Parkes High School Principal Sandra Carter was in attendance with students Jessica Townsville (Captain) and Kelsey Mann (Vice Captain)

Two hundred very happy people recently attended and enjoyed Parkes Que Club’s International Women’s Day celebration at the Services Club where they took time to both consider the advances in women’s rights as well as how much more still needs to be done.

There were four tables set up with local arts, crafts and products that everyone could see and purchase if they wished, and there was two excellent guest speakers to tell us about their careers and dispel the notion that you have to be educated in the city to be successful.

Tracy Hambridge grew up in Parkes, then went to Uni and became a dietitian. Tracy now leads a team of 12 women at Food Standards Australia and New Zealand which sets food standards and keeps the food supply safe for both countries. Her important work, which she loves, takes her to many countries across the world and is most satisfying.

Janna Flanagan had no tertiary education but worked for a while in real estate. She was a stay at home mum but eventually got another position, again in real estate, was so enthusiastic and keen to learn, that now she is Elders branch manager. Janna’s main message was that women frequently undervalue themselves. She supports other women, guiding and teaching them, and urges women to find what makes them happy, do it and just be themselves.

We were also treated to some delightful traditional dances and a beautiful song from our local Filipino Australians. By Pam Nankivell

Pictured are students at The Learning Ladder in Forbes and cadets from Parkes HQ brigade.

More than 21 million Aussies have participated in Clean Up Australia activities and events over the past three decades.

What was started over thirty years ago, by an “average Australian” who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard has now become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event.

Of course, Australia’s environmental challenges can’t be solved in just one day, so Clean Up Australia works with community, government and businesses to provide practical solutions to help us all live more sustainably every day of the year.

Rhiannon Shell from The Learning Ladder in Forbes told us “On Friday the 1st of March the children and educators at The Learning Ladder in Forbes participated in Clean up Australia Day. All the children put on their gloves and ventured outside to begin picking up any rubbish they could find.”

The Parkes HQ brigade organised troops for 2024 Clean-up Australia Day. They were joined by some local community members who assisted the junior and senior members and they took 2 trailer loads of rubbish to the tip.

Jack McGrath from Parkes HQ brigade wanted to send a shoutout to “Parkes Shire Council for their support and to Kenny McGrath-Parkes, Shire Councillor, for the lend of his trailer and for assisting on the day.

To all the kids who are not yet old enough to help out with this fantastic event, we appreciate you coming and checking out our new appliance. It was great to be in the community today.”

Danielle McDonal pictured after being awarded Parkes Sportsperson of the Year for 2023.

Parkes teen Danielle McDonald was deservingly named Parkes Sportsperson of the year for 2023, and it comes as no surprise as Danielle has been consistently at the top of her sport, racing both Offroad and Motocross.

Danielle came back from Argentina with a Silver medal after competing for Australia alongside teammates Jessica Gardiner and Tayla Jones, in the 2023 International Six Day Enduro, she also won national titles in junior motocross. Danielle now adds a fulltime campaign in the Ezilift WMX class along with her AORC commitments. Danielle being one of a few who competes in both disciplines, offroad and motocross.

Danielle recently competed in Wonthaggi, VIC, in her first Senior Women’s race and was thrilled to come away with the win, Danielle saying “Super happy to claim the win at the AMX Open down in Wonthaggi ‘’.

The main focus lately has been training, but in 2 weeks time Danielle and her team head up to Roma, QLD, to compete in the AORC, and then a week after that she heads back down to Wonthaggi to compete in the ProMX Series;

With so much time spent travelling, we asked Danielle what she misses about home, she said “I miss my friends and just doing friend things, I miss my dogs and just the comforts of home”. Danielle also went on to say about her parents “They are a major part of what I do, they are the ones who got me where I am, so a big thanks to them”.

Pictured is Tracie Robertson who most know as the Principle of Ray White in Parkes.

Regional Development Australia Central West have just recently announced its new Committee members.

Joining the Committee are Ricky Puata, Deputy Director, Regional Coordination & Delivery for the Department of Regional NSW; Owen Williams Director at ASIR Pty Ltd; Eleanor Falkiner non- executive Director of Haddon Rig and co-owner of Boridgeree; Therese Herbert of Gundamain Pastoral Co and Joshua Devitt, Chief Engineer – IPWEA NSW & ACT.

Returning Committee member, and Parkes local Tracie Robertson said “I was honoured to be appointed to the board for RDA Central West back in 2018 by the then Chair and ex local, Christine Weston nee Freebairn and am now in my third term and 7th year or representation. It was humbling to join a long admired friend on the board, the late Cr John Magill, and to follow the late Robert Wilson OAM. Parkes has been well represented in the past and I am committed to my role on the board to ensure we have continued strong representation for the Parkes Shire and other areas where my business operates including Forbes, Condobolin and West Wyalong.

“The board is made of 11 community leaders from business and government sectors, each from a different part of the Central West and in varied industries. We work across 3 levels of government and assist with important programs to our region, such as skilled migration visa’s, youth mentorship programs and innovations to promote new thinking and partnerships across government, industry and community to help realise the regions vision and economic potential.”