Meals on Wheels hosted a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, but it was the volunteers’ turn to receive a meal. Eighty-six of the Meals on Wheels volunteers came together for the luncheon filling the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club with Christmas cheer and plenty of good will. Meals on Wheels Manager Gillian Kinsella said it was wonderful to provide a meal for them. “We really appreciate what they do,” she said. “Without our wonderful volunteers the service couldn’t run.”

The volunteers deliver 300 hot and frozen meals each week in Parkes alone, providing a vital service to the local community. The service isn’t just about supplying nutritious food, Meals on Wheels allows people to remain in their own homes, helping them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. The volunteers also offer social
interaction, and can provide important social analysis and welfare checks to clients who might otherwise be isolated.

While Wednesday’s luncheon was about showing gratitude to the volunteers, the service’s clients weren’t forgotten. On Thursday 150 Meals on Wheels patrons were invited to celebrate Christmas at another special luncheon at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. This time it was the clients who were delivered to their meals, with transport specially organised for the clients who were able to attend. Meals on Wheels also operates in Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate.

By Raen Fraser

This festive season will be filled to the brim with things to do, see and enjoy across the Parkes Shire. Christmas events will kick off on Friday, 2nd December with the Parkes Christmas Parade, followed by Sparkle in the Park UpMarkets and outdoor movie, The Santa Clause, in Cooke Park. As the sun sets, the Parkes CBD will be ignited with illuminations and projections across buildings and streetscapes. On the same day, Peak Hill will come alive for the Meet You Up The Street Festival with street stalls, music, shopping and family fun.

The Parkes Shire will be Jingle Bell Rockin’ for this year’s Carols in the Park. Everyone is invited to sing along in Parkes on Sunday, 11th December and in Peak Hill on Sunday, 18th December. For more details, check out our events page on www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Residents and visitors are encouraged to Shop Parkes this Christmas to stand a chance to win a fabulous trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000! Shoppers can enter by simply making a purchase and filling out an entry form at any participating business.

Keep an eye out for the Shop Parkes Catalogue in your mailbox or download it online at visitparkes.com.au. Follow Shop Parkes on Facebook for lots of special offers and gift ideas this Christmas. Local businesses are encouraged to
deck out their shop fronts from 2nd to 24th December. The most creative CBD Christmas window display will be awarded a marketing package valued at $500 for the 2017 Christmas Shopping campaign.

The winner will be announced on the Shop Parkes Facebook page on Friday, 16th December 2016. #shopparkes

At the North Pole, Santa has many helpers who make the Christmas season special! His scout elves serve as his eyes and ears in homes around the world… The Elf on the Shelf is being accepted into more and more homes each year. The children’s book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition came out in 2004 and tells a Christmas-themed story that explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and who is nice.

The story describes how Santa’s scout Elves hide in people’s homes to watch over events. But first the scout elves need to be named. Once a family has named the elf, it receives its special Christmas magic, which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole.

At night when everyone goes to bed, the scout elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa the activities, good and bad, that have taken place. Before the family wakes up each morning, the scout elf flies back from the North Pole and hides. By hiding in a new spot each morning, the scout elf and the family play an ongoing game of hide and seek.
The Elf on the Shelf is available at Colouby Creations in Parkes.

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright and the Parkes Shire is filled to the brim with shining things to do and brilliant gift ideas to help you enjoy the festive season as much as possible. To make the most of the longer days and good weather in December, a variety of events are on offer and Peak Hill residents can look forward to the Meet You Up the Street festival, and Carols by Candlelight in the Commercial Gardens on Sunday, 18th December from 7pm.

The Meet You Up the Street festival is next Friday, 2nd December from 8am in Caswell Street until late. The streets will come alive with music, street stalls, raffles, chocolate wheel, art on the sidewalks, fun rides for children and loads of specials in the shops. Make sure you are there to shop til you drop at the markets, admire the art in the
street, try out the Lip Sync contest, grab a bite to eat from a take away shop, hotel or club, have your photo taken with Santa at the Post Office and cheer on the competitors in the Billy Cart Derby at the gold mine.

Find out who won the best decorated house, shop and best shop window and various other prizes and competitions.
Winners of the Library Writing Contest will be announced, Peak Hill 89.5 Radio will be broadcasting live and the library is hosting a kids dress up parade. The day ends at the Bowling Club for a family night of entertainment and barefoot bowling. It all adds up to a great family day out. Contact Antonia Francis or Betty Zdan on 6869 1236 or 0407 072 813 for more information or visit www.visitparkes.com.au.

The Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project is set to make tracks in 2018, according to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The first stages of the 1,700km long rail line will commence in 2018. It will be worth $16 billion to the Australian economy over the next 50 years. A spokesperson for ARTC said at a conference in Toowoomba recentlly: “The project is now two years into the 10 year $10.5 billion program.” The head offices for the project will be in Brisbane with satellite offices in Sydney and Toowoomba.

Parkes Shire Mayor and Chair of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Alliance, Cr Ken Keith OAM, attended the congress and said the news was encouraging for the region. “This is a critical piece of national infrastructure and will open up a corridor of opportunity from Brisbane to Melbourne, with Parkes uniquely positioned to leverage
economically. “The Inland Rail is set to generate $1.8 billion for Northern Western and Central NSW and $2.6 billion for the whole of NSW,” the Mayor said.

New state-of-the-art equipment is set to be used in the construction process, which will require 1.6 million sleepers, 2.5 million tonnes of ballast and 138,000 tonnes of rail. It is hoped that much of these products will be sourced and procured locally enhancing local economies along the proposed route, including the Parkes Shire.

A report will be finalised by March next year regarding opportunities for investment in the Inland Rail. For more information about Inland Rail visit http://inlandrail.artc.com.au/

Forbes will be the place to be tomorrow with the annual Find it in Forbes Christmas Festival invading the CBD for a morning of festivities. It is an event not to be missed on the local calendar as there will be plenty on offer for the whole family. A super loaded morning has been planned with the popular Forbes Farmers Markets joining forces with the Forbes Business Chamber to bring a huge selection of market stalls to the CBD. There will also be live
entertainment featuring some excellent local singing talent.

Business Chamber President, Chris Roylance, said: “The morning will be an opportunity for the community to join local businesses in a showcase of what we have to offer. Everyone from across the region should get to Forbes and explore the wonderful shopping experience we have to offer. Not only will it be about the shopping, but about a morning of music and kids entertainment, including a special visit from Santa.”

In partnership with Vanfest, the Business Chamber is anticipating one of its biggest weekends on the tourism calendar with thousands of people from across the country set to flock to Forbes for the annual music festival. Chris Roylance said: “We want to make sure there are plenty for locals and visitors to do and really show why Forbes is the best place in the country to visit. Following on from the recent flood events in September and October, this is an opportunity for the community to rebuild and show our city counterparts the spirit that is alive and well in Forbes.”

There will also be chance to win prizes with over $1,500 worth of Why Leave Town dollars given away on the morning to lucky winners who have been shopping locally in the Find it in Forbes promotion, which kicked off at the end of October. Everyone making purchases in participating stores tomorrow will receive entries to win their
share in the major prize pool of $15,000 which will be drawn on 22nd December.

With a nine o’clock start tomorrow, and extended trading throughout Forbes in the lead up to Christmas, there will be lots on offer for people travelling to town, as well as local shoppers starting their Christmas shopping.

NSW Health is urging people to safeguard against mosquito bites after a marked increase in detections of the mosquito-borne Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses. Stephen Doggett, Senior Scientist at NSW Health Pathology, said recent flooding had caused a proliferation in the number of mosquitoes. With added swarms of mosquitoes
we have detected Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus in mosquitoes in Forbes, Griffith, Leeton, and Moama.

“Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are spread by bites from mosquitoes that have fed on animals that carry the virus. These viruses are not fatal to humans but they can cause persistent and debilitating symptoms such as joint aches and pains, fever, chills, headache and sometimes a rash. The rash usually disappears after seven to ten days,
but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months. So far 63 cases of people with Ross River and Barmah Forest virus have been confirmed.

The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
Simple steps to avoid mosquito bites:
• Screening all windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside.
• Avoid being outside unprotected, particularly during dawn and dusk.
• Apply mosquito repellent regularly to exposed areas. Repellents containing DEET or Picaridin are best. Repellents
containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or p- Menthane-3.8-diol (PMD) also provides adequate protection.
• Don’t use repellents on children under the age of three months. Instead use physical barriers such as netting on prams, cots and play areas for babies.
• Light mosquito coils or use vaporising mats indoors.
• When mosquitoes are inside, use insecticide sprays, especially behind furniture and dark places.
• When camping, use flyscreens, or sleep under mosquito nets.
• Get rid of items that hold water around the house.