AUTHOR TALK: HARRY TREASURE

Join us on Friday, 23rd June from 6pm-7:30pm for this night of food, wine and entertainment with Cowra farmer and author Harry Treasure, on the release of his first novel King’s Spur. This history inspired fiction novel is set in the Dargo high plains last century. Free event, book your place for what should be a great evening by phoning Parkes Library on 6861 2309.

FRIDAY FLICKS

This month our Friday Flick is a light-hearted rom-com romp through the jungle with a star-studded cast and lots of laughs along the way. FREE, limited places so call 6861 2309 to book your place. Parkes Library, Friday 26 May at 6pm.

WASTE 2 ART EXHIBITION IN THE COVENTRY ROOM

Waste 2 Art Exhibition Challenge the way you view waste this June at this years’ Waste 2 Art Exhibition in the Coventry Room. Join us on Saturday 3 June at 10:00 AM for the official opening and announcement of the local winning entries (FREE). The exhibition will be on display from 3rd June until 1st July during library opening hours. 

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN JUNE

Little Bang Discovery Club: Each Tuesday morning (10-11:30am) for the month of June children aged 3-5years and their parent/carer are invited to join a 4-week science program with hands-on activities and one-to-one creative learning. Places are strictly limited so call 68612309 to book.

Social AUSLAN: Join us fortnightly in the Makerspace to learn social AUSLAN with Rose and Annette Jones. Saturday, 10th June and 24th June from 10am. FREE, no booking required.

Expressive Acrylics: Florals workshop. Join Karen Ritchie in this 3-hour workshop in the Marramarra Makerspace and learn how to paint florals. Saturday, 17th June 1pm – 4pm. For booking and cost enquiries contact karenritchieart@gmail.com

parkes

In 1996, all Parkes school principals, preschool directors and two midwives, along with Mayor Robert Wilson, launched the community awareness-raising campaign, Birth to Kindergarten – now known as Paint the Town REaD.

The Annual Parkes Community Reading Day is one of the fun and creative strategies used to spread the word about the necessity of providing children a language-rich environment right from birth, as well as celebrating literacy. 

This year marks 25 years since the first Reading Day, and in addition, the 9th National Paint the Town REaD Conference is being held in Parkes.

What began as a local campaign has become a nationwide movement, with well over 100 communities and networks across six states.

Parkes is recognised nationally for our exceptional community reading days, and a number of conference delegates are staying an extra night to attend. This is a great opportunity to showcase the Parkes community. 

The National Paint the Town REaD Conference will be held on 6th – 7th September, the community reading day on 8th September.

Marion Unger in her amazing home garden that she has spent 20 years finessing.

Show your love and appreciation for your mother and support a local initiative to raise funds for a charity.

Parkes resident Marion Unger will be selling flowers from her garden on the front lawn of the Lutheran Church in Currajong Street (opposite Parkes Public School) from 8:30am tomorrow, Saturday 13th May. Her bunches start from $5 for the smallest size. The bunches of chrysanthemums, the traditional Mother’s Day flower, come mostly from Marion’s garden. She will be donating the money to a children’s ministry in Cambodia. She has attached a small card with information about the ministry to every bunch. Contact Marion on 0447 165 229 for more information. 

Free two-hour workshop for parents and supervisors of learner drivers.

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop which will be held at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes on Tuesday 23rd May. Commencing at 6pm, the two-hour Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers workshop will offer parents and supervisors practical advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that after two years of COVID disruption, it will be great to return to face-to-face delivery.

Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why we have teamed up with Transport for NSW to hold this workshop.

The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook (including the use of digital logbooks), licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.

Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors” Ms Suitor said.

We want our children to feel confident when they get behind the wheel of a car, and if you are a parent or supervisor in charge of helping a learner driver then this course help you guide them to be confident drivers. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364. Refreshments will be available.

WHAT’S ON MONTHLY CALENDAR

With so much going on at the Library, Marramarra Makerspace & the Coventry Room come in and grab a copy of our new handy calendar to keep you up to date with all the events and activities. An online copy is also available on our Facebook page!

YOUTH BOOK CLUB NOW ONLINE!

Download the book we are reading The Theory of Hummingbirds, by Michelle Kadarusman on the indyreads app and join the online book club guided forum at www.parkeslibrary.freeforums.net. Open toall Parkes Shire Library members aged 12 – 25 years until 20 May 2023. 

Parkes Library will also be hosting our Term 2 Youth Library Lock-in during Law Week for young people aged 12-18 with fun and games where you can learn something about the law and how it affects you. Tuesday 16 May from 5:30-8:00pm. Contact the library to book in.

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME RETURN IN MAY! 

Storytime resumes on Tuesday 2nd May at 10:30am for 3–5-year-olds and their parents/carer. Rhyme Time resumes on Thursday 4th May at 10:30am for babies to 2-year-olds and their parents/carer. Bookings are essential for these programs.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN MAY

Recycled Art Workshops (FREE). Join Ronda Sharpe in this 2 hour workshop and turn repurposed recycled materials into art that you can submit into the Waste to Art competition! Sunday 7th May 10am – 12pm or 2pm – 4pm. Age 6 – 12-year-olds. Contact the library to book in.

Milk Crate Theatre Workshop (FREE) Milk Crate Theatre is coming to Parkes to offer a free community creative workshop in embodiment and play for adults! Artistic Director Margot Politis will lead the group in a session of collaborative and creative play. This will include movement, games and improvisations, leading to the creation of small sequences or scenes to share with the group. Saturday 20 May 11am – 2pm in the Marramarra Makerspace. Contact Parkes Library to book in and for details.