Southern Star Rural (SSR), a Senepol stud based in Canowindra, have Senepol, Senepol x Angus and Senepol x Charolais bulls for sale on farm. SSR bulls will also be sold through the 5 Star Senepol Sale at the Gracemere Saleyards near Rockhampton, Queensland on Monday, 18th September at 11am. Contact Clayton Maynard on
0439 029 204 or visit www.southernstarrural.com.au
Felix Rams have focused on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound meatsheep rams for 20 years. They started weighing lambs at birth in 1996, and have since weighed more than 22,500 lambs within 12 hours of birth.
Birthweight records go into Sheep Genetics – Lambplan to help eliminate the production of rams that sire lambs with excessively high or low birthweights. The majority of Felix Rams hit the sweet spot for birthweight asbv of between 0.1 and 0.5, and pfat asbv between -0.8 and +0.5. these rams are consistently in the top 25% of terminal rams for growth rate and eye muscle.
Felix Rams will have 140 Poll Dorset and 45 White Suffolk rams at their annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on 5th September. Catalogues available at www.felixrams.com.au from 25th August, or call Rodney on 0417 499 204 or the selling agents, Allan Gray and Co on 6342 2377.
Parkes author Beth Thomas was invited by Bathurst City Library to give an author talk on her historical fiction novel, Remember Oradour. Almost thirty people attended to hear Beth speak about her inspirations for her successful
debut novel, which was launched in Parkes in March. “It was a lovely, informal gathering with a really warm group of people,” said Beth. “They were very attentive and genuinely interested. Bathurst is a very cultural rural city and I felt honoured that they had invited me.”
Beth spoke about her feelings for Oradour, its people and its history. She tells the gripping story of a village in war-torn France. “My book brings the town back to life with characters from all generations with multifaceted relationships. From generations of adults to babies being born…just as in reality.” From readers’ comments it is obvious Beth has brought Oradour back to life in its beautiful setting, with its authentic historical background, and with very real characters.
Beth’s readers have been profoundly touched by her passionate retelling of the true events of Oradour. As one reader said: “That was the most beautifully written book!” Another talented person in Parkes we can be proud of.
The annual Parkes Boars vs Forbes Platypi: Game raised $6,500 for CanAssist this year. The funds came from
the auction of the first grade team special jumpers at the Coachman Hotel (a major sponsor) with auctioneer Geoff Rice from Langlands Hanlon (also a sponsor). In addition to the auction, half the gate takings were donated to CanAssist, a donations bucket was at the gate and an esky was raffled. At the cheque handover were (L-R) Carol Southwell, Trevor Southwell, Pat Bailey, Tom Snow and Ed Lowe.
Mock crash demo: Parkes residents are invited to the annual mock car crash demonstration on Monday, 21st August at 7pm at Parkes PCYC. “We are really excited to open our final rehearsal to the public,” said Parkes, Forbes
and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. The hour-long event starts with a short film before the mock car crash demonstration begins. There is a full emergency response involving NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and Parkes SES with local youth actors playing the roles of the crash victims. The demonstration will be attended by more than 500 students from nine local high schools across the three council areas on 24th August.
It’s easy to share: Haylee Pottage is a Parkes resident and volunteer with Share the Dignity, an organisation that provides sanitary items to homeless and at risk women. Haylee has set up donation boxes around Parkes at Joblink Plus, Rob Dunford Chemist, Charisma Hair Design and La Bella Me-dispa for the organisation’s collection drive during August. You can also contact Haylee on 0405 197 322 to make a donation. More information available at https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/
Home is where the heart is: Parkes home owners have a chance to share in the revenue of the Parkes Elvis Festival. With over 25,000 visitors expected for the 2018 festival, locals are encouraged to open their homes as part of the Ray White Home Hosting Program. With only five months to go, Parkes accommodation providers are booked to capacity with an unprecedented volume of enquiries, and a waiting list of 300 people for Home Hosting accommodation already. Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “Accommodation is the biggest challenge as the event continues to grow. Home hosting is a great opportunity for attendees to grasp the positive community essence that Parkes is renowned for. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for local homeowners to welcome visitors into their homes, showcase our region, contribute to the economic and social value of the event and build ongoing friendships for future Festivals.” Local home owners are able to rent out a spare bed, room, or whole house to visitors.
If you are interested, contact Ray White Real Estate on 6862 1900 or via elvis.parkes@raywhite.com. More information at www.parkeselvisbookings.com.au.
The Parkes Show once again features an action-packed entertainment program. Headlined by Rooftop Express Spectacular, an amazing family friendly arena show that encourages crowd involvement. It features hilarious Australiana comedy and electrifying stunts sponsored by McPhersons.
The Young Farmer Challenge is a crowd favourite and returns with a new set of tasks for participants. The Northparkes Kidzone will have free activities like kite making, face painting and balloon sculpting, while more
free activities will be on offer at the children’s activity centre in the Blatch pavilion.
Whether you love adrenaline pumping excitement, locals in novelty events, Westlime’s fireworks display or free activities, there is something for everyone this year.
Mention the name Kittie Dwyer around the Parkes Shire and comments such as “dedicated, passionate and determined” are often the response. Kittie has always possessed a can-do attitude and it is that mindset that saw her
former neighbour and current Currajong Disability Services (CDS) Chairman Neil Unger ask her to get involved.
“I knew little about Currajong but I was prepared to give it a go,” said Kittie. “Working with people like Neil who are
enthusiastic, want to improve and have worthwhile goals made the decision about 12 years ago so much easier.
“Currajong are doing great things and undergoing major changes, and I am pleased to have been a part of that,” she said. While Kittie may be stepping back she certainly won’t be lost to the organisation vowing to remain an interested observer and contributor when and where she can. Kittie believes the biggest challenge facing CDS remains the same challenge when she arrived – to provide the best care and options for clients. She believes CDS is meeting it head on and going in the right direction.
“Not all participants have the same challenges nor are they the same people just because they share a common disability,” said Kittie. “It is the same challenge across the industry but I think we do it better and are getting better.” Kittie has a lot of empathy for carers in the industry. “We need lots of support for carers as well as clients as they go through a lot too,” she said. “We have to keep encouraging them and new people into the industry. It was one of
the reasons the Currajong Carers Support Group was started – to assist families and those who care for people with a disability,” Kittie said.
Kittie Dwyer is a former chair of the Currajong Carers Support Group and CDS board member. CDS acknowledge and appreciate all the work she has done and her positive contribution. All the best Kittie and thank you from everyone at CDS!
By Dane Millerd
Benjamin Franklin might have said: “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy,” but for the owners of Twisted River Wines outside Parkes a very special trophy for their Shiraz has put them in high spirits.
“When we bought the vineyard in 2007, I had a vision of us picking grapes to the sound of Vivaldi. It is in fact very hard work,” said Michelle Davies, who handles sales and marketing. She and Helen Armstrong, the vigneron, not only have day time jobs, but do everything by hand, including pruning and picking, on their 14 acre property
about 40km outside Parkes. That was why winning the trophy for the best Shiraz at the 2017 Australian New Zealand Boutique Wine Show with their 2016 Shiraz Viognier was a very big deal for them.
“We are really excited as there were 196 entries. It is so good to see our hard work come to fruition,” said Michelle. She was also relieved winning the prestigious prize, as the same wine won the trophy for the best red blend at the recent Cowra Wine Show. “This shows consistency, and that our win was not a flash in the pan.” According to Michelle the main motivation for them to enter wine shows are to get feedback on their wines, and to know they are on the right track. She said credit was also due to their winemakers, Chris Derrez and Lucy Maddox from Orange, who have been with them since 2010 when they first started making wine.
If you would like to share in the happiness of the Shiraz, you’d have to hurry as only 300 cases were produced. Visit the cellar door on weekends, or join the Twisted River Wine Club.
By Maggi Barnard
The Parkes Shire Council’s communication efforts to keep the community in the loop was rewarded in Sydney last week. The council won the RH Dougherty Award for Excellence in Communication (Division A) at the 2017 Local Government Awards for the development of its corporate website and social media channels.
Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “We are delighted to have received this award. We completely transformed our communications methods and platforms, including rebuilding our corporate website and social media channels.”
In 2016, a survey found Council’s corporate website and social media presence were in need of significant improvement. “This project was a whole community effort, with feedback from residents and stakeholders forming the foundations of the design and function of the new website to make it more accessible, engaging and easily understandable,” said Council’s Brand and Marketing Manager, Katrina Dwyer.
“Since we launched the new website and social media platforms in December 2016, we have recorded a significant increase in community engagement with communications regarding Council works, services, initiatives and events.
“Most notably, earlier this year Council’s Facebook page received 186 new followers in 24 hours and reached over 15,000 people with one post regarding the flash flooding event in March. This shows that our residents are moving online to receive road closure updates and emergency information.”
The RH Dougherty awards are held annually during Local Government Week, and are judged by leading experts in the communications field.
Three day passes for the Parkes Show are now available from Cunningham’s IGA, Byrnes Clothing and the Show Office in Welcome Street. The passes are only available until Sunday, 27th August. Once the Show commences on Monday, 28th August, a single entry at the gate will be $15.
A three day pass offers you unlimited entries over the three days of the show for just $5 for Schoolies (anyone attending school), $15 for Adults, and kids not yet attending school are free. This amazing deal offers one of the cheapest show tickets in the Central West! Concession tickets are only available from the Show Office and are $10 each.
If you buy tickets before the Show you can also go into the draw to win a $500 open order from Cunningham’s IGA or Byrnes Clothing, or one of two packs of 20 show ride tickets.
I was delighted to accept the RH Dougherty Award for Excellence in Communications on behalf of Parkes Shire Council at the Local Government Awards held in Sydney last week. I must thank the community for its feedback regarding our communications, which formed the basis for the design and functionality of the new website.
This week we marked a monumental milestone in the construction of the new Sewage Treatment Plant, with the switch over of operations to the new facility on Monday.
This signifies the project is nearing completion, with an official opening later in the year.
August marks show season. It is Tullamore’s turn today and tomorrow. Residents and visitors can enjoy a full day of activities. View the full program at www.tullamore.org.au. The Trundle Show is next week with Wednesday, 16th August gazetted as a public holiday to encourage locals to support the event. Council staff will be at each of the Shire shows to answer any questions.
The Love Our Locals campaign continues to see tremendous success on social media. I encourage residents to share the love by liking and sharing the campaign posts on the Visit Parkes Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
Have an enjoyable weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM,
Mayor of Parkes Shire