Fantastic photos from the Parkes Christian School swimming carnival.
Friends supporting friends, creating an environment of fun and friendly competition.
Well done to all who competed on the day and to the crowd of supporters.
Parkes Little Athletics Club wants to send a huge thank you to Deja Brew. We are thrilled to welcome Déjà Brew Parkes as a proud sponsor of Parkes Little Athletics.
Your support means the world to our athletes, families, and volunteers, helping us continue to provide a fun and inclusive environment for all.
We know many of our families love stopping by Deja Brew for a well-earned coffee fix. Next time you’re in town, be sure to show them some love and say thanks for supporting local sport.
Parkes Little Athletics Club is a is a fun, social and active program for girls and boys aged 3 to 19. If you are not already registered, it is time to register for the Parkes Gala Day 2025.
Simply go to www.revolutionise.com.au/ parkeslac/events/282918 and use the login details from when you registered. In the section that say ‘ticket attendee’ please write each event you wish to register for.
If you have any problem or any questions please message the Parkes Little Athletics Facebook page. The 2025 Gala Day is proudly sponsored by Lindner Bulk Haulage.
Michael McCormack MP pictured with Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan (left) and Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck (right), who both served on the Senate inquiry into Bank Closures in Regional Australia, and heard evidence from the Junee hearing.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP has welcomed the news which has followed his and the community’s advocacy to keep local bank branches open.
“Concerningly, across regional Australia, around 1,150 post offices are providing the only banking services in regional and rural towns, following the closure of nearly 850 bank branches since June 2017,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am pleased to see our advocacy has informed Government policy for the benefit of regional Australians.
“As part of the deal, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and ANZ have agreed to not close any more rural or regional branches until mid-2027.
“Bank@Post services will also be improved across the Australia Post network, with ANZ agreeing to join the service, Macquarie Bank in negotiations to join and HSCB intended to start talks.
“Existing banks using the service have agreed to revise existing contracts to improve the sustainability of the scheme.
“This outcome is beneficial to both communities which still retain bank branches, as well as those at which Australia Post offers their only banking service.
“This is an issue that is above politics — regional and rural communities simply need and deserve access to banking services, otherwise they won’t be able to continue to prosper.
“I commit to continue to advocate for a long-term outcome that provides the surety we need.”
Thanks to everyone for their patience while this work was being completed.
New Spring Street Footpath Open: 12,500 pavers later, the footpath on the northern side of Spring Street is now open to pedestrians. The path now matches beautifully with other footpaths in the CBD, with the same coloured pavers used to replace the old concrete path.
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation: Are you ready to embrace the courage, collective spirit, and hope of changemaking? Join us for a two-day Changemaker Workshop to create a positive, lasting impact on your community. This workshop is fully subsidised with thanks to the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. For more information and to register, visit rural-leaders.org.au
Parkes Shire Libraries: Hooray, our children’s programs for 2025 have started. Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays at 10.30am and Rhyme Time on Thursdays at 10.30am. We look forward to seeing you all soon. Contact the library on 6861 2309 for more information and to book a spot.
R U OK? Welcoming a new child into the family is a happy occasion, but the momentous change that it brings can also impact a parent’s emotional wellbeing. Get tips for supporting new parents: https://ruok.au/Ash
Parkes Chamber of Commerce: Provide feedback to Parkes Shire Council on what our business community needs. Survey closes Sunday 16th Feburary 2025. If we do not provide feedback, then decisions will be made without understanding the exact needs of our businesses in the Parkes Shire https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LocalBusinessSurvey
Central West Police District: Our community are our eyes and ears. If you have information or if you see something that doesn’t make quite seem right Crime Stoppers NSW on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
Art of Hope Australia: Healthcare Heroes these are for you! For each and every one of you who give everything of yourself to others – often for very little pay, reward and acknowledgement. There are so many incredible people who support our healthcare systems – I don’t want to mention any in particular because then I’ll leave other just as important ones out! But you know who you are extraordinary humans and so do your colleagues. A Heart of Hope is a small way to acknowledge someone who goes above and beyond. Get yours today at https://artofhope.com.au
Do you know a Healthcare Hero?
What a lovely evening for a BBQ and thank you to all the families who joined.
Thank you P&C members for providing the annual Back to School BBQ.
Parkes Public School are so lucky to have you as part of their community.
The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, Zoë Robinson, will embark on a tour of NSW to join children and young people in their communities.
“This is an opportunity to get back out into the community and thank the children and young people of NSW for sharing their voice and ideas,” said Ms Robinson.
The Advocate is dedicated to making this year a memorable one, as it marks the culmination of her impactful five-year term as the Advocate for Children and Young People in NSW.
“Across this year, the ACYP team and I will sit with and listen to children and young people and hear what they have to say about issues that impact them,” said Ms Robinson.
In total, ninety-five requests were submitted from schools, organisations and youth advisory groups asking the Advocate to participate in a range of activities.
“This is a chance for me to sit with the community and hear from them, and also to thank them. It’s crucial for those in government and leadership roles to immerse themselves in the community, to truly understand and appreciate the voices of our future,” added Ms Robinson.
The amazing women from Birds in the Bush. Image credit: Clancy Paine.
The RAS Foundation will partner with Central West family and domestic violence awareness organisation, Birds in the Bush, for its 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch to help raise funds for family and domestic violence refuges in the Central West region.
Hosted annually at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the RAS Foundation Charity Brunch brings RAS Members and Councillors together to help raise funds for vital regional causes or organisations.
RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan said “Birds in the Bush is an inspiring volunteer-led organisation that provides a voice for family and domestic violence in the Central West and the RAS Foundation is delighted to have them as the recipients of our 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch to help improve important facilities,” Logan said.
Birds in the Bush Founder, Vanessa Vasquez said “We are grateful to be the beneficiary of the RAS Foundation Charity Brunch. As a regional grassroots organisation, dedicated to highlighting the unique experience of family and domestic violence in bush communities.”
The 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch will take place on April 16 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and will be hosted by the RAS Foundation and Birds in the Bush committees.
Tickets are available to RAS Members via (www.rasf.org.au). If you are not a RAS Member and are interested in attending, you can contact foundation@rasf.org.au.
St George’s Church, which was built starting in 1927, is known for its architectural beauty.
The Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill is thrilled to celebrate 150 years of faith, fellowship, and service to the community on the weekend of 21–23 February 2025.
This momentous occasion marks a rich history of faith and community, and the parish warmly invites everyone to join in the celebrations. “We’re thankful to God for the past 150 years of serving our community” said the Reverend Ben Mackay, “and we’re looking forward to what God will do in the years to come.”
The weekend will feature a series of special events including:
Friday, 21 February
• 4pm Open House: Come and explore the historic St George’s Parkes church building, view fascinating memorabilia, and enjoy live music performed by talented local musicians.
• 7pm Guest Talk by Simon Smart: Simon Smart, from the Centre for Public Christianity, will deliver an intriguing talk titled “How The Church Is Better and Worse Than You Ever Imagined”.
Saturday, 22 February
• 6pm Celebration Dinner: A formal dinner will be held, featuring a keynote speaker and reflections on the parish’s journey through the years.
Sunday, 23 February
• 10am Celebration and Thanksgiving Service: A joyful worship service to thank God for His faithfulness and to celebrate the future of the parish.
The parish has a proud history, first formed in 1875 after which the first timber church was built. After the original church burned down, it was replaced with a brick church.
Finally, the current St George’s church, a stunning cathedral-like building located on the corner of Church and Hill Streets, was built in 1927 and extended in the 1950s.
Over the years, the Anglican church has played a vital role in the life of Parkes, offering spiritual support, community events, and a place and community of refuge to all in Parkes. In addition to St George’s Parkes, the parish is blessed to include St Stephen’s Peak Hill, St Stephen’s Bindogundra, and Holy Trinity Reedy Creek.
Ben Mackay added: “We warmly invite all community members to be part of this celebration. Whether you’re a long-time parishioner, a neighbour, or simply curious about the history and central role of the church in the Parkes community, we’d love to welcome you to this special weekend. We are blessed with a wonderful church family and a beautiful building that has been shared with the community for generations.”
Come and join the celebrations as Parkes Anglican gives thanks for 150 years of ministry and look ahead to what God has in store for the future! For more information about the celebrations, or to RSVP to the formal dinner, please contact the parish office at 02 6862 1868 or visit our website parkesanglican.org.au
Inside the church is a space of community and peace.
Children enjoy their own space during church services, and Kids Church (Sunday School).
Seven small arts projects across the NSW Central West will share $17,000 in funding from the annual Country Arts Support Program (CASP).
“The volume of applications demonstrates not only the crunch on budgets and rising costs of making art happen, but the demand for small, accessible, seed grants for regional arts activities and ideas,” said Arts OutWest executive director Kylie Shead.
There were 40 applications for the 2023 round asking for just over $105,000 in funding, a 40% increase from the previous round and around a 16% success rate.
“The activities proposed in all 40 applications are exciting, thoughtful, creative and worthy,” said Ms Shead. “There just isn’t the money to fund all of them.”
Funded activities in 2025 include: An artist-led community postcard art project in Cowra, Music making workshops with young women with disability in Bathurst, Puppetry and movement workshops in Lithgow, Kandos and Mudgee, A mural in Gulgong to commemorate Henry Lawson, Art making for a community veggie garden in Orange, Fibre arts workshops in Parkes, Youth podcasting training in Lithgow.
“These seven projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They provide employment opportunities to artists and arts workers. We also know from the history of this funding that it often seeds the first steps of potentially bigger arts projects or collaborations,” Ms Shead said.
Arts OutWest is the regional arts development organisation for Central West NSW, servicing the 12 local government areas of Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
Students returned to school, excited to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the new academic year.
With eager minds, they settled into their desks, ready to explore new subjects.
Welcome to the 2025 school year, ready to foster an atmosphere of hope, growth, and discovery.