The automatic sprinklers in the park are an ongoing problem and have not worked properly for months, so it is up to the community of Trundle to keep the grass alive.

These pictures were taken a week before Australia Day and compare the condition of Berryman Park in Trundle to Lions Park in Parkes.

Have a look at the difference.

Australia’s leading childhood preventive health education provider says that giving young people skills to develop respectful relationships is key to tackling bullying, both online and offline.

As children head back to school amid renewed concerns about cyber-bullying, Life Education announced the launch of its new program module, Relate, Respect, Connect, aimed at teaching children aged 10-13 how to build safe and respectful relationships.

The Relate, Respect, Connect module was co-funded by Gandel Philanthropy and Life Education Foundation.

Life Education spokesperson Kellie Sloane said that bullying in any form can be complex and challenging for both parents and schools, and the problem needs to be addressed at a fundamental level.

“There is more to cyber-bullying than just teaching children how to block the culprits,” Ms Sloane said.

“Across our community there is a need to promote tolerance and respect.

“We must take a constructive approach to the problem rather than assigning blame. Often, young people don’t see the link between their actions and consequences.

“Children are going to come across people who they don’t agree with or who don’t make them feel good. We need to equip them with skills including how to respectfully manage disagreements, develop self-respect and empathy, and respond to disrespectful behaviours.”

In 2016 Life Education released a dedicated cybersafety module for children aged 8-10. ‘bCyberwise’ has become Life Education’s most sought after module reaching around 70,000 students nationally in the past 12 months.

The new Relate, Respect, Connect module, aimed at upper primary students, builds on this success and looks at how to promote safe and respectful relationships both online and offline.

“Students are taught key skills including how to respect themselves and others, maintaining positive relationships, and strategies to respond to unsafe or disrespectful behaviour, which are fundamental to promoting resilience and positive mental health, as well as future academic and career success,” Ms Sloane said. For more information or to book the program for your school, visit www.lifeeducation.org.au

A thumbs up to Charlie and staff of the Parkes Coffee Pot for staying open until the early hours of the morning during the Parkes Elvis Festival weekend. This was much appreciated.

Our Facebook page continues to be a hive of activity, providing a platform for our readers to discuss local and regional issues and stories. Here’s the latest on what our readers have been discussing.

There have been growing calls for point-to-point speed cameras to be used to police speeding for all vehicles, not just trucks. This story was published on our website on Wednesday, February 7.

It would be better money spent than those stupid mobile speed cameras with their tiny signs that don’t actually slow anyone down until 3 weeks later when the fine arrives. I’m all for visible speed control, it prevents the danger and doesn’t just raise money.

You've spent thousands, you may as well.

The govo isn't game enough... it would make common sense.

The effects of the freak storm in October 2016 are still being felt around Parkes more than a year later, with an arborist advising the trees at the Parkes Cemetery's entrance should be removed after being so badly damaged from the weather event. Parkes Shire Council plans to replace these trees with deciduous trees, among other works. This story was published in the Champion Post on February 2.

Why not plant eucalyptus trees again?? There are shorter varieties that can be planted. Shame they have to go. They have been there since I was a kid.

Could they just not be trimmed?

I go see my sister very often, nothing is wrong with these trees, we have the most beautiful entrance for our cemetery [because] of these trees!! This should not be allowed!! How come the community hasn't got a say? These trees are over 100 years old, no respect!!

Hope some beautiful flowering trees replace these amazing trees.

What about the birds that make nests in these trees? The bird life need them.

All these big beautiful natives being cut down. Is such a SHAME.

Them trees are fine, how ‘bout the ones hanging over the graves making a mess get cut first or all the burrs that get stuck through my daughter’s shoes the other day when she was visiting her nan’s grave? ...If there’s any trees that need shaping or removing is ones in middle of roundabouts and up medium strip Bogan St ...dangerous for kids crossing road from council to up past Coles. Low hedge and smaller plants [are] sufficient.