The Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has made it possible for dozens of aspiring country university students to experience a university campus, with a fully subsidised trip to Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga as part of its Explore Day on Tuesday 19th March.

Twenty-five students, including four from Parkes High School, four from Forbes High School and four from Red Bend Catholic College in Forbes, took advantage of the opportunity given to them by the CEF, which covered their costs for transport, accommodation, and meals, thanks to funding from its partnership with Charles Sturt University.

Students were collected from Parkes, Forbes, Grenfell, Young and Cootamundra and transported to Wagga Wagga to learn about the university, the courses it offers, and the benefits of studying in a regional area.

CEF Manager of Partnerships Hilary Matchett, who organised the trip, said its aim was to build motivation and aspiration for students from targeted areas and to keep them engaged with exploring their tertiary study opportunities.

“It is important to deliver these sorts of opportunities for students in our regions, as with the rising cost of living, travelling to university events, such as an Explore Day, can have many barriers for a regional student,” she said.

“Students thoroughly enjoyed seeing learning facilities, learning about application processes, accommodation and scholarships, going on campus tours and hearing from current students about studying at a regional university.”

The university’s partnership with CEF demonstrated its commitment to improving access to university for rural and regional students.

Experience the beloved story of Little Orphan Annie as brought to life by the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society. Prepare to be enchanted by this timeless tale, offering a new generation the opportunity to embrace the essence of resilience and hope.

Annie presents a captivating musical journey, featuring an unforgettable score including classics like “It’s A Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.,” the poignant “Maybe,” and the ever-optimistic anthem “Tomorrow.”

In 2005, Annie was the first non-original musical Lyn Townsend directed. 19 years on, and she is once again directing this perennial favourite. Neil Westcott is Musical Director, promising a tight, entertaining music score, with choreography by the talented Gracie Townsend

The 2024 production of Annie has a cast of 45, including 16 orphans. Lexi Herden plays the irrepressible Annie with the perfect mix of poise and spunk. Joining her is Hannah Farrant Jayet as Grace, Andrew Francis as Oliver (Daddy) Warbucks, Ruth Barnes as Miss Hannigan, Aaron Kingham as Rooster and Kimberley Ryan as Lily.

The season of Annie runs from April 20th to May 11th, with performances every Friday and Saturday night, along with Sunday matinees. Thanks to Betta Electrical Parkes, Friday night attendees have the chance to win an exciting lucky door prize! All bookings over the season go into a draw to win a 56 inch television. Join us and discover why Annie remains one of the most cherished and awarded musicals of all time. Reserve your seats now for an unforgettable evening or afternoon of entertainment.

Visitor areas at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory has received a major upgrade thanks to $500,000 from the NSW Government. The investment supported the installation of wheelchair accessible paths, automatic doors at the Visitor Centre and accessible and renovated bathrooms to ensure the observatory remains a major drawcard that can be enjoyed by everyone. The funding also included the construction of an inclusive space-themed playground with accessible equipment, soft fall ground cover, and sun cover. Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the accessibility upgrades to the visitor areas at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory will bring great benefits to the Central West, this project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when various levels of Government work together.

“This is now a great accessible space to host young space fans, further cementing itself as a world- class tourism destination for budding astronomers who visit the region,” Minister Moriarty said. Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Neil Westcott said: “Increasing the accessibility to all indoor and outdoor visitor areas at the facility, and by making the Visitor Centre more mobility friendly, inclusive and family friendly, will improve the visitor experience.”

The icon of Australian science attracts over 100,000 visitors per year. The observatory is home to Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope, used by astronomers from around the world to explore the universe. CSIRO Director of ATNF Operations Dr John Reynolds said “These upgrades to our Visitors Centre help us share the wonders of the Universe with all our visitors.”

Double demerit points will apply on NSW roads from Thursday 28 March until Monday 1 April 2024 as Police encourage road users to look out for each other over the Easter break.

During these five days, double demerit points will apply for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Adam Cornish has indicated that Police will also be targeting other high-risk behaviour including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving. “We are expecting roads to be busy with people travelling across NSW for the long weekend. Our message is to be patient, obey the road rules and drive to conditions. We want everyone to reach their destination safely and to enjoy the Easter break without tragedy.

“I ask all drivers to play their part in reducing crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks, limit distractions in the car, don’t mix alcohol or drugs with driving and ensure you and all your passengers are wearing seatbelts” Sergeant Cornish said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that Police enforcement figures show that double demerit points do deter motorists from speeding when roads are at their busiest. “Drivers are reminded that mobile phone detection cameras will be active over the Easter break to catch people illegally using their phone whilst driving. Drivers will accrue 10 demerit points for all licence classes during the double demerit long weekend and also receive a fine” Ms Suitor said.

Two hundred very happy people recently attended and enjoyed Parkes Que Club’s International Women’s Day celebration at the Services Club where they took time to both consider the advances in women’s rights as well as how much more still needs to be done.

There were four tables set up with local arts, crafts and products that everyone could see and purchase if they wished, and there was two excellent guest speakers to tell us about their careers and dispel the notion that you have to be educated in the city to be successful.

Tracy Hambridge grew up in Parkes, then went to Uni and became a dietitian. Tracy now leads a team of 12 women at Food Standards Australia and New Zealand which sets food standards and keeps the food supply safe for both countries. Her important work, which she loves, takes her to many countries across the world and is most satisfying.

Janna Flanagan had no tertiary education but worked for a while in real estate. She was a stay at home mum but eventually got another position, again in real estate, was so enthusiastic and keen to learn, that now she is Elders branch manager. Janna’s main message was that women frequently undervalue themselves. She supports other women, guiding and teaching them, and urges women to find what makes them happy, do it and just be themselves.

We were also treated to some delightful traditional dances and a beautiful song from our local Filipino Australians. By Pam Nankivell

More than 21 million Aussies have participated in Clean Up Australia activities and events over the past three decades.

What was started over thirty years ago, by an “average Australian” who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard has now become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event.

Of course, Australia’s environmental challenges can’t be solved in just one day, so Clean Up Australia works with community, government and businesses to provide practical solutions to help us all live more sustainably every day of the year.

Rhiannon Shell from The Learning Ladder in Forbes told us “On Friday the 1st of March the children and educators at The Learning Ladder in Forbes participated in Clean up Australia Day. All the children put on their gloves and ventured outside to begin picking up any rubbish they could find.”

The Parkes HQ brigade organised troops for 2024 Clean-up Australia Day. They were joined by some local community members who assisted the junior and senior members and they took 2 trailer loads of rubbish to the tip.

Jack McGrath from Parkes HQ brigade wanted to send a shoutout to “Parkes Shire Council for their support and to Kenny McGrath-Parkes, Shire Councillor, for the lend of his trailer and for assisting on the day.

To all the kids who are not yet old enough to help out with this fantastic event, we appreciate you coming and checking out our new appliance. It was great to be in the community today.”

Parkes teen Danielle McDonald was deservingly named Parkes Sportsperson of the year for 2023, and it comes as no surprise as Danielle has been consistently at the top of her sport, racing both Offroad and Motocross.

Danielle came back from Argentina with a Silver medal after competing for Australia alongside teammates Jessica Gardiner and Tayla Jones, in the 2023 International Six Day Enduro, she also won national titles in junior motocross. Danielle now adds a fulltime campaign in the Ezilift WMX class along with her AORC commitments. Danielle being one of a few who competes in both disciplines, offroad and motocross.

Danielle recently competed in Wonthaggi, VIC, in her first Senior Women’s race and was thrilled to come away with the win, Danielle saying “Super happy to claim the win at the AMX Open down in Wonthaggi ‘’.

The main focus lately has been training, but in 2 weeks time Danielle and her team head up to Roma, QLD, to compete in the AORC, and then a week after that she heads back down to Wonthaggi to compete in the ProMX Series;

With so much time spent travelling, we asked Danielle what she misses about home, she said “I miss my friends and just doing friend things, I miss my dogs and just the comforts of home”. Danielle also went on to say about her parents “They are a major part of what I do, they are the ones who got me where I am, so a big thanks to them”.

Regional Development Australia Central West have just recently announced its new Committee members.

Joining the Committee are Ricky Puata, Deputy Director, Regional Coordination & Delivery for the Department of Regional NSW; Owen Williams Director at ASIR Pty Ltd; Eleanor Falkiner non- executive Director of Haddon Rig and co-owner of Boridgeree; Therese Herbert of Gundamain Pastoral Co and Joshua Devitt, Chief Engineer – IPWEA NSW & ACT.

Returning Committee member, and Parkes local Tracie Robertson said “I was honoured to be appointed to the board for RDA Central West back in 2018 by the then Chair and ex local, Christine Weston nee Freebairn and am now in my third term and 7th year or representation. It was humbling to join a long admired friend on the board, the late Cr John Magill, and to follow the late Robert Wilson OAM. Parkes has been well represented in the past and I am committed to my role on the board to ensure we have continued strong representation for the Parkes Shire and other areas where my business operates including Forbes, Condobolin and West Wyalong.

“The board is made of 11 community leaders from business and government sectors, each from a different part of the Central West and in varied industries. We work across 3 levels of government and assist with important programs to our region, such as skilled migration visa’s, youth mentorship programs and innovations to promote new thinking and partnerships across government, industry and community to help realise the regions vision and economic potential.”