From L-R: Cr William Jayet, Samantha Bennett – PECC Financial Consultant, Bianca Coster – PECC Committee Treas­urer, Cr George Pratt, Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee, Bronnie Dean – PECC Educational Leader, Cr Joy Paddison, Amii Marchant – PECC Director, Sharnie Nagorcka – PECC Committee Vice President, Elena Nagorcka – PECC student.

Parkes Early Childhood Centre hosted a special morning tea on Friday, 8th Novem­ber to celebrate the 70th anniversary since its opening, back in November 1954.

Families were invited along to help cel­ebrate the day, and the current Director of PECC Amii Marchant, who has been in role for almost two years, took special guests on a tour of the facilities, before cutting the cake and enjoying a delicious morning tea.

Originating as a two unit preschool ser­vice with entry via Dalton Street, the Centre is still situated on its original site. In 1994, former Director, Lindy Farrant led the way to introducing the PECC long daycare service.

Fast forward 70 years and the Centre now operates two preschool rooms and three long daycare rooms. PECC has approxi­mately 200 children enrolled each year, with an average of 60 children leaving each year to move on to Kindergarten.

The Centre currently employs 40 staff, preferring to maintain their staff numbers above the legal ratio. “If a room should have two staff, we will have four,” said Amii.

“We believe in building relationships and making children feel safe and secure so they can learn and grow and develop.”

It was a wonderful celebration that was enjoyed by all. “I would like to extend a huge thank you to all past parents, children, fami­lies, employees, committee members and volunteers who helped PECC be the amaz­ing service that it is,” concluded Amii.

Deputy Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Marg Applebee and Cr Bill Jayet who were presented the prestigious KAB NSW 2024 Overall Tidy Towns Award on behalf of Parkes Shire Council. Also pictured is Kelly Reserve Water Play Space.

Recognised for our commitment to sus­tainability and community spirit, Parkes Shire Council will now represent NSW at the Australian Tidy Towns Awards in Beech­worth, Victoria, in May 2025.

KAB NSW has been running the Tidy Towns program since 1981 which cel­ebrates, recognises and rewards projects that reduce litter, minimise waste, encour­age recycling, promote heritage and culture, biodiversity, and waterways protection, cel­ebrate community spirit and many other en­vironmental areas.

Deputy Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Marg Applebee, expressed pride in Council’s achievement, “This award demonstrates the hard work and vision of everyone in the Parkes Shire. It reflects our community’s shared commitment to sustainability and resilience, from Council initiatives to the dedication of individuals, businesses, and local organisations. We are proud to bring this recognition back to the Parkes Shire and are excited to represent NSW at the na­tional level.”

Cr Bill Jayet also shared: “This award is a proud moment for the Parkes Shire, as it ac­knowledges the forward-thinking approach of our Council teams, community groups, and residents. Each project, no matter how big or small, has contributed to this achieve­ment. We look forward to continuing our journey toward sustainability and setting new standards for environmental care and community engagement,” Cr Jayet said.

In addition to the Overall Tidy Towns Award, Parkes received top honours in the Liveable Towns, Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Community Spirit and Inclusion categories.

Galing Gindhay Water Play: Liveable Town Award, Population Category C Joint Winner. This inclusive space combines wa­ter play, adventure elements, and shaded seating, making it enjoyable for all ages. The project integrates Wiradjuri cultural knowledge and highlights the local water story through design and storytelling.

Lake Endeavour Places To Swim Pro­ject: Liveable Town Award, Population Cat­egory C Joint Winner. Lake Endeavour was transformed into the first developed natural water location for recreational use in the Parkes Shire. The installation of new recre­ational infrastructure encourages people to get active in, on and around Lake Endeav­our – from swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding, to fishing, walking and relaxing by the water.

Waders and Woodlands: Biodiversity Conservation Award Population Category C Winner. Parkes Shire Council rehabilitated 25 hectares into a thriving wetland eco­system, supporting native flora and fauna, serving as an essential habitat for migratory and threatened bird species, featuring more than 3,000 native plants and macrophytes. This site is attracting a range of bird spe­cies, marking significant ecological restora­tion and fulfilling community desire for ac­cessible green spaces.

Raw Water Storage Lagoon (RWSL): Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Award, Population Category C Winner. The RWSL is a key water security project, stor­ing and managing water using solar energy and gravity. It ensures reliable water supply for the Shire while reducing CO2 emissions by over 900 tons annually.

Homegrown Parkes: Community Events Community Spirit and Inclusion Award, Population Category C Winner. Homegrown Parkes is a free, community-driven event that brings together people of all ages to celebrate local food, art, and sustainability, fostering community engagement and pro­motes sustainable living.

One of the many stallholders at the Award Winning Community Event – Homegrown Parkes.