Do you love the Parkes Shire Library, but would like to see it improve even more? Do your bit and complete the survey to help the staff review the achievements and successes of the library, and the areas where they are not quite providing what the community needs and wants.

The Library team is planning the expansion of Parkes Library, and they want to know what the community think about their library. Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Shellie Buckle, is looking forward to the survey results.

“The Library team reviews its services, collections, opening hours, activities, every three to four years. This process keeps us in touch with community needs, aspirations and expectations”, said Shellie.

The survey is an excellent opportunity for the community to tell Council what they think about their local library and the services provided. Even if you don’t currently visit a library, Council would like to hear your views about how you think libraries might attract more people to them for work, study, recreational reading, or to borrow an online
or in-library item.

The survey can be completed online https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/parkeslibrary. Or visit the library to complete the survey in person.

The survey will be open to the community for completion until 15th June. More information about the survey is available from Shellie Buckle on 6861 2338, or shellie.buckle@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Take 20,000 Elvis Presley fans, add 200,000 solar panels and a whole lot of sheep, and what do you get? Parkes not only plays host to Australia’s largest Elvis Festival, but is now also aiming to become the ‘King of Renewable Energy’.

The Climate Council released a video last week celebrating Parkes’ progress as a renewable energy powerhouse, against the backdrop of its iconic Parkes Elvis Festival. According to the Climate Council release the Parkes community, hit hard by the millennium drought, started looking at renewable energy more than a decade ago. We
were a founding member of the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, and was one of the biggest and earliest adopters of rooftop solar in the country.

Getting us well under way to adopting the title of ‘King of Renewable Energy’ is the recent switching on of the 55MW solar farm powering more than 20,000 local homes. “We are delighted to be showcased in The Climate Council’s latest social media campaign,” said Parkes Mayor Ken Keith.

“The Climate Council capitalised on this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival, producing a light-hearted video about our solar successes, but with a serious message about climate change.”

The video, filmed during the Elvis Festival, features the Mayor, a local solar energy champion and farmer, in one of his famous Elvis outfits talking about why it’s “Now or Never” when it comes to taking steps to tackle climate change in regional and rural Australia.

Climate Council Acting CEO Dr Martin Rice said the enthusiasm of the Parkes community for solar power was a great example of the grassroots energy revolution sweeping regional Australia. “Parkes is already world-famous for its Elvis Festival, but today it’s building a big reputation as a major centre for renewable energy innovation”, he said.

“It’s time for a little less conversation and a little more action on renewable energy in this country, and towns like Parkes are showing us the way forward.” Mayor Ken Keith added: We, as a community and council, will continue to take as much action as we can to embrace renewable resources.”

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading climate change communications organisation. The council provides authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to the media, policymakers and the wider Australian community.

A line of seven toddlers walked into Wholesome Blend on Tuesday morning to enjoy their ‘Coffee with a Cop’! For the second year in a row young and older turned up for an opportunity to ‘tackle’ the Police with their questions and concerns, or to just have a relaxed yarn about all matters police.

“We just want to listen,” said Senior Constable Daniel Greef. “We are not making any speeches today. This is not a volatile situation, and it is just nice to have the time to do it.”

As the coffee shop buzzed with conversation, Daniel said many people had questions about Police work. “They have seen police shows on TV and want to know how it happens in real life, and what the different roles are.”

He said most of the feedback they had received at last year’s event were very positive. “We were told to keep doing what we are doing.”

Shirley Edwards of Tinker Tots Family Day Care said it was not only a great outing for them, but also an opportunity for the kids to meet the Police officers and to know who to go to for safety.

Daniel was also very happy to see the kids attend. “A lot of kids fear the Police.” The Parkes event was one of 90 state wide events in NSW.

Six young students from Canada and America have been active in the Parkes community this week volunteering their
help. The team from the Capernwray Bible School in Moss Vale came to Parkes for the very first time as part of their community involvement week on invitation from the Parkes Anglican Church.

According to Director of the Capernwray Bible School Peter Thomas there are 17 teams across Australia, including Forbes. They take in 45 students every year from all over the world. “Many of them see it as a gap year before they go to university, or taking a break from studies, to grow their personal faith,” said Peter.

The Parkes team had a busy programme helping out with the toy library, gardening, visiting old age homes, and the Christian School, sharing their lives at church services, as well as organising a Family Fun Day with the Forbes team for tomorrow.

The fun day, open to the whole community, will be at Lions Park from 2 to 4pm on Saturday with live music, games, face painting, traditional races and a sausage sizzle. “My time in Australia so far has been really cool,” said one of the students, Faith Pogoda. “I have seen my faith grow and have experienced what it is to live in a Christian community.”

She thinks Australia is awesome and loves seeing the different landscapes. “Parkes is really wonderful. It is amazing how festivals have drawn the community together.”

Troy Friesen loves Australia. “I was here two years ago and it is great to be back. The people are as friendly as in Canada, and Parkes is very welcoming. I am excited to be here.” On a personal level he has seen his knowledge of the Bible grow. “We have become great friends and it is really cool to be involved in different churches.”

The first ever Northparkes Family Day was held recently to provide employees with an exclusive opportunity to take their families and friends to site to show them where they work every day.

The day was a huge success with over 350 people taking part in the activities for young and old. Managing Director of Northparkes, Jim Fowler said: “The Family Day was a way of giving back to and rewarding our employees. It was fantastic to see everyone filled with so much pride whilst touring our operations. Having the opportunity to bring your family and friends to site is really special and not something you get to do every day in the mining industry.”

Tours were available to the ore processing facility, the underground SCADA Control Room, the underground surface operations, the laboratory, the warehouse and the workshop.

According to Chase Dingle, Superintendent Community, Environment and Farms, the kids’ corner with two jumping castles, a rock climbing wall and face painting, and the heavy machinery display were very popular.

Local artist Jordie Dwyer also performed and a range of food were on offer prepared by Parkes Rotary Club and Parkes Quota Club Inc. Jim said he felt proud to receive such positive feedback from employees and their families and friends on the event.

Seven clubs were successful in the latest round of the Sports Grants Funding Program with over $20,000 handed out. Parkes Sports Council Chairperson, Alan Gersbach said most of the clubs received a piece of the funding pie, provided annually by Northparkes Mine and Parkes Shire Council.

In total $21,309.47 in grants were distributed with the remaining $3,600 unallocated funds to be carried over for the next round. Parkes Shire Councillor Louise O’Leary said Parkes Shire Council allocated additional funds to match the contribution made by Northparkes Mine.

Community and External Relations Officer of Northparkes, Ali Creith, said the mine was please to contribute to some of the teams and clubs doing such a great job to help keep Parkes healthy and happy.

This was the first round under the new joint funding agreement which will distribute $170,000 over the next three years. The next round opens in June with total of $28,690 available for sports related projects in the Parkes Shire.
The successful clubs this time were the Parkes Gun Club ($6,088.50); Parkes Hockey Inc. ($3,000); Parkes Netball Association ($1,260); Parkes PCYC ($1,994.40); Parkes Senior Cricket ($2,200); Parkes Tennis Club ($4,364) and Trundle Boomers Football Club ($2402.57).