Meals on Wheels have moved: The Meals on Wheels office relocated last week from Neighbourhood Central to 78 Clarinda Street. Some people will know this as the old lolly shop. Fiona Graham,service manager, said the new venue had a lot more space and easy parking off the lane at the back. “We will be able to host morning teas and other events now,” said Fiona. She thanked Rotary for helping with the move, and CanAssist for helping to deliver the furniture. “Everyone is welcome to pop in and have a look around!” The grand opening of the new office takes place today at 10:30am.
Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy: Let your imagination run wild in a series of free art workshops, Journey into Mystery, to be held at Parkes Library and run by Maralyn Nash. The workshops will cover all genres of horror, science fiction and fantasy art from painting dragons, zombies, monsters and superheroes to cyberpunk characters and other imagery. The workshops will run on Tuesdays from 4 – 7pm on 23 August; 6, 13, 20, 27 September and 4 October at the Parkes Library. Places are limited to 12 participants aged 12 +. During the workshops six completed artworks will be created that will be exhibited on the community wall public art mural in Parkes. Topics covered will include graphic design illustration, photomontage, air bushing and surrealist fantasy style painting techniques. The workshops are the first events being held for the Library’s Curiosity + Wonder Festival to celebrate literacy. No previous experience is necessary as full instruction will be given and all art materials supplied. Bookings are required. Please call Parkes Library on 6861 2309.
Parkes Shire moves online for Census 2016: Residents of the Parkes Shire are encouraged to join millions of people across Australia to participate in the country’s largest and most significant online event. The 17th national Census of Population and Housing will move online for the first time, making it easier for people in regional and remote areas to be counted. It is expect 16 million people will complete the survey online. The ABS has delivered 10 million letters to every household around the country in preparation for Census night. Parkes Shire Mayor, Ken Keith said: “The 2016 Census will provide the Parkes community an opportunity to make a difference”.
He emphasised the importance of Census data in enabling Council to gain a better impression of what the community needed, and would support funding decisions services and infrastructure including housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals, and the environment “. For more information visit www.abs.gov.au.
Safety at Children’s Crossings: During recent school zone observations it has been identified that there is confusion about how ‘Children’s Crossings’ operates. The Council has started a new initiative with all schools in the shire with a Children’s Crossing near their grounds to set out the roles and responsibilities of both the Council and schools. There are five crossings in Parkes, two in Trundle and one in Tullamore. “Children’s Crossings are legally the strongest marked pedestrian crossing for managing traffic and road safety in local streets around schools. During the school-zone operating hours they are an inflexible traffic regulation which allows drivers no other option but to stop,” said Logan Dolbel, Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer. As Children’s Crossings are marked by bright orange flags, Council has agreed to supply new flags to each school every two years, to develop and implement local education campaigns regarding children’s crossings, and provide educational material to the school principals for distribution amongst parents and students. For further information contact Logan Dolbel on 6861 2364.
