Roxane Manley

The Parkes QUE Club Inc is calling for stallholders to take part in this year’s Open Gardens and Market Day, which is set for Sunday, 11 October. The event is a highlight on the local calendar, bringing together garden lovers, makers, families, and visitors for a day filled with colour, creativity, and community spirit.

A selection of beautiful gardens in Parkes will be open to the public, offering a chance to explore unique outdoor spaces while supporting the Parkes QUE Club Inc and its ongoing community service projects. A vibrant market atmosphere will accompany the garden tours, with stalls dotted throughout the Parkes Racecourse.

Organisers are seeking a wide variety of stallholders, including: plant growers, seedlings, succulents, and garden-related products handmade crafts, art, jewellery, and artisan good local produce, preserves, honey, olive oil, etc

Community groups and hobby clubs stallholders will have the opportunity to meet new customers, showcase their work, and contribute to a cherished local event that directly supports the charitable efforts of the Parkes QUE Club Inc.

A club spokesperson said, “The day is a wonderful celebration of generosity and community pride — and our stallholders help make it truly special.” Stalls will operate throughout the day on Sunday, 11 October, with modest stallholder fees contributing to the club’s fundraising goals.

Interested stallholders are encouraged to book early. For enquiries or registrations, contact Donna 0427 622 907, or Denise 0481 991 882, or the Club’s email address parkesqueclub@gmail.com Regular updates, garden previews, and event information will be shared on the Parkes QUE Club Inc Facebook page, helping stallholders and visitors stay informed as the event approaches.

By Lynn Rogers

Aunty Francis pictured in the centre, at the Day 1 clap stick workshop.

Lifestyle Solutions in Parkes proudly celebrated NAIDOC by hosting a series of engaging cultural workshops after securing a grant from AANSW. The workshops held over four days, brought together children, families, carers, elders and the wider community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Day 1

A clap stick workshop held with the KJ’s Miilu’s Kyah Turnbull and Jake Smith, where participants sanded back and designed their very own clap sticks. The Parkes Rotary Club then treated everyone to a delicious sausage sizzle lunch afterwards.

Day 2

Ngaanha Arts Katlyn Turnbull hosted an incredible canvas art workshop. Every chair was filled, as the participants showed off their artistic talents! Followed by a warm, hearty lunch from the slow cookers, including chicken and vegetable soup, kangaroo curry with rice, and creamy tomato and basil soup. It was great to see a few adventurous people step outside their comfort zones and give the roo curry a try!

Day 3

LSS set up a stall at the Nations of Origin community event held by PCYC, where LSS partnered with Crumb & Frost by Carly. The design your own NAIDOC cookie activity was a huge hit with the kids! It was wonderful to see so many creative designs and smiling faces.

Day 4

Featured a fantastic traditional fishing net weaving workshop with Alisha Lonsdale from Arts Out West. Alisha shared the history of how Aboriginal people traditionally used bark fibres, twisting and weaving them into strong fishing nets, before guiding everyone through creating their very own big community net. It was a hands-on cultural experience that sparked great conversations and appreciation for the knowledge and skills passed down through generations.

Pictured are attendees at a recent Forbes Field Day

Farmers, contract harvesters, truck drivers, transport companies, pilots and agricultural machinery retailers are invited to attend this year’s Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Days in Forbes, Condobolin and Parkes.

The Forbes Field Day will be held on Thursday 23 July at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange with breakfast provided from 7.30am. The official program will run from 8am – 11.30am.

The Condobolin Field Day will be held on Tuesday 4 August at the Condobolin Showground from 3pm – 6.30pm followed by a free BBQ.

The Parkes Field Day will be held on Thursday 3 September at the Parkes Racecourse with breakfast provided from 7.30am. The official program will run from 8am – 11.30am.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that this year’s events will deliver new content and focus on the rules and regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles, combinations and trucks on the road.

“Attendees will hear from experts from NHVR, Transport for NSW and Service NSW about a range of topics.

“There will be a deep dive into dimensions, signage and other travel conditions.

Plus a hands-on machinery display and other interactive activities.

“Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.

“Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up-to-date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period,” Ms Suitor said.

Registration is free but spaces are limited, so get in quick. Register via the Parkes, Forbes or Lachlan Shire Councils’ Facebook pages or: https://bit.ly/FieldDays26

On Wednesday 24 June, Parkes resident Mr Geoff Rice, Board Member Ronald McDonald House Central West NSW and Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Central West NSW were in Parkes for the collection of wonderful knitted puppies created by the Parkes College for Seniors.

The puppies will be available for sale through a silent auction which will be drawn at the Gala Ball on Saturday 29 August 2026. Bids can be placed on all items when the website opens from 14 July – please visit the Gala Ball page at  www.ronaldmcdonaldhousecwnsw.org.auto stay up to date on the auction and the event, and place a bid when the auction opens.

There will be some incredible auction items including exclusive sporting event experiences, artwork, holiday packages and much more.

RMHCW are also excited to announce the major fundraising raffle prize this year is a 2026 Ford Ranger Black Edition V6 3.0L valued at $62,000. You could drive away with Australia’s number one selling vehicle. Tickets are $20 each or purchase 10 tickets for $150.

Grab a ticket and help sick kids by going to Ronald McDonald House Central West and follow the ‘Win a Ranger’ link for a 1 in 10,000 chance to win.

All proceeds stay in the Central West and help support families with sick kids when they need it most. The raffle will be drawn at the Gala Ball on Saturday 29 August 2026 at the Orange Function Centre. Entry is open to NSW residents aged 18 and over. Ticket sales will close at 8pm on 29 August 2026.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Central West and buy a ticket in the raffle visit their website at www.ronaldmcdonaldhousecwnsw.org.au/

Members at the Parkes Red Cross AGM.

The Parkes Red Cross opens on the first Friday of each month for teas and refreshments. Delicious sandwiches, home made cakes and slices with tea and coffee are served by volunteer staff .

The enthusiastic team are keen to continue and make Red Cross a valuable and effective community support.

The tea rooms, open since 1924, are a continuing social hub for all the community.

The rooms are available for event hire with several community groups booking their meeting and catering events.

The hall has a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for many clubs to cater, gather and enjoy. Attracting new volunteers recently has boosted the capacity of the Parkes Red Cross Rooms.

The popular Elvis Festival saw the rooms open for display entertainment and hydration. This was enthusiastically embraced by the avid Elvis visitors. The Rooms were a safe haven in the cool for rest and relaxation from the heat.

AGM of the Parkes Red Cross was held this week.

Our Zone Rep, Sue Sharp, of Cowra, conducted the election and all executive positions remained constant.

Parkes Branch Australian Red Cross members Val Glasheen volunteer, Marg Ward Vice President, Alison Dixon President, Hannah Dixon Secretary, Julie Westley Treasurer, Ellen Tom Publicity Officer and Norma Oliver Patron.

The AGM meeting ended with enthusiastic thanks and praise from Sue Sharp, who is the Zone Rep, and the President gave a special thanks to all who so kindly contributed to the group’s success, with time, cooking and serving.

The Parkes Red Cross Tea Rooms are located at 29-31 Church Street, Parkes. The Red Cross are always there for people in need: www.redcross.org.au.