For the past two years, the team at Kerin Health have been dreaming, planning and finally building a brand new state of the art clinical facility. It is the first of its kind in the whole of New South Wales and you are invited to help celebrate its grand opening on Friday 17th May from 5:00pm at 28 Armstrong Street, Parkes.

Rachel Kerin, Director and Physiotherapist said, “This facility increases our service capacity – meaning we can treat more clients, support more families, and bring more specialised clinicians to the local area.”

Head along, as Kerin Health showcase their wide range of services, and how they can support you and your family. It will be a night of celebration, including goodie bags, live music, nibbles, a raffle, and a whole lot of free resources.

In an energetic display of glitz and dance, Bjorn Again will bring the stage to life playing all the much loved ABBA hits, as part of the 2024 Canowindra International Balloon Festival.

2024 marks fifty years since ABBA first burst onto the music scene with their Eurovision winning song, ‘Waterloo’. Their music and style changed the landscape of the music industry, and their impact still permeates today, with audiences young and old enjoying the vibe of the show.

Roundbox Events Director, Debra Clarke, said, “It is such a pleasure to be able to bring this renowned international performance to the Canowindra region. Bjorn Again’s show is spectacular, and for them to be here performing is a real coup. Whether you are an ABBA die hard fan or simply enjoy a great show, we truly believe this brings an additional layer of entertainment to the Balloon Festival we haven’t seen before and we hope the greater community gets behind it.”

Tickets are available at:

www.123tix.com.au,

Canowindra Services Club (cash only),

Balloon HQ at Canowindra Phoenix Office, 84 Gaskill Street, Canowindra

At the gate on the day (card only).

Noted Cultural Heritage Consultant and Museum Curator, Susan Bravery, will be in Forbes on Thursday 7th of March, to discuss writers and wool growers Paul and Hettie Wenz’ collection of books, photos and artifacts largely from their lives at Nanami Station, near Gooloogong.

Community members are invited to come along and meet with Ms Bravery, share a meal and talk about the collection at the first ever Heritage in the Pub event in Forbes.

Ms Bravery has curated collections at the National Museum and managed historic homes such as Elizabeth Farm, Elizabeth Farm House, Vaucluse House, Rouse Hill House and Farm, she is currently also a lecturer at Melbourne University. She will be in Forbes to complete a heritage assessment of the Wenz Collection, a first stage in developing a strategic overlay to create a vibrant and engaging exhibition to be a part of the Forbes Museum.

The Wenz Collection is an exciting array of books, photos and artefacts from Paul and Hettie’s lives before and while they built the Historic Nanima Homestead and may be of particular interest to High School students studying french, those interested in history and creative writing are also urged to attend.

The collection itself reveals many secrets about the intriguing couple’s lives at Nanima Station – giving insight into Hettie running the farm while Paul wrote.

Organised by the Forbes District Historical Society, Heritage in the historic Vandenberg will be held Thursday, March 7, 6.30-9.30pm. The event is free with steak and other menu options available for $15 – held in the Van Cafe. Bookings at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/42585/who-was-hettie-wenz

Our Forbes Garden Club has been active for 70 years with Open Gardens giving members, friends and visitors so much pleasure and raising much needed funds for various charities in need. October 2023 Open Gardens raised almost $6000 for the garden owners chosen charities.

A very big thank you goes to members and non-members who have opened their gardens to host a meeting thereby inspiring others.

Sadly this is all going to come to a close shortly if some other members don’t step up to the plate to take on the Executive positions being vacated. Many of the Executive have served in these positions and worked tirelessly for a very long time and it is time now to close that era, move on and have time for themselves.

I am asking , step up, share a position if needs be just to keep the Club afloat. I know from many conversations of late that there are many who do so enjoy the monthly outing, listening to the varied speakers, gathering hints for the garden , enjoying a cuppa and in particular socialising.

To my mind it will be sad to see a closure on something that is so worthwhile with so many charities benefiting to the tune of thousands of dollars over the years.

Our Annual General meeting is scheduled for February 22nd , 2pm at the Forbes Mens shed. Please bring a mug and Flower of the month.

All suggestions are greatly appreciated. See you there. Happy Gardening.

Elvy Quirk/President

Join in Birth to Kinder Rhyme Time during School Term each Friday morning at Forbes Library at 10.30am.

During Birth to Kinder Rhyme Time we read books, sing songs and play to encourage engagement with language and literacy.

We use nursery rhymes, action songs, finger plays and stories in a fun and interactive way. Sessions are lively and stimulating for both children and adults.

Rhyme Time is held during the school term for children from birth – 5 years old.

Rhyme Time is free and each session lasts approximately 40 minutes. Rhyme Time is held every Friday during school term time.

Evidence shows that reading regularly to a child from birth gives them a head start once they start school.

Reading stimulates brain development, builds confidence and communication skills, and helps create stronger resilience and adaptability as they grow and develop.

That’s why the library is passionate about their early childhood reading programs.

Rhyme Time is supported by the Forbes Birth to Kinder. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForbesBirthtoKinder/

Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow the event to be able to run on time.

Please bring your enthusiasm, but leave your mobile phone in your bag – turned off or down. For more information, please call Forbes Library on 6852 1463.

Forbes Library Opening Hours:

Monday – Thursday 10am – 12 noon, 1pm – 5.30pm.

Friday: 10am – 12 noon, 1pm – 5pm.

Saturday: 10am – 12 noon.

Event Booking Link: http://tinyurl.com/ForbesLibraryFridayMornings

Nickyra Burley, was the Parkes Elvis Festival 2023 Miss Priscilla. Nickyra is a 19 year old Apprentice Hairdresser at Mica Hair Traralgon. Born in Sale and raised in Stratford Victoria. Nickyra is also a Rock n Roll Dancer at Lakeside Rockers, who has a huge passion for anything vintage pinup or retro style in hair and clothing. I have always been a big fan of Elvis and Priscilla Presley 

Q. What and who were your influences growing up? 

My first influencers were my parents who I used to watch as they danced at rock n roll dances. It was there I discovered my love for Elvis’ music and was inspired to learn rock n roll dancing, trained by Andrew Camp at Lakeside Rockers. 

Q. When was your first visit and/or performance at the Parkes Elvis Festival? 

My first visit to Parkes Elvis Festival was Speedway 2022 and I was amazed by the huge crowds. I entered the dance competition with Andrew Camp and we ended up winning the dance category. I also participated in the street Parade dressed in a chequered jumpsuit, with white gogo boots. Whilst seated on the back of a trike bike waving a chequered flag with friends. 

Q. What was the path you took (in career/life) that led you to the Parkes Elvis Festival? 

My passion for rock n roll dancing, dressing up and hairdressing led me here to Parkes. I first met my stylist Vicky Sheild at cooly rocks 2019. She held A Vintage Pinup Hairstyle Workshop that I attended in 2022. From that moment on we were convinced that I would be a good candidate for the Miss Priscilla Competition. 

Q. How many Festivals have you been to/performed at and what brings you back? 

This will be my 3 rd year in a row returning to Parkes Elvis Festival. I keep returning because of the overwhelming energy that vibrates from within the crowds and the friendships that we all create. 

It’s a fantastic environment for my family and I to start The New Year. It’s amazing to be around so many people who also share the love of Elvis. 

Q. What was your first memory of Elvis and what makes him so memorable? 

My first memory of Elvis was at a Lakeside Rockers Elvis Dance, where I had my first dance with my beautiful loving Dad. Who now watches me from heaven continuing with my love for Rock n Roll and endeavouring in my passions and dreams. 

Q. Describe the atmosphere that the crowds bring when you are performing on stage? 

I have been told I have a natural stage presence and look very similar to the young Priscilla. The crowds become more engaged when I’m up on stage with Elvis Tribute Artists. I hear the audience singing with passion and all I see is an ocean of bright lights and cameras capturing the moment. 

Q. If you had to pick an Elvis song that lifts the crowd more than any other what would it be? 

After experiencing the Parkes Elvis Festival After Party, I can now say that Viva Las Vegas is the song to get the crowd up on their feet dancing and singing loud and proud. 

Q. Give us a shout out to the people of Parkes or the Festival goers? 

I would like to thank my beautiful and amazingly talented stylist Vicky Sheild. The totally cool Tony Fisher for being my Escort at Parkes. Shout out to Anne, Bob and Tiffany Steel for all there dedicated hard work and passion for making this spectacular Elvis event. My biggest thank you goes to my Mum, Family and Friends for all the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes. 

This experience has been an amazing honor and a wonderful journey. It has allowed me to be a guest speaker at The Kids Foundation Charity Fundraising Event, Followed by a Charity Fundraiser Limo cruise around Melbourne. I joined the Elvis Tribute Artists On Stage whilst I was on the P&O cruise that I won. I personally received a recognition letter from Tim Bull Member for Gippsland East. I attended a live radio interview with ABC News. I was interviewed by The Gippsland Times and local Stratford Town Crier who published a story about my Miss Priscilla win. I also participated in the Maffra Mardi Gras Parade and the Sale Christmas Parade promoting Parkes Elvis Festival. I recently attended the preview screening of the new ‘Priscilla’ movie at the Astor theatre at St Kilda Melbourne. 

The advice I give to future Miss Priscillas is the quote the king himself once said “You’ve got to follow that dream, wherever that dream may Lead…” 

Sharyne Jewell is a performer, choreographer and dance educator (as well as an award-winning artist). Sheryne runs Dance Like A Diva classes and workshops. Her performance career spans over 40 years and has taken her to the UK, Europe and the US where she has performed with iconic entertainers like Sylvester, Divine and Prince and at venues like the Casino De Paris. Over the decades, Sharyne has performed under many names and embodied many characters and many dance genres. 

Sharyne said “I am passionate about using dance, in particular burlesque, to empower people to feel beautiful, sexy, strong and valid regardless of their shape, size, race, gender, age and experience.” 

“I believe as Marilyn Monroe famously said “We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.” 

Q: Where were you born and raised? 

I was born and raised in Melbourne. 

Q: What and who were your influences growing up? 

Growing up, I was heavily influenced by Marilyn Monroe. As a younger performer, I was often asked to “do Marilyn” in shows in Europe and America. Initially, I didn’t think much of Marilyn as I accepted the blonde bimbo media persona. The more I read and learnt of her over the years the more I grew to love and respect her as the iconic, game-changing woman she was. I went on to direct and produce the world’s first Marilyn Monroe Festival. 

Q: What was the path you took (in career/life) that lead you to the Parkes Elvis Festival and what brings you back? 

I initially attended the Parkes Elvis Festival in 2017 with friends who share my passion for vintage and for 50s style. I have loved Elvis’ music since I was a teen and often used it in performances so it seemed like an excellent idea. I had a wonderful time that first year but I noticed that there weren’t many activities for those people who love Elvis but may not want to watch Elvis Tribute artists. 

After my initial visit, I spoke with then director Kathy about the possibility of bringing the kind of workshops and shows that had been successful at my Marilyn Monroe Festival to Parkes. Kathy welcomed the idea of vintage showgirl, burlesque and Marilyn workshops. 

As a dancer nearing 60 years of age, I have had to continuously reinvent myself to keep performing. Dance is notoriously a youthful pursuit. In recent years, I have turned to drag as a vehicle for my creativity and love of performing. This paid off when my character, Elle Virus, was selected to be one of the hosts of WorldPride 2023. And for the first time in Parkes Elvis Festival history Elle Virus will be hosting Drag King Trivia!!! You can celebrate “The King” with a drag king! 

Last year we started Stretch To Elvis classes using many of the beautiful ballads of Elvis to relax and unwind. These were a hit at the last festival and are happening again this year. People party hard and these classes are a great way to rejuvenate for the next day of revelling in Elvis! 

What brings me back each year is the sense of fun and celebration of the festival. It attracts all ages, social groups and cultures and often some rather kooky Elvis fans and I love that. Mostly, I return for the festival regulars who attend my workshops and shows every year. I am enormously thankful for their enduring support. 

Q. Give us a shout out to the people of Parkes or the Festival goers? 

I have three big shout outs for the beautiful people of Parkes. 

Firstly, all my events this year are happening at the Parkes Services Club. I want to give a huge shout out to Chloe and the Services Club team. Chloe has demonstrated a strong commitment to embracing inclusivity and diversity. I appreciate her allyship and support greatly. 

My second shout out is to Krista Wakefield and the Federation Motel. Krista and her team take care of us every year and make the stay in Parkes perfect. 

Lastly, and most importantly, huge thanks to local business Colouby Creations. Kristy Berry has supported me from the start. I cannot imagine a Parkes Elvis festival without her. She really is the life force of Parkes. 

Q. If you had to pick an Elvis song that lifts the crowd more than any other what would it be? 

I find the cabaret and burlesque audiences respond best to the sexier Elvis songs like Steamroller Blues, Reconsider Baby and of course my personal anthem Trouble. My private favourites are inspirational songs like Walk A Mile In My Shoes and If I Can Dream