Students at Parkes Public School celebrated a week of kindness. Here is Kaiden Lord at the kindness wall.

Christmas Parade and Carnival Cancelled: At the recent Parkes Action Club meeting members voted to cancel the annual Parkes Street Parade and Christmas Carnival. The members recognise that the Parkes community has been very supportive of this event in the past. However, due to COVID-19 concerns the members felt this is the safest way forward for our community.

Last Day To Have Your Say: Today, 18th September is the last day to take part in the survey to have your say on whether the Parkes Elvis Festival should take place next year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Parkes Elvis Festival has been moved from January to 10-14 March 2021, but the final decision will be made by 28th September. Your contribution will help make the decision regarding the festival proceeding in March 2021. Complete the survey via the Your Say Parkes platform – https://yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au/2021-parkes-elvis-festival

Power Outage on Sunday: Bogan Gate, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore and the surrounding area will have a power outage on Sunday, 20th September from 7am to 4pm to enable work to be safely completed on the electricity network. According to Essential Energy the planned power outage was required to enable an authorised contractor, working for a customer, to undertake work on the electricity network. Essential Energy crews will also undertake maintenance work on the electricity network at the same time replacing more than 20 power poles, and other electricity network equipment including cross-arms, which have reached end of life. Affected homes and businesses have been notified of the power outage. The scheduled works are reliant on suitable weather conditions and may be postponed if the conditions are unfavourable or any unforeseen circumstances arise.

Grants To Support Youth: The Youth Action Projects Grant Scheme have grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 available for projects which respond to the social challenges facing those aged 15 to 24. Projects need to be either new initiatives that recognise and respond to the hardship young people face now and will face in the future, or existing initiatives which already provide a valuable on-going service to young people, but which need further funding to continue. There will be a particular focus on employment, transportation, mental health and the impacts of COVID-19 and last summer’s bushfires. The grant round closes 7th October. Visit www.fya.org.au/yapgs

Have you seen what the renovated part of the CBD looks like at night? Why not make use of the good weather at the moment and take a night time stroll around town? (Photo: Les Finn)

Spring Photo Competition: The Parkes Phoenix is once again running its very popular competition, and this year Spring is magnificent after all the rain. So, go out and get snapping, we would love to see what you see! Ivey Lane Photography has sponsored a $50 gift voucher as prize. Enter via our Facebook page or email your photos to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. Entries close 30th October.

No Evidence Of Community Transmission: The whole community were relieved by the news last week from Western NSW Health Local Health District that there has been no evidence of community transmission following an initial positive result reported in Parkes on 2nd September. After an initial positive test result, a rapid response was set in motion, including a mobile testing clinic attended by more than 430 people over two days. Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM thanked the community for their response and attendance at the clinics for testing. He reminded everyone to remain vigilant, and to rely on information from the Health Service and not unofficial commentary from social media. “We fully understand the desire of residents to have the most up-to-date information available however much of the information on social media was speculative and at times caused great distress to those families affected. These are difficult times and I know that our community would prefer that we support each other rather than escalate concerns. I am sure that the Parkes Shire community will join me in this request,” he said. The Parkes airport terminal will continue to be closed outside of scheduled flight times. The terminal will open for 45 minutes either side of arrival and departure flights.

Arts funding open for 2021: Arts OutWest is encouraging local groups to apply for the 2021 round of Country Arts Support Program (CASP) funding. Applications close on 29th September. CASP grants of up to $3,000 are available. Projects could include (but are not limited to) workshops, arts activities as part of festivals or events, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, exhibitions, forums or seminars or other local arts initiatives. Projects can be designed to be face-to-face or online. To apply groups must discuss their project with Arts OutWest before submitting an online application. Read the full criteria at https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-funding-program/casp/ and contact Arts OutWest on 6338 4657 or artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Betty McAnalen enjoyed the special Show Day held at Southern Cross Village recently when the Parkes Show was cancelled.

St George’s Anglican Church was a previous recipient of the Parkes Shire Local Heritage Fund Program, using the funds to replace and paint the front windows, replace flooring and paint the internal foyer.

Applications For Heritage Fund Open: Parkes Shire Council is inviting owners and lessees to apply for dollar for dollar matched funding under the Parkes Shire Local Heritage Fund Program. “The program has successfully delivered heritage projects valued at more than $470,000 including projects such as the Old Trundle Post Office building, the Tullamore Hotel, the Carrington Hotel and Trundle Main Streets,” said Council’s Heritage Committee Chair, Cr Alan Ward. Last financial year the program successfully completed more than $23,000 worth of heritage projects. More than $13,500 was contributed by the applicants with more than $8,000 provided through local heritage funding. Applications for the 2020/21 Heritage Fund must be completed by the close of business on Friday, 11th September. Application forms, conditions and guidelines are available on Council’s website or from Council’s Administration Centre. Council’s Heritage Advisor visits Parkes each month and gives free professional advice. For more information, or to make an appointment, contact Council’s Planning & Environment Department on 6861 2373.

One giant leap for Aussie Golden Wattle: Seeds of Australia’s national floral emblem Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) will be launched into space next month to the International Space Station on a Space X flight. They will spend around six months on the International Space Station before beginning their long journey home. Back on earth the seeds will be grown by school students under the inaugural Australian Seeds in Space educational program. The project was made possible by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and its cooperation with Japan’s space agency. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch Golden Wattle seeds into orbit as part of an international space research mission.

The seeds were collected by CSIRO from a wild population in Victoria. They are held in the National Research Collections Australia at CSIRO as part of a unique resource alongside representative seeds of Australian tree species. For more details about One Giant Leap Australia Foundation visit https://onegiantleapaustralia.com/ · For more details about Wattle Day visit http://www.wattleday.asn.au/

It was National Wattle Day on Tuesday, 1st September. The wattle is particularly beautiful this season, like this one at Lake Endeavour.

Slow down is the message from NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole for Rural Road Safety Month.

Slow Down To Save Lives: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole launched Rural Road Safety Month last week. Drivers in the Orange Electorate are urged to slow down as more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads occur in the country. NSW Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said preliminary figures show 252 people were killed or injured in crashes on roads in the electorate last year. Sam said speed and fatigue were the most common factors for fatalities, contributing to about 70% per cent of people killed. “Every one of these deaths and serious injuries has had a devastating impact on families, friends and communities.” The NSW Government is investing more than $640 million in the Safer Roads Program for regional NSW, along with $140 million from the Federal Government to roll out lifesaving projects.

COVID-19 And School Attendance: The latest update on school attendance requires that students and staff with flu like symptoms provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result before they are permitted to return to school. In accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. Schools will make arrangements for students who present as unwell or have flu like symptoms to be sent home. NSW Health have requested that schools encourage anyone who is unwell or has even mild flu-like symptoms, to arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.

National Scams Awareness Week: The ACCC’s ‘Targeting Scams’ report noted that nbn themed scams were the most commonly reported scam type with the ‘Nicole from nbn’ robocall scam the most prolific example. Recent reports indicate ‘Nicole’ has been joined by ‘Carol’. There are also two new nbn themed scams: residents receiving a fraudulent nbn invoice for payment after they were offered a nbn upgrade over the phone; and scammers claiming radiation or harmful UV rays will come from the computer and instructing the individual to move away from or cover the screen, allowing the scammer unmonitored remote access to the device. It is important to note that NBN Co does not issue invoices direct to customers unless work has been agreed to by nbn and the customer.

Interesting snow apparel were observed at Mount Canobolas on Sunday with these guys getting very creative with black garbage bags and oven mittens.

Lindt Café siege survivor Selina Win Pe paid a courtesy call to Parkes recently as part of her endeavour to support farmers, country kids and communities. She met with Mayor Ken Keith at the Parkes Visitors Centre.

Library Expands Online Collection: Parkes Shire Libraries has expanded its digital collection to include more than 3,000 online resources. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a huge influx in website traffic. The expansion includes the addition of Beamafilm allowing members to stream their favourite feature films and documentaries for free with their library card. Other additions include eBooks and eAudiobooks, more than 3,000 eMagazines, Storybox for preschool and primary aged children, and Learning & Training links. To access the online collection, go to the My Online Library page on Council’s website, and enter the barcode number on the back of your library card. Contact the Library team via email library@parkes.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6861 2309, or visit to join for free.

COVID-19 Testing: Book a COVID-19 test if you have, or have recently had any of the following symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, and cough. Contact the Parkes COVID-19 testing clinic by calling 6861 2455 between 7:30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. For any concerns outside these hours call Healthdirect 1800 022 222, Western Public Health Helpline 1300 066 055 or Emergencies 000.

Face Masks: It is recommended in NSW to wear a face mask when in indoor settings such as on public transport and supermarkets; in indoor settings with a higher risk of transmission, such as for the staff of hospitality and customer-facing venues i.e. cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs; during attendance at places of worship. Note: a mask is not a substitute for physical distancing – remember to keep a distance of 1.5m in public.

Endangered Shrub Sightings: The search is on for an endangered plant, the beautiful Zieria obcordata, and residents are urged to report any sightings of this threatened species. Native to NSW Zieria obcordata is found in only two small populations near Wellington and Bathurst and are about to bloom. This plant is found nowhere else in the world, and has been hit hard by the drought with less than 200 left in the wild. It is a small shrub, 10 – 40cm high, has dark green leaves composed of three wedge-shaped leaflets and flowers, complete with four very small pale pink petals that fade rapidly to white. Sightings can be reported to – savingourspecies@environment.nsw.gov.au. For more information visit: https://savingourspecies.online/zieria-obcordata

The public is encouraged to report any sightings of the Zieria obcordate, a threatened species with only 200 plants left in the wild. (Photo: DPIE)

Parkes Shire Council took out top honours in two categories at the 2020 Local Government Week RH Dougherty Awards for the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival Communications Strategy and Council’s event activations for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Parkes’ role in the Apollo 11 mission in July 2019. Here are Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM and General Manager, Kent Boyd with the awards.

Inland Rail Grants: Seven community groups in the Riverina and Central West received grants in round five of the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program. Two of the groups are from Parkes: Central West Astronomical Society received $2,837 for the purchase of a data projector and batteries and $1,100 went to the Parkes Que Club to provide domestic violence bags for women and children.

Bush Photo Competition: Rural Aid is calling all photographers for their inaugural life on the land or in the bush competition open until 3rd September. “We want to see images, ground level or aerial, of our Aussie farmers and their families and a depiction of what their life is like on the land or in the bush,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. If you need inspiration, check out their Facebook page @ruralaidaustralia and Instagram @ruralaid filled with great images of rural Australia and the farmers Rural Aid supports, who support us. There are great prizes to be won too. The competition will run from 10th August to 3rd September. Submit a high-resolution image by either posting the image on Instagram with the hashtags #RAPhotoContest & #SpiritoftheBush and tagging @ruralaid in the picture, or by emailing submissions to images@ruralaid.org.au.

Go Past Page 1 On Google: Do you want to support small business during this time of upheaval? Then, head past page 1 on Google. In fact, about page 6 or 7 is where you find the gold when it comes to small business. New websites have sprung up in the tens of thousands since the panic of COVID-19. There’s been a rise in “marketplace” websites like Spend With Us – Buy From a Bush Business Marketplace, that offers web stores to small rural and regional business owners for free or for a small investment. Small business owners have the products that customers want but not the know how or people power to ensure a consistent flow of traffic can open a store on a marketplace website, manage their stock and not worry about all the complicated tech needed to make sales online.

With all the rain there has been some spectacular cloud formations in the sky over the Parkes Shire lately.

DOUBLE DATE… Elly and Becky Miles from Parkes will be the first sisters to feature on the Bachelorette show screening on national tv later this year. It will be Elly’s second time to be in a popular reality show after she was in the last season of The Bachelor.

No Mask No Entry: All staff, patients and visitors need to wear face masks to enter Parkes Hospital and all other hospitals and multi-purpose services across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD). “We are urging the community to be prepared and to bring their own mask when they come to our health services,” said WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan. “All visitors are required to wear a mask if they are coming into a health facility for any reason. A mask will be provided during wellness screening when you enter the hospital if you don’t have one already.” Children 12 years and under are not required to wear a mask.

Share the Dignity: Woolworths Parkes and Share the Dignity are partnering in a Dignity Drive that will provide essential support to the growing number of NSW women experiencing period poverty as a result of COVID-19. The economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 mean that even more women are having to make the choice between buying food or sanitary items. Share the Dignity reports a 54% increase in the number of charities registering for the August Dignity Drive. During August customers have the opportunity to donate sanitary items via collection boxes in store. Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of pads, tampons and liners in August to Share the Dignity. “At a time when community support and kindness is more important than ever, we are incredibly proud to be partnering with Share the Dignity for the August Dignity Drive,” said Kerrie Kennedy, Store Manager Woolworths Parkes. “It’s this small act of kindness that goes such a long way in supporting vulnerable girls and women across Parkes.”

NAIDOC Week Grants: The Federal Government has opened a new NAIDOC local grants round, with $1.4 million available to local communities to host events and other activities during NAIDOC Week from 8 to 15 November. This year’s theme is Always Was, Always Will Be. Information is at www.niaa.gov.au/naidoc. Applications close 17th August at 7pm (AEST). All applicants from the previous round that closed in March will be contacted by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and provided guidance on how to re-apply.

Regulations require hands to be sanitised before entering a public venue. The Parkes Library has a hand sanitiser dispenser at its entrance for visitors and members to use as demonstrated by Library staff member Dan Fredericks.

The Parkes Shire Concert Band returned to their weekly rehearsals this week on Tuesday after a long COVID-19 break. This is a screen shot of a second online video they recorded during lockdown.

Masks Compulsory At Hospitals: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has implemented new state-wide requirements for staff and visitors to wear face masks. “This change impacts staff, visitors and patients,” said WNSWLHD Director of Operations, Mark Spittal. “All visitors must wear a mask when they are in any of our health facilities. We encourage people to wear their own masks as long as they are in good condition.” He said if visitors had underlying health issues that might prevent them from wearing a mask, they should contact their local health service before they visit to get advice. At this stage, children 12 years and under are not required to wear a mask if they do not have any symptoms. “The use of masks does not mean physical distancing and hand washing/sanitising should not be adhered to. If you are unwell do not visit. If you have even the mildest cough, fever, runny nose or difficulty breathing, visit a COVID-19 clinic or call your doctor.” For more information about COVID-19 call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 088 or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Disaster Assistance: Disaster assistance is now available in the local government areas of Parkes, Bogan, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Lachlan and Warrumbungle following heavy rainfall and flooding in April this year. The storms left the local councils with expensive repair bills. A range of practical assistance is available to help communities and councils assess the damage and get on with clean-up efforts and repair to damaged infrastructure. If you are uninsured and have low income, for information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. 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 Further information is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au

Free Arts Funding Workshop: There is currently $10million of extra arts funding available nationally through the Australian government’s Regional Arts Fund (RAF). Arts OutWest is offering a free, online, workshop to help people in the region prepare applications for RAF. The free workshop will be held via Zoom today, 31st July from 10.30am-12noon. To register for the workshop email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au or call 6338 4657. Places are limited.

The Parkes Airport recorded close to 50mm of rain last weekend, while other areas in town had well over 50mm. Billabong Creek also broke its banks on Tuesday.