All he ever wanted to be was a train driver, but at 54 he has become the unofficial ambassador for the Australian railway.

Parkes resident Bernie Baker is not only the star of Australian Railroad, the highest rating local series in the Discovery Channel’s history, but also can’t keep up with the Facebook friend requests streaming in.

“It is hard work being popular,” said Bernie who had over 800 requests since the second series went on air four weeks ago.

Bernie has taken me to his favourite loco-motive, a 1951 Streamliner, and standing in the crisp winter sun he is quick to point out “I just take it all in my stride. It is quite surreal at times,” he says having a giggle about some of the ‘requests’ he gets from women.

“I used to live a nomadic lifestyle working all over the country and loving parties, but I met my wife in Parkes and we have three kids – it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

The same passion for the railway that has made him such a popular character in the first series, drives him and his devotion to Parkes. “I love the town so much I want to be the Mayor.”

But Bernie nearly did not make it into the railway. Growing up “down south in Mexico”, all he ever wanted to do was to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I could not get through school quick enough, but they did not want me at first because I was wearing glasses. So I joined the army.”

He did realise his dream and Bernie remembers his starting date on 28th December 1982 very clearly. “Who starts a new job between Christmas and New Year?” When a friend showed him 34 years later they were looking for volunteer train drivers for the Railroad Australia program, his love of trains was still pumping strongly in his blood.

According to Kermit the frog it’s not easy being green, but for the participants of the Green Army it certainly is rewarding.

The latest Green Army crew had a graduation ceremony at the Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) office in Parkes on Tuesday. The hardworking participants have spent the last 20 weeks working on biodiversity projects in the Parkes and Forbes Shires, including the Gum Swamp Painted Snipe Project and the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Green Army graduate Kyasha Palmer loved the experience. “I really liked the team environment, and also getting out there and helping the actual environment.”

Green Army Supervisor Guy Bennet said the participants had developed some valuable skills during the program. “We do a lot for the environment, but it’s more about what they get out of it, where they improve and what they’ve come from,” he said.

Mayor Graeme Miller congratulated the graduates for their efforts. “It’s great to see young people being given this opportunity. I wish them all well in their endeavours in the workforce.”

The CWLL team are looking for local land-holders who have projects that would be suitable for the next Green Army program. Contact Marg Applebee on 68624914 for more information.

By Raen Fraser

Visitors from all over the state will converge on Parkes this weekend for the social event of the year – the annual Parkes Coragdery and Diggers Picnic Races.

With catered marquees, live music from One Non Blond, full bar and TAB facilities and good weather, it promises to be a great day at the Parkes Racecourse on Eugowra Road.

New floodlighting has been installed at Jock Colley Field at Pioneer Oval to increase the use of the field for night time matches.

The oval is part of Parkes’ largest sporting precinct, including Northparkes and Spicer Ovals, and is home to Rugby League. The club has 75 senior and 150 junior players, and it is hoped the new lighting would enable the sport to continue to grow and attract larger competitions, carnivals and professional grade games to Parkes.

The new lighting has replaced second- hand lights from Parramatta Stadium in- stalled over ten years ago. The venue will now also be available for other sports that require the use of floodlit grounds.

The Department of Industry Lands and Forestry contributed $29,000 towards the $70,000 project under the Public Reserves Management Fund Program.

Minister for Lands and Forestry Paul Toole said at the official launch on Monday: “This facility is so important not just to the Parkes community, but to regional NSW as well, and it’s great to see the commitment of the community and the Government enhancing and preserving Jock Colley Field.”