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.

Quorn Park Hybrid Project Update

June 12, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Construction activities of the Quorn Park Hybrid Farm, on Back Trundle Road, ParkesNSW are progressing onsite, with materials delivered for access tracks and working areas. Road upgrades to Henry Parkes Way and McGrath Lane, including an upgrade to the intersection, have commenced.

Piling works are also progressing on site and are expected to be completed in the upcoming weeks. These works involve steel posts being driven into the ground by a specialised piling machine, forming the framework for panel installation. Due to the hammer-like nature of the piling machines, there will be some noise associated with these works.

The ‘golden rows’ – the first solar panel rows installed on-site, which serve as the benchmark for layout, quality, and installation pace – have been completed. With this key project milestone achieved, the mechanical crews are preparing to begin installation of the tracker components, which allow the solar panels to follow the sun’s movement and maximise energy production.

Panel installation will commence in the upcoming weeks, once the mechanical assembly of trackers is in progress.

Construction hours are Monday to Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday 7:00am to1:00pm.

Parkes Sports Shorts

June 12, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Services Squash Courts

The 2025 Summer Volley Squash Competition is a wrap. Thank you to all the teams on a great Summer Comp and congratulations to our winners and runners-up. A Grade – Golden Boy def. Squally Voshers. B Grade – Squash Potatoes def. Hogsbreath. C Grade – Lucky 13 def. The Rookies. The 2025 Winter Comp kicked off this week on Thursday

Parkes Dance Co

The countdown is on, our mid year showcase is almost here and everyone is ready to hit the stage on Sunday 22 June. Tickets are live, secure your seats at https://midyear2025.parkesdanceco.com.au

Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association Inc

Congratulations to three of our Parkes soccer boys, Hayden Lamond, Rylee Quigg and Caleb Rixen who represented Western NSW in the CHSS competition at Blacktown. After 6 games, they have won 3 against Riverine, South West Sydney and North Coast.

Parkes Boars RUFC

Ladies day! Dust off your denim, sparkle up those diamonds and celebrate the wonderful women within our club! Fast footy, flowing drinks, canapés and live music! What more could you want? Tickets available via www.123tix.com.au

Parkes Hockey Incorporated

Our PHI Men’s and Women’s Opens teams wrapped up a great weekend at the State Championships! It was a weekend full of top notch hockey with our men finishing in 7th and our women finishing in 6th. Well done to all teams who competed

Parkes & District Darts

Parkes Darts Doubles Championship Results 4/6/26. Winners Dave Rogan and Joe van Opynen, Runners Up Danielle Thompson and Orin McDermott. High scores, Joe van Opynen 8×100,121,140, Orin McDermott 7×100,2×140, Dave Rogan 3×100,2×125, Danielle Thompson 100,120, Steve Clegg 100,113, Darrell Bailey 2×100, Phil Barnard 100.

Parkes Panthers AFL

With the Panthers having a well deserved break last weekend with the general bye we take this opportunity to thank all team sponsors for their continued support. The Railway Hotel, Parkes Protector Pty. Ltd., Blatch’s, PCYC Parkes, MCA Engineering Pty Ltd, Duncan Stockcrates, Power Tools Plus, SportsPower Parkes, White’s Electrical, Trimech Pty Ltd, Royal Hotel Manildra.

Opens And 15s Teams 2025 Senior State Titles Campaign

June 12, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The PDNA Opens team who played three days of playing high level netball against teams from all around the state. The Opens team managed to finish 3rd on the ladder. Just one win away from being runners-up.

The15s team finished 6th out of 10 teams, they had to play each team twice. This means they played a total of 18 games and managed to climb the ladder from second last place after day one, to 6th place at the end of day three, which is an amazing effort!

Double Demerits For June Long Weekend

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is Sergeant Mitchell Gage who wants to send a clear message to drivers over the long weekend.

Motorists across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas are being reminded to drive safely over the King’s Birthday long weekend as double demerit points come into force.

Double demerits will be in operation from Friday 6 June until Monday 9 June (inclusive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

School zones are in operation on Friday 6 June and additional penalties can apply for certain offences committed in school zones.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage has indicated that Police will also be targeting the “four Ds” of road users including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.

“Around 95% of crashes in NSW are the result of behaviour – like driving too fast for the conditions, falling asleep behind the wheel or being impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.

“Too often we see the tragic aftermath of drivers making poor decisions. We want everyone to make it to and from their destinations safely this long weekend.

“There will be more Police on the road which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing” Sergeant Gage said.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that drivers should make sure that they are fit to drive before getting behind the wheel, and that they are focused on the driving task whilst on the road and that their vehicle is in good working condition.

Snippets…

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Students enjoyed a full term of the Nginhgau Students Art Workshop.

Forbes High School: Nginhgau Students are very appreciative of the Art Workshop delivered to them by Kiesha-Lee Bowden, Local Wiradjuri artist and former student of Forbes High. Throughout the workshop, students learnt about Traditional Aboriginal art and how to create stories through art. This engaging workshop spanned the term.

Parkes Picnic Races: Enjoy a day full of fun, flair and fantastic country racing! Saturday 7 June, 11.30am at Parkes Racecourse. Tickets cost $20 online (+ booking fee) at https://bit.ly/parkespicnicraces or $25 at the gate. Free entry for kids under 16. Thanks to all of the fantastic sponsors for their support.

The Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival Of Arts: Get ready to line the streets of Grenfell, for the Henry Lawson Festival: 5– 9 June. Featuring art and writing competitions, food stalls, market stalls, live music, events, street parade and a street party. All in honour of Henry Lawson and to promote and recognise his works. For more details go to: henrylawsonfestival.com.au

PCYC Parkes: Book a Safer Drivers Course on 28 June to get 20 hours off your log book and be a step closer to your P plates. In just 5 hours you can get 20 hours

off your log book. Fully funded places are available for the Parkes course by emailing the club at parkes@pcycnsw.org.au for a voucher number to access this offer.

Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW: We’ve released $250,000 from our Disaster Relief Fund for drought relief for primary producers in NSW or the ACT in drought or drought affected areas. Drought in South West and Western regions of NSW is leaving many farmers facing a long and difficult winter. CWA of NSW will help with household expenses up to $3,000 for eligible applicants. Find out more or apply at: https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/droughtaid

Beanies At The Corner: Craft Corner in Parkes extend a massive thank you to all the fantastic participants in their “Beanies at the Corner” competition. The incredible entries are on display at Craft Corner, showcasing the vibrant creativity of our community. Congratulations to the winners, Kids: 1st Maralyn Wise, 2nd Sharyn Preisig, 3rd Sarah Hankinson. Classic: 1st Liz Mulligan, 2nd Mary Ewin, 3rd Sue Ridley. Quirky: 1st Sharyn Preisig, 2nd Melissa McIntyre, 3rd Keira Bartrop. Rainbow: 1st Melissa McIntyre, 2nd Keira Bartrop, 3rd Elizabeth Kay. Encouragement: Sarah Hankinson.

Visit Craft Corner and find a handmade treasure at 237 Clarinda St, Parkes.

Be Seen @ Parkes East Public School Annual Fete

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

On Saturday 31 May Parkes East Public School held their much anticipated annual fete.

Thanks to everyone who came along and had a great time supporting the school.

Shout out to the P&C, all the families and local businesses for their amazing support.

Registration Open For Heavy Vehicle Breakfast

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Registrations are open for this year’s Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum, which will be held at the Forbes Inn on Thursday 12 June. Local farmers, contract harvesters, couriers, truck drivers and transport company operators are invited to attend.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, who is organising the forum said this year’s event will focus on higher productivity vehicles, safety, compliance and industry case studies and there will be a high productivity vehicle on display.

“Since its inception in 2012, the breakfast forum has brought together the local freight industry to discuss issues affecting them.

“Come along to listen, learn and ask questions of industry experts from NHVR, Transport for NSW, Parkes Shire Council, NSW Police, Essential Energy, Midland and Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds” Ms Suitor said.

You can register online with this link: https://forms.office.com/r/pkPN1Vt4Ji via the Councils’ Facebook pages or call Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

The forum will kick off at 6.30am with breakfast. The official program starts at 7am. The event will finish at 11.30am. The forum is free, but registration is required for catering purposes.

If you are unable to make it on the day, the event is being recorded and the link to the video will be available to view on the Councils’ Facebook pages and in follow-up media articles or contact Ms Suitor on 0428 400 627 or via Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au to register your interest in receiving the link.

Help Combat Invasive African Boxthorn

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) is one of the most invasive and damaging weeds threatening the region’s environment, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Parkes Shire Council is calling on residents to be vigilant in identifying and reporting African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), one of the most invasive and damaging weeds threatening the region’s environment, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Native to southern Africa and introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s, African boxthorn has become a widespread and destructive pest species. It forms dense, thorny thickets that can reach up to five metres in height, hindering access for both livestock and people, outcompeting native plants, degrading bushland, and providing shelter for invasive animals such as rabbits and foxes.

Michael Chambers, Environment and Sustainability Manager at Parkes Shire Council said “This plant is extremely versatile and thrives in a wide range of climates and ecosystems.”

“African boxthorn is one of the worst weeds in Australia due to its invasiveness and the serious economic and environmental impacts it causes.”

African boxthorn is a listed Weed of National Significance (WONS) and is considered a Priority Weed in New South Wales. It reduces agricultural productivity, is toxic to humans and animals, and spreads rapidly through birds, water, vehicles, and dumped garden waste.

The plant is easily identified by its pale lilac to white tubular flowers with purple blotches, bright green teardrop-shaped leaves, and small orange to red berries about one centimetre in diameter.

“We’re here to support the community in managing this weed, but lasting success depends on all of us working together,” Mr Chambers added.

Residents are urged to report any sightings of African boxthorn, especially along roadsides, creek lines, and public reserves.

For assistance with weed identification, contact Council’s Biosecurity Team on 02 6861 2343. For information, visit https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Services/Biosecurity.

Reducing Road Trauma In Parkes Shire

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

With a national focus on road safety this month, researchers from The George Institute for Global Health are asking locals to share their thoughts on driving in an anonymous online survey.

The survey is part of a larger road safety project known as Community Action for Safe Speeds (CASS). Taking place across New South Wales, the CASS study will help researchers understand attitudes toward safe speeds on our roads, with the aim of finding innovative ways to reduce speeding-related road trauma.

Road trauma can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on everyone involved. In 2023 alone, there were 33 casualties from 44 crashes on Parkes Shire roads, with speeding listed as a contributing factor in 25% of these crashes.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said speeding is the highest contributor to injury crashes in our region and the most complex road safety issue in our community and many others.

“We’re committed to improving road safety in our region and working with global researchers on the topic of speeding, to help us shape ideas for making our local roads safer for everyone,” Ms Suitor said.

To participate, you must be aged 18 years or older, be willing to complete two surveys 6 months apart, live or work in the Parkes Local Government Area, and be able to complete the survey in English.

Upon completing both the initial and 6-month follow up surveys, participants will enter a draw to win one of four $250 e-gift vouchers. The survey can be accessed via https://bit.ly/3SHAwbl

Be Seen @ Forbes High School Horticulture Program

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

It was a brilliant start to the YES Horticulture Program with Ms Matthews from Orange TAFE.

Students gained valuable insights into seed germination, seasonal planting, and the intricacies of growing from seeds.

Students potted snow peas, sweet peas, broad beans, and native grasses. There are four weeks remaining of this great program.

Roxane Manley

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