General Interest Archives - Page 91 of 309

‘Laughter Filled My Garden…’

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

STORIES, SUNSHINE AND ICE CREAM… “It started with a seed, and that seed was me. And, over time, laughter filled my garden…” The Parkes Library tree created from recycled packaging material was a big hit for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book called Family Tree. Children from preschools, family day care and library groups attended the annual event on Wednesday.

The Parkes Library staff members honoured its National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) tradition on Wednesday with a beautiful re-enactment of this year’s picture book called Family Tree.

The library filled up with little ones who joined the rest of Australia at 11am for the 22nd year of NSS. This year’s book by Josh Pyke and illustrations by Ronojoy Ghosh, is a heartfelt celebration of family, community and the seasons of life to cherish and to share.

With Debbie Gould as narrator, Emma Brown and Veronica Shaw acted out the story around the tree they had created.

“We’ve started a tradition in Parkes of role playing the book and create a script and props every year,” said Debbie. This year they went a step further and created a tree using recycled materials. “We used packaging from our book deliveries to make a tree as our main prop.” Debbie said they had leftover packaging for the children to take home if they wanted to make their own trees.

The kids loved the tree with many of them getting a photo standing under it before they went into the sunny courtyard for a helping of gelato from Packed Cones.

“National Simultaneous Storytime is one of our big days in the library world as it unites us all together as everyone reads the same book at the same time,” said Debbie.

In 2021 over 1.98 million participants took part at over 33,000 locations!

Get Your Flu Shot Now

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

NSW residents are being urged to book in for their flu vaccine without delay, with winter just a few days away and hospitals already seeing a surge in influenza cases.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW hospitals were facing a triple threat with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, a surge in flu cases and staff furloughing due to illness. “With almost no exposure to flu these past two years, it is imperative we all get a flu jab to protect ourselves and the community.”

NSW’s Chief Paediatrician Dr Matt O’Meara said there was particular concern for children aged six months to five years old, as young children were particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of flu.

Those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine. This includes children from six months to under five years of age; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age; people with serious health conditions, pregnant women, and people aged 65 and over.

At the time of going to press, the minister was considering making the flu vaccine free for all NSW residents.

Art Exhibition Celebrates 75 Years Of Diplomacy

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Ub Ubbo Exchange celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties between Australia and the Philippines with a debut album launch and Reflective exhibition earlier this month.

Ub Ubbo, a non-profit foundation, promotes creative talent by organising projects, exhibits, and cultural exchanges in both countries.

The exhibition, held on a farm in Queanbeyan, featured artists from the Parkes Shire and the Philippines and was opened by Jim Snow, former Member of Parliament for Eden-Monaro and supporter of Ub Ubbo.

Jim said he loved that Ub Ubbo shared and acknowledged culture that creates an exchange for more knowledge, education and better communication.

“Art is used to build relationships between different beliefs and start conversations,” said founding member of Ub Ubbo, Sean James Cassidy.

The exhibition included works from local artists with Scott Sauce Towney’s pyrography (wood burning), Scott Turnbull’s emu egg tempera painting and Sean James Cassidy’s marquetry and oil painting. Lope Bosaing from the Philippines had his ceramics on exhibit. He is also a founder member of Ub Ubbo.

The event started with a smoking ceremony conducted by Jahmarl Towney and Bradley Mapiva Brown, with Wiradjuri elder Robert Clegg and Wiradjuri representative Steve Parker in attendance.

Sean James Cassidy with some of the works on show.

Riverina Campaign Launch In Parkes

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Mark Coulton and Michael McCormack at the Riverina Campaign Launch in Parkes last week.

The Riverina Electorate campaign launch for the National Party took place in Cooke Park last week with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Michael said he would prioritise the labour shortage and cost of living in Parkes if he got re-elected. “These are the two major issues for this electorate, and I will be working on programs and projects for both of those.”

He said while there was a whole host of other issues, like action on climate and national security, he’d been talking to business people who just could not fill their positions, and families were worried about the cost of living.

Michael said the labour shortage was largely because of the 90,000 backpackers the country lost during COVID. “I don’t think people realise our reliance on overseas labour in hospitality, farming, agriculture, meat processing and other positions.”

He said even in the Central West hundreds of backpackers made a huge difference in the labour market. “Often these positions were word of mouth. One person would work on a farm near Forbes and go home and tell their friends about the great farmer where they could go and work. When the backpackers left and did not come back for two years, that word of mouth broke down. The backpackers came here in their droves and spent a lot of money.”

Michael said while the Australian Agriculture Visa (AAV) program was introduced to address workforce shortages in the agriculture sector and backpackers were slowly coming back, the Pacific labour hire program still needed to be enhanced.

“The problem is we cannot invite people back to Australia who are not vaccinated and this is impacting the numbers.”

Better Together

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

John Niddrie and Greg Cregan volunteer at Vinnies in Parkes.

This week is National Volunteer Week and a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you. Volunteers do a lot of work behind the scenes that is vital to the functioning of groups and organisations that serve our community for its betterment.

At Vinnies in Parkes the female volunteers are always in the front helping out customers, but there is also a team at the back doing some vital work. Two of the behind-the-scenes volunteers are Greg Cregan and John Niddrie.

They do a lot of after hours work and on public holidays being responsible for emptying out the donation bins. “We also sort all the items, and pick up and drop off items to people,” said Greg.

Greg has been doing it for about six years, and John joined around 12 months ago. “It is all about helping people out and the comradeship. We all get along really well working here.”

Have you ever considered volunteering? It brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.

More Funding For Parkes CBD Activation

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The vacant block beside the Hong Loch Chinese Restaurant will be converted into an open-air plaza and improve pe-destrian connectivity between Clarinda and Welcome Streets under the new round of funding for the CBD activation.

The Parkes CBD makeover has received more funding to further expand the program that will see the transformation continue to create a vibrant precinct.

Parkes Shire Council’s successful application resulted in $499,930 in grant funding from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces Program.

“The CBD is the community’s most important meeting space,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM. “We’ve done a lot of work in recent years to improve the look and feel of the Parkes CBD to make it a more vibrant and welcoming precinct.

“This next stage will focus on activating the southern end of Clarinda Street, including converting the vacant block beside the Hong Loch Chinese Restaurant into an open-air plaza for public space and improving pedestrian connectivity between Clarinda and Welcome Streets.”

The works will include surface levelling and sealing, drainage works and landscaping, as well as the installation of new bollards, street furniture and festoon lighting.

“Outdoor dining is more important than ever as we adjust to the ‘new normal’ way of life with COVID-19. This funding will allow us to construct two additional dining platforms, similar to those at Bella’s Restaurant and Packed Cones Gelato,” the Mayor said.

The projects will commence this month, with completion expected in February 2023.

Giant Effort To Stage ‘Big The Musical’

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PIANO DANCING… The iconic floor piano dancing scene in Big performed by Kate Walsh, owner of the toy store, and Henry Best in the lead role as Josh Baskin.

Local theatre returned to Parkes in a ‘big’ way last weekend after another year of lockdowns, interruptions and postponements.

With a cast and crew of 50 the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Big the Musical once again highlights the abundance of talent in our community putting on a fun-filled musical for all the family full of high-energy songs and dancing.

“It’s been such a long time coming, all of us are so glad to be back in the theatre,” said Lisa Ramsay as director of her third musical with the M & D.

The production required a good dose of perseverance from Lisa as it had to be postponed twice, there were long breaks between rehearsals over the festive period and the April holiday and Elvis Festival, while managing changes in roles, finding new supporting crew members for choreography and set construction and coping with cast members getting COVID during the concluding weeks of rehearsals.

The final result sees the Overture star from Grenfell, Henry Best in a huge lead role as Josh Baskin. Based on the 1987 smash-hit film with Tom Hanks, Josh is a frustrated adolescent who magically becomes an adult, and discovers that life is not simply child’s play.

The other lead roles are played by Jess Morgan as Susan, Kate Walsh and Hannah Connell, with new comer Blake Martin and Forbes locals Grace Powley and Drew Barter in semi-lead roles. Grace plays Billie Kopecki, the main character’s best friend, and Drew plays Josh as a child.

The musical includes the iconic floor piano dancing scene from the movie, and thanks to the ingenuity of two locals, Steve McGrath and Dave McCrae, the Parkes production has a giant floor piano too. “Our piano has three octaves and all the keys light up when you stand on them,” said Lisa of one of the biggest challenges of the set production.

Whether you want to support local talent, or see the floor piano, make sure to get your tickets online for the shows this weekend and next, or buy tickets at the box office at the Little Theatre on Sundays from 10am to 12pm. NSW Discovery and Family Vouchers are accepted.

Peak Hill Arts & Crafts Celebrated Over June Long Weekend

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The historic and recently renovated Carrington Hotel in Peak Hill is one of two main venues for the 49th Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition over the June long weekend.

The long weekend in June is going to be huge in Peak Hill as the 49th Annual Arts and Craft Exhibition is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

With the two main venues at the Peak Hill Leisure Centre and The Carrington at full capacity the event is spilling over to Peak Hill Country Crafts for exhibitors, while other shops in the main street will be open for the weekend as well on 11th and 12th June from 9:30am to 4pm.

Long-time Peak Hill resident May Chandler, who is well into her 90s and continues to crochet, cross-stitch and make cards, will share her story as the guest speaker at the official opening on Friday, 10th June at 6pm at the Leisure Centre. There will be a $5 fee for CanAssist catering.

“The exhibition committee are thrilled to offer artisan and modern contemporary style arts and craft at this year’s exhibition,” said Judi Unger, Secretary of Peak Hill Leisure Centre. “Artisan arts and crafts demonstrations and static displays include Aboriginal Art, spinning, weaving, loom work, macrame and patchwork, and contemporary style demonstrations highlights acrylic painting workshop, machine embroidered reading cushions, metal work design resin jewellery and lampshade workshops.”

The Leisure Centre will showcase members’ work created in art and craft groups throughout the year, and an opportunity to vote for the most popular work in The People’s Choice award.

The Carrington building is an ornate, rustic venue which will feature artworks from the Parkes Art Group, artist-in-residence Leanne Hamblin, mosaic displays, local honey, knitting, sewing, embroidery, jewellery, candles, plants, artwork, sewing, scrapbooking, dolls and card-making.

Peak Hill Country Crafts also known as the Open Cut Gallery, is a great addition this year’s event as it is already stocked with handmade and home made products created by members of the local community and surrounding district.

Parkes Christian School Enrolment Window Now Open

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School wants to maintain a small-school environment and will be limiting class sizes to cap the student numbers at 350.

Parkes Christian School (PCS) continues to experience a high level of growth, so now is the time to secure your enrolment for next year.

The school currently has more than 300 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, having grown from around 200 just three years ago. In order to manage this rapid growth, the school is now taking applications for enrolments for 2023 Kindergarten and Year 7 students.

School Principal Glen Westcott said while the school continued to grow, they also wanted to maintain a small-school environment. “We have made a tough decision to limit our class sizes from this point forward. In Kindergarten, we will only enrol approximately 21 students, and in Year 7 we will only take 50 students, split across two classes.

“Naturally, students who are in Year 6 will automatically be enrolled in Year 7 next year, but for everyone else, the earlier they get their applications in, the better chance they will have of securing a position,” said Glen.

Parents of students in any year group thinking of enrolling at PCS should also apply as soon as possible, as almost a third of year groups are nearly full.

“We are big enough to have friendly competition in the classroom, all the HSC subjects that other schools offer, sporting teams, school musicals, bands and more, but we are small enough that everyone can be involved and create a really wonderful sense of community,” said Glen.

To find out more contact the school office on 6862 4164, email administration@parkescs.nsw.edu.au or take advantage of the online enrolment application form at www.parkescs.nsw.edu.au/enrolment

Celebrate With Endeavour Dragons This Sunday

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Dragon Boat Club is celebrating their fourth anniversary on Sunday and is inviting the Parkes community to enjoy the day with them.

The day’s program will officially start at 9:30am with Welcome to Country and the fun will continue until the great raffle draw around 2pm.

In between there will be an all-day sausage sizzle, coffee van, some great on-water novelty events which will be fun to watch, and a 6km race. There will also be a free come-and-try for anyone over 12 interested in hopping in the dragon boat to learn what paddling is all about.

If you want to support the club purchasing raffle tickets, or food and drink, be sure to take cash on the day as there is no eft-pos service at the lake.

It promises to be a breat family day out at Lake Endeavour. For more information about the day call Bill Thomas on 0418 616 500.

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