Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via Parkes, this 1500km rail project will complete our national freight network.

Newly released figures from Inland Rail re­veal the project has now spent close to $500 million with nearly 750 local companies on the Inland Rail alignment since construction on the project started in 2018, delivering a major boost to regional communities.

At end-September, Inland Rail had spent $496 million with local companies, with around $100 million spent with local com­panies over the last 12 months alone.

From the $496 million spent so far, around $46.5 million has been spent with thirty-six First Nations businesses in re­gional Australia, with $7.5 million spent in the last year.

Inland Rail has also continued to be a ma­jor jobs provider in regional Australia, with the project providing nearly 6,300 jobs at end-September, with just over half of these jobs being filled by local residents and near­ly 480 First Nations workers employed.

Local businesses in New South Wales and Victoria can learn how to supply to In­land Rail by visiting: inlandrail.com.au/op­portunities/suppliers/For construction job opportunities, visit Inland Rail’s construction contractors’ web­sites at: www.martinusrail.com.au/careers/Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Director Program Health, Safety, Environ­ment and Sustainability, said “Inland Rail has worked extremely hard to engage with local businesses and help to bring them on board as suppliers, and.to build skills in communities along the alignment, so local communities can participate and benefit from in this once-in-a-generation project and others in the future.”

Left: Marshall with Cadet Co-Ordinator Jack McGrath at RFS Sydney Headquarters. Right: Marshall at State Operations.

The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix recently reported* on local Parkes boy Marshall Munn, who was awarded the Young Volun­teer of the Year (12-15 years) at the 2024 NSW Rural Fire Service Youth Awards.

Ironically, Marshall was born in 2009, on 4th May which happens to be International Firefighters Day and St Florians Day – Pa­tron Saint of Firefighters.

In January 2022, at the age of 12, Mar­shall joined the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), quickly immersing himself in the organisation’s mission. Since then, he has actively participated in every possible train­ing session and event.

Marshall is currently a student at Red Bend Catholic College in Forbes. In late 2022, when Parkes and Forbes experi­enced severe flash flooding, Marshall’s school was temporarily closed. During this time, he was on the ground, assisting wherever possible. He worked as an SES Beacon Operator and Communications Operator, helped create sandbags, and as­sisted in transporting essential personnel across floodwaters.

In 2023 Marshall’s team had the incredi­ble opportunity to attend the Australian Fire Cadet Championships. He was humbled and honored to be chosen as the Cadet Captain. Then in September this year the team attended the NSW RFS State Cham­pionships in Albury. This time, he handed over the reins of captaincy to a fellow team member. The team performed exception­ally well, securing second place in two of the events they participated in.

“Looking ahead, I am eager to continue my journey with the RFS and aspire to se­cure a salaried position within the organisa­tion. Whether serving locally or in a larger city like Sydney, furthering my professional growth and making a meaningful impact on the community,” said Marshall.

“I’d like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to my Cadet Coordinator, Jack McGrath. Jack’s leadership and men­torship have had a profound impact on me and my team.”

*Issue 116, 8th November 2024)

From L-R: Cr William Jayet, Samantha Bennett – PECC Financial Consultant, Bianca Coster – PECC Committee Treas­urer, Cr George Pratt, Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee, Bronnie Dean – PECC Educational Leader, Cr Joy Paddison, Amii Marchant – PECC Director, Sharnie Nagorcka – PECC Committee Vice President, Elena Nagorcka – PECC student.

Parkes Early Childhood Centre hosted a special morning tea on Friday, 8th Novem­ber to celebrate the 70th anniversary since its opening, back in November 1954.

Families were invited along to help cel­ebrate the day, and the current Director of PECC Amii Marchant, who has been in role for almost two years, took special guests on a tour of the facilities, before cutting the cake and enjoying a delicious morning tea.

Originating as a two unit preschool ser­vice with entry via Dalton Street, the Centre is still situated on its original site. In 1994, former Director, Lindy Farrant led the way to introducing the PECC long daycare service.

Fast forward 70 years and the Centre now operates two preschool rooms and three long daycare rooms. PECC has approxi­mately 200 children enrolled each year, with an average of 60 children leaving each year to move on to Kindergarten.

The Centre currently employs 40 staff, preferring to maintain their staff numbers above the legal ratio. “If a room should have two staff, we will have four,” said Amii.

“We believe in building relationships and making children feel safe and secure so they can learn and grow and develop.”

It was a wonderful celebration that was enjoyed by all. “I would like to extend a huge thank you to all past parents, children, fami­lies, employees, committee members and volunteers who helped PECC be the amaz­ing service that it is,” concluded Amii.