There were more than 20 attendees at the recent Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day held at the Parkes Racecourse.

The event was organised by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety Program and supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, McPhersons Parts & Service, O’Connors Forbes, Parkes SES Unit and Parkes Rotary Club.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said anecdotal feedback from attendees was very positive.

“Regulations are constantly changing, so events like these are important to ensure we provide information about how to safely and legally move agricultural machinery, combinations and trucks on the road network in the lead up to the busy harvest period.

“We had presentations about conditional registration, auxiliary plates, fatigue, load restraint, access, compliance, the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice and more.

‘We also discussed the operational requirements of the NSW Light Vehicle Agricultural and Indivisible Item Exemption Notice 2024.

This notice allows consent for drivers of light vehicles to tow certain agricultural implements like augers.

“The highlight of the event was the interactive activities, where we showed participants how to use the quick refer

ence guide for the Class 1 Agricultural Notice to work out what the travel requirements would be for a range of equipment.

Thanks to McPhersons Parts & Service and O’Connors Forbes who were very generous in loaning us the equipment for the display.

“Participants could take home windscreen stickers that can be attached to their machinery that acts as a quick reference for travel requirements such as pilots, lights and signage – these were extremely popular.

“We also conducted a weighing display which explained gross vehicle mass and gross combination mass. Thanks to Parkes SES for bringing along their ute and a boat for this exercise,” Ms Suitor said.

If you missed the event, it was recorded and the link to the recording will be published on the Councils’ Facebook pages.

The Central West Charity Tractor Trek is a group of approximately 60 volunteers that formed in 2017, with the objective to raise funds that assist families with children suffering from illness and/or disabilities.

All money rasised by the group directly supports children in the Central West of NSW. Their current beneficiary is the charity Little Wings, who fly sick children and their family to Sydney for medical treatment free of charge.

The group has an upcoming Trek being held from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, that will be travelling in the Parkes area.

The people of Parkes and Forbes can support the Trek by cheering the team on as they pass, making a donation, sponsoring a tractor or buying a raffle ticket.

Long-standing group members Ray and Laurie McMahon will be in Parkes this week and in Forbes next week selling raffle tickets and merchandise, and raising awareness. If you see them, please show your support.

The public are also invited to attend the the fundraising dinner on Saturday, 26 September at the Parkes Leagues Club. Highlights will include a guest speaker whose family who has benefitted from Little Wings, an auction and the drawing of the major raffle. For ticket availability email cwctractortrek@outlook.com or phone 0417 447 790.

Parkes Shire Council has elected Councillor Neil Westcott as Mayor and Councillor Joy Paddison as Deputy Mayor following a vote at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 15 September 2026.

Councillor Westcott was re-elected unopposed as Mayor for a further two-year term, while Councillor Paddison was elected Deputy Mayor, succeeding Councillor Marg Applebee.

Mayor Neil Westcott thanked councillors, Council staff and his family following his reelection. “I would like to thank the councillors for the confidence you have bestowed upon me in the honour of being Mayor for another two years.

I hope over the last three years that you all as Councillors feel as though you’ve had your opportunity to shine. I recognise that this is very much a team effort and, as Mayor, I do depend on you and your support very much on being active councillors within our community.

“Thank you to Cr Applebee for your service as Deputy Mayor. You have been very hardworking and there have been a lot of good memories over those couple of years.

“Congratulations to Cr Paddison on your election as Deputy Mayor. You will enjoy the ride that is Deputy Mayor. The role is what you make of it, and it does open up a lot of doors.”

Outgoing Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee reflected on her time in the role. “I just wanted to express what a pleasure it has been to be the Deputy Mayor of Parkes Shire over two terms. I think my record speaks for itself. I’ve been dedicated, I’ve been proud to represent the Shire.

“I’ll continue showing up at events and supporting our community, regardless of what position I hold. When one door closes, another one opens.”

Newly elected Deputy Mayor Joy Paddison thanked councillors and her family for their support saying, “I seriously couldn’t have done it without them.”

A beautiful Woodstock family are currently facing unfathomable times; with the loss of their home and their precious four-year-old son.

This family of five need the support of our communities; as much as they need their privacy. No possession or dollar will ever be enough to rebuild the life this family should be enjoying, but all donations will be kindly accepted.

A team of their friends are also coordinating a cattle drive on Tuesday 29 September at CTLX, Carcoar and a lamb drive at Cowra Saleyards on Wednesday 30 September. All stock donations will be greatly appreciated.

In these coming days, weeks, months and beyond, these funds will be used to help this family take the time they need to heal.

Donations can be made at: https://gofund.me/648b2095e.

Dusty Langby is a 12 year old boy, who has this week, completed a 540km walk from Warren to Canberra with the aim of raising $1 million for Little Wings so they can fly more paediatricians out to the bush. Dusty and his team left Warren on 30 August, and after five days and 184 kms of walking, Dusty arrived in Parkes on 3 August where he had already raised approximately $270,000.

While in Parkes, we caught up with Dusty and his team, which included his mum Sarah, who is a nurse, and fellow nurses Nikki from Little Wings and Chris from Warren.

We learned Dusty was actually only 11 years old when he came up with the idea to walk to Canberra.

Dusty, who lives on a farm in Warren, one afternoon noticed his mum Sarah had had a hard day, and said to her, “Come on mum lets go out the back, I’ll get you in the dam to have a swim and get you a ‘lemonade’ from the coolroom.”

It was then, that the pair got talking and Dusty stated he wanted to do something to help support Little Wings, saying, “Well I’ll walk.” Mum Sarah replied, “How far will you walk? Where will you walk?” To which Dusty responded, “Parliament House.” When his mum asked how much he would raise he confidently said, “One million dollars.”

Dusty completed his walk and arrived in Canberra on 15 August, meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who confirmed, “We’re matching Dusty’s fundraising dollar for dollar and backing Little Wings so they can keep flying and supporting regional families”.

Dusty absolutely smashed his goal of raising $1 million dollars, but the Dollar for Dusty fundraising account will be open for approximately one month post walk, so you can still donate at: www.givenow.com.au/dollar-for-dusty