Whether due to trauma or degenerative changes, a torn meniscus will often present with pain and swelling in the knee joint and difficulty straightening the knee. Sometimes there may also be a history of painful clicking or locking. Manual testing and MRI can confirm the diagnosis of a meniscus tear.

Whenever possible, physiotherapy is considered the first line of treatment when there are symptoms of a meniscal tear. This involves strengthening exercises, icing to reduce swelling and avoiding activities that put pressure on the joint such as pivoting, squatting or repetitive bending of the knee.

One of the main functions of the knee joint meniscus is to absorb shock. Luckily, the muscles around the knee also function as shock absorbers. Research has shown that as muscle strength around the knee increases bone stress decreases and therefore pain and dynamic stability improve.

If, after a few weeks of conservative management, pain and dysfunction are still present your doctor may recommend surgery. This is usually day surgery and involves arthroscopic repair or removal of the torn piece of cartilage. As part of the recovery process the muscles around the knee must be strengthened in order to minimise secondary degenerative changes.

If osteoarthritis is also present in the affected knee, as is often the case with degenerative meniscus tears, surgical treatment may not provide the pain relief or return to optimal function normally expected of arthroscopic repair. In fact, the research indicates that arthroscopic surgery for this population offers no advantage over physiotherapy for relief of symptoms or improvement in function.

For the fitness of you.
Linda Reilly

For the past ten years more than 4,000 Year 10 students from 11 high schools have been confronted with the hard hitting, realistic message of the mock crash demonstration. Last Friday the special milestone was celebrated with a commemorative book launch after the morning demonstration at the Parkes High School’s Multi-Purpose Centre.

The program’s success is evident in a decrease of 27% in crashes on local roads involving young drivers. “I saw it for the first time last year and was super impressed,” said MP for Orange, Phil Donato. “I was a police officer for 22
years, and I saw accidents happen exactly as portrayed here. It is very uncomfortable to watch, but sends a strong message to future drivers and is a great service to our community.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM handed a commemorative plaque to Melanie Suitor, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, saying the program has been her baby for the past 10 years.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with over 100 actors, extras, crew and helpers over the past 10 years,” said Melanie. “We want to show young drivers what is happening on the roads and encourage them to make better, safer decisions as drivers and passengers as they get their driver’s licence.”

‘We believe strongly in the Not A Statistic! Youth Driver Education Program as it is vitally important to give young people an insight into the consequences of bad driving habits,” said Central West Police District Superintendent Chris Taylor.

The Parkes Show is one of the biggest agricultural shows west of the Blue Mountains and has been going for 138 years. The show continues to be one of the major events in our community, and this year the program will once again not disappoint with something for everyone.

“We have a dedicated and passionate committee and a wonderful group of volunteers who work tirelessly together to ensure such a great event runs smoothly,” said first time Parkes Show president Peter Unger.

Many people have been preparing for months to enter into the vast array of sections and exhibits at the show, which offers lots of opportunity to people to show their talent and produce.

The entertainment program has always been a highlight of the show, and this year the committee has ensured to bring back all the crowd favourites. The FMX Bike show is back, as well as the award-winning free kids zone.

Keep next Tuesday night free to watch the ever popular, and best fireworks display west of Sydney starting at 7:15pm. This year you don’t have to go to the Deni Ute muster, as the show will bring the first Ute Barrel Race to Parkes for the first time. Be there on Wednesday at 4:30pm to be part of the action. The action continues on Wednesday night with the hard-hitting Demolition Derby.

Other entertaining program events to look out for are the Young Farmers Relay and the dog jump just for starters. The ever popular Parkes Showgirl competition will be decided on Tuesday at 3pm between Amelia Tanswell and Jade Nolan when the winner is announced. David and Angela Copeland and Caitlin Herbert will be judging the competition. The Teenage Showgirl, and Junior Showgirl and Junior Showman will also be announced on Tuesday
afternoon.

Today (Friday) is the last day to get a three-day pass for the show at $15 for adults and $5 for schoolies (children currently attending school). Children not yet at school get free entry. Tickets available at Byrnes Clothing and Embroidery, Cunningham’s IGA and the Show Office. “Come along and enjoy what our show has to offer,” said Peter.

Vietnam Veterans Day was well attended by ex-service men and members of the public at the Vietnam War Memorial in Parkes last Saturday morning.

The day commemorates the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966, and pays tribute to the 59,520 personnel who served in Vietnam. Three Parkes men paid the supreme sacrifice. They were 235250 Captain Tony Danilenko (MID), 216445 Corporal Denis Donnelly and 2782783 Private Dougie Powter.

“It is not a memorial about issues, about the glorification of the war, or the justification of political decisions. Rather it recognises sacrifice and suffering and the honour and sense of duty carried out by young men and women,” said Paul Thomas, a Parkes veteran.

Parkes Shire Council has been recognised for raising the benchmark of Australian engineering standards by winning the most highly regarded engineering honours in the country.

The Parkes Integrated Water Infrastructure Renewal Program won the Energy, Water and Resources Project category at the NSW 2018 Australian Excellence in Engineering Awards last week. Parkes Shire Council proudly shares the award with construction partners John Holland, Hunter H2O and Maddocks.

“Council works incredibly hard to deliver progress and value to the community, and we are incredibly proud to have been recognised with this prestigious accolade,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM.

The $100m capital works program includes the Lake Endeavour dam safety upgrades, the Lachlan River pump station and bore 8 refurbishments, as well as the major infrastructure construction that delivered Parkes a new water treatment plant, new sewage treatment plant and the advanced water recycling facility, and ancillary infrastructure augmentations.

The Parkes program competed with some of the state’s most prominent engineering projects, including the City of Sydney’s Green Square Library and Plaza development, and the $154 million Wynyard Walk. The Parkes program will be a finalist in the National Australian Engineering Excellence Awards in September.

SATURDAY MORNING STORYTIME!
11am – 12pm, 1st, 8th & 15th September
Families are invited to find the hidden Library treasures! Fun, Play, Games, Stories, Make, Discover. For school aged kids.

COMMUNITY TALK – RETHINKING CLOTHING CULTURE
Friday, 31st August at 6pm
In an era dominated by passive consumption of cheap and synthetic fashion, Jane Milburn presents a compelling case for why we need to change the way we dress to live lightly on Earth through everyday practice. Slow Clothing is a holistic approach to what we wear that considers clothes in the context of health and wellbeing. Please RSVP by 30th August – parkes.libary@parkes.nsw.gov.au or 6861 2309.

WORKSHOP – TRANSFORMATIONS FROM NATURE
Saturday, 1st September from 9am-4pm
Community Centre Cooke Park
With Jane Milburn you will experiment with colour using natural materials from your wardrobe, kitchen and garden. Find an unloved natural-fibre garment or two from your wardrobe, wool and silk (work best) or linen and cotton. Using onion skins, tea, leaves, flowers, bark and rusty tools, we refresh and transform them for a second life. Suitable for beginners, age 12+. Cost: $10. Bookings required with payment at Parkes Library.

WORKSHOP – SNIP AND STITCH UPCYCLING
Sunday, 2nd September from 9am – 4pm
Jane Milburn will help you transform t-shirts and other clothes using scissors and stitching. Bring along a few unloved natural-fibre garments, options for upcycling them will be explored and changes enacted using handstitching techniques or machine sewing (for those with a machine to bring along). Some sewing experience preferred. Age 15+. Cost: $10. Bookings required with payment
at Parkes Library.