The team at Positive Living Skills are moving one step closer to their vision, to see the growing statistics around depression drastically reduce, with the launch of their Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program in Parkes and Forbes. The program, which is supported by Northparkes Mines, is the brainchild behind local Parkes resident Catherine Shaw, who knows what mental health problems can do to communities.

“We have all heard about the rising rate of suicide, particularly in rural NSW, and we all know someone who has lost a loved one to such a tragedy’, she said; “Mental health problems do not discriminate, and people of all ages and backgrounds are at real risk. When I experienced my own struggles and went looking for help, I found these practical Positive Living skills in my late 40’s.

My immediate thought was; why don’t they teach this in schools? And so this journey began.” “People in rural NSW communities or anywhere in Australia for that matter can be reluctant to put their hands up for help, no matter how many times it is suggested to them. That’s why emotional intelligence must be taught in every classroom in every corner of the country.”

Local psychologist Carly Fisher has also seen the benefits of the Positive Living skills program. ‘I am extremely happy to support the work that Cath and her team at Positive Living Skills are implementing via the Positive Living Skills program. I have seen firsthand through my clients the positive effects that have been achieved via the initial pilot studies here in the Parkes community, and I look forward to seeing this program reach broader communities.”

As part of the latest round of funding supported by the NorthParkes Mines Community Investment Program, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre in Parkes will be the first in the area to get the opportunity to share the learning and resources with the children they serve and their families.

For more details about Positive Living Skills visit them online at www.positivelivingskills.com and click on the Family Link page.

A new facelift for the GWS Personnel office opposite Cook Park is part of the longstanding Parkes business’ exciting
new transformation into a leading NSW recruitment agency. GWS Personnel has grown from strength to strength since Peter O’Donnell signed Northparkes as its first client in 1994. Opening new offices across regional NSW in Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Wagga allowed the progressive company to expand into mining and infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors.

In 2006, GWS Personnel continued to evolve by joining forces with third generation Sydney based recruitment agency Smalls and northern NSW agency JHA. A decade later, the three dynamic businesses will soon launch their next exciting development as they merge to form the Spinifex Australia group.

Chairman Peter O’Donnell, who now operates nine offices, an internal team of more than 50 and a workforce across NSW, says the ongoing opportunities for GWS Personnel would not have been possible without the strong foundations of the business’ inception in Parkes more than 20 years ago. “By being part of the Spinifex Australia group, our Parkes team now have even more opportunities to grow their careers with us,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“I’m thrilled to be able to reward so many of our loyal Parkes employees by giving them more responsibilities with important roles within the Spinifex Australia group. “Local businesses and government organisations operating in Parkes will also benefit by having the recruitment group’s expansive professional services available to them from our Parkes’ agency in Welcome Street.”

 

Are you excited yet? We sure are! The social event of the season, the annual Parkes Coragdery and Diggers Picnic Races, will take place in Parkes this Saturday at the Parkes Racecourse on Eugowra Road. Tickets are $15 for adults with under sixteens able to enter for free. There’s still time to purchase pre-sale tickets which are available from the Henry Parkes Centre, 141 On Main, The Cambridge Hotel and The Railway Hotel. Gates will open at 11.30am with a great day of racing beginning around midday.

The Parkes Jockey Club has put together a professionally run five-race programme featuring the Coradgery Cup and for all those betting fans, there will be an interstate betting ring and a totalisator for the punters. With catered marquees, live music entertainment from ‘One Non Blond’ full bar and TAB facilities, catering by Parkes Quota Club and a great day of racing including the Coradgery Cup, visitors will come from all around the state to be part of this huge event.

Racegoers can register for the Fashions on the Field event on the day at the Fashions Tent. Sponsored by 141 On Main, who donate fabulous prizes every year, the event is known as one of most prestigious in the Central West and is a great opportunity to dress up and stand out from the crowd on the day. Nicole at 141 on Main says this is a very exciting time of year for the boutique, “I feel like I dress lovely ladies in my sleep this time of year!” she joked.

The seven fashion categories include; junior, teenager, best dressed gent, most stylish couple, cutting edge, most elegant lady and millinery. So be sure to bring your hat!

Who’s Entertaining Us?
Put together the dynamic vocals of Ann-Marie Gow and the versatility of Tim Gow and the product is the One Non Blond covers duo. With a repertoire of over 300 songs, these two entertainers are able to create a vibe and mood for any occasion.

One Non Blond have found success on the Sydney club and hotel circuit and many country venues. Between them, Annie and Tim bring over 27 years’ experience to the stage, from live bands to theatre restaurants and shows and the pair’s onstage banter is sure to enhance the audience’s feeling of fun-filled entertainment. Their variety of music differs from Patsy Cline to AC/DC with a sprinkling of Creedence, Status Quo, Wolfmother and Cold Chisel thrown in. Perfect for those who like to rock’n’roll!

On Tuesday business-minded people from across the Central West headed to Parkes Services Club for the Central West Business Summit. Hosted by Adloyalty, the day was opened by Caddie Marshall who welcomed everyone to the event before introducing Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Barbara Newton, to the stage. “Parkes Shire is very proud of its vision and its energy,” Cr Newton said; “We also have one of the best outfitted mayors in the state, who has
a wardrobe that includes Elvis, leprechaun and ABBA costumes! Congratulations to Caddie and her team on this event.”

The timetable for the day included a fantastically funny and informative speech on innovation by keynote speaker, James O’Loghlin, who stressed how all types of people can be innovators, all you needed to do was take the time to think. “Everyone tells you innovation is important but hardly anyone tells you how to do it” he Summit At The Top Of Business Innovation said; “Think, think how to take advantages of opportunities, how to make things better. If you spend 100% of your time dealing with today’s problems and none of your time thinking about tomorrow then you are prioritising today at the expense of tomorrow.”

James encouraged those present to make a list of everything they suspected wasn’t perfect in their business, question everything that they do and challenge their assumptions. The rest of the day consisted of breakout sessions from companies such as YBM, RDA, AusIndustry, BEC, Adloyalty, Central West Networks and the Australian Graduate Management Consortium which covered a variety of topics from Inland Rail to digital integration and leveraging competitive advantage.

Talks were also given from Central West Orana Business Chamber winner, Steve Fieldus, owner of Transforce, Alan McKellar of Northparkes Mines and Mitch Colton of Colton Computer Technologies. During Alan McKellars talk he spoke of the impressive achievements of Northparkes Mines, including how they are now the world leaders in 100% automated production. The Central West business community was represented from across the region, including many business members of the Parkes Shire.

MSM Milling, organisers of the most successful Mill2Mill charity bike ride, recently presented $117,423 to this year’s chosen recipients. The recipients are a national charity beyondblue, as well as local Manildra community groups and regional schools.

The grueling 577 km ride from Gunnedah to Manildra took place over four days in April with 48 riders, and 12 volunteer support crew. Rodney Coleman and Tina Jones from Parkes took part for a second time in the event.

MSM Milling Director Pete Mac Smith, said this year’s total brings the funds raised by the biennial event since its inception in 2009 to $337,000. “What made this ride different to our previous charity rides was the inclusion of an authorised and trained mental health spokesman Jeremy Suggett. Jeremy rode the four-day event with us and spoke to children at schools along the route about the importance of good mental health and how to help a friend in need,” said Mr Mac Smith.

He presented beyondblue with a cheque of $97,260, as well as $14,150 to Manildra community organisations and $6,000 for regional schools – including three in Manildra. Georgie Harman, beyondblue CEO, said demand for their support service grew by 44% last year. “We can only continue to meet this rising demand with help from the community. This is so important because one call could save a life.”

A free support service is available 24/7 by phone on 1300 224636. She thanked the team for their time and energy to encourage people to talk about their mental health openly to help break down stigma and discrimination. The local community organisations to benefit from the financial donation are the Manildra Men’s Shed, the Manildra Showground Trust and the Montana Skatepark.

The next ride will take place in 2018.

Central West Glass was founded in 1961, making it the longest established glass and aluminium merchant in the region. Mick and Kim Horan took over in July 2013 to continue offering a wide ranging service backed with a wealth of experience. Central West Glass specialises in glazing, aluminium, windows, doors, shower screens, glass splash backs, security doors, screens, mirrors, sliding wardrobe doors, commercial shop fronts and office partitioning. In addition, an emergency service for after-hours glass replacements are in place.

The Central West Glass team has a wealth of experience to offer: Nick started his 35-year career in the building trade as a joiner doing commercial and residential work; Rob Simpson has 15 years’ experience at the business, having worked for the previous owners; and Mick Smith joined six months ago bringing with him a career in the glazing industry.

Looking after the office and administration side are Kim Horan four days a week, with Veronica Sutton standing in on Fridays. For Mick it is important too to keep up with the latest trends, such as glass splash backs, as well as the closing of outdoor living areas to make it more user friendly in colder months. Mick also recommends energy efficient glass for new homes, which helps to reduce energy as required by building standards.

Central West Glass is the only licensed dealer for Invisigard security screen doors in the region, and uses Wideline windows and doors.