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.

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.

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.

More High Pedestrian Activity Areas:
Parkes’ CBD is set to be safer for pedestrians and motorists, with the extension of the High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) 40 km/h speed limit from last week Wednesday. The 40 km/h HPAA speed limits were added to Clarinda, Welcome and Cecile Streets to improve safety, and in conjunction with the Main Street Revitalisation Project. The changes will mean the existing 50 km/h speed zones are reduced to 40km/h on: Clarinda Street for 80m north of Short Street intersection; Welcome Street for 160m north of Short Street intersection; Cecile Street for 15m west of Welcome Street intersection. Members of the community can sign up at the Safer Roads NSW website to receive updates about changes to permanent speed limits and to have a say on speed limits. For more information visit https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au

Buy Aussie Now: Australia’s first marketplace for Australian made goods by Australian owned businesses was launched last week. BUY AUSSIE NOW, which started as an Instagram page in mid-March as the nation prepared to shutdown with the Coronavirus, has in just four months transformed and is set to be the online destination for Australians to shop Australian.

More than two thousand small and medium businesses have already registered across eight categories: home and living, toys and education, apparel and footwear, jewellery and accessories, food and beverage, pets, skincare and beauty, and gifts. BUY AUSSIE NOW is entirely free for businesses to upload and promote their products to a wider audience, and potentially overseas, given the appreciation and love of Australian goods. Registration for all Australians is at www.buyaussienow.com.au

Stay Safe: It is now more important than ever that you stay safe when you go out. The rules around physical distancing, gatherings and regular hand washing still apply; whether you’re shopping, visiting friends or exercising. And if you’re sick – please stay at home and get tested. Look for businesses that display the COVID Safe tick. That shows they’ve registered a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping their customers and staff safe.

Driver Testing Now Available: Service NSW has re-opened testing in a COVID safe way. Customers may experience delays due to high demand, while additional testing officers have been hired to minimise wait times. Visit www.service.nsw.gov.au to book a test.

Trundle ABBA Festival Future: The Trundle ABBA Festival might have been cancelled this year, but the committee has not stopped working. The committee is taking the COVID downtime to plan the way ahead, and review its management and delivery. “Trundle ABBA Festival Inc. acknowledges Executive Event Solutions and associated event stakeholders for their work at the helm of the Festival over the past two years and wishes them the best with their future event endeavours,” the committee said in an issued press statement. Any enquiries can be directed to: trundleabba@gmail.com

New Visitor Hours At Parkes Hospital: Visiting hours will now be between 10am and 1pm and 4pm to 7pm daily. Visitors may not enter if they have; returned from overseas in the last 14 days, returned from the greater Melbourne area in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a per- son confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days. All visitors and staff must pass all applicable screening processes in place including temperature checking at all entrances to the facility. If you are unwell do not visit. If you have even the mildest cough, fever, runny nose or difficulty breathing, please 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 Health- direct on 1800 022 222.

Nursing And Midwifery Award: Nominations for the ‘peoples’ choice’ award at this year’s NSW Health Excellence in Nursing & Midwifery Awards are officially open. The Healing Heart Award is nominated by patients, families or carers, and honours a nurse or midwife for providing exceptional care. The annual awards ceremony was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be a virtual event this year, and patients, families and carers are invited to nominate a nurse or midwife by visiting health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/enma. Nominations close on 27th July.

Young Actors Invited: Aspiring young actors from regional Australia have the chance to audition for a fully-funded scholarship to learn from some of the country’s most respected actors, directors and educators at the theatre company Bell Shakespeare. Up to four high school students will travel to Sydney in January 2021 to take part in the intensive week-long program. More details at www.bellshakespeare.com.au/jbs

Target Donates: With the sad news that Target stores in Parkes and Forbes will be closing, Parkes store Manager Kristy Harvey donated excess stock to Currajong Disability Services (CDS). The donation included everything from Christmas decorations to homewares. Kristy and Target have established a relationship over the years with CDS with numerous donations and support. “We love Target and all they do for us and the community here in Parkes,” said Cherie Willis of CDS. “It will be sad if they go and a big loss to the town.”

Get the test, then get the text: In the last four weeks, there were 9,033 tests per- formed across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), with no positive cases identified. WNSWLHD Health Protection Manager, Priscilla Stanley is urging anyone having a test to consider receiving negative test results by text message, within 24 hours for many. “Everyone who has a test is asked to isolate until they receive their results. If people have a positive result, they are contacted by a public healthcare worker who will provide information on what happens next. With school holidays, restrictions easing and more people travelling again, it is extremely important that we remain vigilant. If you have family or friends coming to visit, be mindful of COVID-19 symptoms and encourage them to get tested if they have any.” Testing is available at hospitals and from mobile services, as well as from many GP surgeries. If you’re in doubt, speak to your doctor or call our Western LHD’s Public Health helpline on 1300 066 055.

A Safe Road Trip With A Caravan: Caravanning is more popular than ever, however, towing a caravan is far more complex than simply hitching one to your vehicle. “Towing a caravan adds significant weight to your vehicle,” said Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation Tara McCarthy. “It requires careful planning and loading and puts additional responsibilities on a driver to manage safety. Remember to weigh your vehicle and your caravan at a weigh station, correctly load your caravan to meet safety ratings and requirements and do any necessary safety checks before and during your trip.” For more information on how to safely tow a caravan please visit the Centre for Road Safety website roadsafety. transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/drivers/caravan-safety/index.html

Millions For Roads: Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils will receive close to $6.5 million to fix local roads through funding from the Australian and NSW Governments. The Federal Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program. The program is aimed at projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads. Details for specific projects will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Showground Upgrades: Parkes is one of four local showgrounds sharing $155,751 for improvement works as part of a NSW Government COVID-19 stimulus package. Parkes, Forbes, Canowindra and Eugowra showgrounds have been approved for further upgrade work to improve the safety, use and condition of their infrastructure and support jobs in the local economy. Parkes received $58,000 to replace its harness racing track and arena lights and clean the showground’s other lights including floodlights.

Extended Rental Relief: At last month’s Ordinary Council Meeting it was resolved to continue to support the following community groups with free rental during the 2020/2021 financial year, equating to almost $70,000 in value: Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Historical Society, Parkes M&D, Parkes Antique Motor Club, Parkes Shire Concert Band, Historical Aircraft Restoration, Generocity Church and Bogan Gate Arts and Crafts.

Drought Response Scheme Concludes: Due to substantial rainfall across the Shire and the lowered seasonal demand, there are currently no issues with the management of the Shire’s water supply system. Council decided at its monthly June meeting to remove the Standpipe Usage Scheme and Drought Response Measures for Farming Enterprises framework and to return to normal system operation and usage charges. Cr Neil Westcott said: “Council should be commended for action and response to the drought affected community. The scheme represented a value of approximately $250,000 to our rural constituents over the 2018/19 – 2019/20 period.

Check Before Visiting: Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and reviewing hospital visitors. Visitors to any hospitals or health services should check in advance to make sure they know and understand the rules at that time, and follow the directions of staff. Visitors may not enter if they have returned from overseas in the last 14 days, returned from the greater Melbourne area in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Driver Testing Update: From 1st July 2020, driver testing bookings will be open to all customers across NSW. You will be able to book online, by phone or in person from this date. Service NSW are anticipating a high demand for the service and have currently been prioritising customers who had a test cancelled due to COVID-19. If you had a test that was cancelled, you’ll be contacted by the Service Centre to re-book. Alternatively, you can attend your local service centre, or call 13 22 13. For more information, visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/driver-testing-and-covid-19

COVID-19 Testing at Parkes: All residents in the Parkes Shire are encouraged to book a COVID-19 test if they currently have, or have recently had any of the following symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, and cough. To book an appointment time 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 please contact Healthdirect 1800 022 222, Western Public Health Helpline 1300 066 055 or Emergencies 000

Shooting Sports Back in Action: All shooting sports have now recommenced in Parkes, Forbes and Eugowra after being shut down since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Meetings are held every Sunday at the Shooting Range in Parkes and Eugowra. For more information contact Parkes Gun Club and Sporting Shooters Association 6862 1969.

Blood Donations ‘Essential’: Every week Australia needs 29,000 blood donations. Take a life-saving leap and donate now. To make an appointment online visit www.donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

It’s time to press play for fun in Parkes these school holidays: While a number of tourism operators are still on the road to reopening, the popular CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope and Henry Parkes Centre museums will re-open to the public on Saturday, 4 July – just in time for the school holidays.

“Ahead of the July school holidays, we’ve put together a jampacked itinerary, full of free and fun activities to keep the whole family entertained in Parkes Shire,” said Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mayor of Parkes Shire. “Explore the wide-open spaces, iconic attractions, quirky experiences, engaging play areas and the fabulous local eateries and shopping outlets.”

Download the Press Play itinerary from the Visit Parkes website to take advantage of the school holiday special offers, visitparkes.com.au/whats-on/school-holidays/.

Fingers Crossed: The Parkes Action Club members are working towards the 2020 Christmas Parade on Friday, 4th December. They are full of hope that COVID-19 restrictions would be history by the end of year to ensure a great evening for the Parkes community.

Last Post Ceremony To Return: The Australian War Memorial’s Last Post Ceremony will recommence in its daily live format when the memorial reopens to visitors on Wednesday, 1st July. The Last Post Ceremony to take place at 4:55pm on 1st July will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landings of the Australian 7th Division at Balikpapan in New Guinea during the Second World War. Director of the Australian War Memorial Matt Anderson said that he was looking forward to welcoming the public back to the daily ceremony and urged people to book a free ticket online. In line with ACT Health advice, a restricted number of visitors will be allowed. Free tickets must be pre-booked and presented on arrival. Bookings will open to the public later this month.

Butter Up And Bake: RSPCA is calling on animal lovers to bake a change in the fight against animal cruelty for this year’s annual Cupcake Day on 26th October. Last year, 8,142 super sweet people signed up to host a Cupcake Day in their homes, schools and workplaces to raise some much-needed dough for animals in need. The annual fundraiser has moved to a new spring-time date due to ongoing community health and safety concerns. RSPCA NSW receives less than 2% of their funding from the state government each year. Funds raised through Cupcake Day will help keep shelters open and inspectors on the road investigating animal cruelty complaints.

Join the Campaign! As regional travel resumed in NSW on 1st June, the Parkes Shire joined the ‘We Want you Back’ campaign inviting visitors to our region. As some experiences and attractions are still on the road to re-opening, it is wise to plan ahead. As part of the campaign visitors are asked to snap, send and share their experiences via @VisitParkesRegion #WeWantYouBack on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Locals can also take part by sharing what you love about the region to entice your loved ones to come and visit. Send in a video that will be reshared on the Visit Parkes Region social media channels.