SNIPPETS...

prize money up for grabs across three categories, including: Open Prize, First Nations Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the Sustainability Prize. Artists are vying for a cash prize of $15,000 in each category. A two-tiered adjudication process will see the best of the best selected as finalists for a further round of judging to decide the winners.

Entries will close on 30th June at 7pm. Further details are available at www.nationalcapitalartprize.com.au

BE SEEN @ The Parkes Picnic Races

Farmers Welcome New Off-Road Ambulances: The state’s peak agricultural body has welcomed the announcement of 80 new four-wheel-drive ambulances. NSW Farmers health spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said the specially-modified Toyota Landcruiser 200 series ambulances, announced by Health Minister Ryan Park on Tuesday, would give paramedics greater ability to reach patients in difficult terrain throughout regional and remote areas.

“The people who grow our food and fibre and keep our regional communities moving often work in hard-to-reach places,” Mrs Thompson said. “It’s comforting to know that if something goes wrong, help will be able to get to you.”

“This is a common sense move, replacing the old Troop Carrier ambulances with their modern equivalents.”

According to the NSW Government, the new off-road ambulances will be used for rescue and recovery operations in difficult terrain where standard ambulances cannot go.

National Capital Art Prize Entries Close on 30th June: The National Capital Art Prize is calling on artists to submit their entries before Friday, 30th of June 2023. The nation-wide competition has over $45,000

Elvis: A Musical Revolution - Authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises: Penned by acclaimed international writers, Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a new bio-musical exploring the extraordinary life of awardwinning cultural icon and rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Elvis Presley.

Following an extensive nation-wide talent search with over 700 applicants, theatre and television star Rob Mallett has been selected to play the iconic role of Elvis.

The Australian premiere will open at Sydney’s State Theatre, from 5th August, before rocking into Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from 6th October.

By popular demand, new performance dates have just been released for both cities, allowing more audiences the chance to secure seats via Ticketmaster.

Australia Post Grants Delivering Mental Health Benefits

Applications have opened for Australia Post’s 2023 Community Grants program, which funds community-led, local projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Eligible not-for-profit groups across Australia can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support projects which have the primary purpose of improving mental health and wellbeing in local communities.

Last year’s program saw half of all grants, totalling over $200,000, awarded to organisations located across regional and remote Australia.

The Community Grants program illus- trates Australia Post’s commitment to mental health, which includes a partnership with Beyond Blue that to date has delivered mental health resources to more than seven million letterboxes across Australia.

Australia Post is also a founding member of Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, which supports mental health and wellbeing in the transport and logistics industries.

Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to review the Community Grant guidelines carefully to check eligibility requirements, with eligible community organisations able to apply until 11.59pm on 2 July 2023 at auspost.com.au/grants.

PARKES News

Safe Haven: We Can All Help

Parkes Safe Haven opened its doors on 15th March, 2022, and since then has had 1,100 presentations of people struggling and in need of help. Safe Haven helps identify further services for appropriate support that is both immediate and ongoing.

Safe Haven is a friendly, emotional support facility for people with problems, often despairing or very lonely, some even contemplating suicide.

Ambulance Officer, Dan Wright spoke to Que Club members about this amazing facility at their recent dinner meeting.

Dan and his wife, lost their son Luke to suicide four years ago. It was absolutely devastating for them, their family and friends. Another seven young people also committed suicide in the following months, while Dan also lost one of his own friends, a man with five children.

Dan decided something needed to be

OUR Bloke

Allan Ryan

Where were you born? Wangaratta, Victoria.

Were you named after anyone? I got my second name, Joseph from my grandfather who was killed fighting a bushfire when dad was six years old.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Finishing Uni (B.Sc (App Chem)) and my family.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Landing on the Moon. We all got the afternoon off school to watch it - yes I’m that old!

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving the family to the Northern Territory.

done and that he would create a place to catch people before they reached crisis point. After two years of extremely hard work, calling on everyone he knew to help, he finally raised $510,000 to set up the Safe Haven. It is doing a remarkable job and as a result, ambulance callouts and death numbers have dramatically decreased.

Safe Haven looks and feels just like a house inside – beautifully equipped with quiet places, others for just talking, games, art and craft needs, even massage chairs, and everyone with a problem is welcome.

Safe Haven can only help needy people if they know about it. That’s where we all can help. Tell your friends, your kids, your parents, everyone. We can all help save lives.

Safe Haven is located at 3/195-199 Clarinda Street, and is open on weekdays from 10am. You can contact Safe Haven on 0428 228 097.