Local Parkes girl Gracey Denham-Jones was crowned the 2025 Miss Priscilla, saying she has “always been drawn to Priscilla’s iconic style, the big hair, bold makeup and glamorous fashion that made her such a standout.”

A great deal of preparation went into creating Gracie’s timeless Priscilla look, including two hours of teasing hair and of course lots of hairspray, with hair stylist Nicole Rosser. Followed by an hour spent on makeup, by Kim at Kindred Beauty to achieve the precise look, completing Gracie’s transformation into Priscilla.

“Being crowned Miss Priscilla 2025 was such an honour. It hon­estly felt surreal, it all happened so quickly that it took a moment to really sink in. The second my name was called, I was surrounded by cameras, photos and media, and it was such a whirlwind of excitement,” said Gracey.

“Being Miss Priscilla has been amazing. I’ve performed at this year’s Elvis Festival launch, danced on stage with Elvis perform­ers and performed at council events. I’ve met so many incredible people, but most importantly I’ve loved representing Parkes, the town I’m proud to call home.”

Gracey has an exciting year ahead with exciting performances coming up with a few Aussie Country Music stars, for updates follow Gracey Denham-Jones on Facebook. “I’ve got lots of gigs booked, I’ll also continue teaching and inspiring young performers at Parkes Dance Co. I really think this year will be my biggest yet and I’m also so excited to continue my role in Marketing at Ray White Central West Group.”

And her advice for future contestants? “All I can say is, the big­ger the hair, the better!”

Tucked inside the Henry Parkes Centre stands a treasure trove that feels a world away from the Central West, it’s known as the King’s Castle, and is a tribute to the life and legend of Elvis Presley. What began as a personal passion for Greg Page, best known as the original Yellow Wiggle, has grown into one of Australia’s most remarkable private Elvis Presley collections.

Greg, a lifelong Elvis devotee, started gathering memorabilia long before the spotlight found him. His collection evolved from small keepsakes to rare and extraordinary artefacts, stage-worn costumes, personal items, vintage merchandise, and pieces that offer intimate glimpses into Elvis’s life and career.

When Greg chose Parkes as the home for his “King’s Castle,” it cemented the town’s unique connection to the global Elvis community.

Visitors wander through themed rooms glowing with nostalgia. Glass cabinets shimmer with rhinestones, iconic jumpsuits stand proudly on display, and handwritten letters remind guests of the man behind the music. Each item comes with a story, many told directly by Greg through video narration, creating an immersive journey that feels both personal and reverent.

More than a museum, King’s Castle is a labour of love and a gift to Elvis fans who travel from across Australia and beyond to experience its magic. It stands as a testament to how one person’s dedication can ignite a legacy.

Open every day, all year round and the perfect place to visit during the festival.

When local families are forced to travel for medical care, something as simple as a hot meal can make an overwhelming time easier. A local fundraising effort by Meals on Wheels Parkes and Forbes has resulted in more than 220 meals being provided to Ronald McDonald House Orange.

The idea for the fundraiser came from a conversation about how often people from the Parkes and Forbes communities rely on Ronald McDonald House Orange when travelling for medical care.

Similar to Meals on Wheels services, the house relies heavily on volunteers and com­munity support to help provide meals for those staying there.

Recognising the shared values between the two services, Jamie Webb and Carolyn Rice from Meals on Wheels Parkes and Forbes proposed a simple but meaningful way to help — inviting Meals on Wheels clients and volunteers to donate the cost of just one meal to help fill the house’s freezers in the lead-up to Christmas.

Running throughout October, the initiative raised $1,780, which directly funded more than 220 meals. These meals will help ease daily pressures for families who are often far from home, supporting loved ones through

illness.

On 15 December, Jamie Webb and Caro­lyn Rice visited Ronald McDonald House Orange, where they met with Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer of Ronald McDon­ald House Charities Central West NSW, to witness the arrival of the first delivery of meals.

The meals were kindly delivered by Sa­rah Thomas, Manager of Bathurst Meals on

Wheels, who generously supported the ini­tiative and will continue supplying meals as required by the house.

A tour of the facility provided an opportu­nity to share stories, experiences, and the strong sense of community that underpins all three services.

This fundraiser shows how small ideas supported by local communities can make a real difference during difficult times.