Maggi Barnard

Parkes High School student Melinda Acret meets John Bogey and his horse at the Anzac Day commemoration on Monday.

The commemoration of Anzac Day in Parkes on Monday was the biggest in recent memory with well over 1,000 people attending the Dawn Service and March, and over 400 the ceremony in Cooke Park.

“It is the biggest ever in my time,” said Paul Thomas, Parkes Sub Branch secretary. “I have never seen Memorial Hill so packed for the Dawn Service.”

Paul said many visitors from the Elvis Festival stayed on to attend the Parkes commemoration. He was equally impressed with the support from the schools and the number of students who turned up to take part.

The guest speaker, Major General J Paul Stevens, AO (retired) said the strength of Anzac Day had waxed and waned over the years, “but I think it will remain strong for three reasons”.

He said firstly the date of 25th April was not a date to celebre a victory, or mourn a defeat, but a day to recognise the human cost of war.

Secondly, the name of the day did not represent a battle or a place. “Anzac was a name for a group of people and it is people who are the focus of this day. We do not mark this day with military parades and shows of might and power. We mark it much more personally.”

The third reason he said was what some would call the Anzac spirit and the values of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. “The world changes daily and we change with it, but these values endure especially in tough times. We see them in our communities in times of bushfires or floods, we see them in our emergency services, in our health services as we have done during the pandemic, in the defence force, and today on Anzac Day. We remember those who served, and give thanks for the example they set for us.”

Members of the Parkes Showground Land Manager committee with Mayor Ken Keith (3rd left), Sam Farraway MLC (4th left) and Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson (right) at the announcement of additional funding last Thursday.

Additional funding of over $2 million announced last week will ensure the new pavilion at the Parkes Showgrounds will be constructed after a massive escalation in building costs hampered the realisation of the project.

The additional funding from the NSW Government’s Crown Lands Improvement Fund would ensure the completion of the new pavilion along with key fire safety upgrades.

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said: “Of the $2.1 million, $1.78 million is being allocated to the next stages of the new pavilion that is being constructed at Parkes Showground as well as a further $382,000 for fire safety upgrades to benefit other buildings.”

“The additional funding will ensure the showground plays a central role within the community by hosting the annual show and events like the Parkes Elvis Festival, farmers’ markets and supporting emergency evacuations if needed.”

Sam Farraway MLC said the NSW Government’s showground stimulus funding had supported a complete overhaul of the Parkes Showground.

“Showgrounds are the heart of local communities, they are where we come together to showcase and celebrate the local region and through the Crown Reserves Improvement fund Parkes Showground has received a complete overhaul,” he said.

“This funding is also supporting the upgrades to the heritage-listed grandstand including its roof, floor, drainage, subfloor ventilation, masonry walls, and timber columns and balustrades along with improvements to lighting and additional power points for camping and stall holders.”

The Parkes Showground Land Manager received a grant of $4,046,020 from the COVID-19 showground stimulus program in August last year to realise its dream of a new pavilion. The escalation of building costs during the pandemic meant the initial grant was not enough to complete the new pavilion.

Sam and Kevin were in Parkes last week during the Elvis Festival to make the announcement, and attended the official opening of the event on Saturday in Cooke Park.

Elvis and Priscilla… Feature artist Taylor Rodriguez with Ashleigh Smith at The Dish.

Ashleigh Smith has not only brought back the Miss Priscilla title to Parkes but she is the first winner to have won the title two times.

Born and bred in Parkes, Ashleigh first entered and won in 2015 when she was 19 years old.

She was persuaded by her partner to enter again this year, and with the help of her stylist and sister-in-law Kaylee Smith she shot to fame on Thursday night.

The 26-year-old beautician said growing up in Parkes she always went to the festival with her parents. “When I won the first time it was amazing and something so different. It was a great experience!”

She said entering for a second time was much easier as she knew where to stand, and what to do and to say.

She spent about four hours on her hair and make-up before the competition. “Getting my hair right was the hardest as you have to get the Priscilla look. It was a lot harder than expected.”

She also made sure to do some research on Priscilla by watching videos of her and reading up on her style. “I wanted to match the 1960s style, her hair, bag, shoes, the whole package. She is very elegant and I really love her vintage style. She is such a beautiful woman. I also love her make up back then. It was more minimal and natural.”

Ashleigh felt it was really important to recognise Priscilla’s role in Elvis’s life and that it was good to have the competition as part of the festival. She enjoyed seeing so many Priscillas at the Parkes Elvis Festival every year.

She hoped to meet a lot of people at the festival and in the community during her reign.

Parkes Taxis had a huge week transporting many Parkes Elvis Festival guest artists and then veterans on Anzac Day. Sarah and Ben Smith and Bruce Cowling (right) from Parkes Taxis with veterans Gordon Dickson, Graeme Cooke and Arthur Parker.

Parkes Taxis are very excited to be launching a new system to keep up with the times. We are rolling out our new EASY call system today to make booking your taxi even easier!

By calling (02) 6862 2222 you will be given two options using your last two pick up locations of transport. It is very clear and easy; the booking will go straight to the cars. If you feel more comfortable with the current system there is nothing to worry about as you will still have an option to press 0 to speak to our call centre based in Orange.

Parkes Taxis are continuously improving their service for the benefit of their customers. We also have taxi butlers and tablets in many supermarkets, hotels, motels and clubs in Parkes. Please ask the staff to press the taxi butler or tablet and it will track your booked taxi and tell you when it is arriving.

Parkes taxis continues to run a 24-hour service, seven days a week. Parkes Taxis can offer many options of transport. Our amazing staff are trained in transporting wheelchair passengers to ensure it is always possible for families and friends to be together at any location. If you would like to book the wheelchair taxi or make a booking for the 12-seater bus, please get in contact with Sarah on 0407 513 848.

We have various options of using our services. The Parkes Taxi app, called smartHAIL, allows you to scan the QR code and download the app, or call our state-wide number on 131 008 for making booking your taxi that easy.

Parkes Taxis would like to thank the community and Parkes Shire Council for their support during the Parkes Elvis Festival. “We were very proud and honoured to end a hectic week by participating in the Anzac march on Monday helping to transport veterans. We appreciate all your support,” said Sarah Smith.

Ben and Sarah Smith pictured with Elvis Tribute Artist Dean Vegas.