Parkes True Blue Line Dancers: Are now in holiday mode after another great year of boot scooting, vines, weaves, pivots and strutting their way through numerous dances that have been taught through the last 11 months. Our friendly group ranges from young to oldish, able and disabled, but all there for the love of a good toe tapping tune. The group are looking forward to the new year, when they start again every Monday morning from 5th February 2018. Everyone is welcome to come along, join in and enjoy the dances, music, exercise and company. A big thankyou to the Parkes Services Club for the use of the great dancefloor upstairs. Two left footed people are also welcome.

Double Demerit Points: Will be in force for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year period from Friday 22 December 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018 (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

And the Winner Of the Best Dressed Shop Window Is: Parkes News and Gifts! Congratulations to Greg, Christine and the team for putting together such a dazzling Christmas window display! Parkes News and Gifts will receive a $500 marketing package to promote their business as part of next year’s Christmas Campaign coordinated by Council and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce.

Inland Rail Update: The Parkes to Narromine section of the $8.4 billion inland rail project will be the first to receive Australian produced steel rail, the Nationals’ Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has announced. “Liberty OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks will soon start rolling out approximately 14,000 tonnes of steel required for the Parkes to Narromine section of this nation-building project,” Mr McCormack said. “There will be many opportunities for local businesses and job seekers in the Riverina and Central West as progress continues, with inland rail supporting thousands of jobs at the peak of construction.”

Jonty Ralph: Has been a regular at Currajong Disability Services for nearly 9 years. In that time, Jonty has worked as a Carer as well as Programs Team Leader. He has also spent time in Parkes and Condobolin and if you ask any client, he is arguably one of the most well-liked and respected employers at CDS. December 18 was his last day at Currajong as he pursues a new career in the mining industry. “If I don’t get around to saying bye to everyone I will take the opportunity now to say thank you to all and sundry for their support, effort and assistance which has allowed me to be a better person and carer,” said Jonty.

The Parkes Leagues Club: was filled almost to capacity for Cinderella – A Night to Remember, as the students of
Twinkle Toes Dance Studio presented the story of Cinderella through dance on Sunday. Pictured are Cinderella (Gracey Denham-Jones) with her dog (Alana Finnegan) and mice Chelsea Hall, Charlotte Francis, Peggy Swift,
Calantha Knott, Mila Ballantyne and Eliza Davis.

Nine Lessons and Carols: In what has become an institution in Parkes, a service of Nine Lessons and carols will again take place at St George’s Anglican Church this Sunday at 7:30pm. Music from across the ages will accompany nine readings from the Bible. The congregation will join in with the singing of traditional carols, while the a capella
group Tapestry will perform a series of medieval carols and rearrangements of popular carols. Former Parkes resident, Richard Morgan, will delight with his playing of the organ. The evening will conclude with supper, and a retiring collection for the annual Christmas Bowl Appeal.

Gift a Book: The Parkes Shire community is invited to gift a book under the libraries Christmas trees. “Parkes Shire Library has partnered with the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation for this project because we believe every child should have books to read,” said Parkes Branch Librarian Andrea Lovell.

The process is simple: Purchase a book for a child between birth and 12 years, wrap the book in Christmas paper, put a tag on with the child’s age the book is suitable for, and take it to the library and put it under the Christmas tree.
Books will be accepted until Friday, 22nd December after which the library team will pack them up to send them to the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation. The books will be distributed to 200 schools in remote areas of northern Australia. “The books will go to parents and educators who are passionate about educating  young people in their communities. An example is a one-teacher school that only has 16 books in the classroom. The aim is to provide 300 books to this classroom and to follow it up with a grant so a library can be developed,” said Andrea.

Random Acts Of Christmas Kindness (RACK): Have you joined our challenge on Facebook? We are posting a RACK every day for you to do. It is great fun and a real feel good activity. Go on give it a try, all you need is kindness. And please let us know of any results – if you’ve been on the receiving end of a RACK, or have performed a RACK!

Phil Donato: Attended presentation night at St Joseph’s Primary School in Peak Hill this week. “It was a privilege to meet current principal Dean Colmer (left), who is retiring next week after more than 40 years of teaching. Regina Goodridge (right) will be taking over in 2018 as principal.” Phil said he was impressed with the school, teachers and the students who put on a fantastic evening of awards, fun and entertainment.

The Parkes Day VIEW Club held its Christmas party at the Astro Dish this week with 44 members attending.
They celebrated another year of successful fundraising for the four students of The Smith Family they support to ensure they have a school uniform, can go on excursions and enjoy all the benefits of school.

Christmas Street Parade Not Rescheduled: The Parkes Action Club will not reschedule the Christmas Street Parade this year following the cancellation last Friday due to weather risks. A suitable alternate date could not be found unfortunately due to conflicting community events. The Parkes Action Club promises next year’s parade will return bigger and better!

Upmarkets + Movie Night: The Parkes Upmarkets have confirmed that the Sparkles Upmarkets + Movie Night will go ahead on Saturday, 16th December from 5pm in Cooke Park for the markets and from sundown for the outdoor movie, The Santa Clause 2. Bring the family for fun and entertainment, face painting, photos with Santa, food and drinks.

Changes To Payment Policy: Small businesses in the Riverina and Central West will benefit from changes to Government’s payment policy. Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Government would be required to pay invoices for contracts worth up to $1 million within 20 calendar days, instead of the current benchmark of 30 days. “This is good news for small business. Cash flow is crucial in allowing small businesses to thrive. Government is leading the way and big business should do the same.” By July, 2019, all non-corporate Commonwealth entities are to pay invoices for contracts up to $1 million within 20 calendar days on receipt of a correctly rendered invoice.

The Station Restaurant’s Summer Menu: Holiday time is a time for dining, so why not try out the Summer Menu at the Station Restaurant. Among the starters are panko prawns, Japanese style chicken skewers called chicken Yakitori and grilled salmon salad. Moving to the main meals there are pork ribs, a wagyu burger, Greek style lamb rump, char grilled sirloin, macadamia crust barramundi or salsa chicken, each with a recommended wine. There is also a kids menu, and of course desserts: bread and butter pudding, tiramisu, crumble, sticky date putting or peach melba.

Random Acts Of Christmas Kindness (RACK): Have you joined our challenge on Facebook? We are posting a RACK every day for you to do. It is great fun and a real feel good activity. Go on give it a try, all you need is kindness. And please let us know of any results – if you’ve been on the receiving end of a RACK, or have performed a RACK!

The Parkes Domestic and Family Violence committee raised $239.20 from its cake stall in the main street last Friday to donate to White Ribbon. Rascals Indoor Play Cafe kindly donated the cakes. Pictured are members of the committee at the cake stall.

Gold Sponsor For Parkes Aero Spectacular: Parkes Aero Club will celebrate its 70th anniversary on 14th April next year with a thrilling fun-filled day of skilled aerobatic displays featuring some of the best pilots in Australia. Northparkes Mines has come on board as a gold sponsor contributing $5,500. This sponsorhip provides the club with much needed finance to publicise and fund the day’s activities together with the other gold sponsors, Parkes Shire Council, HARS and Parkes Services Club.

Get It Sorted Winners: The three lucky winners of the Woolworths gift vouchers in the Get It Sorted competition are: 1st prize Nancy Kingham – $100; 2nd prize Kath Mann – $70 and 3rd prize Heidi Field – $30. Congratulations and happy Christmas shopping with your vouchers!

Keeping Firearms: Effective from 1st September this year, you are required to store your firearms at your primary residential premises, which is the address where you most often reside. This means if you reside mainly in town but spend a fair amount of time on a rural property, you are required to store your firearms at your town address. This change has come because of a significant amount of firearm thefts from unattended rural properties. Police are asking firearms owners to make changes to their storage arrangements immediately to comply. Refer to Clause 38 of the Firearms Regulation 2017, and the Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2017.

Mobile Phones A Distraction: Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding drivers to put their mobile phones down, after the latest observation survey recorded 29 motorists using their phones while driving. There was no improvement to the mobile phone usage rate compared to the survey conducted in April. The group most at risk are males with 14 male drivers observed using their phones. The survey also showed a 0.2% decrease, (equates 70  people) in the combined seatbelt wearing rate in comparison to the April survey. The next observation survey will be conducted in April 2018.

Remembering…: The Compassionate Friends Annual Candle Lighting at Lions Park on Orange Road will be on 10th December at 5.30pm. A special invitation to all parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and friends who have a loved one missing from their Christmas celebrations. Call Judy for more information on 0402 599 001.

The Parkes Action Club recently held its annual Changeover Dinner. The club members contributed more than 600 hours of community service in the past 12 months. The executive was returned largely unchanged with Gary Somers as President, Bob Steel Vice President, Mark Olson Secretary, David Knights Treasurer and David Marks Commissariat. Pictured is Mark Olson addressing guests at the Changeover Dinner.

Summer Reading Club: Super charge your summer and register today at any Parkes Shire Library for the Game On Summer Reading Club. The club is free to join and is open to all children and youth from birth to 17 years. The GOAL is for members to read over 974 books from 1st December to 31st January 2018. Why 974? It is the most runs scored in a cricket test series and was achieved by Don Bradman in 1930. If the goal is reached it will trigger a Game
On award ceremony where members will get to throw a wet sponge at a library staff member for every 10 books read. Read 30 books and you will get three sponges to throw! Local sports personalities will also attend the ceremony with tennis legend Helen Magill already signed up for the sponge throwing ceremony. Visit any library in the Parkes Shire to join and receive a Game On kit, or join online at summerreadingclub.org.au.

Download a Talking Book: Parkes Shire Library’s new eAudiobook collection creates greater access to the Library Service. The eAudiobook collection is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Download popular talking books onto a computer, laptop, phone or tablet from anywhere with a Wi-Fi or internet connection from parkesshirelibrary.wheelers.co/. Guides on how to use the website and set up your device is available on Council’s website www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Share the Dignity: There are 85,000 homeless women who need your help this Christmas. You can help. It’s simple. Give a handbag full of personal hygiene products to a homeless woman in need this Christmas. Go to https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/

Letters to Santa: Australia Post is urging children to post their letters to Santa early. This year children will be able to track the progress of their letters online via the Australia Post interactive Santa Mail tracker. To ensure your letter gets there in time, send it to Santa, North Pole, 9999 with a 65c Christmas stamp on the front of the envelope. Write your name and return address on the back of the envelope so Santa knows where to send his reply. Letters received early with return addresses will receive a postcard reply from Santa. To access the Santa Mail tracker, visit auspost.com.au/santa-mail

Goodbye Alex: After only 18 months with Currajong Disability Services (CDS) Alex Lee has become a favourite among clients and staff, not just because she is good at what she does but because she is passionate about her job, workmates and participants. Sadly, she finished on Wednesday planning to move back to Newcastle. “I will miss everyone – especially the clients at the houses.” Alex spent most of her time in Cecile Street. “CDS is brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone looking for work in the disability sector,” said Alex.

Coobang Church Service: This year is the 20th anniversary of the Parkes Historical Society’s annual church service held in the small Coobang Church at the Henry Parkes Museum. This year’s service on Sunday, 19th November from 2:15pm will celebrate special heritage events, and pay homage to World War I battles in France
and at Beersheba conducted by Rev Son Spindler. Special entry via Pioneer Street and through the large gates with parking near the church. Afternoon tea will be served afterwards. Everybody welcome!

Calling all golfers – tee off for a cancerfree future: Golfers are encouraged to sign up for The Longest Day, a 72-hole golf marathon, to raise funds for Cancer Council NSW. The Longest Day will officially take place on Monday, 18th December, but participants can hold event at their local golf club anytime during December. Participants are
challenged to play four rounds of golf in one day with friends and fellow members. Getting involved is easy, rewarding and a whole lot of fun: a minimum of two players are needed to form a team. Choose a day and contact your club to book four tee times, then head to www.longestday.org.au to register and start fundraising.

PPS Tennis Second In State: The Parkes Public School tennis team was runner-up in the finals of the Todd Woodbrigde Cup played in Sydney last week. The team included Flynn Thompson, Ewan Dean-Moody, Tyson Lennox, Joel MacGregor, Samuel Quince, Tia Dunn, Faith Clarke, Liliani Latu, Lucy Hall and Ella McColl. Parkes Public played against Young, Kenthurst (last year’s winners), Tamworth and Holy Family ACT. They won their pool
and advanced to the semi-finals defeating South Wagga 5 – 3. In the final they played St Raphaels from Cowra, who won the cup 5 – 3.

Hannah Cayo-Dun (12) and Loic Monfret from Parkes: participated in the Australian National Busking Championships in Cooma last weekend. With over 50 contestants Hannah and Loic came fourth and third in their respective categories. Congratulations!

Safe Roads During Harvest: Agricultural machinery owners and operators are invited to get road ready for the 2017 harvest season, by picking up a free information kit from all agricultural machinery retailers in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires, as well as the Councils’ Administration Offices. The Moving Harvest Machinery information kit contains the most relevant notices and information required by agricultural machinery operators to legally and safely move their equipment on local roads. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said: “Fines and penalties can be severe for noncompliance and if there is a crash, insurance companies may not accept liability if the vehicle is non-compliant.”

Oversize Vehicles: With the grain harvest getting underway there will be a lot of extra trucks and agricultural machinery on the local roads. Drivers are reminded to share the road safely at this time. “When approaching an oversize vehicle you should: be patient, reduce your speed and wait for a safe opportunity to pass. Don’t drive right
behind the agricultural equipment because the farmer can’t see you,” said Melanie. Please take care this harvest and share the road safely.

Shop Parkes And Win: Fill your stockings locally this Christmas for a chance to win a $5,000 travel package. Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Chamber of Commerce have joined forces again for the annual Christmas Shop Parkes campaign. Parkes Council’s Economic & Business Development Manager, Anna Wyllie said: “This year we’ve made the campaign more accessible by going digital.” Participating businesses and shoppable content will be showcased via the Council website and social media pages. Shoppers will spot participating businesses with Shop Parkes posters displayed in stores. Simply Shop in Parkes at any participating store until Sunday, 31st December
and fill out an entry form. The lucky winner will be announced on Friday, 5th January 2018.

Australia Day Awards: Nominations are open for the 2017 Parkes Shire Council Community Awards, recognising outstanding service to the community. There are various categories and nomination forms are available from Council, one of the libraries, or at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. You can also download nomination forms from www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. For further information contact the Events Officer on 6861 2333.

Congratulations: To Sharon Woods! She is the winner of our very popular Spring Photo Competition with this image. Sharon has won a family photography session including 20 high resolution images with Chemical Creations Photography! Well done Sharon, and thank you to everyone who entered.

More Winners: The three lucky winners of Woolworths gift vouchers in the Close the Loop competition are: 1st prize Alarna Zammit – $100; 2nd prize Nicole Tolhurst – $70 and 3rd prize Lisa Johnston – $30. Congratulations and thank you for entering!

NSW Tourism Conference: Parkes Shire Council has been selected to co-host the 2018 Local Government NSW’s Tourism Conference in March next year. The annual conference gives councillors and council staff the opportunity to meet, listen to experts and peers, and find out how other councils engage and manage their tourism industry.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming tourism professionals from across the State to Parkes,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith. Tourism is a key economic driver for Parkes Shire with an estimated value of $58 million per annum. Approximately 200 delegates are expected to attend the three day conference at Parkes Leagues Club.

Christmas Parade: The parade is on again this year and with only five weeks to Friday, 1st December, now is the time to start planning your float and to get your entry in. Businesses, clubs, schools and community groups are all welcome to enter. Entry forms available at the library or email parkesactionclub@gmail.com. Call 0448 166 016 for more information.

Who can remember?: The Thornford Woman’s Institute (TWI) from Dorset in the UK is looking for more information on a link they had with the Parkes Country Women’s Association during the early 1950’s. According to their minute books the TWI founder and president, Baroness von der Heyde “formed a link with the Country Women’s Association in Parkes” that continued until at least 1954. Food parcels were received from Parkes which contained mincemeat, dripping, lemon cheese, beefsteak, marmalade and condensed milk – all items very much valued in times of serious food shortages and rationing in the UK. “Sadly there is little record of what your association may have received in exchange, except for books, Christmas cards etc,” said Joy Coffin of the TWI.
In preparation for their 70th birthday celebrations in February next year, the TWI would love to get more details on this link. If there is a reader who has a story to share, please contact Amelia Stephens, publicity officer of the CWA in Parkes.

New Grants Officer: Parkes Shire Council has welcomed Kimberley Harris to the Grants Officer/Funding Projects role, supported by Northparkes Mine. Kimberley, who is from Perth, will be joining Sally Chapman in the grants team from Monday to Thursday. Kimberley has a background in marketing, fundraising/sponsorship and communications, with extensive experience working with not-for-profit and community organisations in Perth. Based at Parkes Shire Library, the new-look grants team will continue to offer assistance to all groups to identify funding opportunities and provide assistance with compiling submissions.

Christmas Parade: The parade is on again this year and with only five weeks to Friday, 1st December, now is the time to start planning your float and to get your entry in. Businesses, clubs, schools and community groups are all welcome to enter. Entry forms available at the library or email parkesactionclub@gmail.com. Call 0448 166 016 for
more information.

Community Open Day: The official opening of the new Water and Sewage Treatment Plants originally planned for November, has been postponed until early next year to accommodate ministerial availability and to get the sites looking their best. Parkes Shire Council’s Director of Infrastructure, Andrew Francis said: “These are really impressive projects, and we want these state-of-the-art facilities to look their best when we present them to the community.” With a combined budget of more than $100 million, the Integrated Water Infrastructure Renewal projects represent the largest capital works that Parkes Shire Council has ever undertaken. The Community Open Day will allow residents to visit the sites with guided tours, activities and giveaways.

Aussie Backyard Bird Count: You still have time until Sunday to take part in this year’s BirdLife Australia count. All you need is 20 minutes, the Aussie Bird Count app or the website aussiebirdcount.org.au. Join one of Australia’s largest citizen science projects at aussiebirdcount.org.au or join the conversation with #AussieBirdCount

Marriage Survey: There is not much time left to have your say in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey as it closes at 6pm on 7th November. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is urging eligible Australians who haven’t yet had their say to join the 11.9 million who have already taken part. An estimated 74.5% of survey forms have been returned. The results will be published on 15th November. More information at www.marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au

Convention With A View: VIEW Clubs of Australia had its convention in Tamworth recently with 550 members from all over the country meeting over three days. The Parkes delegation got into the Bollywood swing of things by ordering matching outfits made in India for the themed evening. They came to the October meeting all dressed up and got to tell all their tales of the convention. VIEW Club committee elections will take place on 14th November, and the Christmas Party is on 5th December.

Trundle’s Got Talent: On 4th November, Trundle will host its inaugural talent contest to raise funds for the Trundle Memorial Hall. The Hall is maintained by volunteers determined to ensure the continuation of this outstanding building for the benefit of the community. Entries are welcome from singers, jugglers, actors, yarn-spinners, magicians, dancers, comedians, musicians – if you have a talent, no matter how obscure, this is your opportunity to showcase it. Tickets are $75 per adult, $50 of which will go towards the hall’s insurance. Free entry for children under 18. Tickets on sale from the Trundle Newsagency and Byrnes Clothing in Parkes. Entry forms available on the Trundle‘s Got Talent Facebook page and from Trundle Newsagency. Email trundlesgt@gmail.com for more information.

New Members Welcome: The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) welcomes school students and community members, old hands or those new to music. Dust off your instrument or hire one of ours and come and play at The Elvis Parade, Anzac March, Abba Festival, Australia Day, musicals, church fetes, ceremonial occasions, Christmas Carols and concerts for the community. Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights during school term from 7 to 9pm at
the PSCB music room above the pool complex in Dalton Street. Contact PSCB President Rhonda Redenbach on 6862 2944 or 0459 373 624 or the musical director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.

Amitie Grooves: Local vocal trio, Amitie recently recorded their second CD and will be ready for release at the Parkes Elvis Festival. Other great news is that Christa, Christie and Shev are extremely proud to have been invited for the third year in a row to be part of the entertainment line-up for the eight-night Cruise ‘n Groove. They will sail from Sydney on 23rd October on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Of The Seas performing to 2,500 odd passengers.