Parkes Shire Council’s Economic & Business Develop- ment Manager Anna Wyllie (left) received the prestigious Peter Chaffey Economic Development Leadership Award at the 2019 Economic Development Australia Awards
last week. Parkes Shire Council was named winner of the Economic Development Initiatives category. The EDA awards recognise projects and initiatives that have stimu- lated significant economic development activity. Anna is with Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.
Christmas Parade: There will be something new and something old for the Parkes community to start their Christmas celebrations on 13th December. The old is the Action Club Christmas Parade, which will go down the whole length of Parkes business centre. The Action Club would like to see as many floats as possible from schools, businesses, sporting clubs, associations and community groups with $330 prizes each for best business float, best school float and best community float. The something new is a carnival in Cooke Park following the parade with entertainment on the stage, and an opportunity for local clubs and associations to show the Parkes community what is available in their town. Everything from local retailers, groups, karate and bushwalkers will be on show for the Parkes community to see and be involved. There will also be food stalls run by Parkes clubs and retailers.
Forbes news in Parkes: Are you interested in what’s happening in Forbes? You can pick up a free copy of the Forbes Phoenix at the Parkes Newsagency every Friday.
One on One Support: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has a Drought Support Team for the first time, that consists of everyday people with lived experience of life on the land. “This is a new model of care for our District and provides our communities an alternative option instead of speaking to a clinician,” said Hub Manager Mental Health Drug and Alcohol, Trish Bullen. “Sometimes all someone needs to improve their mental health is a trusted place to have a chat. The Drought Support Team can provide this and more”. The Drought Support Team are non-clinical but have a first-hand understanding of the effects of drought. They also know it’s not just our farmers that are being hit hard. The team provide support to anyone affected by the drought, from farmers, shop keepers, schools and families. The team even have a child and adolescent support specialist. The service is able to provide support via phone calls, text, email or they can come to you. To access the Drought Support Team service call 6881 4002 from Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm.
Drought Support Team are (L-R) Matt March, Leif Carroll, Angela Copeland, Peter Gorman, Sue Baxter, Therese Ryan and Heather Jones.