A road upgrade to create a major heavy vehicle route linking the Newell Highway to busy grain handling facilities at Wirrinya, south-west of Parkes, is now complete.

The changes include a 12.6 km section of the road, known as Bewleys Road in the Weddin Shire, and Wirrinya Road in the Forbes Shire, was widened, had its culverts strengthened, intersections realigned and rail crossings improved to allow access for an increased number of heavy vehicles.

The upgrade will allow B-doubles, road trains and other heavy vehicles to use the road as a direct route between the Newell Highway and Wirrinya.

The upgrade has created a more direct heavy vehicle route which represents a distance saving of up to 37 kilometres per trip meaning the trucks will no longer need to travel through Forbes or Caragabal. The grain handling facility at Wirrinya received about 50,000 tonnes of grain each year by truck.

The two successful recipients of the CMOC-Northparkes Mines 2018 Indigenous Scholarships are Thomas McRae and Peter Lindsay.

Thomas is from Parkes and has been accepted into the University of Newcastle to study a Bachelor of Engineering Honours Electrical and Electronic. Peter is from Tottenham and has been accepted into the University of Wollongong to study a Bachelor of Engineering Honours.

“It’s great to see these scholarships being presented to such outstanding students.

We are proud to welcome Thomas and Peter to our employee pipeline,” said Northparkes Managing Director Jim Fowler.

Thomas, who is currently undertaking work placement at Northparkes during his university holidays, said he was enjoying the opportunity to develop relationships at the mine. Peter is considering doing a Bachelor of Science after completing his Bachelor of Engineering Honours.

The scholarship program awards $5,000 per year to non-technical and $10,000 per year to technical scholarship holders. The recipients also receive a laptop and work placements at Northparkes and throughout Australia.

Drone technology has opened up an array of time and cost saving applications, and the Parkes Shire is welcoming it with open arms.

A number of Parkes Shire Council staff are undertaking a training course in drone operation and Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) compliance as part of a wider program to incorporate the technology into asset management and other applications.

Council’s Director of Infrastructure Andrew Francis said Council has teamed with The Institute of Drone Technology for drone flight training as well as ensuring all staff trained in drone usage are compliant with the stringent CASA guidelines for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

“All trained staff will attain their remote pilot license which is the precursor to Council obtaining its own operator’s licence. We will eventually have a certified aviation management system for our drones.”

The use of drones and other smart community technology will assist in asset management and maintenance as well as providing environmental monitoring opportunities for noxious weeds and other problems such as salinity.

“There are many time and cost saving applications for drones including inspection of assets at height (sporting oval lights, water reservoir covers and platforms), road conditions, flood response, geotechnical monitoring, thermal heat mapping of building roof insulation effectiveness, hydrology, water pollution, vegetation analysis as well as parks and sporting oval watering performance. The drones will also be used to monitor drainage issues and digital capture for town planning,” said Andrew.

One of the key uses will be for leak detection in the hundreds of kilometres of council water mains, particularly in hilly terrain to the east of Parkes.

The marketing team will also be able to utilise images for promotional purposes.

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP has taken the lead to show his support for drought affected farmers by donating the 2.5% pay rise MPs have received to the drought charity Aussie Helpers.

He feels the government have failed to deliver for farmers, and charities are now having to do the work.

“I cannot in good conscience accept a pay rise while farmers, whom I proudly represent, are struggling through the worst drought in over three decades.”

He also put out a challenge to all regional and rural based MPs, both state and federal, to donate their pay rise and show their support for farmers and demonstrate leadership, which they were elected to do.

“If government won’t provide freight subsidies for fodder, water, and stock to help farmers, the least they can do is open up their wallets,” said Phil.

“Politicians received a 2.5% pay rise this year, but I don’t think it’s fair that we should get a pay rise when farmers are struggling.”

A Cracker Of A Weekend Around The Fire

Over the past decade, Orange has become recognised as one of Australia’s finest culinary regions. The first ever Orange Winter Fire Festival will have the town bursting with great food, drink and cultural events, all with a wintry flavour from 3rd to 5th August. The festival will capitalise on the town’s winemaking status as some of the best local drops are showcased at events inspired by classic Australiana images, such as crackling bonfires and chargrilled feasts.

The festival kicks off on Friday with the nearby village of Millthorpe being transformed into a winter wonderland as country-folk duo Smith and Jones light up the stage and Pym Street bustles with food and wine market stalls. Meanwhile, back in Orange, Ross Hill Wines will host acclaimed chef Michael Manners, who’ll serve up a casual meal of soup and paella by an outdoor fireplace.

The fire theme continues on Saturday. The standout event sees Small Acres Cyder, See Saw wines and Canobolas Dance Hall join forces for a raucous night of ‘wassailing’ by the bonfire in preparation for spring. For the uninitiated, wassailing is an ancient act of chanting to trees, thus ensuring their prosperity. There will be poetry sessions, ‘astronomical journeys’, char grilled feasts and rich red wines under expansive starry night skies, huddling up to a fireplace in a country pub or restaurant for a Sunday roast plus so much more over the festival. A road trip to the Orange Winter Fire Festival would make for a pretty perfect winter weekend.

Orange Winter Fire Festival 2018 will take place from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, August 5. Head to www.orangewinterfirefestival.com.au for event and ticket information.

A Trove Of Beauty

Discover a treasure trove of beautiful crystals, fossils giftware and unique jewellery sourced from around the world. Semi-precious stones of every colour, unusual silver pieces, quality statues and funky costume jewellery. Be tempted by Worldly Treasures in Orange.

Unique Rings And Other Collectables

If you need shelter from the cold, Second Chance Collectables is a good place to go browsing. It is a licenced second-hand dealer for furniture, ceramics, silver and silver plate, glass and crystal, jewellery and watches, metals, kitchenware, artworks, clocks, toys, militaria, books and ephemera, precious objects, religious works, and other goods with age and interest. While most antique items date from before 1900, you will also find more contemporary items including Australian handmade jewellery and Moorcroft ceramics including current open ranges, numbered editions and limited editions. The resizing of jewellery is also available in store. The store, with clients Australia wide, is open seven days a week.

Make A Statement With Cinnabar Clothing

Winter does not need to be dull. Head into Cinnabar for an eclectic, funky mix of random goodies including clothes from Ruby Yaya, Boom Shankar, Lola Soul and many other great brands. There are scarves for every day of the year. It’s hard not to want everything in the shop. It’s a great place to be with lots to look at.

Dinner, Damper And Dessert With Poetry

Head to Molong on Saturday, 4th August when the Freemasons Hotel hosts a Winter Fire Festival event from 7pm. Enjoy a night of original contemporary Australian poetry and music provided by renowned storyteller, Frank Povah. Frank is an experienced character that will leave you captivated and in laughter. He will sing, tell stories and much more while you enjoy a camp oven dinner, damper and dessert. Call the Freemasons Hotel to book on 6366 8512. Tickets $30 pp. The Freemasons Hotel and Accolades Restaurant are located at 1 Bank Street Molong.

Currajong Disability Services (CDS) has again felt the generosity of the community with the Parkes Painting Group making a donation.

The group donated $1,000 raised from their exhibition held in late April this year. Kim Chambers and Helen Huntly, whose grandson Blake is at Currajong, handed the cheque to Currajong Chairman, Neil Unger.

“We continue to be overwhelmed and appreciative of the kindness of the Parkes business community,” said Neil. It is quite unbelievable to amount of donations and generosity we have received in the last six months.”