The Forbes Dragon Boat Club was well represented at the Australian National Dragon Boat Championships in Adelaide last week with 13 of its members (seven are from Parkes) selected in the NSW Western Region team. The team won a silver medal in the 500m open race.
Club Forbes Movies: It’s holiday time and there are fantastic movies to see at the Club Forbes Cinema.
Country Mayors Association: Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith has been re-elected as chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA). Councillor Jamie Chaffey (Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council) was elected deputy chair. Kent Boyd PSM, General Manager Parkes Shire Council, was elected secretary/public officer. Priority areas for the CMA include working with the State Government to close the gap between health services in the regions and metropolitan areas, ensuring towns have sustainable water supplies and to ensure the financial sustainability of local government.
Bush Photography: Rural Aid’s hugely popular Spirit of the Bush photography competition has returned with more than 250 entries already received in the first week of the competition. A set of 12 photographs will be picked for Rural Aid’s 2023 calendar. Entries can be made here: www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush or by tagging #SOTB2022 in your Instagram or Facebook posts. The closing date is 30th May.
Tradie Of the Month: Remember to nominate your favourite tradie (male or female) before Tuesday, 26th April in our new competition. Simply send your favourite tradie’s name and workplace to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au or drop your nomination at TWW.
Five Days Of Double Demerits: Double demerit points will apply on NSW roads from today, 14th April until Monday, 18th April (inclusive) for the Easter break. Double demerit points will apply for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences. Police will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the four D’s – drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving. Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said with COVID restrictions all but gone and state borders re-opened Police were expecting people to take full advantage of being able to holiday across NSW and interstate this year. “We want everyone to arrive at their destination, to enjoy Easter with loved ones, and return home safely. That’s why all available Highway Patrol Officers will be working. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks, limit distractions in the car, don’t mix drinking with driving and ensure you and all your passengers are wearing seatbelts,” Sergeant Ling said.
Congratulations to Parkes squash champion Henry Kross on an amazing 2nd place at the Australian Junior Squash Open in Bendigo this week.