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.

Local Land Services’ Annual Farm Census Underway

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

NSW landholders are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census.

The Annual Land and Stock Return collects information that helps shape the delivery of essential animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks.

Landholders must lodge their return by 31 August 2025 via the online portal or by completing the paper form received via mail.

LLS’ Executive Director Delivery, Rob Kelly, said the Annual Land and Stock Return helped paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW. “If you need advice or support, please reach out to Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit your nearest office.”

There are more than 170,000 landholders across NSW. Those without stock still need to complete their returns to avoid unnecessary fees. The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to a landholder’s next Local Land Services rates notice if they fail to complete their return.

Landholders can visit nsw.gov.au/alsr or scan the QR code on their Annual Land and Stock Return notice.

Be Seen @ Parkes Public School NAIDOC Celebrations

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Public School held their annual NAIDOC celebrations, with plenty of special guests and helpers to make the day special.

Brad Holmes entertained with his amazing didgeridoo performance, and commenced the assembly with the Welcome to Country.

Thanks go to staff for their support in peparing these performances and working on NAIDOC art to decorate the hall.

Council Wins National Award

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council has been named the Outstanding Rural and Remote Council at the 2025 National Awards for Local Government, in recognition of its innovative approach to fleet optimisation and asset management.

The award, presented at the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly Dinner in Canberra on Thursday 26 June, acknowledges Parkes Shire Council’s “Fleet Optimisation and Innovation – A Smarter Approach to Asset Management” project. This is the first time that this award category has been included in the national program.

Parkes Shire Council was selected from a competitive field of 54 projects submitted for the Outstanding Rural and Remote Council category.

Michael O’Shannessy, Council’s Fleet and Depot Manager, said the award reflects several years of commitment to transforming fleet operations to better serve the organisation and community.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised on a national stage. This project has reshaped how we manage and maintain Council’s fleet – improving safety, efficiency, and transparency,” Mr O’Shannessy said.

“By building our own system in-house, we’ve not only saved costs but also created a smart, scalable solution tailored to our needs and future growth.”

Parkes Shire Council developed its own advanced fleet management system using TechnologyOne, integrating real-time data, predictive maintenance strategies, and GPS telematics.

The system provides full oversight of Council’s $18 million fleet and is designed to ensure cost-effective lifecycle management of all fleet assets, from heavy plant to small equipment.

The innovation has resulted in a shift from reactive to scheduled maintenance, improved asset availability, reduced emissions, and enhanced worker safety.

Quorn Park Hybrid: Project Update

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Construction activities of the Quorn Park Hybrid Farm, on Back Trundle Road, Parkesare progressing, with materials delivered for access tracks and working areas.

Back Trundle Road Council upgrade is complete. Intersection upgrade in progress pending completion in July. Piling works were completed in early June 2025. Vehicle movements are being continuously monitored to minimise impacts to local road users where possible. Light and heavy vehicles will continue along Henry Parkes Way, McGrath Lane, and Back Trundle Road as materials and personnel are transported to site, generally between 7.00am –6.00pm Monday to Friday. Civil works for the project’s substation and for the substation access roads are ongoing.

The Golden Rows – the first solar panel rows installed on-site, which serve as the benchmark for layout, quality, and installation pace – have now been completed. With the completion of this key milestone, the project team was pleased to welcome representatives from the Parkes Shire Council to site in mid-June. The purpose of the visit was to showcase recent progress on site, and outline the next steps.

The mechanical crews are beginning installation of the tracker components, which allow the solar panels to follow the sun’s movement and maximise energy production throughout the day.

Panel installation will commence in coming weeks, once the mechanical assembly of trackers are in progress. Construction hours are Monday to Friday 7am-6pm, and Saturday 7am-1pm. All construction works are undertaken in accordance with the conditions of the Development Approval and relevant legislative requirements. Project updates can be found at: https://potentiaenergy.com.au/project/quorn-park-hybrid/

Backing The Future For Youth In NSW

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) have partnered to deliver Backing the Future. It’s an exciting program that supports innovative ideas benefitting young people.

Applications are now open for grants of $50,000 from individuals to develop innovative ideas that enhance the lives of young people (aged 12-30) in remote, rural, and regional NSW.

The grants are available through the Backing the Future program. In NSW, the program has already supported 28 individuals by investing $1.4 million in their rural youth-focussed projects.

The Youth Futures team will also be holding a webinar at 12pm, Monday 7 July, and FRRR encourages interested applicants to register to learn more. Register at: https://ow.ly/OWSH50W8a6c.

Unlike many other programs, VFFF’s granting structure enables Backing the Future to fund individuals without requiring the backing of an established organisation, eliminating traditional barriers to entry.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, said that the innovative partnership means the Foundation can respond to the needs of young people in each community in an agile way, which has resulted in projects with amazing and ongoing impacts.

VFFF’s Stories of Giving and Receiving podcast features the journeys of past recipients, highlighting their learnings, successes and advice. It’s a valuable resource to changemakers looking to apply for Backing the Future.

The program is now using an Expression of Interest process, with EOIs open Monday 16 June, and due Monday 28 July.

Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a full application from Wednesday 13 August.

Full applications close 5pm on Monday 8 September. To learn more, head to www.frrr.org.au/backing-the-future or call 1800 170 020 and speak to FRRR’s Youth Futures Manager, Lauren Ryan.

Evolution Mining And CSU Introduce “The Heart Of Parkes”

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Brooke Plunkett, Communications and Engagement Specialist Evolution Mining, Dr Kerry Stuart, Head of Campus Central West Clinical School, second year student Josh Brown, third year student John O’Brien, fourth year student Antez Varghese and third year student Joseph Pearce.

The shortage of doctors in regional Australia has been something that has impacted most, if not all of us. Evolution has proudly partnered with Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Rural Medicine to provide a space for a training program with the aim of helping address the shortage.

CSU’s Rural Doctors Program trains and develops medical students who want to remain living and working in regional areas.

Unfortunately, until now, there has not been a facility to run this program in Parkes.

Northparkes will provide the space for this program, which will have 11 Central West medical students based out of the facility from the day it opens.

Local GP Kerrie Stewart said we have a pipeline of some of the best students in Australia, who we know want to stay local.

“They were raised here and have families here. This space is the opportunity we have been waiting for,” she said.

The program will provide more access to medical services through clinician lead clinics with student involvement for things like health checks, childhood vaccinations, and more.

The building will be a shared space and contain the Northparkes Town Office, a purpose-built training facility and the CSU Rural Doctors Program.

Four of the eleven students who are local to Parkes and Forbes have indicated they will stay in the area once they have completed their studies.

Fourth year student Antez Vargese said “I wanted to do medicine straight after high school but I went and did radiography for a year first, and when I found out about this program, it was close to home, my friends, my community, it just made sense.

The students will each complete five years of medical school and then go on to be an intern and then a resident before deciding what to specialise in.

Around The Fields In Parkes Parkes

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

It was a massive day at Harrison Park for the Parkes district soccer carnival.

Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association Inc.

Teams from Lachlan Amateur Soccer Association Inc, Bathurst District Football Inc, Orange, Dubbo & District Football Association, Mudgee & Lithgow played Round 4 of WYL with ages from U10 to U16 boys and girls. Thanks to Parkes Soccer Committee, all the coaches/managers, referees, parent volunteers, LASA Men’s Parkes teams and supporters for attending. Thanks to Parkes Soccer Canteen, Coffee Cube Company, Mobile Coffee Catering, Rotary Parkes and Dippin’ Dots Icecream Dubbo and Surrounds for their attendance.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club

On a glorious Sunday afternoon 50 bowlers went at it for local bragging rights. Up for grabs? Which side of town has the best bowling talent? In a very tight contest, East 140 defeated West 136 to claim victory. Thank you to everyone who participated and worked behind the scenes to make the day a huge success. Without a doubt, it’ll be back again next year

Parkes Golf Club

After the success of an afternoon 9 hole Ambrose shotgun start, President Pete suggested that it could become a regular event on a Friday afternoon? He requested any feedback.

Parkes Services Squash Courts

Congratulations to Henry Kross on his 2025 Western Academy of Sport Achievements. Henry was named: Future Stars Athlete of the Year & runner-up Overall Western Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year.

Parkes Boars RUFC

We have rounded up fifteen brave volunteers for an ice bucket silent auction fundraiser, running every home game in the club house until 19 July. Here’s how it works: Pick your Boar, place your bid at home games in the club house, highest bid on 19 July gets to do the pouring. Thank you for the support and bring on the buckets. All funds raised will support the women’s team end-of-season development tour to New Zealand.

Flying Pharmacist Takes To The Skies For Royal Fundraiser

June 26, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Fifteen days, more than 3,880 kilometres, nine stops and one aircraft. That’s the journey that a Forbes pharmacist, and two regional farmers, will embark on later this year for the 2025 Outback Air Race to raise vital money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Forbes Flying Pharmacist Jack Buckley will join Cowra’s Brad Shephard, known as the Farmer from Downunder, and Grenfell farmer John Johnson, in the aviation event in August. More than 40 teams will fly across the Australian outback, over two weeks, in support of the RFDS.

“As a healthcare professional I have incredible respect and admiration for the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” Managing partner of Flannery’s Pharmacy in Forbes, Jack Buckley, said.

“The RFDS is such an integral part of healthcare delivery in outback Australia and having lived in Forbes for almost a decade now, I have seen the importance of this service firsthand.

All three pilots helped residents across the region during the NSW flood crisis of November 2022, flying supplies to towns along the Lachlan River. Together the trio is called ‘Flying4Phun’ and they are hoping to raise $100,000 for the RFDS.

“All funds will go towards outfitting RFDS aircraft with essential medical equipment, vital for treating sick children and injured patients across Australia.” Jack said.

The 2025 Outback Air Race will take place from 22 August to 8 September. To donate visit: Team 22 – Flyin4phun in Outback Air Race 2025.

Snippets…

June 26, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Phil Donato MP pictured at one of the affected sites with Parkes Mayor Niel Westcott and Lachlan Shire Mayor John Medcalf.

Parkes Shire Council: While the full details are still to come, we’re hopeful the NSW Budget announcement of $27 million for the repair and restoration of water and sewer infrastructure in the Central West damaged by the 2022 severe weather and flooding may deliver positive outcomes for Parkes Shire. Thank you to Philip Donato MP and everyone who has strongly advocated for flood-impacted communities across our region. We look forward to learning more about what this means for Parkes.

Companions Thru Cancer: Companions Thru Cancer Inc held a soup luncheon on Wed 18th June in the Red Cross Rooms. A big ‘thank you’ to the hard working Committee who catered for the event and the volunteers who helped out on the day. Also special thanks to the business houses, shops and the general community for supporting the luncheon. The raffle was drawn by Sister Kath and won by Wendy Van Der Wel.

Central West Local Land Services: Farmers across the Central West are invited to join a powerful, 3-year journey toward greater profitability, resilience, and performance. Through the Farm Benchmarking Project, you’ll gain exclusive access to confidential, data-backed insights comparing your business performance with likeminded producers in the region. Whether you’re navigating a tough season or planning ahead, this program brings clarity and confidence to the decisions that matter most. The deadline is June 30 on this subsidised opportunity https://bit.ly/4cWt8SX

Central West Police District: Have you heard about the NSW Police Next Of Kin (NOK) Program? The NOK program enables vulnerable people or people living alone to record their emergency contact details with the NSW Police Force. Please consider if this program would benefit you or someone you know. Just complete the NOK Registration form which you can pick up from any police station or download from the NSW police website or via the link: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/572394/next-of-kin-program-application-form.pdf

Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations: The Northparkes Community Investment Program supported the Forbes Men’s Shed to concrete a wide access path for users. Have a project your organisation would like support for? Simply go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDR2TN2

The path extends through the storage shed to the main shed in order to drive a forklift to convey goods.

Be Seen @ Forbes High School Slumber Party

June 26, 2025 By Roxane Manley

As a highlight of Spirit Week, last Thursday night was the ‘Slumber Party’ school disco, dressed in their coziest and warmest pyjamas.

It was a fabulous evening filled with dancing that strengthened friendships and created lasting memories.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible staff who participated, ensuring that the students had an unforgettable experience.

Roxane Manley

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