
There is new 3D movie, called Beyond the Barrier, showing at the Parkes Radio Telescope Visitors Centre about the observatory and the staff, after so many visitors had asked to know what is happening beyond the fence. CSIRO and Swinburne University worked together to produce the 13-minute feature.
Parkes Painting Group
The Parkes Painters have a new committee following its recently held AGM. Kerry Davis took over as chair from Kim Chambers, Annette Witherow is secretary and Dianne Hutchins treasurer. The group’s Elvis exhibition will coincide with the Parkes Elvis Festival next year, and will run from 28th April to 13th May at the Uniting Youth Centre in Church Street. All budding artists are welcome to join the group at Northparkes Oval on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. “We welcome new members to enjoy the great thrill of creating, colour mixing and using our imaginations to the benefit of our wellbeing,” said member Helen Huntly.
Christmas Parade Cancelled
The Action Club has confirmed that the Christmas Parade and Festival in the Park in December has been cancelled due to the unavailability of the schools to participate and the fluid COVID situation. The club will continue to plan for next year’s event.
COVID-19 Location Alerts
Residents can now receive push notifications on COVID-19 case locations on the Service NSW app so they are alerted to potential exposure risks as soon as possible. The is in addition to the red icon that appears in the check-in history of a person who has been to a venue on the same day as a confirmed COVID-19 case. People who receive a push notification or see a COVID-19 case alert in their check-in history should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell. They do not need to self-isolate, unless contacted by NSW Health.
Harvest Safety
More than 500 signs will be rolled out on key freight routes and level crossings across western parts of NSW to remind drivers to take extra care on the road this bumper harvest season expecting to be a record 16 million tonnes. Two types of signs will be rolled out to remind drivers to be patient, slow down and take care on the road. These include 27 electronic message signs along key road harvest routes, an additional 18 electronic messaging signs to be placed at high-risk level crossings, and 500 free sign available for order by farmers whose properties have level crossings on them, which they can install on their gates to help increase safety.

The original helicopter sign used at the old Parkes Hospital has been salvaged for the play area of the newly transformed community health building for Central West Childcare Services as a link to its past.