What's On Archives - Page 16 of 34

2023 RDA Central West Photography Competition Now Open

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The winning photo of the 2022 Junior Category ‘Into the Light” was take by Poppy Starr from Cowra.

‘This is Central West’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s (RDA Central West) annual photography competition.

Entrants are encouraged to submit photos that showcase the magic of our region as a destination to live, work and visit – whether that is a place, scene, person or event. Director of RDA Central West, Steven Bowman, said the competition is a wonderful platform to highlight everything that is special about our region and showcase it to other Australians, putting Central NSW on the map for tourism and investment.

“The Central West has so much to offer and the ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition is a great way to capture what you love most about where you live,” said Mr Bowman.

Mr Bowman said that entrants should not be deterred by their level of photographic ability.

“You must be in it to win it. We are encouraging locals from all levels of ability to submit photographs and we also have a junior category for the under 18’s.”

“The competition is judged externally and this year we welcome 2022 winner Craig Murphy, who sits as major sponsor Charles Sturt University’s Digital Innovation Project Officer, as one of the judges.”

“Thanks to the generosity of sponsors Charles Sturt University and Camera House Orange, the prize pool has increased this year and we are so excited to see 2023 submissions from around the region.”

Entry into the 2023 ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition is free and open to all ages. Entries close 5pm AEST Friday, 27th October. Entrants can submit up to four photographs. More information, including how to enter, can be found on the RDA Central West website at www.rdacentralwest.org.au

You Are Invited To QUE Open Gardens ‘n’ Markets

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Spring has sprung and QUE has organised five beautiful gardens for you to view

Parkes QUE members look forward to your company this Sunday, 8th October, 10am-4pm at the Parkes Racecourse and in the five open gardens. Money raised stays in our local community, supporting hearing, speech, and wellbeing.

291 Back Yamma Road

Two years ago this property was a cow paddock! Last November the nearby creek flooded the garden and the house, and during this last winter the garden has endured severe frosts! This garden was chosen for our Open Gardens event to show people how quickly a garden can be established, and what plants will survive the “sometimes

harsh” weather conditions. We anticipate opening this garden again in a year or two so that viewers can measure progress.

5 Arana Place

The drought-tolerant front garden is easy care and sustainable. The back garden provides the visitor with a totally different perspective and includes a Balinese hut, decorative items such as water fountains, plants, shade, and garden art – all providing a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

1 Jubilee Street

This is a plant lovers haven, especially under the back deck where the owner has a huge variety of very loved indoor and outdoor plants and hanging baskets. Screening trees surround the house and provide a wonderful forum for the collection of artworks, sculptures, mirrors etc.

35-37 Thomas Street

With over a hundred different species, these extensive surrounding gardens have been

through quite the makeover in the last two years! Featuring a broad range of unique Australian natives alongside a careful selection of exotic plants, this garden abounds with vibrancy and colour.

Cnr Reymond and Jones Street

This is a wanderer’s paradise with lavender, pink jade, a vibrant Loropetalum with its unique tussle flowers, and a wonderful Bohemia Butterfly Tree, all with a magnificent view to the east of Parkes. (best parking in Jones Street)

Forbes Learning Ladder And Forbes Community OSHC Fun Fair

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Some of the prizes on offer if you purchase tickets in the Christmas raffle. Tickets will be available on the day of the event.

We have some exciting news to share, after the disappointment of being postponed due to the flooding which affected the entire region in late 2022, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Forbes Community OSHC Fun Fair is finally set to go ahead, and we would love for the entire Forbes community to come along and join us in the fun.

A massive thank you to the generosity of Forbes North Public School, for allowing us the use of their school grounds, we will be holding the Fun Fair on Saturday 28th October, from 10am – 12.30pm, we will be utilising the hall and the surroundings, with entry from York Street.

There will be lots of fun and interactive activities the whole family can enjoy, including a jumping castle, crazy hair, face painting, tattoos, various games and more.

We will also be selling tickets on the day for our Christmas Raffle, which will be drawn in December. Prizes on offer include, a BBQ smoker and accessories, double hammock, Essjay Photography voucher, family pass to Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, and a gift pack from Little Extras. In addition to vouchers for the following stores and businesses: Kmart, Euphoria Road, Loomzy’s Fish N Fix, Gunns Menswear, Graces Hair Studio On Templar, Odeon 5, Ten Pin Bowling Orange.

There will be plenty of food options available on the day to cater for everyone, so bring your appetite and enjoy the many delights on offer including a cake stall, fairy floss, popcorn, BBQ and drinks.

Organise your friends and family and come along to a great event.

Spacemen Rugby League

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

All coaching positions are open for applications U18s, League Tag Girls, Reserve Grade, First Grade. Please email your interest to parkesspacemen@gmail.com. Tickets are open for presentation night. $40pp for two course meal and a great night. Follow the link below to purchase your tickets. No ticket, no entry. www.123tix.com.au/events/40353/parkes-2023-spacemen-presentation-night.

Get Your Tickets Now For The Parkes M&D’s Upcoming Production “Freaky Friday”

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The team at Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society have been busy in rehearsals for the upcoming production, Freaky Friday. This family-friendly musical is an hilarious, contemporary update of the classic story, in which a mother and daughter see what it means to be a family while experiencing each other’s lives first-hand, if only for a day. This body-swapping show brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘walk a mile in another’s shoes’ with highly entertaining results.

Set in the present day, Freaky Friday features a tuneful pop-rock score, befitting a work that has effortlessly updated throughout its several iterations. Warm-hearted, humorous and touching, this fresh take on the classic story is perfect for family audiences of all ages.

The cast and crew of 35 feature both newcomers and regulars to the Society. Coming from Parkes, Forbes and Cowra, the cast and crew have been putting in long hours since rehearsals began in July.

Freaky Friday will be performed at the Parkes Little Theatre on the following dates: Friday 20th October 7.30pm, Saturday 21st October 7.30pm, Sunday 22nd October 2pm, Saturday 28th October 7.30pm, Sunday 29th October 2pm, Friday 3rd November 7.30pm, Saturday 4th November 2pm, Saturday 4th November 7.30pm, Sunday 5th November 2pm.

Liz Stringer First Time… For The Last Time Tour

September 21, 2023 by Roxane Manley

See Liz Stringer live on Wednesday 11th October at The Cordial Factory, Grenfell.

Much-loved Milk! Records recording artist and Melbourne singer/songwriter Liz Stringer caps off a busy 2023 and brings to an end her work on her acclaimed 2021 album First Time Really Feeling with her First Time… For The Last Time solo tour. This is a rare chance to see one of Australia’s greatest contemporary singer-songwriters.

Liz’s First Time… For The Last Time tour will see the artist bring an end to the long cycle of work that began with the recording of First Time Really Feeling in Canada in 2018. It’s a case of unfinished business, as the tour will finally reach the places that Liz couldn’t get to following the album’s release, thanks to various lockdowns. All the shows will follow the intimate format of her From Brunswick to Brixton shows; Liz will perform her songs completely solo, giving audiences a real insight into how they were written and how they sounded before she presented them to her band.

Having achieved her first entry into the ARIA Top 20 and an ARIA Award for Best Blues & Roots album in 2021, Liz spent most of 2022 with Midnight Oil, working as their backing vocalist and support act in Australia and around the world on their Resist tour. Then, in February 2023, she and fellow Oils guest William Crighton released a cover of the Oils’ “Golden Age”, featuring Jim Moginie on bass and Rob Hirst on drums. Following that Liz and William undertook a short tour together, and then in March, Liz was 2023 Artist of the Year at the iconic Port Fairy Folk Festival, where she performed two triumphant sets with her band. In May, after three From Brunswick to Brixton solo shows in Melbourne, she headed to London to record her new album and play a handful of shows.

Get Fired Up For National BBQ Championships

September 21, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Do you think you could be the next National BBQ Champion? Get a team together and enter now.

The National BBQ Championships in Forbes are back! Grinsted Oval will come alive on Saturday the 28th October for the sizzling action and tantalising aromas of our best barbecued beef, chicken, lamb and pork.

“We are giving you plenty of notice to brush up on your barbecuing skills,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.

“We are expecting an amazing day – full of the amazing smells of barbecued delicacies, market stalls, bar, live music and entertainment for the children.

“Is the barbecue Australia’s national dish – I will let this day be the judge of that!” Mayor Miller added.

As a spectator, the event is free to attend with spectator tickets available at 123tix.com.au. If you want to compete for the great prize pool available, and for the honour of being crowned best of the BBQ, there will be a registration fee, with more details coming soon.

Anyone wishing to compete on the day is urged to send details to tourism@forbes.nsw.gov.au and they will be contacted once registrations open.

The National BBQ Championships kicks off at 12pm and concludes at 8pm. The event will again be held at Grinsted Oval with ‘Fast Ed’ of Better Homes and Gardens fame the chef, the last official judge.

“As a Council there is nothing we enjoy more than bringing together our community, we love seeing the smiles and the lifting of spirits, especially as we know life in the country can bring its own challenges at times,” Mayor Miller said.

So if you think you have the skills it takes to be the next National BBQ Champion then assemble a team now and fire up the BBQ and start practicing your best BBQ dishes.

The National BBQ Championships is supported by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program.

Grazing Down The Lachlan Celebrates Its Fifth Year

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Grazing Down the Lachlan returns to Forbes this Saturday 16th September, celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, culture, art, entertainment and history.

A total of 550 ‘Grazers’ (guests) are expected on site at Gum Swamp for an epic long lunch celebrating produce from Central West NSW, prepared by local restaurateurs and caterers.

This year the committee are thrilled to have Brendan Sheldrick onboard as Creative Director to inject a new and local perspective on Grazing 2023’s six course menu.

“In addition to a Greek-inspired menu, Grazers will also enjoy local wines, beer and non-alcoholic beverages at each station and be entertainment by musicians, dancers and interactive art on site.”

“Grazers can expect some beautiful, simple Greek flavours where the produce is the hero, as well as woodfire cooking, pastries and sweets – a bit of a nod to Australian / Greek cafe and takeaway culture,” Brendan said.

What makes this dining experience a truly unique is the underlying commitment to delivering a no-waste, environmentally responsible event. Every Grazer is supplied with an event bag made locally by Woolerina from recycled fabric, which contains an enamel plate, recycled cutlery, a lanyard, menu map, and a napkin made from donated linens.

Grazers are transported out to site by bus to minimise the impact on the natural environment and are then free to wander along the two-kilometre bush track between

six stations offering delicious food with a matched beverage. At the final station, Grazers are encouraged to donate these items back to Grazing to be used again.

Proceeds of Grazing Down the Lachlan support the Forbes Arts Society. Funds raised through the event to-date have facilitated the commissioning of 20 new sculptures to extend the Sculpture Down the Lachlan public art trail, the redevelopment of Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge and the development of Gallery Forbes. In 2022, $30,000 was raised for the Forbes Arts Society.

The event has significant economic benefits for the Forbes Shire, injecting over $400,000 into the local economy each year.

Don’t Be Bored These School Holidays

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

With the sun setting on Term three, Forbes Shire Council has been busy planning to ensure a variety of free activities are available these school holidays.

This school holiday program features fishing workshops, an outdoor movie, a theatre performance, the opening of Forbes Town Pool on 1st October, craft workshops, Creative Community Concepts will host a footy for fun event and a magic festival – wow!!!!

First off the rank are the popular fishing workshops, with two sessions to choose from on Monday 25th September. Set on the banks of the beautiful Lake Forbes, these free workshops fill up quickly so make sure you book in early. If you don’t have a rod don’t worry – there are enough available for you to borrow.

Head to Lions Park on Saturday 7th October for the Magic Festival, the first of its kind in Forbes. Be amazed by roving magicians and enchanted by a stage show finale, feast on the offerings of food vendors and relax in the company of friends. Tickets to the show are free, but essential, head to 123tix.com.au

For more information on the Forbes Shire Council youth programs head to https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

Do You Believe In Magic?

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Come along for a first of its kind, magical evening for Forbes.

Lions Park will set the stage for an evening of pure magic next month, hosted by Forbes Shire Council. Roving magicians will weave their way through the crowd, entertaining with their sleight of hand and their mysterious ways.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM urged residents and visitors to bring their chairs and rugs for sunset on Lake Forbes, free of charge.

Food vendors will be on site, and after the four roving magicians have cast their spell, a stage spectacular will take place from 7pm to 8pm.

A sensory friendly session has been scheduled for Friday October 6th from 1pm –3pm. “We recognise that some peoplehave differing needs that might not suit alarge event such as the one at Lake Forbeson Saturday evening,” Mayor Miller said.

“We are offering an up close and personal magic show at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon – it will not have the big bangs and loud music! It is free of charge, but please RSVP to events@forbes.nsw.gov.au as numbers are limited.

“It is exciting to welcome magic back to Forbes after an extremely successful magic show last year – the magicians had so much fun and loved the interaction with the community and are looking forward to their return!,” Mayor Miller said.

“Lions Park is fast becoming a hub for exceptional social gatherings, with the area perfectly framed works completed under the Lake Forbes Activation Project funded by the NSW Government. It is the perfect place for the community to connect and enjoy the outdoor space,” Mayor Miller said.

What magical event will Council pull out if its hat next?

The Forbes Magic Festival is on Saturday 7th October from 5pm until 8pm. Tickets are free but essential, so head to: Forbes Magic Festival Tickets (123tix.com.au)

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