
The Parkes Shire Concert Band played at the Australia Day celebrations in Cooke Park on Sunday. New members are welcome to join the band.
Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB): New members are welcome to join including students from Year 3 and community members. Dust off your instrument or hire one. The band plays at the Elvis parade, ANZAC march, ABBA, Australia Day, musicals, church fetes, ceremonial occasions, Christmas Carols, and concerts. Rehearsal times are on Tuesday nights during school term from 7 – 9 pm at the PSCB music room above Parkes Aquatic complex in Dalton Street. Contact Musical Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164, or President Rhonda Redenbach on 0459 373 624.
New Standpipe Usage Scheme: Parkes Shire Council is introducing a new standpipe usage scheme to maintain sustainable water supplies for the Shire. From Tuesday, 4th February standpipe water will be without charge for up to 25kL per week to approved farming enterprises. Any additional approved farming enterprises usage will be charged at a reduced rate of $3.50 per kilolitre. All standpipe users must reapply for standpipe access. Existing standpipe cards can be reauthorised by completing a new application form by 4th February. Existing standpipe cards that have not been reauthorised by this date will be deactivated. New users can apply for standpipe access through Council, subject to eligibility, which will incur a $20 card activation fee. For more information about the new Parkes Shire Standpipe Usage Scheme visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Beat The Heat: As the hot and dry summer continues, it’s important to stay hydrated. Using your own bottle and refilling with tap water will help save the environment and save you money. The average Australian drinks 42 bottles of water a year and around 33 of these end up in landfill. The simple solution is to bring your own reusable water bottle and keeping it filled with tap water. There are drinking fountains all over town in our parks and sporting fields. Bottled water costs 2000 times more than tap water. There are much more important things you could be spending your money on.
No Phone Zone: Local lifeguards are reminding parents and carers to put their phones away while at the pool this swim season. Royal Life Saving Australia statistics show that a lack of direct supervision by a parent or carer is a contributing factor in 70% of all drowning deaths at public pools. Active supervision means focusing all of your attention on your children all of the time, when they are in, on or around the water.

Focus on your swimming kids and not on your phone when you are at the pool or any other waterways this summer.