Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on Tuesday, 25 April, on the Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains for Anzac Day services. 

Glenbrook: There will be no access to Hare Street from Great Western Highway between 5:15am and 11:45am. There will be no access to Ross Street from Great Western Highway between 10:00am and 10:50am. Great Western Highway will be closed in both directions between Hare Street and Ross Street for up to 15 minutes between 10:35am and 10:50am. 

Lawson: The westbound left turn lane from the Great Western Highway will be closed into Honour Avenue between 4:30am and 12:30pm. 

Blackheath: There will be no access to Govetts Leap Road from Great Western Highway between 9:30am and 11:00am. 

Motorists are advised to take extra care, drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. 

Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience. For all the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. 

The Australian War Memorial is marking the 10 year anniversary of the daily Last Post Ceremony, held in the Commemorative Area. The first official ceremony, held on 17th April 2013, commemorated the service and sacrifice of Private Robert Poate who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. 

Each ceremony shares the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour. To date, the Memorial has delivered over 3,300 ceremonies featuring individual stories of service from colonial to recent conflicts. It would take over 280 years to read the story behind each of the 103,000 names listed. 

“The Last Post Ceremony is our commitment to remembering and honouring the legacy of Australian service,” Memorial Director Matt Anderson said. 

“Through our daily Last Post Ceremony, we not only acknowledge where and how these men and women did, but we also tell the stories of who they were when they lived and of the families who loved and, in so many cases, still mourn for them.” 

Last Post stories are researched and written by the Memorial’s military historians, who begin the process by looking at nominal rolls, attestation papers and enlistment records before building profiles that include personal milestones and military experiences. 

Tickets are required if you want to attend the Last Post Ceremony. Tickets are free and can be booked on the Memorial’s website: www.awm.gov.au/visit 

The Mates4Harness Flood Relief Anzac Day Race meet will bring the community together to celebrate the Anzac spirit while supporting local flood victims.

A family focused event, the race day will have something for everyone from live music, auctions, free kids amusements, mobile rides, mini trots, ice-cream, free facepainting and of course harness racing action and a drivers invitational race.

Anzac day will also be commemorated with a parade at the course and 2 Up, where punters can try their luck off the track as well.

The day will kick off at 12.15pm at the Eugowra Showground Paceway.

It is great to see the Eugowra community bounce back after the 2022 floods. The huge community and Council effort to get the infrastructure of Eugowra back in shape to host such events is commendable.

If you are looking for something different to do with the family this Anzac Day, head on over to Eugowra to support the community In their recovery efforts.

For more information on the Mates4Harness Flood Relief Harness Race Day, head on over to www.eugowraharnessracing.com or check out Eugowra Harness Racing Club Facebook Page.

5.15am Dawn Service 

Lights out in Templar Street, Lachlan St, Harold St and Victoria Park, organised for 5am – 6am. Assemble at 5.15am in front of Club Forbes. March to Cenotaph Harold Street 5.20am. Club Forbes open approximately 6am for breakfast. 

10.30am Mid-Morning March 

Assemble at 10am in Cross Street: Flag party, Forbes High School, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes Public School, Forbes North Public School, St Laurence’s Primary School, local Preschool’s, St Johns First Aid Service, Forbes Town Band, Returned Service men and women and relatives of Returned Service men and women, vintage cars, Ambulance Service, Rural Fire Services, SES Members and safety vehicle. 

The Service at the Cenotaph starts at 10.30am with wreath laying and concludes approximately 11am. 

Luncheon at Club Forbes available in the club Bistro. 

2pm Two-up at Club Forbes in the club auditorium. 

5pm Lowering of flag at cenotaph 

It is official – Sneaky Sound System is the headline act for this year’s Frost and Fire at Forbes Ski Dam, along with a swag of local and regional performing talent. 

“Frost and Fire has very quickly embedded itself into the Forbes calendar, selling out quickly each year and drawing visitors from around NSW and interstate,” said Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller, as she officially announced the events 2023 launch. 

“It embodies everything that is great about winter – the old-fashioned country bonfire, mates, great food and drink. Frost and Fire is about celebrating the winter solstice – the shortest day and longest night of the year, and what better way to do this than under the canopy of perfect, starry skies at Forbes,” Mayor Miller said. 

“Organise your friends and family to come along, share warm and hearty food and boutique brews next to cosy fire buckets as winter temperatures knock.” 

Joining Aussie pop sensation Sneaky Sound System on the line-up is a mix of local and regional support acts. Grenfell’s Belinda Day kicks off the evening, followed by Forbes locals Cler, Em and Jo, back by popular demand, and indee-pop newcomer Birdee, originally from Parkes and now making waves on the international music scene. 

Sydney Fire Dancers will also add to the evening’s entertainment, along with the lighting of the grand effigy. 

“Mark Saturday June 17 in your calendar, book your tickets, pack your chair and picnic rug, and bring your fun along to Frost and Fire,” Mayor Miller said. 

Tickets cost $15 for adults, 18 years and under are free but must register and are available through 123tix.com.au. 

Free shuttle buses will run every 20 minutes from Forbes Town Hall and Renfree Street to the Ski Dam. Onsite parking is limited, and costs $10 per vehicle. 

The Golden Plough will be held in Wongarbon on Saturday, 22nd and Sunday, 23rd April. This competition was first held in 1976 and has been fiercely contested ever since. This is the first year it will be hosted in the Dubbo region. 

The Western Branch of the Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Society hosts the two-day annual event which includes, horse working classes, obstacle courses, wagon rides, horse-driven chaff cutter demonstrations along with ladies, junior, novice and veteran ploughing competitions and culminates with the fiercely contested Golden Plough.

Horse drawn ploughing involves skilfully guiding one or two draught horses, pulling a single furrow plough, to create a straight plot of eight runs (minimum) which are judged on linear accuracy, depth, sharpness of cut, total width and how the soil is turned. 

Watch the ploughmen and women battle it out for the Golden Plough trophy, see horsemanship at its best. Bring your family and friends for a great weekend of horsemanship, demonstration events,food stalls and stay longer for fire-side stories, poetry and a camp oven dinner. Day, dinner and weekendpasses available.

For further details go to: www.facebook.com/thegoldenplough or get your and tickets at www.123tix.com.au/events/38544/the-golden-plough

WHAT’S ON MONTHLY CALENDAR

We have a new handy calendar to keep you up to date with all the events and activities at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre. Hard copies are now available from the library or on our Facebook page.

FRIDAY FLICKS

This 2022 fantasy romantic drama film is described as Aladdin for adults. What would you wish for if you were granted 3 wishes? For lovers of fairy tales this visually marvellous movie will ignite your imagination. Friday 28 April at 6pm. Bookings essential.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

During April school holidays we have some fun activities for all ages. In-person bookings essential. 

Holiday Kids Flick (rated PG for students in K-6) – Friday 14 April 10:30am – 12:15pm – FREE

Knight for a Day (for students in K-6) – Tuesday 18 April 10:30am – 12:00pm – $2

Youth Online Book Club starts 20 April. To read the book, The Theory of Hummingbirds, download the indyreads app on your device. Join our book club online discussion at parkeslibrary.freeforums.net

PAINTING GROUP EXHIBITION

Visit the Coventry Room to be inspired by this years Annual Parkes Painting Group Exhibition and vote for the People’s Choice. Artwork is available to purchase on opening night or throughout the 2 weeks of the exhibition. Open during library hours from Saturday 22 April to Saturday 6 May. Opening night: Friday 21 April 6:30-8:30pm ($20 payable at the door)

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN APRIL 

Social AUSLAN – Saturday 15 and 29 April from 10am (FREE). Join us fortnightly in the Makerspace to learn social AUSLAN with Rose and Annette Jones. 

Resin Pouring Workshops – Sunday 30 April at multiple times (Fee required). Learn to resin pour and make a decorative board to take home. Bookings through ‘Lil’ Bluebird Resin Art on Facebook.