Parkes Services Squash Courts had a blast hosting a Squash NSW Regional Pathway Camp.
Kids from Dubbo, Forbes and Cowra Squash Clubs joined in with the locals for a great day of squash.
The camp had national, state and regional players, as well as kids trying squash for the first time – well done!
Pilates is back for Term 2 in Parkes and Forbes. TGo book, go to: www.kerinhealth.com.au/pilates
Nestled at the base of the hill our home sits on, is an old abandoned homestead.
In its front yard, recently dozens of beautiful bulbs spring up from the neglected garden beds. I piled the kids in the ute and we drove down, shovels on the back. We dug out bulbs and they played in the old house.
I liked the sound of their childish laughter.
Our hands dug deep into the dirt. The sun warmed our backs as we pulled, shoveled and lifted; carting loads back to the ute. I was sweating, my legs ached and my heart rate was up.
We drove home, cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright from the exercise, arms and legs happily sore from the exertion.
We worked quickly. We transplanted the bulbs into our garden, the kids dug holes haphazardly, shoving them into the warm soil. They turn the hose on the transplanted bulbs briefly, then on each other. They ran, they played, blood pumping, muscles growing, and bones getting stronger.
Could exercise get any more enjoyable? I once asked a client what she did for exercise. “Oh nothing really, I don’t go to the gym, I don’t go for walks. I’m just in the garden most of the day”. I asked what she did in the garden. She listed a range of activities, including using a push mower up steep hills, mulching and lifting heavy branches.
“That’s all great exercise,” I reassured her.
I catch a glimpse of the new plants through the window. Sunning themselves in their new home, a happy reminder of a day at our very own outdoor gym.
Are you not a gardener, but are looking for ways to exercise? Join our pilates classes or senior exercise classes at Kerin Health.
Contact us on 0437749746 or visit kerinhealth.com.au
New walkers are always welcome with the Lachlan Valley Branch Bushwalkers group.
The walks are generally pretty leisurely, taking time to spot birds, plants, spiders and other animals. Walkers are reminded to bring along enough food and water for the entire day as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hat and sunscreen. A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair for the post- walk cuppa is recommended. The walks are generally pretty leisurely, taking time to spot birds, plants, spiders and other animals.
There are three grades of walks:
Easy: (5 to 10 kilometres) Mostly flat to slightly undulating topography.
Medium: (5 to 8 kilometres) May be over moderate hills or rough terrain.
Hard: (5 or more kilometres) Walk suitable for above average fitness level.
• Saturday 3 May SWWNR Coradgery 4-5km easy walk: Meet at Bushmans Dam, Kelly Reserve cnr Thomas St and Peak Hill Rd at 9am. Leader Peter Cannon 6866 1225.
• Tuesday May 27 2025 SWWNR Cookamidgera: Meet at the gate on Coonambro Way at 9.30am. Medium 6kms South end of the reserve some off track, bush bashing. Leader Liz MacRaild 0455 915 989.
• Saturday June 7 East Cookeys Plains State Forest: Meet at Bushmans Dam, Kelly Reserve cnr Thomas St and Peak Hill Rd at 9am. Easy 6kms, mostly flat. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586
• Thursday June 26 Moorillah Merran and Peter Cannons 345 Cooka Hills Rd Cookamidgera: Meet at the address at 9.30am Medium 3-4km scrambly, up and down, off track. Leader Peter or Merran 6866 1225.
Please contact the listed walk leader the night before the walk if you intend to come.
A $2.00 donation for each walker is appreciated.
For safety reasons those walking stay together as a group. Please consider bringing a companion if for any reason you are unsure of your ability.
Bogan Gate Golf Club has nine tiny black soil greens on a flat paddock with natural grass
fairways. Social players are welcome to play on weekends. Contact: 02 6864 3233.
The Bogan Gate Golf Course has a colourful history dating back to the 1920s when the original golf club was located at the western end of Bogan Gate and you had to hit over the Trundle Railway Line. One fellow claims he holds the longest drive; he hit off as a train was going past and the ball landed in a carriage and ended up in Tottenham.
The golf club were originally granted an area of 86 acres of crown land, and on the western side they also had a rifle range. Years later a Major came to the Army Camp who loved golf so much he set up a golf course and invited the locals to come and play. That lasted until the mid 1970s when a new Major arrived and it closed down.Then in 1976, the golfers obtained permission from Crown Lands to set up a golf course on the showground and the adjoiniing land over the creek, making a 9 hole course with sand greens.
Over the years, successful grant applications have enhanced the clubhouse greatly.
The club is completely run by voluntary labour, meaning all the mowing and maintenance of the greens and course is carried out by volunteers. Many players say the sand greens are the best in the central west. The club has approximately 20 members, with quite a few of them who live in Parkes or Forbes and travel out.
About four times a year the club put on a meal after golf which is a great social event.
Meeting the insurance costs is a great struggle for this tiny club, so they need your support. They play 18 holes from the end of March until the beginning of November on weekends, mostly Sundays, and over the summer they play Chicken Runs on Sunday afternoons at 5pm. The club is holding a free Family Golf Day on Saturday 3 May, so please head along and show your support. For further information contact 0457 709 829.
Register to enjoy one of the many workshops on offer or just head along to Cooke Park from 9am to 2pm to check out the locally grown and made products and produce
If you like the idea of locally grown markets, or perhaps fancy yourself as a homegrown producer, head along to Cooke Park Pavillion this Saturday 26 April for Homegrown Parkes. This community gathering celebrates local produce, crafts, and sustainability initiatives. There will be plenty of new tips and tricks to learn with an exciting program of workshops and with each workshop registration, you will go in the running to win some wonderful prizes from the local Homegrown Parkes businesses.
Chef Jack Brown, an Indigenous chef who is trained in traditional French cuisine, will be providing a workshop in the Cooke Park Pavilion from 11am. Then at 12.30pm, Kath Whitchurch will be providing a workshop on Sourdough Making. The final Pavilion Workshop at 2.00pm, willfeature talented landscape designer Elizabeth Briton, sharing her knowledge of local plant species and design concepts.
Clancy The Bee Man will provide informal workshops on the lawn in front of the Pavilion at 10.30am and 1.00pm. There will also be also a free, live reptile display throughout the day, with Andrew providing two formal presentations at 11am and 1.30pm.
Funding for this event has been granted under the Open Streets Program, funded by Transport for NSW, in addition to support from Central West Lachlan Landcare and volunteers from Parkes Community Arts. Chef Jack Brown is attending thanks the support of Landcare NSW.
For further details on the full program, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or follow the Homegrown Parkes Facebook page.
Balloons taking off at the 2024 Canowindra International Balloon Festival. Image Credit: Farmpix Photography
The skies over Canowindra are set to dazzle as the beloved Canowindra Balloon Festival returns from 26 April to 4 May.
This vibrant week-long celebration of hot air balloons, music, art, food, and community spirit offers something for everyone.
Festivities lift off with the Welcome Street Party on 26 April, featuring live music from Nerida Cuddy and the Neil Gill Band, alongside a sizzling BBQ competition, delicious food, and market stalls. Throughout the week, enjoy Flicker Fest at Rosnay, creative Paint and Sips, inspiring workshops from The Creative Cure, and Sue Hodges’ art exhibition at the Canowindra Services Club, just to name a few of the offerings for the week.
Test your trivia knowledge at the Trivia Night hosted by the Canowindra Public School P&C. Then, don’t miss the Home Ground Sounds Concert on 2 May, headlined by country star Casey Barnes, with performances by Furnace and The Fundamentals, Big Night Out, and Nathan Lamont.
Saturday, 3 May, begins with the thrilling Balloon Key Grab, followed by the CWA All Day Breakfast, a colourful street parade, and the spectacular Cabonne Community Glow—gates open from 3pm.
Whether you’re here for the balloons or the beats, the Canowindra Balloon Festival is an unforgettable autumn escape. Balloons fly from 27 April to 2 May mornings and afternoons, weather permitting.
Tickets and more information available at Balloon HQ located on Gaskill Street and 123tix.com.au.
Lights were left on across Forbes and Parkes for Molly on the evening of 22 April.
Her Name Is Molly: Forbes and Parkes residents left their lights on for Molly on Tuesday 22 April. Molly Ticehurst lost her life to domestic violence in April 2024. A year on from Molly’s passing, and the hashtag #hernameismolly has lit up facebook with photos of people from all across Australia leaving a light on for Molly. Households, businesses, councils and sporting grounds all paid tribute to Molly by leaving a light on and shining a bright light on domestic violence issues.
1800RESPECT: Support is available for people experiencing violence and abuse.1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via the website https://1800respect.org.au
Visit Parkes Region: The town with a heart of gold is calling! Wander the leafy main street, discover hidden gems in charming antique stores and the charm of the Carrington Hotel, and don’t miss the breathtaking views from the open cut gold mine walking trails. Peak Hill is the perfect place to stop, explore and soak up history, nature, and small-town charm. Learn more at bit.ly/4idL4cB
Forbes Garden Club: The Forbes Garden Club bus trip to Tumbling Downs Olive Grove at Bogan Gate is on Thursday 15 May, leaving at 9.30 am and also visiting three gardens in Parkes. We need 30 members and friends on the bus at a cost of $35 each which includes a Devonshire tea. Pack lunch or food can be purchased at Parkes Services Club. Ask your friends or family to join us we need numbers for this to go ahead. Treasurer Lloyd Gerdes can be contacted on 6851 4494.
Parkes Shire Council Need Your Help: The 2025 National Awards for Local Government are underway, and we need your support to help Parkes Shire take home the win. Our entry is Fleet Optimisation and Innovation: A Smarter Approach to Asset Management. Parkes Council is a finalistsin two categories: Productivity through Infrastructure and Outstanding Rural and Remote Council. Want more information? Go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/nalg/
Early Voting In Forbes: If you wish to vote before the Federal Election Day on Saturday 3 May 2025, simply pop into Town Hall for pre-polling. For further information about the 2025 Federal Election visit www.aec.gov.au
If you can’t vote on Saturday, 3 May then vote early on the above dates.
On Friday 25 April 2025, Australian’s will mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, as well as commemorating all Australians who have served in times of peace and war. Parkes and Forbes residents are invited to attend the ANZAC Day Commemorative Services to be held across the Parkes and Forbes Shires:
PARKES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS
• Dawn Service 5:30am at Memorial Hill
• Breakfast Bistro 6:30am at Parkes Services Club
• Church Service 7am at Holy Family Catholic Church
• Church Service 7:30am at Parkes Anglican Church
• ANZAC Day March 8:30am at Welcome Street, Chamberlain Square and Clarinda Street to Cooke Park
• Commemorative Service am at Cooke Parkes
• Wreath Laying Pilgrimage 10:45am at Parkes Cemetery War Graves
• ANZAC Day Luncheon 12pm at Parkes Services Club
• Sound Retreat 5pm at Cooke Park
• The Ode 6pm at Parkes Services Club
FORBES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS
• Dawn Service 5:20am Harold Street, form up 5.15am Templar Street, adjacent to Club Forbes
• ANZAC Day March 10:15am Cross Street, Cross Street, Lachlan Street, Harold Street terminating at Cenotaph
• Commemmorative Service 10:30am Harold Street
This Sunday will be the first time that Forbes have opened the season with an Anzac round against Parkes. Magpies Coach Cameron Greenhalgh said, “Training has been really good happy with our fitness levels and there has been plenty of high energy in our ball sessions.”
“The players are ready to play, pre-season is over I think the whole community is ready to watch some local footy.”
“Obviously our spine 1,6,7,9 will have a big influence on the outcome, as well as our forwards it will be tough, I don’t expect us to play our best footy for a while but we hoping for a solid start to the year.”
Forbes and Parkes are wearing special Anzac Day guernsey’s on Sunday. The Forbes guernsey’s will be auctioned off at the Forbes Inn after the game and the Parkes auction will take place at The Coachman Hotel. All grades will be playing with the girls kicking off at 10.30am. Head along and cheer on your local team!
The dedicated staff from Neighbourhood Central will be on hand on the day to help guide you.
Established in 1977, Neighbourhood Central is a not-for-profit community organisation that provide a variety of community support services to people living in the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Bland Local Government Areas. On 2 May, they will be hosting the innaugural Parkes Seniors Expo, providing local seniors and carers with a one-stopshop of services and assistance available, empowering seniors to lead their best life.
No matter what level of assistance you or your loved ones need, Neighbourhood Central’s Seniors Expo will connect you to the right people. The expo will showcase the latest in products and services for inhome aged care, healthcare support, mental health and general wellness.
On the day you will be able to speak to representatives from a whole range of services including Catholic Care, OPAN, Carer Gateway, Advanced Care Planning, Philip Donato, Centrelink, Vital Call, NSW Police, All Ages Podiatry, Red Cross, Yoorana Gunya, Matthew Williams Lawyers, Kerin Health Physio, Central West Allied Health, Standby-after death care, Legal Aid, Service NSWHead along and speak with the experts about what is available to help individuals and families embrace the future with confidence. Morning tea will be provided, there are plenty of lucky door prizes to win, and it’s free to attend. No matter what care looks like to you – Neighbourhood Central care. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
The Neighbourhood Central Senior Expo is being held on Friday, 2 May in the Starlight Lounge at the Parkes Services Club, starting at 11am ending 1pm. At 11:30am the Expo will be officially opened by Philip Donato MP. For more information call 02 6862 5045 or email admin@ncentral.org.au