Acting Sergeant Joshua Tolley who 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.”

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 7th June until Monday 10th June (inclusive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

Parkes Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant, Joshua Tolley 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,” said Act­ ing Sergeant, Joshua Tolley Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said, “Drivers should make sure they are fit to drive before get­ ting behind the wheel, are focused on the driving task whilst on the road and that their vehicle is in good working condition.” Ensure you are well rested and not un­ der the influence of drugs or alcohol, focus on driving. Do not allow yourself to be dis­tracted by your mobile phone, follow the road rules and drive at a speed suitable to conditions. Please make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.

After a comprehensive strategic review, The Salvation Army Aged Care will divest its two residential aged care services in Central West. The Moyne Aged Care Centre in Canowindra and Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village in Parkes.

The Salvation Army Aged Care’s National Director, Stephen Macliver AM, said the decision to divest services in Central West NSW was very difficult.

“We are pleased to announce that Roshana Care Group will assume the ongoing operation of Moyne Aged Care Centre from 28 June 2024, Sadly, we were not able to secure a similar arrangement for Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village, it will close in the coming months ” Mr Macliver said.

Mr Macliver said a comprehensive assessment of the Parkes site found it no longer met the needs of residents and staff due to the age of the buildings and would require significant investment to bring them up to the high standards they deserved.

“We will be working closely with aged care providers in the local Parkes area to ensure continuity of care and support for residents,” Mr Macliver said.

“We understand this may be unsettling for some of our residents, their families and staff, but we will do everything we can to make the transition as seamless as possible.” “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our valued staff at both sites for their commitment to providing our residents with the very best care.”

Young Parkes boy Creed enjoying the street party.

On Sunday May 5th, InKredible Experience Tattoo Gallery and Barber hosted their fourth annual Flash Bash and Street Party in celebration of their 14th year in business.

The crowds were entertained by local artists, including the fabulous Gracie Denham Jones, and the energetic and easy going Hunter Rawson who also provided the equipment and ran the music on behalf of EJS. Spuddy Buddy and Smoking Brother’s kept everyone well fed and Ems Fancy Faces had the kids happy with some cool face painting!

The tattoo team was flat out, tattooing some of the amazing flash designs they had available on the day.

The team at InKredible would like to thank their wonderful volunteers and sponsors who made the day possible, including: Parkes Shire Council, Bugman, PDF, Visual Apparel, Parkes Caravans, Switch Signs and Tattoo Numbing Cream.

This year was the most successful event to date, raising an impressive $3,000 to be shared between two local mental health charities. There were a number of mental health charities and support services present on the day to provide information and advice regarding mental health.

The InKredible team are passionate about mental health awareness. Please reach out and ask for support if you ever need help, or call into the shop and they will give you information to point you in the right direction. Dates are in the works for May 2025, keep an eye out for more information.

Dolly Everett, who we remember each year on Do it for Dolly Day and her parents, Tick and Kate Everett who are determined no other family should suffer the loss they did.

Dolly Everett was only 14 years old when she tragically took her life in January 2018, following relentless and sustained bullying and cyberbullying. Sadly, six years later the problem is not going away.

A recent report from the eSafety Commissioner has shed light on a troubling trend: cyberbullying is on the rise. There has been a staggering 40% increase in cyberbullying reports. What is particularly worrying is that two-thirds (67%) of these reports were concerning children aged 12-15 years old – just like Dolly – highlighting the vulnerability of young people to online harassment and abuse.

Determined that no other family would suffer from the same devastation, Dolly’s parents Tick and Kate Everett established the anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream. They have committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide, through awareness, education and direct support to young people and families.

“We don’t want other families to ever have to go through the heartache we have experienced. We are proud that Beacon provides easily accessible support and information to families, especially in our rural, regional, and remote communities, that we wish we had,” Kate Everett.

Each year in May thousands of wonderful communities come together to remember Dolly by going blue, donating and participating in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, sharing the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.

To register, donate or to find out more visit www.doitfordollyday.org.au

Sami Bayly is pictured with children who took part in a workshop at Trundle Library.

Parkes Shire Libraries had the pleasure during April school holidays of hosting Illustration Workshops with author and illustrator, Sami Bayly.

Nearly 50 children and young people at Parkes and Trundle Libraries enjoyed hearing some fascinating, fun, and revolting facts from Sami’s vast knowledge of animals, birds and insects. Sami then walked our young library members step by step through the process of illustrating different interesting animals.

Sami’s works include The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals and Creatures of Camouflage and Mimicry. She is also the feature artist for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge promotion.

This was Sami;s very first visit to the Central West and many young fans were excited to meet her, have a photo and have their books autographed. Call in to Parkes and Trundle Libraries to borrow Sami’s beautifully illustrated Junior Non Fiction books.

One young person who attended commented that the workshops were “very unique and gave a lot of information about what is in the world.” Another said “My favourite part of the activity was hearing the disgusting stories, but I didn’t think they were disgusting!”

Sami commented that she had a fun and joyous trip to Parkes and Trundle and will be sure to visit again. “I really had a wonderful time!” she said.

These illustration workshops were generously funded by NSW Office of Regional Youth for the benefit of young people in regional and remote communities. Keep an eye out for more children and youth activities hosted by Parkes Shire Libraries.