Noise Alert: The Australian Defence Force are conducting military training in the Dubbo and Parkes areas until the end of March during the day and night. The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear Australian Air Force aircraft, army helicopters, vehicles and military personnel carrying weapons. No ammunition will be used during the training. The ADF thanks Dubbo and Parkes residents for their patience and cooperation. For further Information visit www.army.gov.au or contact Defence Media on 6127 1999.

Volunteer Drivers Wanted: Neighbourhood Central in Parkes is looking for volunteer drivers to help take clients to appointments in regional centres. Applicants must be willing to undergo a criminal record check, be registered on Point to Point and undergo induction and training. Call the service coordinator on 6862 2825 or 0407 463 533.

Dine & Discover in Parkes: The NSW Government has launched Dine & Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about and support dining, arts and tourism businesses. All local Parkes Shire businesses are enouraged to sign up online. Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers, worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses. Dine & Discover NSW vouchers will be divided into two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays; and two $25 vouchers to be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available seven days a week, excluding public holidays. The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe. For more information, visit Dine & Discover NSW

Royal Far West CEO Retires: Lindsay Cane AM will retire from her role in July after a decade at the helm of the renowned charity. A new CEO will be chosen by the board after an extensive executive search. RFW Chair, Joan Treweeke OAM said: “In 2011, we numbered around 90 staff – today, we are 260. In 2011 we supported 800 country kids and their families, and in 2020 we were able to support 10,000 country kids and families, educators, and health providers in 500+ communities across NSW, WA, and QLD.”

Pollies Join Footy Tipping: The Phoenix’s annual footy tipping competition is going to be cajoling this year with two politicians signing up this week. Member for Orange Phil Donato, and Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack joined the ranks to add an extra edge to the competition as other participants would be keen to snatch the prize from under their noses. The competition runs for 33 weeks with a 43-inch television up for grabs for the winner. The first game of the season was played yesterday.

Organ And Tissue Donors: A 2020 re-port on organ and tissue donation and transplantation shows that despite the significant impact of COVID-19, around 4,000 Australians benefitted from the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation from a deceased donor. “We are very grateful to these Australians and their families for making these donations possible,” said Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Mark Coulton. The report shows 1,270 Australian lives were saved through an organ transplant last year, due to the generosity of 463 deceased organ donors and their families. Another 2,277 Australians received corneal transplants from 1,318 donors. “Last year, 182 living donors improved the lives of another Australian; predominantly by donating kidneys and in one case, a partial liver. The minister said the report once again demonstrated the need for more Australians to discuss donation with their friends and family and to register as a donor. “We need all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation, to understand what they and their loved ones wish, and to register to become a donor at donatelife.gov.au.”

Apprentice Subsidy Extension: The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says the extension of the Commonwealth Government’s apprentice subsidy is great news for Western NSW’s skilled workforce. “The Commonwealth Government hit the right note with this initiative, with reports from right across Western NSW of unprecedented demand for new apprentices and trainees,”  said Business NSW Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe. “This is a great result and testament to the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to supporting businesses and young people through this very challenging period. This initiative gives businesses the confidence to invest in training someone for four years and helps create jobs for our young people so they are able to stay and work locally,” said Vicki.

2021 World Day of Prayer: The annual World Day of Prayer will be hosted by the Parkes Community Church at the Parkes Christian School hall (Back Trundle Road) today (Friday, 5th March) at 7:30pm. The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement which brings Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of prayer. This year the focus country is Vanuatu. The aim of the service is to learn about Vanuatu and its needs, and to pray for their people. Singing by Parkes community members from the Pacific Island Nations. There will be light refreshments after the service. For more information, contact John Henry – 0419635814.

Footy Tipping Competition: The Phoenix’s annual footy tipping competition starts 11th March. There are only 12 spots available at $80 for the whole season, which is 33 weeks long. It is a great opportunity to get your business name seen and have some fun! First prize is a 43-inch television generously supplied by Parkes Betta Electrical. To get involved call or email Zoe on 0498 202 025/sales@parkesphoenix.com.au before Wednesday,10th March. The first game of the season is Thursday, 11th March.

Visitor Restrictions Ease: There are no longer restrictions on visitors to aged care residents, including those in Multipurpose Service (MPS) across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD). All visitors are still subject to COVID-19 screening and temperature testing. No restrictions on the number of visitors a resident can have each day or at one time. Visitors are not required to wear a mask. Subject to conditions, residents may leave to attend events. Local visiting rules may apply. If you have even the mildest symptoms, or if you’ve recently been to a location where COVID-19 has been a concern, please leave your visit to another time. For the latest information on COVID-19 and where you can have a test, go to www.health.nsw.gov.au

Choose to Challenge Exhibition: Members of the Forbes Arts Society are celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) with an exhibition of mixed media work at the Platypus Gallery in Forbes from 5 to 21 March. In keeping with the IWD 2021 theme, #ChooseToChallenge, the exhibition will feature individual work and collaborative pieces that challenge gender bias and inequality. The Platypus Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm and Saturdays, 9am to 1pm.

 

 

Cheney Park Rehabilitation: The revised completion date for the rehabilitation of Cheney Park is now the end of March due to higher than average rainfall events early this year. The park is experiencing issues with high salt levels which is causing the playing field to be scalded. Parkes Shire Council engaged soil specialists and drainage designers to develop solutions to mitigate future instances of the salt scalding. The work includes the bulk removal of the salt affected soil and rebuilding of the area, the installation of sub-surface slit drains and the installation of new turf on the playing surface.

Free Community Meal Returns: The Uniting Church is starting the free Monday Monthly Meal again on 1st March from 6 to 7pm at the Uniting Church Hall. The popular community event has been shelved for the past year. The restart will be conducted in a COVID-safe environment with volunteers abiding to all regulations. A church member has done a restaurant COVID safe course to ensure the event is conducted according to the latest rules.

Call For Art Entries: The Cowra Art Group will be presenting the Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards in the Cowra Regional Art Gallery from 20th May to 12th June. The Group are calling for entries from artists within 100km of Cowra to enter. The major prize is $4,000, plus $1,000 for the Barbara Bennett Memorial People’s Choice award to be decided by popular vote. Entries close Friday, 30th April. Contact the coordinator on 0498 249 580 or email p.mlindsay@bigpond.com.

Trimming Trees: Essential Energy will begin vegetation management in Parkes and surrounding area in early March as part of its routine maintenance. Trees and powerlines can be a deadly combination, with branches coming into contact with over-head powerlines posing a serious hazard to people and wildlife. Essential Energy consults with councils, private landholders and National Parks on vegetation management activities.

Epic Long Lunch Is Back: Grazing Down the Lachlan will draw upon local history during the gold rush era for inspiration for this year’s menu. Renowned Sydney chef O Tama Carey is returning as creative director and will incorporate ideas of Chinese dishes found in regional restaurants of Australia with touches of native ingredients and flavours. The multi-award winning foodie adventure returns to Forbes on Saturday, 18th September. Ticket numbers have been capped at 500 – sign up to the e-newsletter at www.grazingdownthelachlan.com for information on tickets.

 

Bee-come Environmental Champions: Applications for the 2021 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program are open to all primary schools and early learning centres in the Parkes Shire. Up to a thousand Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants are being offered, for up to $1,000 each. Recipients can use the grant to grow a vegetable or bush tucker garden, composting, worm farm or other environmental projects in their schools and communities, helping to educate the younger generation about the importance of the environment. Primary schools and early learning centres can also apply for a Bee Bonus of $500 of extra funding to support the conservation of Australia’s bee population by developing native beehives, pollinator gardens or bee education programs. An estimated 15.6 million hectares of native Australian forest was destroyed in the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis, resulting in a negative impact on the ability of honey bees to provide pollination services to Australian crops and horticulture. The program is funded through purchases of the Woolworths Bag for Good™, an initiative that was launched in June 2018 when Woolworths removed single-use plastic shopping bags across all stores. To find out more about the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program and to apply, visit landcareaustralia.org.au/woolworthsgrants

COVID-19 Vaccines: Plans for the complex distribution process and safe and secure storage of the COVID-19 vaccines are well in hand. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communities and Local Government Mark Coulton inspected DHL Supply Chain’s large scale ultra-cold storage infrastructure on Sunday before the arrival of the first 142,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday. People will begin receiving the vaccine from Monday, 22nd February with 60,000 doses to be rolled out by the end of the month. The Government is releasing 80,000 doses of the vaccine next week, with 50,000 going to states and territories to vaccinate front-line quarantine and health workers, and 30,000 to aged care and disability care residents and workers. DHL’s ultra-cold and secure storage facility will keep the supply safe, which needs to be stored at between minus 60 and 80 degrees. Australia will receive 20 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses. “Every person living in regional, rural, and remote Australia can rest assured they will have access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as their city cousins,” said the Deputy PM.

Clean Up Australia: Have you thought about joining or organising your own clean-up on Sunday, 7th March? Clean Up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. What was started 30 years ago, by an “average Australian bloke” who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard has now become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event. Of course, Australia’s waste challenges can’t be solved in just one day, so over the past three decades, Clean Up Australia has evolved into an organisation that works with community, government and businesses to provide practical solutions to help us all live more sustainably every day of the year. Organise for your friends, family and neighbours to get together and give back to your community. Register online at cleanupaustraliaday.org.au) and receive a free kit.

ARTC Inland Rail CEO Retires: After three years at the helm, Richard Wankmuller will be retiring mid this year as Chief Executive Officer of Inland Rail at the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack thanked Mr Wankmuller for his contribution to the delivery of Inland Rail. “Under his stewardship the project has moved from early design through to construction, delivering significant local benefits in regional Australia at a time when we need it most. Richard leaves Inland Rail in a strong position – having delivered the first 103km section of Inland Rail between Parkes and Narromine and beginning construction on the second stretch linking Narrabri to North Star. The ARTC Board has begun the process to replace Richard.

Become a WNSWLHD Board Member: The NSW Minister for Health is inviting applications from persons interested in becoming a member of the Western NSW Local Health District Board. A number of vacancies have opened up due to the retirement of a number of members. It is a skills-based board and members are required to actively contribute to the effective governance of WNSWLHD. Individuals wishing to apply should demonstrate the capacity to represent the interest of consumers of health services and the local community. To apply or find out more head to the NSW Health website. Expressions of interest close on Sunday, 28th February.

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.