Recipe of the Week

Welfare Organisations Receive Donations

November 20, 2020 By editor

The Parkes PA & H Association Secretary Liz Brown stepped into a Santa role recently when she donated various items to four welfare organisations in Parkes.

The items were donated by the Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF).

Natalie Quince from Georgie’s Pantry received an assortment of items that will go into their Christmas gift baskets for needy families. The items included Lego kits, games, drink bottles, stationery sets, sanitiser, hand wipes and bath wash.

Liz also donated hand sanitiser and wipes to Vinnies, CanAssist, Men’s Shed and Georgie’s Boutique volunteers. The volunteers welcomed the donations as they are in contact with the public and handle lots of items every day.

The RAFS provide grants and scholarships to help rural Australians realise their potential through education, make a difference in their communities and achieve their ambitions.

The Parkes PA & H Association also received funding earlier this year to upgrade its luncheon room, committee room and baby change room and grandstand. Work has also started on a new animal nursery and environmental shed. More details will follow once all the work has been completed and ready for the 140th show in 2021.

New Community Recycling Centre In Parkes

November 20, 2020 By editor

National Recycling Week celebrated its 25th anniversary last week with councils, workplaces, schools and individuals to help improve their recycling knowledge, build better recycling habits and build trust in recycling.

The theme ‘Recovery – A future beyond the bin’ encouraged residents to think about how to value resources, and giving them a second life by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Parkes Shire Council announced that Parkes residents would be able to dispose of problem wastes such as paint, gas bottles, batteries and more, free of charge at its new Community Recycling Centre at the existing Parkes Waste Facility.

“As a community, reducing our waste not only keeps valuable materials out of landfill it also benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our need for new materials,” said Chair of Parkes Shire Waste Committee, Cr Alan Ward. “By reducing and reusing we can all save money at home and in the workplace.”

To celebrate National Recycling Week, Netwaste, developed a game so you can test your skills on what stream different wastes go to. You can find the link on Council’s website to play along and see
how quickly you can sort rubbish. Go to https://recycle.netwaste.org.au/

The Netwaste Group of Councils will also be coordinating a community survey to assess our local community’s usage and satisfaction with the current kerbside recycling, food, garden and general waste service. The survey will be conducted via telephone to Parkes Shire residents or alternatively, you can take the survey online before Sunday, 29th November. The survey is available on Council’s website www.parkes.nsw.gov.au or go direct to the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W55M7JN

The Write Stuff

November 6, 2020 By editor

The Gully

I went to the gully to get away from life,
the noise of traffic, chaos and strife.
Arguments, stress, pressures and more,
I felt unable to even the score.
Down in the gully amongst the trees
that stand so tall on a carpet of leaves,
I sat on one of the rocks that abound,
with ants and bees and flowers around.
I felt the gentle touch of the breeze,
The sound of the birds put me at ease.
Far from the echoes of trouble and strife,
I found in the gully the spirit of life.

Two Kids Cruise Free

I won this competition you see
Then they said two kids cruise free.
Why did they do this thing to me?
It isn’t fair it just can’t be.
I’d like a trip for me and thee,
But they say two kids cruise free!
Thirty years with ever a fee,
Of kids and dogs and what’s for tea.
I’ve never won a thing and gee,
Now I’ve got a trip to sea,
And hang it all, two kids cruise free!

By Margaret Irwin

Holiday Makers Love The Dish

October 16, 2020 By editor

Many NSW residents took the opportunity to explore their own state over the school holidays with over 10,000 people visiting the Parkes Radio Telescope.

Thousands of visitors streamed through our town during the school holidays as NSW residents explored more of their own state under current COVID restrictions.

The Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor’s Centre welcomed just over 10,000 visitors over the two weeks making it an extremely busy time. “These holidays felt a lot busier with so many families travelling,” said Tricia Trim, Visitor Centre Coordinator.

After being closed for three months earlier in the year, it was a pleasant surprise.

“Visitors came from all parts of NSW,” Tricia said. Owner of The Dish Café Craig Smith said he was really busy too with most people coming from Sydney, Wollongong and the Northern beaches. “Everyone I spoke to were excited about visiting the Central West and loving it!”

Tricia said they received some lovely comments about how beautiful it is out here. The Visitor’s Centre had to increase its daily staff numbers to ensure the safety of every visitor under current COVID regulations with social distancing in place, contact tracing, and hand sanitising. “In addition, we cleaned all contact surfaces,” said Tricia.

While the extra pressure, and a long queue of people waiting outside to enter, kept the staff on their toes every day, Tricia said: “It was really wonderful to be open again these holidays and to welcome so many first-time visitors to The Dish.”

RFS Expands At Mickibri

September 25, 2020 By editor

At the opening last Friday were (L – R) Parkes Councillor Neil Westcott, Deputy Group Captain Ian Westcott, Group Captain Grant Byrne, Peter Green, Supt. Ken Neville AFSM, Neville Woods, Philip Donato MP, Acting Area Director Jayson McKellar AFSM, and Parkes Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton.

The Parkes Shire is going into this fire season well equipped and prepared with a fourth new station opened last Friday at Mickibri between Alec Town and Peak Hill.

The new single bay station, built at a cost of almost $50,000, will house one of the two brigade trucks based at Mickibri. Another single bay station was built several years ago.

Over the past month three other new stations were opened at Parkes, Coradgery and Waratah.

The Mickibri Brigade has a long history of service to the community spanning back over 80 years, with local families on the land banding together as part of the brigade to help protect their own and neighbours’ properties.

Speaking at the opening Member for Orange Phil Donato said: “I am in total admiration of the men and women who drop everything, temporarily abandoning their work and family commitments to help fight fires to protect life and property, in many cases at financial loss in their absence from work. They display unity, courage and commitment.

The ceremony included an awards presentation, with 17 of the brigade’s 21 volunteer members recognised for a combined 651 years of service ranging from 10 to 58 years.

By Maggi Barnard

Story About ‘Sunstruck’ Sparks Revival

June 12, 2020 By editor

GOOD MEMORIES… Sharryn Cunningham shows Dan Fredericks of the Parkes Shire Library the scrap book her mum made of her acting experience. Dan is holding a DVD of the movie Sunstruck.

“There are many towns and villages within the Parkes Shire LGA (local government area), Wongalea is just one of them.”

This is how Parkes library officer and historian Dan Fredericks started his most recent history blog that has caused quite a stir.

“There has been lots of interest. It is so exciting,” said Dan, who spent the last five years researching the story of the famous one-teacher school house that featured in the movie Sunstruck.

The filming of the early 1970s movie by an international film crew starring Harry Secombe struck a chord with the Parkes community, and bringing back those memories through the blog has put Dan in the limelight too.

It was not just locals getting excited, but the media swarmed around Dan too to talk about the story.

Ewan Gilbert from ABC Central West Mornings had a chat to him, one of ABC Central West’s feature reporters, Micaela Hambrett, interviewed him and wrote a feature about it, while ABC Evenings with Sarah Macdonald had Dan on the show. A Bathurst radio station interviewed him too.

Seems like Dan’s publishing of this feel good story was timed perfectly during the COVID-19 isolation period when we all needed a dose of good news.

“It was a big deal to have Harry Secombe, best known from ‘The Goon Show’ with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, come to Parkes at the height of his popularity,” said Dan.

NSW Department of Education promotional poster

Sunstruck is a classic fish-out-of-water plot and was inspired by a promotional poster from the NSW Department of Education trying to entice British teachers to NSW.

Instead of ending up on Bondi Beach, as depicted in the poster, the film’s writers decided to have Harry’s character end up in a one-horse town where nothing happens.

That town was Nelungaloo, which became the fictional setting of Kookaburra Springs. The production company bought the Braeside home in Nelungaloo which was con- verted into the pub. They also bought the Wongalea Public School’s building and moved it next door to the pub

The Parkes district was filled with excitement and welcomed the overseas film crew into the community with many of them ending up on screen or helping out off screen. The producers were especially impressed with the acting abilities of the Parkes children.

Sharryn Cunningham (nee Helm), was one of the youngest of the 14 children from Parkes picked for the 16 roles in the film. At seven years old, she had a huge adventure experiencing many firsts in her life, like flying to Sydney, going to Luna Park, eating her first steak and being sent home to Bindogundra after a long day of filming in a taxi.

“I just have good memories of those six odd weeks. We got along so well.”

Although Sharryn has never been on a movie set again, she has another close connection with the other famous movie to come out of Parkes, The Dish. Her grandfather Austie Helm, sold his property to the CSIRO where the radio telescope is today.

Other locals featured as extras in the movie. Pam Nankivell remembers well how all her friends dressed up and did not get in. So she decided to put on her daggiest clothes and she was picked for the farewell party scene.

Local tradesmen also helped to build and paint the set, and one handyman with similar build and height to Harry caught the eye of the producers. Carl Christopherson was thrilled to be picked as Harry’s stand in.

More members of the community had an opportunity to contribute when the art director appealed to locals to provide props for the film.

In turn the crew ingrained themselves into the community making the Coachman Hotel their base. Lead actors Harry Secombe and Maggie Fitzgibbon were happy to perform in a charity night for Rosedurnate. Harry brought over his family, and his kids would go to the pool. Dan said locals remembered Harry as warm and friendly.

The Wongalea school house, now 108 years old, has not only been immortalised in the movie, but can still be visited at the Henry Parkes Historical Museum.

By Maggi Barnard

Partners For A Safer Parkes

February 28, 2020 By editor

PSC Chief Operating Officer Anthony McGrath, PSC Network & Systems Engineer Mitch Miles, Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM, Chief Inspector David Cooper, and Probationary Constable Michael Whiting in the security room.

There will be a lot more electronic eyes keeping watch in the Parkes CBD following the addition of 24 new security cameras.

Parkes Shire Council partnered with Central West Police District to roll out the final phase of upgrades to the Parkes CBD security network, including artificial intelligence software, as well as a new video workstation based at Parkes Police Station. The final phase was funded by the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund.

“The new system will act as a deterrent for crime and anti-social behaviour, assist police monitor and reduce these crimes, mitigate the threat posed by hostile vehicles and improve the perception of safety in the community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Councillor Ken Keith OAM.

There is now a total of 91 CCTV cameras in the Parkes CBD, from the Star Hotel to the railway bridge. The CCTV system utilises over 20 wireless links to provide connectivity between sites, with all cameras able to be accessed and viewed live from Parkes Police Station.

“Parkes Police use the CCTV system as part of a suite of investigative options. Being able to view and review incidents in real time means that Police can utilise the full functionality of the system and act quickly,” said Chief Inspector David Cooper of the Central West police District.

Look Out Before You Step Out

January 31, 2020 By editor

A new road safety campaign is targeting pedestrians distracted by their mobile phones or listening to music with headphones.

The ‘Look Out Before You Step Out’ campaign aims to educate pedestrians to take an extra moment to look before stepping out onto roads, as well as choosing safe times and places to cross.

Parkes Shire Council has installed brightly coloured footpath decals at refuges, intersections and crossings that remind pedestrians there could be oncoming traffic.

More than 50 stickers were placed in Parkes, Peak Hill and Trundle, with an additional 10 stickers to be installed in Tullamore soon.

Key Safety Tips:

• Look before you cross

• Unplug your earphones and put away your phone

• Never assume an approaching vehicle can see you, or will stop for you – wait until all vehicles have stopped before you step off the kerb

• Avoid crossing between parked cars or at the front or back of buses and large vehicles

• At intersections, check for turning vehicles

• Wear bright, light coloured clothing at night or in reduced visibility conditions
• Always use pedestrian crossings where possible.

Our Bloke – Dooley Thomson

April 4, 2019 By editor

Dooley Thomson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes pretty much all my life, except for a couple of years in the Nation’s capital. Parkes is a good joint, plenty of friends and family around to get up to some shenanigans with and a great place to bring up your kids.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’ve got my own bricklaying and landscaping company called Dooley Outdoors. I have five bloody great full-time employees. We work in Parkes, Forbes and surrounds, and have a pretty awesome time at work. I prefer work to be a place where you can be yourself and not have to worry about the pressures of the outside world. We work, laugh, have fun and maybe a little dancing from time to time.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love hanging out with my wife and kids. We have a lot of fun making videos, laughing and creating memories. I also love a beer.

What makes you proud? Seeing my three boys achieve things that they have fought for.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A threetoed sloth, so I could just hang out all day.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? ‘Flying High’ – it’s the most corniest, funniest, stupidest movie I’ve ever seen. ‘Shirley you can’t be serious.’

Tell us about your best holiday. This may sound boring, but I’ve never had a bad one.

What is on your bucket list? To succeed more in business, make more videos. If I can make one person smile a day, I’d be a happy man. My wife and I would love to renovate houses full-time, and I want to go to Ibiza (don’t tell Bec).

What’s on @ The Library

February 28, 2019 By editor

REUSE, RECYCLE, UPCYCLE FOR WASTE TO ART
Entry is free and closes on Thursday, 28th March at 5pm

Parkes Shire Council invites the Parkes Shire community to get creative and enter the Parkes Local Sims Metal Waste To Art & Design 2019, which is a community art exhibition and competition.

This year’s theme is Baling Twine and Strapping. Artworks do not have to use the theme waste, but an additional prize will be given to an artwork featuring this form of material.

The exhibition will be open for viewing from 4 to 26 April. The winners will be announced on Thursday, 4th April at 6pm. Entry forms are available at any Parkes Shire Library, library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

SCIENCE TALK – DR JANE KACZMAREK
Thursday, 21st March 6pm Parkes Shire Library

Dr Jane, an astrophysicist at the Parkes Radio Telescope will explain how the recent multi-million-dollar upgrade to the telescope has continued to make The Dish a world leader in scientific research and detail how astrophysicists across the world use Parkes to answer some of the universe’s big questions. RSVP: 68612309 or library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

COMPUTER CLASS RECOMMENCES
Every Thursday 9am to 11am Parkes Shire Library

If you want to learn to use a computer or just some new skills come and join our computer class. You will be guided through a series of self-paced tutorials that you can also access from home.