Double demerit points will be in force for four days commencing on Friday 2 October 2026 and ending on Monday 5 October 2026 (inclusive).

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage said there will be more police on the road which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing.

“Double demerits were implemented 20 years ago, in a bid to encourage drivers to obey road rules during busy traffic periods.

They occur on select holiday periods and long weekends and have proven to be an effective deterrent.

“No-one wants to get a fine, lose their licence or worse still be involved in a crash.

So, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to travel, don’t speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid distractions, make sure you’re well rested and if you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs – don’t drive” Sergeant Gage said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging all road users to stay safe this October long weekend.

“If you get caught speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, or not wearing a seatbelt or motorcycle helmet during double demerit periods, you’ll face double the points.

“Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, limit distractions in the car, don’t drink and drive and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelt,” Ms Suitor said.

A wave of free family fun is headed to Victoria Park when Street Dreams 2026 transforms the heart of Forbes on Friday 25 September, from 5pm to 9pm.

The underwater-inspired event will feature a range of interactive activities and entertainment for all ages, including a creative activity with the Forbes Arts Society, Kaleidoscope Face Painting, a hands-on activity with Forbes North Schools as Community Centres (SaCC), interactive drumming with Robb Shannon, and balloon creations by Giggly Wiggly Balloon Artist.

Festival-goers can also enjoy dazzling LED roving entertainment from LUXE Entertainment.

Local makers will showcase their creations through market stalls including Creative Chaos, Kellie’s Creations, Mystic Crafts by Carly, Sloaney’s Rustic Metal Sculptures and The Craft Collective.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said Street Dreams offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages to engage with a range of creative and cultural experiences right here in Forbes.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a deep pool of creative talent across our region, and this event shines a spotlight on local artists, performers, makers and community groups who help make Forbes a vibrant destination for creativity, music and connection.”

The 2026 festival marks the second year of a three-year Street Dreams series, proudly funded through the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW. The program supports projects that create vibrant public spaces, encourage community connection and increase visitation to local centres.

For more information, visit https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au or follow @ForbesShireCouncil for updates.

The University of Sydney School of Rural Health in Dubbo will open its doors to the community on Saturday, 19 September, offering the opportunity to explore Dubbo’s very own medical school.

Now offering the University of Sydney’s entire four-year postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program, the Open Day will give visitors the chance to tour the campus, meet staff, learn about entry pathways and admissions, and discover what it’s like to study medicine in Dubbo.

Visitors will be able to explore the School’s state-of-the-art teaching facilities including learning studios, tutorial and lecture rooms, anatomy lab, simulation teaching rooms and recreational amenities such as the new Student Centre.

Almost 100 medical students are currently studying through the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. The program provides students with a broad understanding of rural life, the health needs of rural communities, and the organisation and delivery of rural and remote health services.

With the goal of encouraging more practitioners to pursue careers in rural and remote medicine, the University offers dedicated pathways for Indigenous students and those from rural backgrounds.

Only 24 students are admitted each year offering a more personalised study experience. Dubbo students gain as much handson experience as possible, encounter a diverse range of clinical cases, and have greater opportunities to become involved in patient care.

The School of Rural Health Open Day will be held from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 19 September. The School is located at 4 Moran Drive, Dubbo, opposite Dubbo Private Hospital.

In recent years, Homegrown Parkes has grown into one of Parkes’ favourite community events, showcasing the people, skills, and produce that make our region unique.

Delivered by Central West Lachlan Landcare in partnership with Parkes Community Arts and Parkes Shire Council, the event is about supporting local growers, makers, artists, and small businesses while enjoying a relaxed day in the heart of town.

One of this year’s featured activities will be a workshop hosted by Chandra Lyer from Green Microbes Australia. Running from 12pm to 1pm, attendees will gain practical tips for improving soil quality at home and learn more about the links between agriculture and wellbeing.

The popular Crop Swap will return from 10am to 11am, with residents encouraged to bring along excess fruit, vegetables and other homegrown produce to exchange with fellow community members.

This year’s entertainment lineup is set to keep visitors entertained throughout the day. The much-loved Parkes Shire Concert Band will officially open proceedings, performing from 10am to 11am, followed by a performance by Parkes Dance Co on the main stage from 11am to 11:30am. Organisers also look forward to welcoming local singer-songwriter Aleah Fisher.

There will also be plenty for younger visitors to enjoy, including a jumping castle and face painting throughout the day.

So gather your family and friends and join the community at Homegrown Parkes this Saturday 12 September. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate local talent, support local businesses, and enjoy everything that makes our region special.

The 2027 Parkes Elvis Festival will be festival number three for Festival Director Brendan Shipley and his message is “By purchasing a ticket you are supporting the Parkes Elvis Festival, whether it be the Elvis Express, the shuttle bus, a feature concert, Dean Z, Poets Breakfast, or the Miss Priscilla Dinner, whatever it is it goes a long way to supporting the festival”.

Parkes will host over 25,000 festival goers in 2027 from January 6th-10th and Brendan said “We want to put on as many shows for people as possible to really give the opportunity to go see something, whether its a paid show or free entertainment in Cooke Park, or the Memphis Stage in Clarinda St.”

One of the hot ticket items on offer is local performer and former Miss Priscilla Gracey Denham Jones in her Miss Priscilla Concert “It’s great to support locals where we actually can” said Brendan.

Also, in a first for the festival, Spicer Oval will be used as an outdoor venue for Dean Z’s Epic concert where he will be performing with an orchestra, “never before seen across the world at this scale and this caliber and not with this technology” said Brendan

The official festival launch will take place on October 1st where multiple surprises will be announced including shows, experiences and celebrities. To keep up to date with announcements as they happen follow Parkes Elvis Festival on www.facebook.com/ParkesElvisFestival

To check out the program and buy tickets head to the Parkes Elvis Festival website www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers are a group of volunteers from Parkes and surrounding communities who share a passion for tractors, mateship and giving back. They come together each year to organise a fundraising tractor trek in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), raising awareness of prostate cancer while travelling through regional communities.

This year’s Parkes Tractor Trek will take place from 28–31 August. Rather than travelling interstate, this year’s trek will focus on our own backyard, travelling through Bogan Gate, Trundle, Tullamore, Albert and Peak Hill before returning to Parkes.

While this year’s trek is closer to home than previous years, our purpose hasn’t changed. We’re committed to raising vital funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, increasing awareness of prostate cancer, and bringing our regional communities together for a great cause.

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers 2025 Bourke to Birdsville Tractor Trek raised an incredible $284,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Donations can be made through the dedicated bank account, with the account details available on the Parkes Tractor Trekkers Facebook page. Throughout the trek the team will also have donation tins with them, so anyone who sees the convoy or meets them in one of the towns can contribute if they’d like.

Every donation, big or small, helps the Parkes Tractor Trekkers to continue raising vital funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

This September, The Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is bringing a series of free events to Parkes for people with disabilities, their parents and informal carers, as well as for disability service providers.

PDCN is the peak body representing, empowering and lobbying for the physical disability community in NSW and beyond.

They understand the many challenges and obstacles faced by people with disabilities and their families, and that these are even greater for people living in regional, rural and remote areas.

On Thursday 3 September, PDCN is running free interactive workshops in Parkes for people with disabilities, their parents and informal carers and hosting a service providers networking event.

Workshops choices include learning how to speak up for yourself; how to strengthen your chances to find and keep an inclusive, accessible job; and practical self-care for people with disabilities.

People with disabilities, parents and carers will be able to enjoy a “meet and mingle” lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and share experiences of living with disability in Central West NSW during the community consultation.

Voices shared during the disability community and service providers events will raise important matters that PDCN will discuss with local, state and federal government that will directly influence the issues PDCN represents in their work to make positive change for people with disabilities.

To register for the events: People with disability, their parents and carers: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDCNParkes and the Service Provider Event: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/disability-inclusion-matters-network-in-parkes-with-pdcn-tickets-1996193391169

Lions Park is set to come alive this weekend as the biennial River Arts Festival brings a full day of free family entertainment, music, and creative celebration to our community.

With an action-packed program designed for all ages, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Festivities kick off at 9:00am with a vibrant performance by the town band right on Bates Bridge, alongside the opening of the festival markets. To make the most of the site, Bates Bridge will be closed to traffic all day, allowing visitors to safely explore the stalls and wander across to Wheogo Park, which has been transformed into a dedicated Wellbeing Space.

Throughout the entire day, the festival grounds will feature continuous live music and hands-on art activities. Families can pack a lunch or grab a bite from the local market stalls or food vendors, and join us for a giant community picnic at 12:00noon when The Hometown Boys take the stage.

The energy amps up at 3:00pm when popular local group Dirty Dark Horses takes the stage. At the same time, free lantern-making workshops begin with Phil Relf from Ikara Celebratory Events. Community members are invited to drop in and create something incredible to carry in the evening’s main event: the magical lantern parade at dusk. This year’s parade will showcase a brand-new goanna sculpture taking pride of place.

Gather your family, bring a picnic blanket, and celebrate the heart of our creative community this weekend!

Haylee Redfern has once again brought gold back to Forbes, after competing at the 2026 World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) World Championships at Chisinau in Moldova from 4 – 7 June.

Haylee competed in the Elite Long Cycle (2 x 20kg kettlebells, 10mins), Elite Mixed Relay, Elite Women’s Relay, Masters One Arm Long Cycle (1 x 16kg, 10mins) and the Masters OALC half Marathon (1 x 16kg, 30mins).

Out of the five events that Haylee competed in, she was incredibly fortunate to podium in each event, coming away with three gold medals, a silver and a bronze.

Haylee’s motto is, “Be prepared to put in the extra work even when it’s not required.”

Unfortunately, there is no government or funding support for Individual adults in sport, whereas for team sports, like soccer or rugby etc, the opportunities are endless.

Haylee has to self-fund all of her travel and sporting requirements.

“Absolutely everything is self funded and that includes both in Australia and abroad. There is a lot of travel involved as there are requirements we have to meet each year to gain re-qualification for the Australian Team,” said Haylee.

Haylee has a few events coming up that are a requirement to make the Australian Team for 2027. State of Origin in August and the Australian Nationals in September. She is also hoping to represent Australia once again at the IUKL World Championships in October to be held in New Delhi, India.

Interested sponsors can contact Haylee directly via hayleeredfern@hotmail.com.