It feels too early to be thinking about Christmas already, but you can make a child very happy this year by packing a shoebox with gifts. Samaritan’s Purse has developed a program called Operation Christmas Child that encourages the general public to pack a shoebox and drop it off at a collection point before Shoebox Sunday on 30th October.

Parkes residents are encouraged to take part in this program as Alice Milne at the Pink Orchid Café Florist is a drop off point for boxes this year. “We collected about 300 last year, and aim to get 500 this year,” said Alice. All you need to do is collect a box from Alice, it up with gifts, donate $9 to cover the project costs and take it back to Alice before 30th October. You will get instructions and a list of gift suggestions and prohibited items. Some of the gift suggestions include something to wear (t-shirt), something to love (soft toy), something special (bangles, stickers etc), something for school (pencils), something to play with (skipping rope) and something for personal hygiene (face washer).

You can also register or donate online and follow your box to see where it goes!

A.A.Blatch in Parkes, founded by Allan A Blatch (senior) in 1952, was recently taken over by Allan A Blatch (junior) and Susie to keep the business in the family for a third generation. Allan and Susie bought out Allan’s parents, Warren and Nancye Blatch, in 2015 after moving to Parkes from England. “Our business is different to many others as we are not just here for a quick sale, but to build relationships with farmers over generations. Many people remember coming here with their grandparents in the 1950s – so we have fifth generation customers,” said Allan.

A.A.Blatch is a one-stop shop for bearings and power transmission, and automotive and agricultural spare parts. “Whether it’s a clutch for a header, a diesel engine rebuild kit for a truck, a suspension lift-kit for a Landcruiser or the world’s finest triple-lip bearings for your prized machinery; A.A.Blatch has you covered.” In addition it is an exclusive distributor for Black Bearings by NTN Japan, and Tsubaki chains, as well as an official distributor for premium bearing brands including NTN, Timken-Fafnir and NSK. It is also an official distributor for Gates belts, Fleetguard filtration, Drivetech 4X4, All States Trailer spares, Kerrick Pressure Cleaners, Exedy Clutch, Engine Australia, Neil’s Parts, Bareco, Narva and many more.

“At A.A.Blatch we try and minimise customer’s downtime. We have three daily deliveries to Forbes, Peak Hill and Dubbo, two daily deliveries to Condobolin, and a daily plane delivery to Lake Cargelligo. “We have won over many far-flung customers by getting a parcel collected at 8am in Parkes and delivered by 11.30 to Lake Cargelligo on the plane,” said Allan. “We use overnight freight to just about anywhere in Australia!”

Allan and his team are looking forward to the business’ 65th anniversary next year and serving the farming community well into the future.

Country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley headlines the 30th Trundle Bush Tucker Day show on 3rd September. Over his brilliant 25 year career, Troy Cassar-Daley has won ARIA & APRA awards, 32 Golden Guitars, gold and platinum records, and toured all over Australia and the world.

In true Aussie style this fantastic food and entertainment festival started 30 years ago as a bet between two mates to see who could cook up the best tucker in a camp oven behind the pub. Thirty years later the Trundle Bush Tucker Day attracts thousands of people. The program includes Bush Tucker cooking, Master Bush Chef Competitions, free Bush Tucker Taste Testing, and hilarious traditional bush games: The Billy Boiling race, The Bushman’s Relay,
Dog Jumping, The Junior Bush Olympics as well as Whip Cracking and Sheep Shearing demonstrations.

Visit www.123tix.com.au for tickets. The entry fee includes entry into the cooking competitions, bush tucker taste testing, rides and activities, the free kids corner and live entertainment throughout the day and evening.

Major work to upgrade the Newell Highway between Parkes and Peak Hill at Trewilga is underway with the arrival of diggers and machinery on site – the likes of which have not been seen in decades. Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay said the $36 million upgrade was vital. “We are putting in another overtaking lane, widening the road and building a truck parking area to ensure the backbone of country NSW and key freight link between Victoria and Queensland allows trucks to move efficiently as possible,” the Minister said.

“One-third of users on this stretch of highway are trucks and this is only going to increase, so we have to future proof the state’s road freight network.” The $36 million project will see 6.4km of road improved with a new 1.3km northbound overtaking lane installed, as well as upgrading and widening the existing road.

A truck parking area on the eastern side of the highway and a bus turning area at Kadina Road will be built. This upgraded section will also see its speed increased from 100 km/h to 110 km/h bringing it into line with the majority of the Newell Highway. The work is expected to be completed in early 2018.

Veterans and members of the community commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan last Thursday at the Vietnam War Memorial in Parkes. The Battle of Long Tan was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in Vietnam and involved 105 Australians and 3 New Zealanders from D Company 6RAR. A total of 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of his wounds. Arthur Parker, President of the Parkes RSL Sub-Branch, said it was a monumental battle in which soldiers exhibited extreme bravery. “Notwithstanding these facts, we should also remember all who served in Vietnam regardless of the tasks which they were allocated to perform.”

Arthur paid tribute to Harold Amor, a former Parkes man who recently lost his battle with cancer in Queensland. “Harold served with the Fifth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam 1969/70.” Australians served in Vietnam from 1962 until 1975, where 521 people lost their lives and more than 3,000 were wounded.