Music has the remarkable power to stir us emotionally and physically, whether we’re nine years old, or 99. It is also incredibly therapeutic for people impaired with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Music can help to shift mood, provide a sense of control over life, manage stress, stimulate positive interactions with others, facilitate better brain function, and coordinate motor movements.

The residents of the three aged-care facilities in Parkes, Southern Cross Care, BaptistCare Niola and Rosedurnate, were each treated to a one-hour singing concert yesterday by Musica Arioso students. Musica Arioso is a local business owned by Gail Smith, who teaches music and singing to individuals and groups of all ages.

Gail prepared a group of her students with a variety of solo and group numbers to perform at the nursing homes. The group consisted of Gail Smith, Liz Naveau and five youths: Gracey Jones, Melissa McCreadie, Hope Kealley-Smith, Ruby Markwort and Lily Kealley-Smith.

“It went really well. The residents knew some of the songs, so they would sing along, for others they would clap or tap their feet. Some had big smiles and others a few tears. All in all, it was a lot of fun for all,” said Gail.

Last year the group did a Christmas concert at Southern Cross and Rosedurnate and have added Niola this time. Gail has also organised concerts at the nursing homes for the next two school holidays and hopes to do a Christmas one again, time depending.

Could hamstring injuries be back related? The short answer is – Yes. All hamstring injuries have some involvement
either directly or indirectly from our back and nerves and how we control movement of the pelvis. Our hamstrings attach to the bottom of our pelvis. They work to not only straighten the hip and bend the knee but to also help stabilise the pelvis. Any change in back position affects our pelvic position which in turn affects our hamstring length.

The nerves supplying our hamstrings originate in the lumbar spine. Any tightness or  stiff joints in the lower back can impact on the ability of the nerves to glide and move through the hamstrings. We know muscles protect nerves, so if we have a tight nerve coming from our lower back, the hamstrings will tighten to protect this nerve. This tightness puts the muscle at risk of injury when it is working hard. The load is magnified if the hamstring is working overtime to control the pelvis when the gluteal muscles or the joints in the lumbar spine are not working efficiently.

This is why sometimes you can stretch and stretch your hammies and they just won’t loosen up. They may be protecting a tight nerve. By stretching them you are putting the nerve under strain which actually makes the muscle tighten further. In this case we need to look to the lumbar spine to free up this tight nerve.

If you suffer from hamstring tightness or recurrent hamstring injury it is important to address what is happening in your lumbar spine and pelvic control before your hamstring can completely recover.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

The Parkes Waste to Art & Design Exhibition and Competition is a regular fixture in the cultural calendar of the Shire. This year the 59 artworks entered made a colourful, engaging exhibition.

“This year’s exhibition features some stunning artworks created from what could have ended up in landfill. Many of the entries from primary and high school students have been inspired by the annual theme Year of Polystyrene” said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services.

Councillor Bill Jayet announced the following winners last Thursday evening:
• Building/ Sculpture 3D: Winner – Out of Hot Water by Julie Dearden.
• Building/ Sculpture 2D: Winner – Why Do Trees Need to be Green by Middleton Public School.
• Open 3D: Highly Commended – Hare by Christine Somers; Winner – Whooot Made This Nest by Helen Standen & The Dog by John Grady.
• Open 2D: Winner – Warped by Helen Standen.
• Open Functional: Winner – Stamp Printing by Jocelyn Moles.
• Community 2D: Highly Commended – Faces by George Heath; Winner – Quenching Life by Rebecca Parkes.
• Community 3D: Highly Commended – Beauty Above the Cliffs by Sharelle Mac-Rae; Winner – Clip Art by Annette Peterson.
• Community Functional: Winner – Blue Murder by Julie Dearden.
• High School 3D: Winner – A Bugs Life by Parkes High School Support Unit
• High School Functional: Winner – White Polystyrene Cup Chair by Connar Cashman.
• Primary 3D: Winner – Little Critters by The Little Art Company.
• Primary 2D: Highly Commended – Person by Anna Cronin; Winner – Remains of the Bushfire by Riely Sterland.
• Primary Functional: Highly Commended – Bowled Over by The Little Art Company; Winner – Pineapple Lamp by Adam Barnard.
• Yearly Theme polystyrene: Winner – Styrotea Hop by Jacob MacRae.
• Yearly Scrap Metal: Winner – Whoot Made This Nest by Helen Standen.
• Library Team packers Prize: Winner -100% Fat Free by Lauren Badman.

The competition judges, Sally Chapman and Michael Chambers found the task of selecting winners thought-provoking and difficult. “The works were of high quality and very imaginative, addressing the theme very well. It is great to see so many thinking about waste,” commented judges Mr Chambers and Mrs Chapman.

Come along to Parkes Library to see the exhibition for yourself. The exhibition is open until 24 April.

The Parkes Painting Group are presenting their 16th annual art exhibition later this month. Parkes local artist, Helen Huntly, is part of the team that organises the exhibition.

Helen had an avid interest in art as a youth. “I would get in trouble from my Mum, for drawing in all the wrong places,” said Helen. The combination of raising four children, and doing shift work for many years, meant that Helen didn’t really start to paint or draw again until after she retired from nursing.

Helen did complete one year of art at TAFE, after which the course was cancelled. Now, she dabbles with acrylics, water-colours, pastels and even photography. “Wednesday is my selfish day – I don’t think about anything but colour and what I’m going to do with it,” said Helen.

The group meets at 10am every Wednesday at North Parkes Oval. There are approximately 20 people in the group, with numbers fluctuating week to week. All forms of art projects are explored, including painting, drawing, and pottery. Most members are contributing two-three pieces each for the exhibition. Contributing artists include Pol Cruz, Elsie Mahon, as well as Kath Swansbra, national award winner and champion for cake decoration. There will also be works by the exhibition’s guest artist, Susan Carter. Susan is a visual artist from Narromine, who also exhibited in the Australia Day Exhibition earlier this year.

The exhibition is being held in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Shire Library, 25 Bogan St, Parkes. Opening night will be Friday 27th April from 7pm with an entry fee of $10, and an official opening by Councillor Bill Jayet. A raffle will also be held, with proceeds going to Currajong Enterprises. The exhibition will remain open from Saturday 28th April til Thursday 3rd May from 10am-4pm, with an entry fee of $2.

The NSW Business Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards.

Winners of the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards will represent the region at the NSW Business Chamber’s State Business Awards held in November in Sydney.

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across Western NSW.

“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level,” Ms Seccombe said.

Parkes finalists in the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards are:
• Outstanding Young Entrepreneur: Stephanie Hughes, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing
• Outstanding Business Leader: David Thompson, McPhersons Parts & Service
• Excellence in Small Business: La Bella Medispa
• Excellence in Business: K&H Geotechnical Services
• Excellence in Social Enterprise: Parkes Shire Food Service

Local creative groups and artists have until Friday 4 May to apply for a 2018 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant. The aim of Council’s cultural grant program is to encourage and support the development of the art and craft community, services and strategies which make a positive contribution to the community and cultural life of the Shire. Applications must request a grant of at least $2,000 with the total funding pool at $10,000.

“Four local organisations received grants in 2017”, said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Shellie Buckle. “Peak Hill Leisure Art and Craft Council Inc for art tutoring, Parkes Action Club to hold the St Elmo Shearing Shed art exhibition, Trundle Film Society for Being on High Ground video production project and Parkes/Forbes Branch Cake Decorators Guild of NSW Inc for a cake decorating and sugar art seminar.”

Funding categories include subsidy for a new project, extension or enhancement of an existing project, purchase of equipment or minor capital works.

Parkes Shire Council’s Cultural Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Newton would like to encourage groups to apply. “The cultural grants enable Council to directly fund innovative projects and ideas. A lovely example is from last year. Cultural grant recipients Parkes Action Club went on to receive the 2017 Cultural Award for a group for their St Elmo Shearing Shed art exhibition” said Councillor Newton.

Cultural Grants application forms are available on Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au, or at any Parkes Shire Library (Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore).

Contact Council’s Grant Officer Kimberley Harris, 6861 2398 for advice and support in completing the application. Successful applications will be announced in June 2018.