The 2020 Elvis Festival has a new event in Forbes next year with the addition of A Night on S.S. Mississippi Queen. Guests are asked to immerse themselves in the world of Frankie and Johnny, this year’s Elvis theme, and dine on the banks of the beautiful Lake Forbes on Saturday, 11th January.

“It will be an event like no other,” says Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “Dine under the stars, by our beautiful Lake with a sumptuous three course meal catered by Eat Your Greens, Pantry Cafe and Sweet Three Vintage Van. The entertainment will be amazing with the incredible Raechel Whitchurch and her Bolo Boys performing their Hillbilly Elvis show live. If you are feeling lucky try your luck at our simulated table games.”

The event will be fully licenced and tickets are $90 per person which includes dinner and the Hillbilly Elvis live show. These can be purchased through 123tix.com.au. “Table bookings are advised to ensure you are seated with those you would like to be seated with,” said Phyllis.

“They can be in groups of six or twelve. Please don’t be discouraged if you haven’t got a table full, it will be a wonderful atmosphere to mingle and meet new people. Forbes really knows how to throw an event like this. Good food, good company and of course a good time!”

For more information about A Night on the S.S. Mississippi, contact Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300.

It is possible to do your own divorce, property settlement, custody and maintenance matters. Remember that these areas are fraught with emotion and pit falls. Remember, too, the old axiom: “Any lawyer who acts for himself has a fool for a client.” This applies equally to lay people.

Lawyers can give you information and advice, prepare documents, assist in negotiations, counselling and mediations, and can represent you in court if your issues cannot be resolved beforehand.

The Family Law Act requires a lawyer to tell you about how you can settle your disputes by conciliation and the counselling services offered by the Family Court. You must also be given a copy of the information brochure “Marriage, Families and Separation”.

The reasons you should consider appointment of a legal representative are that you may want advice on multiple issues at the same time. A court will not grant final orders until it is satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for the children. There may also be tensions between the parties, which make it impossible for them to objectively deal with all issues.

Legal aid maybe available but you will need to complete and submit a legal aid application.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Rock up to some brand-new entertainment at Parkes Elvis Festival that will have you dancing in your seats! The Soul Movers, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows and a Comedy Hypnosis Show: Elvis Style, are just a few of the new and exciting performances the festival has in store for locals.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s birthday by watching one of Australia’s most iconic soul and blues band, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, at the Parkes Services Club on Wednesday, 8th January at 5:30pm. Joe is also the Wall of Fame inductee at the 2020 festival, which will take place at 2pm on the same day.

Tickets to this entertaining show performed by these Australian music legends would make the perfect Christmas gift.

The Soul Movers are a rockin’ pop and funky soul band fronted by Lizzie Mack and her brother in soul, guitarist and ex red Wiggle Murray Cooke, groove bass player Andy Newman (The Visitors), Marko Simec on keys (Waiting for Guinness) and drummer to the stars Lozz Benson.

This 60-minute show will be unforgettable as their sound is all about creating soul-moving music that will leave you bopping long after the last encore. The Soul Movers are performing at the Parkes Little Theatre on Friday, 10th January at 9pm.

Hypnotist Wayne Donnelly will be unleashing his hypnotic skills on willing volunteers and will make the world go away in a series of hysterical and hilarious Elvis Style hypnosis routines. It’s now or never, come and create memories that will last a lifetime at Parkes Little Theatre on Saturday, 11th January at 8pm.

For further information and tickets visit parkeselvisfestival.com.au.

• Special Elvis Issue: The next edition of The Forbes Phoenix will be a bumper Elvis edition on Thursday, 9th January filled with stories and information on the 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival.

The Dancers from Kristen’s Dance School brought Templar and Rankins Streets to a stand still with their stand-out performance.

Last Friday saw Rankin and Templar Streets absolutely packed with activities, market stalls, food and entertainment for the Find It In Amazing Forbes Christmas Carnival. The Forbes town centre was buzzing with crowds of people who had come from near and far to take part in festivities. Numbers of participants, both vendors and carnival attendees, had significantly increased since last year’s carnival and there was something to delight the young and young at heart.

With ice cream and food vans, an animal nursery, mechanical bull riding, jumping castles, stilt walkers, craft stalls, live music and a licenced bar, Forbes residents’ main challenge was choosing what to do first and how to fit everything in.

Highway Patrol Officers; Senior Constable Kelvin Jubb, Senior Constable Melanie Maguire, Senior Constable Nicholas White, Senior Constable Katherine Ellis, Senior Constable Nadia Batten and Sergeant Martin Ling want you to stay safe on the road this Christmas.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils want to remind motorists to drive safely over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Double demerits will be in place for 13 days beginning from Friday, 20th December 2019 through to New Year’s Day. Demerits for speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and not wearing a motorcycle helmet will be doubled during this time. In addition, drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period can expect to be hit with a hefty fine as well as up to 10 demerits.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said, “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a part to play in driving down the road toll. The message is clear: Don’t drive tired. Don’t text while driving. Don’t drive while under the influence of drugs/alcohol and please wear your seatbelt no matter what.”

NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said that double demerit points did work as a deterrent for motorists’ bad behaviour. Sergeant Ling also said, “The road toll usually makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons at this time of year. Let’s get it in print for the right reason this year by recording a fatality free holiday period.”

For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

The 50th year of Carols By Candlelight was an entertaining evening for all.

The 50th Carols by Candlelight was held last Saturday and, as anticipated, drew large crowds for a spectacular evening of singing and entertainment.

Forbes residents both young and old arrived at Victoria Park with picnic blankets, camping chairs, food and drink and settled in for a wonderfully vibrant line up of guest singers.

Once again, MC Judy Prior quite literally lit up the stage and the atmosphere with her delightful festival costume that featured real Christmas lights, tinsel and baubles. Judy’s enthusiasm and quick wit ensured laughter and joy between each performance which contributed to a seamless procession of guest singers and speakers.

Council’s very own Kimberly Ryan astounded all with her beautiful rendition of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and as she sang, children danced and played in front of the large screen beside the stage with their light up candles and flashing flower hair wreaths.

As the sun went down the park was illuminated by decorative Christmas lighting that hung from trees, was a true visual feast to behold.

Mayor Phyllis Miller gave the official welcome where she gave a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country before urging residents to be safe on the roads over the holidays and wished the town of Forbes a prosperous year in 2020.

It was the Forbes Town and District Band who not only hosted the Carols with the support of the council, but also played through the evening, providing music for the song and maintaining a joyous and festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.