Reuben Kelly loves playing his cello during COVID-19 isolation because nobody bothers him.

Stay At Home This Easter: All Australians are asked to observe the health directives and stay at home this Easter. The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said getting away at Easter needed to be put on hold this year because the risk of spreading COVID-19 to remote and regional Australia is too great. “Our regions don’t have the medical resources that people enjoy in metropolitan Australia. This is the time when we can all do our bit to look after our fellow Australians, our communities and our families.”

Streaming Antenatal Services: An innovative model will enable women and their partners to access education from the comfort of their own home, while complying with social distancing rules. The classes rotate on a four-week cycle and each week covers a different topic: pregnancy; labour and birth; breastfeeding; and early days of being a parent. Classes will run Wednesday nights from 6pm starting on 8th April to 26th August. All women need is to have access to a phone or computer. To book in for the free interactive classes contact Lucy Sissian on 6809 8607.

Lower Prices At The Bowser: While world oil prices fell to just over $20 per barrel, every motorist in regional Australia deserves price relief during the pandemic. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said regional, rural and remote Australians must receive the benefits of lower prices at the bowser. “I am pleased the ACCC has said fuel prices above 130 cents per litre are inappropriate and they are closely monitoring the situation. The Federal Government will continue to watch the actions of fuel retailers in regional areas very closely and we encourage the community to name and shame retailers doing the wrong thing.” He said motorists should follow pricing apps and take advice from motoring bodies including the RACQ and NRMA for advice on when and where to fill up most cheaply.

Join COVID-19 Social Media Project: The National Museum of Australia in Canberra has launched a digital initiative to record shared experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians who wish to share their experiences, stories, reflections and images from the pandemic are invited to join the Facebook group Bridging the Distance – Sharing Our COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences, and take part in a national conversation around this unprecedented event.

Luka Parkin says the benefits of practising in isolation are: the seats are comfier and you get premium wheelbarrows.

MEMORIES… Relive the fun of the Parkes Elvis Festival while sorting through your photos and enter the Elvis Photography Competition.

Call For Elvis Photo Entries: While you have more time on your hands during this period of self isolation, why not sort through your Elvis photos and pick some to enter for the Elvis Photography Competition? The competition has become a popular event at the Parkes Elvis Festival and showcases work from amateur and established photographers. The competition will close on 1st July. You can find the categories, competition T&Cs and entry form at http://bit.ly/2ozJE7p If you have any questions, please email elvis@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Uber Postpones: Following an announcement earlier this year that Uber planned to launch across the state, including in Parkes, a lot has changed in the weeks since then. In an effort to help limit the spread of COVID-19, Uber has temporarily paused its plans to launch the Uber app across all of regional NSW.

Elections Only Next Year: The local government elections due to be held on 12th September this year will be postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The decision to postpone the elections was necessary to ensure the health and safety of voters, NSW Electoral Commission staff and candidates. The NSW Government now intends to hold the elections in September 2021. The Parkes Shire is one of 126 councils that will now hold their elections next year. Parkes Shire councillors will continue to hold their civic offices until the rescheduled local government elections are held. The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be conducted at the September 2020 Council meeting. Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd welcomed the decision. “The health and safety of our community is paramount. This decision mitigates the risk to our community, as well as provides a level of stability and continuity during this time of uncertainty. Our current elected representatives, as well as our entire workforce, are working hard to ensure good governance continues during this crisis and beyond.” For more information, visit the NSW Office of Local Government website.

Astro Dish Take Away: Many Parkes businesses, including cafés and restaurants, are offering online options, such as ordering take away meals, as well as delivery. The Astro Dish Motor Inn has a take away menu on offer. Visit www.astrodishrestaurant.com.au/menu/ and call 6862 3000 to order.

Christine Ford, a Parkes Phoenix reader from Melbourne, sent us this photo of Charlie and Mia’s mock wedding. The 12-year-old brother and sister Jack Russells are the only life she sees daily, unless she goes beyond the confines of her gate. “I love doing life with them and making special memories with my doggies.”

Rhianon Platt.

Federal Funding Fix Black Spots: Four Parkes crash sites will be made safer un- der the latest round of the Black Spot Pro- gram contributing $1.498 million towards: A one-lane roundabout at the intersection of Currajong and Church streets ($865,000); Street lighting at pedestrian facilities on Currajong Street near Court Street ($285,000); Road feature signs, raised guides with additional stop or give way signs and removing sight distance problems at the intersection of Close and Hooley streets ($253,000); and Vehicle-activated signs on Adavale Lane east of Braeside Lane ($95,000). The investment in Parkes’s safety was part of $50.6 million being spent in NSW on 147 projects under the Black Spot Program’s 2020-21 funding round.

Walk For Autism: Rhianon Platt will be walking the streets of Parkes to cover 10,000 steps per day for eight days between 29th March and 5 April to raise awareness and help change the lives of people on the autism spectrum.

She has a six-year-old son with special needs and often encounters judgement from people in public places who do not understand autism. “I want people to understand his behaviours and not judge me.” She would also like to see more services in Parkes for children with special needs.

If you see Rhianon in her green shirt, stop her and support her with a donation or go online to https://www.walkforautism.org.au/ and sponsor her.

The Can Assist Committee are (L-R): Betty Huntly, Trevor Southwell, Carol Southwell, Sylvia Glendenning, Adrianne Brown and Patricia Bailey. (Zelma Fisher absent.) Donations are always most welcome for the vital support offered by Can Assist.

You Can Assist: Can Assist in Parkes fundraises to support people in the area with cancer helping with expenses towards medical appointments, accommodation, treatment and pharmacy bills. The funds are raised from street stalls, Bingo, wakes, garage sales at the Parkes Showground and donations from fundraising events. All money raised in Parkes goes to helping people in the shire and all details are kept confidential. There are currently 200 people on their books with at least 100 receiving assistance at any one time. The amount paid towards cancer assistance is $150,500 annually in the Parkes area. A big thank you to everyone for your support and generous donations. The Can Assist committee members are: president Sylvia Glendenning; vice-president Zelma Fisher; secretary Patricia Bailey; assistant secretary Carol Southwell; treasurer Adrianne Brown; assistant treasurer Trevor Southwell; publicity Betty Huntly; contact person for assistance Patricia Bailey on 0447 051 946.

Name Change for NSW Business Chamber: The NSW Business Chamber has changed its name to Business NSW. “The new name and identity build upon our 194- year history and reflect our role as the peak policy and advocacy body representing businesses in NSW,” said Business NSW, Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe. “As we have in the past, Business NSW will continue to publicly campaign and to work directly with government, stakeholders and the media on behalf of business owners, their employees and the broader community. In the coming month, we will launch Business Australia, a nationwide free-to-join membership-based organisation that will offer advice, support, products and services to all businesses operating in and entering Australia.

New Awning For Aero Club: The official dedication of the awning over the deck at Parkes Aero Club took place last Thursday. President Wade McConnell mentioned the tremendous support received in realising the project. A $20,000 grant was received from the Community Building program with strong suppport from the Parkes Shire Council, construction by Dale Redfern of Forbes and Parkes Readymix Concrete, and voluntary labour provided by club members. Mayor Ken Keith, congratulated the club on providing this asset to the Parkes Airport complex for visiting aviators and supporting the overall master plan for future aviation development.

Members of the Parkes Aero Club and visitors at the official dedication of the club’s new awning last week. This will make the deck more accessible during hot and wet weather.

Kristine Boggs and Alison Westcott attended the Free Cuppa for the Driver 10-year anniversary launch in Forbes last week.

History Blog: Daroobalgie – we love watching newcomers and visitors to the Parkes Shire struggle to pronounce this name. Do you know what Daroobalgie means? Do you know why it’s important to Australian military history? What do an abattoir, motocross course and a solar farm all have in common? Have a read of Parkes Library’s latest blog post and you will know the answers https://historyparkes.org/2020/02/28/daroobalgie/

Share the Dignity: Woolworths Parkes is calling on residents to get behind Share the Dignity’s annual Dignity Drive this month and support the fight to end period poverty for women in need across the region. With over three million Australians living under the poverty line and the number of women experiencing period poverty across NSW on the rise, local residents will be able to help make a difference by donating a sanitary item via the Dignity Drive boxes located in Woolworths Parkes throughout March. Last year, the charity collected nearly 38,000 sanitary products. These donations were distributed to girls and women who cannot afford to buy sanitary items each month. Woolworths Parkes Store Manager, Kerrie Kennedy said: “We hope our customers will get behind Share the Dignity again this month and help us raise vital supplies for girls and women experiencing poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.”

Year Of Aluminium And Steel Cans: Aspiring and professional artists from across the Parkes Shire are encouraged re-think their creative materials as part of this year’s Waste to Art competition. The community art exhibition and competition are open to local residents to showcase creative works made from reused and recyclable waste materials. The theme for 2020 is aluminium and steel cans. The five competition categories include: Primary School, Secondary School, Community (no professional artists), Open (community members and professional artists), Building or Element of Building/Large Sculpture. Application forms are available on Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Hardcopies are available from all the Parkes Shire Libraries. Entries close Tuesday, 14th April. Art- work will go on display at Parkes Library from 20th April until 16th May. Parkes Shire winners will be announced on 24th April.

Pilates in the Park: In celebration of International Women’s Day on Sunday residents and visitors are invited to a free pilates session of 45 minutes in Cooke Park at 8:30am led by the Kerin Physio & Co team. Just bring a pilates mat or towel.

The Bogan Gate CWA received a big donation from John Rogers (third left) of the Central Coast Freemasons recently. With him are life member Hilda McPherson, Ros Edwards and President Marion McIntyre.

Bogan Gate CWA News By Gail McKay:
Our President Marion McIntyre welcomed everyone including a visitor Kelly Thomas and her daughter Anna to our meeting last Thursday. Three members attended the CWA Oxley Group Council meeting in Condobolin on 26th November. We had our branch Christmas Party at the Bogan Gate Hotel on 12th December and surprised Hilda McPherson with Life Membership, which was very well deserved. Marion attended the Bogan Gate School’s presentation night in December. We sent flowers to Ida McIntyre who is unfortunately in hospital, we all wish her well. A very pleasant surprise at our meeting was a visit from John and Sue Rogers from the Central Coast Freemasons. We were overwhelmed with a very generous donation of $10,000 to our Bogan Gate Community. John and Sue were very pleased to meet some of our members and find out about Bogan Gate and the drought. It was very interesting talking to them about the fires and smoke in their area.

More Money for Drought Communities:
The Australian Government has extended the Drought Community Support Initiative (DSCI), providing a further $82.75 million to continue crucial support for farming households. On top of this, further drought relief support will also be available under a new

Drought Community Outreach program. Minister for Drought David Littleproud said the DCSI extension meant up to $3,000 in cash payments for more farmers, farm workers and farm contractors and suppli ers who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay for basic household expenses. Eligible farming households will be able to access the DCSI from mid to late March, from either The Salvation Army or the St Vincent de Paul Society. Under the new Drought Community Outreach pro- gram, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and Rotary Australia World Community Service would each receive a fur- ther $5 million to provide vouchers of up to $500 to farming households.

Nursing And Midwifery Graduates Join Central West Hospitals:
More than 100 new nurses and midwives will begin working in hospitals at Parkes, Peak Hill, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Coolah, Condobolin, Narromine, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Coonamble, Walgett, Blayney, Cowra, Rylstone, Baradine, Collarenebri, Grenfell, Warren and Mudgee. The new graduates will work in all clinical areas including surgical, medical and paediatrics. They are part of the NSW Government’s record $2.8 billion investment to boost frontline health workers.

Beam me up Scotty! Thunderous weather made for dramatic sci-fi scenery on Tuesday with Beth Thomas capturing this moment from her home in Parkes.

Your Chance To Have A Say: The Western NSW Local Heath District (WNSWLHD) is calling for people to join its register of health consumer representatives. “The register will provide the WNSWLHD with a pool of people interested to be on an organisational committee or to simply provide comment to matters such service plans, policy documents, publications, quality and safety programs,” said WNSWLHD Community Engagement Manager, Illona Dunn. “We are looking for people who are passionate about improving health service quality and safety and who are willing to use their experience to represent the needs of all of our communities.” For more information email WNSWLHD-Volunteers@health.nsw.gov.au or contact Illona on 6378 6274.

Open Invitation To Farewell: Lindy Farrant, Parkes Early Childhood Centre Director of 30 years, is retiring and there is an open invitation to the public, including children, to her afternoon tea farewell at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, 7th March from 2 – 5pm. RSVP by Friday, 28th February to pecc@bigpond.net.au

New University Students Take Note: Central West students planning to start university this year are encouraged to lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy now to beat the queue. Youth Allowance provides financial assistance for eligible young people who pursue further study or an apprenticeship after leaving school.

Write To Remember Our ANZACS: Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is urging students to enter his 10th annual ANZAC writing competition. “It is imperative that we continue to build on the momentum gained during the centenary of ANZAC commemorations. This is why I produce an ANZAC Day booklet each year, which also contains ANZAC service times across the region and is distributed to every mailbox in the electorate. One of the highlights of the booklet is the publica- tion of the winning entries from the ANZAC writing competition.” Last year more than 800 entries from more than 35 different schools were received. Each winning and highly commended entry will receive a book prize with a signed commemorative label. Every student who enters will receive a signed certificate which will feature a watermark image oft his year’s cover. Entries need to be submitted by 5pm, on Friday, 28th February either by mail to the Wagga Wagga Electorate Office (Suite 2, 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga 2650) or via email to michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au.

Craig Dumesny, Human Resources Advisor at Parkes Shire Council, retired this week after 45 years of service. At his farewell were (L-R) Les Finn, Mayor Ken Keith, Craig and his wife Tracy and Kent Boyd.

Kerri Miles and Alexandra Hall from Pink Orchid Café & Florist will be participating in the Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme for the first time.

Businesses Join Forces: The Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme is celebrating 10 years and 15 local businesses have put their hands up to help fight driver fatigue and reduce the road toll. Participating businesses in the Parkes Shire are Railway Arts and Crafts (Bogan Gate), Railway Hotel (Bogan Gate), Parkes Coffee Pot, Parkes Services Club, Pink Orchard Café & Florist and Casho’s (Tullamore). A total of 92 businesses across the Hunter, South West and Western regions of NSW will participate to encouraging drivers to take regular breaks by offering a free cup of tea or coffee to any driver more than 100km away from their home. “If it wasn’t for the participating businesses supplying the ‘free cuppas’, this scheme wouldn’t be possible and I would like to thank the 15 enthusiastic businesses across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils who are taking part in this year’s scheme,” said Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business. There is also an active Facebook page.

Takata Airbags: Thousands of NSW families are at risk from faulty Takata airbags. The manufacturers fear partners and children of vehicle owners are being exposed to danger when travelling in vehicles that still carry the faulty airbags. Car manufacturers have replaced more than 1.07 million faulty airbags in NSW, which represents more than 92% of affected airbags. There are still 90,432 faulty airbags on the road that require urgent replacement. This includes 3,308 of the highly dangerous Alpha and critical airbags. Vehicle owners should check the recall status of their vehicles by using the automotive industry’s Takata airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and by taking prompt action to arrange for the free rectification of any affected vehicles. It’s a very simple check, just enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).

Open Invitation To Farewell: Lindy Farrant, Parkes Early Childhood Centre Director of 30 years, is retiring and there is an open invitation to the public, including children, to her afternoon tea farewell at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, 7th March from 2 – 5pm. RSVP by Friday, 28th February to pecc@bigpond.net.au

At last it came and it’s been glorious! According to the BOM rainfall measured from 5 to 11 February has Trundle leading the scoreboard with 82.9ml, followed by Parkes with 37.2, Peak Hill with 35.2 and 26.4ml at Alectown. This photo was taken at Welcome Weir last weekend by Glen ‘Harbo’ Harbridge.