Parkes Phoenix

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The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) hosted a free forum for local women interested in becoming a councillor on Sunday. At the event were current councillors Louise O’Leary, Pat Smith, Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton, and former councillor Bev Laing with Cassandra Coleman from ALGWA (right).

 

The SafeT360 travelling truck and trailer visited Parkes High School on Tuesday to teach Year 11 students about truck safety on the road

 

Year 11 students from Parkes High wear the virtual reality goggles that form part of the immersive exhibition on truck safety aimed at learner drivers.

 

Emmanuel Byshimo (17) and his little sister Suella visited Parkes recently. Their family came from the Congo in Africa and settled in Cowra.

Be Seen

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Jackson Collier gives a thumbs up for bowling in Orange last week with Currajong Disability Services.

 

Blake Huntly really enjoyed the bowling outing to Orange last week with Currajong Disability Services.

 

Shane Spicer gets ready to bowl in Orange last week.

Our Gal – Vee Vian Higgins

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How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Our family moved from spending 2.5 years in Canada to Parkes in June 2019. We love being closer to our family and friends, and how close Parkes is located to other major regional centres.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? Working at the Parkes Pharmacy brings me joy in many ways. I love engaging with the community, and getting to know our customers whilst being able to help them for their medical needs at the same time.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I really enjoyed living in Canada, even though the winters were cold and long. I really enjoyed the people and the landscapes of the North.

What makes you laugh the most? I laugh a lot when I am with my children, but I think I laugh most when I make fun of myself for doing something silly.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? So many desires and thoughts flashed through my mind but I would want to spend my time with my parents (who currently are overseas) and just chat about life history to get to know them more.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would go back to our wedding day in May 2010. It was such a special time and I could do it all over again.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Be kind to others.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes, it rings close to my heart. I appreciate ones when a person offers to pay for the next person’s coffee or even their groceries.

What is one thing you will never do again? Take things (or people) for granted.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

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Nicole Worthington: In the current climate of abuse and pay discrimination, it is an important day to remind us that we empower each other and that when we get together, we lift each other up to show we can do it.

 

Keeley Sharpe, Kahlia Logan and Casey Evans:

Kahlia: Women are often overlooked, but we can do everything plus more!
Casey: It is important to teach younger girls that there are no specific roles, like they have to stay indoors and do the cooking and cleaning, and that they can do whatever they want to.
Keeley: Women are just as powerful as men and do not need to stand back.

 


Amy, Ella, Lucy and Claire Butler:

Amy: I like to celebrate the strong women in my family heritage and as I’m currently doing my bit in raising the next generation, a free coffee never goes astray (thank you Parkes Shire Council). Ella: It’s good to recognise the contribution women have made in the past, and will do in the future, whether they have done great things such as changing the cleanliness in hospitals or made scientific discoveries, to the humble mothers and women in the workforce who make our world a better place.
Claire: It’s important to remember that everyone is equal and it doesn’t matter where they’re at in life, they’re all humans – and some of those humans are women.
Lucy: Women and men are both part of life but women do a lot of hard work so that’s a reason to celebrate.

Be Seen @ The 2021 Flock Ewe Competition

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Angus Munro (judge), Rob Ellis, Karen Ross, Greg Miller, Christine Somers and Richard Green at the 2021 Flock Ewe Competition.

 

Graeme Ostini with Rob, Ben, Liz and Steve Watt from “Allambie” Alectown, who came second in the 2021 Flock Ewe Competition.

 

Brendan Westcott holding son Hudson, Rob Watt and Peter Beddie inspect the flock at the Westcott property “Arcoona” at Peak Hill at the Flock Ewe Competition.

Community Invited To Comment On Housing Strategy

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The community is invited to submit comments on the Parkes Shire Housing Issues Paper currently on public exhibition until 31st March.

Parkes Shire Council is preparing a housing strategy to plan for the future housing needs in the Parkes Shire.

The Parkes Shire Housing Strategy will set a 20-year vision for housing in the shire, in line with the NSW Government’s Local Housing Strategy Guideline and the Parkes Local Strategic Planning Statement 2041.

The strategy also aims to address the full range of housing needs for the community, with a focus on areas where there are gaps in the housing market.

A Housing Issues Paper has been prepared to share the findings of Council’s preliminary investigations and encourage discussion and inputs from the wider community. The issues paper draws on a range of inputs, including demographic, housing and economic data, housing policy guide-lines, housing sector strategies and studies undertaken for other places.

“As Parkes attracts more residents, the provision of well located, diverse and good-quality housing is important to ensure that our Shire continues to increase its high standards of living and remains welcoming and accessible to a wide variety of people,” said Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Council has a role to play in facilitating the supply of new housing that better matches the community’s preferences and needs. To plan for future needs, Council must set a strategic direction for housing policy to better inform land-use zoning and other planning controls.”

Council is inviting the community to submit comments on the Parkes Shire Hous-ing Issues Paper that is currently on public exhibition until 31st March, as well as complete the Housing Preference Survey. Visit yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au to view the issues paper and to complete the survey. Alternatively, send a written submission to Council at PO Box 377 Parkes NSW 2870. Hard copies of the survey will also be available at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street, Parkes.

Our Bloke – Jay Kross

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How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in 1994. I was born in Roma, Queensland, lived in Cobar before moving to Parkes. I like country living, not the hustle and bustle of the city.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? My wife and I run the squash centre and I also have my own fibreglass business. With squash, I enjoy coaching and meeting lots of people each day. With fibreglassing, it would be making over pools and seeing a big difference in the before and afters.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I am pretty happy living in Parkes.

What makes you laugh the most? With three kids aged 11, 7 and 3 – conversations are pretty funny most days in our house.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? My son, Henry’s dream is to play squash on the glass court in front of the pyramids in Egypt. I’d probably offer to be his hitting partner.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? 2011 – I rolled my ankle picking up the ball in the Squash Club Championships semi-final. If I could redo that one – I haven’t lived that match down!

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Probably work weekends and have weekdays off.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I believe in trying to do the right thing all the time.

What is one thing you will never do again? Lose a squash match against Richard King – he only beat me by default in 2012 and hasn’t let it go!

What do you enjoy about the CanAssist garage sales?

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Frankie and Marion Johnston: It’s fantastic! You never know what you might find, and you can find everything you will never find anywhere else. It’s an eye opener for my grandson, who likes Mad Max and any army stuff. And when you don’t like it, you can always give it back to CanAssist.

 

Leon Dolan: The massive variety and good bar-gains, and I like all the old tech stuff.

 

Chris Symonds: It is like a treasure hunt – you never know what you’re going to find.

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

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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

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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.

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