More than one hundred people turned out today for the first ever International Men’s Day event held at Lions Park on Friday, 29 November.
The event was to celebrate men and boys, aiming to start an important conversation about the social and health issues faced by many.
There was a free breakfast, ice baths, guest speakers and a walk around the lake. Thanks to Talk2MeBro, Flannery’s Pharmacy, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, Service NSW, Forbes Meals On Wheels and Carer Gateway.
Lochie pictured at the USYD presentation receiving his award.
Parkes Pharmacist Lochie Pettiford has been recognised for his dedication to mentoring pharmacy students in rural and regional areas.
The managing partner of Parkes Pharmacy has been awarded the inaugural Rural Pharmacy Preceptor Award by the School of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney.
Lochie was nominated for his outstanding clinical placement support and supervision. In 2024, university preceptors supported more than 1,200 students to complete 1,789 clinical placements.
“It was very surprising to be recognised but it’s great to know the students who came here to Parkes, enjoyed their time,” Managing partner and Pharmacist in Charge of Parkes Pharmacy, Lochie Pettiford said.
Fellow Life Pharmacy Group (LPG) Pharmacists Chris Young (Canberra) and Josh Lee (Armidale) were also finalists along with Rob Smith (Canberra) from Men’s Health Downunder.
The University of Sydney Pharmacy School launched the student nominated Pharmacy Preceptor Awards this year, allowing students from across all degree programs to nominate pharmacy preceptors who’ve made an impact on their clinical learning or development as a future health professional.
Preceptor awards were presented in five categories including community pharmacy preceptor, hospital pharmacy preceptor, rural/regional pharmacy preceptor and the Dean’s Choice Award.
“These awards help students understand who offers good pharmacy placements and hopefully that encourages others to come out to the Central West and experience life here,” Lochie Pettiford said.
“To have four pharmacists in LPG nominated shows we provide a good placement experience, no matter where you are. This really highlights just how hands-on the experience can be for students in regional areas. We engage with our patients well, we put them first and we show that through our values, missions and goals.”
Third year Bachelor of Pharmacy student, Sonja, completed her placement in Parkes and said she left the placement feeling as though the country was home.
The Parkes Action Club hosted its first Parade and Carnival in Cooke Park on 30th November 2018 with the Parade running the length of Clarinda St. Parkes Council has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Action Club, providing staff to assist the parade and markets. President Tim Keith Commented “The Action Club organizes this for the benefit of school children and the community.”
There are an expected 25+ stalls booked in. Food will be available with six vendors at the Park. The stage will host the Parkes Town Band followed by both dance schools and rounded off by the Fijian Musicians.
There is also heaps of kids entertainment.
“Shoes on kids!” He’d yell as we all grabbed a Zooper Dooper and piled in the car to drive to town.
It was a Christmas tradition.
A summer night spent staying up past our bedtime to walk around town and see the Christmas lights. We knew the streets that pulled out all the stops, and we’d walk up and down, gazing at the twinkling lights, smiling Santas on a sleigh on rooftops and the smell of cinnamon in the air.
Dad loved it just as much as we did. An evening stroll, chats with people out the front of their houses and no doubt a strategy to wear out his three kids ready for bedtime. We’d run ahead, excitedly finding the next light show, zigzagging our way through our little town.
Legs moving, faces red from the exercise, hearts full with the thrill of Christmas.
What are your Christmas traditions? See if you can swap out screen time for family connection, balance indulgent eating and drinking with active fun, and create joyful memories together this Christmas season. From an evening walk to backyard cricket, it’s the perfect time to embrace movement and connection.
We hope you have a happy and safe Christmas, from the Kerin Health Team.
Thank you to leaders on the SRC and Ms O’Leary for organising pink and white ribbon day.
It was a day to start important conversations about breast cancer and domestic violence.
It was also a day to raise funds for two important causes. A total of $680 raised, Thanks to all.
A $20,000 prize is up for grabs for Australian Soil Health Experts.
Landcare Australia has opened nominations for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.
Back for the third successive round, the prestigious General Jeffery Soil Health Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others.
Previous award winners and notable figures in the world of soil health and science, Dr Oliver Knox and Emerita Professor Dr Lynnette Abbot have confirmed they will be part of the specialist advisory panel to select the winner of the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.
The 2022 winner, leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, of ‘Soil your Undies’ fame, Dr Oliver Knox said “We all have a responsibility to our soils and our soil health and the more we all do, the more likely we are to see a fantastic future for Australia’s soils.”
The two previous award winners have teamed up to encourage nominations for the influential General Jeffrey Soil Health Award.
When asked what he was hoping to see from the next round of nominations, Dr Knox said “Passion, drive and impact. Soil is full of surprises, so I’m hoping to learn from all of the nominations and expect to feel disappointed there can be only one winner. It’s exciting and all that is needed now is for some nominations, so that are you waiting for? Nominate your soil’s guru.”
Leading soil scientist Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott and winner of the inaugural prize in 2020, is encouraging soil science experts across Australia to nominate colleagues for the prestigious national award.
“It is a very valuable process for highlighting the contributions that others are making to soil health in their various ways.
There are many approaches.”
To find out more about nominations you can visit https://landcareaustralia.org.au/soilhealthaward/
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on everyone to keep safety top of mind this summer, whether you’re planning your trip, heading out on the road, or enjoying our beautiful countryside at your favourite camping spot.
As we approach the major holiday period of the year, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is encouraging caravaners this holiday to focus is focusing on Pre-Planning: Emphasising the importance of vehicle servicing and safe towing practices. Road Safety: Highlighting measures for staying safe while travelling on the roads, and taking regular breaks. Water Safety: Promoting awareness around staying safe in and around water. Caravan Holiday Park Shared Spaces Safety: Encouraging responsible behaviour and safety in communal areas within caravan parks.
We know from the rising death tolls on our roads, 1063 Australians have lost their lives on our roads this year alone, up 12% on 2023 (ABS). The top three contributing factors leading to this loss of life is the fatal three, inattention, speed and fatigue.
Road Safety Research indicates: Road users are most likely to have a crash on Monday or Sunday as drivers return from their holidays. Crashes are most likely to occur between 10am and midday. Whilst crashes are more likely to occur in urban centres, fatalities are more likely to occur on regional roads.
We want to make sure caravan and campers have the most amazing summer break, but most importantly, we want everyone to get back home safely . Towing handbooks are distributed free of charge each year. https://www.letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au/safety/ https://coexist.org.au/
Kailab Tyne pictured in action at The World Blackball Championships in England.
Kailab Tyne recently returned from the World Blackball Championships in England. Blackball is the English standard in eight ball pool and one of the most popular billiard sports in the world.
Blackball (also known as English pool) is a variant of billiards played on smaller 7ft tables. It is played by two players with 16 balls (one white cue ball, one black, seven red, seven yellow).
The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix caught up with Kailab upon his return to Australia, saying of his trip: “England was an awesome experience against the best players I have ever seen. They were just on a different level. There were a lot of games where I didn’t even get to the table, I just sat in the chair watching them play then went and shook their hands. I finished up ranking 44th in the world, which I was very happy with for my first time, especially considering I let a couple of games get away.”
After representing Australia on the International stage, Kailab has just been announced as Captain for the Indigenous Mens Team 1, which will compete in the The Phil Bowie Indigenous Challenge. This is a team match where a Indigenous side of eight players verse an Australian side of eight players on the eve of nationals. All players are selected by the BAPA committee.
“Out of a very talented group of players I was lucky enough to be selected to captain. I was shocked to say the least. I was happy to be able to play, let alone captain.
It is a huge honour,” said Kailab.
Younger brother Trent Tyne is also a talented Blackball player, just being named in the NSW Mens Team. Kailab said of Trent “One of the fellas that I met at the 2024 nationals in Canberra was looking for a bit of a team shake up and I mentioned Trent to him and from there it was all set in motion. The next thing I know he is in, which is awesome. Trent came and watched a fair few of my games in Canberra so he was definitely keen. He started playing very young, he used to play with the cue on his shoulder because he was too little and has probably played more games than I have.”
Next year Kailab will start off in the Muswellbrook Open on the Australia Day long weekend, then onto Nationals in March up at Rockhampton. From there he hasn’t made any plans as yet, a lot of the bigger competitions throughout the year are down in Melbourne.
“I’d love to go to all of them, but it’s pretty expensive following the comps around with travel and accommodation, plus getting the extra days off work here and there. I’d love to be able to get some sponsors on board,” said Kailab.
If there are any businesses interested in sponsoring Kailab and Trent so they can continue on their amazing sporting journey, please reach out at tyne1@bigpond.com.
The Tyne brothers, Kailab and Trent.
Get the boots out because it’s that time of the year again! Calling all men, women, and juniors: training has started early for the 2025 season. It’s the pre-season for the pre-season, 6:30pm at Spicer Oval.
Coaching positions for 2025 are open and ready for you. There is loads of support available from the committee, club and an online program to help set up your sessions and teach the players the skills of the game. If you have any questions or wish to apply, please contact our Club President, Jason O’Bryan on parkesmaristjrlfc@hotmail.com