“I thought these radar cars checking speeds were supposed to be at black spots,” he said.

“They’re certainly not black spots where the vehicle is parked in Parkes. 

“This car sits outside the Telstra depot in Clarinda Street; in Bogan Street near Target; outside the Bushman’s Dam; or down at the bridge on the Orange Road near Military Road. 

“All well-known black spots I am sure,” he added.

“I wonder if he managed to book the scooter (in the picture).”

Now, this well known local bloke is not one to stir things up, but admits he is peeved at being ‘pinged’ by the radar car.

“I was a naughty boy, I know,” he said.

“I was very busy and went 19 kms over the speed limit.  So definitely in the wrong.

“And the penalty hurt - three demerit points and a $500 fine.

“Fair enough too, if this was actually a black spot. 

‘Surely these black spots are more out on the open road where they are likely to mean serious accidents, not in the town areas.”

It’s a fair point, but unfortunately this is the world we live in.

There are money making schemes all over the place!

As a footnote, our local resident actually wrote a letter appealing the fine, and got off!

His record was immaculate.

- - - - 

A former local doctor who brought many locals into the world is no longer with us.

Dr Anne Allison passed away several weeks ago at her residence in Shoal Bay.

Dr Allison was 85 and was the wife of another local doctor of the past, Dr Jim Allison (who passed away in 1976).

Dr Anne’s ashes will return here to Parkes.

From (a very suspect) memory, she left here in the 1990s and worked at the time with Dr Clements and Bruce Whitmill.

- - - - 

Another former resident associated with our health, Barbara Cooper has also passed on.

Barbara was Director of Nursing in Parkes from 1982 to 1986 and was responsibile for introducing several life-saving measures which are still in place today.

She also initiated the idea of nurses from Bathurst college coming here as part of their training.

Barbara is well remembered by many local residents and only about 18 months ago, celebrated her 80th birthday.

Former local hospital CEO, Don Colquoun worked with Barbara here in Parkes and they remained life-long friends.

“She was a wonderful woman and will be sadly missed,” he told me this week when contacting us about the passing.

She died at the Umina aged care facility.

- - - - 

A very proud day for all Aussies on Monday with Australia Day.

We have it on pretty good authority that Parkes will figure in the Australia Day Honours List.

Not one local, but two, and another two with strong links to Parkes.

Hopefully we will have them confirmed in Monday’s edition.

Time now though, for a bit of fun - to pay ‘tribute’ to this wonderful country we are fortunate to live in.

Dare I say it, but the following came to us in an email, and I thought it might raise a smile...

You know it's hot in Australia when:

1) The best parking spot is determined by shade, not distance

2) Hot water comes out of both taps

3) You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron

4) The temperature drops below 32 degrees C and you feel chilly

5) You know that in January and February it only takes two fingers to steer a car

6) You discover you can get sunburnt through your windscreen

7) You develop a fear of metal door handles

8) You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7am

9) Your biggest bicycle accident fear is "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the road, getting cooked?"

10) You realise that asphalt has a liquid state

11) Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to prevent them from laying hard boiled eggs

12) The trees are whistling for dogs

13) While walking back barefoot to your car from any event, you do a tightrope act on the white lines in the car park

14) You catch a cold from having the aircon on full blast all night long

15) You realise that shopping centres aren't just shopping centres - they are temples where we worship Air Conditioning

16) Sticking your head in the freezer and taking deep breaths is considered normal

17) A cup full of ice is considered a great snack

18) A black out is-life threatening because your aircon and your fans no longer work.

19) No one cares if you walk around with no shoes on

20) You keep everything in the fridge, including potatoes, bread and clothing

21) People have enough left over beer cans to make a boat and compete in a regatta.

22) The effort of towelling yourself off after a shower means you need another shower right away.

23) You worry your ceiling fan is spinning so fast it will fly off and kill you

24) You laugh because this list is so accurate.

- - - - 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”   Very deep, sorry!