Last years award winners with Member for Orange Phil Donato and Councillor Niel Westcott.

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peo­ples in Australia. NAIDOC stands for Na­tional Aborigines and Islanders Day Ob­servance Committee. This year the Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday 7th September, at the Wiradjuri Amphitheatre at Bushman Hill.

This is a free, vibrant event and is open to people of all ages, and from all back­grounds. This year’s NAIDOC celebration promises a day full of culture. The event is based on this year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”, which celebrates the enduring strength of Indig­enous culture and unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.

The day will feature many local perfor­mances, a smoking ceremony and Wir­adjuri artifacts Will also be on display. An awards ceremony will be held to recognise the contributions of local community mem­bers towards the Wiradjuri culture and her­itage.

The day will also include other activities such as a free sausage sizzle, service in­formation stalls, traditional weaving, emer­gency services vehicles, and children’s activities such as a jumping castle, face painting and temporary tattoos.

The Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day of­fers a heartfelt invitation and a wonderful opportunity for all the community to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Tor­res Strait Islander identity while having a great time with family and friends.

It’s about enjoyment, cultural exchange, and community – it’s genuinely a lot of fun for everyone involved, so come along with your friends and family on the day.

Children (and adults) enjoying one of the many activities that were held last year for Reading Day.

In line with this year’s book to be featured in the National Book Week, th Paint Parkes REaD committee chose a magical Reading Day.

Excitement among the organising com­mittee continues to grow as news of the wonderful, community-minded, local Tal­ents have once again so readily accepted the invitation to participate.

The committee is delighted to announce the participation of the outstanding storytell­er and decorator, Martina Hribar, courtesy of Penrith Council Library. Martina will oper­ate in the Cooke Park Pavilion. Martina was a major contributor to the 9th National Con­ference held in Parkes last year, providing one of the activities in the main street with her “suitcase fairy tales”, Martina created the most extraordinary display in the audi­torium and foyer at the RSL, much to the delight of the Governor General and Lady Hurley who sat in a small teepee and read.

Another added attraction is that of Pooka the Entertainer from Dubbo who will be per­forming “magic” tricks, referencing reading and its importance. Pooka will be holding shows in an open-sided tent near the astro­naut in the park.

On the 23rd of August, performances will be held in Cooke Park, the pavilion and in Clarinda Street, from Discount Dave’s to the park, the Reading Bug invites you all to come along.

Coordinator, Shonel Redfern from Neigh­bourhood Central, said “It is so gratifying to see our towns commitment to promoting the need to read, sing, talk and rhyme to children from birth.”

Member for Orange Mr Phil Donato MP pictured being led on a tour of the HARS Aviation Museum in Parkes.

The HARS Parkes Aviation Museum wel­comed Member for Orange Mr Phil Donato MP last Thursday to see museum progress and to view plans to construct a world class aviation museum in the central west.

Mr Donato said about his visit “Last week I made a return visit to this unique tourist attraction. Mike De La Hunty and his volun­teer crew do an amazing job with the wide display of aircraft, aviation artifacts and memorabilia.”

The collection of aircraft and aviation related items continues to grow and with plans to house the aircraft in a purpose built structure to protect them from the elements, and ensure the aircraft be preserved for fu­ture generations to appreciate and enjoy.

Of particular interest to Mr Donato was the participation of Parkes High School stu­dents, who for the past 8 years have un­dertaken a full range of activities that will assist them in their eventual move into the workforce. Over the years the students have participated in the reassembly of air­craft, preparation for painting, mechanical work, carpentry and general upkeep of the museum.

The museum is looking forward to the arrival of two Bofors anti-aircraft guns that have been refurbished and will go on dis­play. The Bofors anti-aircraft gun was widely manufactured and used by Commonwealth countries during WW2. Some were built in Australia and used in Darwin, New Guinea and Tobruk.

The HARS Aviation Museum is located at Parkes airport, open Thursdays and Sun­days.

Parkes, Forbes, Canowindra, Eugowra and Forbes Evening CWA Branches attending a combined lunch at Eugowra Bowling Club.

With the growing numbers of mental health issues in our communities we need to think of ways we can support each other. One simple way to do this is to provide oppor­tunities for social gatherings where people can connect with each other and reduce the feelings of isolation.

In fact, one of the important aims of the Country Women’s Association of NSW is to reduce the isolation of women in rural, re­gional and remote communities.

That’s exactly what happened on Sat­urday 27th July, when members from five local CWA branches met at Eugowra Bowl­ing Club for a social get together.

CWA members came from Parkes, Forbes, Forbes Evening Branches in the Oxley Group and from Canowindra and Eu­gowra in the Central Western CWA Group.

The lunch was organised in response to the success of last year’s morning tea generously sponsored by the Virtual CWA Branch as a thank you to Forbes, Forbes Evening and Eugowra CWA members for their efforts in supporting these commu­nities following the devastating floods of 2022.

This 2024 gathering was expanded to include Canowindra and Parkes, as they too, were adversely affected by the same flooding.

The day also provided a wonderful op­portunity to surprise Shirley Heinzel of Eugowra Branch with a Life Membership.

Jan Kerr, CWA State Vice President from Canowindra Branch presented Shirley with a certificate and badge to acknowledge the tireless work she has done for her com­munity and the CWA since joining in the 1950s.

NSW Labor’s Duty MLC for Orange Stephen Lawrence said “The Parkes Bypass is a project that will provide improve road safety, reduce travel times and increase efficiencies for the freight industry.

The biggest roundabout in central west New South Wales will be built on Condobolin road as a key feature of the Parkes Bypass.

The Newell Highway bypass of Parkes has been in planning for decades to allevi­ate the constant flow of heavy freight vehi­cles and visitor traffic passing through the town.

The Australian Government is contribut­ing $229.7 million to the $287.2 million pro­ject, with the remaining contribution being made by the NSW Government.

The project is part of the $1.5 billion in­vestment from the Australian and NSW gov­ernments into the Newell Highway Corridor, with the Australian Government committing $1.1 billion.

State Member for Orange Phil Donato said “It’s fantastic to see this once in a gen­eration Parkes Bypass project progressing.

“Also importantly, this project is not only delivering road and transport benefits — it’s also supporting 350 jobs and injecting vital funds into small businesses in Parkes and the broader Central West region, which is bouncing back stronger than ever after un­precedented floods.”

Construction work to build the new 98-me­tre-diameter roundabout started during the July school holidays.

The large roundabout – which will allow motorists to travel at 80 km/h – will also fea­ture a large sculpture in its centre, which has been designed in collaboration with Parkes Shire Council.

Motorists will be detoured around the site during work. For further information on the Parkes Bypass you can visit www.trans­port.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/parkes-bypass

NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show committee members Andrew Kerr, Amy Slessor, Paul Bennett, Alistair Lunn, Ian Bartholomaeus, Judy Kerr, Adam McGregor, Janine Whitfield, Karryn McGregor, Pierre Dalle, Martine Dalle, Mark Watts, Jenny Watts and Paul Kay with the entries at the 2023 show.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show has entries rolling in for the 32nd annual event. Entries close next week, and the committee is expecting another great show with similar numbers of wines to be entered as last year.

President Mark Watts said there were also a number of wineries who hadn’t en­tered previously entering this year. “We are really looking forward to another successful event,” Mark said.

Mark Richardson is returning as chair of judges and judging will take place from Monday 19 August to Wednesday 21st Au­gust at the Forbes Town Hall.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show finishes with the Public Tasting held on Fri­day 23 August from 6.30pm at the Forbes Town Hall.

All the wines entered in the show will be available for patrons to taste and finger food will be provided. Tickets are $30 per person.

The next event is the Gourmet Wine Din­ner, which will also be held at the Forbes Town Hall and celebrates the trophy win­ners of the show.

The dinner will be held Saturday 21st Sep­tember from 7pm with a four-course meal catered by Eat Your Greens featuring tro­phy winning wines to complement the meal.

Tickets for this event are $130 per person.

If you purchase your tickets to both events in the same transaction, you will receive a $10 discount, making attending both events $150 per person.

Tickets are available at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/44190/nsw-small-winemak­ers-wine-show

Pictured from L-R is Cl Niel Westcott, Phil Donato MP, Carly Fisher, Helen Westwood, Cl Marg Appelby and Cl Phyllis Miller OAM

Member for Orange Phil Donato was pleased to announce Parkes psychologist Carly Fisher and Forbes Legacy’s Helen Westwood have been added to the NSW Government’s Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. A tribute to regional and rural women volunteering in their communities, the Hid­den Treasures 2023 list recognises the crit­ical role these outstanding individuals play in their communities.

Mr Donato said: “In the case of Carly and Helen, the support they give their commu­nities in the face of adversity is particularly noteworthy when viewed through the lens of the November 2022 flood event.

“A registered psychologist and business consultant, Carly logged hundreds of hours supporting traumatised flood victims and their families in Forbes and Eugowra, pay­ing particular attention to children. There are countless other ways that Carly has used her expertise to help her community, including mentoring, supporting and coach­ing through various organisations.”

“Forbes’ Helen Westwood is a stalwart of Lachlan Legacy and although she retired from the role of office manager in 2019 af­ter many years, she continues to volunteer, giving members access to her amazing bank of knowledge.

“Helen’s husband Maurie was a long standing Legatee and Chair of Forbes Divi­sion and she has continued his work since his sudden passing in 2023. A highlight was the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay on July 31st this year.”

Since its inception in 2010, Hidden Treas­ures has recognised over 1,200 women who volunteer in regional, rural and remote NSW. Congratulations Carly and Helen.

Section of The Australia/Philippines Friendship Mural with images of the Australian wedge-tailed eagle and the Philippines national eagle.

The powerful Wiradjuri word Yindyamarra, meaning deep respect, was chosen as title of a 30m wide x 4m high mural in the Philippines.

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines commissioned the Baguio City (Phil)-Australia Friendship Mural to celebrate the strong ties between the two countries and to highlight the culture of First Nations peoples. At the official opening of the mural was the original Ub Ubbo Exchange song Echoes, which was produced by Parkes man Jason Murchie.

Sean James Cassidy, Director of Ub Ubbo Exchange Australian Chapter, helped develop the connections for this project. In a letter to Cassidy, the Australian Ambassador HK Yu in the Philippines wrote, “I am pleased to have learnt about your continuing work with Lope Bosaing on Ub Ubbo Exchange. The Ambassador also extended her respect and special thanks to Wiradjuri Elders Robert Clegg and Geoff Anderson and indigenous artist and mentor Irene Ridgeway, for their invaluable contribution to this mural.”

Ub Ubbo Exchange has worked to promote indigenous and non-indigenous collaborations through the arts. Their philosophy of diverse cultural energies growing through mutual empowerment has been embodied in cultural exchanges, particularly between regional Australia and northern Philippines.

“It is great that we can work with people we might never meet for the benefit of people yet to be born,” said Geoff Anderson, president of the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group.

“Having this mural named Yindyamarra is a wonderful thing to happen for the Wiradjuri people.”

Ben recently visited Brewarrina alongside Latrell Mitchell, Shaquai Mitchell and Jack Wighton. Representing the Win­marra foundation founded by Latrell, the boys spent time engaging with the local community and assisting at-risk youth.

Former Parkes Spacemen and current South Sydney Rabbitohs player Ben Lovett has been nominated for the The Ken Ste­phen Medal – Man of the Year, which rec­ognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to community projects. A player is nominated by their NRL club for going above and beyond in their involvement in charity work, youth develop­ment or community support.

The 2024 Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year nominees form the NRL Commu­nity Team of the Year. Fans have the chance to vote for their favourite nominee and we are urging everyone to vote for former Parkes local Ben Lovett who was selected as a nominee from South Sydney Rabbi­tohs. Souths have won the award for the last two years, in 2023 with Latrell Mitchell and in 2022 with Cody Walker. Lets help Ben make it three in a row

Ben had this to say about being nomi­nated: “I’m honoured to be nominated for an award that represents something bigger than football. Giving back to the community and inspiring kids to achieve their dreams has always been my passion.

“I am grateful for Parkes, the Spacemen and the Rabbitohs for giving me the plat­form to make a difference, and for their sup­port throughout.”

To vote for Ben go to: www.nrl.com/com­munity/awards/ken-stephen-medal/