A great initiative by Parkes Tennis to get rid of your old tennis balls, any old tennis balls, even those that the dog has finished chewing on. Drop them off at Parkes Tennis for recycling and help clean up our local environment!

End Of Single-Use Plastics: The end is near for single use plastics, including bags, straws, cotton buds, plates, bowls and cutlery after the Plastics and Circular Economy Act 2021 was passed in the NSW Parliament last week. Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said plastic packaging and single-use plastics made up 60% of litter across the state, with single-use plastics to be phased out from June next year. “This legislation is expected to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years,” said the Minister. Businesses will be supported to transition to alternative products before the phase outs come into effect. Excemptions will apply for members of the community who rely on particular single-use plastics for disability of health needs. The legislation will prohibit the supply of lightweight plastic bags from 1st June, while the supply of other items will be prohibited from 1st November 2022, including single-use plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, cotton buds, plates and bowls, and expanded polystyrene foodservice items. For more information on the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics

Regional Bank Branch Closures: The Regional Banking Taskforce has announced the start of public consultation and Australians can contribute their insights into regional bank branch closures by making submissions to the Taskforce over the coming weeks. Insights from the submissions will help the Taskforce better understand the impacts of branch closures and how Australians are accessing banking services. They will also help improve banking services and accessibility where branches have closed. Submissions are invited by email to regionalbanking@treasury.gov.au or by mail to: Secretariat, Regional Banking Taskforce, Financial System Division, The Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600. The consultation process will open for four weeks with submissions closing 18th December 2021.

Funding Boost For National Parks: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has received $91.5 million to be invested into shovel-ready projects in a significant boost for the nature-based tourism industry.“Before COVID we had more than 60 million visits every year, national parks were already a key driver of the visitor economy, generating $18 billion in economic activity and supporting over 74,000 jobs.Since COVID visitation levels have skyrocketed, highlighting the role parks play in supporting the physical and mental health of the community. Put simply – national parks are good for the soul,” said Treasurer and Environment Minister Matt Kean. This funding is part of the largest ever investment in national park visitor infrastructure, enhancing the natural environment and supporting regional economies with over $14 million will be invested in critical conservation projects.

Funding For Six Parkes Shire Projects: The electorate of Orange secured $399,300 in funding for a total of 17 projects through the NSW Government’s 2021 Community Building Partnership Program. Six of the projects are based in the Parkes Shire: Parkes Aero Club Inc: Sun safe, child safe commemorative garden for Parkes; Trundle Parent and Citizens Inc: Welding together a bright future – school to work program; Cycling Without Age Australia Inc: Purchase and storage of a community Trishaw for Parkes; Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club Ltd: Facelift for Tullamore bowling club and green; Trundle Children’s Centre Inc: Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning; and Rotary Club of Parkes Inc: Purchase of a driving simulator to deliver road safety education.

Seven Million Christmas Meals: Woolworths Parkes is part of an ambitious donation target to raise the equivalent of seven million meals this Christmas, to support charity partner OzHarvest meet the growing demand for food relief across NSW. One in six Australian adults are now considered severely food insecure and more than half of the people impacted by food insecurity go a full day each week without eating. The aim is to raise a record fundraising amount of $3.5million. Parkes Woolworths customers can purchase a 50-cent token when they shop in store or online which will help provide the equivalent of a meal to those in need of food relief. Customers can also choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar, with proceeds going directly to the Christmas Appeal. “We’re grateful for the generosity of our customers to help Australians in need, particularly during the Christmas season,” said Woolworths Parkes Store Manager, Harjit Sing. For more information on how to support, visit www.woolworths.com.au/shop/discover/community/ozharvest

Focus On Primary Health Care: A new program is being trialled in Condobolin, Forbes, and Parkes to address local needs in primary health care. The Collaborative Care Program is a community-led planning approach to improve access to primary health care services that include general practice, primary care nurses, pharmacy, and allied health. Wellington Digwa is the community contact for the Lachlan Valley project working with the Western NSW Local Health District. “I have a background in community development, public health and project management,” said Wellington.“I am planning face to face visits to the region to speak to more people who did not attend the workshops,” said Wellington.

Wellington Digwa of the Collaborative Care Program.

Congratulations to Rebecca Bicket who was announced via Zooom as the 2021 Parkes Showgirl on Saturday night. The other entrants were Maigan Robertson and Jess Kinsela. The judges were Emily Ryan, Steph Ferguson and Isobel Hawken.

National Recycling Week

Australia’s recycling rate has increased from 7% to 60% since 1996 when the campaign was founded. That is just 1.5 million total tonnes recycled to over 43 million tonnes, or 80kg of material each per year, to about 1,700kg per person. This week is National Recycling Week and the focus is on reuse to inspire people to get creative and upcycle old and used furniture into new unique pieces rather than sending it to landfill. Repairing, repurposing and reusing items are higher in the waste hierarchy as they have the potential to produce greater environmental benefits than recycling. New research from Planet Ark found Australians are becoming more educated about items that cause recycling contamination issues, including soft plastics, bagged recyclables and clothing. To learn more or to get involved in National Recycling Week, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.

National Parks And Net Zero

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is set to become the first national parks agency in Australia to commit to being carbon positive. NPWS will implement actions to reduce its carbon footprint including switching to 100% renewable energy, electric passenger vehicles, installing onsite solar PV, reducing waste and updating refrigeration and air conditioning assets with high efficiency models. NPWS will also trial electric vehicle charging stations in key park areas to support the community to continue to visit National Parks using electric vehicles. National parks also represent one of the largest carbon stores in the state, protecting over 40% of all forest carbon. NPWS will protect these existing carbon stores through effective fire management, and invest in a suite of biodiversity-friendly carbon sequestration projects.

New Frog Species

A new frog species has been discovered in Wollumbin National Park in northern NSW, and is one of only two known species that store their tad-poles on their bodies. The NSW Government took immediate action to protect the tiny frog, declaring their habitat an Asset of Intergenerational Significance under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. The tiny 16mm frog is found on just one isolated mountain in the Wollumbin National Park. The new species has been named Assa wollumbin sp.nov. in consultation with Aboriginal Elders of the Wollumbin Consultative Group.

The tiny new frog discovered in Wollumbin National Park in northern NSW. It is unique among frogs of the world, as there are only four of the 4000 species worldwide that have male parental care where the male carries its developing tadpoles.

There is new 3D movie, called Beyond the Barrier, showing at the Parkes Radio Telescope Visitors Centre about the observatory and the staff, after so many visitors had asked to know what is happening beyond the fence. CSIRO and Swinburne University worked together to produce the 13-minute feature.

Parkes Painting Group

The Parkes Painters have a new committee following its recently held AGM. Kerry Davis took over as chair from Kim Chambers, Annette Witherow is secretary and Dianne Hutchins treasurer. The group’s Elvis exhibition will coincide with the Parkes Elvis Festival next year, and will run from 28th April to 13th May at the Uniting Youth Centre in Church Street. All budding artists are welcome to join the group at Northparkes Oval on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. “We welcome new members to enjoy the great thrill of creating, colour mixing and using our imaginations to the benefit of our wellbeing,” said member Helen Huntly.

Christmas Parade Cancelled

The Action Club has confirmed that the Christmas Parade and Festival in the Park in December has been cancelled due to the unavailability of the schools to participate and the fluid COVID situation. The club will continue to plan for next year’s event.

COVID-19 Location Alerts

Residents can now receive push notifications on COVID-19 case locations on the Service NSW app so they are alerted to potential exposure risks as soon as possible. The is in addition to the red icon that appears in the check-in history of a person who has been to a venue on the same day as a confirmed COVID-19 case. People who receive a push notification or see a COVID-19 case alert in their check-in history should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell. They do not need to self-isolate, unless contacted by NSW Health.

Harvest Safety

More than 500 signs will be rolled out on key freight routes and level crossings across western parts of NSW to remind drivers to take extra care on the road this bumper harvest season expecting to be a record 16 million tonnes. Two types of signs will be rolled out to remind drivers to be patient, slow down and take care on the road. These include 27 electronic message signs along key road harvest routes, an additional 18 electronic messaging signs to be placed at high-risk level crossings, and 500 free sign available for order by farmers whose properties have level crossings on them, which they can install on their gates to help increase safety.

The original helicopter sign used at the old Parkes Hospital has been salvaged for the play area of the newly transformed community health building for Central West Childcare Services as a link to its past.

What do you do with the excess fruit from your trees? This Parkes resident is kindly sharing mandarins along a popular walking path, even providing bags.

Pink Up

Parkes Services Club has turned PINK for October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and raising funds for the McGrath Foundation. You still have time to buy tickets for the Pink Raffle and stand a chance to win some amazing prizes. Winners will be drawn on Monday, 1st November at 12pm.

BreastScreen NSW Resumes

Screen NSW has recommenced operations after the service was paused in response to the risk posed by the COVID-19 Delta strain and a need to redeploy staff to support the pandemic response. Breast-Screen NSW will be contacting women who had their appointments cancelled. The service will be back at Tottenham, Tullamore and Trundle from Saturday, 30th October. All clients are required to wear a surgical mask to their appointment.

Online Annual Public Meeting

The Annual Public Meeting of the Western NSW Local Health District Board will be held on Wednesday, 3rd November at 1pm. The meeting will include presentations from the Board Chair and Chief Executive, and will give communities across the Local Health District an opportunity to hear of achievements during 2020 and 2021, and the strategic goals for the next 12 months. There will be a question and answer session at the end of the meeting, which will close at 2pm. To register to attend visit: https://bit.ly/RegisterAnnualPublicMeeting

Seeking Operator For Gallery Café

A contemporary food and beverage enterprise with flair, creativity and imagination that meets the demand for quality regional cuisine in the Forbes Shire area. That’s the Forbes Arts Society’s vision for the café to be located within the new Forbes Cultural and Arts Centre at 110 Lachlan Street. With construction set to commence in the coming months, the former Forbes Ambulance Station will soon be transformed into a vibrant, civic hub. A space that encourages locals and visitors to create, share and experience art and culture as well as meet, gather and connect with one another. The Centre is scheduled for completion in late 2022. The café will have seating for 25 people inside, and the outdoor courtyard will seat up to 50 people. To obtain an Expression of Interest package or to find out more, please contact forbesartss@gmail.com. Submissions close 5pm, Friday, 29th October.

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) has welcomed Wayne Sunderland as CEO. Wayne has a strong background in business and leadership. He is pictured with Ruth Fagan, Committee Chair.

Two mobile vaccination vans, dubbed Spike and Jabba, will visit some of the Western NSW Local Health District’s smallest communities in the coming weeks.

‘Spike’ and ‘Jabba’

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has expanded its COVID-19 vaccination effort by introducing two mobile vaccination vans, which will visit some of the district’s smallest communities in the coming weeks. The two vans, dubbed ‘Spike’ and ‘Jabba’ will offer first and second doses of Pfizer to anyone from the age of 12 and above. Jabba and Spike’s full schedules are being finalised and will be released on the WNSWLHD website and social media platforms. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/

Flyovers

As part of a program covering more than 28,000 km of powerlines, aerial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology will capture images to update the ‘digital twin’ of Essential Energy’s powerlines and power poles in Parkes and surrounding area. The flyovers will update the organisation’s three-dimensional digital network where hundreds of power poles and powerlines were replaced following the devasting fires of 2019 and flooding to complete the digital model. A fixed wing plane will be used to gather the digital data throughout the local government areas of the Central West Region area in early November. Follow Essential Energy on Facebook and Twitter for updates on aerial patrols or visit essentialenergy.com.au/aerial for further information.

Dine and discover again

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW says the extension of the popular ‘Dine and Discover’ program will boost the recovery of the hospitality industry as it emerges from lockdown. Premier Domi-nic Perrottet announced a further two $25 vouchers would be available to citizens from December, while businesses could apply for $5,000 grants to make their dining venue more ‘al fresco’ friendly.

Vital Funding For Regional Arts

Regional Arts NSW is thrilled with the recent announcement of $3.4 million in funding from the NSW Government for the Regional Arts Network. Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) across the state will now receive $200,000 per annum each for 2021/22. For more information about Regional Arts NSW, visit www.regionalartsnsw.com.au

Public Servants Help With Harvest

More than 4,500 staff from the Department of Regional NSW will be able to access five days’ special leave to assist farmers for an expected bumper harvest season. There is no cost to farmers getting help from departmental volunteers, as staff will be paid at their standard leave rate by the Department.

Light Steel Structures Manager Daniel Relyea has converted the old timber mill in Eugowra into a steel fabrication facility.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall with a trout at Malpas Dam southeast of Guyra.

No Trout About It

The NSW trout fishing season started on Saturday, 2nd October with expectations it will be the best in years. “Rain over the key trout spawning period in late autumn and early winter has hopefully resulted in good natural recruitment, which also bodes well for the next few seasons,” said Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall. He said there were many popular trout fishing locations across NSW, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst. “It is important all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, and that anglers are aware of the rules associated with recreational fishing, particularly during times of COVID. For more information visit the Marine Area Command – NSW Police Force page or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19.

RASF Grants

The Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF) is offering up to $25,000 in grants for projects that can provide long-term social or economic benefits to regional areas in NSW. Applicants must identify a need within the community and partner with a local community organisation to be eligible, before creating a clear plan that outlines how they intend to complete the project. Previous projects range from rebuilding areas of showgrounds impacted by bushfires to local education workshops and social programs that give back to the community. Applications for the 2022 RASF Community Futures Grant Program close on Friday, 31st December 2021. Visit rasf.org.au to find out more and apply.

High Value Conservation Areas

The NSW Government has opened nominations to identify and protect Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBVs) on both private and public lands across the state. “Local communities or private land-holders can now conserve areas that would otherwise not be captured or recognised through any other legal instrument, such as in National Parks,” said Environment Minister Matt Kean. Once identified, AOBVs are an ‘automatic priority’ for investment by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), meaning landholders can access funds to manage the land for conservation. Identified by rigorous scientific assessment, AOBVs are designed to conserve high value conservation sites, threatened species or critical habitats. This includes climate refugia, migratory pathways or areas with a high variety of biodiversity values.

As the weather warms up, bearded dragons (pictured) and blue tongue lizards have been spotted around Parkes.

A new addition at the Parkes Motor Museum is this 1916 Dodge Bros Touring. It is the same as the very first car built by the Dodge brothers in 1914. This one was origi-nally built in Detroit and brought from America as deck cargo during the Great War, and sold by Dalgetys. It was later converted into a utility (a common practice during petrol rationing, as commercial vehicles were entitled to more petrol coupons than passenger vehicles) and pur-chased as a wreck from Dungog, NSW and restored to its original condition. The distinctive “Cathedral Lights” pattern windows were replicated by the owner, following the original measurements. The Parkes Motor Museum is open on weekdays from 9am to 4pm.

Call For Visual Artists

Arts OutWest is offering a unique opportunity for 15 regional visual artists to create artworks in response to locally written and recorded music. The challenge to artists is to “Show me what it feels like… While the World Waits”, responding to the album While the World Waits that was commissioned by Arts OutWest in response to the impacts of Covid-19. The selected artists will have three months to produce work which will become the While the World Waits touring exhibition, launching in February 2022 and travelling to multiple locations across the region. Arts OutWest is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from emerging and established visual artists living and working across the local government areas of Parkes, Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Oberon, Orange and Weddin. Selected artists will receive a payment of $500 to assist with materials and/or production costs. Interested artists can listen to some of the tracks via the artsoutwest.org.au website. Applications are due on 15th October. For more information visit artsoutwest.org.au or call 6338 4657.

Big Win For Regional Teachers

Teachers and students at schools across regional NSW will benefit from a complete overhaul of how the government attracts and retains teachers in the bush. The NSW Government has committed $15 million to action initiatives in response to the review, including: Increasing the value of targeted recruitment bonuses from $10,000 to $20,000, making schools located in the hardest-to-staff parts of the State more attractive for prospective employees; doubling the number of teach rural scholarships to 120 per year, and expanding the the Rural Experience Program to fund up to 50 places from 2022; expanding eligibility so temporary teachers can receive incentives; and working with the Teacher Housing Authority NSW to upgrade, repair and build new accommodation for teachers in areas of high demand.

Recycling solution for bubble wrap. Take it to the new CanAssist shop at 33 Court Street and save more plastic from going to landfill.

World’s Biggest Garage Sale

Started from a neighbourhood garage sale in 2013, the World’s Biggest Garage Sale (WBGS) is now revolutionising how Australians engage with dormant goods. Australian homes currently have $43 billion of under-utilised goods at risk of ending up in landfills. WBGS is solving this issue through the activation of dormant goods for good and building a truly circular economy. By empowering Australians to reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose, the World’s Biggest Garage Sale helps people to see the beauty in re-loved or ‘second life’ goods. Its online store and events provide community members with alternate ways to source and purchase high-quality products (such as clothing, antiques, furniture and white goods) at prices that are affordable, paving the way for thousands of Australians to save money, time and the planet.

National Landcare Program

Review of the National Landcare Program is open for public consultation until 15th October. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback as part of its second five-year review. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said: “The National Landcare Program has been pivotal in improving how farmers and other land managers look after their land, and this review provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to tell us what works, what doesn’t and where it can be improved.” A terms of reference for the review, along with information on how to get involved, is available at www.nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-program.

Royal Far West Receives Gift

Royal Far West announced the receipt of a gift of more than $650,000 from The James G. Boswell Foundation, following the sale of the Australian farming and cotton operations known as Auscott Limited. Jacqueline Emery, CEO of Royal Far West, said: “We are honoured to be selected for this incredible donation and with the gift being unrestricted, it means we will be able to use it where we see the most need. After some of the most challenging times for Australian country families, this wonderful gesture by The James G. Boswell Foundation will give hundreds of country kids the chance to thrive.”

New Website For School Holidays

Fam-ilies across NSW can enjoy a new website – Family Project – that provides fun COVID safe ideas for families to connect including rock art, backyard movies, building herb gardens, creating chalk art and meditation. The safe online portal provides a new project daily at familyproject.org.au

What a difference a week makes – 32 bowlers were back at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club on Sunday after-noon to welcome the end of lockdown! (Photo: PBSC)