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.

Targeting Speed In Peak Hill

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council has installed a speed monitor trailer in Caswell Street in Peak Hill to help prompt drivers to watch their speed and keep to the limit.

The speed monitor trailer contains a radar device to check the speed of passing traffic and research shows that they have a large impact in not just reducing the speed at which people travel but also increasing the driver’s awareness of their vehicle’s travel speed.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, assures drivers that the speed checks are a courtesy only and emphasised the importance of the speed monitor trailer in reminding drivers of the posted speed limit and prompting them to adjust their speed if necessary.

“We want motorists to realise that their speeding is part of a much bigger problem.

Every vehicle travelling over the posted speed limit poses a risk to other road users – especially the vulnerable such as child and aged pedestrians.

“Research indicates that reducing speed, even by just a few kilometres, makes a big difference to the outcome of crashes. If hit by a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h a pedestrian has a 15% chance of survival, this increases to 55% if the vehicle is travelling at the slower speed of 50km/h and 80% if the vehicle is travelling at 40km/h.

The speed monitor trailers will be in use for the next month in conjunction with regular Police enforcement.

Snippets…

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Elvis Festival: It takes an amazing team to bring the Parkes Elvis Festival to life, and our volunteers are at the heart of it all. Pictured together are just some of our incredible volunteers hard at work during one of our Festival kick-off meetings earlier this week. Thank you for your time, passion, and commitment.

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Good food. Great music. Familiar faces. New memories. That’s what Trundle Bush Tucker Day is all about. We’re counting down the days until we do it all again on Saturday 5 September. Grab your tickets and join us for a day you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. Get your tickets: https://bit.ly/4gH9myI

R U OK?: Starting the conversation can feel daunting, but research has found that nine in ten people reported feeling cared for, supported and grateful that someone took the time to check in.

Regional Arts NSW: Applications for Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants are open for the 26/27 financial year. Designed to assist with urgent needs that may arise unexpectedly. Individuals can apply for up to $3000 and organisations up to $5000. See regionalartsnsw.com.au/quickresponse-grants for information.

National Tree Day Parkes: Join us on Sunday, 26 July, from 10am–12pm at Akuna Road, near the Parkes Wastewater Treatment Plant, and be part of Australia’s biggest community tree planting event. Register by searching for the Parkes planting site on the National Tree Day website. Don’t forget your hat, gloves and water bottle.

1800RESPECT: Healthy relationships are built on respect, fairness, and consent, not power and coercion. Visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

The NSW Women of the Year: The NSW Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate women and girls who inspire us with their actions whether they are groundbreaking thinkers, everyday heroes, social reformers or innovative role models. Nominate now: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/awards-and-events/nsw-women-of-year-awards

Philip Donato: Phil Donato MP recently visited the ladies of the local Royal Far West Op Shop. The shop is staffed completely by volunteers – including Molly Neilson who is 94 years young. Molly has been volunteering with Royal Far West for over 60 years, and she will be acknowledged for her amazing contribution in the NSW Parliament later this year.

AusAlert To Be Tested Across Australia

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

It will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, the system needs to be tested.

On Monday 27 July, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert.

The test times across Australian time zones are:

• 2:00pm AEST (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS)

• 1:30pm ACST (SA, NT, Broken Hill NSW)

• 12:00pm AWST (WA)

The message will vibrate and include a loud, siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds.

If this could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, please turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time in your location, and leave them off for at least one hour.

As this is just a test, you don’t need to do anything, but in an actual disaster you should follow the alert instructions to keep yourself and others safe.

To learn what an AusAlert sounds like, visit ausalert.gov.au

Let’s Hear More From The Band

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Have you ever thought about joining the Parkes Shire Concert Band? Did you know that playing community music leads to plenty of opportunities to play with others? Members of the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) recently played in the fantastic Sister Act musical with the Parkes M&D Society, and they look forward to the opportunity to play in more shows.

Next up for the band members is the Combined Riverina Bands Regional workshops and concerts. Also coming up on the calendar, the Griffith District Band will host the Kapooka Army Band workshop and concert on 22 August. The West Wyalong band will host Conductors from the Riverina Conservatorium workshop on 12 September and the Leeton Outback Band Spectacular will be on 7 – 8 November.

The PSCB will be performing at the Parkes Homegrown markets and workshops on 12 September. They will also be performing alongside other musical acts at a new community event, Connect the Dots on 26 September in a wonderful show of community connection.

This Sunday 26 July PSCB legend band muso Doug Richards and others will play a few numbers at EJs. Come along for an afternoon of amazing local talent at the Open Mic, 2pm at the Coachman Hotel.

If you used to play an instrument or wish to learn an instrument, there are many opportunities to be involved with others and play live music. Whether it be brass, strings, percussion, woodwind or even the sax, Parkes Shire Concert Band can teach and hire out instruments.

Head along to rehearsals and join in, every Tuesday during school term above Pool Complex 7-9pm. Parkes Shire Concert Band is keeping community music playing.

For more information you can contact PSCB via Facebook or PSCB Musical Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.

Be Seen Boys To The Bush

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

New School Safety Education Campaign Being Rolled Out For Term 3

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Child safety will be in the spotlight this term with a new road safety campaign being rolled out across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils that aims to educate parents and care givers about the rules and how to correctly use the ‘No Parking’ (drop off/pick up) zones at local schools.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said, “Drivers will notice the installation of the corflute pole wraps at each ‘No Parking’ (drop off/pick up) zone. They are brightly coloured, located at eye level when you are in a vehicle and remind you of the rules that apply.

“A ‘No Parking’ sign means that you can only stop on a length of road or in an area to which the ‘No Parking’ sign applies to drop off or pick up passengers.

“You can’t stay in the zone longer than two minutes and the driver has to be within three metres of the vehicle at all times. The sign will tell you what times the zone is operational,” Ms Suitor said.

Ms Suitor said it is also important to understand the rules for ‘No Stopping’ signs.

A ‘No Stopping’ sign means that the driver of a vehicle must not stop at any time on a length of road or in an area to which the ‘No Stopping’ sign applies – not for a minute, not for a second, not at all.

“‘No Stopping’ signs are installed in areas where clear sight is required for safety reasons, such as on the approach or departure to crossings or at intersections.

“Line of sight around schools is critical to both motorists and pedestrians alike.

When vehicles obstruct that line of sight, tragedies can occur, particularly with small children who are so difficult to see,” Ms Suitor said.

“So, help keep our local kids safe and abide by the parking signs,” Ms Suitor said.

Casey Miles Representing Australia At The World Masters Hockey World Cup

July 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes woman Casey Miles is currently overseas competing in the World Masters Hockey World Cup (WMHWC), which is the premier international tournament for Masters hockey, bringing together teams from countries across the globe. This year’s tournament is being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from 22 July to 1 August 2026 and Casey will be representing Australia in the Women’s 35+ team.

Casey, who has played hockey for 34 years, was selected for the WMHWC following the Australian Masters Championships which were held in Hobart back in October 2025. Players are selected based on their performances at state and national championships.

This is Casey’ second time representing Australia at World Cup level, and she says, “It’s a huge honour and a dream come true. My first World Cup/International Masters Championship was in Capetown South Africa 2024. It was the result of many years of dedication, training and support from my family, friends, team mates and coaches.”

Casey said “it’s every little girl hockey player’s dream to play in the Netherlands. I’m still pinching myself that I get to play the elite, proudly wearing the green and gold. I hope to play the Dutch on their home soil at some point it would truly be an honour.”

Casey’s team will be competing at the Scheidam complex, she said, “We kick off our campaign on 23 July against the USA. Followed by New Zealand, France then Belgium before crossing over based on results. Ultimately looking for a spot in the Gold medal match on 1 August.”

Parkes has a great representation going to this World Cup, along side Casey, Denise Gersbach will be competing for the over 50s, and Maureen Massey will compete in the over over 70s.

For those keen to watch, games will be live streamed through World Masters Hockey website: https://www.worldmastershockey.tv/en/home

“Every Great Adventure Starts With One Step”

July 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

One Step Max recently walked through both Parkes and Forbes on his 700,000km journey – Walk to Save a Life. Max set out on his personal journey during Mental Health Month in October 2025, where he completed his first big walk from Albury to Adelaide.

This year Max has walked from Goondiwindi to Moree, and then on to Inverell, Bingara, Narabri, Gunnedah and Tamworth.

He then skipped to Coonabarabran and walked south again along the Newell.

Max set out to walk 700,000km, which represents each life lost to suicide worldwide each year. “For a long time I had thoughts of not being here anymore. I think in life if we take one step forward, it doesn’t matter how many steps we take backwards, as long as we keep moving forward every now and again,” said Max.

Max first arrived in Parkes, staying for about a week at various places, where accommodation was kindly offered by locals.

He even got a haircut whilst in Parkes, and had dinner with the ladies from the Visitor Information Centre on his last evening before embarking on his journey to Forbes.

Arriving in Forbes after enjoying a brief homestay and camping along the way, Max took the time to meet lots of locals and visit as many places as he could, saying “Forbes is a beautiful town, full of people doing amazing things for the community.” You can follow along with Max’s journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Onestep-Max/61576680990763

Snippets…

July 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council

Four community projects have been awarded funding to celebrate culture, creativity and heritage across the Parkes Shire. Successful projects include:

• Voices of Wisdom: Peak Hill Elders Project – celebrating the stories of Aboriginal Elders through a photographic exhibition

• ICONIC 75: Marking the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society’s incredible milestone anniversaries

• Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day: A community celebration recognising 50 years of NAIDOC

• Flower Arranging Workshop: Inspiring new skills and participation in the Parkes Show’s Floral Art section.

Visit Parkes Region

Fresh air, fitness and fun! Head to Kelly Reserve or Lions Park in Parkes and make the most of the outdoor exercise equipment.

Free to use, open every day and suitable for all fitness levels.

For more info and other outdoor equipment locations in the region visit: bit.ly/4arHkTa

MS Readathon

Over 37,000 families in Australia are impacted by MS. By joining this free reading challenge, you can build better reading habits with your child, while raising funds to support families. Plus, you recieve a free welcome pack when you register MS Readathon 2026.

Red Nose Australia

Walk or run 3km a day and help save little lives. Every day in Australia, nine babies and young children die suddenly and unexpectedly. By taking on the Red Set Go challenge, you’re helping fund vital research. Sign up Red Nose Day: Get silly for a serious cause!

National Tree Day Forbes

Roll up your sleeves and make a lasting contribution to the local environment by taking part in a National Tree Day Community Planting Day at Forbes Cemetery on Saturday 25 July from 10am to 12pm. A free BBQ lunch will be provided for volunteers following the planting activities. Register to volunteer https://nationaltreeday.org.au/site/10031869

Little Kindy Forbes

The children in Banksia celebrated NAIDOC Week by exploring Indigenous symbols and recreated them through a sensory sand drawing experience, learning how symbols can be used to share stories and represent places. They discussed the significance of traditional face painting and how it is used during cultural ceremonies before participating in their own respectful face painting experience. Children also created braided bracelets using red, black and yellow yarn, strengthening their fine motor skills while recognising the colours of the Aboriginal Flag.

Companions Thru Cancer Luncheon

July 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Roxane Manley

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