Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 17 of 52

Free Online Child Car Seat Safety Workshops

September 5, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held to provide important safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW West Region. The workshops will be held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 10th September at 10am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjustment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for second-hand car seats and much more. It is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

The online workshops were the first of their kind in NSW when they were trialed in May 2023.

“Over 30 local families have attended the online workshops since their inception. Participants rated the workshop 4.8 out of 5, said they would be very likely to recommend it to a friend or family member and were glad they had attended,” Ms Suitor said.

To book your place, visit the Councils’ Facebook pages, use this link: bit.ly/WorkshopRegoSept24 or call Ms Suitor on 6861 2364.

Parkes Celebrates Sustainable Creativity

August 22, 2024 By Roxane Manley

This community art exhibition and competition, open to all residents of the NetWaste region, challenges perceptions about ‘rubbish’ and celebrates the creative potential of waste.

This year, 14 Councils participated in the Waste2Art competition, with the winning artworks from local exhibitions across the region now on display in the Coventry Room at Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre.

The exhibition showcases the innovation and creativity of artists of all ages, from preschool and school-aged children, to community groups and professional artists.

Parkes Shire residents made a significant mark on this year’s competition, taking home several awards. We proudly congratulate Michelle Hazelton, who was awarded the overall Waste2Art winner for her intricate artwork, Entomology Collection.

Overall, 30 winners and 19 highly commended awards were announced, showcasing the immense talent and commitment to sustainability within the region.

Waste 2 Art encourages individuals, schools, and community groups to reuse materials that would otherwise be discarded, transforming them into thought-provoking art pieces. This year’s theme focused on packaging, inspiring participants to repurpose materials like paper, cardboard, tin, and plastic into unique works of art, diverting them from landfill and giving them a second life.

The Waste2Art initiative offers an innovative approach to waste education, providing both aspiring and professional artists with a platform to explore and share their messages about waste reduction. As part of the opening ceremony, the theme for the 2025 competition was revealed: The Year of Toys.

The Waste2Art Regional Showcase is proudly sponsored by Sims Metal, NetWaste, and Parkes Shire Council. The exhibition will be open until 31st August at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre, so head along and check out some of the amazing talent in our region.

Donation To Havannah House

August 15, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Jenny Watts, Mark Watts, Julie Virtue from Havannah House, Alistair Lunn and Amy Slessor.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show has donated $1,000 to Havannah House in Forbes to assist with their 2024 Christmas Lunch, which they provide for the less fortunate people that live in our community.

Pastor Julie Virtue received the cheque this year and thanked the committee members in attendance for the continued support.

Organisers have received a great response to entries for this year’s show, with 585 wines entered from 99 wineries. Judging taking place from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st August.

The Public Tasting is on Friday 23rd August from 6.30pm at The Forbes Town Hall. All the wines entered will be available for patrons to taste and finger food will be provided. Tickets are $30 per person. The annual Gourmet Wine Dinner will be held on Saturday 21 September from 7pm at the Forbes Town Hall.Tickets are $130 per person. If you buy both tickets in one transaction, the bundle is $150 per person. Tickets are available online at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/44190/nsw-small-winemakers-wineshow but get in quick as they are limited.

Consultation On $40 Million Dollar Central West Housing Program Wraps Up

August 15, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Over 300 residents from across the Central West region have participated in community engagement sessions, facilitated by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which were held across the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Cabonne Shires over three weeks, giving residents the opportunity to view flood risk information, hear about proposed measures to make their homes more flood resilient and talk directly with flood experts about how new flood maps were developed.

Residents were encouraged to share their feedback on the proposed approach for the Program, with many supporting measures that will help them minimise future flood damage to their property.

Support services, including Legal Aid, Red Cross, Lifeline and Catholic Care, were also on hand to help residents navigate the more complex challenges many still face.

The Central West’s Resilient Homes Program aims to build stronger, safer communities with measures that help households most at risk from future floods.

Proposed measures include grants for a range of resilience measures, such as raising and retrofitting, home rebuilds and home relocations and a voluntary scheme to buy back properties in the highest flood risk zones.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said “Nothing will ever undo the damage caused by the 2022 floods, but we can make sure that we’re better prepared for future disasters. Community information sessions are one way we can empower residents to have a say about a program that will have a profound effect on their future.”

Parenting Survey Reveals Overwhelming Concern For Kids

August 15, 2024 By Roxane Manley

This National Bullying No Way Week (12th-16th August), Triple P is reminding the community to help children stay safer online and stop cyberbullying before it impacts children.

Carol Markie-Dadds, Triple P International Country Director, highlighted the urgency of this issue, noting Triple P’s largest-ever survey of parents and carers found 8 out of 10 parents are concerned about keeping children safe from online dangers like cyberbullying.

“Bullying, whether it’s online through text or social media, or in person, has a significant impact on children’s emotional and physical health, and puts children at greater risk of mental health concerns, like anxiety or depression,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

Delivery of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program to parents and carers of children in Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Parents and carers can access free, online parenting support 24/7 at triplep-parenting.net.au

Why Is Parkes Que So Successful?

August 8, 2024 By Pam Nankivell

Enjoying time together at the Hong Loch were Dina White, Karen Ritchie, Jo Burke, Miriam Luyt, Wendy Neville, Margaret Robinson, Judy Chambers, Cathy Clarke, Janet O’Donoghue, Kay Craft, Pam Nankivell and Nancye Blatch.

Susan Ball made these beautiful bags which were filled by Cathy Clarke, Jeanine Boland, Miriam Luyt, Jill Crisp, Fran Dixon and Wendy Neville.

Parkes Que is a highly successful club for many reasons, not least of which is that we always seek to do our community work really well, and coupled with the satisfaction from helping others, we have a lot of fun and enjoyment working and playing together.

In the last month, as well as progressing our 29th September Open Gardens arrangements, several members got together to fill some Domestic Violence kits to give to the police for the women who flee their homes, often with only the clothes on their backs.

These are greatly appreciated by the recipients, but how much better it would be if they were not necessary. We need good men and women to call out this bad behaviour, to educate boys to respect and treat girls as equals, not as their property, and to advise girls to leave a marriage immediately if their partner physically or mentally mistreats them. With a woman being killed every four days this year by a present or former partner, we have to change this culture fast.

On a happier note, some of us Que-ties enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal together, no work , just a delightful couple of hours on a Saturday to relax, chat and laugh together.

There are so many members of varying talents, skills and interests that together we can achieve so much that we couldn’t do on our own. It is pressure free, but most members do quite a lot as we find that the more we put into Que, the better our lives become.

Want to know more? Find us on Facebook or call us on 0407 894 498. New members are always welcome.

By Pam Nankivell

Put Tradies Health First This August

August 8, 2024 By Roxane Manley

August is Tradie Health Month, which SafeWork NSW says is the perfect time for tradies to review and speak up about any work health and safety (WHS) concerns to ensure they can have a long and healthy career.

Young tradies need appropriate training, support and supervision. From 2017-2021, approximately 20 percent of incidents reported to SafeWork NSW were the result of an injury to a young worker. Just last month, a 19-year-old cabinetry apprentice fell approximately three meters in a stair void, breaking his ribs.

Construction businesses must ensure they are creating environments where workers are protected and where young tradies receive the correct training, supervision and are empowered to speak up.

For young workers, SafeWork’s message is that if you are not sure about something, stop and check – it’s the safe way, or no way. If you see something that isn’t safe on a worksite and are worried about raising it, you can speak up anonymously using the Speak Up Save Lives app.

SafeWork has also developed a Young Worker eToolkit for employees and workers, containing tips and training materials about work safety rights and responsibilities.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

August 1, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Have you seen the Parkes Trishaw getting around town with happy passengers?

Neighbourhood Central’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is teaming up with Cycling Without Age, Parkes Trishaw, to help continue reducing social isolation for the elderly in Parkes.

Most locals would be familiar with the sight of the Parkes Trishaw taking passengers sightseeing around our beautiful town. Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit charity that connects those no longer able to ride for themselves with the Parkes community, by providing free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by amazing volunteer cyclists.

The aim is to bring something to the elderly that they may no longer be able to do, all while creating meaningful friendships.

The ACVVS is a free program that supports volunteer visits to provide friendship and companionship to older people. Visits are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Package (HCP) services who are socially isolated or lonely. This includes care recipients approved or on the National Priority System.

ACVVS accepts referrals from aged care service providers, health professionals, family members and friends. Older people can also refer themselves. While the program excludes those accessing services from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), we have all bases covered, as Neighbourhood Central can help through our Social Support (Individual and Group) aged care services.

Neighbourhood Central are also in need of more volunteers across both Parkes and Forbes. If you would like to brighten the days of older people as a valued volunteer, you are invited to join us as we bring this opportunity to those who need a visitor. If you would like any further information, to request a visitor, or know of someone who would benefit from this service, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with Brooke at Neighbourhood Central on phone: 1300 810 771 or email: admin@ncentral.org.au

Rolls Royce Derwent Turbojet Engine Arrives In Parkes

July 18, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Photo courtesy RAFM Hendon.

HARS Parkes Aviation Museum has a wide variety of military and commercial aircraft and aviation related items on display, and the latest to arrive is a 1940’s Rolls Royce Derwent centrifugal compressor turbojet engine.

The Derwent turbojet engine was developed from the original Whittle design of the late 30’s and 40’s and was the second jet engine to go into production. The RR Derwent powered the Gloster meteor aircraft, the first jet powered fighter aircraft to join RAF squadrons at the end of WW2. They were used extensively to down German V1 flying bombs.

In November 1945 the Gloster Meteor with a Derwent engine set a world speed record of 606 mph or 975 kmh. The Meteor was in service with the RAAF from 1946 to 1963 and saw service in the Korean War between July 1951 and July 1953, they were first used in a fighter role against the Chicom Mig 15’s and outclassed and then succeeded in a ground attack role using rockets and napalm. Australia lost 32 pilots and 53 Meteors during the conflict.

In addition to this iconic jet engine, you can also see the largest jet engine in the Central West, a Rolls Royce RB211 that powered the Boeing 747, Neptune engines, both piston and jet and the de Havilland Goblin engine that powered the Vampire.

The Museum is expanding and looking to recruit more volunteers to either be receptionists or tour guides or even in hands-on roles looking after the aircraft and exhibits.

Contact Mike on 0418 473 175 or speak to any one of the volunteers. Flexible shifts and training will be provided.

The Museum is located in a former RAAF hanger at the Parkes Regional Airport and is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm Thursdays and Sundays and entry is $30 per family.

Galari River Arts Festival Presents “ripple”

July 4, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Galari River Arts Festival makes a splashing return to Forbes in 2024, pictured top is Sydney band Lolo Lovina who will be performing, and bottom is Canowindra performer Nerida Cuddy.

After a five-year break, the beloved River Arts Festival is set to bring a wave of creativity back to Forbes on Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at Lions Park from 9am-7pm. Festival Director Rob Shannon and the committee are thrilled to once again celebrate the town’s artistic spirit and foster a sense of community through the power of art.

This year’s Festival has been given the name “Ripple”. Held on the shores of Lake Forbes, we want to send ripples of creativity and positivity out to the community through the arts. It is a chance for everyone to get involved in workshops, from the community mural with Sheree Stokes, The River Arts Community Choir with Nerida Cuddy or lantern making with Ro Burns for the Lantern Parade in the evening.

There will be a healing space featuring yoga, meditation, sound healing and more.

Wander through the extensive artisan stalls from all over the region.

We are featuring some amazing music this year, and are very excited to be hosting “Lolo Lovina” from Sydney, lead by RomaniGypsy vocalist Sarah Bedak, and featuring musicians from all over the world, Serbia, Ukraine, Malta and Bulgaria. They have performed all over the globe from Havana to Texas, China, western Europe and all over Australia. They will be towing their caravan (stage) into town especially for the day.

Also performing will be the high energy rockabilly trio “Felix Albert and the Gentlemanly Two” (Bathurst), modern folk song writer, singer and guitarist Nerida Cuddy (Canowindra), plus a whole heap of local performers from diverse backgrounds.

The day will culminate in the dreamy and inspiring lantern parade and Lolo Lovina taking us on a wild ride of passionate gypsy world music to close the night.

We look forward to this being something the whole community can enjoy.

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