One Step Max recently walked through both Parkes and Forbes on his 700,000km journey – Walk to Save a Life. Max set out on his personal journey during Mental Health Month in October 2025, where he completed his first big walk from Albury to Adelaide.

This year Max has walked from Goondiwindi to Moree, and then on to Inverell, Bingara, Narabri, Gunnedah and Tamworth.

He then skipped to Coonabarabran and walked south again along the Newell.

Max set out to walk 700,000km, which represents each life lost to suicide worldwide each year. “For a long time I had thoughts of not being here anymore. I think in life if we take one step forward, it doesn’t matter how many steps we take backwards, as long as we keep moving forward every now and again,” said Max.

Max first arrived in Parkes, staying for about a week at various places, where accommodation was kindly offered by locals.

He even got a haircut whilst in Parkes, and had dinner with the ladies from the Visitor Information Centre on his last evening before embarking on his journey to Forbes.

Arriving in Forbes after enjoying a brief homestay and camping along the way, Max took the time to meet lots of locals and visit as many places as he could, saying “Forbes is a beautiful town, full of people doing amazing things for the community.” You can follow along with Max’s journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Onestep-Max/61576680990763

Pictured at RBCC to kick off the 100 Year Celebrations is current Principal Stephen Dwyer and past Marist Brothers and Sister of Mercy of RBCC.

Around 130 Marist dignitaries, ex-teachers, ex-students and current families attended a special mass and luncheon at Red Bend Catholic College on Sunday 5 July to help celebrate 100 years of Marist Education in Forbes. The date, 5 July being significant as that was the date the school originally opened in Johnson Street in 1926.

Stephen Dwyer has been Principal at the College since 2019 and is the first Principal to not be a Marist Brother. Referred to as a lay Principal, Stephen has worked at the College from 1992 in various roles with the exception of one year where he worked at a school in Alice Springs as Assistant Principal.

Red Bend Catholic College Principle Stephen Dwyer said, “Sunday’s celebration was a deeply moving and joyful occasion for the Red Bend Catholic College community.

“As we gathered to mark 100 years of Marist education in Forbes, we honoured the vision, faith and sacrifice of those who came before us, celebrated the strength and spirit of our College today, and looked to the future with great hope.

“It was a wonderful reminder that Red Bend is more than a school; more than excellence in education; it is a community of faith, family spirit and belonging that has shaped generations of young people across central and western NSW.” A Gala Dinner will be held at Forbes Town Hall on 15 August to further celebrate the 100 Year milestone. Tickets are available at: www.123tix.com.au/events/52747/100-year-celebration-gala

Pictured back (left to right) Jeff McClurg (Central West Car Club), Craig Bland (Parkes Ministers Association), Paul Thomas (Parkes RSL Sub-Branch), and David Lewis (Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club). Middle row: Kel Spedding, Trisha Trim, and Fiona Glasheen (Parkes Coradgery & Diggers Club – $8,500 in-kind support in previous round) and Alan Flaval (Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club). In front are Parkes Shire Mayor, Neil Westcott with Kerrie Churchill and Susan Ball (Parkes Que Club – $8,500 in previous round).

Parkes Shire Council is excited to announce the recipients of Round 1 of the Events Fi­nancial Assistance Program (EFAP) for 2026. The round was popular with seven applicants requesting over $45,000 in sup­port. Council has allocated $39,250 in fund­ing to various community events throughout the shire.

The EFAP is designed to support both new and existing events that contribute positively to the Parkes community while striving for event sustainability. The fund­ing, which includes cash and in-kind sup­port such as facility use and equipment, will enhance various local and regional events.

Alan Flavel and David Lewis of the Tul­lamore Bowling & Citizens Club thanked Parkes Shire Council for the funding for their inaugural long lunch on the 10th of Oc­tober. “It really means a lot to the club. We were really struggling for a couple of years, but a lot of volunteering and work has gone in to get the club back up to where it was.

We will host the inaugural long lunch with this grant and make it a yearly event and build and build until it becomes well known in the shire.”

The next round of the Events Financial Assistance Program will open for applica­tions in October 2026 for events to be held in the first half of 2027. Details for the next round and application forms can be found on Parkes Shire Council’s website: htt­ps://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/Councils-Grants-Pro­grams

Pictured at the Cowra Civic Centre are the 60 plus students and members of Parliament who attended the Parliament of NSW Regional Roadshow Forum.

The Parliament of NSW Regional Road­show was in Cowra on Wednesday, 17 June, bringing together students from across the region to engage with the demo­cratic process.

Now in their third year, the Regional Roadshows are an initiative of the NSW Legislative Council designed to give young people meaningful opportunities to engage with the democratic process, share their perspectives and connect directly with Members of Parliament.

Regional centres host Roadshows throughout the year, with years 10 to 12 students travelling from surrounding areas to participate in a Public Speaking Compe­tition and Youth Forum.

Over 60 student leaders from across the Central West, the Riverina and the wider region participated in the forum. The event allowed student leaders to speak directly to Members of Parliament and other sen­ior figures on issues that matter to them such as: cost of living and financial stress, employment opportunities and future path­ways, cost and accessibility of university or TAFE, housing affordability, mental health and wellbeing.

The Youth Forums gave young people the opportunity to discuss issues of impor­tance to them, exchange ideas and con­tribute to conversations about their com­munities and their future, while the Public Speaking Competition provided students with a platform to showcase their commu­nication skills and confidence.

Winners from each Public Speaking Competition round will be invited to com­pete in the State Final, to be held in the Legislative Chamber at Parliament House in December.

Toby Finlayson and Sean James Cassidy stand in front of the mural Yindyamarra — a Wiradjuri word meaning “deep respect” — in Baguio Northern Philippines. The mural was named in recognition of the cultural exchange and ongoing support the region has received from Central West creatives such as Finlayson and Cassidy.

A cross-cultural creative dialogue is emerg­ing between Sean James Cassidy, Parkesbased artist and director of UB UBBO EX­CHANGE, and Toby Finlayson, Forbes-born co-founder and CEO of Desert Pea Media (DPM), grounded in a shared belief that sto­rytelling can strengthen identity, preserve culture, and create pathways for healing within communities.

Finlayson is widely respected throughout the Central West for his long-standing com­mitment to preserving First Nations culture through music, film, and digital storytelling.

Cassidy’s Ub Ubbo Exchange has built a strong reputation for supporting emerging artists and musicians, creating pathways for regional creatives to connect with estab­lished national and international talent.

The pair recently travelled together to the Philippines for a cultural exchange, recon­necting creatively for the first time since collaborating there in 2012 on a music and arts project. During the visit, Cassidy and Finlayson met with First Nations tribal com­munities to explore opportunities for future cultural exchange programs and communi­ty-engaged arts initiatives throughout Asia and the South Pacific.

Now, the collaboration is moving into a new phase. Cassidy and Finlayson are currently developing a pilot video project designed to spark broader conversations around preserving culture through arts and music engagement. The project ties into internationally recognised cultural celebra­tions including International Mother Lan­guage Day on February 21 and Australia–Philippines Friendship Day on May 22.

For Cassidy and Finlayson, they describe the process as a “yarn” — an ongoing con­versation shaped by trust, deep listening, and mutual respect.

Pictured is long-term teacher Juley Clarke, of Forbes and long-standing volunteer Michael Lynch, of Parkes. With the announcements being made on the Kinds Birthday weekend, both will receive their awards in September in Sydney.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has congratulated Juley Clarke, of Forbes and Michael Lynch, of Parkes who have been named in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours list.

Juley Clarke, of Forbes, has been recog­nised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to primary education.

Mrs Clarke has been a teacher since 1988 and is the founder of the Forbes North Wiradjuri Choir, as well as the chief steward of the Forbes School Artwork Show Society.

Initially Juley was shocked to hear she had been nominated, “I received an email back in March stating that I had been nomi­nated for an Order of Australia Medal. My first thought was ‘Yeah Sure’, I truly thought it was a scam.” But then she finally heard back stating she was successful. “That was when I finally realised this was actually real. I was in total shock,” Julie said.

Michael Lynch, of Parkes, has also been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Parkes.

Mr Lynch has been an important part of the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, the Parkes Prostate Cancer Support Group and the Parkes Vet­erans Golf Club. He was Parkes’ Citizen of the Year in 2021 and is a life member of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

In Michael’s own humble words, when he heard the news he felt “Undeserving, chuffed, honoured and blessed.”

Since their introduction in 1997, double demerit points have proven to be an effective deterrent to unsafe driving during busy holiday periods. Research has shown that casualty crashes decreased 30% when double demerit points were in operation.

Motorists across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas are being re­minded to drive safely over the King’s Birth­day long weekend as double demerit points come into force.

Double demerits will be in operation from Friday 5 June until Monday 8 June (inclu­sive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seat­belt and motorcycle helmet offences.

School zones are in operation on Friday 5 June and additional penalties can apply in school zones.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage has indicated that Police will also be targeting the ‘four Ds’ of road users includ­ing drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving. “Around 95% of crashes in NSW are the result of behaviour – like driving too fast for the conditions, falling asleep behind the wheel or being impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.

“Too often we see the tragic aftermath of drivers making poor decisions. We want everyone to make it to and from their desti­nations safely this long weekend.

“There will be more Police on the road which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing,” Sergeant Gage said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said “Drivers should ensure that they are well rested and not un­der the influence of drugs or alcohol before they get behind the wheel. While driving, focus on driving. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted, follow the road rules and drive to conditions,” Ms Suitor said.

The proposed energy-from-waste (EFW) facility, if approved would be built within the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (Precinct), which is located west of Parkes.

At its April Ordinary Meeting, Parkes Shire Council endorsed the Energy from Waste (EfW) Opposition Action Plan, in principle, reaffirming its commitment to opposing the proposed EfW facility and advocating for the interests of the local community.

The adoption of the Energy from Waste Opposition Action Plan is a framework that will guide Council’s advocacy, engagement and response activities relating to the pro­posed facility.

Mayor Neil Westcott said the endorse­ment provided a clear and coordinated di­rection for Council moving forward. “This Action Plan provides a structured approach for Council’s ongoing opposition to EfW”.The endorsed Action Plan outlines a coordinated approach to advocacy, com­munication and engagement, with Council continuing to work closely with residents, neighbouring councils, industry stakehold­ers and government agencies to ensure community concerns remain at the fore­front of discussions.

In a further step to strengthen commu­nity involvement, Council also adopted the Energy from Waste Community Working Party as a new Advisory Committee at its May Council meeting.

Expressions of interest for community representatives to join the Working Party will be sought in the coming weeks.

Mayor Westcott said the establishment of the Working Party would provide an im­portant avenue for community participation and collaboration.

“The Community Working Party will play a vital role in ensuring local voices continue to inform Council’s advocacy and decisionmaking,” Mayor Westcott said.

For more information about the proposed Energy from Waste facility, visit: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Development/Projects-and-works/Energy-From-Waste-Facility

Left: Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith receives his honour of Patron from the current CMA chair, mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire. Right: Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Parkes Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee, and former Governor-General of Australia General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Ret)

Former Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM has been formally recognised as the inau­gural Patron of the Country Mayors Asso­ciation of NSW (CMA) during a reception atNSW Parliament House this week.

Hosted by President of the NSW Legisla­tive Council the Hon Ben Franklin, the eventbrought together country mayors and gen­eral managers from across regional NSW todiscuss the challenges and priorities facing rural and remote communities.

Mr Keith served as Chairman of the Coun­try Mayors Association of NSW from 2020 to2022 and was later appointed the asso­ciation’s first Immediate Past Chairman in 2022.

Mr Keith served as Mayor of Parkes Shire Council for 17 years, from July 2008 until September 2023, after previously serving 17 years as Deputy Mayor following his election to Council in 1983.

Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said “Ken Keith has dedicated decades of ser­vice to not only the Parkes Shire community, but also to regional and rural communities right across New South Wales.”

“This recognition as the inaugural Patron of the Country Mayors Association is a fitting acknowledgement of his tireless advocacy, strong leadership and unwavering commit­ment to ensure country communities have a strong voice at the state and national level.

“Ken has always championed the issues that matter most to regional communi­ties – from roads, infrastructure and hous­ing to health services, workforce shortages and disaster recovery. His leadership has helped shape important conversations and outcomes for councils across regional NSW,” Mayor Westcott said.