Kristine Boggs and Alison Westcott attended the Free Cuppa for the Driver 10-year anniversary launch in Forbes last week.

History Blog: Daroobalgie – we love watching newcomers and visitors to the Parkes Shire struggle to pronounce this name. Do you know what Daroobalgie means? Do you know why it’s important to Australian military history? What do an abattoir, motocross course and a solar farm all have in common? Have a read of Parkes Library’s latest blog post and you will know the answers https://historyparkes.org/2020/02/28/daroobalgie/

Share the Dignity: Woolworths Parkes is calling on residents to get behind Share the Dignity’s annual Dignity Drive this month and support the fight to end period poverty for women in need across the region. With over three million Australians living under the poverty line and the number of women experiencing period poverty across NSW on the rise, local residents will be able to help make a difference by donating a sanitary item via the Dignity Drive boxes located in Woolworths Parkes throughout March. Last year, the charity collected nearly 38,000 sanitary products. These donations were distributed to girls and women who cannot afford to buy sanitary items each month. Woolworths Parkes Store Manager, Kerrie Kennedy said: “We hope our customers will get behind Share the Dignity again this month and help us raise vital supplies for girls and women experiencing poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.”

Year Of Aluminium And Steel Cans: Aspiring and professional artists from across the Parkes Shire are encouraged re-think their creative materials as part of this year’s Waste to Art competition. The community art exhibition and competition are open to local residents to showcase creative works made from reused and recyclable waste materials. The theme for 2020 is aluminium and steel cans. The five competition categories include: Primary School, Secondary School, Community (no professional artists), Open (community members and professional artists), Building or Element of Building/Large Sculpture. Application forms are available on Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Hardcopies are available from all the Parkes Shire Libraries. Entries close Tuesday, 14th April. Art- work will go on display at Parkes Library from 20th April until 16th May. Parkes Shire winners will be announced on 24th April.

Pilates in the Park: In celebration of International Women’s Day on Sunday residents and visitors are invited to a free pilates session of 45 minutes in Cooke Park at 8:30am led by the Kerin Physio & Co team. Just bring a pilates mat or towel.

The Bogan Gate CWA received a big donation from John Rogers (third left) of the Central Coast Freemasons recently. With him are life member Hilda McPherson, Ros Edwards and President Marion McIntyre.

Bogan Gate CWA News By Gail McKay:
Our President Marion McIntyre welcomed everyone including a visitor Kelly Thomas and her daughter Anna to our meeting last Thursday. Three members attended the CWA Oxley Group Council meeting in Condobolin on 26th November. We had our branch Christmas Party at the Bogan Gate Hotel on 12th December and surprised Hilda McPherson with Life Membership, which was very well deserved. Marion attended the Bogan Gate School’s presentation night in December. We sent flowers to Ida McIntyre who is unfortunately in hospital, we all wish her well. A very pleasant surprise at our meeting was a visit from John and Sue Rogers from the Central Coast Freemasons. We were overwhelmed with a very generous donation of $10,000 to our Bogan Gate Community. John and Sue were very pleased to meet some of our members and find out about Bogan Gate and the drought. It was very interesting talking to them about the fires and smoke in their area.

More Money for Drought Communities:
The Australian Government has extended the Drought Community Support Initiative (DSCI), providing a further $82.75 million to continue crucial support for farming households. On top of this, further drought relief support will also be available under a new

Drought Community Outreach program. Minister for Drought David Littleproud said the DCSI extension meant up to $3,000 in cash payments for more farmers, farm workers and farm contractors and suppli ers who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay for basic household expenses. Eligible farming households will be able to access the DCSI from mid to late March, from either The Salvation Army or the St Vincent de Paul Society. Under the new Drought Community Outreach pro- gram, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and Rotary Australia World Community Service would each receive a fur- ther $5 million to provide vouchers of up to $500 to farming households.

Nursing And Midwifery Graduates Join Central West Hospitals:
More than 100 new nurses and midwives will begin working in hospitals at Parkes, Peak Hill, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Coolah, Condobolin, Narromine, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Coonamble, Walgett, Blayney, Cowra, Rylstone, Baradine, Collarenebri, Grenfell, Warren and Mudgee. The new graduates will work in all clinical areas including surgical, medical and paediatrics. They are part of the NSW Government’s record $2.8 billion investment to boost frontline health workers.

Beam me up Scotty! Thunderous weather made for dramatic sci-fi scenery on Tuesday with Beth Thomas capturing this moment from her home in Parkes.

Your Chance To Have A Say: The Western NSW Local Heath District (WNSWLHD) is calling for people to join its register of health consumer representatives. “The register will provide the WNSWLHD with a pool of people interested to be on an organisational committee or to simply provide comment to matters such service plans, policy documents, publications, quality and safety programs,” said WNSWLHD Community Engagement Manager, Illona Dunn. “We are looking for people who are passionate about improving health service quality and safety and who are willing to use their experience to represent the needs of all of our communities.” For more information email WNSWLHD-Volunteers@health.nsw.gov.au or contact Illona on 6378 6274.

Open Invitation To Farewell: Lindy Farrant, Parkes Early Childhood Centre Director of 30 years, is retiring and there is an open invitation to the public, including children, to her afternoon tea farewell at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, 7th March from 2 – 5pm. RSVP by Friday, 28th February to pecc@bigpond.net.au

New University Students Take Note: Central West students planning to start university this year are encouraged to lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy now to beat the queue. Youth Allowance provides financial assistance for eligible young people who pursue further study or an apprenticeship after leaving school.

Write To Remember Our ANZACS: Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is urging students to enter his 10th annual ANZAC writing competition. “It is imperative that we continue to build on the momentum gained during the centenary of ANZAC commemorations. This is why I produce an ANZAC Day booklet each year, which also contains ANZAC service times across the region and is distributed to every mailbox in the electorate. One of the highlights of the booklet is the publica- tion of the winning entries from the ANZAC writing competition.” Last year more than 800 entries from more than 35 different schools were received. Each winning and highly commended entry will receive a book prize with a signed commemorative label. Every student who enters will receive a signed certificate which will feature a watermark image oft his year’s cover. Entries need to be submitted by 5pm, on Friday, 28th February either by mail to the Wagga Wagga Electorate Office (Suite 2, 11-15 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga 2650) or via email to michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au.

Craig Dumesny, Human Resources Advisor at Parkes Shire Council, retired this week after 45 years of service. At his farewell were (L-R) Les Finn, Mayor Ken Keith, Craig and his wife Tracy and Kent Boyd.

Kerri Miles and Alexandra Hall from Pink Orchid Café & Florist will be participating in the Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme for the first time.

Businesses Join Forces: The Free Cuppa for the Driver scheme is celebrating 10 years and 15 local businesses have put their hands up to help fight driver fatigue and reduce the road toll. Participating businesses in the Parkes Shire are Railway Arts and Crafts (Bogan Gate), Railway Hotel (Bogan Gate), Parkes Coffee Pot, Parkes Services Club, Pink Orchard Café & Florist and Casho’s (Tullamore). A total of 92 businesses across the Hunter, South West and Western regions of NSW will participate to encouraging drivers to take regular breaks by offering a free cup of tea or coffee to any driver more than 100km away from their home. “If it wasn’t for the participating businesses supplying the ‘free cuppas’, this scheme wouldn’t be possible and I would like to thank the 15 enthusiastic businesses across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils who are taking part in this year’s scheme,” said Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business. There is also an active Facebook page.

Takata Airbags: Thousands of NSW families are at risk from faulty Takata airbags. The manufacturers fear partners and children of vehicle owners are being exposed to danger when travelling in vehicles that still carry the faulty airbags. Car manufacturers have replaced more than 1.07 million faulty airbags in NSW, which represents more than 92% of affected airbags. There are still 90,432 faulty airbags on the road that require urgent replacement. This includes 3,308 of the highly dangerous Alpha and critical airbags. Vehicle owners should check the recall status of their vehicles by using the automotive industry’s Takata airbag recall website www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au and by taking prompt action to arrange for the free rectification of any affected vehicles. It’s a very simple check, just enter your vehicle’s registration number and state or territory. You can also check by texting TAKATA to 0487 AIRBAG (247 224).

Open Invitation To Farewell: Lindy Farrant, Parkes Early Childhood Centre Director of 30 years, is retiring and there is an open invitation to the public, including children, to her afternoon tea farewell at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, 7th March from 2 – 5pm. RSVP by Friday, 28th February to pecc@bigpond.net.au

At last it came and it’s been glorious! According to the BOM rainfall measured from 5 to 11 February has Trundle leading the scoreboard with 82.9ml, followed by Parkes with 37.2, Peak Hill with 35.2 and 26.4ml at Alectown. This photo was taken at Welcome Weir last weekend by Glen ‘Harbo’ Harbridge.

Work at Cheney Park has commenced to upgrade amenities.

Cheney Park: Work on the Cheney Park amenities refurbishment has started. Funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, the project includes a reconfiguration of the facility to include a separate control room and storage space, a new unisex disabled access toilet and compliant ambulant toilets in both male and female change rooms, fresh paint of facilities throughout, new kitchen appliances, and a new PA system.

Shop Parkes Gift Cards: In its first year of operation, the Shop Parkes Gift Card Program has become one of the most successful community gift card programs in NSW. From December 2018 to December 2019, over $200,000 was loaded onto the Shop Parkes Gift Cards with over $100,000 of that spent in local businesses throughout the year. Businesses wishing to participate in the program are encouraged to contact Council on 6861 2333 or council@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Innovative Model Of Care: Western NSW residents will benefit from a brand new Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS) providing 24 hour virtual and face-to-face medical services across the region. Eighteen new doctors will take on roles with the VRGS, which will provide consultations via video conferencing with patients.

Western NSW Local Health District (WN- SWLHD) Rural Health Director of Medical Services, Dr Shannon Nott said the innovative model of care met community expectations for continued service delivery in rural areas. “The primary purpose of this service is to provide local support for local medical and nursing staff – it is not a replacement for our staff. It’s an innovative model of care which aims to set the standard in rural and remote virtual care across Australia and address the longstanding challenges of recruitment and retention across many rural and remote sites across NSW. The 2019- 20 budget for WNSWLHD is $979 million – an increase of $35 million. WNSWLHD will also benefit from the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion commitment to recruit a record 8,300 frontline health staff, including 5,000 additional nurses and midwives.

New Standpipe Usage Scheme: A new standpipe usage scheme started on Tuesday with no charge for water up to 25kL per week to approved farming enterprises. Any additional approved farming enterprises usage will be charged at a reduced rate of $3.50 per kilolitre. All standpipe users must reapply for standpipe access. For more information about the new Parkes Shire Standpipe Usage Scheme visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

The Parkes Shire Concert Band played at the Australia Day celebrations in Cooke Park on Sunday. New members are welcome to join the band.

Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB): New members are welcome to join including students from Year 3 and community members. Dust off your instrument or hire one. The band plays at the Elvis parade, ANZAC march, ABBA, Australia Day, musicals, church fetes, ceremonial occasions, Christmas Carols, and concerts. Rehearsal times are on Tuesday nights during school term from 7 – 9 pm at the PSCB music room above Parkes Aquatic complex in Dalton Street. Contact Musical Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164, or President Rhonda Redenbach on 0459 373 624.

New Standpipe Usage Scheme: Parkes Shire Council is introducing a new standpipe usage scheme to maintain sustainable water supplies for the Shire. From Tuesday, 4th February standpipe water will be without charge for up to 25kL per week to approved farming enterprises. Any additional approved farming enterprises usage will be charged at a reduced rate of $3.50 per kilolitre. All standpipe users must reapply for standpipe access. Existing standpipe cards can be reauthorised by completing a new application form by 4th February. Existing standpipe cards that have not been reauthorised by this date will be deactivated. New users can apply for standpipe access through Council, subject to eligibility, which will incur a $20 card activation fee. For more information about the new Parkes Shire Standpipe Usage Scheme visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Beat The Heat: As the hot and dry summer continues, it’s important to stay hydrated. Using your own bottle and refilling with tap water will help save the environment and save you money. The average Australian drinks 42 bottles of water a year and around 33 of these end up in landfill. The simple solution is to bring your own reusable water bottle and keeping it filled with tap water. There are drinking fountains all over town in our parks and sporting fields. Bottled water costs 2000 times more than tap water. There are much more important things you could be spending your money on.

No Phone Zone: Local lifeguards are reminding parents and carers to put their phones away while at the pool this swim season. Royal Life Saving Australia statistics show that a lack of direct supervision by a parent or carer is a contributing factor in 70% of all drowning deaths at public pools. Active supervision means focusing all of your attention on your children all of the time, when they are in, on or around the water.

Focus on your swimming kids and not on your phone when you are at the pool or any other waterways this summer.

 

The monster dust storm that hit Parkes on Sunday after 6pm made headlines all over the country, while the beautiful rain of the past week has brought a lovely green tint to our brown environment. (Photo: Barry Green)

Four Days Of Double Demerits: Double demerit points will be in force for four days for this long weekend from today (Friday), 24th January to Monday, 27th January (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences. Key double demerit points in force are: exceed the speed limit by 10km/h and under; exceed the speed limit by over 10km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 20km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 30km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 45km/h; driver not wearing seatbelt; driver penalty for each passenger not wearing a seatbelt; rider on a motorcycle not wearing helmet; rider penalty for passenger on a motorcycle not wearing a helmet; use a mobile phone while driving. NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Melanie Maguire is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time this long weekend.

Hear All About It: The Parkes Shire Council started audio recording of its council meeting in December last year to give greater access to the open sessions of its monthly meetings. Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM said the audio recordings would facilitate even greater transparency between council and the community, enhancing accessibility to council decision making, as well as encouraging residents to be better informed and more involved. The audio recordings will complement the written minutes to provide a more complete public record of the proceedings of the council meetings. Audio files will be uploaded to Council’s website within five working days from the date of the meeting and will be available for a period of three months. Thereafter, the recordings can be made available upon written request to Council.

Elvis At Currajong: Currajong Disability Services (CDS) in Parkes celebrated the Parkes Elvis Festival with one of the top tribute artists Ray Perrone. It has become a regular highlight of the festival calendar and this year Ray returned to entertain and sing with NDIS participants at Currajong. “I love coming here each year,” said Ray. “I think I get a bigger buzz than the participants and staff do. It’s one of my favourite gigs. Seeing them sing and dance and laugh is what it’s all about,” he said. Dane Millerd from CDS said Ray had become part of the Currajong family where he had made many friends.

Ray Perrone with Jeanette Lovett.

The Parkes East Marimba group entertained the crowd at the Christmas Carnival in Cooke Park last Friday.

More Cash For Drought-Hit Farmers: Payments of up to $3,000 will continue to be available to drought-hit farming families throughout Christmas and the New Year. The Federal Government has topped up the existing round of the Drought Community Support Initiative with Minister for Drought, David Littleproud announcing a further investment of $33.2 million in the scheme. “This is about making sure families can have dignity this Christmas and into the New Year,” the Minister said. “Eligible people include farming families, farm workers, suppliers and contractors.” The program will be delivered through Vinnies and the Salvos. Applications to be made through the St Vincent de Paul Society on 1300 846 643 or at www.vinnies.org.au/droughthelp or through the Salvation Army on 1300 551 030 or at www.salvationarmy.org.au/drought

Elvis Turns 85: Everyone is invited to celebrate Elvis’s 85th birthday on Wednesday, 8th January 2020 with a cake and free entertainment in Cooke Park near the Elvis Statue at 10am. Music will be provided by Parkes’ one and only Elvis Tribute Artist, Barry Green. Bring a chair or rug to sit on. If you share a birthday with Elvis bring along proof to go in the draw to cut the official birthday cake. The event is organised by the Elvis Revival Incorporated Committee.

Christmas Cakes: Lions Christmas cakes available at Meals on Wheels in Parkes – small $13, large $17. Call 6862 6189 to place your order.

NSW Farmers Dinner: The Parkes/Forbes NSW Farmers held its annual Christmas dinner at the Ikon Restaurant last week with several guest speakers for the even- ing. Councillor Ken McGrath gave an update on all the happenings in the Parkes Shire, in particular the water infrastructure, Andrew Rawsthorne talked about the funding of country halls and sports grounds in the Forbes Shire, Rodger Kitson gave a drought funding update, and Wayne Dunford explained heavy vehicle regulation and access.

Anna and Tom Green from Forbes, and Bruce Watson from Parkes at the NSW Farmers Christmas dinner at Ikon.

Lions Christmas cakes are available from Meals on Wheels.

Christmas Cakes: Don’t have time to make a Christmas cake? You can buy a Lions Christmas cake at Meals on Wheels in Parkes – $13 for a small one and $17 for a large one. Just call 6862 6189 to place your order, or buy it from them during office hours at Unit 2/39 Currajong St (directly opposite the Parkes Police Station).

Launch of Shop Parkes Campaign: Parkes has your Christmas all wrapped up this year, with Shop Parkes Christmas campaign launching last week. Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to deliver the annual Shop Parkes this Christmas retail campaign, which aims to drive spend into the local economy over the festive season. The theme of this year’s campaign is to give a gift to the community by shopping locally, which dovetails well with the ‘Buy from the Bush’ viral social media movement. Parkes Shire Councillor Alan Ward said: “When we talk about drought it’s often in relation to the impact it has on the agricultural sector, less so about the devastating knock-on effects to the broader community. When you spend in town, not only is that a direct injection of dollars, it’s also a fantastic morale boost for our local business owners and operators.” Parkes Chamber of Commerce President Geoff Rice said: “For that hard-to-buy-for friend, family member or colleague, Shop Parkes Gift Cards may be the answer. The cards can be spent at over 70 local businesses throughout the Parkes Shire, providing a convenient gifting solution while keeping shopping dollars local in the Parkes region.” To find out more about the Shop Parkes this Christmas campaign, head to www.visitparkes.com.au.

Christmas Parade: Christmas events are in full swing in Parkes and tonight a festive atmosphere will reign in the CBD with 30 floats taking part in the annual Christmas Parade down Clarinda Street at 6pm. After the parade, festivities will continue with a carnival in Cooke Park with 44 stalls featuring only locals and including everyone from local retailers, interest groups, sports clubs and service organisations for the Parkes community to see what they do and how they can get involved. There will be entertainment on the stage, and an opportunity for local clubs and associations to show the Parkes community what is available in our town.

Lea Dickson, Store Manager of Liquorland Parkes, is one of 57 pubs, clubs and businesses taking part in this year’s Plan B campaign and competition. See more details on page 10 how to enter the competition to win a swag.