• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Mayoral Notes
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Competitions
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
  • Features
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Loving Local Living
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Parkes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix

What do you think of the Hidden Treasures Program giving recognition to outstanding women in local communities?

February 26, 2021 By editor

 

Ray Unger: It’s a good way of giving accolades to women who would not otherwise get recognition. People do a lot of work behind the scenes, and often the community does not know about it. This program helps to highlight how important volunteers are and that communities would not function without them.

Wendy Morris: It is a fantastic program. I’ve supported it for many years and have nominated several women. These women display loyalty to their families and communities to ensure the best for them. I really admire such loyalty. It is also good to see women acknowledged, that is why the words ‘hidden treasure’ is so applicable. I would really encourage people to nominate women. They keep our communities together and ensure services are provided equitably.

Pam Bell: It is an excellent way to recognise people who are the backbone of our community. People never look for recognition, but it is important to let the community know who holds them together. These women often don’t realise how much they do.

Our Gal – Margaret Lewis

February 26, 2021 By editor

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived here all my life, but went away for some years. I like the friendly people.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I loved living on the farm. There was always something to do and seeing the crops, and animals grow. It was very rewarding, despite the droughts and other challenges.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? We loved travelling in Western Australia with our caravan, and I particularly like the Kimberley, Broome and Kununarra.

What makes you laugh the most? Jokes in magazines and newspapers, especially the jokes in Peter FitzSimons’s column in the Sunday paper.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I would love to go to the beach and swim in the ocean. I haven’t done that for years.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? To 1958 when I got my general nursing certificate in Sydney after four long years of very hard slog. It was a good feeling.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Bring in much stricter penalties for murderers. It’s all too lenient these days, and people think they can do just what they like.

Do you believe in acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes I do. My two favourite charities that I support are Assistance Dogs Australia and The Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Our Young Bloke – Henry Kross

February 19, 2021 By editor

How old are you? I turned 11 this week.

Where do you go to school? I am in Year 6 at Parkes East and I am in Miss Toppin’s Class.

What is your favourite after school activity? Sport! Squash and cricket are my two favourites.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? My favourite food is spring rolls. My favourite movie is Avengers: End Game and my music is playing my drums.

What do you want to do when you grow up? Be a Professional Squash Association (PSA) player and play on the glass court in front of the pyramids in Egypt.

If you could have a super power what would it be? The ability to never hit the tin or cut line when I play squash OR be able to hit a squash nick on demand!

What makes you laugh the most? My friends and my little brother Artie is really funny!

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? The only subject you do at school is sport and craft.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I do a weekly interview for our squash club called People of Parkes Squash. I am also really proud to be the President of the Parkes East Student Representative Council.

What did you think of the very first parkrun in Parkes?

February 12, 2021 By editor

Peter Heath from Eugowra: It was wet, but very good! I was really looking forward to it, as I’ve done other parkruns around the Central West and in Melbourne. It is a challenging course, and might need some work in places, but it was very well organised. Congratulations to the organisers!

 

Emma Zammit and Amanda Hardie from the Blue Mountains: It is a great course and the people so friendly! The volunteers were just amazing. We’ve done all the parkruns in NSW, except the three other parkruns that also launched today. (Amanda’s mum lives in Orange and they decided to pick Parkes first of the new parkruns.)

 

Zarna Gould from Parkes: Even with the pouring rain, it was lots of fun. The volunteers did a great job!

 

Be Seen

February 12, 2021 By editor

Big smiles from the parkrun volunteers, who had been working hard over the past two years to organise the event for Parkes, at the launch of the event on Saturday when Mayor Ken Keith cut the ribbon. (L-R) are Dan Greef, Ken Keith, Ronel van Wyk and Sonia Bland.

Beautiful weather to chill in the park. Natalie Williams with Harvey (17 months) and Sarah Lendrum with Stella Rogers (18 months) in Cooke Park this week.

Our Gal – Amy Butler

February 12, 2021 By editor

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes just over 16 years. Having grown up in Cowra and with extended family in Trundle, I like the sense of ‘home’ I feel in the Central West.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? As a home-educating mother of four, my favourite thing is spending time with and learning alongside my children.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? There are many places I’ve read about where I’d like to sample life, but I’m very happy in Parkes.

What makes you laugh the most? There are a hundred things each day I find amusing. I like to have a laugh and a chat about it with my husband Adrian when he finishes work.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I do like to reconnect with the natural environment. Getting out to the beautiful national parks in our area or spending time at the coast.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? It’s hard to choose, but I’ve just been reading about the period of history between Jesus and the Roman Emperor Constantine. It was inspiring to see how the early Christians were true to Jesus’ teaching in extremely volatile times. It would be fascinating to see first-hand how their communities operated, but I wouldn’t fancy being thrown to the lions.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? It is not possible to legislate to make people be truly loving, kind or empathetic, but I would protect the poor, the voiceless and the vulnerable.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Absolutely. I think kindness is underrated as a virtue. My favourite one is the ‘golden rule’ of treating others as we would wish to be treated ourselves.

What is one thing you will never do again? Eat a pre-sucked milk arrowroot biscuit. That’s a parenting mistake you only make once!

Our Bloke – Jacob Cass

February 5, 2021 By editor

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for nine years and I like the people the most. Parkes is full of interesting characters, people who are friendly and helpful with fantastic community spirit. It makes it an amazing place to live.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? They say when you love what you do you never work a day. There is nothing better than helping people to achieve their goals and my role as Country University Centre Manager allows me to do exactly that.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Much to my wife’s unhappiness somewhere sandy and warm!

What makes you laugh the most? Watching my two-year-old son learn about the world in only the way a toddler can, by placing it into his mouth to examine it.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Hobbies. I have far more hobbies than I have hours in a week and to take a whole day with no other responsibilities to do any of them would be amazing.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? May 17th, 1980 to be at the premier of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and be one of the first people to know that (SPOILER ALERT) Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Universal mental health leave for all workers. It’s such a prominent issue in society and needs to be tackled in its own right and not thrown in with other forms of leave.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I do! The pay it forward movement is something I find so interesting and I love seeing the stories. I only hope one day I can be in a position to help someone like that.

What is one thing you will never do again? Eat canned hotdogs! That idea should’ve been shut down before it ever went into production!

Be Seen

February 5, 2021 By editor

Last Saturday the very first parkrun volunteers took part in a trial run of the event to make sure everything is in place for tomorrow’s launch. They are (L-R) Peter Guppy, Vicki Barker, Sonia Bland, Jenny Short, Alice Drabsch, Ronel van Wyk, Dan Greef and Danielle Mill.

 

Beth and Bill Thomas, main organisers of the 8km dragon boat challenge race at Lake Endeavour last Saturday, hand over a trophy to Parkes Dragon Boat Club President Tony Gatt.

 

Three new members of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club took part in their very first event last Saturday doing the 8km challenge race at Lake Endeavour. They are Dave Pelchen, Justin Spalding and Trevor Whitaker.

What do you want to learn in Kindie this year at Parkes Christian School?

February 5, 2021 By editor

Oliver Lord: How to use computers.
Ali Davis: How to draw a star and a ballerina.

 

John McConnell: How to draw a lizard and a snake.
Evie Flynn: I like drawing, but I would also like to learn to read and write.

 

Archie Westcott: I want to learn about letters and writing books.
Stephanie Flemming: We’ve already learned to count to ten and about lady bugs. I want to learn more about numbers.

 

Our Gal – Meaghan Kempson

January 29, 2021 By editor

Meaghan Kempson
Coach, Trainer or Manager of the year, Australia Day Awards

 

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for two years and love the sporting community.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? My colleagues make every day so enjoyable, not a day goes by without a laugh!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Adelaide

What makes you laugh the most? People tripping over (without injuring themselves)

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Go to the Australian Open, watch some live tennis and have some drinks with friends/family.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? To 2015, my first year of university. Made so many friends and created some great memories!

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? School hours from 7am to 1pm!

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yeah definitely! I love the idea of visiting aged care facilities and socialising with the elderly.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 54
  • Next Page »

Latest Print Editions

Click here to download the recent issue (248) of The Parkes Phoenix (1.5MB PDF) – 26th February 2020

STAY CONNECTED

The Parkes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

CENTRAL WEST RURAL ROUND UP BOOKLET

Click here to download the Rural Round Up Booklet 

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

Recent Articles

  • No More Struggles With Sleep February 26, 2021
  • Young Reporter Writes Own Newsletter February 26, 2021
  • Honour Roll Shines Light On Hidden Treasures In Our Community February 26, 2021
  • Anzac Day To Go Ahead February 26, 2021
  • Snippets… February 26, 2021

CONTACT THE PHOENIX

Head Office Phone: (02) 6344 1846

Postal Address PO Box 203 Canowindra NSW 2804  

Editorial – Maggi Barnard Phone 0403 080 085 editor@parkesphoenix.com.au

Sales – Rochelle Frame Phone 0490 517 590 sales@parkesphoenix.com.au  

View our Privacy Policy.

View our Conflict Resolution Process.

View our Ethics and Complaints Policy.

Want to advertise with us?

Information on our Community Promotions.

Submit an Article

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Sign up for The Parkes Phoenix Newspaper

* = required field

Copyright © 2021 · Website setup by WebSysMan