A group of dedicated volunteers met at Lion’s Park on Sunday morning to pick up rubbish for Clean Up Australia Day. Clean Up Australia Day was established in 1990 to improve the health of the environment, with a side benefit of beautifying the community by keeping the streets clean.

The volunteers, in groups of two or more, headed out to a variety of sites around Parkes, including Memorial Hill and Bushman’s Hill, Forbes Road, Orange Road and PAC Park. After braving the heat for three to four hours, the volunteers returned, having collected over 30 large bags of rubbish.

The main types of rubbish collected were glass and plastic bottles; confectionery wrappers; chip packets; take-away containers, both cardboard and polystyrene; straws; and cigarette butts (in some areas). Some of the rarer types of rubbish included a mattress, a blown-out truck tyre, and a blood-stained butcher knife. A large quantity of paper and polystyrene was found at the Industrial Estate.

Two volunteers tackled PAC Park and collected five bags of rubbish, mostly bottles, that had been deposited in the PAC Park waterway, just before it enters Goobang Creek, and there are still more bottles there to be picked up. Many of the bottles had lodged in the waterway after the flooding of September 2016, however other rubbish that has been left in the park and surrounds also ends up making its way to this waterway.

Perhaps, with the arrival of the new Return and Earn vending machine in town, there will be many less bottles in next year’s collection.

By Lisa Ramsay

About 100 people supported the PopUp Op Shop at the Parkes Christian School last Saturday. There was a great sense of community and laughter as women shopped and shared afternoon tea. In addition, more than $2,000 was raised to support mothers and babies in desperate need through Compassion Australia.

Organiser Katrina Harris thanked all the people who contributed to make the afternoon a success by donating or helping to set up and pack up. “We had more clothes than I imagined and were able to support the work of Georgie’s Boutique in town by donating what was left to them. While it was hard work, it was great fun and maybe we’ll do it again!”

Donations are still welcome for Compassion Australia at Parkes Christian School, or via email to Katrina Harris at k.harris@parkescs.nsw.edu.au

Fatigue is one of the biggest killers on NSW roads. Last year it contributed to 72 fatal crashes in the state. The ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ Scheme targets all drivers of cars, caravans and heavy vehicles to take a break. The scheme was launched last week for its latest season running from the start of March to the end of May.

The scheme offers drivers, who have travelled more than 100 kilometres from the address on their drivers licence, a free cup of tea or coffee from the 94 participating businesses in western and south western NSW. Over 6,000 free cuppas have been given away since its inception in 2010.

Drivers can use the Free Cuppa website www.freecuppa.com.au to find participating businesses near them. Eligible drivers can also enter the draw to win a prize and fuel vouchers to the value of $600. Don’t be shy – just ask for your free cuppa!

Nowhere in the world is there a Catholic School system similar to Australia’s with over 20% of all children in the nation attending Catholic Schools. There are over 1,700 Catholic Schools across Australia offering holistic education based on the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Red Bend Catholic College Forbes
Red Bend Catholic College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Forbes. Red Bend has a proud heritage. Prior to 1977, the Catholic education of students in this region was provided by three secondary schools: Our Lady of Mercy College, Forbes; Our Lady of Mercy High School, Parkes; and Marist Brothers’ College, Forbes.

In February 1977, the three schools combined to form one co-educational high school, called Red Bend Catholic College, at the site of the former Marist Brothers’ College on the banks of the Lachlan River. This merger, as symbolised on the College crest, brought together the great teaching traditions of the Mercy Sisters and the Marist Brothers.

Since that time, the College has expanded in numbers, in teaching areas, and in facilities. The boarding residences, the swimming pool, the multi-purpose hall and performing arts centre, and the design and technology centre have complemented the strong characteristic features of the main College building.

These days the College educates 740 students and offers 150 boarding places. Red Bend Catholic College will hold their annual Open Day on Sunday, 11th March from 11am to 2pm. Guided tours will be running on the day and prospective families will have the chance to meet the principal and staff. For more information call the College on 6852 2000.

Holy Family Primary School Parkes
Holy Family is one of five primary schools in Parkes and has a student population of 303, and a teaching staff of 20 with 11 support staff.

During Catholic Schools Week the school will run a book fair from Wednesday, 7th March to Friday, 9th March. On Friday, 9th March the week is concluded with several activities including a whole school mass at 9:45am, shared recess with family and friends from 11 to 11:30am, open classrooms from 11:30am to 12:30pm and assembly at 2:45pm. For more information call the school on 6862 1610.

They say a small gesture can go a long way and that’s exactly what happened at a recent Currajong Carers Support Group (CCSG) meeting.

The Currajong Sewing Group and CCSG donated a hand-made quilt to the Cedar Cafe at Greenparkes Garden Centre for their continued support and generosity. Cedar Cafe has kindly hosted CCSG meetings for a while and it is a partnership that has stood the test of time. “Cedar Cafe has been an incredible supporter of CCSG,” said Deitre Jackson.

“It is these types of valuable community contributions and outstanding efforts that allow organisations like the CCSG to thrive,” said Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator Dane Millerd. “Cedar Cafe has long been a part of the Currajong family and we are extremely grateful for all they do.”

“From everyone at CDS and CCSG and the Currajong Sewing Group – thank you!” said Dane.

The annual Tullamore Irish Music Festival over Easter celebrates all things Irish, namely the Irish, the near-Irish, the stereotypically Irish and the not-really Irish.

Tullamore residents were not content to see their community lose members, services and to a certain extent, heart. They decided that by working together to produce a festival, would not only give them focus but would attract people to their town.

This year’s festival celebrates the best of two cultures. John Williamson will be flying the Australian flag on Saturday afternoon, the Barley Shakes and Blackwater Irish Band will add some Irish flavour. Maria Forde, who has the voice of an angel, will do a show in the Tullamore Catholic Church on Good Friday.

Apart from great music, the festival also offers Irish Food, Irish dancing, and a shearing demonstration. The main day is Saturday, 31st March with constant entertainment from 10am to 8pm starting with a street parade. Other activities include an art exhibition, farm tours, the Good Friday concert, self-guided car tours, an ecumenical service and a Hooley on Easter Sunday.

Tickets are $60 for the entire weekend; free for kids under 18 for a weekend of family fun with a big dose of Irish.