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.

Youth Actor Mock Crash Auditions

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

William Ellis recording his victim impact statement in 2023.

Calling all amateur actors across the region! Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are on the search for youth actors to star in this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging local youth actors to audition to be part of this road safety initiative. The initiative seeing a 27% reduction in crashes involving young drivers since its inception more than 10 years ago.

“We are looking for four new actors to join our team and are holding auditions on Thursday 5 June from 5pm – 8pm at the Parkes SES shed in Clarke Street.

“The auditions will give participants an overview of all aspects of the project. The youth actors will also undergo road crash rescue training to see what it’s going to be like being cut out of a car and removed on a spine board.

“We are hoping to uncover some undiscovered talent who will bring something new. So, if you are interested in getting involved and are over the age of 16, register and come along” Ms Suitor said.

The program offers experience with filming as well as a live performance. Dates are still being set for the live mock crash demonstration, but will likely be August.

Pre-registration for the auditions is essential. Contact Ms Suitor on either 6861 2364 or Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.

au for more information and to book your place.

Snippets…

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Mr Martino, Mr Dwyer, Mykel Coe, Amelia Smith, Aunty Florence Onus, Skye Harris and Barry Merritt at the Red Bend Catholic College Sorry Day assembly.

Red Bend Catholic College: We were fortunate to be joined by Aunty Florence Onus for our Sorry Day assembly. Florence is a Birrigubba, Bidjara and Jagalingu woman from North and Central Queensland and is a survivor of the Stolen Generation. Florence spoke about our shared Australian history and her personal family story, and we thank her for her insight.

Women NSW: Are you ready to return to work? Future Women Jobs Academy is a free, year-long virtual program designed to empower women with the knowledge and connections needed to return to work and thrive. The program begins on 4 August 2025 and concludes in June 2026. This program is free, flexible, and self-paced. Applications close on 21 July 2025. Learn more here: nsw.gov.au/fwja

Lock it or lose it! Central West Police District continues to see a spike in Steal from Motor Vehicle offences in the Forbes township. The majority are from unlocked vehicles, however there have been incidents where the window has been smashed.

Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle overnight. Sensor lights and CCTV are also an excellent deterrent.

CUC Parkes: Did you know that the CUC offers a coffee machine, complete with flavoured syrups, tea, and hot chocolate in the kitchen for students? Every Monday at 10am, we invite students to join us for a Monday Morning Catch-Up at CUC Parkes.

Our Centre Manager, Jacob, and Learning Skills Advisor, Brooke, will be present to engage in friendly, informal conversations.

Companionions Thru Cancer Inc: The Parkes Companions Thru Cancer Group held A Biggest Morning Tea on Wednesday 21 May at the Parkes Red Cross room raising an amazing $843.16. Thanks to all who supported this important event.

Henry Parkes Learning Community: Last term, staff from Parkes High School, Parkes Public School, Parkes East Public School and Middleton Public School, took part in a 10 week exercise challenge. Ninety-nine public school staff members took part and each donated $10 to join. The four schools then recorded their accumulative exercise hours each week to get an overall champion school. Congratulations to Middleton Public School who took out the honours this year. Middleton staff then chose Ronald McDonald House Orange to receive the funds raised.

Mr Geoff Rice, Board member for Ronald McDonald House Orange, accepting the $1,000 raised.

Be Seen @ Parkes Public School

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Last Wednesday at Parkes Public School we celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime at Parkes Public School.

Classes tuned in to hear the book being read by the author, Deborah Frenkel, along with over 2 million people across Australia and New Zealand.

This year marked the 25th Anniversary of NSS and students participated in activities in the library and their classrooms to mark the event.

Protect Yourself Ahead Of The Flu Season

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Vee Vian Higgins is pictured administering a flu vaccination to Teresa Knowles at Parkes Pharmacy. If you want to enquire about a flu vaccination you can contact Parkes Pharmacy (02) 6862 2411 or parkes@lifepharmacygroup.com.au

Influenza cases are rising fast across Australia with many cases already confirmed across the country, a jump of more than 50 per cent from this time last year.

It’s a timely reminder for families and vulnerable members of the community to speak with healthcare providers about vaccination.

The best time to get vaccinated is from now, peak flu season is from June to September, so we want as many people as possible protected and vaccinated against influenza before that peak season hits to take pressure off our doctors and hospitals.

Quite often long weekends and school holidays are a time for family gatherings, you might be seeing the older relatives in your family, or those with babies, and we want to protect those individuals. It takes two weeks to get full protection from the vaccine so now is the opportune time.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all Australians over six months of age with modelling suggesting influenza cases may be higher than reported.

Those who are at more risk of serious illness and hospitalisation have access to free flu vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Little ones under five years, adults who are 65 and over, those people with chronic medical conditions that put them at risk of having more severe disease, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and pregnant women are the ones we really want to protect with vaccinations, so the government has a free vaccine for them to get that protection.

Patients who would like the flu vaccination are encouraged to speak with either their local pharmacist, or GP, to determine which vaccine is suitable and who qualifies for the NIP. For more information on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) you are encouraged to visit: www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine

Funding To Empower Aboriginal Carers In The Central West

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The Minns Labor Government is supporting more Aboriginal carers in rural and remote communities in Western NSW with a $300,000 funding boost Carers Investment Grant Program 2025-27.

The funding for the Regional Enterprise Development Institute’s Yadama Yoorayga project will drive greater awareness of support services available to Aboriginal people who care for family and friends.

Many Aboriginal people in New South Wales provide unpaid care to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age, and account for 3.6 per cent of all carers in New South Wales.

While they experience many of the same challenges as other carers, they say they felt less recognised as carers by service providers. In a 2024 National Carer Survey, 30.4% said they sometimes or never feel services are culturally safe.

The Regional Enterprise Development Institute is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation which has served Western NSW for more than 25 years. This funding will ensure that culturally safe services, which recognise Aboriginal carers’ history and needs are provided. The project includes ongoing education and training to service providers to better equip them to meet the needs of Aboriginal carers in Western NSW.

The Yadama Yoorayga project is one of seven projects funded under the NSW Government’s $3.1 million Carers Investment Grant Program 2025-27 to support carers across the state.

For more information about the grants and recipients, including a Carers NSW program to help Aboriginal Health workers better identify and support Aboriginal carers, you can go to https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/carers/carers-investment-grant-program.html

Be Seen @ Forbes Public

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

On Sorry Day we acknowledged a significant occasion to reflect on the impact of the past and promote healing and reconciliation within our community.

We honoured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through engaging activities centred around Aboriginal literature.

Students also attended Forbes High School and St Laurence’s Parish School for their Sorry Day events.

Restraint Checks Securing Child Safety In Parkes And Forbes

May 29, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor pictured at the recent child restraint checking events in Parkes and Forbes.

The recent free child restraint checking events, a service provided by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, discovered that 79% of the child restraints checked were incorrectly fitted.

The service provided free child restraint inspections in Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin, by local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters. Nineteen child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking – mostly rearward/forward facing converter child restraints or forward facing/booster converter child restraints. There were also two installations.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said these bi-annual events continue to be popular.

“The child restraints that were incorrectly fitted had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child” Ms Suitor said.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. It is important to make sure that your precious cargo is safe and buckled up every time they are in the car – whether it’s a five minute or five-hour journey” Ms Suitor said.

While these safety checks were free biannual events, local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters can install and check child restraints all year-round for a small fee. The local fitters in Parkes are Col Fletcher Ford & Kia and Parkes Tyrepower. The local fitter in Forbes is Jelbart Dawson. The local fitter in Condobolin is Central West Tyre Service.

National child restraint laws have been in effect since 2010. All children must be safely fastened into the correct child restraint for their age and size. Children need to be at least 145cm or taller to use an adult lap sash seatbelt.

Research shows children who are not restrained correctly are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured.

You can visit www.childcarseats.com.au for more information about child restraint rules.

Topsoil Organics Named 2025 Western Nsw Business Of The Year

May 22, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Forbes based business, Topsoil Organics was named Western NSW’s 2025 Business of the Year at a Gala event at Dubbo RSL Club, in front of 210 business leaders.

They also were awarded top honors in the categories of Excellence in Large Business and Excellence in SustainabilityTopsoil Organics is a family-owned business that launched the Central West Nutrient Return Centre in 2021, which diverts 200,000+ tonnes of organic waste from landfills into premium compost for broadacre farming.

Driven by a commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, they are expanding with the Topsoil Organics Regional Regenerative Energy Hub. This innovative facility will feature an anaerobic digester to generate renewable electricity, EV fastcharging stations, and a café and meeting space.

The independent judges praised Topsoil Organics for their business excellence which is grounded in environmental innovation, local economic development, and operational resilience.

“Topsoil Organic’s win showcases the incredible innovation, determination and ingenuity, by transforming waste into energy and regenerative solutions, they are creating lasting environmental, agricultural, and community benefits for a cleaner future” said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, Business NSW.

“This year, we recognised an incredible group of winners from across Western NSW, each business leader and business has showcased innovation and sustainability, with a focus on their teams and their local communities.”

Winners of the 2025 Western NSW Business Awards, will now go on to represent the region at the State Business Awards being held in October.

Snippets…

May 22, 2025 By Roxane Manley

A beautiful blast from the past.

Forbes Shire Council: Members of the Humber Car Club gathered at the Forbes Visitor Information Centre with their vintage treasures gleaming in the car park. Julie Ridley had the crowd captivated with tales of the Lachlan Vintage Village about its rich history and its enduring charm. What a way to celebrate 50 years of memories, heritage, and horsepower!

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council advises that, effective Monday 2 June 2025, all customer enquiries and services relating to planning matters will be managed through Council’s main Customer Service area, located at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Building, 2 Cecile Street, Parkes. This change is part of Council’s commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring a more streamlined experience for customers through a centralised point of contact. Council appreciates your cooperation and understanding. For further information or assistance, please contact Council during business hours on (02) 6861 2333

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Trundle Bush Tucker Day 2025 is a highly anticipated family friendly event in the Central West. A day full of wholesome entertainment, delicious flavors, and unforgettable memories. Tickets on sale now for Trundle Bush Tucker Day 2025 on the 6th September: www.123tix.com.au/events/46970/trundlebush-tucker-day-2025

Philip Donato MP: Calling all teachers and principals! Take advantage of new travel subsidies for regional schools and bring your students to NSW Parliament for a free, hands-on learning experience. Visit the Parliament of NSW Education website to find out more: https://education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/

Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee: Western NSW Local Health District provide a number of amazing services for those affected by Family and Domestic Violence. – PARVAN (Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect) – Community Health and Social Work. If you or someone you know needs help, call Parkes Community Health on 6861 2400 or Forbes Community Health on 6850 7300. If you are in immediate danger cal 000.

PCYC Parkes: Get 20 hours off your log book and be a step closer. In just 5 hours, get 20 hours off your log book and learn how to; Recognize hazards, Identify safe gaps in traffic, Reduce crash risk. Fully funded spots available for the Parkes Course being held on 23/05/25 – MUST email the club at parkes@pcycnsw.org.au for voucher number to use this offer.

Are you a learner driver?

Be Seen @ Parkes Services Squash Courts

May 22, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Monday’s beach theme at Parkes Services Squash Courts did not disappoint.

When is the last time you had this much fun on a Monday night?

Come and join in the fun at the Parkes Services Squash Courts.

Roxane Manley

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