Our Achievements

Parkes High school held a Recognition Assembly recently where the school community celebrated the wonderful efforts of our students. Special guest, Councillor Bill Jayet, along with PHS Principal, Mrs Sandra Carter presented the Level 1 Gold Pins   and Level 2 certificates to students who have earned recognition points and represented the school in many areas.

Gold pins were received by Will Bevan, Hannah Blunt, Ruby Dawson, Alleyne Gaut, Taylor Hawken, Elizabeth Hoyle, Holly McColl, Isobella McCrae, Cordelia Moon, Rachel Ostler, Thomas Stechly-Petrikas, Koby Wirth, Becky Wright, Thomas Yates.

After musical items by Hannah Dun, accompanied by the Year 9 ensemble, several students were presented with the Lachlan PSSA appreciation award for their assistance at the Lachlan PSSA primary school Athletics carnival. The Lachlan PSSA appreciation went  to Jacob Chambers, Zayne Ehsman, Sam Levick, James Parsons, Zac Redfern, Koby Wirth, Alex Richardson-Bartley, and Nikita Wood.

Six students participated in the Australian National Chemistry Quiz in July this year. This is an international competition testing students on their knowledge of chemistry.

Congratulations to all those who entered but particular congratulations to Jye Langley and Madison Bland of Year 12 who received a Certificate of Distinction and Certificate of Credit respectively.

Last week we had a work party from Albion Park to assist with putting the wings on the Heron and preparing the Convair for taxiing trials and engine runs. The Council and the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack officiated at the launch of the Airport Business Park and the airport committee released a draft master plan of the airport development that includes a 37,000 square metre footprint for Hars Parkes. The plan is a draft and we await ratification after public display and approval by Council but it is what we had requested.

The Mayor and Deputy PM inspected the museum and spoke with the students. The Deputy PM was very interested in the Parkes High School ACES Program and shook hands and spoke to many of the students. We were hoping to run the Convair engines while the students were present however we had to keep the taxi way clear while the VIP aircraft were  present and the students had to return to school and missed the noise and smoke.

We had a visit by the sponsors of the Heron project who were impressed with what the students had achieved inside and out, there is more sanding back to be done until we can repaint and in the meantime it is creating much interest, and has made space inside where we can prepare the Wessex and clear coat the fuselage. We acquired a small grit blaster that works off compressed air that has made the sanding of the undercarriage leg much easier and next week we will complete the prep and paint for display. 

Week commencing 27 May, we propose to bring the cockpit section of Neptune 302 to the museum and place inside so  restoration can happen in the relevant comfort of the hangar as opposed to working outside. As work progresses we will bring components over to be painted before reassembly.

The students participated in an emu parade and picked up all the fallen trees and limbs littering the creek line adjacent to the outdoor area. The clean up has vastly improved the appearance of the museum from the access road.

Well done everyone.

Mike De La Hunty

HARS Parkes Aviation Museum a div. of the

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT RESTORATION SOCIETY