Pictured Left to Right: Cr Bill Jayet, Deputy Mayor Cr Marg Applebee, Hannah Farrant – PSC Environmental and Biosecurity Specialist, Michael Chambers – PSC Manager Environment and Sustainability.
Parkes Shire has proudly brought home national honours from the 2025 Australian Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards, with wins and commendations recognising the community’s commitment to sustainability, culture and local leadership.
Representing Parkes at the national awards held in Beechworth, Victoria, were Deputy Mayor Cr Marg Applebee, Councillor Bill Jayet as well as Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Environment and Sustainability Michael Chambers, and Environmental and Biosecurity Specialist Hannah Farrant-Jayet. The event brought together finalists from across the country to celebrate innovation, sustainability, and community pride in regional towns.
Parkes received national recognition in the categories:
• Winner – Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Raw Water Storage Lagoon
• Highly Commended – Heritage and Culture: Wiradjuri Language Group
• Special Acknowledgement – Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award: Deb Jones
Deputy Mayor Cr Marg Applebee said the accolades reflect the collective efforts of the Parkes Shire community. “Receiving these awards reflects the hard work of our entire community, from Council staff to volunteers, local businesses, and community groups. We are so proud to see projects like the Raw Water Storage Lagoon recognised on the national stage.”
Councillor Bill Jayet said he was proud to see the cultural contributions of the Wiradjuri Language Group recognised. “Language is a living part of culture, and the work being done to share and preserve Wiradjuri language in Parkes is truly significant,” Cr Jayet said.
“It’s an honour to see that effort acknowledged alongside other incredible community initiatives” he added.