• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Special Interests
    • Snippets
    • Mayoral Notes
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Competitions
    • Sydney Royal Easter Show Giveaway
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
    • What’s On
  • Special Interests
    • Women In Business
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Loving Local Living
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Parkes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix

‘Laughter Filled My Garden…’

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

STORIES, SUNSHINE AND ICE CREAM… “It started with a seed, and that seed was me. And, over time, laughter filled my garden…” The Parkes Library tree created from recycled packaging material was a big hit for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book called Family Tree. Children from preschools, family day care and library groups attended the annual event on Wednesday.

The Parkes Library staff members honoured its National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) tradition on Wednesday with a beautiful re-enactment of this year’s picture book called Family Tree.

The library filled up with little ones who joined the rest of Australia at 11am for the 22nd year of NSS. This year’s book by Josh Pyke and illustrations by Ronojoy Ghosh, is a heartfelt celebration of family, community and the seasons of life to cherish and to share.

With Debbie Gould as narrator, Emma Brown and Veronica Shaw acted out the story around the tree they had created.

“We’ve started a tradition in Parkes of role playing the book and create a script and props every year,” said Debbie. This year they went a step further and created a tree using recycled materials. “We used packaging from our book deliveries to make a tree as our main prop.” Debbie said they had leftover packaging for the children to take home if they wanted to make their own trees.

The kids loved the tree with many of them getting a photo standing under it before they went into the sunny courtyard for a helping of gelato from Packed Cones.

“National Simultaneous Storytime is one of our big days in the library world as it unites us all together as everyone reads the same book at the same time,” said Debbie.

In 2021 over 1.98 million participants took part at over 33,000 locations!

 

Giant Effort To Stage ‘Big The Musical’

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PIANO DANCING… The iconic floor piano dancing scene in Big performed by Kate Walsh, owner of the toy store, and Henry Best in the lead role as Josh Baskin.

Local theatre returned to Parkes in a ‘big’ way last weekend after another year of lockdowns, interruptions and postponements.

With a cast and crew of 50 the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Big the Musical once again highlights the abundance of talent in our community putting on a fun-filled musical for all the family full of high-energy songs and dancing.

“It’s been such a long time coming, all of us are so glad to be back in the theatre,” said Lisa Ramsay as director of her third musical with the M & D.

The production required a good dose of perseverance from Lisa as it had to be postponed twice, there were long breaks between rehearsals over the festive period and the April holiday and Elvis Festival, while managing changes in roles, finding new supporting crew members for choreography and set construction and coping with cast members getting COVID during the concluding weeks of rehearsals.

The final result sees the Overture star from Grenfell, Henry Best in a huge lead role as Josh Baskin. Based on the 1987 smash-hit film with Tom Hanks, Josh is a frustrated adolescent who magically becomes an adult, and discovers that life is not simply child’s play.

The other lead roles are played by Jess Morgan as Susan, Kate Walsh and Hannah Connell, with new comer Blake Martin and Forbes locals Grace Powley and Drew Barter in semi-lead roles. Grace plays Billie Kopecki, the main character’s best friend, and Drew plays Josh as a child.

The musical includes the iconic floor piano dancing scene from the movie, and thanks to the ingenuity of two locals, Steve McGrath and Dave McCrae, the Parkes production has a giant floor piano too. “Our piano has three octaves and all the keys light up when you stand on them,” said Lisa of one of the biggest challenges of the set production. 

Whether you want to support local talent, or see the floor piano, make sure to get your tickets online for the shows this weekend and next, or buy tickets at the box office at the Little Theatre on Sundays from 10am to 12pm. NSW Discovery and Family Vouchers are accepted. 

Passion For Conservation In Parkes

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

SPECIAL SIGHTING… The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo or Pink Cockatoo is listed as vulnerable to extinction under fed-eral legislation and was sighted in Parkes last year by participants in the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

Parkes residents demonstrated their passion for conservation when 112 locals took part in one of the biggest citizen science projects in Australia in October last year.

The residents observed a total of 5,013 individual birds and 86 species across Parkes Shire in the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

“Given Parkes’ relatively small population, 112 is a fantastic level of participation,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Coordinator, Michael Chambers. “This high level of participation confirms the passion that many residents have for biodiversity and conservation.” 

Michael said so many locals had enthusiasm for learning about the natural environment, particularly the fauna native to the Parkes area. 

Consistent with previous years, the most commonly sighted species across Parkes Shire was the Galah, with 574 sightings. 

 Rounding out the top five were Crested Pigeons (397), House Sparrows (390), Apostlebirds (350) and Australian Magpies (299). 

Several species listed as vulnerable to extinction under federal legislation were also sighted across Parkes. They included Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Pink Cockatoo), Grey-Crowned Babbler, Brown Treecreeper, Dusky Wood Swallow, Superb Parrot and the Speckled Warbler. 

“Participating in citizen science projects is perhaps the easiest way for everyday people to support conservation projects. With urban bird communities constantly changing, the observations and data submitted is extremely valuable,” said Michael. 

The 2022 Aussie Backyard Bird Count will take place from 17 – 23 October. If you would like to get involved visit www.aussiebirdcount.org.au or download the Aussie Bird Count app on your mobile phone. 

 

How To Solve The Problems Of The World

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

‘PHANTASTIC’ PHYSICS… Kerrie Peden and Sean James Cassidy are very excited to have their article and art featured as the cover story in the latest edition of Australian Physics. A copy of the magazine is available at the Parkes Library for anyone wishing to read the published article.

Hours and hours of research and discussions have paid off for a Parkes artist and an educator with their work included as the cover feature article in a prestigious science magazine. 

The first edition of Australian Physics of 2022 features Sean James Cassidy’s artwork Two Goannas/Bula Gugaa on the front cover and a seven-page article written by Sean and Kerrie Peden of Ub Ubbo Exchange. 

“This is a big deal for us,” said the excited pair after receiving the printed copies of the magazine. 

The commission for the article flowed from a previous connection with Australian Physics when Sean’s artwork called Radio Telescope, which is on permanent display on the Woolworths wall, was featured on the front cover in October 2020. 

“They asked us to do an article exploring the space between art, science, indigenous culture and connection to the land,” said Sean. 

“We are very happy that they are so keen to get science out there and were willing to take a risk of publishing our work which is very different to the standard type of article printed in the magazine.” 

The editors David Hoxley and Peter Kappen wrote in their editorial: “The article highlights how learning can happen in different ways. The connection to physics is perhaps more subtle here – it may lie in the ‘negative space’ about what we don’t teach.” 

Kerrie and Sean based their work on the premise that if you can develop both parts of the brain, you’d be able to look at things in a clinical way and a creative way, and that would mean you are more likely to solve problems the world is facing.

They wrote: “Art and Science can be seen to be similar in the spark and drive of the inquiring mind and in the necessity for keen powers of observation. Where they differ is that Science is the quest for facts and Art seeks to explore the imagination and satisfy the need for human expression. Generally, artists and scientists have been thought to view things differently but is there a greater benefit for the brain to cultivate and enhance the neural pathways so these two views can coalesce?”

The article continues to explore how both art and science were created from a deep connection to the land; the use of negative space and how Australian aborigines identified the big emu in the sky that was a seasonal indicator; and the concept of Yindyamarra.

Yindyamarra is a powerful Wiradjuri word of deep meaning that encompasses a whole view of respectful listening to, understanding of and sensitivity towards the thinking about, learning from and living with Nature. It is the knowledge that everything interacts and is connected.

This way of thinking promotes a different mindset and therefore a different approach to absorbing information, and is in part explained through the Eight Aboriginal Ways of Learning that employs a holistic view of interconnected ways to engage all the senses.

Sean and Kerrie further explore the importance of imagination and how collaborations have occurred between artists and scientists throughout history, and whether the two disciplines are really different or mutually exclusive.

They conclude by asking: “Could more open acceptance of different mindsets enable the creative intersection of knowledge bringing the possibility of the development of a universal language through which we will all be able to understand each other?”

The Best Elvis Festival In The World!

April 29, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

CHEQUERED FLAG FESTIVAL… The Speedway theme this year lent itself to lots of creative costumes for the ever-popular street parade. Festival Director Tiffany Steel said: “After a bit of a break due to the pandemic, it was really magical to deliver the festival this year. The excited energy of our fans was palpable from the very first day, and it only grew from there.”

The blue suede shoes of 20,000 Elvis fans did not get too dusty over the past 24 months as they returned to Parkes to rock ‘n roll in what has been labelled the best Elvis festival in the world.

Parkes could not have asked for a better testimonial than from Charles Stone, tour producer of Elvis, who told a crowd of thousands in Cooke Park on Saturday that the Parkes Elvis Festival was in its own league. “I’ve been to a lot of Elvis festivals all over the world, and nothing compares to this.

“You guys have done the most wonderful job of preserving Elvis’ legacy and I can’t thank you enough. Elvis is looking down today saying, ‘Oh my god they really liked us’.”

Charles said Elvis was very concerned about his fans and every night he would say, “Do you think they enjoyed the show?”

Feature artist and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion of 2019 Taylor Rodriquez from Virginia echoed Charles’ sentiments saying: “This festival is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and been a part of. This has got to be the best festival in the entire world, and I’m not exaggerating that. It is absolutely amazing! I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be part of it.”

Charles said Elvis always asked: “Do you think they’re going to remember me when I’m gone?

“Look at us today! Oh man, he was really worried about that, but today at the Parkes Festival, Elvis has not left the building!”

By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Elvis Festival Celebrates ‘Speedway’ With Unique Car Exhibition

April 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

There is a lot to get revved up about over the return of the Parkes Elvis Festival, but an exclusive and unique exhibition to celebrate this year’s theme will be a chequered flag experience for many.

The Speedway Car Exhibition will run for five days only and will feature vehicles on display for the first time.

So, get your motor running and head to the corner of Clarinda and Mitchell where you will be greeted by a special Holden Dealer Team (HDT) showroom with a collection of modern and period cars, and road and race cars.

The collection of cars had the full HDT treatment, including the 2015 VF ‘Blue Meanie’ collection in sedan, wagon and ute configuration. It is the first time that the anniversary edition Commodores will be on display together. The VE-VC, VF-VK group A and VF-VL Group A that will excite Holden lovers and motor heads alike.

A crowd favourite is sure to be the 1980 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team 05 VC Commodore built by Peter Brock, which brings the King of the Mountain to the King of Rock and Roll in Parkes.

Also included will be a VK Group A, VE Interceptor and VF Champion Series Commodore. The Holden theme continues with a Walkinshaw Commodore and a HK Bathurst Monaro. Fans of the blue oval will also be pleased with the inclusion of such cars as a Moffatt Tribute Mustang along with a 1965 Shelby Cobra and MK 1 GT40 that appeared in Matt Damon’s Ford vs Ferrari movie.

Entry is free and the display is open from 9am to 5pm from today to Sunday. The official opening is at 11am today and Peter Champion from HDT Special Vehicles will be sharing his wealth of experience, as well as his friendship with Peter Brock.

Star Of Parkes Shire Awarded To Prof Gary McPherson

April 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

SHINING BRIGHT… Professor Gary McPherson (left) is the second person to receive the symbolic honour of a Star of Parkes Shire. Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith and Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott are with him on stage at the Cooke Park Pavilion.

The second Star of Parkes Shire was awarded to music educator, academic and musician Professor Gary McPherson at the inaugural Overture event at Cooke Park Pavilion earlier this month.

“We are proud of you and the wonderful role model that you have been for Parkes Shire and for the musical community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith. “Your achievement will continue to inspire future generations to achieve their best in their chosen fields.”

The star in the Orion Belt, that can be seen in the night sky in the southern hemisphere, was presented to Gary under the night sky during the interval of Overture in front of more than 900 people who came to enjoy a celebration of music.

“The Parkes Shire Council is proud to present you with the second Star of Parkes Shire, which is a symbolic honour, inspired by the tradition of presenting the Key to the City,” said the Mayor.

“The Stars are reflective of the Parkes Shire – our starry skies, the iconic CSIRO radio telescope, and our shining future.

“Together with my fellow Councillors, I congratulate you and recognise your outstanding achievement in your chosen field, as a music educator, academic and musician, who has researched and published numerous books on musical development, performance science and psychology. The Star recognises your dedication, ability, and desire to succeed and the sacrifices you have made to reach the pinnacle of your career.”

Gary thanked the Mayor for the honour and recalled how his musical journey started playing soprano cornet as a boy in the Parkes town band.

By age 16 he had won over 50 regional, state and Australian titles, and changed to playing trumpet the last two years of high school.

He graduated in 1977 at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, obtained a Licentiate and Fellowship in trumpet from Trinity College, London (1975-1976), and in 1982 graduated with a Master of Music Education at Indiana University. He completed his PhD in music at the University of Sydney (1993).

His research has provided and increased understanding of how individuals develop wide ranging musical skills. Researching biological, cognitive and social processes and the personal, environmental and developmental factors that affect musical development, ability, identity and well-being.

 

Stars Align For A Splendid Night

April 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The stars aligned on Saturday night in heaven and on the Cooke Park Pavilion stage for a magnificent show attended by people from all over the Central West and further afield.

The stellar performance of Josh Piterman and Lucy Durack, Australia’s brightest stars in musical theatre, shone through and inspired the talented cast of Central West performers, musicians and choristers who not only impressed the audience but left them with a feeling of pride.

Overture delivered everything it promised and so much more leaving the 900 patrons with only words of praise and hope that this was the beginning of an era of great shows in Parkes.

“It truly was next level amazing,” said one, while another described it as “an incredible night”. Parkes local Jenny Short said: “Absolutely wonderful display of local talent – so proud of them all. So proud of Parkes!”

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP said it was a great night to christen the new Cooke Park Pavilion. “It never ceases to amaze me the talent produced across the Central West.”

Deputy Mayor and member of the organising committee Neil Westcott said: “What an amazing event. Truly a one off and memories forever.”

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith thanked everyone who made it such a memorable event, including the Council’s amazing and dedicated staff.

The community’s warm welcome and kindness were mentioned by Lucy and Josh on stage. They were both very excited to be part of the production.

Music To Our Ears

April 1, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

COMMUNITY CHOIR… Some of the members of the Parkes Community Choir who will be on stage for Overture tomor-row night. They are L-R Kaye Lindsay, Don Orr and Malcolm Westcott, Stuart Peden, Bob Strickland, Kerrie Peden, Ros Bell, Bev Rowe, John Jelbart and Michelle Jelbart. (Photos: Robert Shore)

There will be plenty of local Parkes faces to look out for in the massed choir in the Overture performance at the Cooke Park Pavilion tomorrow night.

After many hours of preparation and rehearsals, the Parkes Community Choir will have a strong representation of 34 members on stage for the long-awaited show with Australia’s celebrity stars.

“The whole process has been very interesting, rewarding and an exercise in problem-solving,” said Kerrie Peden, the choir’s director.

Not only did they have to learn the repertoire, but the process started during COVID restrictions and members had to learn to wrangle Dropbox and Zoom, and practise alone and in isolation from other members.

“When COVID restrictions prevented choirs from meeting and singing was not allowed, our members were not daunted and learned the repertoire online using singing resources supplied by the music producers Jessica Westcott, Nicholas Gentile and Harriet Snaith,” said Kerrie. “Gradually, small groups were able to meet with Carolyn Butler, Colleen Leonard, Sherree Rosser and Pam Parkin assisting.”

It has all come together and tomorrow night the choir will support Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman, and the other soloists in a wide-ranging repertoire, including a medley of five ABBA songs.

“It is wonderful for our choir to be part of such a prestigious performance and will undoubtedly create memories that will live on. This achievement has been a team effort and I am extremely proud of our members and the part they have played in bringing Overture to fruition,” said Kerrie.

Priscilla Says Thank You To Parkes

March 25, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Meeting Priscilla Presley is something many Elvis fans can only dream of, but it became a reality for two very lucky Parkes locals last weekend.

Founder of the Parkes Elvis Festival Anne Steel and her daughter Tiffany, who recently became director of the festival, went to the opening of the much-anticipated Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.

So many fans tried to meet Priscilla when she arrived at the gallery and tried to get a snapshot of her in the car.

“I was really hoping that we’d be able to meet Priscilla,” said Tiffany. “We were told that she wasn’t doing any meet and greets, and we went to look through the exhibition. To our surprise, Angie Marchese, head of archives at Graceland, unexpectedly came and found me and grabbed my hand and said ‘come with me right now’.

“We did not have time to find dad (Bob Steel) before we were whisked away into a back room where Priscilla was waiting.”

It was a very special moment for Anne. “I was really pleased to be able to meet her and to discover what a lovely person she was. She seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing at the Parkes Elvis Festival and thanked us for keeping Elvis’ memory alive.”

Tiffany said they also talked about the 30th anniversary of the festival in January next year and plans to build the replica gates of Graceland. “She was happy to hear that there are so many Elvis fans in Australia and said the Parkes Elvis Festival was wonderful.”

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 33
  • Next Page »

Latest Print Editions

Click here to download the recent issue (5) of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix (2.8MB PDF) – 5th Aug 2022

STAY CONNECTED

The Parkes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

Recent Articles

  • Annual Harvest Field Day On 11th August August 5, 2022
  • Our Bloke – Peter Giles August 5, 2022
  • Allan Rees The Master August 5, 2022
  • Australian Poetry Month. August 5, 2022
  • Trees, Trees, Trees August 5, 2022

CONTACT THE PHOENIX

Address
7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

Editorial Phone –  0403 080 085
 editor@parkesphoenix.com.au

Sales Phone – 0476 110 953
sales@parkesphoenix.com.au

View our Privacy Policy.
View our Conflict Resolution Process.
View our Ethics and Complaints Policy.
Want to advertise with us?
Information on our Community Promotions.

Submit an Article

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Recieve the Phoenix via email

* indicates required

Copyright © 2022 · Website setup by WebSysMan