Each year, Trevor and Courney Smith, own­ers of Inkredible Experience Tattoo Gallery celebrate the birthday of their business by raising awareness and funds for rural men­tal health. This year they are celebrating 16 years in business and will host their sixth Big Birthday Bash.

Trevor Smith said, “16 years in business feels like I’m not getting any younger, but I am becoming wiser and more grounded in community.”

Inkredible Experience Tattoo Gallery moved into their new shop in Clarinda St, after being in business for 10 years and the big move combined with the milestone an­niversary inspired them to start running an annual celebration.

“It kind of just happened organically. A flash day and a few cars turned into a big turn up out front. We knew we had a solid platform to do more than just tattoo and we had to use it to make a difference locally.

“I’ve lost friends and clients through the years to suicides that, had most of them known I was here for them to open up to during any of our sessions or in general, could have been avoided,” said Trevor.

Trevor anticipates that each year the event is going to get bigger and better. “Thanks to this year’s community support and our amazing sponsors we can guarantee more free family fun, more music, more markets and more mental health education!”Everyone is invited to come along and celebrate the Inkredible Experience Tat­too Gallery 16th birthday bash at the street party on 3 May from 9am-4pm in the Parkes Main Street.

“Enjoy free family entertainment, markets, cars, bikes and live music while we cel­ebrate another great year of business and raise much needed funds and awareness for local mental health. We are not alone!” concluded Trevor.

World Glaucoma Week 9-15 March

Believe it or not, you may already have glaucoma and not know it. In fact, around half of all people with glaucoma are una­ware they have the condition. Glaucoma usually causes no pain or discomfort, and vision loss occurs slowly from the outside in, affecting side vision first. Because of this gradual change, many people do not notice a problem in the early stages. By the time people realise something is wrong, signifi­cant vision loss has often already occurred.

Unfortunately, any vision lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, and if left untreated the disease can eventually lead to blind­ness.

Who Is at Risk?

Around 1 in 50 Australians will develop glau­coma, but you are up to 10 times more likely to develop it if you have a close relative with the condition. Other risk factors include:age over 50, diabetes, migraines, high or low blood pressure, a strong glasses prescrip­tion (particularly for short-sightedness).

Treatment

While treatment cannot cure glaucoma or restore vision that has already been lost, it can significantly slow the progression of the disease. For this reason, early detec­tion and treatment are critical to protecting your sight. Treatment is mainly aimed at re­ducing the pressure inside the eye. This is most commonly done using prescription eye drops, but laser treatment or surgery may sometimes be recommended.

How Is Glaucoma Detected?

Everyone over the age of 40 should have a comprehensive eye examination at least every two years to screen for glaucoma, particularly if you have risk factors for the disease.

At Hansen Optometrists we use advanced technology to help detect glaucoma at its earliest stages, including:

• Visual field testing to detect subtle chang­es in your side vision

• OCT scanning to measure microscopic retinal nerve fibre changes

• Digital retinal imaging to monitor the ap­pearance of the optic nerve over time

The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is with regular comprehensive eye examinations. For more information visit: www.hansenoptom.com.au. www.glaucoma.org.au

This morning, I got a message from Dad.

Not the usual “You home later?” or “Need anything from town?” message. This one was different. He’s finally coming across to my work… to do some exercise. (Not just sit down for a cuppa & a yarn… which, hon­estly, is usually his preferred therapy.)

Dad’s had knee pain for years. YEARS.

The slow, stubborn kind that rural blokes quietly carry like it’s just part of the deal.

He’s been told he needs a knee replace­ment, but you know how it goes… there’s always another season, another job, an­other “I’ll be right”.And he’s tried it all. Fish oil. Magical oint­ments. Every tonic sold by a bloke in a hat at the farm quip field days. If it came with a promise and a free sample, Dad’s probably given it a crack.

But now it’s started taking more than just comfort. It’s impacting his sleep. His move­ment. His day-to-day. And when pain starts stealing your rest… it doesn’t just make you sore. It makes you tired in the bones.

So today, today he’s doing something different. He’s coming over to build some strength back into that knee. To get some movement happening again. To give his joint the support it’s been begging for, quiet­ly, for a long time. Because sometimes the next step isn’t a miracle cure. It’s strength.

It’s movement. It’s doing the basics, con­sistently, with good support around you.

Which brings me to this… We have a new service: Knee & Hip OA Exercise Group (Osteoarthritis). Got achy or stiff knees or hips? Been told you have osteoarthritis and not sure what to do next? Waiting for – or recovering from – a joint replacement?This class is for you. Fridays at 9:30am — Kerin Health. Only $15 per session.

Small, supportive group. Why join?

• Strengthen the muscles that support your hips and knees

• Reduce pressure on your joints

• Move with more ease and less pain

• Stay active with like-minded people (the kind who understand what it’s like to hobble out of the ute)Regular strengthening exercise is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis and improve everyday function — and even 8 weeks can make a real difference.

Dad’s proof that it’s never “too late”. Sometimes it’s just finally time. Move Well.

Age Well. Interested in joining or want to learn more? Get in touch with our team at Kerin Health — we’d love to help you get started.

As families prepare for the new school year, many parents work through the usual checklist: new shoes, new pencils, sticking labels on everything. But there’s one important item that’s often over­looked: an eye test.

Children’s vision plays a crucial role in learning, behaviour and confidence at school. Yet many kids don’t realise they have a vision problem. To them, the way they see the world is “normal,” even if the board is blurry or reading is uncom­fortable. That’s why parents need to be strong advocates for their children’s eye care.

More children are becoming shortsighted than ever before. Compared to previous generations, today’s kids spend far more time doing close work, particular digital devices and far less time outdoors. This shift is contributing to a rise in vision problems at younger ages.

Undetected vision issues can quietly affect a child’s ability to concentrate, read, follow instructions and participate confidently in the classroom. They can also impact behaviour, as children who struggle to see may become frustrated, tired or disengaged. Often, these prob­lems aren’t obvious, and it takes more than a parent’s keen eye to pick them up.

The good news is that early detec­tion makes a real difference. Identifying vision problems early allows for timely treatment and better long-term out­comes, particularly as a child’s eyes are still developing.

We recommend a comprehensive eye test before starting kindergarten, and then every two years throughout school or sooner if concerns arise. As part of your back-to-school routine, adding an eye test to the checklist is a simple step that can have a lasting impact on your child’s learning and wellbeing. Book your child’s eye appointment on 6963 5577 or www.hansenoptom.com

Church lawns fill with folding chairs for car­ols, kids rehearse their nativity lines with tea towels on their heads, and once again we pause at the old, beautiful story of a baby born in a stable — God choosing the simple and the small to show us He is with us.

At Kerin Health, the lights are still on. The tinsel on the front desk is slightly crooked.

Someone’s brought in shortbread. The tree in the corner is looking a little droopy after a month of being “reorganised” by many tod­dlers – mostly my own two-year-old, a tiny interior decorator with very big opinions.

Most mornings begin the same way — a deep breath at the door, mustering energy for another day amidst the juggle of school presentation nights and Christmas parties.

We wouldn’t have it any other way. Be­cause between the carols and the chaos, there are quieter moments. A farmer com­ing in straight from the paddock, hat in hand, finally making time for his sore shoul­der. A Mum in thongs and a messy bun, baby on one hip, whispering that she’s not just tired, she’s overwhelmed. An older gent who “hates a fuss”, leaving his appointment standing taller, with a joke for the girls at the front desk.

These are the stories of this year. Of bodies worked hard and hearts stretched thin. Of neighbours checking in. Of country people doing what they’ve always done — showing up for each other.

Christmas, for Kerin Health, is less about perfect tables and more about full ones.

Less about having everything “sorted” and more about being together, sharing food, stories and second helpings.

Our team will be taking a break over Christmas to rest with our own families, so the clinic will be closed for appointments during that time, reopening in early January refreshed and ready for a big year ahead.

Behind the scenes, there are plans on whiteboards, new faces joining the staff, and some exciting announcements coming in the new year — more support for rural families, more women’s health and preg­nancy services, more ways to care for the bodies that carry our stories.

From all of us at Kerin Health: thank you for trusting us with your aches, your tears, your hard days and your hopeful ones. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Companions Thru Cancer lnc was estab­lished to provide and promote a confiden­tial, non-denominational, non-religious sup­port network distinct from other groups,societies, associations and the time, for people whose lives have been touched bycancer in some way.

Companions Thru Cancer lnc began from a newspaper article featuring Dianne Tan­swell’s 40th birthday party, headed ‘Cancer a word, not a death sentence’. lt expressed Dianne’s passion to form a support group in Parkes for cancer patients and their carers’. This article prompted well-known sports­man Len Gosper to contact Dianne about her idea. Together Dianne, Len Gosper and Dorothy Tanswell formed Companions Thru Cancer on 10 December 2001. Un­fortunately, all three founders were cancer patients and have sadly passed away, but their legacy lives on.

Companion Thru Cancer lnc meet every third Wednesday of the month for social outings where friendships and support have grown, and many experiences have been shared in a relaxed and informal at­mosphere. This sharing and friendship is reflected in the group’s logo designed by local artist Julie Hamilton, in memory of her late mother, Patricia Bigelow.

Companions Thru Cancer lnc have in the past made donations to Care West Lodge Orange, Currajong Enterprises, AngeI Flight, Currajong Disabilities, PCYC, RuraI Fire, Encore and Red Cross to name a few.

The group have also fundraised for Relay for Life and annually hold a Biggest Morn­ing Tea for the Cancer Council.

This year they donated $1,000 to the Parkes Domestic & Family Violence Com­mittee.

Companions Thru Cancer lnc was formed to share experiences, to laugh, to cry and to embrace life! lf you would like to join please contact: President Mavis Moon 6862 2582 or vice president Kay lvey 0459 931 799.

On 21 November, 2025, the Legislative As­sembly clerk announced that a paper pe­tition signed by 500 or more persons had been lodged for presentation. A Petition re­questing that the Legislative Assembly call on the Government to increase the levels of nurse staffing, administration support and security provision in the emergency depart­ment at Parkes Hospital.

NSWNMA Parkes Hospital branch del­egate Tania Elsley said “The submission of our petition to parliament is the first step in making our state aware of our fear and safe­ty concerns and then responsible for fund­ing the changes needed. Parliament and State Health are responsible for providing what is required for our town’s local public hospital. They are no longer “unaware”.”

“If our town wants our local hospital to deliver appropriate and safe care, commu­nity support needs to continue until we see improvement. Sadly if we stop being visible and vocal then people assume it has hap­pened. This includes our local council pur­suing this on our behalf as it affects their families the same as our own.” said Tania.

Phil Donato MP said “I have been in routine contact with the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association area organiser, with whom I have regularly discussed challeng­es experienced by the branch members concerning the Parkes Hospital on 7th April 2025 I met with Parkes branch members, who first raised with me issues concerning nursing staff shortages, system improve­ments, and the need for dedicated security staff around the clock. Following that meet­ing, I made formal written representations to the Minister for Health regarding staffing, and I also tabled a question on notice re­garding the issue of hospital security.”

The Health Minister’s written response is due by Friday 26 December 2025. Once the Minister’s written response is received, it will be publicly viewable on the following link: https://shorturl.at/fBw7r