An uplifting comment from a family member was all it took for a seed to be planted that would grow into a flourishing community fellowship café.

Last Saturday the Soul Café celebrated its fifth anniversary with more than 40 people enjoying not only good conversation but excellent home-made slices and other organic delicacies, freshly ground coffee and of course birthday cake.

When Carole Corbett saw how churches were being converted into cafes and eating establishments on her last pilgrimage to the British Isles, a spark was ignited to do something similar in Parkes. “I’ve been cooking since childhood, and used to invite the sheep shearers for a daily lunch in our home in Trundle.”

She also remembered a comment by her aunt that she had a gift for organising and she should use it to the benefit of the ministry. She had no trouble getting the green light from the parish council to start a café in the St Georges Church Hall and on 3rd August 2013 the Soul Café opened its doors.

Twice a month, on the first two Saturdays, the Soul Café offers patrons a delicious and very reasonable menu, all made by Carole, but also a convivial atmosphere where people can relax and chat for as long as they want to. “The beauty of it is that even if you come alone, there will always be someone to talk to.”

Central West farming families will get help following an announcement on Sunday by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Federal Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

They announced additional drought support measures of $190 million including additional support for mental health services and community organisations.

Michael said immediate additional financial support was available to those who need it most. Also announced were further significant changes to the existing Farm Household Allowance scheme which will provide two lump sum supplementary payments worth up to $12,000 for eligible households. The Government is also changing the assets test to allow thousands more farmers to access support.

“I strongly urge farmers to seek help, to not self-assess, to make sure they find out what assistance they can be eligible for,” Michael said.

Big W in Parkes has joined up with Rural Aid by making up hampers for farming families. Rural Aid supplied a list of specific items available at Big W. The items are flagged in the shop with the Rural Aid sign and customers can choose to buy individual items or a whole hamper for a total of $165.75. The aim is to make up 100 hampers over the next 50 days, which will be distributed by the Country Women’s Association.

The Craft Corner was wrapped in love last Thursday when more than 40 women participated in the annual Knit and Natter event. A group of 15 women from Orange joined in for the second year, and Brooke Daniels from ABC Radio was invited as special guest for the morning. Women from Parkes and Peak Hill helped to knit and crochet a few thousand squares to create rugs. According to President of the Craft Corner, Rosemary Mitchell they have been taking part in the annual Wrap with Love initiative for 15 years.

Wrap with Love, a registered charity, reach more than 30,000 people each year in Australia and around the world. “It is very exciting to watch television and see people with colourful rugs wrapped around them and knowing it might have been made by one of us,” said Rosemary. She said Wrap with Love works closely with the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation in Ethiopia in Africa.

One rug is made up of 28 squares measuring 25cm X 25cm. Rosemary expected the Craft Corner to contribute about 50 rugs to this year’s drive. The rugs will go to Sydney from where it will be distributed around Australia and the world.

A new record was set at the National Tree Day event in Parkes on Sunday when nearly 70 people turned up to plant trees. “We were thrilled with nearly 70 people in attendance at Akuna Road. Our largest number yet for a National Tree Day event. Well done Parkes!” said Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) Co-ordinator, Marg Applebee.

Volunteers helped to plant, stake, water and mulch an area adjacent to the Water Treatment Plant. This area closely links with plantings from the National Tree Day planting event three years ago and extends the wildlife corridor from existing bushland in the area. “The existing plantings have grown extremely well, with excellent planting conditions making a significant impact on survival,” said Marg.

“Whether volunteers could donate one or two hours to the project, it has all made a fantastic contribution to the area. Our previous National Tree Day plantings are progressing well and we hope to see the same success at the Akuna Road site in the years ahead.”

CWLL partnered with Parkes Shire Council on the day. Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental Officer, Michael Chambers prepared the site to get it ready for planting, and Toyota provided shirts and gloves for the volunteers. After all the hard work, volunteers enjoyed a sausage sandwich.

Parkes residents joined over 300,000 people who took part in National Tree Day all over Australia each year.

AUTHOR VISIT – Jenny Old “Back of Beyond”
Friday 3 August at 6pm, Parkes Library
When 22-year-old Jenny Old followed her heart to the vastness of the Gulf of Carpentaria, she had no idea of the primitive conditions she’d find herself in. Often her only contact with the outside world was through her two-way radio. Stretched to the limits, she achieved more than she ever thought herself capable of. With every setback and
in the toughest of times, she learnt to dust herself off, find a smile and just keep going.

EXHIBITION – Hello! from Australia
18 August to 22 September, Parkes Library
Hello! from Australia: Indigenous Australian Children’s Books and Illustrations, a travelling exhibition from Books Illustrated, showcases the contemporary publishing of indigenous books in Australia.

WORKSHOP – Transformations From Nature
Saturday, 1 September, 9-4pm, Cooke Park Community Centre
With Jane Milburn you will experiment with colour using natural materials. Find an unloved natural-fibre garment or two – wool and silk (work best) or linen and cotton. Using onion skins, tea, leaves, flowers, bark and rusty tools, to 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 2 September, 9am – 4pm, Parkes Library
Jane Milburn will help you transform tshirts and other clothes using scissors and stitching. Bring along a few unloved natural-fibre garments. Changes will be made using hand-stitching 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.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has added another award to its collection by winning the Festivals and Events category at the 2018 Regional Tourism Awards in Orange on Saturday. “This is a fantastic achievement for the Parkes Elvis Festival and is a credit to all of the hard work that our amazing committee, volunteers, and Council staff put into
the Festival,” said Festival Director Cathy Treasure.

The Regional Tourism Awards are held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism across the Riverina Murray, North Coast and Country and Outback. Regional Tourism Awards Chair, Jane Barnes said finalists in this year’s program were of a high calibre with a number of first time entrants on the list.

Parkes Elvis Festival will automatically progress to the state tourism awards, and the finalists for the NSW Tourism Awards will be announced on 15th October. Parkes Shire Council picked up silver in the Destination Marketing category for its brand campaigns, while the Parkes Visitor Information Centre was a finalist in the Visitor Information Services category for its quality service for 26,000 visitors annually.

The Parkes Elvis Festival last week also welcomed leading rail freight operator Pacific National on board as a major sponsor for next year’s event. The largest rail freight operator in Australia has not only committed $35 million to develop a freight logistics terminal in Parkes, but is supporting the local community by becoming a major sponsor to deliver a spectacular feature concert series starring US Elvis tribute artist Ted Torres Martin.

“Parkes is quickly becoming an epicentre for rail freight and Pacific National is very pleased to be a major sponsor of this iconic event,” said Pacific National CEO Dean Dalla Valle.

The 2019 feature concert series includes four performances by Ted Torres Martin at the Parkes Leagues Club. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, 10th September.

The future of education will be showcased in NSW public schools next week as students, teachers and parents across the state celebrate Education Week 2018. This year’s theme, Today’s schools – creating tomorrow’s world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Mark Scott, Secretary of the Department of Education said a young child who started Kindergarten this year would leave the school system in 2030. “He or she is going to spend the vast amount of their working life in the second half of the 21st century,” he said.

“Our schools are very future-focused, preparing and equipping young people with the skills, the knowledge and the capabilities they need to lead and flourish in tomorrow’s world.”

He said Education Week would be a great opportunity for public schools and teachers to showcase great teaching and learning practice.

This Education Week, the Department of Education is also launching an exciting initiative called The Game Changer Challenge. Sixteen teams from schools across NSW will explore the role of design-thinking in the classroom all while solving the important question, what will the school of the future look like?

NSW Education Week is an annual event held in the first week of August to celebrate public education across the state. It highlights the achievements of public education and local schools, putting the spotlight on students, educators and school communities.