Team members Kerry Dwyer and Rachael Baker display the gift basket which one lucky person will win. Raffle tickets still available in store so pop in and grab a few tickets and support a great cause.

Ron Dunford Chemist has been serving the community in Parkes for over 50 years, and it is that time of year again where they turn to the community for support of their annual morning tea to support breast cancer.

Ron Dunford Chemist has always sup­ported the McGrath Foundation, and has been having morning tea’s for as long as can be remembered which is estimated to be about 20 years.

Come along on Monday, 27 October to enjoy a friendly chat with the Ron Dunford team whilst enjoying lots of yummy home baked goodies. For just a $5 donation, you will receive a plate of goodies to enjoy in store, or take home to enjoy later. All pro­ceeds raised will be donated to the McGrath Foundation.

Zoe Hayne, Retail and Administration Manager at Ron Dunford Chemist said, “It is vitally important that we all get behind such a fundamental and worthwhile cause so that we can all work together to create a future where no one has to miss out on getting care from a McGrath care nurse, and one that ultimately finds a cure for cancer.”

“Early detection is the key. Please be self-aware, have regular check ups, see your doctor if you have any concerns, and always check your boobs for any lumps or signs of change.”

“We look forward to the community sup­porting us in our endeavor. Together we can raise awareness, have hope, and show that we care and support each other.”

To help raise as many funds as possible, a raffle is running in store where you have the opportunity to win a gorgeous gift basket full of self-care and self-indulgent products.

Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. The raffle will be drawn at the Breast Cancer Awareness morning tea on Monday 27th October.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, eligi­ble women from Western NSW Local Health District are being urged to book a free mam­mogram, with 42 per cent of women in the region overdue for their two-yearly breast cancer screening.

For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years, through a population based screening program like BreastScreen NSW, is still the best way to detect breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt.

Deon Adamson Manager, Breastscreen NSW (Greater Western), said with more than 250 local women expected to be diag­nosed with breast cancer this year, women need to put themselves first and book a screening.

“If you’re aged 50 to 74, make breast screening a priority. It only takes 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed,” Ms Ad­amson said. “Early detection significantly increases a person’s chance of survival and can greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and BreastScreen NSW is encourag­ing clients, staff and the community to Tell a Friend about the importance of regular screening and how to book an appointment.

A record 36,500 women booked their breast screen in October 2024. This year, the Be A Friend, Tell A Friend promotion will encour­age more conversations so more women across NSW book this potentially lifesaving appointment.

For more information and to make an ap­pointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

As more than 200,000 Year 12 students across Australia prepare for their ATAR ex­ams, the stress they face highlights a bigger national issue: too many young Australians are entering adulthood without the coping skills to manage life’s challenges. Without those tools, pressures can accumulate and contribute to serious mental health con­sequences – with suicide now the leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.

At the same time, the Federal Govern­ment is preparing to tighten restrictions on young people’s access to social media, acknowledging growing concerns about its role in anxiety, loneliness, cyberbullying and harmful self-comparison. While reduc­ing harmful online influences may provide some relief, bans alone will not solve the problem. Children also need to be equipped with the skills to manage stress, build resil­ience, and seek support much earlier.

LifeChanger Foundation is a preventa­tive youth mental health and wellbeing non-profit that empowers young people to thrive. Through evidence-based school and community programs, it builds the social, emotional and resilience skills young peo­ple need to navigate life’s challenges.

For information about LifeChanger www.lifechanger.org.au

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an eye condition in which near objects are seen more clearly than objects that are far away.

People with myopia have poor distance vision. Myopia is also known as ‘near-sight­edness’ or ‘short-sightedness’ because peo­ple with myopia can still see things clearly that are up close. Myopia is mostly found in children, but adults can have it as well.

In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has grown at an alarming rate. If current trends continue, by the year 2050, roughly half the people on the planet (5 billion peo­ple) will be myopic.

Myopia affects approximately 15 percent of the population. It is the most common vi­sion impairment in the world for people un­der the age of 40.

Although myopia usually stops getting worse around 20 years of age, the condition in children tends to get worse as they grow.

Generally, the younger a child is when they first develop myopia, the faster their vi­sion will deteriorate, and the more severe it is in adulthood.

Studies have shown that when children spend more than two hours a day outdoors (green time) , the risk of myopia is reduced.

That holds true even when both parents have myopia and even when the children continue to do near-work.

While green time is not a direct cure for myopia, it can provide a helpful balance for the developing child. By increasing time outdoors you will reduce time on your digi­tal devices – and promote healthy lifestyle habits.

Contact Hansen Optometrists Parkes to discuss the most suitable treatment with our optometrist. ‘We are locals caring for locals’

Henry was born prematurely in 2021 and Ronald McDonald House has been helping him ever since. He often returns to Orange for medical appointments with specialists. Henry loves visiting ‘Hen’s House’ as he calls it – a comforting place for him that has been the family’s ‘home away from home’ for over 4 years.

Henry from Parkes has been staying with Ronald McDonald House, on and off, since before he was born.

During a routine antenatal checkup in Parkes, Lou and Gary were advised to travel to Orange hospital immediately where Lou was admitted that night and Garry was luckily offered a room at Ron­ald McDonald House Central West, within walking distance of the Hospital.

The next day Lou was asked to stay in Orange so that their baby could continue to be monitored. Lou was 22 weeks at this stage, and Ronald McDonald House in Orange became their ‘home away from home’.After two weeks the decision was made to transfer to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit suit­able for premature babies in anticipation of Henry’s arrival.

“The staff in Orange went out of their way to assist with travel and transfer arrange­ments,” said Garry. This also included booking them a room at Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. “It eases the financial pressures and the physical toll of having to be a distance away.”

Henry didn’t keep Lou and Garry waiting long once they arrived in Newcastle – he was born the next day, at 24 weeks weigh­ing 560 grams.

To help support Henry, and kids just like him, you can enter the Ronald McDonald House Central West raffle and go in the draw to win a Hyundai Kona.

Simply buy a $25 ticket to enter and you’ll be in the draw to win, plus you’ll also be helping Ronald McDonald House sup­port sick kids from across the Central West.­All proceeds from the raffle stay in the Central West at Ronald McDonald House Central West and help support families with sick and injured children from across the region.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Central West and buy a ticket in the raffle to win a Hyundai Kona visit their website at www.rmchcwnsw.org.au

Lochie Pettiford and Teresa Knowles from Parkes Pharmacy.

Parkes resident Teresa Knowles knows that in today’s fast-paced world, it’s rare to stay in the same workplace for long. Which is why she is so proud to have reached a 15-year milestone at Parkes Pharmacy.

Teresa was first introduced to the phar­macy industry during her Year 10 work experience and admits, from that time on, she was hooked and has loved helping the community since. The senior pharmacy assistant joined the Life Pharmacy Group back in 2010 and today is a familiar and trusted face to those in the community.

“I love engaging with customers, talking to the community and helping them feel just a little bit better,” Teresa said.

“The beauty of community pharmacy is we have a close connection to our staff and customers – at the end of the day, it really is the people who make this role so reward­ing.”

Teresa said some of the highlights over the past 15 years include winning the Parkes Business Awards Excellence in Retail Award in 2017 and representing Parkes Pharmacy in the popular Elvis Festival.

Managing Partner and Pharmacist in Charge at Parkes Pharmacy, Lochie Pet­tiford, said this milestone is reflective of Te­resa’s passion and loyalty.

“Teresa’s dedication to both Parkes Phar­macy and the wider community over the years has been truly outstanding,” Manag­ing Partner at Parkes Pharmacy, Lochie Pettiford, said.

“Teresa is known for her bubbly and vi­brant personality and goes above and be­yond to ensure our customers and staff are treated well. We’re incredibly grateful for Teresa’s commitment – she is a wonderful attribute to LPG.”

The Parkes Pharmacy team held a spe­cial morning tea to celebrate Teresa’s mile­stone.

The 2025 crew jumped at the Berry patch on Saturday 12 July. Donations were made on behalf of each person who was brave enough to jump in a freezing cold swimming pool.

For a decade now, Parkes local Kristy Ber­ry and her extended group of friends and family have been raising funds and aware­ness for MND through The Big Freeze. For the last nine years the group have taken to Kristy’s family pool, with the family donat­ing for each person brave enough to take the plunge.

Kristy’s grandfather, great grandmother and a cousin all passed away from MND.

Kristy said “I have very vivid memories of what this beast actually puts sufferers through.”

“I mainly wanted to help not only raise money but awareness of MND. Prior to Neale Denier and the AFL starting the Big Freeze 11 years ago, there wasn’t much awareness around MND”.This year Kristy wanted to up the ante, so she spoke to Terri and Tony from The Coachman Hotel and both were on board to get involved, and make a night of it.

“Then we approached Bella Thom­son and Sammy Dwyer from the Parkes Spacemen to see if they would take to the ice water, and neither hesitated. We auc­tioned off a 2025 signed Spacemen Jersey and a framed Saint George photo collage.

The Parkes Spacemen Old Boys held their meat raffles and donated the takings on the night,” said Kristy.

There evening was well supported by the Parkes Spacemen, family, friends and the community. Bella, Sam, John and Tony all took to the iced pool and freezing water was poured over them. It was topped off with the band Hope Held Hostage. An im­pressive $2,750 was raised and plans are already in place for a bigger event in 2026.

If you want to help you can still donate to the cause by following the link https://sup­port.fightmnd.org.au/s/5655/6228.

John, Tony and Krisy on Friday 11 July at The Coachman Hotel. Tony and John both put their hands up and braved the ice cold.