The raffle ticket table was a busy place at the Trundle Pink Ribbon Night keeping Debbie Veale, Janette Fry and Carolyn Keep on their toes. Debbie has organised the event for the past seven years with Carolyn, and Janette from the Blue Mountains is one of the biggest donators.

The challenges were plenty with floods, closed roads and the ABBA Festival cancellation, but the Trundle Pink Ribbon Night survived it all to once again produce an amazing result raising over $26,000 for the NSW Cancer Council.

“It was bigger than we had imagined,” said organiser Carolyn Keep, who was named the Central West’s 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her committee’s remarkable fundraising efforts.

She said with the rain and the uncertainty of the harvest, they were not sure what kind of support they would get, “but the place was packed out with over 400 people. It was just fabulous, with people coming from Parkes, Forbes and other surrounding towns too.”

Carolyn and her committee were once again overwhelmed with generous donations and they ended up with 35 auction items and 58 raffle prizes. “We have received such wonderful support from the local small businesses donating baskets of goods and local produce.” Other donations included a Glen McGrath helmet that sold for $1,100 and a signed cricket ball reaching $300.

Carolyn thanked Parkes Services Club and Whittaker Contracting from Orange sponsoring a total of $4,000 for the event, and the Cancer Council for all their wonderful support.

Many people who wear multifocal glasses or only require glasses for reading, often don’t realise that they could be wearing contact lenses.

Just like multifocal glasses, multifocal contact lenses are designed to give you clear vision at all distances. If you find your multifocal glasses annoying or hard to adjust to, if you work in a job where you need to see clearly but your glasses get knocked around and scratched, or perhaps sometimes you would just like to take a little break from your multifocal or reading glasses while you socialise or play sport, then you may want to consider trying multifocal contact lenses.

There are various designs of multifocal contact lenses to suit your lifestyle and vision needs. While some emphasise near vision with a boost for distance, others emphasise distance vision with a boost for near. There is no distortion or motion sickness feeling that you might experience with multifocal glasses, particular early on.

In terms of getting used to multifocal contact lenses, your relationship with your contact lenses is a little like a burgeoning friendship. You might not initially love them, but with time as you adapt to them and understand how they work you will start to build trust with the multifocal contact lenses, enjoy their company with clear vision at most distances, and likely develop a good friendship over time. This can sometimes take several weeks so don’t give up and quit the game too early! Maybe you have been unsuccessful with contact lenses in the past because they were uncomfortable, however like most things, the technology of contact lenses is always improving, and today’s lenses are much more comfortable than in the past.

You are never too old to wear or try contact lenses. Patients have become happy multifocal contact lens wearers in their 70s. There is no cost involved in trialling contact lenses at Hansen Optometrists Parkes. If you would like to give it a try, book in today and become part of the growing number of happy multifocal contact lens wearers.

We have all heard the adage that carrots are good for our eyes but why is that exactly and what other foods can improve the health of our eyes?

Carrots are high in beta carotene that our bodies can convert to vitamin A which is important for the light detecting cells of our retina.

Other important nutrients for our eyes are the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin which naturally occur in our retina as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc. These antioxidants may help protect against free radical damage in diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

You will be able to get a good supply all of these in your diet if you incorporate dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli and peas; bright coloured vegetables like corn, capsicum, sweet potato, squash; fruits like oranges, grapes, kiwifruit and berries and healthy nuts and seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Finally, red meat, whole grains, baked beans and eggs will assist with getting your zinc quota.

Omega 3 fatty acids have shown in some studies to help with dry eyes. This may be because omega 3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and improve the makeup of our tears. If you suffer with dry eye disease, try to incorporate non fried, cold water fatty fish like salmon, tuna or sardines two to four times per week. Choosing grass fed over grain fed meat sources will also increase omega 3 intake.

Good nutrition at all ages is important for overall health and wellbeing including that of our eyes. Come in and see one of our optometrists if you have any concerns about your eye health. Contact us at Eyecare Plus Parkes, 267A Clarinda Street or call us on 6863 5577.

A rural generalist surgical clinic has been re-established at Parkes Hospital and is run by Dr Angus Brown.

A rural generalist surgical clinic has been re-established at Parkes Hospital that will improve access to high quality surgical care for communities across the Lachlan Valley. 

The reinvigorated clinic is being delivered by Dr Angus Brown, a rural generalist with advanced skills in general surgery, endoscopy and emergency medicine, and offers pre and post-operative care for a range of procedures. 

“Through the rural generalist surgical clinic, Dr Brown provides public consultations throughout the surgical process to help patients understand their procedures and coordinate any care required afterward too,” said Professor Damien Limberger, Acting Clinical Director of Lachlan Health Service. 

“Dr Brown has been providing services to the region for over a year. The reinvigorated clinic continues the work of local GP surgeon Dr Stephen Morris following his retirement.” 

Rach Ellem, Health Service Manager of Lachlan Health Service, which includes Parkes and Forbes Hospitals, said the clinic currently operated only at Parkes Hospital on Tuesdays once per month, but there was scope to expand. 

Contact the rural generalist surgical clinic on 68612455 or WNSWLHD-Admissions@health.nsw.gov.au 

Students and staff at Parkes Hospital.

The Parkes Hospital played host to a group of health-focused students from regional areas in support of their studies. 

Seven students across a range of disciplines, including medicine, nursing and allied health, from Charles Sturt University and the University of Wollongong, and two work experience students from Parkes High School who focused on physiotherapy, gained valuable insight from experienced clinicians during their visit. 

Rach Ellem, Health Service Manager of Lachlan Health Service, said it was exciting to support the development of students in a local healthcare environment with practical knowledge and skills. 

“It’s incredibly important that we continue to provide these learning opportunities for students to support their growth and showcase how rewarding it can be to work in a regional area.” 

Associate Professor Kerrie Stewart, Head of the Charles Sturt University Central West Clinical School and local Parkes GP and visiting medical officer, said: “We know that students studying in rural areas already have a commitment to our communities and region, so by supporting them locally we can help students build their skillset and develop important professional relationships.” 

Professor Damien Limberger, Associate Dean of the Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine, said supporting students during their formative years would not only benefit them, but the entire community. 

“Involving students at local sites and facilities won’t just provide them with a taste of what rural healthcare can offer, but will also continue to help our workforce.”