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.

Ride For Country Kids

May 14, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The 2026 Royal Far West Ride for Country Kids 400km bike ride will be traversing our region from 17 – 20 May, beginning in Parkes and ending in Forbes. Cheer on those riding to connect country children with the assessments, therapies and support they need.

Each year, cyclists head out on a three-day ride across regional NSW as part of Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids. The annual event raises vital funds and awareness for developmental and mental health services, to help transform the lives of Australia’s country children.

On Sunday 17 May, 64 riders will set off on a 400km ride through NSW’s far west regions.

Day one starts in Parkes and riders will set off from Cooke Park Pavilion, Clarinda Street and all are welcome to come along and cheer the riders on. The ride will head through Manildra and Molong, before returning to Parkes (approx. 150km). Day two again starts in Parkes with riders travelling to Trundle, before heading to Forbes (approx. 130km).Day three starts in Forbes, heading to Eugowra and finishing in Forbes (approx.120km) Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids’ grand finale is being held from 2pm on Tuesday May 20 at Victoria Park, Forbes.

All are welcome to meet the riders after they completed their 400km, three-day ride and donate to support the riders.

Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids aims to raise $500,000 this year to fund vital developmental and mental health services for country children and their families. To find out more about the ride or donate go to: www.rideforcountrykids.com.au/event/rfck

Forbes Croquet Club Celebrate World Croquet Day

May 14, 2026 By Roxane Manley

On Tuesday 12 May Forbes Croquet Club celebrated World Croquet Day. The special celebration cake was cut by valued members of the club who are all 90 years of age and over – Bill Scott, Robin Pols and Mal Smith. It is wonderful that they are still playing croquet. Best wishes to all three for many more healthy and happy years.

Axing Of Inland Rail North Of Parkes

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

On Wednesday Transport Minister Catherine King announced the Inland Rail project would stop at Parkes, seemingly unaware of already-constructed sections to Narromine, and between Narromine and North Star.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says. “This decision is a huge betrayal of regional Australia. It throws away the $3.5 billion already spent on this critical project which is approximately 17% complete.”

Conservative estimates put the pre-construction sunk cost north of Parkes alone at $500 million to $1 billion.

“More than 160km of upgraded track between Narrabri and North Star – which has been completed and operational since 2023 – is now a spur to nowhere, disconnected at both ends and generating no commercial value.

“Now 200,000 truck movements each year are locked onto regional roads, and we are looking at no significant further capacity to grow our country’s productivity. In 2011, Albanese called this project ‘central’ to lifting Australia’s productivity. Now, he is abandoning it and abandoning regional Australia.”

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says “Governments can’t ask rural and regional communities to carry the burden of disruptive construction, then just change direction without accountability.

“If Inland Rail is being ‘refocused’, then fairness for landholders, clarity for affected businesses, and genuine freight capacity upgrades must be the non negotiables.

“Certainty matters, and if the funding is stopping at Parkes then the government must be upfront about what happens next, because real people and real businesses have already paid a price.”

Snippets…

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

A new resource is available to help victims/survivors of abuse.

Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee: NSW Police created an app called Empower You for Victims/Survivors to record important information and access support services. You can download this app with either the Apple store or the google store. More information and download links are also available on the Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee Facebook page. If you are in immediate danger, contact 000 for police and ambulance help.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: Thank you to Phil Worrad from Rural Adversity Mental Health Program for delivering a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at Peak Hill. This course was possible with funding through the Western NSW Local Health District Building Healthy Communities Challenge. Twelve locals are now trained in MHFAl.

Fair Work Ombudsman: All employees in Australia (including casuals) are entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year. Employees who are experiencing family and domestic violence can take this leave to deal with its impacts where it’s not practical to do so outside their work hours. More info available www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave

Together for Dementia: Join the Crunches Challenge this June and help fund vital support for Aussies living with dementia.

Complete 2,500 crunches at your own pace throughout June and make a difference for the 446,500 Australians living with dementia. Sign up for free and start fundraising today. https://fundraising.dementia.org.au/event/crunches-challenge

Western Local Land Services: This season many landholders are rethinking plans, adjusting inputs and weighing up whether to act now or wait, with fuel availability varying and fertiliser supply uncertain. If you’d like to talk through your situation, contact the Local Land Services team on 1300 795 299. There are also tools, information and resources available at www.nsw.gov.au/lls. Challenging times can take a toll, if you or someone you know needs support, visit www.ramhp.com.au for free resources

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Calling all food vendors and market stall holders. If you are wishing to be a stall holder/vendor for 2026 please send an EOI email to bookforbushtucker@outlook.com Please keep in mind the committee is run by volunteers and emails may take time to respond to.

Vendors and stall holders are wanted for the Trundle Bush Tucker Day on Saturday 5 September.

Be Seen @ Trundle Abba Festival 2026

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

In what can only be described as a resounding success, a fantastic crowd travelled from across the Central West and beyond for the Trundle ABBA Festival.

From young families to the young at heart, festivalgoers embraced the spirit of the occasion, stepping out in dazzling disco outfits they wouldn’t dare wear anywhere else.

The Trundle ABBA Festival will return on Saturday, 1 May 2027 – so mark your calendars, start planning your outfits and get ready to do it all again.

Sullivans Mining & Industrial: Supporting Future Tradespeople In Parkes

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Sullivans Mining & Industrial Parkes is proud to support the next generation of local tradespeople through a donation to Parkes High School and its Trade Readiness Program – Introduction to Engineering, currently being delivered through TAFE NSW across May and June.

As part of the initiative, Sullivans Mining & Industrial Parkes has supplied 12 Welding Helmets and 12 Pairs of Welding Gloves.

The equipment will be used by the students participating in the program, helping them develop practical engineering and welding skills in a safe, hands-on learning environment.

Sullivans Mining & Industrial Marketing Manager, Belinda Clenton, said supporting local trade pathways and workforce development is an important investment in the future of regional communities.

“Programs like this give students valuable exposure to practical skills and career opportunities within industry. Having access to the right equipment from day one helps build confidence, safety awareness, and real-world experience,” she said.

Bianca said the branch is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen local communities, encourage skills development, and create opportunities for young people considering careers in trade and industry.

“It’s great to see these students getting involved, building practical skills, and preparing for future opportunities in engineering and trades,” Bianca concluded.

Royal Far West’s Ride For Country Kids

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Royal Far West’s Ride for Country Kids – a three-day ride across regional NSW – is coming to Parkes, starting at 7am on Sunday, 17 May at Cooke Park Pavilion. All are welcome to cheer on the riders.

The Ride will travel through Molong, Manildra, Trundle, and Eugowra, before finishing in Forbes, raising funds to improve the health and wellbeing of children in rural and remote areas. Children with developmental, behavioural, and mental health needs can wait up to six years for diagnoses because care is too far away, too fragmented, or impossible to access. Royal Far West is aiming to bridge that gap.

Michael Gibbons, father of five and a local Parkes resident, has seen first-hand the benefits of Royal Far West’s speech pathology services. His nine-year-old son, Finley, is now flourishing due to his once weekly telehealth speech pathology sessions that were held over two years. Finley has gone on to win two inter-town public speaking competitions.

“Accessing paediatric support was extremely difficult in Parkes. There were long waitlists. And when we did manage to see a paediatrician, it was very sporadic. There was also limited staff to assist us. Royal Far West was introduced to us through our school. We jumped on board when an availability came up for Finley to see a speech pathologist,” Michael Gibbons said.

The support from Royal Far West has had a dramatic positive impact on Finley’s life. “His literacy and reading have taken off. His confidence and social skills have improved, and he now experiences the joy of communicating with other people and being understood – something that we take for granted.” said Michael Gibbons.

Royal Far West is aiming to raise $500,000. They need your help to give these children the best start in life. To support the riders go to: www.rideforcountrykids.com.au

Be Seen @ Forbes Pony Club

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The Charlie O’Connor Jumping event is a showjumping day held by Forbes Pony Club, where riders compete over jumps at different heights based on their skill level.

16 riders competed all spread across different grades. A clean round means no poles and knocked down, a rider takes the correct line of course and doesn’t take too long to complete the course.

It’s one of the club’s main competitive events of the year .

Henry Kross To Compete At The World Junior Championships

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Henry pictured at the Australian Open held in Melbourne in April. Photo Credit: Rogue Gun Photography.

At the recent Australian Open and Oceania Championships Henry Kross, who is the Australian #1 Under 17 boy, played up an age group in the Under 19’s to compete against the older boys and not only put himself in contention for selection but earned a spot to represent Australia for the World Junior Championships. Each country selects four males and four females to compete at the WJC.

At the World Juniors (WJC) players don’t compete in age groups. Henry said, “In squash you are considered a junior until you turn 19, so it is just the best four juniors selected to compete from each country.”

The Championships are being held in Ontario, Canada. “I have created an 11 week schedule that involves training with my dad who is my coach, lots of solo sessions on court and quite a bit of strength and conditioning at Parkes Athletic.

“I will also have a team camp in Sydney, and some time at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. I’m also working with school to make sure I complete everything there before I go,” said Henry.

To fundraise for his trip to Canada Henry will again be collecting cans and bottles. “In 2024 I cashed in 40,000 (cans and bottles) to get to England, and am hoping to help with the costs by doing that again.

“We are hoping to do another lamington drive soon, and also have a sponsor page through the Australian Sports Foundation if anyone wants to donate at https://asf.org.

au/campaigns/henry-kross/henrykrosssquashopportunities.

“I really appreciate all the support I get from the community to chase my dreams,” concluded Henry.

Forbes Pony Club 2026 Charlie O’Connor Showjump Day And Gymkhana

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Winner of the 2026 John Stewart Memorial Barrel Race Abi Bembrick – pictured with Kathy Welsh, Lois Stewart and Forbes Pony Club President Luke White. Photo Credit: Steve Krak’d Lens.

The Forbes Pony Club (FPC) has been running since 1965, with many successful riders starting their riding days at the club, Forbes has always been known as a competitive club that produces quality riders.

Last weekend was a huge weekend for the club. The Charlie O’Connor Showjumping event was held on Saturday 2 May and the FPC Gymkhana was held on 3 May.

The Charlie O’Connor Jumping event is a showjumping day held by Forbes Pony Club, where riders compete over jumps at different heights based on their skill level. It’s one of the club’s main competitive events of the year.

A gymkhana is a fun equestrian event, run by local clubs, with each Club hosting one annual gymkhana in their hometown. Riders of ages 3 – 25 take part in show events such as best rider, skilled based races, barrel races and games for beginners. Riders from clubs all over the central west came to Forbes to represent their club.

The Forbes Pony Club gymkhana features a very special event called the “John Stewart Memorial Barrel Race”. The riders with the five fastest barrel race times on the day compete in the finals for the title. Up for grabs was an embroidered prize rug sponsored by Flemings Property Services. The 2026 winner was reigning champ Abi Bembrick with a time of 19.748 seconds.

It was highly contested with the top three riders coming in just one point second apart, Mercadez Cartwright from Young Pony Club came in second with a time of 19.898 seconds closely followed by Forbes rider Jack White with a time of 20.637. The presentation was supported by John Stewart’s Family, mother Lois Stewart and sister Kathy Welsh.

Caitlin Lewis of the FPC said, “Overall the weekend was a huge success with many thanks to our hard working committee, it takes a huge amount of behind the scenes work to get an event like this running. We are grateful for anyone who gets in and helps out prior to or on the day. We had amazing Canteen ladies Jodi Bilsbrough and Leeanne Lewis who kept us fed all weekend.

“We also had three senior students from Red Bend Catholic College who came to help out, they were put to work helping score events, hand out ribbons and take orders in the canteen, they were an amazing help on the day.

“Our beginners ring was a hit which was evident by the many smiles from our little riders, this was made possible by Jenna Krakouer who organised and ran the beginners ring on the day, Jenna had 15 tiny riders and ponies to entertain, not an easy feat.”

If you want to be part of the FPC, they offer ‘Come Try’ memberships where a rider can attend a rally day with their horse to see if it is the right fit for them. See Forbes Pony Club on Facebook for more information.

Abi Benbrick on Manny. Photo Credit: Steve Krak’d Lens.

Roxane Manley

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