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Pictured above is newly inducted President David Hughes | Pictured above is Changeover Chairman Charlie Pecenka |
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Pictured above is outgoing President Greame Hunter | Cliff Cowell giving the toast to Australia |
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Phillipa with her family | Phillipa O'Donnel is pictured being inducted as by DG Rep Rob Anderson |
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State member for Orange Phil Donato | Peter Thompson receiving the Arthur Roeder Award from Greame Hunter |
Parkes Rotary Club was saddened to hear of Arnie's death last Monday week. Arnold was a member of our Club for 55 years. Arnie was born on 5 August 1932 and died on 19 May 2025. | ![]() |
Arnold joined Rotary on 1st April 1970. Geoff Nash was President, there were 49 members. • Arnold was awarded the Paul Harrison Fellowship in 1996 by President Brian Single. Arnold members talk -11th December 2017 • Margaret and Arnie billeted an exchange student from Toronto, Canada, for 3 months in 2004, which was a pleasure. In 2010, they visited him in Toronto. He now has two boys. • Arnie & Margarets family consists of 3 sons, 2 of whom are now retired. Tony, who trained as an electrician, now owns and manages Byrnes Clothing Shop. • The shop has been trading for 45 years. Marg and Arnold had 9 grandchildren. | ![]() |
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Parkes Shire Council BBQ Breakfast:

Thank you to Charlie, Peter, Rex, Colin, Mark, and guest chef Ken Keith for the 6.30 am breakfast at Council Depot last Friday morning.
Parkes Rotary Driving Simulator
Central School students learn from driving simulator
June 22, 2024
Students from Trundle and other central schools spent time learning about the effects of alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and distractions when they participated in experiences provided on a driving simulator.
A practice drive on the simulator.
"Students organised in pairs were provided two experiences " said Ken Engsmyr of Parkes Rotary Club.
With the "impaired driving" module a participant first drives for about five minutes to experience normal driving conditions, a practice drive. Then they stop, the simulator screens blur, the screen image rocks, braking and steering become less responsive.
The participant drives again for about five minutes.
The difference between normal and impaired driving is compared by means of a report (traffic violations) generated by the simulator.
The experience provides a powerful demonstration of the potential effects of drugs, alcohol, and fatigue on driving ability.
It is an experience that cannot be responsibly provided "for real" with real drugs or real alcohol in a real vehicle on a real road.
The effect of distraction is demonstrated by asking a driver to maintain control of a vehicle while being distracted by text messages, trying to pick up an object from the cabin floor, and taking selfies.
The participant experiences how difficult it is to maintain control when distracted.
“We also talk with participants about the detrimental effect passengers can have on a driver’s ability to maintain control.”
Research from the United States has revealed that, compared with driving alone, the risk of a young driver dying in a road crash increases fourfold per mile driven if the driver is carrying three young passengers.
And if a young driver is accompanied by one passenger aged 35 years or older, their risk death in an automobile accident decreases by 62%, according to American Automobile Association research.
“While the research comes from the United States, from talking with young Australian drivers it is not hard to see why a young driver conveying young passengers is at increased risk of being involved in a fatal accident.” said Ken.
Media contact: Ken Engsmyr, Rotary Club of Parkes, Phone 0418 246 662
Service Above Self
Parkes, NSW 2870
Australia