General Interest Archives - Page 118 of 326

What’s On @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre

October 7, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

COMMUNITY LOUNGEROOM

Libraries are terrific places. Full of wonder and interesting things. But have you ever thought about visiting the library just for a quiet place to sit, perchance to dream? We have created a lovely quiet community loungeroom where you can do just that. On display are some of our collection of magazines and beautiful, glossy coffee books. There are art books and garden books, books about food and books of the rich (and not necessarily famous). So the next time you are looking to treat yourself to some quiet, dream time, come visit us at the Library – we are pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.

BE BIFFSQUIGGLED!

Recently the library celebrated Roald Dahl Story Day with fun activities. Library users were able to vote for their favourite BFG word. BIFFSQUIGGLED was the winner, and it means to be confused or puzzled. Golden tickets were hidden in the library and those who found them won a prize.

AUTHOR TALK & HISTORY WRITING WORKSHOP

Jeanette M Thompson, author of Bone and Beauty: the Ribbon Boys’ Rebellion, will be giving an author talk and history writing workshop on Wednesday, 26th October. Make sure to call us to book your spot for this event.

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE WORKSHOPS

Two free workshops funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program. Numbers are limited, call 6861 2309 to book your place.
• 13 October: Inventing Insects with Helen Standen and Elsie Mahon, 9am-noon
• 12 & 17 October: Festival Community Drumming with Robert Shannon, 5:30-7pm.

BEST IN SHOW ART EXHIBITION

We have been inundated with paintings, sculptures, drawings and 3D creations for the Best In Show Art Exhibition! The exhibition opens on Saturday, 8th October at 10am and will be on display until 22nd October.

Little Supporters Steal Charlie’s Heart

October 7, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Ruby Staines handed the special book created by his little fans at the Forbes Learning Ladder to her brother Charlie after the Grand Final. Proud parents Lisa (left) and Shayne (right) with Charlie and his partner Erin Dwyer.

If you asked the little ones at Forbes Learning Ladder about Charlie Staines they would be able to tell you lots about him.

Not only do they have the Penrith Panther player’s sister as a staff member, but they made a special book for him last week. “Every room had two pages in the book and they wrote messages for Charlie, created lots of paintings and other crafts,” said Ruby Staines.

Charlie, a former Forbes Magpies player, made sure his name was on every Forbes footy fan’s lips when he scored a try in his first Grand Final to help his team beat the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.

Ruby presented the book to him after the game and it stole his heart. “He just loved it and thought it was very cute.”

Ruby, who watched the game with her parents and older brother, said it was a day they would never forget. “The atmosphere was just unreal. I think it was the loudest event I had ever been to with 85,000 people in the crowd.”

She had no words to describe her feelings when Charlie scored his try. “There were lots of tears of joy in our group.” Ruby said it was very special that Charlie came over to them after he had received the ring presented to each Panthers player. “He was very emotional and so excited that he managed to score in his first ever Grand Final. We are just so proud of him.”

The family were invited to join the after-party for a very big night of celebration. Ruby said it was amazing how the whole town stood behind Charlie.

She said he was very determined to show the team what he could do and he hoped that he would remain in the squad and be able to play his preferred position.

By Maggi Barnard

Spring Fling Festival Starts Tomorrow

October 7, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

COLOURFUL SPRING… Parkes Community Arts members Helen Standen, Margot Jolly, Kerryn Jones and Lisa Ram-say were spotted yarn bombing in Cooke Park ahead of the Spring Fling Festival. (Photo: Bill Jayet)

The Spring Fling Festival will bring family fun, music, art and lots more to the Parkes community over the next two weeks with plenty of free events.

Hosted by Parkes Shire Council in partnership with Parkes Community Arts Inc (PCA) the festival will run from the 8th of October to the 23rd.

The jam-packed program of free events includes a Community Fun Day, a film screening of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS, creative workshops, music and art. The workshops cover a wide range of topics from community drumming, and an Inventing Insects Art Workshop to a spring flower-arranging workshop.

ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann’s latest film, will be screened at Cooke Park Pavilion on Friday, 14t October at 6pm.

“Movie goers are encouraged to come dressed up in their best Elvis or Priscilla gear, with prizes to be awarded for the best dressed,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones.

“Although these events are free, bookings are essential for the film viewing and all workshops. To reserve your spot, visit PCA’s Facebook page for further details.”

The Community Fun Day on Saturday, 22nd October at Cooke Park Pavilion from 10am to 2pm will have market stalls, six beautiful alpacas from Quentin Alpaca Park, face-painting, live music, free Rotary BBQ, coffee van, arts and crafts, and more.

On Sunday, 23rd October the Parkes Shire Band will team up with other musicians and bands to present a free concert at the Parkes RSL Starlight Lounge at 2pm, celebrating Lindsay Morehouse’s contribution to music in Parkes.

The Best in Show Art Exhibition (funded by CMOC-Northparkes Mines) opens tomorrow (8th October) at 10am and will be on display in the Coventry Room through-out the festival.

Other events in the Parkes Shire include the Peak Hill Arts Connect Workshops, Parkes Que Club’s Gardens and Galleries (9 October), Parkes M&D Spring into Summer events, and the Trundle ABBA Festival (15 October).

Visit www.facebook.com/PCAFestival for more information and to buy tickets.

Number 22 Inspires Us To Respect And Protect

October 7, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

TIMELY MESSAGE… Within – Without (Of Land and Spirit) by Greg Johns from Adelaide is located 26km from Condobolin along the Lachlan Valley Way towards Forbes. John has been a professional sculptor for 45 years working in Corten steel, wood and stone.

The ever expanding inland public art trail of Sculpture Down the Lachlan is becoming the focal point of the region’s arts and culture and the addition of the 22nd sculpture has added yet another dimension to this unique experience.

Within – Without (Of Land and Spirit) by Greg Johns uses interlinking geometric shapes to represent the patterns formed in nature, and the interconnection that exists between them. The 5m high geometric piece, located on Marsden Road in the Lachlan Shire, speaks of nature’s micromacro links and the importance of respecting and protecting them.

“When links are broken, such as the extinction of particular flora or fauna, the whole system becomes vulnerable and can ultimately collapse,” said sculptor Greg Johns. Greg used hundreds of solid 25mm mild steel unites, each cut from solid steel plate in collaboration with boilermaker Darryl McFarlane of Demill Engineering.

The 5m high pod, formed from open hexagonal units, offers vastly different patterns when viewed from different angles. “The public can see through the form to the surrounding landscape, and this conection to the surrounding landscape is important,” Greg said.

“When you move around the sculpture, which continually changes visually, a negative figure suddenly appears from one angle. The intended implication of the organic pod form is of a protective spirit. A deep, profound guardianship of place as a priority is a message this sculpture hopefully conveys.”

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick said the sculpture’s connection to the landscape was complementary to the theme of environmental sustainability that spans across the 100km trail.

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.

A Good Tradition For A Good Cause

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The six debutants and their partners on the big night in August.

Twelve determined young people who raised $900 for Forbes Boys to the Bush enjoyed an evening of tradition and style in August with about 100 family members, friends and guests at the Forbes Inn.

Master of Ceremonies and event coordinator Anita Morrison made sure the evening ran smoothly for the debutantes as flower girl Kenzy Johansson escorted the pairs to Timothy West and Cassandra Tyack, who represented Boys to the Bush.

The debutantes and their partners were Le’Keisha-lee Bowden and Angus Turner, Pippa Reid and Kye McDaniel, Bonnie Hession and Jack Jeffry, Cherylee Byrne and Jake Smith, Jessica Williams and Joe Morrison and Shiara Johansson-Howarth and Josh Barnard.

The presentation dance was a fresh, modern partner dance choreographed by Eliza Woods to ‘Walk With Me’ by GoldFord. The group gave a polished performance to the delight of everyone present.

The group donated the money raised to Boys to the Bush for its work on preventative and early intervention strategies for ‘disengaged’ young males. The organisation strives to engage with and improve outcomes for the communities’ most vulnerable youth by providing an environment free from the distractions in their lives, allowing boys the opportunity to be surrounded by positive influences and giving them opportunities to succeed. The organisation encourages mate ship, resilience and a sense of belonging.

The winner of the raffle prize, a Weber bbq dontated by Acheson’s Mitre 10, was Christopher Kelly of Farnell Street.

Sports Grants Program

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The latest round of applications for sports grants are now open to local sporting groups and educational institutions under the CMOC-Northparkes Mines / Parkes Shire Council Sports Grant Program. A total of $30,000 is available for distribution.

Funding is split between participation projects that must deliver a sport or physical activity participation experience, and facility development projects that involve building new or upgrading sport and recreation facilities.

For more information about the CMOC-Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council Sports Grants Program, contact Council’s Grants Officer on 6861 2398 or visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Applications close 7th October 2022.

ABBA-Mania Returns To Trundle!

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

TIME OF YOUR LIVES… Excitement is building up for the return of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday 15th October with a fantastic line-up including world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again.

ABBA fans only have to wait two more weeks for the much-anticipated comeback of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday, 15th October.

This year Parkes Shire Council has announced a hugely entertaining schedule full of ambition, breadth and range for Australia’s one and only ABBA festival.

Headlining the festival is the world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again. ABBA fans from all over the world are packing their dancing shoes and sparkly outfits to ensure Trundle’s Berryman Oval is full of Dancing Queens while they also enjoy the five fabulous bands supporting Björn Again.

The hottest live disco show on the circuit, Disco Revolution is set to have the crowd dancing to classic hits from the 70s and 80s, while those who prefer to shake their tailfeather will enjoy the fun-loving Blues Brothers Re-Booted with their soul, rhythm and blues set.

Plump, the dynamic five-piece band from Canberra will channel a Studio 54 vibe bringing some funky disco tunes to the party. Trundle ABBA Festival also continues to showcase local talent with Parkes trio, Amitie back by popular demand to harmonise with sweet sounds from the 50s, 60s and 70s. For the very first time teenage sensations, Plus One from Cowra will win over the crowds when the gates open at 12pm.

Irish born dancing sensation and co-host of Studio 10, Tristan MacManus will be the official festival host, bringing together the fabulous line-up and keeping the crowd dancing the day away.

The festival is a day of family fun and entertainment as Trundle comes alive with colour, glitter and music. It’s time to ‘dance and jive and have the time of your lives’ as the Trundle ABBA Festival returns to light up the region.

Don’t miss out! For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au.

Mock Crash Video Ready For Students

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Constable Emma Montgomery, Kaitlyn Stevenson, Constable Cooper Crouch-McKinnon and Sam Hargraves during the filming of the crash scenario.

The horrors of a vehicle accident will confront students when the screening of this year’s Youth Driver Education Program starts next month.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be hosting an official screening of the NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program video on Tuesday, 11th October.

“This year’s project is a little different from previous years,” said the councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor.

“Like so many events, we have experienced two years of COVID disruption. This year we made the decision to film the crash scenario, which is usually the live mock crash demonstration, to provide us with a contingency for future programs. The video will also allow us to train new actors and could be used in other areas across the region.”

The youth actors involved in this year’s program, local emergency services, Councillors, council staff and invited guests will attend the official screening, which will be the first time the video has been viewed publicly.

Ten local high schools will take part in the program over three weeks, starting on 17th October.

“Year 10 students from our local high schools (and Year 9 or 11 in some of the smaller schools) will be taking part in the program, which includes a pre-lesson, the video and a follow-up lesson. “The pre-lesson provides information about the licensing system, licence conditions, common P plate offences and random breath/drug testing.

“The follow-up lesson will provide students with the opportunity to ask us questions about the crash scenario and we’ll also provide them with additional information about the Emergency+ app, car safety ratings and tips on being a safe passenger,” Melanie said.

The NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program has been running since 2009, during that time crashes on local roads that involved a young driver (17 – 25 years old) have decreased 27%.

FHS And CWA Combine To Cater

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

CWA Evening Branch Publicity Officer Sue Cunningham (middle) with the Forbes High students who helped to prep lunches for judges and stewards at the Forbes Show. They are (L-R) Isabella Brown, Ebonnie Colvin-Hopley, Paula Terrado and Holly Young.

The judges and stewards at the recent Forbes Show were well fed thanks to a joint effort by Forbes High School students and the Forbes CWA Evening Branch.

Four Year 10 students completed two days of work experience helping to serve slices made by Red Bend Catholic College for morning and afternoon tea over the two days of the show, while the main task was to plate up and serve lunches for about thirty-eight people each day.

“It was wonderful to see so many young people interested and helping out,” said the President of the Show Society Janine Coles, also referring to the many other students involved with show preparations including Boys to the Bush who did a lot of heavy lifting. The judges and stewards were very complimentary and appreciative of the students’ efforts.

President of the Forbes Evening Branch Robyn Miller said: “The girls were amazing, jumping in and doing what had to be done without hesitation.”

The students also experienced the cake judging and watched the judging of the handicraft section.

Colourful Changes To Create CCC

September 30, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Public School Captain Ruth Whittey thanked Kathryn Currey from Evolution Mining for funding the shade cloth for the yarning circle at the Community Conservation Corner.

Forbes Public School has established a Community Conservation Corner (CCC) with an outdoor classroom to make better use of the school’s close proximity to the beauty of Lake Forbes.

The CCC has Wiradjuri murals, a shade structure in First Nation colours over a yarning circle, while aluminium bench tops, stools, microscopes and storage space will be added for free community workshops and school lessons. “The goal is to develop our students’ and community member’s knowledge, skills and values to sustain our planet,” said teacher Katie Stitt.

“We would like to encourage the community to feel welcome in this space.”

The murals were funded by Arts OutWest and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and painted by Wiradjuri artist Scott Sauce Towney, who also designed the animal totems in 2019: Safe (platypus), Respectful (magpie) and Responsible (Kangaroo).

The shade sail was funded by Cowal Evolution Mining, and the bench tops, microscopes and yarning circle cushions by a second FRRR grant.

This will allow for hands-on activities to take place in the CCC to support the eco-system, sustain biodiversity and foster lifelong sustainability practices. The school’s raised veggie beds will be moved to the CCC and thanks to a donation from Central West Lachlan Landcare they will be filled with soil and edible plants and bush tucker. Teachers will teach a Kindergarten – Year 6 sustainability program linked to the NSW Curriculum.

The school already has strong connections with a variety of community organisations and groups including Central West Local Land Services, Central West Lachlan Landcare, Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Boys to the Bush, Wiradjuri Cultural and Environmental Rangers Group, Wiradjuri LandCare Group and others.

The yarning circle will be used by different classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning when Elders and storytellers will enter via the lake gate and tell a story during roll call.

Wiradjuri artist Scott Sauce Towney designed and painted animal totems for Forbes Public School. Here is with the Kangaroo, totem animal for the school value Responsible. He painted the totem animals on a water tank at the Community Conservation Corner.

COMMUNITY LOUNGEROOM

BE BIFFSQUIGGLED!

AUTHOR TALK & HISTORY WRITING WORKSHOP

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE WORKSHOPS

BEST IN SHOW ART EXHIBITION

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