A $1 million commitment by the NSW State Government will ensure the next stage of the Parkes Regional Airport upgrades will take off. NSW Minister for Regional Development, John Barilaro, was in Orange this week to pledge support to Parkes Shire Council over the pending application. Parkes Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “The Parkes Regional Airport plays an imperative role in our region’s economy, including the business, tourism and investment sectors, and this significant contribution by the State Government will ensure this important piece of infrastructure continues to deliver economic and social benefits to the entire region.”

The Mayor said the next stage would encourage economic development, stimulate regional industry, enable businesses and industries to operate more efficiently and sustainably, and provide greater prosperity and opportunities for the region. The State Government’s commitment will be in addition to a $1.56 million investment by the Federal Government announced in October.

“Recent floods in the region mean the Parkes Regional Airport requires repairs and upgrades, not only to continue the current standard of service, but to meet future demand as the local regional economy continues to grow,” said John. Parkes Shire Council’s application for upgrades funding includes repairs and the refurbishment of the taxi way and the main apron to ensure more, and larger aircraft, can be accommodated in the future. “The Parkes Airport application requires additional information to be provided by proponents prior to confirming funding, including the Parkes Regional Airport submission,” the Minister said.

“By funding regional airport infrastructure we’re making a long-term investment to improve services for residents and to support airports with the greatest capacity to increase visitor numbers to regional NSW.” “The NSW Government is committed to providing investment and support to communities which need it the most.”

The community-driven rehabilitation work done at PAC Park in East Street has been recognised with a Blue Star Sustainability Award. The project to transform a degrade stormwater channel into an ecologically complex wetland treatment system took out the Habitat & Wildlife Guardianship category at the Keep NSW Beautiful Blue Star Sustainability (Regional) Awards held in Orange last Saturday.

Parkes Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said it was a tremendous achievement for the entire community, as it celebrated the hard work of Council staff, local organisations and volunteers. “This award recognises the efforts of community members, schools and organisations, such as Central West Lachlan Landcare, Northparkes Mines and Currajong Disability Services, who assisted Council in the restoration and rejuvenation of PAC Park.”

“It is an award for our community,” said Marg Applebee, Landcare Support Officer who worked very closely with Council on the project. “Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) would like to congratulate Parkes Shire Council on winning the award.” The Mayor said the project saw the potential of PAC Park realised, improving biodiversity and native habitat within the area and improving the quality of water flowing through the waterway into the downstream environment.

The Mayor and Marg both thanked the community for their commitment and contribution. “The work at PAC Park has brought together the community to beautify and restore an important water course and take ownership of an area that had been neglected and now has a new lease on life,” said Marg. “Public amenity at the site has been significantly improved, transforming it into a great outdoor space for the community to now enjoy,” the Mayor said.

The Blue Star Sustainability Awards are awarded to the most sustainable projects and programs in NSW, based on environmental, social and economic factors, and also recognise civic pride, community spirit and future planning.

Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world. This year’s theme is Get to kNOw asbestos this NOvember. If you are thinking about renovating and you suspect you have asbestos in your home: Dont cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… Don’t dump it!

Asbestos is highly dangerous. If breathed in, the fibres can be deadly. It was banned in Australia in 2003, but its legacy continues to haunt us with around one in three homes containing asbestos. For more information visit http://asbestosawareness.com.au

Lunching beneath an olive tree, enjoying a range of exotic dishes as dappled light splashed into an idyllic rose-filled courtyard… this was the blissful setting of last Friday’s multi-cultural get together at Neighbourhood Central in Parkes. Around 30 people gathered to share a meal for the bi-monthly Meet and Greet, a group that supports the newest arrivals to Parkes, Forbes and Condoblin. Anni Gallagher from Orange Migrant Support facilitates the group.

The Migrants Meet and Greet group provides an opportunity for people to meet other new residents in a fun and supported environment. The group typically plans their own entertainment, voting to determine the most popular suggestions. Previous activities have included silk batik painting, origami craft, or going on outings together.

Last Friday’s theme was the great Parkes/Condo Cook Off. It was a wonderful handson experience, with members sharing a few favourite recipes from home. Fareeda Baig taught the group how to make Hara Masala Boti and Muthi Kebabs, while Rohini Dwyer shared the recipe for a Fiji India Masala Curry. Many brought a plate of food, so
there was plenty to enjoy.

The group has been meeting for ten years, and some of the members have been attending for the whole time, but there is always room for new faces. Yan Bo Borm, from China, was a first time attendee on Friday, and although she had limited English, an interpreter service made conversation possible. Friday was Desiree Alba’s second time attending the group. She brought her two youngest children along for the lunch. Desiree recently relocated to Parkes from Western Australia with her husband, but is originally from the Philippines. Desiree enjoyed the social element of the group. “It’s good to meet different people,” she said. “The best thing about it is everyone is welcome.”

By Raen Fraser

Today marks Remembrance Day, and at 11am we will stop to observe two minutes of silence and reflect on the loss and suffering caused by war. Parkes Shire residents are invited to attend a Remembrance Day Commemoration
Service at the Cooke Park Cenotaph at 10.55am, which is hosted by the Returned and Services League of Australia,
NSW Branch, Parkes Sub-Branch.

The service will involve a parade of former and current service personnel, the traditional Reveille, reading of poems, the citation of the names of the fallen by local school children, laying of wreaths, and prayers of thanksgiving. In the event of wet weather the service will be held in the Starlight Lounge of the Parkes Services and Citizens Club.

The service honours those who have suffered or fallen during war, and is a tribute that began after the First World War. The World War I cease-fire came into effect at 11am on the 11th of November 1918, ending four years of conflict. Each year Armistice Day was observed at the same time the guns had fallen silent across the Western Front. Following World War II Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day to acknowledge the sacrifices given in both
World Wars.

Today Remembrance Day commemorates the loss of lives from all wars and conflicts. Arthur Parker, President of the Parkes RSL sub branch said that our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. “Had they not fought for peace in all previous wars we would not be able to lead the life we lead today. It’s only right that we remember the fallen on this day,” he said.

The short answer is Yes.
All hamstring injuries have some involvement either directly or indirectly from our back and nerves and how we control movement of the pelvis. Our hamstrings attach to the bottom of our pelvis. They work to not only straighten the hip and bend the knee but to also help stabilise the pelvis. Any change in back position affects our pelvic position which in turn affects our hamstring length.

The nerves supplying our hamstrings originate in the lumbar spine. Any tightness or stiff joints in the lower back can impact on the ability of the nerves to glide and move through the hamstrings. We know muscles protect nerves, so if we have a tight nerve coming from our lower back, the hamstrings will tighten to protect this nerve. This tightness puts the muscle at risk of injury when it is working hard. The load is magnified if the hamstring is working overtime to control the pelvis when the gluteal muscles or the joints in the lumbar spine are not working efficiently.

This is why sometimes you can stretch and stretch your hammies and they just won’t loosen up. They may be protecting a tight nerve. By stretching them you are putting the nerve under strain which actually makes the muscle tighten further. In this case we need to look to the lumbar spine to free up this tight nerve.

If you suffer from hamstring tightness or recurrent hamstring injury it is important to address what is happening in your lumbar spine and pelvic control before your hamstring can completely recover.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

As part of his whirlwind tour of Parkes on Wednesday, the Hon. David Elliott made announcements from his portfolio as the NSW Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Councillors, Parkes Shire Library staff and school students attended Memorial Hill to hear the Minister announce a $2,000 grant from the State Government to develop content for an interactive learning experience for the site.

The history content would be accessed via Quick Response, or “QR” codes, which will be installed around the site. The QR codes are similar to barcodes, and can be scanned using a smart phone. The codes will then link to information on Council’s website, creating an interactive lesson available for visitors. Councillors Pat Smith, George Pratt and Deputy Mayor Barbra Newton welcomed the donation, along with student representatives from Parkes High School and the Holy Family School. David reminded the school children of the significance of war memorials.

“We live so far away from the battlefields, so memorials offered relatives a place to honour the boys who didn’t come home,” he said. David enjoyed a stroll through the Remembrance Walk Theatre of Conflicts Gardens. The symbolic gardens feature plants typical of each battlefront, and donated benches offer visitors a moment to reflect. Landscaper Elizabeth Briton, who led the dignitaries along the path, designed the Remembrance Walk.

The Minister for Veterans Affairs has a very personal connection to his portfolio. David had a long career in the army, and served with the peace-keeping forces in Bouganville, Papua New Guinea. The Minister for Veteran’s Affairs also visited the Trundle War Memorial Hall on Wednesday to announce a grant for the War Memorial Hall’s restoration. The building’s foundation stone was laid 90 years ago, and throughout those years it has seen mixed fortunes. Thanks to the efforts of the very dedicated Trundle War Memorial Hall Committee, the Trundle War Memorial Hall is slowly being restored.

By Raen Fraser

The prolonged period of wet weather hasn’t delayed the progress of the old Parkes hospital demolition, with the project reaching the half way mark recently. Five out of the nine buildings have come down, with completion of the demolition well on track for mid-December.

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Engineering Services, Ben Howard said: “For the second half of the project, the contractors are transporting the building material off site to the Parkes Waste Facility for crushing.” There has also been a minor variation to the transport management plan, with vehicles now accessing the site via Ainsworth
Street, rather than Rose Street.

“Once demolition is complete, site remediation will begin to prepare it for redevelopment. The remediation process will see the contractors remove all the footings and underground utilities, top dress, and seed all affected areas.”
The existing education centre and community health buildings will be retained for repurposing.

If members of the public have any concerns or would like more information, please contact Ben Howard on 6861 2333.