Shop Local Wrap Up: Council and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce delivered the 2020 Shop Parkes this Christmas campaign from 19th November to 31st Decem-ber. The campaign focused on the diverse retail and service offerings of the Parkes Shire, and the benefits that shopping local has on our community, especially following years of drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. Parkes Shire Councillor Alan Ward said: “It was wonderful to see our community stick together and support each other by shopping locally during last year’s festive season. It was pleasing to see such strong business participation with over 30 stores actively engaging with the campaign online, over 100 businesses promoting the campaign in-store, and a 15% increase in Shop Parkes Gift Card redemption stores from 85 to 98 stores.” He said over $43,000 was loaded to Shop Parkes Gift Cards during the six-week campaign with a record 90% redemption rate with $38,692 spent at local businesses. To find out where you can load and redeem your Shop Parkes Gift Cards, head to www.visitparkes.com.au. Are you a local business who would like to be involved? Contact 6861 2333 or email shop@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

National Recognition: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has showcased the SOS (Signs of Strangulation) Project at the national Stop Domestic Violence Conference. Danielle Allen and Julieanne Potts presented their project ‘Improving Responses for Victims of Domestic Violence Presenting with Non-Fatal Strangulation’ at Orange Emergency Department. “This project started as part of the Clinical Leadership Program, but has turned into something so much bigger,” said WNSWLHD Executive Director Integrated Care Julie Cooper. “Danielle and Julieanne were finalists in the WNSWLHD Living Quality & Safety Awards 2020, and have now shared their findings and research on the national stage”. The project included the development of a vital medical alert resource card to provide to victims of domestic and family violence (DFV). “The SOS card is now used by the majority of NSW Local Health Districts and other service providers including other government and non-government services who assist victims of domestic and family violence,” Julie said.

Good News For Bird Lovers: Gum Swamp in Forbes has been a hive of activity with the installation of three new bird hides. The existing hide has also been refurbished as part of the redevelopment project. Located just four kilometres from the Forbes CBD on the Newell Highway, Gum Swamp is a nationally significant site for ornithology (study of birds). Once the project is complete, avid and amateur twitchers will have four, unobtrusive vantage points from which to observe over 150 bird species. Work on the new bird hides is anticipated to be complete by April.

Register For Parkrun: Parkrun will launch in Parkes next Saturday. It is important to register before the time to get a barcode and print it out as you will need it for every run to show and scan. Go to www.parkrun.com.au and register for free. Be there at 7:50am for a start at 8am. Bring your phone to scan the COVID QR code. Park-ing at Northparkes oval from where the 5km route starts.

Back To School Road Safety: With the new school year starting, road users are reminded about children’s safety around schools. Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably. Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay extra attention and be patient. When the orange (wig wag) lights on the back of a school bus are flashing, you must slow down to 40km/h. There are 40km/h school speed zones at all schools between 8 – 9:30am and 2:30 – 4pm on school days. The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns. Always make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint. Always drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road. Never call your children across the road to you. Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music on headphones. Children up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic. Children up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

Caring for Kids: Can you give a gift for a child this Christmas? Community Christmas aims to give vulnerable children in our community a lovely gift this festive season. If you’re able to, please donate a small, wrapped present with gender and age labelled and drop it off at one of the following locations: Family and Community Services Parkes, Sleek Hair Design, ANZ Parkes, Cooke Park Takeaway, Kerin Physio and Neighbourhood Central. For further information contact Belinda on 0421 750 369.

Christmas FUNdraising for Country Kids: The children’s charity Royal Far West is encouraging people to add a fundraising element to their Christmas parties and gatherings. With the theme ‘Country Kids Christmas Table’, all funds raised will support country kids to access the vital developmental and mental health services they need. The charity’s website has plenty of ideas and creative Country Kids Christmas Table collateral at https://www.royalfarwest.org.au/christmas/

Christmas is for giving. Register today to support the health and wellbeing of Australian kids in the bush who are doing it tough.

Jamie’s Ministry of Food: Jamie’s online school holiday program is back by popular demand, and will once again be Zooming into kitchens all over the country from 11th January next year. The school holiday program will teach students aged 12 and up the basics of food, nutrition and cooking, as well as some of Jamie’s special tips and tricks! Participants will learn how to make meals from scratch. For more information and to book visit www.thegoodfoundation.com.au

New Website: The Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme have launched a new website at www.freecuppa.com.au and lists all the participating businesses, features a new frequently asked questions page, contains information about managing driver fatigue and much more. There is also an interactive search function that lets you filter businesses based on their location, facilities and the type of coffee provided. In 2021, there will be 105 businesses in 52 towns across 16 local councils from Moree in the North to the Victorian border, west to Wentworth as far East as the lower Blue Mountains. The businesses in the Parkes Shire involved in the scheme are: Bogan Gate – Railway Hotel; Parkes Coffee Pot, Pink Orchid Florist & Café, Smeaton’s Bakery; and Tullamore – Casho’s.

Housebound Library Needs Volunteers: If you have a few spare hours each fortnight, why not assist with the delivery of library books to housebound people living in Parkes? This service is a cooperative venture between the Parkes Shire Council Library and Neighbourhood Central and is in need of more volunteers. This service has made a valuable contribution to many people in our community for over 42 years, focusing on those who are unable to visit the library on their own. Items from the Parkes Library are selected by a volunteer according to the preference indicated by the recipient and deliveries are made on a fortnightly basis. For more information, contact Neighbourhood Central on 6862 3757 or email: admin@ncentral.org.au

New Projects: The electorate of Orange has secured $299,829 in funding for a total of 20 projects through the NSW Government’s 2020 Community Building Partnership Program. Trundle Village Progress Association was successful for a new skate park in Berryman Park. The Bogan Gate Golf Club will get new solar panels. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/cbp

Almost 5 Million Birds In 7 Days! The Aussie Backyard Bird Count saw record-breaking numbers of people counting more than 4.6 million birds across the nation, compared to last year’s 3.4 million. The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is becoming one of Australia’s biggest citizen science events attracting counters of all ages. The number of participating schools rose to more than 1,500. More than half a million Rainbow Lorikeets were found finishing on top again for the sixth year running. Noisy Miners, Magpies, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Galahs rounded out the top 5. while the Australian White Ibis finished in tenth spot.

How To Help Heat-Stressed Wildlife: As the summer temperature starts to rise, native animals are feeling the heat too. Most of us want to help, but many people are unsure what to do when faced with a heat-stressed possum or an injured bird. A new pocket-sized guide, How to be a wildlife hero, distributed free by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), gives useful advice on how to help native animals and birds get through heatwaves, bushfires, floods and storms. It contains handy information and gives advice on what to do in an emergency and how to care for wildlife around you. Order your free copy of How to be a wildlife hero at www.acf.org.au/wildlife_care_guide.

Grain Truck Signs: Harvest is well underway across the region with a record number of trucks transporting grain to local silos. Twenty new ‘Caution Grain Trucks’ signs have been installed across Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas to alert drivers about the extra truck movements. The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor said that the signs were the first of their kind in NSW. “The fold-down harvest truck warning signs were designed and approved by Transport for NSW. They are a pilot and based on the feedback we receive, may be rolled out in other locations next harvest.” The signs were installed on roads where grain trucks travel and near silos. The signs will be closed at the end of harvest.

Water Restrictions Back To Level 1: At its November meeting last week the Parkes Shire Council resolved to change water restrictions from Level 2 to Level 1. Due to strong rainfall since January, Council’s water supply dams are currently at 100% capacity, Wyangala Dam is at 65.2% and rising and the Lachlan River groundwater resource is at predevelopment levels. Level 1 restrictions require residents to not water during the heat of the day. The change was going to take effect from Monday, 23rd November.

Cheney Park Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation of Cheney Park is ongoing with current high salt levels being addressed. Soil specialists and drainage designers are working on solutions to mitigate future instances of the salt scalding. The proposed solution is to repair the north section of Cheney Park. The work includes the bulk removal of the current salt affected soil and re-building of the area, the installation of sub surface slit drains along the playing surface to mitigate saline build up in the soil and flush out to collection sumps and the installation of new turf on the playing surface. The work is expected to take up to six weeks. The project is funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities. Local contractors are sup- ported by Council operations crews.

Pet Minding: With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, have you thought about your pet minding options? Liz can care for your pet at your house or hers. Give her a call on 0407 861938 and she’ll work out a pet minding program with you.

Yellow Ribbons: Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are celebrating National Road Safety Week 2020 with a range of activities this week. The week runs from 15 – 22 November, and honours the memory of the 1,200 lives lost, and more than 44,000 seriously injured on Australia’s roads each year. During the week, road users are being asked to think about how they can actively protect all those who are vulnerable on the road ahead and to sign an online pledge to not drive distracted, not speed and to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “During National Road Safety Week, yellow ribbons will be displayed all across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. Parkes Shire Councils’ fleet vehicles proudly displayed yellow ribbons this week, and the Sir Henry Parkes statue in Parkes is lit yellow.

No Carols: The Parkes Minister’s Association has announced with great sadness that the annual Carols by Candlelight event in Cooke Park has been cancelled for this year due to COVID restrictions. Residents are advised to contact their local church for Christmas service times.

Vegetation Program: Essential Energy will start a vegetation management program in early December in Albert, Alectown, Bogan Gate, Cookamidgera, Peak Hill, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore and the surrounding areas to ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of the local electricity network. The program will be undertaken by Essential Energy’s qualified contractors in compliance with the Australian Standard AS 4373 ‘Pruning of Amenity Trees’ where possible. Their practices can vary to accommodate the physical location and regrowth pattern of particular vegetation. Contractors will also comply with the Essential Energy operational protocols to ensure employee, contractor and community safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, including complying with all social distancing requirements. Operations Manager Central, Bronwyn Sigmund, said the vegetation program was about striking a balance between preserving the town’s trees and ensuring power safety and reliability for the community. Bronwyn said trees and overhead powerlines could be a dangerous combination. “Trees coming into contact with overhead powerlines pose serious hazards to people, wildlife and the surrounding environment, with potential for bushfires, damage to property, injury and unplanned power outages.”

Book Packs for Farmers: The combined efforts of Neighbourhood Central, Parkes Shire Council, Parkes Shire Libraries, Car- bon8 and funding from the Federal Government are giving Parkes Shire farmers the opportunity to receive free farmer packs to help farmers find ways to be more sustainable and regenerative. Pack 1 is designed for the farmer who is new to the concept of sustainable/regenerative farming, and Pack 2 is for the farmer looking to strengthen their knowledge on the subject. Packs are available for collection from Neighbourhood Central and all the Parkes Shire Libraries from Monday, 16th November. For further information contact Neighbourhood Central on 6862 3757 or email: admin@ncentral.org.au

Parkes Pilots And Weather: Safe skies in bad weather is the focus of a special safety seminar for Parkes pilots next week. Pilots will learn how to make the right decisions when the weather turns against them. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is holding the seminar as part of a campaign to reduce weather related accidents. CASA’s Peter Gibson says correct decision making by pilots is crucial. “Accidents continue to happen when pilots flying visually get into deteriorating weather. Local pilots will learn more about how to assess weather before and during flight, how to plan for weather and how to make good decisions. All pilots receive training on weather related safety but ongoing education in this vital area is essential,” said Peter. The Parkes aviation safety seminar is on Tuesday, 17th November at 6pm at the Parkes Aero Club. Bookings are essential to allow COVID-19 requirements to be met. Book online at Weather to Fly seminar.

Suicide Monitoring System: The NSW Government has introduced the state’s first ever Suicide Monitoring System, which will provide up-to-date data for health and support services about the number of suicide deaths across the state. NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said the system would inform critical decisions about services and local health responses in. From 1st January to 30th September this year, there were 673 suspected or confirmed suicide deaths in NSW, one more than the same time period last year. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Parkes Country Music Meeting: Parkes & District Country Music Association recently held a COVID-safe meeting in Cooke Park to ensure the future of country music in Parkes. In light of the present situation and with the acceptance of members currently holding committee positions, all will continue in their respective roles for the ensuing year until an AGM is held next year. All financial association ordinary members will also have their memberships carry over until this time. Discussions have also been held with the Department of Fair Trading and Parkes Services Club and it is with a glimmer of hope that the committee now work to see when we can resume our functions. We look towards the new year, should restrictions not be too onerous as to over regulate our audience, social distancing, number of backing musicians, performers on stage, compere, stage hands, etc. A rough draft of future function dates has been discussed along with the possibility of some type of an outdoor event. A visit by the South Coast Country Music Association from Wollongong to Parkes is due in March. So, watch this space – looking forward to a brighter, healthier and safer 2021. By Maree Mulligan

Country Kids And Mental Health: Children in rural and remote areas of Australia are needing more support for their mental health and at a younger age, according to paediatric mental health specialist, Dr Josephine Anderson at Royal Far West. Dr Anderson said the drought, bushfires and COVID-19 have combined to dramatically increase the demand for psychology services in the bush, including for young children. Recent figures from Royal Far West show the volume of psychological therapy delivered by telehealth is now six times what it was three years ago. Early intervention was the key, as first symptoms of emotional and behavioural disturbance typically develop up to four years before serious mental health problems become apparent in children. GPs and practice nurses are ideally placed to start conversations with parents about their child’s emotional and behavioural development as they prepare to enter school for the first time.

Bird Count Postponed: The rain has been great, but not for conditions for volunteers counting glossy black cockatoos. The Great Inland Glossy Count has been moved to: Pilliga – 13th February 2021; Goonoo – 20th February 2021 and Goo- bang – 27th February 2021.