Roxane Manley

Roxane is a true local to the Forbes and Parkes areas. Having been with the Phoenix for a number of years, she is passionate about her region and loves being involved with the local community.

Helping Hand For Community Organisations

July 9, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council is encouraging local not-for-profit and community organisations to take advantage of its Community Financial Assistance Grants Program, with the first funding round for 2026/2027 now open.

Applications opened on 1 July 2026 and will close at 5.00pm on Monday, 28 July 2026. The Community Financial Assistance Grants Program provides practical support to local organisations delivering projects, events and services that enhance the wellbeing, vibrancy and connectedness of communities across the Parkes Shire.

The program includes three funding streams:

• General Community Grants of up to $1,000 to assist with a specific project, initiative or community event.

• Rates and Charges Assistance, providing eligible not-for-profit organisations and community groups the opportunity to apply for the waiving of Council rates and charges on qualifying properties.

• Leasing and Licensing Assistance, allowing eligible organisations to apply for reduced leasing and licensing fees for Council-owned properties.

Please contact the team on grants@parkes.nsw.gov.au at least two weeks before the closing date.

For more information visit https://bit.ly/3OYKZhJ.

For assistance with your application, please contact Veronica Shaw on 02 6861 2333.

Be Seen @ Parkes Public School

July 9, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Henry Smashes The Competition And Earns State Selection

July 9, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Squash star Henry Kross recently competed at the NSWCHS Squash Championships. NSWCHS Squash is open to all public school students in NSW. It involves playing as a team for your region, before you split into either Opens or Under 15’s for an individual championship. The top 5 finishers in each division make the NSW team.

As a team Henry played for Western, where Western claimed a Silver medal. In the individual championship, it was his first year up in Open’s and Henry has taken out the win in that division.

“I have played under 15’s for the last four years (year 7 – 10) and managed to win three out of four in that competition. All four World Juniors were meant to compete, but one pulled out the week prior, so the competition is really strong,” said Henry.

Henry will now compete as part of the State team later in the year. “This will be my first year competing in Opens, after playing Under 15’s for NSW from year 7-10. Last year I competed in Cairns at the NSW CHS and was lucky enough to make the Australian All Schools, which I hope to do again this year in Opens.”

“I’ve been working really hard as I have State Champs in Bega this coming weekend, and fly out to World’s in Canada next week and so far my preparation has been really good. I want to make a career out of Squash, so training to keep getting to the next level motivates me,” said Henry.

Henry thanks Parkes High for their support and sponsors Dunlop and Grip X, Parkes Athletic and Parkes Squash, and everyone who has helped with his fundraising, it all counts and makes it possible.

Jade Page Best Of Medal Winners

July 9, 2026 By Short Putt

On Saturday 4 July, 72 Forbes and visiting golfers found the course conditions difficult.

However, Jade Page did well to produce the lowest score of the Medal winners.

The A-Grade was won by Jade Page with 70 nett built on the back of a flawless par front-9.

Runner-up was Harry Callaghan with 74 nett where his back-9 let him down.

The B-Grade needed a count back to decide the winner, going to Allan Rees with a 72 nett. His was a steady round with no blow-out holes.

Runner-up on count back was Matt Walton (72 nett) who did very well on the front-9 but struggled to find his rhythm on the back-9.

The C-Grade also needed a count back for the voucher prize with Henry Nash and Brett Slack-Smith finishing on 74 nett.

The ball sweep went to 77 nett. NTPs went to: 9th H Callaghan, 18th D Burton, with only Harry converting for a ‘2’. The Super Pin went to Jack Dobell (78 cm) who missed his ‘2’.

The comp on Saturday 11 July is an Individual Stroke sponsored by the B&M Tooth.

Stableford Medley on Sunday.

By Short Putt

Council Announces 2026 Events Financial Assistance Program Recipients

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council is excited to announce the recipients of Round 1 of the Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) for 2026. The round was popular with seven applicants requesting over $45,000 in support. Council has allocated $39,250 in funding to various community events throughout the shire.

The EFAP is designed to support both new and existing events that contribute positively to the Parkes community while striving for event sustainability. The funding, which includes cash and in-kind support such as facility use and equipment, will enhance various local and regional events.

Alan Flavel and David Lewis of the Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club thanked Parkes Shire Council for the funding for their inaugural long lunch on the 10th of October. “It really means a lot to the club. We were really struggling for a couple of years, but a lot of volunteering and work has gone in to get the club back up to where it was.

We will host the inaugural long lunch with this grant and make it a yearly event and build and build until it becomes well known in the shire.”

The next round of the Events Financial Assistance Program will open for applications in October 2026 for events to be held in the first half of 2027. Details for the next round and application forms can be found on Parkes Shire Council’s website: https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/Councils-Grants-Programs

Snippets…

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Small changes, big impact.

Forbes Shire Council: Plastic Free July is here. What plastic item will you give up or swap this month? Plastic Free July shares resources and ideas to help individuals, workplaces, schools, and communities reduce single-use plastic waste every day at home, work, school, and even at your local café. Learn more about Plastic Free July here and pledge to refuse single-use plastics www.plasticfreejuly.org/

Visit Parkes Region: Unfortunately due to the weather Stargazing with Murriyang has been cancelled. But don’t worry, another night with the stars is taking place on Wednesday 8 July. Join CWAS at ‘Murriyang’ CSIRO’s Parkes Radio Telescope (The Dish) for an unforgettable evening exploring the night sky on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 from 5:30pm – 8pm at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. This free familyfriendly winter event requires no bookings.

Galari River Arts Forbes Inc: Community drumming workshops are back. These workshops will get us ready for the River Arts Festival on Saturday, 8 August. Workshops taking place at the Forbes Music Academy (Riley Street) the cost is free and will be held on Sundays at 2pm, 5 July, 12 July, 26 July and 2 August.

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council has secured $231,885 through the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to progress planning for the Harrowvale urban growth area.

With the potential to accommodate around 2,035 future dwellings. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f7QUgr

CanAssist Forbes Branch: As part of the CanAssist family, our branch is powered by local volunteers, donors and supporters who believe no one should face cancer alone. Together, we can help people in our community access the practical and financial support they need throughout their cancer journey. Every dollar raised stays local – Supporting people in our community when they need it most. Donate to our branch at https://bit.ly/3QgF8I5

Transport for NSW: Need a cheap & reliable way to get around Parkes? Take the Bus! Western Road Liners provide services weekdays, looping back to the Town Bus Shelter on Church St. Western Road Liners delivers dependable town bus services Parkes NSW locals use every day. The service runs from early morning to evening on weekdays. Helping you to get to work, the shops, and appointments with ease.

Travel that’s simple, safe, and reliable.

Be Seen @ Forbes Eisteddfod

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Forbes Eisteddfod was a huge success due to the hard work committee. Congratulations to Parkes Shire Concert Band on first place in the Open Section.

Pictured are competition bands Forbes Town and District Band, Parkes Shire Concert Band and Divermento, from Orange.

Parkes Public school band and Music Director Vicki Warwick. A great day of music friendships and sustaining community music.

Get Your Mullets Ready: Bogan Bingo For Trek4kidz

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Dust off your flannels, tease up your hair, and get ready for a night of pure fun and frivolity. Canowindra is set to play host to an unforgettable Bogan Bingo fundraising night, raising vital funds for Trek4Kidz, with all proceeds directly supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The night promises to be a hilarious, action-packed evening featuring a dedicated air guitar competition, plenty of games, lucky door prizes, and an impressive lineup of major raffles.

Punters can buy raffle tickets at $2 each or 3 for $5 to win incredible prizes, including a first-place hot air balloon flight for two donated by Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley, a high tea for two at Montrose House, and various local vouchers and merch packs.

Attendees are highly encouraged to grab their crew and dress up in their finest bogan attire to really lean into the theme.

Organised by Canowindra local, Michelle Fisher, the event will take place on Saturday 25 July at the Canowindra Services Club Hall, kicking off at 6pm. Tickets are just $20 and are available now from Lawrence’s IGA in Canowindra or at the door on the night.

Students Get Hands On With Healthcare Careers

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Approximately 20 students from Parkes and surrounds immersed themselves in healthcare careers through the Scrub In Work Experience Program.

Rather than shadowing just one clinician and field all week, students received a broad careers taste tester and rotated through 45-minute workshops, facility tours, speed networking and a career pathways panel.

The teenagers tried out allied health, physiotherapy, social work, nursing, medicine, paramedicine and Aboriginal health and education. They learned how to: study realistic 3D printed bullet wounds, take mobility measurements, apply plaster casts, engage with stroke simulations and engage in a VR assessment of escalating patients in a 6-bed ward.

Participating schools included Parkes High School, Tottenham Central, Peak Hill Central and Parkes Christian School.

Declan, from Parkes High School, Year 10 said, “When they offered this program I decided it might help me with future choices and I wanted to try different industries.

The activities we got up to today included nursing, social work, speech pathology and medicine. I originally wanted to do nursing, but after doing things like radiography that really caught my eye and I found an interest in that.”

Mia, also from Parkes High School, Year 10 said, “When I graduate I would like to do nursing in the hospital. I would like to help a lot of sick people because I’ve had sick people in my family and have seen how I can help them. We were drilling into a chicken bone and putting a syringe in to inject into the bone. Then we put an IV in and learned about what some kids have to deal with when they have speech impediments.”

Scrub In is designed to maximise hands on learning, broaden career awareness, clarify pathways into health, and reduce pressure on staff.

Troy Kelly, Senior Project Officer, Regional Industry Education Partnerships said “I think it’s given the students a much broader perspective than if they had gone through a conventional work experience program.”

Learning to cannulate a patient and flush veins.

Learning to intubate and ventilate a patient.

Simulating drilling through tissue and bone to enable medication to be injected

Forum Looks At Men’s, Boys’ And Dads’ Issues

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP and Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP held a Men’s, Boys’ and Dads’ Forum in Dubbo on the weekend to allow a safe space for people to talk about their concerns.

Mr Chaffey said in a speech to Parliament that “It was a real pleasure to have Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys Llew O’Brien in Dubbo for this special event,” he said.

“It is critical to have these conversations.

Men die younger from preventable diseases and have much higher rates of suicide.

They have lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease and lower rates of education.

“I particularly thank Warwick and Kylie Mitchell of Peak Hill in my electorate of Parkes, who lost their 17-year-old son Mack to suicide in 2024. They have found a way to celebrate their son and to raise awareness of mental health through their MACK Label and a ball planned for Parkes in October. You can find out more on their website themacklabel.rocks. “We can only make a positive difference by sharing the concerns and sharing the resources.”

Roxane Manley

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