Authorised Child Restraint Fitters will be in Parkes on Friday 12th May and Forbes on Saturday 13th May.

Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles with free child restraint checks by Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Parkes on Friday 12 May 2023 and Forbes on Saturday 13th May.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that these free child restraint checking days will now be held bi-annually as they are usually well patronised and are important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“Due to the success of previous events, we’ve received funding to offer this service twice a year to residents in Parkes and Forbes – one round of checking days will be held in late November/early December and the other round will be in April/May,” Ms Suitor said.

The upcoming child restraint checking days will be held in Parkes on Friday 12 May from 11am – 3pm in the carpark at Kelly Reserve and in Forbes on Saturday 13 May from 10am – 2pm in the Bunnings carpark.

The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we have checked at previous events have had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child – such as tightening and untwisting straps, fitting gated buckles and correcting the seatbelt’s path through the restraint.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

Bookings are essential – phone 6861 2364 to secure your place. Information about the child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will also be available.

Few children’s books have stood the test of time quite like Dr Seuss’s 200 word masterpiece ‘The Cat in the Hat’ As the top selling children’s author of all time, the story is as popular now as it was in the 1950’s when Dr. Theodor ‘Seuss’ Geissel wrote the book.

Now both children and adults alike are sure to be left in raptures by this zany and imaginative stage show, that will bring the story to life on a 22 city, 45 show nationwide tour of Australian theatres.

The play was adapted for the stage in 2009 by the National Theatre of Great Britain and tells the story of a brother and sister, bored at home on a rainy day when they are visited by none other than ‘The Cat’ in his red and white striped hat. Their outspoken and outraged pet fish is astounded and concerned, but this cat will not be deterred. He will teach us all to make our own fun with nothing but a little imagination. “It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” Along with his friends, Thing One and Thing Two they turn the house upside down leaving mess everywhere but have no fear, The Cat brings in his red ‘Picker-Up Machine’ and all is back to normal before Mum walks back in the door.

So if you’re looking for ideas for your Thing 1 and 2 this coming school holidays, come and share in the magic and mystery of live theatre at the Dubbo Regional Theatre.

Spoiler alert: Things run amuck, and quickly!

For more information, please visit www.drtcc.com.au

With Mother’s Day around the corner, what better way to spoil her than with this delicious breakfast to start the day.

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 x 420g cans corn kernels, drained
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 100g fetta, crumbled
• 30g piece cold butter
• 1 small avocado, cut into wedges
• 30g baby rocket
• 2 tbsp Coles sweet chilli sauce, to serve 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Use a fork to whisk eggs and milk in a jug and pour gradually into the flour, stirring gently to combine. Fold in corn, chives and fetta. Don’t over-mix or the fritters will be tough. 

2. Wrap butter in a piece of paper towel. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and wipe with the butter to grease. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of mixture into the pan (you’ll have to cook in batches). Cook for about 2-3 mins, until golden brown underneath, then turn and cook the other side. Repeat with the butter and fritter mixture. 

3. Serve fritters with avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, rocket and sweet chilli sauce.