Snippets Archives - Page 44 of 48

Snippets

February 23, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Helping hand: Parkes Elvis Festival and John Holland have teamed up to raise money for the Central West Autism and Special Needs Awareness Group (CWAS- NAG). During the 2017 Festival a total of $783.95 was raised through the John Hol- land-sponsored Elvis Photographic Com- petition and Exhibition.

Seniors Festival: Neighbourhood Central is hosting the 2017 Seniors Festival with a busy program: 6th March local concert at the Parkes Bowling Club with sing-a- long with morning tea and lunch – $10; 8th March Bollywood comes to Parkes with a movie morning at Neighbourhood Central – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – $5; 9th March Central West Elders Olympics in Or- ange – $5. Tickets and bookings at Neigh- bourhood Central, 80-82 Currajong Street Parkes. For more information call 6862 3757 or 1300 810 771.

Footy Tipping Competition: With NRL season almost upon us, The Parkes Phoe- nix has some spots left in our Footy Tip- ping Competition. Whether you are one of our readers or an advertiser, you can join in the fun and be in the running to win a major prize. Entry is $100 for the whole 26 weeks and you will receive ad space in the Phoenix to the value of $150 to promote yourself, your charity or your business. Contact sales@parkesphoenix.com.au to secure your spot.

You Get Shaving, Australia!: Are you shaving your head, or do you know of someone doing it this March, 16 – 19th to help beat blood cancer for the World’s Greatest Shave? We would love to hear from you! Contact us on editor@parkes- phoenix.com.au

Contemporary Art: Parkes Library is hosting an exhibition from western NSW artist Gavin Coote from 1st to 24th March. Gavin is also a journalist in a country town, but has always integrated some form of creativity into his life. He spent his early years drawing tractors, harvesters and windmills that dotted the landscape of the farm where he grew up the first half of his childhood. “The Australian landscape is something that has incredible power over my creative work, as is the case with any artist who has the utmost privilege of liv- ing in this beautiful country!” said Gavin. Please RSVP on 6861 2309 if you would like to attend the official opening at 6pm on 3rd March. Gavin will be in attendance to have a beer and talk art.

Snippets

February 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes CWA: While the Parkes branch was pleased to receive the award for Most New Members at the last State Confer- ence, the focus this year is on encourag- ing greater representation of young women from high school and tertiary ages in join- ing a progressive community-based group. The CWA provides opportunities for the improvement of self-confidence through supported community engagement, repre- sentation at public functions or guidance in public speaking. This can be as easy as helping on a street stall, attending work- shops on cheese making or meeting new people.

The CWA offers monetary support to local projects like Care West, Parkes Women’s Refuge, Rural Scholarships and Regional Public Speaking.

If you are interested in supporting women’s health, education, agriculture, environment, international and cultural awareness through the CWA, bring your friends or women in your family and contact Alice Milne on 6862 3522 or call into the Pink Orchid Florist.

The CWA Parkes Branch meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Pink Orchid Florist.

Give music a go: The Parkes Shire Con- cert Band welcomes all community mem- bers who used to play an instrument or want to learn to play, to join them. Rehearsals and beginner band are on Tuesdays at the Music Room (above Pool Complex) in Dalton Street at 7pm during school terms. Contact the Music Director, Duncan Clem- ent on 0405 035 164.

ANZAC Competition: The Nationals’ Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack, is inviting students from the Central West to participate in his popular ANZAC Day writing competition. “Each year (this being the seventh), I produce a commemorative booklet about ANZAC Day, which is distrib- uted to every household in the electorate. A highlight for many is the ANZAC writing competition for students.”

The Minister wrote to more than 120 primary and high schools in the electorate en- couraging students to contribute an original piece on “ANZAC Day in the Riverina and Central West”. Two winners will be chosen from each quarter of the electorate. Entries must be received by the Wagga Wagga electorate office by Monday, 6th March.

Coffee with a Cop: Everybody is invited to join the officers from Lachlan Local Area Command on Thursday, 23rd February at 10am at at Café’n’Ate, 249 Clarinda Street for a coffee. Contact Senior Constable Daniel Greef with questions on 6862 9999.

Snippets

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Winner of the Shop Parkes + Win competition, Pauline van der Merwe from Parkes.

Record entries: The Shop Parkes + Win campaign has been the most successful one yet, with more than 7,000 entries received from the 106 local participating re- tail outlets. This year the campaign was extended to January to coincide with the Parkes Elvis Festival. This enabled local retailers to capitalise from the 25,000 visitors at the festival.

Congratulations to the lucky winner, Pauline van der Merwe from Parkes who shopped at Byrne Clothing and Embroidery. She won a trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000 – the prize tied in with Elvis Festival theme, Viva Las Vegas. Pauline has 12 months to redeem her prize.

Phoenix spreads its wings: From today The Parkes Phoenix will be available in Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham and Bogan Gate every Friday. You can pick up your free copy at the Trundle Newsagency, Casho’s Café in Tullamore, Foodworks and the Post Office in Tottenham, and the Railway Hotel in Bogan Gate.

Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham and Bogan Gate News: As we are spreading our wings to your region, please send us your news, photos and snippets to editor@ parkesphoenix.com.au.

Coffee with a Cop: Everybody is invited to join the officers from Lachlan Local Area Command on Thursday, 23rd Febru- ary at 10am at Café ‘n’ Ate, 249 Clarinda Street for a coffee. “Community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee,” said Superintendent Chris Taylor. “We hope commu- nity members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers.” He explained the ma- jority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. These are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community. Contact Sen- ior Constable Daniel Greef with questions on 6862 9999.

Year of Plastic Bags: Parkes Library is again hosting the Parkes Local Waste to Art exhibition and competition. The community art exhibition and competition showcases imaginative works made from reused and recyclable waste materials. The aim is to challenge peoples’ perceptions about rubbish and to celebrate the reuse and recycling of waste through arts and crafts.

Entry is free and closes on Monday, 10th April at 1pm. The categories are: 2 Dimen- sional (poster/painting/collage/drawing); 3 Dimensional (sculpture/installation/video/ soundscape) and Functional (furniture, craftworks and wearable items). Within these categories there are sections for pri- mary school, secondary school, communi- ty, open (professional artists) and building or element of building/large sculpture. The most inspiring artwork in each section/cat- egory will receive a cash prize. An award will also be given to the work that best uses the Annual Waste Theme; Plastic bags and soft plastic packaging. Entry forms are available at any Parkes Shire Library, or from the website www.parkes.nsw.gov.au or library@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Snippets…

February 2, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Veterans’ Grants: Local community groups can apply for Australian Government grants to support projects honouring Australia’s military history and personnel. Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack said any group could apply for grant funding towards activities that assisted the health and quality of life of veterans or commemorative projects that honoured our military history. Grants are available for: Saluting Their Service (STS) commemorations program in two categories, namely Community Commemorative Grants (CCG) and
Major Commemorative Grants (MCG); The Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) Program; The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program and The Grants-In-Aid Program (available to only national ESOs). For further information on each of these programs and how to apply visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
website www.dva.gov.au/consultation-andgrants/grants or contact the Wagga Wagga electorate office.

Word of the Year 2016: The Macquarie Dictionary has announced FAKE NEWS as the Committee’s Choice for Word of the Year 2016. The committee said: “The concept of fake news has been one of the big issues of 2016, not only in Australia but around the world. It captures an interesting evolution in the creation of deceptive content as a way of herding people in a specific direction. There has come a point with fake news where people are beginning to believe what they want to believe, whether or not the news story is actually true.”

2017 National Awards for Local Government: Nominations for awards close 3rd March. According to the Minister for Local Government and Territories, Fiona Nash the awards recognise innovative projects which provide new or improved local government services. “Councils have the opportunity to nominate under a wide range of categories including boosting productivity through infrastructure or contributing to regional growth,” said Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack. More information is available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/nalg.

Return to school anxiety? School is a bubbling brew of expectations, social and academic challenges, complex relationships and emerging identities. Little wonder anxiety levels – of students, parents and school staff – can rise as the new academic year begins. CEO of beyondblue, Georgie Harman urge parents and carers to visit healthyfamilies.org.au. It has resources to help tackle back to school anxiety with practical tips and strategies for parents.

Snippets

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Digitising history: The Parkes Shire Library has started to digitise iconic images from the first ten years of the Parkes Elvis Festival. The Library team have been scanning and cataloguing photographs and memorabilia from Elvis Lennox’s per- sonal collection. “We have been planning to build a digital local history collection to share with the community and wider world. Starting this big project with our Shire’s major festival was an easy decision,” said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services.

Elvis Lennox, Parkes’ greatest Elvis fan, loaned his collection of photos and festival bits and pieces to commence the project. His photos capture the humble beginnings of the event, including the Elvis Wall of Fame first ceremony for Johnny O’Keefe, first street parade, first look-a-like competition and original concerts.

You are invited to contact the Library if you have photographs from the first ten years to add to the collection. Over the coming months the Library team will add to the collection, bringing online photographs from 2003 onwards.

The collection is available for viewing via the Library’s online catalogue, library. parkes.nsw.gov.au/libero/WebOpac.cls

Bogan Gate morning tea: Bogan Gate CWA will be holding a diabetes awareness morning tea on Wednesday, 8th February at 9.30am at the Bogan Gate Memorial Hall. Dr Madhu Velagala, Diabetes Educator, will be the guest speaker. Men and women are invited to learn more about diabetes. A representative from Diabetes NSW and two nurses will do blood checks at the event. Entry by gold coin donation. RSVP to Ros on 68641023 or 0415 665 925 by Monday, 6th February. Any enquir- ies to President Marion McIntyre on 0427 643 233.

Did you know? The record number of visitors at the 25th Elvis Festival meant the staff at the Royal Hotel pumped out more than 1,600 meals and countless beverages, in costume, over the five days!

Gospel Service: Thousands of people attended this year’s Elvis Gospel service. According to co-ordinator Neralle Cheney, the finale had people rushing to the front of stage and all over the dance floor in a cel- ebration of music and dance. “People were dancing in their chairs.”

She said the response from people afterwards was overwhelming saying it was the best ever, brilliant, wow, polished and pro- fessional and people wishing it was longer.

Snippets

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Kite invasion: Parkes will be invaded by kites on Australia Day! The Northparkes Oval will be the place to be for avid and first time kite flyers from 8am on Thursday, 26th January. There will be large demonstration kites and plenty of room to fly your own kite. Kites will be on sale too. There will be a sausage sizzle and drinks. The cost of the day is an Australia Day smile, so bring the family and enjoy the morning before it gets too hot. The wind has been ordered so if nothing else, come up and see the oversized kites!

Earlier deadline: The Parkes Phoenix deadline for next week’s paper is Tuesday, 24th January at 3pm for all content because of the Australia Day public holiday.

Shop Parkes + Win: The winner, drawn by Mayor Ken Keith on Wednesday, is Pauline van der Merwe of Parkes. She is the lucky winner of a trip to fabulous Las Vegas, val- ued at $4,000. Congratulations Pauline!

Elvis Festival photos: Go to The Parkes Phoenix Facebook page for tons of photos taken over the five days. There are plenty of local faces in between the 25,000 visitors.

Snippets…

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

HOT, HOT, HOT: With the temperature expected to reach 43 degrees in Parkes today, it is going to be a day to take care and drink lots of water. You might even have to get rid of the Elvis suit for the day as wearing breathable clothing is the best on such hot days. See our tips on page 8 for staying cool this weekend!

Correction: In the last issue of 2016 on 23rd December on page 13, Abigael Webb was incorrectly named Abbey Smith in the photo of the Twinkle Toes Dance Studio.

Competition winner: Alex Blunden was the lucky winner of Phoenix competition for the $100 gift vouchers from La Bella and 141 On Main. Congratulations!

Tullamore Irish Festival: The Festival has launched its new and improved event format for this year with a music concert focus. The event kicks off on Good Friday on 14th April with Peter Byrne returning as Friday’s headliner with band, Celtic Beat. Saturday’s entertainment will be capped off with Irish favourite, Damien Leith supported by the outstanding Seltic Sirens. This is Damien’s third time to Tullamore, having performed at the festival in 2016 and 2013. “Aside from the fantastic music, there’ll be plenty to see and do including market stalls, food, face painting, rides, and unique Irish games to keep everyone entertained. The entertainment is free for kids all day on the Saturday,” said Festival President, Paul Stanbrook. For information visit www.tullamore.org.au.

Kite Festival: The Reach for the Sky Australia Day Kite Festival will be on again on 26th January. Bring your kite to the Northparkes Oval from 8 to 11am. You can decorate your kite with Australian imagery, or even shape a kite like the Parkes Dish! The festival is open to all ages.

Opera for Ava: Highlight 8th April in your diary. Mezzo Soprano Dominica Matthews, senior principal artist with Opera Australia, will be in Forbes on this day to perform at a fundraiser for Ava Garland at the Red Bend College main hall from 3 to 5pm. Ava is three years old and was diagnosed with leukemia last year. Apart from her full time opera work, Dominica recently completed a tour of Australia with the cast of the Sound of Music as Sister Berthe. Two more performers will be confirmed for the concert. Ticket prices to be confirmed.

Elvis Snippets…

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Viva Parkes Library!: Parkes Library is hosting a huge range of events for the Parkes Elvis Festival. Join the library team for a movie, photo exhibition, book launch and of course air conditioning! The Library will again become a boutique movie cinema showing Viva Las Vegas and Elvis Lives in Parkes (SBS documentary), Speedway, Elvis and Nixon and This is the Story telling the story of Parkes Elvis Festival by the people who helped shape and
create the event into the phenomenon it is today. Elvis and Nixon, starring Kevin Spacey is shown today at 7pm at a special event. It is a limited seats event. Tickets are $5 to be pre-purchased at the Library. For the second year running the Library is presenting the Parkes Elvis Festival Photo Competition and Exhibition. There are 160 photos, capturing past Festival moments, on display until Sunday. The winners in the various categories will be announced today at 4pm. The black and white work of David Carswell, an Australian photographer based in Manila, is also on display of Elvis performance nights in the Philippines. Call Parkes Library on 6861 2309 for more information.

Morse code telegrams: While the Elvis Festival takes you back in time, why not send a message the old way too? Today and tomorrow you will be able to send telegrams by morse code to anywhere from outside the Telstra Shop in Clarinda Street. There will be operators to answer your questions and help you send a message. Telegrams lodged by the general public will be sent to Beechworth by morse code and received on souvenir stationery and posted
to their destination. The morse code instruments are the same used to send and receive messages in the telegraph network since the 1850’s until the morse code was withdrawn in 1962. However it remained in Parkes and used as an
order wire, until the last operator was transferred in 1965, and then withdrawn completely. As teleprinters were introduced from the 1940’s, they progressively took over the system in all major post offices until the telegraph service was completely withdrawn in 1988. Locals Eddie Parrott, Keith MacRae and Peter Cannon, members of the Sydney Morsecodian Fraternity, will be at the display, while Sydney members attending will be Brian Mullins and Cec Mann. On display will also be Ham Radio morse equipment that is still being used today.

Gospel Service on Sunday: The single biggest event of the Festival after the Street Parade is the Parkes Elvis Gospel Service presented by the 11 Combined Churches of the Parkes Ministers’ Association. Last year around 8,000 people attended the inaugural service in Cooke Park. This year’s artists include in international line-up with Pete Storm (UK), Sista Jacqui (USA), Keno NSW Special Feature Artist, Mark Borg, BornAgainElvis (also Guest
Preacher), Royden Dononhue, Gavin Chatelier, Stephen Cheney, I.C.U. Gospel Choir and the Parkes Shire Concert Band Inc. Stephen and Nerallie Cheney, Co-Ordinators of the event invite people to arrive early and bring their own chairs or picnic rugs and enjoy breakfast in the park. Nerallie said there would be a large outdoor screen this and improved sound. The organisers are also looking for volunteers to help before and during the service with setting up, marshalling, handing out programmes and other jobs. Collection proceeds, after expenses, will go to the local schools ministries and the East Timor Mission.

Snippets…

January 5, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Tullamore Irish Festival: The festival has launched its new and improved event format for this year with a music concert focus. The event kicks off on Good Friday with Peter Byrne returning as Friday’s headliner with band, Celtic Beat. Saturday’s entertainment will be capped off with Irish favourite, Damien Leith supported by the outstanding Seltic Sirens. This is Damien’s third time to Tullamore, having performed at the festival in 2016 and 2013. “Aside from the fantastic music, there’ll be plenty to see and do including market stalls, food, face painting, rides, and unique Irish games to keep everyone entertained. The entertainment is free for kids all day on the Saturday,” said Festival President, Paul Stanbrook. For information visit www.tullamore.org.au.

Learn to swim: A total of 345 local kids have successfully completed their Learn to Swim lessons in Term 4 last year. Over the course of the 10-week program, students learnt about water confidence, stroke correction and water and safety skills. More than 350 students have already signed up for the Term 1 program to start on Monday, 30th January. Classes are available every day, except Sunday. All Parkes Shire Council Learn to Swim program instructors are Austswim/ASCTA accredited, and aim to create a fun, friendly and safe environment for your child to Learn
to Swim. For more information, please contact the Pool Kiosk on 6862 6001.

Snippets…

December 22, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Message from the Phoenix Publisher – Cheryl Newsom: I would like to extend a very big thank you to all of our readers, contributors, advertisers, contractors and the team at the Phoenix Group of Newspapers for making 2016 such a successful one for us. Despite the changes in the media landscape, we decided to launch two new free local newspapers in Parkes and Hilltops (Young) in March of 2016. With this came the normal challenges and without the support of all those mentioned we would not have been able to accomplish what we did. 2017 will be even bigger and better with the launch of some new features, an app, and new projects being planned. We would ask that you continue to support us, as we strive for excellence and being involved at a local level in these communities. Remember that we are your local voice in the communities we serve. We wish everybody a very Merry Christmas
and best wishes for a successful 2017.

New website and social media pages: Parkes Shire Council has launched its new user-friendly website and social media pages just in time for Christmas. After six months of consultation, planning, tendering and user testing, the new look website went live on Wednesday. Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd said the new website was set to become a hub of information for our community. “The aim was to create a platform for the community to easily navigate and find the information they need, whether they are on a mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer.” Council engaged the expertise of branding and digital agency, Crackler to create the fresh, user-friendly site. Council is also expanding its digital communications to Facebook and Twitter. The community is invited to connect with Parkes Shire Council via www.parkes.nsw.gov.au and on Facebook and Twitter. Residents
can also keep up-to-date with all the latest Council news and events delivered straight to their inbox, by signing up to the e-newsletter. #ParkesShire #ItAllAddsUp #Community

Grant money for farmers: Additional disaster assistance was announced this week. “Recovery grants of up to $15,000 are available to help flood affected primary producers with recovery needs,” said Michael McCormack, Federal Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business. Eligible councils in the Riverina electorate are Bland, Forbes, Parkes, Bogan, Lachlan, Narromine and Warren.

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