PARKESCrossroads of the Nation A History of Parkes ...................................................................................3 Things you need to know ........................................................................5 All that Parkes & Peak Hill have to Offer ..........................................6 Cultural Services............................................................................................6 Communications............................................................................................8 Migrant Support .............................................................................................8 Transport ........................................................................................................9 Main Industry of the Parkes Region ...........................................................10 Accommodation...........................................................................................11 Real Estate....................................................................................................13 Childcare ......................................................................................................14 Education .....................................................................................................15 Higher Education .........................................................................................16 Employment Agencies ................................................................................17 Attractions/ Things to Do ............................................................................18 Sporting Clubs/Associations......................................................................19 Community Groups/Associations ..............................................................22 Churches/Religious Services......................................................................24 Financial Institutions ...................................................................................25 Services and Trades ....................................................................................25 Retail Services .............................................................................................28 Cafes/Restaurants .......................................................................................29 Clubs/Hotels.................................................................................................31 1 A Better Life ParkesCrossroads of the Nation The Country Careers Program.............................................................32 Medical Services ..........................................................................................33 Health Service Details .................................................................................34 GWAHS Learning & Development Division......................................35 The Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching (IRCST)36 Appendix A...................................................................................................37 Town Map .....................................................................................................37 AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements ................................................................................38 Created by: Catherine Deverell Country Careers Coordinator May 2008 2 A Better Life PARKESCrossroads of the Nation A History of ParkesParkesParkes A rural service centre with a strong commercial and industrial base, Parkes possesses an expanding economy and population, thanks in part to a wool combing plant and the North Parkes copper and gold mine, the largest metal mine in NSW, which opened in 1994. It is a major wheat-storage centre in a rural district that also produces other crops, wool and livestock. The first Europeans in the district were the exploratory party of John Oxley who passed by in 1817 on one of the first inland expeditions. The area was occupied by the Wiradjuri people who were encountered in 1835 when Thomas Mitchell's expedition camped just to the north of town. Mitchell wrote of their sincerity, intelligence, resourcefulness and unaffected nature. Squatters may have been in the area by this time but the first official license for the Parkes area was issued in 1839. Reef gold was located a little to the north of the present townsite in 1862, after a major find at Forbes the previous year had sparked the Lachlan goldrush. A tent city of 10 000 emerged almost overnight. It was known as 'Currajong' after the large number of currajong trees in the vicinity. That field was worked for about 5 years then rapidly declined. However, other major finds was made in the area in 1871 and a second rush was soon under way. One of the most substantial was made at Bushmans Hill, named after a Mr Bush who was one of the owners. A settlement, also known as Bushmans, developed around the mine which soon had 30 stamper batteries working 24 hours a day. From 1871 to 1873 about 1400 kg of gold was turned up. A hotel was quickly established (on the site now occupied by the Cambridge Hotel), followed by a court of petty sessions, another hotel, the first bank, a Methodist Church and a public school. Then governor of NSW, Henry Parkes, visited what had become one of NSW's most profitable goldfields in 1873 and, at the end of the year, Bushmans was renamed Parkes (in 1887 the main street became known as Clarinda St in honour of his wife). By the time Parkes was declared a municipality in 1883 the initial wave of gold fever had passed and free selectors had begun to take advantage of the Robertson Land Act, taking up smaller allotments of land and establishing the agriculture which has since become a mainstay of the town and area. 3 A Better Life ParkesCrossroads of the Nation Wheat was first grown 3 km north of Parkes in 1865 and a local flour mill opened in 1871. Agricultural production expanded when the railway arrived in 1893 to the great economic benefit of the town - an effect enhanced when the line to Broken Hill was opened in 1927. When the standard-gauge rail system was completed in 1969 Parkes became the marshalling and dispersal terminal for eastern Australia. In 1899 Bushmans reached its maximum depth of 370 m but mining ceased in 1914. An attempt to revive operations in the 1930s failed due to flooding. In 1921 the first wheat silos were built at the railhead and the Mungincobie wheat terminal, covering 2 ha and holding 4 million bushels, was erected in 1952. From 1959-1961 the CSIRO built the first big-dish antenna radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere to the north of Parkes. One of the world's most powerful it has played a vital role in the detection of quasars and pulsars. Of some historic interest is the fact poet Harry Morant, made famous by the 1980 film, Breaker Morant, worked as a stockman in the area shortly before enlisting for the Boer War, during which he was executed by the British authorities. Parkes Festival of Sport is held at Easter. The Jazz Tridium is a weekend festival held in June with a street parade, picnic races and music in the streets. The annual agricultural show is held in August and the Country Music Jamboree in October. 4 A Better Life ParkesCrossroads of the Nation Things you need to know (Facts and Figures) The Climate of Parkes ranges from a summer climate of 17 - 32 degrees to 4 - 13 degrees in the winter months. Parkes is only 360 kilometres or 5 hours from Sydney. Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane are comfortably accessed by road thanks to Parkes strategic location on the Newell Highway, the nation's inland motoring corridor. Other major towns near Parkes include Dubbo, which is 119.65 kilometres or 1.25 hours and also Orange which is 99.85 kilometres or 1.23 hours. So you are never isolated when you live in Parkes. The Population of Parkes consists of 10500 people. 5 A Better Life ParkesCrossroads of the Nation All that Parkes & Peak Hill have to Offer Cultural Services Parkes' magnificent performance theatre complex is centrally located in Bogan Street, across from the Parkes Shire Library & Exhibition Centre and Council's Administration Centre. Parkes' multi-functional "Little Theatre" was opened after major renovations on 25 March 2000. The long-awaited ceremony was the culmination of four years of planning by Shire Council and Musical & Drama members alike. The premises which have served the Musical & Drama Society since the 1950s in Bogan Street underwent a $700,000 redevelopment converting the "Little Theatre" into a major arts facility. The enlarged hall space increased the seating capacity to 199 theatre-style and seating arrangements can be modified to comfortably seat 130 for theatre restaurant format. The large foyer is suitable for functions and exhibitions. The Theatre also boasts a refreshments bar and fully functional kitchen facilities. The revamped facility now offers residents of the Parkes Shire a modern, state of the art theatre. Performances are primarily provided by the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society, and also visiting performers and playwrights. The "Little Theatre" development was completed on time and within budget, meeting Council's expectations as a high quality facility within stringent budgetary constraints. Council also oversees the Little Theatre Management Committee which involves Councillors, Society members and members of the public for budgeting and long-term financial plans for the operation of the "Little Theatre" M&D "Little Theatre" 6 A Better Life ParkesCrossroads of the Nation Parkes