Middleton Public students embraced a Life Education fund raiser recently by creating fruit and vegetable sculptures. Over 80 entries were received which were displayed in the school hall. Staff also entered the competition. Students paid a gold coin donation to view the amazing display. Healthy Harold and Life Ed Educator Rai Mitchell made an appearance at the weekly Assembly to give out the prizes. Thank you to the students and parents for supporting this fun event.

Parkes Shire Council are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles with free child restraint checks at local Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations Thursday 6 July.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that the free child restraint checking day is held every year and is important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk in the event of a crash.

“Last year 80% of the child restraints in-spected were found to be installed incorrectly. Most had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, such as tightening straps, checking clips and replacing loose bolts.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

Free child restraint inspections will be pro- vided by RMS Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Parkes on Thursday 6 July at two different locations. Inspections will be held from 11am – 1pm at Col Fletcher Ford and Kia, and from 2pm – 4pm at Parkes Tyrepower.

Information about the national child restraint laws, the types of restraints and ad- vice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will be available. There will also be a free BBQ and a colouring-in competition for the kids with a prize worth $50.

Whilst this free child restraint checking day is a one-off event, Col Fletcher Ford and Kia as well as Parkes Tyrepower install and check child restraints every day for a small fee.

Bookings are essential, phone Melanie Suitor on 02 6861 2364.

On Friday 21st July, Dr Robi Sonderegger will be speaking for a full day conference on Resilience at the Parkes Christian School.

Building resilience in children and teen- agers with a Godly perspective is so important in a changing world, dealing with social media, family changes, health, and relationships. One of the key responsibilities of parenting is showing our children and teenagers how to deal with difficult experiences and equipping them for the future.

Dr Robi is a world renowned Christian clinical psychologist, a consultant in trauma associated with war, exploitation and natural disaster as well as being a passion- ate international speaker. Dr Robi tackles the hard-core issues faced by families using original, educational and highly entertaining methods. Dr Robi is best known for combining the best of science and scripture in his messages that are actively designed to equip and empower participants.

Over the past 15 years Dr Robi has transformed himself from a snowboard instructor to the rich and famous of Europe, to become a humanitarian activist and an expert consultant in trauma associated with war, exploitation, and natural disaster. He has spoken at Hillsong conferences, schools, churches, parenting seminars, Sunday school conferences and now we have him coming to Parkes to speak to teachers, parents and other community members. The day will consist of three sessions with a question time at the end.

The cost is $40 which includes lunch. This can be paid directly to the school or online by Friday 7th July 2017. Don’t miss out on your place at the Dr Robi- Resilience Conference. Contact Lisa in the school office at administration@parkescs.nsw.edu.au.

Parkes residents will experience the energy and joy of African culture, as well as an insight into their hardships, when the 100% hOPE Choir and dance troupe visits from Uganda on 14th July.

The choir from the 100% hOPE school in Uganda will be accompanied by their ‘mum’, Aussie school teacher and former world championship dragon boat racer Trishelle Sayuuni. She founded the charity which is working to give over 115 orphaned and vulnerable Ugandan children a home, school, and vocational education.

The 100% hOPE Children’s Choir performances range from traditional African mu- sic and acapella singing to head spinning break-dancing.

“There’s so much joy in Uganda, even amongst the poverty, and we want to share that and inspire Australians,” Trishelle said. “This is an incredible adventure for the choir, but they’re working so hard, because they know this is their chance to use their talents to help their 100% hOPE brothers and sisters, now and into the future.”

The Choir’s first tour to Australia last year raised funds for five additional classrooms. This year they are aiming to raise enough for four fully-equipped girls’ homes, starting with homes for the 42 girls currently living in their classrooms.

The public are invited to come and see the Choir perform at the Parkes Christian School Hall on Friday 14th July at 6:00pm.

Four cultural groups from across the Parkes Shire have been successful in their application in the 2017 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant Program.

The objectives of the Program are to stimulate community cultural activity, encourage creative and innovative cultural activity, as- sist in the development of skills and abilities and enhance cultural facilities and commu- nity awareness of the importance of culture.

Eight applications to the 2017 program were received reports Shellie Buckle, Man- ager Cultural, Education & Library Services.

“The Parkes Shire Education, Cultural and Library Services Committee received a variety of applications from across the Shire. The total funding pool for the grants is $9,800. A total of $21,632 was applied for” said Shellie. The Grant Program recipients were announced at the Parkes Shire Coun- cil meeting 27 June 2017.
• Peak Hill Leisure Art and Craft Council Inc – Tutoring for Art Group – $2,000
• Parkes Action Club Inc – St Elmo Shearing Shed Art Exhibition – $2,110
• Trundle Film Society – Being on High Ground (video production) – $3,690
• Parkes/Forbes Branch Cake Decora- tors Guild of NSW Inc. – Cake decorating and sugar art seminar – $2,000 Education, Cultural and Library Services Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Newton, said selecting the successful applicants was a difficult task.

“The Committee are thrilled to be funding a range of cultural endeavours this year. The St Elmo Shearing Shed art exhibition and Being on Higher Ground social history video production at Trundle are exciting new projects for the Shire, while the cake decorating and painting workshops will continue to add to the skills of local artists. Congratulations to the successful applicants” said

Deputy Mayor Newton.

If you have ever wondered what being a Girl Guide is all about, then come along to the Guide Hall in Cecile St on the 15th July between 10am and 2.00pm and we will hopefully provide you with such interesting information that your daughters will want to join us.

Guiding has been a tradition in Parkes for nearly 75 years, and has provided both young girls and women with the skills and knowledge that has seen them achieve success in many fields of their everyday lives, as well as giving life-long friendships filled with fun along the way.

Guiding has moved with the times, and while knot tying and camping skills are still relevant today, there are many new and exciting avenues to explore such as geo- caching, abseiling, and canoeing, to name a few. And of course, there are the Jam- borees to look forward to, as well as doing community events throughout the town.

The “Drop in and Try” at the hall will have outdoor cooking, craft work, an obstacle course, games and many more things on offer.

Girls between the ages of five and eighteen can be a Girl Guide. Adults aren’t being left out either, as there is always room for leaders and helpers, no matter how much or how little time you can give. Even if you live in Forbes you are most welcome to join the Parkes girls in their weekly meetings.

Come along, have a peek at what the Guides do, and who knows, maybe you’ll like us enough to join – we hope so!

By Sue Stibbard