox and Dale Cowell; artist co-ordinators – Chris Cox, Lyn Pegilly, Margaret Cowell and Di Capes; fundraising committee – Margaret Thurn, Frances Charlton, Christine De Dobbelaar and Lyn Pengilly. Planning of the 2019 calendar of events is underway and includes a visit from the South Coast CMA on the St Patrick’s Day weekend 16/17th March and the annual Mother’s Day function on 12th May. “We wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year.”

Last 2018 Issue: Next Friday, 21st December will be the last issue of The Parkes Phoenix for the year! We will be back for the Parkes Elvis Festival with a special issue out on Thursday, 10th January.

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