The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is extremely excited to welcome the Starlight Children’s Foundation into its hospitals with the launch of Planet Starlight.

Anne Field WNSWLHD Acting Director of Integrated Care, said it will be wonderful for children throughout the district to have access to Starlight and their resources.

“Captain Starlight will be virtually beaming into to our services, through the Planet Starlight platform. The virtual service will mean children have an engaging positive distraction while in our facilities,” Anne said.

Imogen Aitken, Starlight National Manager Program Development said distraction and fun, as well as feeling a sense of achievement, recognition and connection are important for hospitalised kids. “Our goal is that any child spending time in hospital can benefit directly from Captain Starlight experience anywhere, anytime.”

“We’re excited to expand the reach and impact of our Captain Starlight program into regions like the Western NSW LHD to bring happiness to even more sick kids, especially when we can’t always be there face-to-face,” said Immogen.

Planet Starlight was officially launched this week at Dubbo Health Service, while concurrently being rolled out at Bathurst and Orange Health Services. 

“Being in hospital can be a scary and stressful time, especially for kids. We hope Planet Starlight will be able to ease this for them while they’re with us,” Anne said.

Mum of four, Amie Gough said Starlight has played a positive role in their hospital stays in Sydney. “The Starlight Express Room has always been a ‘happy escape’ for Millie away from the ward, operating theatre and clinics.” 

The virtual platform is available on any smart device.

Three Parkes students are the recipients of this year’s Jack Scoble scholarship, which provides financial support for local high school graduates undertaking their first year of full-time university study.

James Finn and Maisy Osbourne who graduated at Red Bend Catholic College, and Zac Redfern from Parkes High School were selected from 12 applicants.

Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott congratulated the three recipients, saying: “Our three scholars all exhibit a strong sense of community involvement, civic pride, leadership and personal integrity, all of which were attributes held in high regard by the late Jack Scoble, who was a strong champion for supporting young people and giving them opportunities to grow and better themselves.”

The three students, who have already started their studies, were represented by their families at the ceremony held at Parkes Shire Council recently.

James has been accepted into the University of Newcastle, where he is studying a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

Maisy was inspired by her parents to undertake a Bachelor of Business at the University of Newcastle.

Zac has a passion for allied health and has been accepted into Charles Sturt University to study a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science. He is proud to be the first person in his family to go to university and hopes to become a dentist or orthodontist.

How old are you? 11 years

Were you named after anyone? No, I don’t think so.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? Packet of chips, fruit and brownie.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? To play for the NRLW (women’s rugby league).

If you could invent something, what would it be? Something to clean your room for you.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Go on holidays, and give some away to people who live in other countries that need it.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Going on a Dreamworld rollercoaster in the front seat with my friend.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? My grandmother, as I didn’t get to know her.

What makes you feel like dancing? Good music, friends and a pool.

If you found a genie, what would you wish for? Infinite wishes.

YOUTH WEEK ACTIVITIES FROM 4-14 APRIL

All Youth Week events are free of charge for young people aged 12 to 24. For more information contact Parkes Library on 6861 2309.

DIY Fun in the Marramarra Makerspace Studio on Mondays 3-7pm and Wednesdays 3-5:30pm

Pizza & Movie Night @ the Cooke Park Pavilion on Tuesday, 5th April from 5pm. See FREE GUY and enjoy pizza and popcorn. Free return bus travel from Tullamore, Trundle, Bogan Gate, Peak Hill and Alectown.

Cult Movie Night at Parkes Library Wednesday, 6th April from 6pm (details below).

Totem Skating Collective @ Parkes Skatepark on Sunday, 10th April from 10am-1pm. Learn to skate workshops for beginner and intermediate levels. Eventbrite bookings at Totem Skating Workshop bookings. Free return bus travel from Tullamore, Trundle, Bogan Gate, Peak Hill and Alectown.

BlueScope Youth Orchestra performances on Monday, 11th April @ Cooke Park Pavilion. A Meet the Band session for young people aged 12 – 24 years from 4-5pm, followed by BlueScope Goes to the Movies community concert for all ages from 6pm.

Youth Library Lock-in Games Night @ Parkes Library on Tuesday, 12th April from 5:30-8pm with board games, table-top games, video games and outdoor games with free pizza.

CULT MOVIE NIGHT

Wednesday, 6th April we will introduce a monthly Cult Movie Night showing a 2021 release based on a classic SCI-FI novel with spectacular cinematography of a distant world with an all-star cast. M-Rated.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

In the Coventry Room from 20th April to 5th May will be a Wiradjuri Ngurambang Showcase celebrating the work of local First Nations artists, as well as the Elvis Festival photography competition and exhibition.

After a week of fundraising and much excitement of 40 rally cars coming to town, the Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group is much closer to its aim of getting a nurse in Parkes.

At the moment, the closest specialist prostate cancer nurse is located in Orange and is responsible for a large area of the Central West.

“These nurses are a vital link in the recovery process of prostate cancer treatment,” said Michael Lynch of the group.

The Parkes group was sponsored by Spinifex Recruiting, and Chairperson Peter O’Donnell made a presentation of $1,000 to Pauline Gosper, co-founder of PCA&SG at the conclusion of the week of fundraising.

Spinifex Recruiting was associated with the Briggs Brothers, who were participating in the Classic Outback Trail, to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. The Briggs Brothers in turn matched the Spinifex Recruiting donation by presenting co-founder of PCA&SG Michael Lynch with a further $1,000 donation last weekend.

Residents who made a donation were given the opportunity go into a draw to be the passenger in the Briggs Brothers Team’s 1965 Mustang for a drive around the Parkes CBD. The winner of the draw was Bhupinder Singh. Unfortunately, the Briggs Brother’s Mustang was plagued with technical problems and they were unable to participate in the Parkes Section of the Classic Outback Trail. However, in the true spirit of the classic car fraternity, other drivers came to the rescue and the offer was fulfilled.

Along with the generous donations from Spinifex Recruiting and the Briggs Brothers, the Parkes community helped to raise over $2,000 with donations still coming in.

“The PCA&SG would like to thank Spinifex Recruiting, the Briggs Brothers, the Parkes community and The Parkes Phoenix, for supporting their efforts to raise funds for the appointment of a Regional Specialist Prostate Cancer Nurse,” said Michael Lynch.

Talk about ‘Bridge over Troubled Waters’ – we’ve been on again and off again, masks on, masks off, masks recommended, ever since this COVID situation reared its ugly head. There was a ‘Bridge of Sighs’ at the top scoring 97.0 match points win last Thursday for Suzie McNamara and Beth Thomas. If ‘Love can Build a Bridge’, it has built one between this long-term partnership. Monday and Tuesday bridge winners were Warren Blatch with Bill Burke, and Helen McQuie with Mark Olsen. It’s always great to see new players ‘Crossing the Bridge’ to join us. Don’t be on a ‘Bridge to Nowhere’! We can arrange private lessons. Call Greig Ball 0429 621 712 or Kevin Robinson 0429 621 712.

By Beth Thomas