Certain people continually issue more than a usual number of statements of claim summons, writs or other court documents, usually against those in close proximity to them. These actions are sometimes started either in bad faith, or deliberately designed to settle an old score or to annoy or embarrass a neighbour.

Someone who habitually drags defendants to court with frivolous claims, which are more of a nuisance to the defendants than of benefit to themselves, is referred to as a “vexatious litigant.” Such a person is a nuisance to society.

The court will not listen to a person who makes trivial or scandalous claims. If someone is declared a “vexatious litigant”, he or she may not continue with the claim or start a new court action, without getting permission from the court beforehand. This may well be refused.

The medical profession has recently become aware of a particular character trait in people who display this uncontrollable urge to fight in court. The phrase is “querulous paranoia” and it is used to describe such types of people.

It is sometimes difficult for a person receiving a summons from, say, an unfriendly neighbour, to know whether the claim is frivolous or vexatious. A solicitor will be able to advise you of this.

If we at Matthews Williams can help you on any legal matter, feel free to call us.

A dream has come true for a budding artist of Parkes when he donated a very special painting to the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope where it will be displayed in the visitors centre.

In a bid to raise awareness about autism and to acknowledge the outstanding contribution CSIRO Parkes Observatory makes towards Autism Awareness Month every April, Sebastian Sadgrove created an artwork entitled ‘The Blue Dish’ for display at The Dish.

“As someone who has autism it is important to me and others who also have it and their families. It is another way of keeping the light shone on autism and keeping people talking about it,” said Sebastian.

“The support shown to me and autism in the Parkes and Central West by the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope has been phenomenal.”

“I am hoping it inspires people everywhere to give a shining example that anyone can do anything they want if they put their mind to it,” he said.

CSIRO Operations Scientist John Sarkissian could not be more pleased by the initiative shown by Sebastian and CDS. “We try to do our bit for the local community, especially when it comes to the support of important local charities like Currajong”.

Site Leader at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope Mal Smith said: “We love supporting local groups. This is a unique painting and we love it!”

The third ANBC Peak Hill Busking Championships were a huge success last weekend with two Parkes students qualifying for the grand finals in Cooma in November. Hannah Dunn and Annabelle van Wyk won the secondary and primary categories respectively to see them go forward to the big event on 16th November. Hannah also won the Peoples Choice Award and Jazz Music Award.

More Parkes talent was rewarded with Gracey Denham-Jones getting second place in the secondary category, and Gemma Ellis placed second in the primary category.

“It was an excellent event and the standard was exceptional this year,” said Peak Hill organiser Betty Zdan. She made special mention of the open category winner Alex Eldred from Tuross on the NSW South Coast, who also received the Rising Star trophy. “He is a very talented young man who writes a lot of his own material.”

Participants came from all over including Queanbeyan, Maitland, Berry and Mudgee bringing a great cross section of styles and instruments with them.

Many primary students in Parkes got to meet a real tennis hero last Friday when the world’s record holder for the fastest serve came to town.

Sam Groth, whose 2012 record for the fastest serve ever of 263km/h still stands, visited Parkes as Tennis Country Ambassador for NSW Tennis.

He had a quick stop at Parkes Christian School before heading to Parkes Public and Holy Family.

Sam said growing up in country NSW he really enjoyed coming to Parkes. “It is great getting out and meeting the kids. Hopefully it will inspire the next generation of tennis players, but also just to give the kids a role model to look up to and give them something to aspire to.”

At Parkes Public he handed over racquets to all the Kindergarten students. He said it was great handing out the racquets to get more kids to play tennis. “You never know the next super star might be out there.”

In return the students handed him letters they had written. “I did not know that you were the fastest server in the whole world,” wrote six-year-old Lachlan Orr. “What does it feel like to be famous?”

Sam also had a hit with some of the older students with some powerful shots leaving the students overwhelmed at times. He also met the school’s tennis teams who are the Regional PSSA champions and took second place in the Hot Shots Day.

At Holy Family Sam received a warm welcome and played tennis with the school’s champion team in front of the whole school.

Everyone moved into the hall for a Q&A with Sam. He also presented medals to the Todd Woodbridge Cup Regional Champion Team, who will be going to Sydney in November for the State finals, and left them with some inspiration to practise hard and play well.

By Maggi Barnard

Going on stage at the Sydney Opera House is an experience not many of us can boast about, but 29 Parkes Public School Choir members have a story they will probably tell the rest of their lives.

The Year 3 to 6 students were part of more than 3,000 NSW public school students who participated in the 2019 Festival of Choral Music recently.

It is one of the largest musical events held at the Opera House each year with students from more than 120 schools across NSW performing to sell-out crowds over four days.

A requirement for participating choirs is that they should be able to sing two-part harmony when they audition to get a placement in the Choral Festival. The Parkes Public Choir had been practising since the beginning of the year for the big event.

For the students it was not just the excitement of going on stage in the Opera House, but also meant an exciting excursion to Sydney that included a walk across the harbour bridge, eating ice creams at Circular Quay and exploring the botanical gardens.

The day ended on a ‘high note’ when the group became part of a 700 strong choir for their performance in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House. What an amazing experience for the students!

The Voice of a Survivor is a unique project that grew out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Sexual Abuse.

After four years of harrowing investigation and testimony, the final report was delivered in December of 2017, and in so doing discovered ‘Another Australia’ – one that many struggle to recognise or acknowledge, even today.

It was found that the sexual and physical abuse of children, prisoners, patients, churchgoers and many other vulnerable people, was endemic across Australian society.

Crossing boundaries of colour, sex, age and type, the commission found nothing less than abuse, and the covering up of abuse, on a breathtaking scale.

As a response, The Voice of a Survivor began to find justice for the many survivors of abuse in institutions, in the form of letters of apology and financial reparations.

The Voice of a Survivor believes in justice for all Australians who have been abused and dispossessed, including members of the Stolen Generation. If you identify as a survivor of abuse or as a member of the Stolen Generation, now is the time to act.

Claim back what is yours and move on to a brighter, better day. Call 02 8091 0978 or email admin@thevoiceofasurvivor.com

When the curtains draw tomorrow for the opening night of Les Miserables at the Little Theatre in Parkes the production will not only be testimony to local talent, but also be a first for audience members with a hearing impairment.

The production, based on the acclaimed Victor Hugo novel, will feature subtitles and captions to make it an enjoyable experience for more people.

“It is great for people with disabilities – especially the hearing impaired,” said Currajong Disability Services client Rhyse Forrestal. “It’s a positive step in the right direction.”

Rhyse, an experienced thespian in local productions, will once again be on stage playing three roles. “I play a convict, a drunk and a beggar,” said Rhyse. “I even get to sing a very short solo too.”

For Rhyse it’s all about making a quality inclusive production and living out his dream of one day becoming a fulltime actor. “I was inspired by Robin Williams growing up. He remains an icon for me. “This production will push me and I am excited by the challenge. I can’t wait for you all to see it!”

Les Miserables is directed by Lyn Townsend and Neil Westcott, and stars local favourites Kimberley Ryan, Aaron Kingham, Andrew Francis, Rachel Westcott and James Whalan.

Australia’s premier aviation event is coming to Parkes for the first time and is set to light up the skies from 20th to 22nd September. This year’s AirVenture Australia event sees the addition of a comprehensive youth aviation engagement program, the first of its kind in regional Australia. For the first time in Australia a group of 25 school students across the Central West and Australia, including ten from Parkes, will build a BushCat aircraft from a kit as a team.

Remarkably, the aircraft will be built within seven days and take its maiden flight in the event’s airshow on Sunday, 22nd September. “Numerous high quality applications have been received,” said AirVenture Australia’s Director David Young. “We had a tough time selecting the successful applicants.

It’s really overwhelming to see so much interest in the work experience program from future aviation professionals.”

The event will also feature a separate, but extensive day long aviation careers and STEM engagement program. The program includes six, hour long programs with students selecting four to complete. With activities ranging from airfoil construction and software coding to aerodynamics, students will benefit from a broad exposure to industry occupations and concepts.

The program will have access to a full motion flight simulator to give aspiring pilots the opportunity to experience simulated flight with a flight instructor guiding them.

“We expect that in excess of 150 year 8 to 12 students from Central West NSW will attend and participate,” said David.

For more information on all the events at AirVenture Australia, including the high energy air show on 22nd September, visit www.airventureaustralia.com.au