An application to declare the severe storm at Back Yamma and Cookamidgera late last year as a natural disaster have been approved. Central West Lachlan Landcare submitted an Agricultural Natural Disaster Assessment application following hail incidents and flash flooding that saw many crops and infrastructure significantly impacted in November 2017 when they were on the verge of, or had commenced harvest.

The approval means landholders impacted by the event can access disaster relief loans and transport freight subsidies. Marg Applebee, Coordinator for Central West Lachlan Landcare said the Back Yamma and Cookamidgera areas had some of the most fertile soils in the Parkes and Forbes Shire areas. “This funding will enable primary producers, some of whom suffered significant crop losses and other infrastructure losses, to address immediate concerns and enable preparation for this year’s sowing season.”

Last week member for Orange Philip Donato met with affected landholders, Cr Neil Westcott and Cr Steven Karaitiana from Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils respectively, Alli Gartrell from the Rural Assistance Authority, President of Parkes and Forbes NSW Farmers, Gavin Tom and Marg Applebee to share the good news of the declaration.

For landholders seeking further details, information may be accessed through the Rural Assistance Authority website at www.raa.nsw.gov.au and are encouraged to contact Marg Applebee on 6862 4914 if assistance is required with applications submissions.

Parkes’ cricket stalwart Greg Morrissey has received an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in recognition of his years of service to cricket and the Parkes community on Australia Day last week. Greg was honoured locally in July 2016 when the Greg Morrissey Field at McGlynn Park was officially named after him.

Some of his achievements and involvement with cricket include: Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for contributions to cricket and school sport, Lloyd Westcott Award 1995/96 for outstanding services to cricket, Duncan MacDonald Shield for services to cricket in 2010/11, Western Zone Volunteer of Year 2006 at Cricket NSW Steve Waugh Medal evening in Sydney, Western Zone Cricket Volunteer of Year Award 2010, level one accreditation in 1988, level two accreditation in 1990, passed cricket umpires examination to become a member of NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association in 1993, life membership of Western PSSA in 1999 and life member of Lachlan PSSA in 2010.

With the new school year starting for thousands of students next week the Parkes Shire Council is reminding drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools. The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said road crashes accounted for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Children are vulnerable road users, and drivers need to pay extra attention and be patient with schools reopening.” “It is important that drivers slow down to 40km/h in school zones so they are in a better position to react to the unpredictable behaviour of children as well as the busy traffic environment.”

Melanie reminds drivers that when the orange (wig wag) lights on the back of a bus are flashing, you must slow down to 40km/h, as students are either getting on or off the school bus. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit around all schools in NSW between 8 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4pm on school days.
Other points to remember:
• Always make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint.
• Always drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road.
• Make sure children use the footpath-side door when getting in and out.
• Never call your children across the road to you.
• Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones whilst walking.
• Children up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.
• Children up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

The nominees for the 2018 Parkes Shire Australia Day Awards have been named ahead of the community celebrations tomorrow. The annual awards celebrate and acknowledge community, sporting and cultural contributions at a local level. Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “Each year we have the opportunity
to publically recognise the tremendous achievements and contributions of eminent members of our community.”

“These people are what make the Parkes Shire a wonderful place to live, work and visit.” Each nominee will be presented with a certificate with the recipient of each category awarded the honour by our 2018 Australia Day Ambassador. The nominees are:

PARKES
• Citizen of the Year: Barry Read, David Brock, Laurie Ashcroft, Roseanne Jones, Warwick Tom, Leanne Mathews
• Young Citizen of the Year: Gracey Denham Jones, Brenton Hawken, Yasmin Potts, Maddison Spence
• Community Event of the Year: Peak Hill Early Literacy, Paint Parkes Read, Rotary Fun Run, Rotary Peace Park Dedication, Parkes Open Houses, Show ‘n’ Shine Charity Day
• Marie Bashir Academic Award: Janie Green
• Cultural Award – Adult: Carmen Sharah, Scott “Sauce” Towney
• Cultural Award – Student: Gordon Richter, Gracey Denham Jones
• Cultural Award – Group: Parkes Action Club, St Elmo Shearing Shed Art Show – “Ducks on the Pond”, Sean James Cassidy, Scott “Sauce” Towney, Scott Turnbull – Sculpture in the Rotary Arboretum, Parkes Antique Motor Club, Ub Ubbo Exchange

PEAK HILL: Dean Colmer, James Jelbart, John van der Reyden, Bill Sanders, Peak Hill Golf Club, Chloe Gould, Brad Hart, Tom Symons, Ellie Parker, James Robinson

TRUNDLE: Les Whiley, Stella Farmer, Peter Kelly, Trundle Day Care – Sue Morrison, Julie Jones, Karen Quade and Suellen Taylor

TULLAMORE: Kevin Boneham, Troy Carey, Marie Darcy, Robert Mortimer, Sherryn Perks, Leanne Porter, Tallis Stevenson, Emma Williams.

Australian art educator and exhibition curator, Ann Snell is the Parkes Shire Australia Day Ambassador for 2018.
“We look forward to hearing Ann’s story, which illustrates the many opportunities Australia has to offer,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Australia Day Ambassadors are people who provide inspiration and pride to the day’s events. Ann Snell, who first became an Ambassador in 2009, is the Managing Director of the Ann Snell Gallery in Surry Hills, as well as an art educator and advocate for cross cultural art collaborations.

“A primary motivation for working with Aboriginal Art is giving my clients access to Aboriginal philosophy and culture via beautiful paintings. Art is a great vehicle for healing and learning,” Ann said.