Have you started putting your look together yet? The Fashions of the Festival Parade is your chance to strut your ABBA style down Trundle’s main street.

Thousands of dancers are expected to descend on Trundle this May as the 2026 Trundle ABBA Festival attempts to turn the town’s famous main street into one giant disco dancefloor.

As part of the festivities on 2 May, organ­isers are inviting festival-goers of all ages and abilities to take part in a World Record Dance Competition, performing choreo­graphed moves to the chorus of Dancing Queen and Waterloo.

You don’t need to be a professional dancer, “If you can clap, sway or smile, you’re in,” organisers say.

An official choreography video has been released on the Festival facebook page, featuring simple, easy-to-follow moves de­signed so everyone can participate. Fes­tivalgoers are encouraged to practise at home with family and friends before gath­ering on the widest main street in NSW for what promises to be a glittering, unforget­table moment.

The festival will also feature International tribute act ABBASBACK®, Central West bands Handpicked, Dirty Dark Horses and Easy Goin’, A live singing final – top 3 final­ists perform live on the main stage, ABBAthemed vow renewals, A fashion parade with prizes for best dressedFood vendors, drinks and family-friendly fun.

Dedicated shuttle buses will operate from Parkes (Cooke Park) and Forbes (Harold Street, Victoria Park opposite Forbes Town Hall). Shuttle tickets are return fares, $30 per person.

Organisers encourage festival lovers to make their arrangements early and pre­pare to sparkle. Tickets and bus book­ings are available online now. https://trundleabbafestival.123tix.com.au/events

Cooke Park is where all the Homegrown Parkes action will be taking place this Saturday.

The Homegrown Parkes event in Cooke Park this Saturday, 21 March will feature two inspiring workshops in the Pavilion along with fabulous performances through­out the day.

Head along and meet local chef Monica Eric from Eric’s Table as she shares her love of Indian Cuisine. Her workshop will run in the Cooke Park Pavilion between 10.30am and 11.30am. Register at www.stickytickets.com.au/8SABFZThen Mark and Anne from Parkes Brew­house will be bringing things down a notch to teach us the basics of home brewing.

Their workshop will run between 12pm and 1pm in the Cooke Park Pavilion. Register at: www.stickytickets.com.au/8SABFZWhen you register for either of the work­shops, you will go into the running for some fantastic giveaways.

The musical line-up for the day will be kicking off with the Parkes Shire Concert Band at 9.10am in the Park followed by the Parkes School of Dance at 10am on the Pavilion main stage.

The Guwal Dance Group from Parkes High School will be joining the Homegrown fun for the first time at 11.30am, so please make them feel welcome.

Talented local singer, Cameron Sharp will be performing twice throughout the day on the Park stage, between 10.30am – 11.30am and 12pm and 1pm.

Rounding out the entertainment on the main stage, Parkes Music and Dramatic Society will be performing songs from Sis­ter Act the musical from 1pm.

Maree Yapp pictured in the centre and surrounded by her entourage of supporters. Local Member Phil Donato pictured on the left.

On Thursday, 5 March Member for Orange Philip Donato MP announced the recipi­ent of the 2026 Local Woman of the Year Award – Maree Yapp of Forbes.

“With so many women doing so many amazing things for their local communities across the electorate, it’s always a chal­lenge to single someone out,” Mr Donato said.

“It’s my absolute honour to officially name Maree Yapp as this year’s Local Woman of the Year for the Orange Electorate,” said Mr Donato.”

Maree received a call from Phil Donato MP the week before the announcement and could not believe what he was telling her. “I was “multitasking” when I answered the phone, juggling keys, unlocking gates and the excited chatter from students ar­riving for the school day surrounded me, making it harder to believe.” she said.

On the day of the announcement Maree still could not believe she was receiving this honor. “I read the certificate Mr Donato handed me just to make sure he had the right person and I glanced sideways at Mr Donato’s speech as he spoke in case it wasn’t written about me.”

“I am honoured. It was such a joy and a privilege to share the moment with my family and friends at a gathering of some amazing people who have guided me to become the person I have become. I have learned something from everyone present on the day and will continue to learn from going forward.” Maree said.

A powerful message from Parkes Farmers can be seen on the Newell Highway as you are entering Parkes, and the message is very clear, Parkes does not want to be Sydney’s dumping ground.

A march this Saturday is being organised by local farmers and members of the Parkes community who are concerned about the long-term future of our agricultural region if a proposed Energy from Waste facility goes ahead in Parkes.

Parkes farmer Sharon Woods “This land is more than just a business, it is our home, our history, and our children’s future. Our livelihoods, like those of so many farming families across this district, depend entirely on the health of our soil, our water, our mar­ket access and our community. This march is about protecting the integrity, productivity and future of our region.”

Mayor Neil Westcott said, “As the May­or of Parkes Shire and as a farmer in our Shire, I fully support the march taking place this Saturday. There is no doubt about the anxiety this issue has caused among our rural constituents. The weekend will be a strong display of solidarity across all levels of government, sending a clear message that Parkes is not the place for an Energy from Waste facility.”

Phil Donato MP has also thrown his sup­port behind the march, saying: “The Parkes community don’t want this facility in their backyard. If it’s not good enough to go in Sydney, then it’s not good enough to be forced onto Parkes and other regional com­munities. Sydney should be responsible for managing its own waste.”

Meet at the Sir Henry Parkes Statue this Saturday 28 February at 9.30am to join the march to Cooke Park. Speakers on the day will include Sharon Woods – Local Farmer, Philip Donato MP, Rebecca Reardon – NSW Farmers and Cr Joy Paddison.

Andrea Helen Hamilton-Vaughan pictured presenting the power nap strategy at the road transport industry round table in Federal Parliament on my left Mr. Michael Kaine, CEO of the Transport Workers Union and on my right, Mr Tim Daw­son, Chair, Industry Skills Australia (Transport & Logistics).

National Driver Fatigue Week (21–27 Feb­ruary) is shining a spotlight on one of the most dangerous and underestimated risks on Australian roads — driver fatigue — led by a local woman whose lived experience has grown into an award-winning national road safety campaign.

Parkes advocate Andrea Helen Hamil­ton-Vaughan has turned personal tragedy into action, creating the Power Nap fatigue prevention campaign now gaining national recognition across the heavy vehicle and road safety sectors.

Driver fatigue is a factor in more than 20 per cent of Australia’s road fatalities, yet for decades drivers have been told to simply “get a good night’s sleep” or “take regular breaks” — advice that does little to help when fatigue strikes while already behind the wheel.

“The science is clear,” Ms HamiltonVaughan said. “Fatigue is not solved by willpower. The only solution for fatigue is sleep. A short, planned power nap when fatigue first appears can save lives.”

National Driver Fatigue Week promotes the Power Nap message — encouraging drivers to stop and take a 15–20 minute nap at the earliest signs of fatigue.

Research shows this simple intervention restores alertness, improves reaction time and significantly reduces crash risk, with modelling suggesting fatigue-related fatali­ties could be reduced by up to 20 per cent if widely adopted.

What began as a grassroots campaign has grown into a nationally recognised safety initiative, earning multiple industry awards.

“New infrastructure is the key to putting towns like Forbes in a stronger position to manage critical town water supply during a drought emergency” said NSW DCCEEW Director of Grants Programs, Kirsty Fenton

The NSW Government is investing in Forbes’ water security as construction be­gins on a $7.6 million critical infrastructure project. The funding includes $4.6 million from the NSW Government and $3 million from Forbes Shire Council to deliver two new production bores, two test bores and a 5.3km duplication pipeline.

NSW DCCEEW Director of Grants Pro­grams, Kirsty Fenton said “Forbes was one of the many Central West communities hit hard by the last drought, the state’s worst on record, which is why we are working with Forbes Shire Council to help lock-in better water security.”

The new pipeline will run alongside the existing one that pumps water from the borefield to the Forbes Water Treatment Plant.

While the Lachlan River is the region’s main water supply, the town switches to bore water during dry periods when water in the river is too low or unsuitable for treat­ment.

The new infrastructure will significantly increase capacity by up to 80 per cent and provide a more robust water network that will ease pressure on the system and en­sure residents have enough water to with­stand the dry spells.

Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller said “No one in our community will forget the last drought when water in the Lachlan River was so low we had to rely on two emergency bores for six months, which was a struggle. That’s why we’re do­ing everything we can to expand our exist­ing network.”

The festival is back on the Trundle main street in 2026. Pictured above is an image of the main street from the 2017 Trundle ABBA Festival where Amitie led 2,700 people in a world record attempt for the most amount of people dancing.

Get ready for glitter, groove and good times at the 2026 Trundle ABBA Festival present­ed by Trundle & District Progress Associa­tion. The duo behind the Festival’s incep­tion, Gary Crowley and his wife will be back on deck coordinating the event this year, following their successful involvement dur­ing the first 10 years of the Festival.

Festival highlights will include Interna­tional ABBA tribute sensation ABBAS­BACK®, returning with a full orchestra and choir. There will be a world dancing record attempt to Dancing Queen and Waterloo – right here in Trundle, and an exclusive sneak peek of Parkes M&D’s new smash hit, Sister Act.

The I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do wedding vow renewals will be led by Parkes’ very own musical minister, Rev Craig Bland ac­comanied by a choir. Enter the singing com­petition, with the top three finalists perform­ing live on the main stage, or strut your stuff down Trundle’s main street in the Fashions of the Festival catwalk competition.

The festival features a stellar live music lineup, including the legendary Handpicked band featuring Orange’s most prominent rock musicians, plus local crowd-favourites and rising stars Easy Goin’ and Dirty Dark Horses – get down and giddy up!The 2026 ABBA Festival kicks off on 2 May at 11am and finishes up at 8pm. Festi­val goers are then encouraged to continue the festivities by enjoying entertainment provided by the Trundle Services Club who will have a cracking band and also the Trun­dle Hotel.

Tickets are now on sale so head to the website for information www.trundleabbaf­estival.com.au

Nedd Brockman pictured with Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP who presented Nedd with the prestigious award. Photo credit to NADC/Salty Dingo

“A young man inspiring millions through ultra marathon running to help solve homelessness” is how they describe Nedd Brockman. The Prime Minister announced Nedd Brockaman as the 2026 Young Australian of the Year in a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra.

At the 66th Australian of the Year Awards announcement, the award recipients were presented with a handcrafted glass trophy, a traditional Indigenous coolamon and clap sticks.

Nedd Brockmann had a goal – to run across Australia and inspire people to do more for themselves and the homeless. He wanted to do something to highlight homelessness, its complexities and prove that it’s solvable.

So, in 2022, he ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, completing a 3,952km journey over 46 days, and becoming the fastest ever Australian to do so. Nedd, now 27, raised over $2.6 million from over 37,000 individual contributors.

He went on to start Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge in 2024, and with his team, has raised over $8 million for those experiencing homelessness.

He also raises funds for his charity partner, Mobilise, to change lives through innovative programs to reduce the number of people sleeping rough. Find more info here https://wearemobilise.org.au/

Public nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards close on 31 July. If there’s someone you think should be considered for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards, you can nominate them now at australianoftheyear.org.au.