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.

Paint Parkes ReAD Annual Reading Day Presents ‘Book An Adventure’

August 21, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Will you spot the ever popular Reading Bug at the Parkes Community Reading Day?

Parkes Community Reading Day is on Friday, 22 August. Aligned with Book Week, the theme is “Book An Adventure”. This year we are varying our usual format. Instead of the activity stations along Clarinda Street, the stations will be part of the Cooke Park celebrations. So come on down to Cooke Parkes from 9.30am-12pm.

Being a community reading day event we are still encouraging shops to show their support by decorating Parkes CBD.

One of the highlights of the day will be a play, “The Adventure of finding Reading Bug” and heading a star-studded cast will be two of the greatest explorers, Sir William Schweitzer Jayet and Dr Neil Livingstone Westcott.

Paint The Town REaD’s primary aim is to spread the vital message of growing a baby’s brain right from birth, so every baby is better prepared to start learning to read in kindergarten. It is a fact that poor literacy is highly likely to cause low self-esteem which in turn is highly likely to cause anti-social behaviour. Teachers are not a baby’s first educator, parents are. Parents, please start on day one to: read, sing, talk and rhyme to your baby all the time.

Reading day is a fun way to celebrate early literacy encouraging people to read with children from birth, so they are ready to start school.

Anyone can come down to Cooke Park today and join in with the shows and activities.

Schools and daycare centres have been invited to attend.

“The Adventure of finding Reading Bug” play will be a highlight on the pavilion, showcasing local talent, book reading, craft, dancing, nursery rhyme activities and more.

Nominate A Local Legend For Community Sports Dad Of The Year 2025

August 21, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Showcasing Innovation And Sustainability In Central West Agriculture

August 21, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Through the Adapt 2 project, Central West Local Land Services is gearing up for a season of hands-on learning and collaboration with a series of spring events designed to engage local farmers and showcase practical strategies for sustainable agriculture.

On 3 September, the Parkes Grazing Forum will bring together producers, researchers and industry experts to explore innovative grazing strategies and share insights on improving pasture management and livestock productivity.

In October, a series of field days will provide hands-on learning at dual-purpose cropping trial sites, showcasing how integrated cropping systems can boost both profitability and sustainability. Walks of the National Variety Trials will showcase new varieties, discussing traits and potential fits for farming systems across the Central West.

“Through our Adapt 2 project, we’re building strong peer networks and providing practical skills that help producers adopt low-emission practices, improve efficiency, and participate in carbon and natural capital conservation,” said Pip Doolan, Senior Land Services Officer.

Farmers can register for the Parkes Grazing Forum via nsw.gov.au/lls-events.

To learn more about the spring field days or the Adapt 2 project, contact Central West ag team on 1300 795 299.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show Is Celebrating Its 33rd Year

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Entries are now in for the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show and judging is ready to commence on Monday 25th August.The 33rd show has received 488 entries from 90 wineries and Mark Richardson, a Senior Winemaker from Tyrrell’s Wines in the Hunter Valley, is returning as chair of judges.

NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show President, Mark Watts said the judges and the committee are looking forward to another successful event.

“While numbers are slightly down this year, we have a high calibre of wines from across NSW and ACT that have been entered into the show this year,” Mark said.

“We also have several entries from new wineries and others who haven’t entered for a number of years.”

Tickets are $30 for the Public Tasting on Friday 29th August at the Forbes Town Hall.

All wines entered in the show will be available for patrons to taste and finger food will be provided.

The next event is the Gourmet Wine Dinner, which will be held at Club Forbes on Saturday 20th September. The dinner will be held from 7pm with a four-course meal featuring trophy winning wines to complement the meal. Tickets for this event are $130 per person.

If you purchase your tickets to both events in the same transaction, you will receive a $10 discount, making attending both events $150 per person. Tickets are available for purchase now at NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show Tickets – 123 Tix.

Snippets…

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Georgie’s Pantry volunteers, Shirley and Gary.

Georgie’s Hub – Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill: Huge thanks and blessings to the anonymous provider of goods for the Pantry. It is because of exceptionally generous donations that we keep going. Georgies Pantry is located at 275 Clarinda St, Parkes.

Resilient Homes Expo – Eugowra: The NSW Reconstruction Authority is hosting a Resilient Homes Expo in Eugowra on Wednesday 3 September, 4pm-7pm. The Expo is for Resilient Homes Program homeowners and community members who want to make their homes more flood resilient. Homeowners and business representatives can visit information stands and speak with representatives from councils, RA, SafeWork NSW, Building Commission NSW, and various industry associations and businesses interested in resilient building services. Register online for this free event at https://comms.reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

National BBQ Championships Forbes: The 2025 National BBQ Championships Forbes isn’t just about smoky meats and sizzling grills – they are also putting on a vibrant market area, and are on the lookout for stallholders! If you sell handmade goods, arts, crafts, sweet treats, clothing, local produce, or anything fun and fabulous – this is your chance to be part of a bustling event that drew over 1,500 spectators last year… and growing. Submit your Expression of Interest now: https://shorturl.at/C01lc

Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day: Nominations are being taken for the 2025 Parkes NAIDOC Awards, which will be presented at the Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day on 20 September at Bushman’s Hill. The day kicks off at 10am, with awards being presented during the morning. Nominate at: https://form.jotform.com/252171270354046 Paper copies will be available from the Parkes Shire Library. Nominations close Friday, 29 August at 5pm.

NSW Local Woman of the Year Awards 2026: We all have that one friend who spends her free time volunteering, leading with kindness or uplifting her community. Now’s the time to celebrate her. Nominations close 9 September! Nominate someone special and make their day bit.ly/WOTYA26

R U OK? We can show people we care and we’re there through more than words. If you know someone is going through a difficult time, practical help and kind gestures can be comforting.

Contact a crisis service: www.ruok.org.au/findhelp

Be Seen @ CWCU Forbes Monthly Sports Achievers

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Taylah Duggan – Motorbike Racing.

Ruby Coote – Rugby 7s and Rugby League.

Jedd Smith – Swimming.

Forbes And Parkes Recycle Over 284 Tonnes Through Return And Earn

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

New South Wales’ love affair with Return and Earn recycling has reached a new high, with the 14th billion container officially returned.

The positive environmental impact of returning 14 billion bottles and cans for recycling instead of making new containers with virgin materials includes: Water savings equivalent to 32,840 Olympic swimming pools, energy savings equivalent to powering 191,100 homes for an entire year, carbon emission savings equivalent to taking 1,017,400 cars off the road annually. This impressive milestone means over $1.4 billion in container refunds has gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living” said James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.

Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change, said over $82 million has been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees, supporting their important work from providing food and shelter to environmental conservation.

The 14 billion milestone coincides with Return and Earn releasing the latest Local Government Volume Report, which shows the enthusiastic community participation in container returns by council area in the last six months. For information visit returnandearn.org.au.

NSW Nationals Secure Incinerator Inquiry

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals MP Scott Barrett pictured speaking passionately at the Energy From Waste information night hosted by the Parkes Clean Future Alliance on 26 July.

The NSW Nationals has secured a Parliamentary inquiry into waste to energy incinerators, following concerns almost a million tonnes of extra waste could be sent to the regions each year to help deal with an overflow in Sydney.

The motion was moved in the Upper House by NSW Nationals MP Scott Barrett with fellow Nationals MP Nichole Overall appointed as Chair of the Select Committee.

The inquiry, which originally intended to explore current plans for two large energy recovery facilities in Tarago and Parkes, has now also been expanded to cover other potential areas in regional NSW.

Mrs Overall said “This provides the chance for community members to raise the many questions they have” Mrs Overall said.

“The objective is to fully explore the issues and look at options and alternatives to the ever-growing Sydney waste problem that doesn’t leave some areas worse off than others.”

“People have genuine concerns around the plan and they are coming from a place of wanting answers and information they feel they haven’t received.

“I look forward to working with the Inquiry’s Deputy Chair Dr Amanda Cohn on this matter, and the community members in Parkes who initially reached out to me.

The inquiry will look at matters including the risk of potentially toxic emissions, the health implications of the projects and the impact they will have on agriculture.

Mr Barrett is encouraging people to have their say. “I recently took part in an information night hosted by the Parkes Clean Future Alliance and it’s clear the community feels there are too many unanswered questions.”

“The proposed Parkes incinerator would divert 600,000 tonnes of waste from Sydney, so it’s common sense for that community to have their voices heard, which is something that was sorely missing from the consultation phase of this project.

Questacon Is Coming To The Parkes Shire Library And Cultural Centre

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Children, teenagers, families – and the young at heart – can immerse themselves in a world of science when Fascinating Science, a free interactive exhibition from Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, arrives at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre. Running from 1 September to 31 October 2025, the exhibition explores key scientific principles in a fun, hands-on way, with varying levels of complexity to engage all ages.

Parkes Shire Council’s Cultural, Education & Library Services Manager, Kerryn Jones, said the community is in for a treat.

“We are excited that Questacon’s Fascinating Science exhibition is visiting the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre for the first time. It will run for 2 months, giving the community the opportunity to visit numerous times. Children and families, as well as community groups and schools, can interact with fun scientific exhibits from Questacon without travelling too far,” Ms Jones said.

While exploring Fascinating Science, visitors will discover a variety of Scientific topics which they will encounter throughout their life. Fascinating Science encourages exploration, excites investigation and provides science-based challenges in an enjoyable environment. There will be 32 experiences to explore amongst 26 exhibits in three zones:

• Puzzlequest Zone – logic and spatial puzzles

• Eyes On and Perception Zone – visual illusions and human perception

• Forces Zone – magnetism, friction, gravity and spinningOpen seven days a week for two months, this is an amazing and unique opportunity for the Parkes Shire and surrounding towns.

Be sure to check out opening and closing times. School and community groups can book in by calling Sharon Degeling, 6861 2309.

Be Seen @ Parkes Little Athletics

August 14, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Little Athletics Club was supported through the Parkes Shire Council Evolution Mining Northparkes Sports Grant. The funding they received helped the organisation upgrade their high jump mats.

The new high jump mats are safer and usable by the older age groups part of Little A’s. How fun do these new high jump mats look?! Even the adults are keen to test them out.

Be sure to get your sports grant applications submitted before they close on 30 September! www.parkes.nsw.

Roxane Manley

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