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.

Our Gal – Ashleigh Smith (Miss Priscilla 2022)

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Ashleigh Smith (Miss Priscilla 2022)

Where were you born? I was born in Parkes.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Giving birth to my son.

What did you enjoy the most about being Miss Priscilla? I enjoyed being amongst the festival and meeting new people, it always is a fun time.

What is your favourite Elvis song? Hound Dog.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Starting my own beauty business back in 2018.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would use it to take my family on a big holiday overseas.

When are you happiest? I’m happiest when I’m at home relaxing with my family.

30th Anniversary Of Parkes Elvis Festival

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Dean Z will undoubtedly delight crows at the years Feature Concert Series.

Celebrating 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’, Parkes Elvis Festival has a bumper anniversary program of Elvis and Blue Hawaii themed events, jam-packed with concerts, parades, markets, competitions, car displays and a whole lotta fun for locals to enjoy.

This year, the Feature Concert Series will see Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists, entertain crowds across each day of the Festival.

Fans will be treated to free concerts on the Cooke Park Main Stage including Brazilian Elvis Tribute Artist Diogo Light headlining on Thursday night. Catch Damian Mullin, Mark Andrew and Diogo on the Friday night; and on Saturday night, Jack Gatto celebrates the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert with a special recreation of the concert.

Ross Wilson will be inducted to the Elvis Wall of Fame on Wednesday at Kelly Reserve and at the new time of 10am. Following that, the Eagle Rock-ing music legend will be joined by Brian Cadd, Normie Rowe and Joe Camilleri in a special 30th anniversary concert.

The Movie & Memorabilia Collection will have displays of photos, costumes, and some treasures from the Parkes Elvis Festival archives. See props from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie along with the Elvis – Direct from Graceland exhibition. It’s open every day from 9-5pm and is free located at 375 Clarinda Street.

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest also returns, with 19 leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out at Parkes Leagues Club in the heats and finals. See a free performance by the winner at 2pm Sunday on the Cooke Park Main Stage.

Fans can enjoy returning favorite events including the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner and Northparkes Mines Street Parade. The Renewal of Vows ceremony has moved to Generosity Church and Elvis Poets’ Breakfast is now at the Services Club.

If you are feeling adventurous Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing, Rock-A-Hula Dragon Boating, Slicin’ Sand Croquet and a new stretch and strengthen class to the ballads of Elvis. Thrill seeking fans of The King can also skydive at Parkes Airport.

Full program details at parkeselvisfestival.com.au

Meet 2023 Wall Of Fame Honouree Ross Wilson

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Ross Wilson will be inducted on the Wall of Fame at Kerry Reserve today, 4th January, at 10am (free event). He will be part of a very special concert with three other Wall of Fame inductees, Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Joe Camilleri, at 1pm at the Leagues Club today (ticketed event).

Ross Wilson is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer best known for one of the great Australian songs of our time, Eagle Rock. In his early years he was front man for Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock and later went on to produce albums by Skyhooks. Ross is this year’s inductee on the Wall of Fame.

How do you feel about being honoured on the Wall of Fame at the Parkes Elvis Festival? The Parkes Elvis Festival is a big deal, known worldwide, so to be honoured and connected with Elvis in that way does mean something to me. I’d like to thank the people responsible for recognising me and my own achievements.

What can fans expect to hear at your concert in Parkes, and will you be jamming with the Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Joe Camilleri? This is a very special get together – Brian, Russell, Joe and me are all about the same vintage. We are good buddies and I love everything about those guys and the incredible list of songs they have written and had hits with. Got a few of my own to add to the mix too. There’ll definitely be some interaction between us and I expect a few laughs as well.

Have you performed with any of them before? Must be our time to flourish – I did a show with Joe and Brian back in November on Cup Eve, and then two weeks later a double bill with Russell on the Rock The Boat cruise. We’re all good rockin’ daddies, unstoppable.

Has Elvis played a role in your musical journey? Elvis is still The Man. No one else looked or sounded like him. The Sun Sessions album is still a touchstone for me. I was a kid in the 50s and a teen in the 60s and Elvis was everywhere. He made great records and I was a fan. I went and saw King Creole at the movies, awesome. So, yeah, definitely an influence.

Do you ever perform Elvis songs? I have recorded a couple of Elvis songs. A live version of Hound Dog but mine is in a minor key (I got that from Junior Wells’ and Buddy Guy’s version) and the lyrics are closer to the original by Big Mama Thornton, much raunchier; Elvis cleaned it up. And there’s Heartbreak Hotel on my acoustic album Tributary – what a great song, such dark lyrics. I bet at Heartbreak Hotel they have Unhappy Hour with really expensive drinks and lots of tissues on hand.

Why do you think Elvis has such an enduring legacy after all these years? He was/is one-of-a-kind and had an extraordinary output of terrific music and the legend of Elvis also has those tragic elements that add pathos to his story. He died so young and, in my opinion, was taken advantage of, and that must have weighed on him very heavily in his later years.

Do you think the Parkes Elvis Festival plays an important role in the music landscape in Australia? I’m about to find out for myself first hand – so I’ll get back to you on that. But I’m pretty sure that those hundreds of Elvii and thousands of fans converging on Parkes can’t be wrong. I’m really looking forward being part of the festival!

How It All Started… Roel Ten Cate Remembers

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Roel Ten Cate wearing his journalist hat at the arrival of the Elvis Express in 2014. (Photo: Keith Turk)

You had a direct input into the start of the festival, but can you tell us how it all came about? The festival actually came about after a party my family held at Gracelands. We had a great time dancing and singing, and Elvis music was a big part of that. After the party, we were having a few drinks of red wine with Bob Steel, who owned Gracelands and was serving us all night. We thought having a party for Elvis would be quite a hit.

After the first festival, did you ever imagine it would grow this big? The first party did work well, but mainly with devoted Elvis fans – not many of them from here, and quite a few travelling from around. The following early years were rough in terms of numbers, and local interest, but it just kept on going. But never in a million years did anyone think for one moment it would get to 30 years with 25,000 visitors, five days of events totalling more than 200, and $15 million injection into the economy.

What are your fondest memories of the past 29 years? Fondest memories are hard to pinpoint because I have enjoyed every festival. Meeting visitors to our town and seeing them having such a great time – and then returning each year with even more in their party. Meeting some of the key men and women in Elvis’s life over the years including his manager and one of his closest friends, Joe Esposito, who organised the Elvis Comeback Special. I also met some of his leading ladies and last year, Elvis’s road manager.

What do you think the festival has meant for our community? The festival has had an enormous influence on Parkes. We were always known as the town with the big dish, but now world-wide, we are also known as the town that hosts Elvis. In recent years, there have been more than 300,000 news reports each year about the festival world-wide. That’s not bad publicity for our great little town. Not to mention the $15 million it generates for our economy each year – and the people who have actually moved here because of the festival.

Is there one memory that really stands out for you? Probably one of the fondest memories was only recently when I helped to judge the Elvis Tribute Artists competition – and Toki Toyokazu from Japan won it – unbelievable!

What do you look forward to at the festival every year? I just love every aspect of the festival but probably more than anything else, the obvious enjoyment everyone is having. You can see people dancing, singing, laughing…they’re just so happy enjoying themselves. Of course, the artists are a big attraction – I have seen every feature artist we have had – not to mention the street parade (and taking part in it as well!), a drinks crawl to every establishment listening to the in-house artists, the arrival of the Elvis Express, the tribute artists competition… the list just doesn’t end!

Anything else you would like to say? It is hard to imagine the reception locals gave the Elvis concept and festival all those 30 years ago. It was cringeworthy, they said, we’re leaving town, this is embarrassing, but now locals thoroughly endorse and support it so much that they are inviting people into their homes just to ensure they have a bed so they can come. The Blue Hawaii theme is the most popular of the lot – and it is the theme for this year so it should be a fantastic festival. I can’t wait.

Bob & Anne’s ‘Burning Love’ For Elvis

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Bob and Anne Steel in 2016. Anne’s favourite Elvis song is Love Me Tender. “I liked it right from the start when I first saw the movie. I was a really big fan from the moment I heard him and thought he was rather wonderful.” Bob likes the Hawaiin Wedding Song. “It is my favourite at the moment. I’ve started playing it on the ukulele.”

The 29th Parkes Elvis Festival is one Bob and Anne Steel would rather forget. Not because the festival’s traditional January time slot was moved to April, but they both had COVID and had to isolate in their home a mere stone’s throw from Cooke Park.

As the founders of the now world-renowned festival, the pandemic was not going to stop them working from home, but by Sunday their tests were negative, and they took their chairs to Cooke Park. “We sat by ourselves enjoying the last two hours of the main stage program,” said Anne, who has been an Elvis fan since she first heard him at 11 years old.

“From the very first Parkes Elvis Festival in 1993 when it went pretty well and people loved it, I wanted it to last this long. I am very happy we have reached the 30-year milestone.”

Bob feels the festival has created many new Elvis fans. “In the beginning many of the guys said they just came along with their wives, but they caught the vibe very quickly.”

Despite some fierce opposition from people in Parkes who did not think it was right to honour a ‘drug addict’ with a festival, an Elvis Revival Incorporated committee was formed after the first event to start organising the next one.

It soon became clear there were many more Elvis fans than they had expected. “We had a story in the paper asking for any Elvis memorabilia and you would not believe what came out of the woodwork from people you would never believe would have any,” said Anne.

And that is how the festival started growing. “Every year people would bring their friends with them, and their friends would bring more friends,” said Bob. “It became known as a family orientated event for all ages with good and wholesome entertainment. You did not have to be an Elvis fan to have a good time.”

Thanks to the lamington drives, and endless raffle tickets sold, the committee started to cover their expenses. Anne clearly remembers the first time they received a $300 grant from Parkes Shire Council to help them with advertising.

Anne also felt very strongly they needed to get more locals on board and the idea of entertainment in the park was born. “We wanted to give something to people who could not afford to go away on holiday to be part of the festival. They could make their vegemite sandwich and bring a bottle of water to the park and have a good time.”

Looking back over 30 years, it is the fun and hard work of the early festivals that bring back lots of memories and smiles for Bob and Anne.

“The second year our theme was Clambake and we turned our staff car park at Gracelands into a beach,” remembers Anne, who was also responsible for the dinner that was part of the program.

“Our Roustabout year in 1999, we were still at Gracelands, and we set up a carnival in the staff car park. Bob built sideshows around the car park, we had a gypsy fortune teller, and the carnival people came with their cotton candy and with clowns.”

Bob remembers taking Wall of Fame honoree Judy Stone, who was big on TV at the time, on her first ever bike ride to Forbes where her grandmother grew up. “It was her birthday on the 1st of January and we gave her a cake. She cried and said she had never had a cake.”

After some years of winning hearts and minds, things really took off in 2007 with the first big stage in Cooke Park. Little did they know that the crowd of about 4,000 that year would multiply six-fold about ten years later, and the big stage would become a permanent stage with a five-day program featuring international tribute artists.

For Anne, who shares a special connection with Elvis as he died on her birthday, seeing how their initiative had exploded into attracting 24,000 plus people could not make them happier.

“It makes us feel extremely good, and we can’t wait for the 30th anniversary,” said the pair.

Bob and Anne Steel at the unveiling of the Elvis statue in Cooke Park by the Elvis Revival Incorporated Committee.

Bob and Anne Steel are still as enthusiastic about the Parkes Elvis Festival as they were 30 years ago.

Mark Andrew Celebrates Success Story

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Catch Mark Andrew at his shows (ticketed) upstairs at the Parkes Services Club backed by the Dave Hart Band on Friday, 6th January at 12:30 pm, and Sunday, 8th January at 4pm. He will also be performing his Legends Showcase in Cooke Park (free events).

Mark Andrew’s versatile talent has been on show at the Parkes Elvis Festival for many years as an Elvis Tribute Artist, but also with his signature show ‘Legends Showcase’ where he performs tributes to Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Austin Powers, Elvis and Buddy Holly.

You have become synonymous with the Parkes Elvis Festival returning year after year. What makes you come back every time? I hold the feature artists record for six times, and now I headline every year as I am respected amongst the fans and the festival.

Why do you think the festival has kept on growing for 30 years? Because Elvis fans love an Elvis festival and Parkes have created one of the best in the world!

What do you like the most about the festival and about performing here? I think if you are an Elvis specialist you have to be involved and it’s the place where everyone comes together from all parts of the Southern Hemisphere and even Japan.

Do you keep in contact with the fans you’ve met at the Parkes Elvis Festival? I have over 30k followers on social media and that’s a great way to keep in touch!

What do you look forward to at the 30th Parkes Elvis Festival? The celebration of the success story. At first the locals hated it but now it sets up the town economically for the whole year!

What can fans look forward to in your shows? I’m an authentic performer actor. I channel the character and go 110%. I’ve studied more than just Elvis and enjoy bringing to life these legends.

Do you have a favourite Elvis song? Too many to choose but American Trilogy has to be one of my faves.

Q&A With Charles Stone And Sam Thompson

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Festival fans will have the opportunity to talk with Charles Stone, tour producer for Elvis throughout the 1970’s and Sam Thompson, Elvis’ personal bodyguard and friend.

Parkes Elvis Festival is incredibly proud to present Charles Stone, tour producer for Elvis throughout the 1970’s and Sam Thompson, Elvis’ personal bodyguard and friend to talk with Festival fans.

Charles Stone had the rare opportunity to be closely associated with both Elvis Presley and his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Charles flew with Elvis and his associates on Elvis’ personal plane, The Lisa Marie, from city to city each time Elvis went on tour. Being in the unique position of traveling with Elvis and managing the personal details of each tour, Charles experienced daily life in Elvis’ world and also developed a close working relationship and close friendship with Colonel Parker and the entire TCB gang. Charles was a special guest at the 2022 Festival, and has been invited back to share his stories to fans.

Sam Thompson was introduced to Elvis Presley in 1972 by his sister, Linda Thompson. An officer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department at the time, Elvis and Sam became fast friends and in July 1973, Elvis purchased a home for Sam near Graceland. Sam provided security for Elvis and travelled with Elvis on the road tours from 1973 until 1976 as Elvis’ friend and companion. In June 1976, Sam went to work full time for Elvis, as his personal bodyguard and tour advance man, providing security for Elvis on all the road tours, including hotel and airport security. Altogether, Sam witnessed, from a very personal perspective, essentially all of the concert and recording performances by Elvis Presley during the last five years of Elvis’ life.

The Festival is fortunate to have Charles and Sam joining in person for a special Q&A where they will share their stories first-hand.

Facilitated by Mark Andrew this will be an event not to miss.

Q&A from 8am – 9am Friday at the Parkes Services Club. Tickets are $10 on parkeselvisfestival.com.au. Breakfast is available from 7.30am.

Plus, appearances at the Movies & Memorabilia Collection from 11am – 12pm Thursday and 11am – 12pm Sunday.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Movies & Memorabilia Collection To Feature Original Movie Props

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The very first street parade in 1993 with Tiffany Steel in front. At the back are Elvis Lennox, John Lovett and Fiona Lovett with Andrew behind the wheel of Bob Steel’s Model A Ford.

Parkes Elvis Festival is proud to launch the Movies & Memorabilia Collection which will have props from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie, and elements from the Elvis – Direct from Graceland exhibition in Bendigo plus history of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Take a nostalgic stroll down the 30-year historical path of the Parkes Elvis Festival. See memorabilia from the early days, photographs, newspaper clippings and some items from the Parkes Elvis Festival archives that have never been on display.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bendigo Art Gallery, Parkes is now home to an impressive recreation of the Graceland Mansion’s portico and giant ELVIS letters that were a part of the jumpsuit display.

You’ll also see the world’s largest hound dog and doghouse, mirrors from the Carnival scenes where Colonel Tom Parker pledged his commitment to supporting Elvis’ fledging career, a recreation of the Graceland ‘Jungle Room’, and posters and paraphernalia from the International Casino’s launch of Elvis’ residency from Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film thanks to Warner Bros.

The Movies & Memorabilia collection is located at 375 Clarinda Street and is open 9am – 5pm daily throughout the Festival and free.

Proudly sponsored by Bogan Gate Pub. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Ride The Wave To Forbes For Elvis Festival

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Sydney Swing Kats will be will be dancing the morning away at The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast.

Find your own patch of ‘Blue Hawaii’ in Forbes this January, as Forbes Shire Council partners up with Parkes as a sponsor of the well-renowned Elvis Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023.

“We have some amazing entertainment lined up for a fun filled weekend of Blue Hawaii inspired events,” Mayor Miller said.

Forbes will host its own little slice of paradise as festival goers are invited to share in a tropical breakfast in Templar Street on Friday, 6 January and an evening Lakeside Luau on Saturday, 7 January.

The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast has become a favourite community celebration for Elvis-goers staying in Forbes during the festival. Start your day the right way – with a good feed, funky entertainment and maybe even a bit of a jive! It all happens in Templar Street, right in the heart of the CBD from 7-10am. Come say Aloha!

Council thanks NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional Communities for grant funding towards the staging of the Amazing Forbes street breakfast.

It’s ‘Almost Always True’ – you ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ with the Lakeside Luau on Saturday night 6-10pm. An indulgent Hawaiian feast on the banks of Lake Forbes with live music that will make you want to shimmy! This year, Amazing Forbes is bringing all the Hawaiian vibes, where you’ll be transported to a tropical oasis and be thoroughly entertained.

The Hawaiian themed feast, catered for by Eat Your Greens, will be held on its own ‘Island of Love’, the lovely foreshores of Lake Forbes and will star entertainment from Georgia Sideris, Dance Like a Diva, Johnny Angel as Pacific Elvis coming over especially from New Zealand for the ‘Lu- Wow’ and the epic Australian Beach Boys Show. Tickets are $90 and are essential, available to purchase through 123Tix.com.au.

“Forbes Shire Council is proud to once again be a travel partner for the Parkes Elvis Festival, providing daily bus services between Forbes and Parkes,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said. Explore the Festival and surrounds by bus with daily service between Parkes and Forbes. Bus tickets are also available via 123Tix and are $10 each or $35 unlimited.

Happy 30th Anniversary Parkes Elvis Festival!

January 4, 2023 By Roxane Manley

FUN, FUN, FUN… Fans at Parkes Elvis Festival from 2013 to 2020. (Photos: Frances Thornton and Keith Turk)

The small seed of celebrating The King’s music was planted 30 years ago in the most unlikely of places and has turned Parkes into a model for how rural regions can re-invent themselves.

On paper it sounds more like torture that people would be willing to wear uncomfortable polyester jumpsuits in serious summer heat of over 40 degrees at times to celebrate an artist who has never visited Australia, let alone Parkes, and who died 45 years ago.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has a uniquely Australian flavour with the focus on fun with Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith taking the lead usually sporting a sky-blue jumpsuit, aviator sunglasses and pompadour wig. It is the sense of playfulness that makes people come back for more every year.

The fun element has even spilled over to the sporting field where a regular fixture, a rugby game featuring teams of Elvis look-alikes all wearing copies of his trademark white jumpsuit, draw a huge crowd every year.

For some the annual event has been life changing as one of the town’s most ardent fans formerly known as Steven Lennox, legally changed his name to Elvis. He had also built up a collection of thousands of pieces of Elvis memorabilia.

After 30 years there are not only tonnes of stories about the feel good festival, but it has also invigorated Parkes as loyal, repeat visitors help to bring a community together for a well-organised, slightly weird but very friendly event to kick-start the year in a fun way.

Roxane Manley

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