General Interest Archives - Page 42 of 326

Parkes M&D Society Presents Mamma Mia

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Tickets have gone on sale for the eagerly anticipated production of Mamma Mia and by all accounts, this is going to be another hit for Parkes M&D Society.

The show is led by two powerhouse voices, Kimberley Ryan playing Donna and Maddi Collits in the role of Sophie, but that’s not the only talent on stage.

Cue Shev Brown as the irrepressible Tanya, Cath Welsh as the zany Rosie, Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott playing Architect Sam, Greg Ballantyne as the intrepid traveller, Bill, Aaron Kingham as Headbanger Harry and Matt Prow returns to the Parkes stage to play Sophie’s love interest, Sky.

Supporting the lead cast is Gracie Townsend playing Ali and newcomers, Thomas Glastonbury as Pepper, Loki Ramsay as Eddie, and Annabella Brown as Lisa.

Backed by an immensely talented band led by Anthony Leonard and an all singing and dancing ensemble second to none, Mamma Mia promises to be something very special.

Many have seen Mamma Mia in professional theatres, but this production will have a few surprises in store for audiences – a point of difference for the Parkes production. Audiences will feel like they are right there on the Greek island of Kalokairi.

Mamma Mia opens on 3 May and runs until 25 May. Tickets can be purchased online at www.parkesmandd.com.au or you can purchase them from box office at the theatre on any Sunday between 10.30am – 12pm. Don’t miss out – tickets are selling fast!

Snippets…

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The new faces of the 2025 Parkes Picnic Races.

Parkes Picnic Races: Introducing the 2025 Parkes Picnic Races Committee:

President Tim Keith, Vice Presidents Ann Olson and Ian Brown, Secretary Tricia Trim, Treasurer Robyn Hawke, Executive Members Christine Somers, Stafford Orange, Mark Olson, Kelly Spedding, Kathryn Blackstock, Fiona Glasheen, Sommer Bishop, Elissa Amor, Gai Smith. Absent from photo, Tiffany Steel, Ian Brown.

Forbes Shire Council: We need your help to choose a name for the new Spooner Oval Grandstand, expected to be completed by September 2025. Jump onto the link below to add your suggestions, photos or comments to the idea board. You can also vote on other suggestions. https://yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au/spooner-oval-grandstand-naming

Cancer Council NSW: Could you host a morning tea to support Aussies with cancer? Register now to host and event and you’ll receive a free host kit to help make your morning tea amazing. Your host kit comes packed full of goodies including: beautiful decorations, games and activities, and a delicious recipe to try. You can register today and join the fun: www.biggestmorningtea.com.au

NSW Farmers: NSW Farmers is proud to join rural leaders in launching a new appeal for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in Australian agriculture. We are calling on the Australian Government to invest in $50 million over five years to address the rural mental health crisis. View our statement: https://bit.ly/4iyLqeP Read more about the coalition: https://bit.ly/43P22KQ If you or anyone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access other services for mental health support at https://nff.org.au/mental-health-resources/

Parkes Shire Council: Only two weeks left to share your thoughts on the Draft Parkes Airport Masterplan! We want to hear from you, so check out the plan and let us know what you think. Your feedback matters! Submit your comments by 5pm on Tuesday, 1 April 2025. Together, we can shape the future. Find out more at: bit.ly/3QJDdrY

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes: Time is running out to enter the 2025 CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Art Competition. The competition offers a total prize pool of $4,000 to encourage emerging Aboriginal artists to create and share meaningful artwork that shows the rich Aboriginal culture and artistry in our diocese. Paintings are invited from people 15 years and over. Entries close on Monday, 31 March. For more details: https://tinyurl.com/mrck53an

There is just two weeks left to enter the CCWF Aboriginal Art Competition.

Don’t Miss Homegrown Parkes Next Saturday

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Parkes Potters at the last Homegrown Parkes event.

Homegrown Parkes is back for 2025, providing an opportunity for visitors and locals to fill their Saturday in Parkes with plenty of good food and local produce next Saturday, 29 March between 9am and 2pm in Cooke Park.

Homegrown Parkes provides an opportunity for local and regional businesses who are processing, repurposing, sewing, propagating or producing fabulous local products to share their skill and products with the community.

Demonstrations will again be one of the highlights of the 2025 events, highlighting processes for using locally produced food and products, with the aim of encouraging locals to grow produce in their own backyard.

The Homegrown Parkes Committee consists of members of Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Community Arts and Parkes Shire Council.

If you are interested in joining the Homegrown Parkes events, make sure you follow their social media, check out their website: centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/get-involved/homegrown-parkes/ or contact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053 or via email homegrownparkes@gmail.com The Homegrown Parkes spring event will be held on Saturday, 11 October.

Forbes Cyclists Pedalling For A Purpose

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Royal Far West Op Shop in Forbes will be the starting point of the two-day charity ride.

On 4 – 5 April, a dedicated group of cyclists from Forbes: Stuart Thomas, Luke Randall, Marco Carelli, and Terry Cuskelly will embark on a nearly 400km journey to the Centre for Country Kids in Manly to raise funds for Royal Far West.

Inspired by Stuart’s daughter, Megan, who is a speech pathologist with Royal Far West, the ride will be held over two days, beginning early on Friday 4 April at the Royal Far West Op Shop in Forbes and finishing at the Royal Far West headquarters in Manly on Saturday night 5 April.

The team is ready to pedal the 400km through various locations, including Mount Canobolas, Bathurst, and Lithgow, before reaching their final destination at Manly. It will be a huge two days of riding with valuable support provided by fellow members of the Forbes Road and Mountain Bike Clubs.

Cheered on by volunteers, and supported by Alison Lynch and Terry Hodges in the support vehicle, the team aims to highlight the work of Royal Far West and raise much-needed funds.

Stuart Thomas said “I have always wanted to do a bike ride to Sydney given I have driven it so many times. So, why not raise some money and awareness, as well and ride some hilly backroads? “I would love it if you could support me to raise money for a great cause, and as many of you know I love a physical challenge!” concluded Thomas.

If you are able to donate please, go to https://give.royalfarwest.org.au/fundraisers/stuartthomas/forbes-to-manly-royalfar-west-ride. Let’s all rally behind the riders and help make a difference in the lives of country kids.

First Of Its Kind Birth Control Pill

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Australian women are set to enjoy greater contraceptive choice than ever before, with a first of its kind pill to be reimbursed by the Federal Government. From 1 May, the progestogen-only oral contraceptive Slinda® (drospirenone 4mg) will become available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for pregnancy prevention.

Under the PBS, Slinda will cost just $7.70 (for concession card holders) or $31.60 (for general patients) for four months’ supply, saving women several hundred dollars per year. Women previously paid around $80 for three months’ supply. Currently, around 80,000 Australian women are paying privately for Slinda.

Women’s health experts and advocates, including Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician, are welcoming the new funding decision.

“Access to a wide range of contraceptive options is a fundamental reproductive right,” said Dr Foran.

Dr Foran went on to explain that Slinda contains only a progestogen hormone. It is not combined with an Estrogen. “Progestogenonly pills are especially suitable for older women, women at increased risk of blood clots, those who suffer migraine attacks, breast-feeding mothers, those who smoke, are overweight, or have high blood pressure,” she said.

“With greater education about contraceptive options and the risks and benefits associated with each, we are seeing increasing use of both progestogen-only birth control methods and the longeracting methods in this country,” she said.

It is estimated that around two-thirds of Australian women between the ages of 18 and 44 years currently use some form of contraception, with 83 per cent having used contraception at some point in their lives.

Twelve Local Fighters Ready To Step In The Ring For Fight Night

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Local amateur boxers at Tommy’s Backyard Boxing Gym: Ace Hancock, Xaiver Ward, Linkin Anderson, Oliver Hayes, Riley Pizzi, Leon Michel and Lane Jones. Absent: Shellie McKiernan and Orin McDermott.

The much-anticipated ‘Boxing In Parkes’ fight night presented by Mayhem Fight Series is set to take place tomorrow night, Saturday 22 March at the Parkes Leagues Club.

This event is an Amateur boxing showcase, which will feature many local fighters from Parkes and the surrounding area. Mayhem Fight Series have previously hosted hugely successful fight nights in Parkes, and this weekend’s event will be no exception, so don’t miss out – grab some tickets or book a table now.

Ace Hancock

Ace Hancock from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Jake Doyle from Gulgong Boxing Club. Ace is new to the sport of boxing and at just 14 years of age he just made the cut, as that is the minimum age to start competing. After only five weeks of training Ace had his first fight in Dubbo, which ended with a split decision and he lost by only one point. He is confident coming into his second fight, saying that losing his first fight “was good” because it has given him the motivation to “step it up”.

Ollie Hayes

Olliver Hayes from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Jordan Smart from Fighting Arts Belmont. Sixteen year old Oliver is fighting a rematch against an opponent from Orange that he beat in their previous encounter. That fight was a split decision and was a close fight, Ollie said: “It’s a good match-up”. This will be Ollie’s first fight this year but he had 10 fights last year and two the year before, for nine wins and three loses. Ollie has been working on stepping up the pace since his last fight against Jordan.

Linkin Anderson

Linkin Anderson from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Lucas Millemaggi from Narrandera Boxing. Linkin is fresh off a fight last week in Sydney and is “feeling really confident” in the lead up to his fight against Lucas in Parkes. Linkin has been working on a lot of footwork and power punches on the bag, as well as doing a lot of sparring over at Orange, claiming he is the fittest he’s ever felt.

Shellie McKiernan

One of the women stepping in the ring this Saturday night is Shellie who has been boxing for approximately three years. Shellie likes the discipline and physical conditioning that she gets from boxing, claiming: “Boxing has helped me in my personal life, as well as allowing me to achieve a physical challenge. I also enjoy the camaraderie of Tommy’s Backyard Boxing.”

The doors open at 4pm and fights start at 5pm. For VIP tables and sponsor opportunities call John on 0411 648 890. There will be tickets available for purchase on the night at the door, but to avoid any disappointment and to be guaranteed a seat, please purchase your tickets beforehand. Tickets available through 123Tix at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/47343/mayhem-fight-series-presents-boxing-in-parkes

Inland Rail Closing In On Stockinbingal To Parkes Completion

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Inland Rail project will move further towards completion thanks to the work taking place during the March 2025 possession.

Inland Rail will use the upcoming rail possession from 22 March 22 to 24 March to apply some of the finishing touches to the Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) section of the project, with Inland Rail on course to finish S2P on schedule in mid-2025.

The rail possession, where the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction is closed, will permit our contractor Martinus Rail to carry out works on sites in the S2P section which would be hazardous if trains were still running. At the Lachlan River Bridge, plant and equipment will be delivered using heavy vehicles, after which there will be paint stripping, drilling existing beams to enable the addition of new strengthening plates, as well as the installation of new strengthening plates on the underside of the bridge.

Further south at Wirrinya, plant and equipment will be delivered using heavy vehicles, after which there will be drainage works, track tamping and track alignment.

Other sites on S2P such as the Daroobalgie Crossing Loop and Wyndham Avenue track lower will continue to undergo finishing work to access roads, landscaping and drainage during normal hours, meaning there will be no night work.

The rail possession will start at 6am on Saturday, 22 March and finish 60 hours later at 6pm on Monday, 24 March.

Malcolm Clark, Inland Rail Project Director, Stockinbingal to Parkes, said “The tight teamwork and integration of Inland Rail and contractor Martinus Rail has enabled us to make great strides towards completion of the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail.

“The lion’s share of the work has been completed and the March 2025 possession will help us perform tasks which require closure of the rail line to carry out safely.

For more information on the works, you can visit our works notifications page at inlandrail.com.au/where-we-go/projects/stockinbingal-to-parkes/works-notifications/

Council Funding For Local Events

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Back L-R Jolie O’Shannessy (PSC Events Trainee), Fiona Glasheen (Parkes Picnic Races), Kelly Spedding (Parkes Picnic Races), Mayor Neil Westcott, Tricia Trim (Parkes Picnic Races), Rhonda Redenback (Australia Day Committee), Alex Prout (Parkes Jockey Club), Kellie Thomas (Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society). Front L-R Megan Morrison (PSC Events Officer), Harry Turner (NSW Corvette Club), Megan Mortimer (Tullamore P A & H Association)

Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce the recipients of Round 2 of the Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP). Council has allocated $50,310 in funding to seven community events and one destination event 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 event funding was awarded to the following: Australia Day Committee 2025 Parkes Shire Australia Day Activities $10,000, Parkes Jockey Club Parkes Cup $9,100, Adavale Lane Community Centre Inc Bushdance and Dinner $1,110, Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc. Trundle Back in Time $8,600, Tullamore P&A Association Inc Tullamore Show Ball $6,880, Life Education NSW/ACT 2025 Healthy Harold Parkes Festival of Health $7,270, Parkes Coradgery & Diggers Amateur Race Club Inc. Parkes Picnic Races $2,350, NSW Corvette Club National Corvette Convention $5,000.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Neil Westcott, said: “The Events Financial Assistance Program continues to deliver important support to a diverse range of events that bring our community together and showcase the vibrancy of our region. From major sporting events to beloved local traditions, these initiatives enrich our social and cultural offerings while also providing economic benefits to businesses and tourism”.

Further details and application forms can be found on Parkes Shire Council’s website: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/Councils-Grants-Programs

2025/26 Regional Event Fund Now Open

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Event organisers from Parkes, Forbes and surrounds are invited to apply for funding to help stage events in regional NSW that enrich the state’s diverse calendar of event experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.

Managed by Destination NSW, the fund provides support to regional events via three streams: Incubator Event Stream, Flagship Event Stream and the Event Development Stream.

Applications to the 2025/26 Event Development stream will remain open until 31 December 2025, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. All applications must be for eligible events that will be staged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

For more information on the Regional Event Fund, you can visit the Destination NSW website or contact the Grants Administration team via email grants.admin@dnsw.com.au

Please note, Destination Central West cannot provide a letter of support for your application, however our team can provide advice on eligibility requirements and alignment with the Central West NSW Destination Management Plan.

Get in touch with your local Industry Development Manager Kate Catterson kate.catterson@dncw.com.au

Preparations Are In Full Swing For Annual FRUC Charity Golf Day

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Life Pharmacy Group CEO Michael Flannery with winners of the 2024 FRUC Charity Golf Day Troy Howe, Randall Grayson, Steve Betland, Charlie Dwyer, and Club President Tony Cogswell.

The annual Forbes Rugby Union Club (FRUC) Charity Golf Day is coming up on Friday 21 March, and the aim of the day is to raise money for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund (PMMF).

Peter Murphy was a lifelong supporter of the Forbes Platypi Rugby Union Club, a former player and club president. The PMMF was established following the passing of Peter Murphy, the popular high-school teacher, in 2017. The aim of the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund is to assist young people, with financial limitations, to pursue their dreams.

The concept behind the golf day was to capitalise on the influx of people travelling to Forbes for the annual FRUC Lunch, by hosting an event on the day prior, to raise money for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund.

The Forbes Rugby Union Club Golf Day is a four person Ambrose with registrations opening at 12.30pm on Friday 21 March.

There will be a briefing at 1pm and a shotgun start at 1.30pm. All proceeds from this year’s FRUC Charity Golf Day will go towards the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund, so register a team and help raise some money for a great cause.

Players of all abilities and experience are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Can Assist will be running a charity BBQ between 12pm – 1.15pm and all money raised from the BBQ sales will go towards Can Assist.

For further information about registering for the FRUC Charity Golf Day, contact Will Gunn on 0475 765 840 or the Forbes Golf Club and Pro Shop on 6851 1554. If you require a pull buggy or cart please make contact early as there is numbers limited available.i

Subscribe