Fifteen days, more than 3,880 kilometres, nine stops and one aircraft. That’s the journey that a Forbes pharmacist, and two regional farmers, will embark on later this year for the 2025 Outback Air Race to raise vital money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Forbes Flying Pharmacist Jack Buckley will join Cowra’s Brad Shephard, known as the Farmer from Downunder, and Gren­fell farmer John Johnson, in the aviation event in August. More than 40 teams will fly across the Australian outback, over two weeks, in support of the RFDS.

“As a healthcare professional I have in­credible respect and admiration for the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” Managing partner of Flannery’s Pharmacy in Forbes, Jack Buckley, said.

“The RFDS is such an integral part of healthcare delivery in outback Australia and having lived in Forbes for almost a decade now, I have seen the importance of this service firsthand.

All three pilots helped residents across the region during the NSW flood crisis of November 2022, flying supplies to towns along the Lachlan River. Together the trio is called ‘Flying4Phun’ and they are hoping to raise $100,000 for the RFDS.

“All funds will go towards outfitting RFDS aircraft with essential medical equipment, vital for treating sick children and injured patients across Australia.” Jack said.

The 2025 Outback Air Race will take place from 22 August to 8 September. To donate visit: Team 22 – Flyin4phun in Out­back Air Race 2025.

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 6 June until Monday 9 June (inclu­sive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seat­belt and motorcycle helmet offences.

School zones are in operation on Friday 6 June and additional penalties can apply for certain offences committed 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 that drivers should make sure that they are fit to drive before getting behind the wheel, and that they are focused on the driving task whilst on the road and that their vehicle is in good work­ing condition.

Calling all amateur actors across the re­gion! Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are on the search for youth ac­tors to star in this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is en­couraging local youth actors to audition to be part of this road safety initiative. The ini­tiative seeing a 27% reduction in crashes involving young drivers since its inception more than 10 years ago.

“We are looking for four new actors to join our team and are holding auditions on Thursday 5 June from 5pm – 8pm at the Parkes SES shed in Clarke Street.

“The auditions will give participants an overview of all aspects of the project. The youth actors will also undergo road crash rescue training to see what it’s going to be like being cut out of a car and removed on a spine board.

“We are hoping to uncover some undis­covered talent who will bring something new. So, if you are interested in getting in­volved and are over the age of 16, register and come along” Ms Suitor said.

The program offers experience with film­ing as well as a live performance. Dates are still being set for the live mock crash demonstration, but will likely be August.

Pre-registration for the auditions is es­sential. Contact Ms Suitor on either 6861 2364 or Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au for more information and to book your place.

Forbes based business, Topsoil Organics was named Western NSW’s 2025 Busi­ness of the Year at a Gala event at Dubbo RSL Club, in front of 210 business leaders.

They also were awarded top honors in the categories of Excellence in Large Business and Excellence in SustainabilityTopsoil Organics is a family-owned busi­ness that launched the Central West Nu­trient Return Centre in 2021, which diverts 200,000+ tonnes of organic waste from landfills into premium compost for broada­cre farming.

Driven by a commitment to sustainabil­ity and the circular economy, they are ex­panding with the Topsoil Organics Regional Regenerative Energy Hub. This innovative facility will feature an anaerobic digester to generate renewable electricity, EV fastcharging stations, and a café and meeting space.

The independent judges praised Top­soil Organics for their business excellence which is grounded in environmental inno­vation, local economic development, and operational resilience.

“Topsoil Organic’s win showcases the in­credible innovation, determination and in­genuity, by transforming waste into energy and regenerative solutions, they are creat­ing lasting environmental, agricultural, and community benefits for a cleaner future” said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, Business NSW.

“This year, we recognised an incredible group of winners from across Western NSW, each business leader and business has showcased innovation and sustainabil­ity, with a focus on their teams and their lo­cal communities.”

Winners of the 2025 Western NSW Busi­ness Awards, will now go on to represent the region at the State Business Awards being held in October.

Tyrepower staff around the country are ramping up their support this year to help raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). Between August 11-22, Tyrepower Parkes owner Richard Jefferay will em­bark on his third annual Tractor Trek from Bourke (NSW) to Birdsville (QLD), cover­ing over 1240km to raise funds and aware­ness for the disease.

To date the Tractor Trek alone has raised over $90,000 for PCFA, but in 2025, Rich­ard has raised the bar with a fundraising target of $100,000.

To kick off Mr Jefferay’s fundraising, Tyrepower held a fundraising auction at the annual Tyrepower International Con­ference in Perth attended by store owners from Australia and New Zealand, raising over $150,000 for PCFA.

This inspiring trek is deeply personal for Richard, “My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and I’ve got a couple of Massey Ferguson tractors, so I thought it’d be cool to drive tractors from town to town in that back country for a good cause,” Mr Jefferay said.

“This year we have eight blokes driving through remote dirt roads between Parkes and Birdsville at top speeds of 23km an hour. Even Richard Snr, will be part of the support crew, only driving from time to time. Apparently “too buggered to drive the whole way.”

“The Tractor Trek creates strong talking points in the regional communities that we pass through and creates much needed awareness about prostate cancer and ear­ly detection.”

Parkes Shire has proudly brought home national honours from the 2025 Austral­ian Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards, with wins and commendations recognising the community’s commitment to sustainability, culture and local leadership.

Representing Parkes at the national awards held in Beechworth, Victoria, were Deputy Mayor Cr Marg Applebee, Coun­cillor Bill Jayet as well as Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Environment and Sus­tainability Michael Chambers, and Environ­mental and Biosecurity Specialist Hannah Farrant-Jayet. The event brought together finalists from across the country to cel­ebrate innovation, sustainability, and com­munity pride in regional towns.

Parkes received national recognition in the categories:

• Winner – Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Raw Water Storage Lagoon

• Highly Commended – Heritage and Cul­ture: Wiradjuri Language Group

• Special Acknowledgement – Dame Phyl­lis Frost Local Hero Award: Deb Jones

Deputy Mayor Cr Marg Applebee said the accolades reflect the collective efforts of the Parkes Shire community. “Receiving these awards reflects the hard work of our entire community, from Council staff to vol­unteers, local businesses, and community groups. We are so proud to see projects like the Raw Water Storage Lagoon recog­nised on the national stage.”

Councillor Bill Jayet said he was proud to see the cultural contributions of the Wir­adjuri Language Group recognised. “Lan­guage is a living part of culture, and the work being done to share and preserve Wiradjuri language in Parkes is truly signifi­cant,” Cr Jayet said.

“It’s an honour to see that effort acknowl­edged alongside other incredible commu­nity initiatives” he added.

Students and staff at Forbes Public School are celebrating as they return to their up­graded school two and a half years on from the destructive 2022 Central West floods, with school improvements making way for the return of play space and the removal of demountables.

Forbes Public School’s flood rebuild pro­ject, delivered by the Minns Labor Govern­ment, features 14 refurbished classrooms, library upgrades, an upgraded school can­teen, 12 new air conditioning units and two new bubbler stations.

The school’s toilet facilities have also been upgraded with new water-saving toi­lets and taps, handbasins, and partitions.

The project also included updating of 11 school buildings with new doors, fresh paint, new carpet and laminate flooring, and essential electrical infrastructure up­grades. These improvements involved re­painting and refurbishment of the shade structure, resurfacing the main sports court, landscaping of outdoor play areas, and the installation of new seating.

Overall, 1,050 litres of fresh paint was applied across interior and exterior walls and surfaces, and 1,080 square metres of new flooring was installed.

The 25 demountable classrooms used to support the school during the works will begin to be removed next month, includ­ing those on the school oval, with works on track for completion by Term 3.

Minister for Education and Early Learn­ing Prue Car said “After the devastation of the 2022 floods, it is fantastic that we are now welcoming students and teachers back to permanent, upgraded facilities at Forbes Public School.

If you like the idea of locally grown mar­kets, or perhaps fancy yourself as a home­grown producer, head along to Cooke Park Pavillion this Saturday 26 April for Home­grown Parkes. This community gathering celebrates local produce, crafts, and sus­tainability initiatives. There will be plenty of new tips and tricks to learn with an exciting program of workshops and with each work­shop registration, you will go in the running to win some wonderful prizes from the local Homegrown Parkes businesses.

Chef Jack Brown, an Indigenous chef who is trained in traditional French cui­sine, will be providing a workshop in the Cooke Park Pavilion from 11am. Then at 12.30pm, Kath Whitchurch will be provid­ing a workshop on Sourdough Making. The final Pavilion Workshop at 2.00pm, willfea­ture talented landscape designer Elizabeth Briton, sharing her knowledge of local plant species and design concepts.

Clancy The Bee Man will provide infor­mal workshops on the lawn in front of the Pavilion at 10.30am and 1.00pm. There will also be also a free, live reptile display throughout the day, with Andrew provid­ing two formal presentations at 11am and 1.30pm.

Funding for this event has been granted under the Open Streets Program, funded by Transport for NSW, in addition to sup­port from Central West Lachlan Landcare and volunteers from Parkes Community Arts. Chef Jack Brown is attending thanks the support of Landcare NSW.

For further details on the full program, please go to www.centralwestlachlanland­care.org or follow the Homegrown Parkes Facebook page.