A Busy Weekend At The Showground: The Parkes Showground was a bustling hive of activity last weekend. The famous CanAssist Garage Sale – the biggest and best in the Central West – was held in the Pavilion over two days. It was another hugely popular event. Hundreds of savvy locals not only bagged a bargain while raising money for a worthy cause, but they also made a difference to the environment. Buying second hand goods helps keep quality items out of the landfill and lessens the burden on our planet. The box sale was very popular, and the furniture auction managed to move quite a few items. The volunteer’s efforts over the weekend raised $10,000 for CanAssist. Don’t worry if you didn’t make it, the next sale will be held in early August.

The National Limousin Junior Show was held at the Parkes Showground from Friday – Sunday. The event attracted 106 young competitors and their families from all around Australia. Livestock handlers aged between 6 years to 25 years compet- ed for ribbons and trophies at the annual competition, which gives the youngsters the chance to develop and showcase skills that will set them up for a future in the beef industry.

The Parkes Harness Racing Club race meeting was also held at the showground on Sunday. Dozens of racing enthusiasts enjoyed the trackside sunshine for some family friendly fun as part of the club’s winter racing program that started in June.

Kids’ Day Out TODAY: Kids across the Parkes Shire are invited to the Parkes Visitor Information Centre today between 11am – 3pm for a day full of school holi- day fun, with plenty of free and affordably priced entertainment.

Parkes Shire Council’s Tourism Leader, Jaimee Timmins said, “last school holidays, over 400 children took part in the first Kids Day Out. Given its success we wanted to bring the event back bigger and better, with new activities to keep the kids entertained.”

“And not to forget the big kids – adults can also join the fun! Browse the range of mar- ket stalls selling local produce and goods throughout the day.”

Patrons can look forward to free entry to the Kings Castle and motor museum, jumping castle, outdoor games and kids activities, performance by Parkes School of Dance at 11am, a Fidget Spinner Challenge at 1pm, Market Stalls, with many more exciting things on offer.

SES wants you to Stop Revive Survive: Don’t forget to take a break these holidays. Driver Reviver offer free tea, coffee and biscuits to help overcome driver fatigue. The Parkes Driver Reviver Station is run by the SES and other volunteers who staff the station in four-hour shifts, making up to 50 cups of tea or coffee for weary travellers. The free service is offered on public holidays and the beginning and end of school holidays.

The first Skywriters ‘Big Gig’ launches in Parkes this weekend: The Big Gig is on this weekend. Join writers, artists, and astronomers for an inspirational and in- formative weekend. Guest astronomers include Trevor Leaman, Donna Burton, Peter Starr, and Les Dalrymple. Literary themed panel discussions will be held at the Coventry Room from 1pm Saturday, and 9.30am Sunday with a dinner and discussion at The Dish Café at the Parkes Observatory on Saturday from 7pm.

The ‘Big Gig’ will also highlight Wiradjuri and Gomeroi (Gamilaraay) astronomy, with the opening of Wiradjuri Murriyang (Wiradjuri Skyworld), a weekend exhibition of Wiradjuri constellation art by Scott ‘Sauce’ Towney, for Trevor Leaman’s Wiradjuri Astronomy Project, and a feature documentary, Sky Stories of the Dreaming, by Ellie Gilbert.

Daytime events at this first ‘Big Gig’ are free for registered guests, or $5 for the public (registration is free). Dinner is $30 and must be paid in advance. Visit www. facebook.com/skywritersproject for more information, or visit www.bigskiescollaboration.wordpress.com/projects/skywriters/

Uniting Church monthly meals: Dozens of people enjoyed a warm meal on a cold night at the first of the Uniting Churches free monthly meal nights last Monday.

A dozen Uniting Church Volunteers worked in the kitchen, cooking up almost 50 meals for their local community. It was a friendly, family atmosphere, with tables full of people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

The attendees enjoyed home cooked sweet and sour mince with rice and veg- etables, followed by apple crumble and ice cream. While the food was delicious, for many the company was the most enjoyable part of the meal. Steven Kirby and Cherie Capewell have only been in Parkes for five weeks, and said it was wonderful to be able to meet new people. “It’s good to bring people out of their shells,” Cherie said. “It’s made me feel warm again.”

Get screened: The BreastScreen NSW mobile unit will be in Parkes from 20th June to 28th July offering free screening mammograms to all women aged 50-74 years at the Little Theatre carpark.

Local women are encouraged to make a booking by calling 13 20 50. It only takes 20 minutes and could save your life. One in eight women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. For women over 50, this is the best way of finding breast cancer early. Despite these figures, only around one in two women in NSW receive their regular mammogram through BreastScreen NSW. You can also pop into the van while it is in Parkes to make a booking.

Bridge options: The NSW Government has allocated $300,000 to develop options for the future of the Mandagery Creek bridge on Henry Parkes Way in Manildra. The bridge was built in 1930 and is in poor condition. The funding will be used to determine how best to provide a longer last- ing and safer bridge for all road users.

Sports grants: The Parkes Sports Coun- cil is calling for applications for funding in the Northparkes sports grants. There is $15,000 available this round for distribu- tion to projects that promote participation in sport or improve sporting facilities.

Northparkes Mine and the Parkes Sports Council joined forces to provide financial assistance grants to sporting groups in the Parkes Shire.

Parkes Shire Sports Council Chair, Al Gersbach said: “This round is the last in the five-year agreement with Northparkes Mines.”

Applications close on Friday, 30th June. Sporting clubs and organisations wanting to learn how to make a standout applica- tion, Council’s grants officers will be hosting a workshop, providing one-on-one as- sistance on Wednesday, 21st June from 12.30 to 1.30pm at the Parkes Library. To reserve a spot call 6861 2398. Lunch will be provided.

For more information about the Northparkes Sports Grants visit www.parkes. nsw.gov.au or contact the Council’s Grants Officers on 6861 2398.

Music Is The Key: The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) has welcomed three new members. Amy Burrows, Eliza Scarpellino and Jemima Siddall are from Sydney and came to Parkes for work. Amy and Eliza are at the RMS and Jemima at the Department of Education.

It has been a busy time for the band over the past few months with performances at Anzac Day, the Trundle ABBA Festival, the Sunrise to Sunset Heritage Day and the Southern Cross Village Fete.

Seven of the band members also played in the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. “We are keen to musically support the fantastic team who organise the shows at the M & D Society. It’s a wonderful opportunity to become part of a great group of people who all volunteer their time,” said Elly Tom.

Rehearsals for the band are on Tuesdays 7 to 9pm during school term, above the pool complex in Dalton Street. If you would like PSCB to perform at your community event, or if you would like to join contact Duncan Clement, Music Director on 0405 035 164 or email duncanclement@hotmail.com

Hats Off: The Anglican ladies in Parkes have been running an “All Things” day annually when the flower show was cancelled due to drought. There has been an All Things Flowers day, All Things Animals, and last year a display of All Things Dolls. This year on Saturday, 17th June it is All Things Handbags, with a display of personal stories accompanying treasured handbags. There will be a handbag fashion show at 11am and 3pm for the latest fashion in handbags. Men are welcome too as the morning tea will be simply delicious!

Free Art Workshops: A series of free art workshops for carers of people with mental health issues will start next week in Parkes. The workshops will run over 15 weeks run by local artists Maralyn Nash and Pol Cruz.

The weekly workshops will be on a Thursday from 10.30am-1pm at the Coventry Room at Parkes Shire Council, and participants can join at any time. Arts Out- West has set up the program on behalf of House with No Steps. Visual artist Marilyn will run eight weeks of the program, followed by ceramic artist Pol. To sign up call Arts OutWest on 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

 

Deb Ball: The 2017 Holy Family Catholic Debutante Ball takes place at the Parkes Leagues Club tonight. Eleven debutantes will enjoy the Style and Grace themed evening while being presented to Most Rev Bishop Columba Macbeth Green, Bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, and Ma- tron of Honour, Kay Craft. The debutantes will arrive at the Parkes Leagues Club in vehicles owned by members of the Parkes Antique Motor Club from 6.15pm. The debutantes and their partners are: Kate Rice and Jackson Burton, Lucy Blackstock and Benjamin Gibson, Sophie Cusack and Mitchell Rubie, Layne Neilsen and Cooper Neilsen, Alana Ryan and Jackson Goon- rey, Jessica Todd and Jaiden Burke, Anita Nov partnered by Nathan Pye Charlica Schnitger partnered by Oliver Douglas Jor- ja Whatling and Harrison Davies, Ellie Ma- caulay and Riley Thomson, Piper Hennock and Billy Payne. The pageboy is Ashton McQuie and flowergirl Luca Barnes .

Australian Illustrators: Parkes Library will host two free exhibitions that celebrate Australian children’s picture books and their creators during May, June and July. The first exhibition Never be Late for a Pa- rade from 16th May to 15th June features a collection of illustrations from Shaun Tan’s best-known picture books including The Arrival, The Red Tree, The Lost Thing and the Singing Bones.

Lazy Lions Lounging in the Library from 20th June to 20th July features illustra- tions from A Bird in the Hand! by Bob Gra- ham; ANZAC Illustrated; Chester & Gil, life is what you make it; Kids Antarctic Art Project a creative collaboration by Alison Lester; Running with the Horses and The Many Story Treehouse.

Dice Run: The Midstate Motorcycle Club will be holding its annual charity Ironbark Dice Run on Saturday, 20th May for the 13th time. The Dice Run is a social day out for owners of road registered motor- cycles and aimed at raising money for lo- cal charities. The ride, of approximately 250km, will go from Parkes to Eugowra and Gooloogong, on to lunch at the Rail- way Hotel in Grenfell before riding on to Forbes and finishing in Condobolin. Each motorcyclist rolls the dice at stops along the way, and the highest combined score is declared the winner of $200 at the end of the day.

Registration at Kelly Reserve in Parkes at 9.30am and the first dice roll before the ride starts at 10.30am. Entry is $20 per rider and $10 per pillion. For more infor- mation contact Martin Bell (Parkes) on 0429 346 586.

Roadside Timber: Residents are remind- ed that the collection of firewood from all roadsides across the Parkes Shire is pro- hibited. Under a resolution made in April 1998, the collection or cutting of timber from the roadside will incur an on-the-spot infringement notice.

Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd said: “The resolution is in place to prevent the further degradation of road- side vegetation and to preserve rare plant and animal species. Species unique to our Shire, including the Grey-crowned Babbler, Pink Cockatoo and Superb Parrot, use the timber on the roadside for habitat at vari- ous times throughout the year.”

Activities prohibited without prior authori- sation in any roadside reserve area: col- lection of firewood, rock, sand, gravel, dirt or any vegetative material; burning, clear- ing, grading, ploughing or any disturbance to soil or vegetation; grazing, tethering or droving of stock or bee keeping activities; trimming or lopping of trees or other veg- etation. Residents can check with Council on 6861 2343 if they are unsure if their planned roadside activities are prohibited. The same restrictions apply to Crown Re- serve, Travelling Stock Routes and State Forests.

Auditions: Parkes Shire Council is looking for youth actors over 16 to star in this year’s mock crash demonstration. Auditions will take place on Thursday, 11th May at 5pm in the Parkes Shire Council Chambers.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is en- couraging local up and coming youth ac- tors to attend the auditions. “It will give par- ticipants an overview of all aspects of the project. They will take part in both filmed and live ad-lib exercises.

Local actor Krystle-Lee McMurray, has been involved in the project for the last few years. “It’s a really interesting mix of acting in front of a camera as well as a live audi- ence of over 500 year 10 students.”

Pre-registration for the auditions is essential. Contact Melanie on 6861 2364, or 0428 400 627 or Melanie.Suitor@parkes. nsw.gov.au.

Raffle Winners: Friends of Parkes Hospi- tal Easter Raffle winners are: Bec Parkes – seafood voucher donated by SouthSea Seafood; and Ameila Gersback – Easter eggs donated by Woolworths.

Red Shield Doorknock: The Salvation Army is asking Australians to spare a few hours on 27th – 28th May to collect for its annual Red Shield Doorknock. To volun- teer call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or register online at salvos.org.au/volunteer.