The Parkes Shire community is once again lending a helping hand to Timor Leste with donations packed in shipping containers last week. Parkes Shire Council donated over 200 hours of in-kind labour towards the Timor Leste shipment project as part of the Parkes-Weberek Village Friendship Agreement.

Council staff assisted members of Para Marcia, a not-for-profit charity, to pack donated furniture, fittings and building materials from the relocated Southern Cross Care unit into three shipping containers.

The containers are set to be delivered later this year to nine different destinations across Timor Leste, including Weberek Village. Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith said: “The Friendship Agreement continues to transform the lives of many East Timorese people.

“With the help of a number of wonderful individuals and local business operators, we have been able to deliver vital services and improved socio-economic outcomes to these communities.”

Two thirds of the equipment and materials will be delivered to 19 different health clinics in remote parts of Timor, with the remainder donated to orphanages, women’s refuges and schools. Parkes Shire Council signed the friendship
agreement with the village of Weberek in 2010.

In addition to donating goods and services, a delegation of community members travelled to Timor Leste to assist in the delivery of much needed projects each year.

The Craft Corner in Parkes is leading the way in the revival of the tea cosy! Last Friday more than 50 people attended
the grand opening of the Cosies at the Corner exhibition and competition with no less than 74 entries from as far as Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Condobolin.

“We are overjoyed with the results,” said organising committee member Alison Evans. “The community has really come together in entering and sponsoring prizes.” A Parkes family showed the way with Sharyn Preisig crowned the champion for her entry into the Floral Splendour category, while her daughter Eleanor won the People’s Choice award with her cactus garden creation.

Sharon also won the Festival category with her Elvis tea cosy, while Yvonne Smith from Toormina won the Weird and Wacky and Treasured Memories categories. President of the Craft Corner Rosemary Mitchell thanked Pat Hurley for judging the competition, and Cathy Littlewood from Wholesome Blend for providing a selection of teas to enjoy with scones from Mary McIntyre.

Rose Jones of the Parkes Historical Society organised a display of tea cosies from the past including a beautiful 90-year-old celluloid doll dressed in a Madam Weigel tea cosy pattern.

If you have not seen this impressive and very creative exhibition, it will still be on for another week or two. If you fall in love with one, you can buy it too.

By Maggi Barnard

With winter sports winding up and pre-season training for summer sports commencing, it is not surprising that today I saw my first case of shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome), for this year.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is the medical name for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee on either the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints). MTTS is a common injury seen in many running or jumping based sports for example, basketball, netball, football or hockey.

Shin splints most commonly occur when repetitive or prolonged activities place strain on where the muscles attach to the outside lining of the bone (tenoperiosteum).

Put simply, the cause of MTTS can be summed up in four words: too much too soon. Athletes often first experience shin pain early in the season due to deconditioning and when training surfaces are generally harder. Later in the season it can be caused by increased load or fatigue from over training and not allowing enough time for recovery between activities.

If you have shin splints stretch your calf muscles regularly through the day. Another good stretch is to kneel on a carpeted floor with your legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back then slowly sit back onto your heels, pushing your ankles onto the floor until you feel tension in the muscles in your shin. Hold for 15 seconds then relax and repeat. When you return to sport, increase your load slowly and avoid running on hills and hard surfaces until your pain goes completely.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

The long weekend was one extended celebration for the Parkes community. Heritage Day at the Henry Parkes Museum celebrated impressive milestones: 80 years since the establishment of 2PK, 78 years of the Sunshine Club, 50 years of the Henry Parkes Museum and 50 years of the Emmanuel family living in Parkes. The Central West Country Music Awards also celebrated its golden jubilee with three days of concerts, busking and a talent quest.

Mayor Ken Keith congratulated the Parkes Historical Society on its anniversary and the wonderful display of the Emmanuel family “a very special product of our community” at the official cutting of the cake on Saturday.

“It was a wonderful day with about 200 people coming to the museum,” said committee member Rose Jones. Vice-president of the Parkes & District Country Music Association, Lindy Charlton was just as excited about a successful weekend of country music. The 220 entries received for the talent quest was the biggest in years.

“Our competition has a big reputation and entrants came from all over the state and even Mildura in Victoria,” said Lindy. Despite tough competition some talented locals picked up awards. Parkes High School student Gracey Denham-Jones won three third places in junior gospel, junior Australian and senior duo she sang with Gail Smith.

Gail also came second in senior open. Peak Hill’s Sarah Charlton (11) came third in a very competitive sub junior open category, while her younger sister Hayley (8) received the encouragement award.

By Maggi Barnard

Canowindra is the place to be next weekend if you are a lover of baroque music. There is a global revival in this fabulous genre of European music from 17th and 18th century Europe and England, and five superb musician groups and songsters will be filling the cafes, Wallington and Rosnay wineries and All Saints Church of Canowindra with music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, Monteverdi, Purcell, Byrd, Tavener, Mendelessohn, Pachelbel, Corelli and others.

The official opening by Baroquefest’s patron, former ABC Classic FM radio presenter Marian Arnold, coincides with the Canowindra Arts exhibition opening at Montrose House at 5pm on Friday 13th October. The opening concert at 7:30pm at All Saints will be by the Song Company from Sydney, Australia’s leading acapella group.

Saturday afternoon will see the Blue Mountains-based Academy Singers directed by Dr Paul Terracini with pianist Jane Andino playing All Saints’ historic concert grand piano.

On Saturday evening virtuoso baroque violinist Rachael Beesley will play Inspirations of JS Bach interspersed with solo works by Australian composers.

Sunday lunch at Wallington Winery will have the Canberra-based Limestone Consort. Sunday evening dinner at Rosnay has Sydney’s Muffat Collective. Baroquefest’s artistic director violinist Andrew Baker from Orange will play with both ensembles on Sunday.

Ticket packages with various inclusions and individual concert tickets can be purchased on-line at www.baroquefest.org.au. Email baroquefest@gmail.com or ring 0429 443 215 for further information.