Drone technology will take centre stage at Farmer Day Wednesday at this year’s Parkes Show next week. Some leading drone experts, suppliers, manufacturers and service providers will showcase the newest tools available to farmers and drone enthusiasts. Ben Watts, a sheep producer from Molong, will outline what is achievable with drones and how to control, maintain and repair your craft. Falcon UAV is a specialist aerial imaging company focusing entirely on the agriculture industry. They scan crops and determine levels of stress weeks before they are visible to the human eye.

Leading Edge Electronics will showcase all the models and touch on some exciting game changing tools in the production pipeline. One lucky visitor will walk away with a DJI Phantom 3 thanks to Leading Edge Electronics and the Parkes Show. Don’t forget the day starts with a breakfast before the feature drone sessions commence at 10am. There are also sessions on lice management, compost and humus products, a showcase of the very latest agricultural machinery releases and a BBQ lunch. Come and see first hand what the Parkes Show has to offer.

Locals are encouraged to bag a bargain at one of our wonderful Op Shops in Parkes to celebrate National Op Shop Week. The initiative celebrates the contributions these stores make to local communities, and raises awareness of the importance of supporting your local ‘oppy’. Neville Barrett, the General Manager of Salvos Stores Australian Eastern Territory, emphasised that despite the stores being part of national organisations, all funds raised from sales stay in the community and support local residents. Items are also distributed to people in need due to a personal crisis or emergency.

Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis as the 2016 Op Shop week Ambassador, encourages people to visit op shops and “reduce the costa living”. But op shopping isn’t just about being thrifty, it is also good for the environment. According to Neville around 50,000 tonnes are diverted from going to landfills each year. “If every Australian bought second hand it would also save billions of litres of water each year,” he said. “The fashion industry is a very thirsty business.” Op Shops also provide important social benefits. The Anglicare Shop staff agree that the best thing about volunteering is being able to provide fellowship to others.

Chris Symonds started working in the Salvos Store 12 months ago and says that it’s a great way to gain new skills. Kim Whiteman decided to help others following an inspirational letter from her grandfather, and has always been drawn to family stores. But you don’t have to volunteer to help. Donate your good quality second-hand items to a local charity and help them help others.

By Raen Fraser

Wear a daffodil pin to show support for someone you know. Today is Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day, a national day of hope and an opportunity for people across the region to contribute to a brighter, cancer-free future. More than 650 sites will be in full swing across NSW, staffed by more than 5,000 volunteers, including over 100 sites in Western NSW to encourage people to buy merchandise to show support for someone they know. In addition to Daffodil Day merchandise sites, NAB branches in Parkes and Forbes will be hosting morning teas with all proceeds going to Daffodil Day.

This year marks 30 years of Daffodil Day in Australia. As the largest national fundraising event in the southern hemisphere, this year Cancer Council hopes to raise $2.6m in NSW and $6.7m nationally. Since its inception, Daffodil Day has raised over $133m for life-saving cancer research, support services and prevention programs. “By buying and wearing a pin, locals can continue contributing to life-saving cancer research, advocacy, prevention programs and support services,” Brianna Carracher, Daffodil Day Coordinator, Cancer Council Western Region said.

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer, with one in two Australians predicted to be diagnosed by age 85. Get out there, wear a pin, and give some fresh daffodils to someone you know,” Brianna said. To find out where you can purchase a pin, please visit https://www.daffodilday.com.au/get-involved/where-to-buy/ or call
1300 65 65 85.

A photograph taken at this year’s Elvis Festival in Parkes is a finalist in the Australian Life competition. Elvis Has Left The Building, an action shot taken by Kris Baum, has been chosen as one of 22 finalists from hundreds of photographers for one Australia’s most prestigious photography competitions.

Images by well-known and upcoming photographers portray many facets of life in Australia from diverse cultures to suburbia and the beach.
Some of the other finalists include:
• The Lambs: a family of sheep taking shade under a verandah in country Victoria
• Boy On Bike: a young boy takes his bike through barren landscape in Coober Pedy
• The Secret Handshake: siblings mourn the death of their Lebanese father
• Heaven: a spectacular birthday celebration in a Pakistani restaurant in Rockdale.

The Australian Life finalists will be exhibited in a large-scale exhibition along the St James walkway of Hyde Park from 15th September to 9th October. The winner of the $10,000 Australian Life prize – one of the biggest photography prizes in the country – will be announced at the opening of the exhibition on 15th September.

Parkes Mensland has been outfitting men since 1956! Parkes Mensland is your one–stop shop for all your menswear and accessories from shoes to hats, belts to cufflinks, ties to a watch, a tailored suit to staff and corporate uniforms, and of course school uniforms for the kids. They stock a wide variety of menswear and accessories. They also offer onsite embroidery and vinyl heat press machines for all your corporate, sport and school uniform requirements.

To complete your shopping experience Parkes Mensland can also supply all your trophy and engraving needs. To give customers the convenience they deserve, Parkes Mensland partners with vendors to supply a large range of trophies and designs. For a complete shopping experience visit Parkes Mensland to spoil Dad this coming Father’s Day! Parkes Mensland for Personal Service.

If you really want to spoil Dad this Father’s Day, Nangar Gems might just have what you are looking for. R.M. Williams watches, the R.M. Ranger and Town & Country, are on special for only $125, plus you receive a leather bracelet valued at $85 for free. The watches are 100m water resistant, stainless steel, have a day and date indicator and have a screw down crown and back. The total package is valued up to $210.

Father’s Day in Australia is celebrated on the first Sunday in September every year, which coincides with the first Sunday of Spring. It is a celebration honouring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.