Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 37 of 52

Ride The Wave To Forbes For Elvis Festival

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sydney Swing Kats will be will be dancing the morning away at The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast.

Find your own patch of ‘Blue Hawaii’ in Forbes this January, as Forbes Shire Council partners up with Parkes as a sponsor of the well-renowned Elvis Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023.

“We have some amazing entertainment lined up for a fun filled weekend of Blue Hawaii inspired events,” Mayor Miller said.

Forbes will host its own little slice of paradise as festival goers are invited to share in a tropical breakfast in Templar Street on Friday, 6 January and an evening Lakeside Luau on Saturday, 7 January.

The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast has become a favourite community celebration for Elvis-goers staying in Forbes during the festival. Start your day the right way – with a good feed, funky entertainment and maybe even a bit of a jive! It all happens in Templar Street, right in the heart of the CBD from 7-10am. Come say Aloha!

Council thanks NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional Communities for grant funding towards the staging of the Amazing Forbes street breakfast.

It’s ‘Almost Always True’ – you ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ with the Lakeside Luau on Saturday night 6-10pm. An indulgent Hawaiian feast on the banks of Lake Forbes with live music that will make you want to shimmy! This year, Amazing Forbes is bringing all the Hawaiian vibes, where you’ll be transported to a tropical oasis and be thoroughly entertained.

The Hawaiian themed feast, catered for by Eat Your Greens, will be held on its own ‘Island of Love’, the lovely foreshores of Lake Forbes and will star entertainment from Georgia Sideris, Dance Like a Diva, Johnny Angel as Pacific Elvis coming over especially from New Zealand for the ‘Lu- Wow’ and the epic Australian Beach Boys Show. Tickets are $90 and are essential, available to purchase through 123Tix.com.au.

“Forbes Shire Council is proud to once again be a travel partner for the Parkes Elvis Festival, providing daily bus services between Forbes and Parkes,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said. Explore the Festival and surrounds by bus with daily service between Parkes and Forbes. Bus tickets are also available via 123Tix and are $10 each or $35 unlimited.

Happy 30th Anniversary Parkes Elvis Festival!

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

FUN, FUN, FUN… Fans at Parkes Elvis Festival from 2013 to 2020. (Photos: Frances Thornton and Keith Turk)

The small seed of celebrating The King’s music was planted 30 years ago in the most unlikely of places and has turned Parkes into a model for how rural regions can re-invent themselves.

On paper it sounds more like torture that people would be willing to wear uncomfortable polyester jumpsuits in serious summer heat of over 40 degrees at times to celebrate an artist who has never visited Australia, let alone Parkes, and who died 45 years ago.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has a uniquely Australian flavour with the focus on fun with Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith taking the lead usually sporting a sky-blue jumpsuit, aviator sunglasses and pompadour wig. It is the sense of playfulness that makes people come back for more every year.

The fun element has even spilled over to the sporting field where a regular fixture, a rugby game featuring teams of Elvis look-alikes all wearing copies of his trademark white jumpsuit, draw a huge crowd every year.

For some the annual event has been life changing as one of the town’s most ardent fans formerly known as Steven Lennox, legally changed his name to Elvis. He had also built up a collection of thousands of pieces of Elvis memorabilia.

After 30 years there are not only tonnes of stories about the feel good festival, but it has also invigorated Parkes as loyal, repeat visitors help to bring a community together for a well-organised, slightly weird but very friendly event to kick-start the year in a fun way.

Marramarra Makerspace Youth Summer Sessions

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Looking for fun holiday activities? Parkes Shire Council has been successful in receiving a $12,600 grant for school holiday activities for youth aged 12-24 in the Parkes Shire under the NSW Government Holiday Break Program. The Holiday Break Program provides young people aged 12 – 24 years with opportunities to connect, socialise, and have fun during the school holidays by delivering a range of free and subsidised activities across regional NSW. The program is funded by the Office for Regional Youth.

Parkes Shire Council has put together a program of workshops and events hosted by the Marramarra Makerspace Studio at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre between 9 and 24 of January 2023. Youth will have the opportunity to:

Develop new creative skills in Resin Pouring and Bali Batik ink techniques in Flag Making

Learn about stand-up comedy and develop their own routine with Aussie comedian Anthony Lamond; and

Team up together to complete a photo scavenger hunt around the Parkes CBD.

Creative Learning Programs Coordinator and Summer Sessions Project Manager, Roxanne Gallacher said “Diversity in our offerings for youth is so important.”

“Being able to access grant funding to deliver these sessions to the youth of Parkes is a privilege, and we are extremely grateful to the Office of Regional Youth for the opportunity to bring something different this year,” added Roxanne.

Parkes Shire Councillor Jacob Cass said “I applaud our Parkes Shire Library team for putting together these programs for our youth. Holiday programs provide an opportunity for skill building outside the classroom and allow youth to build networks outside their usual social groups.”

Mark Andrew Celebrates Success Story

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Catch Mark Andrew at his shows (ticketed) upstairs at the Parkes Services Club backed by the Dave Hart Band on Friday, 6th January at 12:30 pm, and Sunday, 8th January at 4pm. He will also be performing his Legends Showcase in Cooke Park (free events).

Mark Andrew’s versatile talent has been on show at the Parkes Elvis Festival for many years as an Elvis Tribute Artist, but also with his signature show ‘Legends Showcase’ where he performs tributes to Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Austin Powers, Elvis and Buddy Holly.

You have become synonymous with the Parkes Elvis Festival returning year after year. What makes you come back every time? I hold the feature artists record for six times, and now I headline every year as I am respected amongst the fans and the festival.

Why do you think the festival has kept on growing for 30 years? Because Elvis fans love an Elvis festival and Parkes have created one of the best in the world!

What do you like the most about the festival and about performing here? I think if you are an Elvis specialist you have to be involved and it’s the place where everyone comes together from all parts of the Southern Hemisphere and even Japan.

Do you keep in contact with the fans you’ve met at the Parkes Elvis Festival? I have over 30k followers on social media and that’s a great way to keep in touch!

What do you look forward to at the 30th Parkes Elvis Festival? The celebration of the success story. At first the locals hated it but now it sets up the town economically for the whole year!

What can fans look forward to in your shows? I’m an authentic performer actor. I channel the character and go 110%. I’ve studied more than just Elvis and enjoy bringing to life these legends.

Do you have a favourite Elvis song? Too many to choose but American Trilogy has to be one of my faves.

30th Anniversary Of Parkes Elvis Festival

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Dean Z will undoubtedly delight crows at the years Feature Concert Series.

Celebrating 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’, Parkes Elvis Festival has a bumper anniversary program of Elvis and Blue Hawaii themed events, jam-packed with concerts, parades, markets, competitions, car displays and a whole lotta fun for locals to enjoy.

This year, the Feature Concert Series will see Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists, entertain crowds across each day of the Festival.

Fans will be treated to free concerts on the Cooke Park Main Stage including Brazilian Elvis Tribute Artist Diogo Light headlining on Thursday night. Catch Damian Mullin, Mark Andrew and Diogo on the Friday night; and on Saturday night, Jack Gatto celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation of the concert.

Ross Wilson will be inducted to the Elvis Wall of Fame on Wednesday at Kelly Reserve and at the new time of 10am. Following that, the Eagle Rock-ing music legend will be joined by Brian Cadd, Normie Rowe and Joe Camilleri in a special 30th anniversary concert.

The Movie & Memorabilia Collection will have displays of photos, costumes, and some treasures from the Parkes Elvis Festival archives. See props from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie along with the Elvis – Direct from Graceland exhibition. It’s open every day from 9-5pm and is free located at 375 Clarinda Street.

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns, with 19 leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club in the heats and finals. See a free performance by the winner at 2pm Sunday on the Cooke Park Main Stage.

Fans can enjoy returning favorite events including the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner and Northparkes Mines Street Parade. The Renewal of Vows ceremony has moved to Generosity Church and Elvis Poets’ Breakfast is now at the Services Club.

If you are feeling adventurous Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing, Rock-A-Hula Dragon Boating, Slicin’ Sand Croquet and a new stretch and strengthen class to the ballads of Elvis. Thrill seeking fans of The King can also skydive at Parkes Airport.

Full program details at parkeselvisfestival.com.au

Movies & Memorabilia Collection To Feature Original Movie Props

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The very first street parade in 1993 with Tiffany Steel in front. At the back are Elvis Lennox, John Lovett and Fiona Lovett with Andrew behind the wheel of Bob Steel’s Model A Ford.

Parkes Elvis Festival is proud to launch the Movies & Memorabilia Collection which will have props from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie, and elements from the Elvis – Direct from Graceland exhibition in Bendigo plus history of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Take a nostalgic stroll down the 30-year historical path of the Parkes Elvis Festival. See memorabilia from the early days, photographs, newspaper clippings and some items from the Parkes Elvis Festival archives that have never been on display.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bendigo Art Gallery, Parkes is now home to an impressive recreation of the Graceland Mansion’s portico and giant ELVIS letters that were a part of the jumpsuit display.

You’ll also see the world’s largest hound dog and doghouse, mirrors from the Carnival scenes where Colonel Tom Parker pledged his commitment to supporting Elvis’ fledging career, a recreation of the Graceland ‘Jungle Room’, and posters and paraphernalia from the International Casino’s launch of Elvis’ residency from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film thanks to Warner Bros.

The Movies & Memorabilia collection is located at 375 Clarinda Street and is open 9am – 5pm daily throughout the Festival and free.

Proudly sponsored by Bogan Gate Pub. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Children Learn The True Spirit Of Christmas Is To Give

December 23, 2022 by Roxane Manley

The preschool children from Central West Family Day Care in Parkes are pictured with their Christmas Giving Tree.

This year the Christmas tree at Central West Family Day Care (CWFD) was turned into a Giving Tree, with aim of teaching the children that Christmas time is not just about receiving gifts but also about giving to those who may be in need.

Each child from the center was asked to bring in a wrapped gift to place under the Giving Tree.

“The tree was set up before the recent flooding events, but when the children heard about all of the children in Eugowra who lost all of their toys, they decided themselves to donate their gifts to those children,” said Ann-Marie Winter who is Manager/Co-Ordinator of the Central West Family Day Care facility in Parkes.

The CWFD educators reached out to their connections in Eugowra to identify and contact a family that had been affected by the flooding to be the beneficiary of their giving tree.

The Fenton family lost everything when flood waters rose up to a meter and a half at their Eugowra property. Their house and all of their belongings were destroyed, and they are now tasked with having to rebuild their lives, literally from the ground up.

Laura Fenton went on to recount the terrifying moments when they had to flee for their lives.

“Isabella was asleep and Harry was outside playing. Our neighbour wandered over to just say hi and check on us because at that stage we had already had water coming up to our driveway, but that was before all the water came from the hills,” said Laura.

“It was lucky she came over when she did because we were just standing there chatting when we saw the water coming at us. We had about six minutes from when we first saw it coming, to when it his us.”

“I ran in and got Isabella out of bed, got Harry in the car and let the dogs out. By the time I drove up to the higher part of our property that didn’t flood, I was driving through water,” said Laura.

Eugowra was already experiencing flooding prior to the big surge and Kyle Fenton, who is a Helicopter Rescue Pilot, had been trying for hours to get home to his family but was unable to due to the bridge thatwas impassable at Cudal.

Laura remembered facetiming her husband Kyle and frantically saying “You need to pray for us, because we are about to die.”

The Fenton family were overwhelmed by the gesture of kindness from the children at CWFC and Laura said “The support has been incredible.”

The Fenton family pictured receiving gifts from the children at CWFD. Parents Laura and Kyle are holding their children Isabella and Harry.

Premier’s Back To School NSW Vouchers Ease Pressure On Parents

December 23, 2022 by Roxane Manley

BACK TO SCHOOL…Parent are being encouraged to access their Back to School NSW vouchers on the Service NSW app.

Parents across the State can access $150 worth of vouchers through the Premier’s Back to School NSW program from Monday, giving a boost to household budgets through savings on textbooks, uniforms, stationery and other school essentials.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Summer holidays are a good time for families to start buying supplies for the new school year and the voucher program would help cover those costs.

“The NSW Government wants to make sure every child attending school has the opportunity to strive for their best when they are in the classroom and providing access to essential items for learning is our priority,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said people can start applying for the vouchers from Monday, until they expire on 30 June 2023, giving everyone plenty of time to take advantage of the savings.

“Applying for the vouchers is simple and can be done in a matter of minutes using the Service NSW app, on the phone or by visiting a Service Centre,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Premier’s Back to School NSW program would ensure every school-aged child has a brighter future.

The Premier’s Back to School NSW program is one of more than 70 government rebates and vouchers available through the Savings Finder program.

For more information about the vouchers visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your local Service NSW Service Centre.

Customers can search for registered businesses here: https://vouchers.service.nsw.gov.au/vouchers/providers-search/

Close To Half A Million Spent In Forbes

December 23, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Are you afraid Santa won’t bring you everything on your wishlist? Shop local in Forbes for everyone’s top picks for Christmas 2022.

Forbes has been bustling over the past few weeks with 3,051 sales in local businesses up until Thursday, 15th December. Local spending in the successful Find It In Forbes This Christmas promotion totalled a massive $433,415.39.

Ten prizes of $500, one of $1,500, two of $2,500 and one of $5,000 will be drawn on 24th December, concluding this years Christmas promotion,” said Aaron Acheson, President of the Forbes Business Chamber.

Participating businesses are: Acheson’s Mite 10, Allure On Main, Blue Sky Outdoors, Betta Home Living, Blush Organics, Bown’s Sports Power, Bron’s Hair Design, ChapterTwo, Forbes Automotive Services, Forbes Central Butchery, Forbes Small Engines, HelloWorld, Hozpots Garden Centre, Isabel’s Place, Jessica’s Beauty, Life Pharmacy, Little Extra’s Lifestyle, Loomzys FishNFix, Made Of Fridays, McMillian Industries, News On Rankin, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Robbs Jewellers, The Bakehouse, The Book Dispensary, Turners Furniture One and Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie.

Major sponsors who are also participants are: Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Business Chamber. Gold Sponsor is Bernardis, Silver Sponsors are Terry Bros Carpet Court and the Forbes Phoenix. Bronze Sponsors are Flannery’s Pharmacy, Gunn’s Menswear and Embroidery, MD Steel, Steele Technology, Walkers Ag N Vet and WA Knights.

“Thank you everyone for shopping local and supporting our small businesses,” said Aaron.

Plenty Of Holiday Fun At The Parkes Radio Telescope

December 16, 2022 by Roxane Manley

THE DISH…The Parkes Radio Telescope is located 20km north of Parkes on the Newell Highway.

The January School holidays are just around the corner, and the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, Murriyang will be hosting Astronomy Talks each weekday at 11am from Monday, 9th January through to Friday, 27th January 2023.

There will be three different CSIRO astronomers presenting talks, providing a rare opportunity to speak with a real astronomer and ask them your space questions.

Tickets are $5 per person and can be booked online at https://parkesdishshop.com/products/school-holiday-talks, by calling the Visitors Centre on 6861 1777 or in person at the Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor’s Centre.

All ages are welcome to attend. It is an out-of-this-world school holiday activity so be sure to head along!

Whilst you are visiting, don’t forget to check out the 3D Theatre (admission applies). The half-hour show is currently showing “Expedition Earth”, “Parkes – Beyond the Barrier” and “Bigger than Big.”

While there, enjoy lunch or refreshments at the famous Dish Café. The kids can have some fun and explore the newly opened space playground just across from the café. There are also many hands-on displays to provide endless fun for all ages.

If you are visiting during the 2023 Elvis Festival, don’t miss the daily science fun shows at 1:30pm.

These free, one-hour shows un by Fizzics Education are sure to blow your mind. This outdoor event, right in front of the Dish, will be perfect for families or anyone with an enquiring mind.

The Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre will be open daily throughout the school holidays from from 8:30am – 5pm, except for Christmas day and Boxing day.

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