Healthy Kids Bus Stop: Project Sprouts is once again bringing the Healthy Kids Bus Stop to the Parkes Shire from Monday, 21st

March to Friday, 25th March to provide a free health screening for children aged three to five. Clinicians will assess your child’s fine and gross motor skills, speech, oral health and hearing. Screenings will be in Parkes from 21st to 23rd March at the Learning Centre at Parkes East Public School on Reid Street; 24th March at Tullamore in the morning and Trundle in the afternoon; and 25th March at Peak Hill at the hall next to the preschool. Registrations are essential. Please ask your local preschool or school for a form, or Google Healthy Kids Bus Stop for the online form, or call Royal Far West on 0408 555 249.

Primary Health Service Survey: Residents from Parkes, Condobolin and Forbes can share their experiences of primary health care services through a community survey. The Lachlan Valley Community Primary Health Service Survey asks community members about their experiences when accessing care delivered outside a hospital by a range of health professionals. It includes general practitioners, allied health professionals, primary care and community nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. The survey is open to all members of the community 15 years and above, and takes around 10 minutes to complete. The survey closes on Friday, 1st April. Access the online survey at https://nswrdn.engagementhub.com.au/lachlan or for a paper copy contact Wellington.Digwa@health.nsw.gov.au or 0438 210 323.

Free Menstrual Hygiene Products: Female students at public schools across NSW will soon have free access to menstrual hygiene products, following a successful trial in 31 schools pilot schools that included the Dubbo region. The $30 million program will provide schools with dispensers, tampons and pads for free and is supporting young women’s health, engagement and attendance at school. Ahead of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said this was an important milestone for female students. The statewide rollout is what many young women have been calling for, and ties in well with this year’s NSW Women’s Week with a strong focus on providing better health outcomes for women. The program is expected to be rolled out to every school by 30th June.

Linger Longer: Patrons at the Parkes Elvis Festival will be able to enjoy longer trading hours at hotels and registered clubs this year. The NSW Government has extended trading hours during special sporting and cultural events in 2022 to give patrons extra time to socialise and enjoy major entertainment events while opening more trading opportunities for businesses. “We understand that it has been tough for hospitality venues recently which is why we are extending trading hours for certain events,” said Minister for Hospitality and Racing, Kevin Anderson. “This will create jobs and put valuable dollars back into the tills of small businesses.”

Wetter-Than-Average Autumn: Autumn started on Tuesday and the days are likely to be wetter and warmer than normal for much of Australia. According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Autumn Climate Outlook for 2022 above-average autumn rainfall is likely for most of Australia. While La Niña has led to increased rain in eastern and northern Australia, it is likely at or past its peak and expected to end in mid-autumn. Autumn days are likely to be warmer than normal, while night-time temperatures are predicted to be higher than normal. For more details on this and other climate out looks and summaries, visit the Bureau’s website: www.bom.gov.au/climate

New Leader For Arts OutWest: Arts OutWest, the Regional Arts Development Organisation for the NSW Central West, announced the appointment of their new Executive Director, Kylie Shead. Kylie has been creative producer at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre for over 15 years and during this time she has run festivals for all ages, developed new programs, and supported theatre makers in the region as well as producing new work. Kylie has a long association with Arts OutWest: as a contract project manager prior to working for Bathurst Regional Council and as a past board member. She will begin at Arts OutWest on 21st March. She has most recently been busy producing the Inland Sea of Sound Festival.

Small Business Month: Small Business Month kicked off on Tuesday and the theme this year is Rebuild, Recharge, Renew to help operators bounce back from the economic impacts of the pandemic. There are more than 800,000 small businesses employing over 1.6 million people contributing $400 billion to the NSW economy each year. Further information on Small Business Month is available at: smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au

Extra Help To Phase Out Single-Use Plastics: More than 40,000 businesses across NSW will be supported to phase-out single-use plastics in line with the NSW Government’s recently announced Plastics Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021. The NSW Government is partnering with the National Retail Association (NRA) to co-design and deliver a campaign to help businesses transition away from single-use plastics. Almost every piece of plastic ever made is still with us. More than 2.7 billion plastic items end up in NSW waterways each year – wreaking havoc on the environment and endangering wildlife. Over the next nine months the NRA will visit more than 650 retail precincts providing factsheets, signage and advice. The supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags will cease from 1st June, with the supply of single-use plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers, plates and bowls, cotton buds, expanded polystyrene food containers, and products containing plastic microbeads ending from 1st November. The program will also focus on supporting distributors, importers, manufacturers and not-for profit organisations. The NRA has launched a free hotline 1800 844 946 to offer businesses, community organisations and consumers advice on the single-use plastic bans. For more information visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban

Representative Sport Returns: School representative sports events returned this week, allowing students to travel to compete after an almost year long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The return of school representative sport provides much-needed stimulus to regional communities with statewide championships and trials adding up to almost $20 million for local communities annually. More than 100 statewide championships and trials involving 28 sports are held across NSW each year.

Record Number Of Scholarships: A record number of scholarships have been awarded to early childhood educators in NSW to boost the availability, accessibility, and quality of early learning and care. More than 100 educators across the state will receive up to $20,000 each to support their study of a Bachelor-level Early Childhood Teaching qualification. The scholarship program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to increase the number of early childhood teachers working in the sector in NSW. Further details are available on the department’s website 2021- 22 Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships and Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program (nsw.gov.au)

Upgrades For Men’s Sheds: The NSW Government will contribute $1.62 million to upgrading a significant number of Men’s Sheds across the state. The funding from the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus program will provide improvements to more than 20 Men’s Sheds in Sydney and regional areas. A study by Beyond Blue found Men’s Shed members can fare better with general health, vitality and mental health. Australian Men’s Shed Association NSW President John Sharples said the upgrades would empower men and create renewed interest in the initiative. “We have 377 sheds in NSW with about 20,000 members.”

Cane Toad In Dubbo: Dubbo residents have been urged to keep their eyes peeled for possible cane toad sightings after a male cane toad was positively identified in the area. The toad is believed to have been brought into the area on a moving truck and was quickly captured and reported through the NSW Department of Primary Industries exotic pest helpline. Cane toads are a serious biosecurity threat as they can cause devastating impacts on native wildlife and biodiversity, and pose serious threats to domestic animals. A suspected cane toad should be immediately reported to NSW Department of Primary Industries Biosecurity on 1800 680 244, online, or emailing a photo of the face and details to invasive.species@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Frogs Return: Frogs are striking up a chorus in the Central West, taking advantage of wet weather and environmental flows to hatch a new generation. Breeding activity has been detected at multiple sites in the Macquarie Marshes near Coonamble following three years of drought, with frogs heard calling for mates throughout the wetland system. Scientists from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment visited 14 sites and heard frogs calling at 12 of them. The species detected include the Barking marsh frog, Broad palmed frog, Eastern sign-bearing froglet, Peron’s tree frog, Salmon striped frog and the Spotted marsh frog. To find out where you can experience wetlands in NSW national parks, visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/environments/wetland-environments

Sport Clubs Champions Of Mental Wellbeing: The NSW Government is calling on sporting organisations to step up and serve some ace ideas for delivering mental health and wellbeing activities as part of a $2.8 million Mental Health Sports program. Clubs can apply for grants until 6th March for activities that provide mental health, resilience and wellbeing benefits to individuals and groups. All NSW-based sports bodies are encouraged to apply. To start your application, visit: https://bit.ly/34HgU1f

Zombies, Aliens, Vampires, Star Wars and Trekkies: An alternate festival is being planned for Parkes called ZAVSWAT -1 in 2023. ZAVSWAT stands for Zombies, Aliens, Vampires, Star Wars and Trekkies, and the festival aims to bring together groups from the acronym to come in their dress up and visit Parkes for a weekend of fun. The lead organiser, Conrad Mill, is looking to form a ZAVSWAT committee to plan the festival. If you would like to be on the inaugural commitee call 0481 472 845.

Postcards From Parkes

Hundreds of votes were cast to choose the favourite artworks to be made into postcards in the Postcards from Parkes exhibition at the end of last year. The postcards of the winning images will soon be available for free at Parkes Shire libraries. Congratulations to the winners: Bumberry Dam by Hannah Farrant-Jayet; The Dish Opening Day by Jesse Woods; Golden Hour Harvest by Candy Jubb; Resilience and Hope by Belinda Lawrence; As Seen on TV, The Dish by Candy Jubb; Parkes is not on the Coast by Deb Jones.

Lifeline For Businesses

A new support package that started on 1st February will keep the doors of many businesses open, according to the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW. The NSW Government announced the package in the wake of the Omicron surge, with businesses of turnover between $75,000 and $50 million set to benefit. The package includes: A payment of up to $5,000 per week (20% of payroll) for businesses who suffered a 40% downturn in January and project to do the same in February; The Small Business Fees and Charges rebate program extended to $3000, and can include 50% of the costs incurred to acquire RAT’s for the workplace; and Commercial landlord relief extended until 13th March. “Our most recent Business Conditions Survey found 40% of NSW businesses had cashflow to last them for the next three months, so this relief will be widely embraced by our Western NSW business community,” said Business NSW, Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

Seedling Grants

Do you have a National Tree Day event planned that you need support with? Applications are open for grants from The Seedling Bank! Schools and community groups are welcome to apply – closing Friday, 25th February. Go to https://treeday.planetark.org/ and add your application to your registered 2022 National Tree Day event. The Seedling Bank funds projects of all sizes. Every day is Tree Day, and National Tree Day is happy to support plantings happening throughout the year, whenever conditions are best. Since 1996, National Tree Day has seen Australian communities plant almost 26 million trees. The Seedling Bank aims to further support these dedicated volunteers with their planting efforts by providing financial support where seedlings are needed most.

Pop-up COVID-19 Clinic

Vax Clinic in Parkes for anyone aged 12 years and over for Pfizer first or second dose; anyone aged 5 – 11 years is eligible for Kids Pfizer. Reserve your spot at the Parkes clinic running on Tuesday, 15th and Wednesday, 16th February from 9:30 to 4pm. Go to bit.ly/C19vaxbookingsParkes or phone 1800 684 423. Booster doses only available for those aged over 18 years. Those aged 5 – 15 years must be accompanied by their parent, guardian or nominated carer.

COVID-Smart For 2022 School Year

Students will return to school under COVID-smart settings that will minimise the risk of the virus. Every student and teacher in NSW government and non-government schools will be able to receive rapid antigen test (RAT) kits before school returns on 1st February. The COVID-Smart Plan to keep schools open and students safe includes:

• Twice a week surveillance testing for primary and high school students, school staff and early childhood staff. Surveillance testing will be undertaken for the first four weeks of term, with two weeks of supply distributed before term starts.
• Mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools.
• Limiting interaction between year groups.
• Limiting visitors to those providing essential curriculum and wellbeing support.
• COVID-safe settings in place for music, sport and excursions.
• Maximising natural and mechanical ventilation, with air purifiers dispatched to where they are needed.
• Contingency plans in place to manage any disruptions to the workforce.

The government is distributing more than 12 million RATs to over 3,150 government, non-government schools and early childhood centres. More information on the return to school settings for NSW public schools is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

Travel Boost Regional Seniors

Applications are open for the expanded 2022 NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card valued at $250. The popular initiative, which had seen more than 690,000 cards issued to regional seniors since the start of 2020, had been extended for another two years. Eligible applicants will receive a $250 pre-paid Visa card that can be used for fuel, taxis, pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional trains and coaches, and select community transport services. With the latest COVID-19 health advice, seniors are strongly advised to apply online or call 13 77 88 rather than visit a service centre. More information can be found at service.nsw.gov.au/regionalseniorstravel

Take Precautions

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is urging people to take extra precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites, and acquiring mosquito-borne disease. When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear, particularly at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours. Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area. Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens. Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes could breed. For further information go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/resources.aspx

Kite Festival: It is back this year, so get your kites ready, or start making some for the Reach for the Sky Australia Day Kite Festival at Northparkes Oval from 8 – 11am on Wednesday, 26th January. Kites will also be available for purchase on the day. For more information contact 0448 166 016.

Register Positive Covid Test Results: Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register the result on the Service NSW website or by using the Service NSW app. “This will enable NSW Health to provide you with advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home, to connect high risk people to clinical care services and to help inform the ongoing public health respons. Most people do not need a PCR test to confirm they are positive for COVID-19. If you are under 65 years of age, have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, do not suffer from any chronic health conditions and are not pregnant, you may be able to safely manage COVID-19 at home. Contact your GP or call the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 if you are pregnant, or if you have a chronic condition. Visit nsw.gov.au

COVID-19 vaccination for children: Children aged between five and 11 years old started to receive COVID-19 vaccinations last week. The bulk of the children’s vaccination program will be delivered through general practitioners and pharmacies, with Aboriginal Medical Services and Western NSW Local Health District’s (WNSWLHD) vaccination hubs and mobile clinics also playing a role. Children aged between five and 11 will receive two, specially-sized doses of the Pfizer vaccine, eight weeks apart. Parkes is one of six satellite sites along with Mudgee, Cowra, Walgett, Cobar and the 4Ts (Tottenham, Tullamore, Trundle, Trangie) that will host clinics, while the mobile service will target smaller and more remote communities. More information visit the NSW Health website.

Ways To Help Others At Christmas:

• BIG W has launched its in store Giving Tree initiative, providing customers an opportunity to donate gifts in support of families who need a little extra help. BIG W’s charity partner, Good360 Australia, has matched all 176 stores with a local charity, enabling the Giving Tree program to support over 105 organisations across Australia, including women’s shelters, children and youth at risk, schools, homeless shelters and children in hospital. In addition to its Giving Trees, BIG W is again supporting five Children Hospitals around the country by selling $2 and $5 tokens to raise much needed funds. Customers can place unwrapped gifts under their local BIG W Giving Tree or purchase a Christmas Token from now until Christmas Eve. For more information, visit www.bigw.com.au

• Purchase your Christmas gifts from the CanAssist store in Court Street to help boost the funds of CanAsisst and the wonderful assistance they provide to locals with cancer.

• Elders Parkes and Forbes have teamed up with The Salvation Army for a Christmas Toy Drive. The Salvation Army will ensure that gifts are delivered to all children this Christmas. Gifts can be placed under the trees at the two offices with a label to either boy or girl and an approximate age. Call 6862 922 for more information.

• Parkes Uniting Church and Parkes Catholic Church are collecting/accepting Christmas gifts and donations to be handed to those in need.

• Coles has a $2 donation you can make through Redkite to help support children with cancer and their families, and to SecondBite to provide meals for Australians who need it most. Purchase in store or online.

• Woolworths Parkes is part of a donation target to raise the equivalent of seven million meals this Christmas in support of OzHarvest. Purchase a 50c token in store or online, or choose to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar.

• Help farmers by giving a donation to Aussie Helpers’ ‘Give back to the Outback’ Christmas appeal. All proceeds will go to purchasing Visa gift cards and/or fuel cards for those in need. Last year Aussie Helpers delivered 1,000 Christmas hampers and $27,000 in Visa gift cards and fuel vouchers to Aussie farmers across the country. For more information visit aussiehelpers.org.au.

Support This Festive Season:

• The holiday season can pose many challenges for people affected by cancer. The Cancer Council 13 11 20 telephone information and support service is free and confidential. Specially trained health professional staff are available to answer questions about cancer, offering emotional and practical support for anyone affected by cancer – including cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families, carers and friends, teachers, students, and healthcare professionals. If you call 13 11 20, one of our consultants will listen to your situation, assess your individual needs and make appropriate requests for services.

• R U OK? want to remind everyone that Christmas can be a difficult time for many Australians and encourage them to make a real difference in someone’s life by giving the ‘Gift of Conversation’. Free downloadable resources are available on the R U OK? website including suggestions on how best to support someone from Suicidologist and Registered Psychologist Annie Fardell Hartley: Make the time to check in with them; Acknowledge it – let them know it’s OK to feel overwhelmed, sad, or stressed at this time of the year; Be gentle – If someone doesn’t feel able to celebrate in the same way as they have in the past, give them space; Old traditions and new traditions – If old traditions no longer bring joy perhaps think about new traditions, you can set up to mark the season; Offer practical support – Whether it is making a cuppa, helping with childcare, or cooking a meal, small gestures can be comforting for those finding the season difficult.‘Don’t let it be a silent night: Give the ‘Gift of Conversation’. Learn how at www.ruok.org.au For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Parkes Shire On Disaster Support List: Residents, farmers and businesses in the Parkes Shire will be able to access disaster assistance to help recover from recent severe weather events. Parkes has been added to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) along with Cowra, Forbes, Weddin and Lockhart. The disaster assistance will help the councils cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets. Local residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes. For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88. To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Christmas Kindness:

Elders Parkes and Forbes have teamed up with The Salvation Army for a Christmas Toy Drive. The Salvation Army will ensure that gifts are delivered to all children this Christmas. Gifts can be placed under the trees at the two offices with a label to either boy or girl and an approximate age. Call 6862 922 for more information.

Parkes Uniting Church and Parkes Catholic Church are collecting/accepting Christmas gifts and donations to be handed to those in need.

Big W in Parkes has a donation tree at the front of the shop for gifts.

Coles has a $2 donation you can make through Redkite to help support children with cancer and their families, and to SecondBite to provide meals for Australians who need it most. Purchase in store or online.

Woolworths Parkes is part of a donation target to raise the equivalent of seven million meals this Christmas in support of OzHarvest. Purchase a 50c token in store or online, or choose to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar.

DIY December: With the school holidays upon us, parents are having to come up with new ideas to keep the kids entertained outside of turning the box on! Many families may have already exhausted their go to activities through lockdown and are in much need of new and innovative ideas. The Family Project is encouraging families to put down their phone or tablet and opt for a DIY December, spending some time with their loved ones making Christmas cards, decorations, advent calendars and gifts this Christmas. For some great ideas visit www.familyproject.org.au

Christmas Closure: The last edition of the Parkes Phoenix for 2021 will be next Friday, 17th December. The first edition of the new year will be Friday, 21st January, 2022.

 

Level Crossing Speed Limit: Take note that the speed limit at the Eugowra Road level crossing in Parkes has been reduced to 60km/h from Monday, 29th November to increase safety. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3E5P4Zr

Rural Health Boost: Regional and rural communities across NSW will benefit from a more than $500 million investment in health that will deliver enhanced health services and more jobs closer to home. The investment includes $6 million for biomedical equipment upgrades across the Western NSW Local Health District.

Dine & Discover Vouchers: The summer holidays just got better for NSW residents, with two additional $25 Dine & Discover vouchers rolling out for eligible customers this week. The vouchers will appear automatically in the Service NSW app, via SMS or email for existing digital customers. Current digital customers do not need to reapply to receive the extra vouchers. Customers who don’t have access to digital vouchers can opt into a new call and collect delivery method by calling NSW on 13 77 88 from 3rd December, nominate