Articles Archives - Page 381 of 460

Mayoral Notes…

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to the District Show Societies for another successful show circuit. Residents of Tullamore, Trundle, Peak Hill, Parkes and surrounds took advantage of the public holiday to support the shows. Council’s impressive CAT500B Road Reclaimer at the Parkes Show proved to be a big drawcard for residents wanting to know more about our roads program. The show circuit was capped off with an impressive fireworks display seen all across town.

To date, local procurement on the Advanced Water Recycling Facility is at 94%, with Council partnering with local suppliers and operators to deliver this project for our community. Combined with the new Water and Sewage Treatment Plants, local content equates to 36% of the total work complete across the project sites.

Curiosity and Wonder kicks off at Parkes Shire Library this month, celebrating literacy, science, art and creative play. The annual event offers a range of activities for residents and visitors of all ages. To view what’s on, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Trundle Bush Tucker Day returns for its 31st year with a stellar line up of activities
planned for tomorrow. Last year Bush Tucker Day went ahead despite the major flooding that swept the region, however road closures upset the travel plans of many visitors.

I encourage everyone to support this terrific event to make it the biggest and best one yet. For all the details head to www.visitparkes.com.au.
Enjoy your weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Snippets…

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Pricing Masterclass: Ever wondered how successful companies set their prices? A free Pricing Your Products Masterclass will be held on 6th September from 11:40am to 2:30pm at the Hart Bar, The Railway Hotel. The intricacies of pricing and how to develop a pricing mindset will be discussed, how a consumer determines the price is
right, why price discrimination is not a dirty word, legal aspects of pricing, tactics to compete, pricing considerations and options and much more. Presenters are John Burke and Bruce Buchanan. Refreshments provided.

Sue Larkey in Parkes!: The Currajong Autism & Special Needs Group presents Teaching Strategies & Behaviour Support Workshop with Sue Larkey at the Parkes Services Club on Monday, 11th September from 9.30am-3.00pm. The workshop on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome is for teachers, teacher assistants, families, service providers, therapists and anyone who wants to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sue Larkey is a highly qualified
special educator. She has authored several books and collections of resource materials. Cost: parents $100 ($80 early bird); professionals $130 ($110 early bird) – includes morning tea and lunch. Book online at http://www.parkesservicesclub.com.au/

Parkes Business Shines: Local beauty and skin clinic La Bella Medispa was named finalists in two categories at the Australian Beauty Industry Awards on Sunday night. Salon owners Rebecca Miller and Jess Galvin travelled to Sydney for the announcement of the 2017 winners. Rebecca said: “This is the first year we have entered. With over 250 entries in the awards, we were thrilled to be finalists in two categories, Business Director/Owner of the Year and Customer Care.” The Australian Beauty Industry Awards (ABIA) is the only national business awards in the beauty industry and seen as the true benchmark of excellence.

Over 50s: The Central West is one of five trial sites for a new employment program aimed at helping prepare mature aged Australians for new jobs. The Career Transition Assistance Program trial include West Wyalong, Forbes and Parkes areas, including Ungarie, Condobolin and Trundle to create more opportunities for over 50s to re-skill and re-enter the workforce. According to Member for Riverina and Small Business Minister, Michael McCormack
24.1% of those looking for work in the Central West were aged at least 50 and in NSW there were 37,100 mature aged workers in NSW looking for a job.

Community Shine At 137th Show

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Hundreds of people flocked to the 2017 Parkes Show this week to continue making it a true community event for the 137th year! “Well done Parkes!” said Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack at the official opening on Tuesday. “To reach 137 is truly amazing! A show like this brings out the best in people.”

For Maisie Morrow, 2017 The Land NSW Showgirl and judge in the Showgirl competition, “shows let communities shine, and Parkes is a wonderful example”. She was very impressed and delighted by the encouragement young people received to be part of the show.

Show President Gary O’Brien attributed the show’s continued success to its “passionate committee and volunteers who work together to ensure all the elements come together seamlessly”.

Hard Hitting Mock Crash Paints Stark Picture

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

More than 500 high school students were emotionally challenged with the realities of what happens in a serious car crash during the staging of a mock crash at the PCYC Parkes last week. “I am still shaken by it,” said Kian Schembri,
a Year 10 student from Parkes Christian School of the annual event staged for the ninth time this year.

The aim of the confronting mock crash is to bring home the message of drinking and driving. The demonstration by the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils is the corner stone of the NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program.

Four youth actors, Krystle-Lee McMurray and Maddison Collits from Forbes and Jack McGrath and Faith Hanstock from Parkes, took the audience on a moving, tragic and at times upsetting ride from a care free birthday party to the horrors of a car crash and its long-term after effects. “It is a really good way to teach us a lesson,” said Wally Campbell from Forbes High School, one of seven high schools attending.

“It will remain with me as a reminder not to drink and drive, and to think before getting into a car with someone who’s been drinking.” For Ella Richards from Parkes Christian School it was “really good and very confronting” as she has friends who had been in a crash. “I will definitely not drink and drive.” Melanie Suitor, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, said it was hard to gauge the effect of the annual event, but in the Central West 25% of accidents involved young people, while the state average was 32%.

Local young drivers were involved in 207 crashes across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas over four years from 2011, resulting in three fatalities and 228 injuries.

By Maggi Barnard

A Hockey Field Called Mariah

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Not many 23-year-olds have a facility named after them, but last Saturday the privilege befell Parkes’ international hockey star Mariah Williams when the second synthetic hockey turf was named in her honour. “I could not think of anyone more worthy,” said Parkes Hockey Inc Executive Director, Aaron Huppatz.

NSW Minister for Racing Paul Toole congratulated the club and Parkes Shire Council on the fantastic facility and the number of tournaments it had already attracted that support the local economy. “Mariah is an incredibly talented young woman. She is a product of this region and every time she plays Parkes and the whole Central West follow her.”

For the Parkes Mayor the naming of the field signified a great day for the community and for hockey. “We are standing on the shoulders of giants here today with many life members also in attendance. Mariah is an inspiration to all junior players who might be dreaming of being an Olympian one day too.”

Mariah responded to all the accolades saying she was very honoured. “There is a lot of history here as I grew up only 100m away from the fields and spent so much time here.” She said although she had lived in many different places, she would always call Parkes home.

The synthetic turf was jointly funded by the NSW Government’s ClubGrants Program, Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Hockey Inc totalling over $1.5M. The international standard surfaces available in Parkes had attracted three major hockey tournaments so far this year, with another three big events booked for next year.

By Maggi Barnard

Sports Grants For Six Clubs

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

CMOC-Northparkes Mine and the Parkes Sports Council have announced the successful applicants from the last round of the current Sports Grants Funding Program. A total of $15,000 were granted to the following successful applicants: Parkes Gun Club $3,050; Parkes Railway Bowling Club $3,110; Parkes Rugby Union Club $1,500; Parkes Australian Rules Football Club $437.60; Parkes Hockey Inc. $2,049; Parkes PCYC $2,853.40.

This was the last round under the current funding agreement which has distributed $150,000 over the past five years. A new agreement is currently under negotiation and an announcement will be made soon.

PCYC Parkes

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Fun With Lego
Ability Links NSW and community groups have joined together to form the Parkes Lego Club for children aged 5-8 years, inclusive of all abilities. A Lego club can help children to improve their verbal and non-verbal communication,
sharing and turn-taking, as well as their collaborative problem-solving skills.

In addition practitioners and parents have discovered that the use of LEGO during play groups for children with autism leads to improved social skills and play skills. Research have confirmed that this is the case. LEGO building blocks offer a highly routine, repetitive, structured form of play that many children with autism find appealing.

Activities using LEGO can be graded from simple step by step instructions to free building that allows for creativity.
Research on LEGO play therapy was recently conducted at the University of Cambridge. The study focused on children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and found that children who participated in LEGO therapy showed improvement in social skills.

The Parkes Lego Club meets every Monday from 4 to 5pm at the Parkes PCYC, 36/38 Pearce Street. Lego is provided and the club is for free and open to all children. Although there is supervision, children are the responsibility of their carers. For further information contact Alana George at Ability Links NSW on 0428 727 265 or alana.george@livebetter.org.au

Sheer Splendour In A Shed

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Art requires creativity, so why not be as imaginative when planning an art exhibition? The Parkes Action Club is bringing a unique event to the community by holding an art exhibition called Ducks on the Pond in the 137-year-old St Elmo Shearing Shed on Saturday, 16th September at 6pm.

The exhibition will showcase eight local and regional artists featuring works of Eryn Mullins (Condobolin), Jocelyn Moles (Parkes), lighting and installation artist Jamie Coffill (Condobolin), Ralph Tikerpae (West Wyalong), Martin Lane (West Wyalong), Elsie Mahon (Parkes), Pol Cruz (Bogan Gate) and Lucy Buttenshaw (West Wyalong).

According to Parkes Action Club chairman and art enthusiast Gary Somers it is probably the first time an art exhibition will be held in a shearing shed in Parkes. Limited tickets are available at $25 prepaid or $30 on the night and includes food by The Dish Café, wine by Twisted River Wines and entertainment by The String Family from Sydney. For more details go to visitparkes.com.au. All the money raised will go towards the Action Club’s community
programs.

St Elmo Shearing Shed is 12km from Parkes on the Renshaw McGirr Way (Wellington Road) and 2km down Job Lane. No high heels are recommended for the event.

Stay At the Cutting Edge, Attend Farmer Day Wednesday

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Farmer Day Wednesday at the Parkes Show will once again feature a variety of speakers and products aimed at increasing the productivity and ease of management for the district’s progressive producers. Local Land Services will discuss biosecurity risks that impact on the region’s producers, general biosecurity tips on farm, information on where to access biosecurity plan templates, as well as an overview of the new Biosecurity Act. They will also touch upon pest and animal health issues affecting the Parkes region.

Stevtech is a company founded by Tristan Steventon. Having grown up at Alectown, Tristan gained knowledge of and experience with the most sophisticated drone technology in the world during his military career. Stevtech offers services to increase the precision and productivity of Australian farms. Armed with a range of drones, sensors and cameras, Stevtech not only collect data, but produce complete variable rate maps ready for use. Tristan will also discuss strategies to aid farmers make the best possible decisions in uncertain situations.

Record keeping on farm has never been more important than it is today and vital to maintaining markets and of course a necessity should a primary producer face going through an audit. Agriwebb is an exciting new solution that offers user friendly record keeping. The database can be accessed by multiple devices and users with all information updated in real time and recorded. Whether you’re a cropper, grazier or both, Agriwebb is a complete package and has countless reporting and inventory features. An overview and demonstration of this software package will feature at the Farmer Day Marquee.

Col McMaster, well-known to locals, will provide an update on all the latest trial work and research to come out of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Local machinery, car and motorcycle dealers will have all the latest releases on display and will be more than willing to answer all your questions. The day includes a free barbeque lunch and one lucky attendee will take home a Gerni pressure cleaner thanks to Agriwest Parkes. Farmer Day is on Wednesday at the Parkes Show and starts at 10am with a new speaker every half hour until lunchtime.

Snippets…

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Bush Tucker Day: Head to the 31st annual Bush Tucker Day (BTD) at the Trundle Showground on Saturday, 3rd September to see the Australian country music sweetheart, Beccy Cole in action. Beccy has delighted Australians for more than 20 years. The iconic BTD is the only camp oven/bush cooking festival in the region. The day includes the ever popular bush tucker cooking competition, camp oven cooking demos, junior bush chef cooking competition,
free bush tucker taste testing, live entertainment throughout, as well as a free activities for kids. Whip cracking and
sheep shearing demos are a favourite too, as are the dog jumping competition, bushman’s relay and billy boiling race. For more information visit www.trundlebushtuckerday.com.

Saturday Storytime: Make sure to head to the library at 10:30am on 2nd, 9th and 16th September for special storytime sessions: Escape to Everywhere. According to Parkes Branch Librarian, Andrea Lovell reading enables the reader to travel to other worlds without using their feet. Library Officers Debbie and Sandie will “escape to countries”, “escape to your own special place” and “escape to fantasy land” at the special sessions. On Saturday, 16th September picture book author Nancy Watson and Flossie the Fairy will be special guests. Nancy was raised in the Yass and Young districts. Her interest in writing remained constant throughout her early career, but did not take off until she had a travel article published in 2013. In 2015, she joined a creative writing group and had an unexpected inspiration to write about Flossie the fairy … perhaps in memory of a little moss fairy garden she had as a child.

World premiere in Parkes: The Parkes Services Club will host the world premiere of Patrick Lindsay’s latest documentary Kokoda – The Spirit Lives On on Friday, 1st September in the Starlight Lounge at 6:30pm. The feature-length documentary commemorates the 75th anniversary of the WWII Kokoda campaign and explores the spirit of Kokoda, then and now. It is the third of Lindsay’s Kokoda films. It takes viewers on a fascinating journey of discovery, walking in the footsteps of those, who in 1942 against all odds, withstood Japan’s previously unstoppable Pacific invasion force to preserve Australia and Papua New Guinea’s liberty. The entry fee of $10 will go to the Kokoda Track Foundation.

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