General Interest Archives - Page 39 of 351

Lachlan Valley Branch Walks Calendar

May 1, 2025 By Roxane Manley

New walkers are always welcome with the Lachlan Valley Branch Bushwalkers group.

The walks are generally pretty leisurely, taking time to spot birds, plants, spiders and other animals. Walkers are reminded to bring along enough food and water for the entire day as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hat and sunscreen. A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair for the post- walk cuppa is recommended. The walks are generally pretty leisurely, taking time to spot birds, plants, spiders and other animals.

There are three grades of walks:

Easy: (5 to 10 kilometres) Mostly flat to slightly undulating topography.

Medium: (5 to 8 kilometres) May be over moderate hills or rough terrain.

Hard: (5 or more kilometres) Walk suitable for above average fitness level.

• Saturday 3 May SWWNR Coradgery 4-5km easy walk: Meet at Bushmans Dam, Kelly Reserve cnr Thomas St and Peak Hill Rd at 9am. Leader Peter Cannon 6866 1225.

• Tuesday May 27 2025 SWWNR Cookamidgera: Meet at the gate on Coonambro Way at 9.30am. Medium 6kms South end of the reserve some off track, bush bashing. Leader Liz MacRaild 0455 915 989.

• Saturday June 7 East Cookeys Plains State Forest: Meet at Bushmans Dam, Kelly Reserve cnr Thomas St and Peak Hill Rd at 9am. Easy 6kms, mostly flat. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586

• Thursday June 26 Moorillah Merran and Peter Cannons 345 Cooka Hills Rd Cookamidgera: Meet at the address at 9.30am Medium 3-4km scrambly, up and down, off track. Leader Peter or Merran 6866 1225.

Please contact the listed walk leader the night before the walk if you intend to come.

A $2.00 donation for each walker is appreciated.

For safety reasons those walking stay together as a group. Please consider bringing a companion if for any reason you are unsure of your ability.

Head Along To Cooke Park This Saturday For Homegrown Parkes

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Register to enjoy one of the many workshops on offer or just head along to Cooke Park from 9am to 2pm to check out the locally grown and made products and produce

If you like the idea of locally grown markets, or perhaps fancy yourself as a homegrown producer, head along to Cooke Park Pavillion this Saturday 26 April for Homegrown Parkes. This community gathering celebrates local produce, crafts, and sustainability initiatives. There will be plenty of new tips and tricks to learn with an exciting program of workshops and with each workshop registration, you will go in the running to win some wonderful prizes from the local Homegrown Parkes businesses.

Chef Jack Brown, an Indigenous chef who is trained in traditional French cuisine, will be providing a workshop in the Cooke Park Pavilion from 11am. Then at 12.30pm, Kath Whitchurch will be providing a workshop on Sourdough Making. The final Pavilion Workshop at 2.00pm, willfeature talented landscape designer Elizabeth Briton, sharing her knowledge of local plant species and design concepts.

Clancy The Bee Man will provide informal workshops on the lawn in front of the Pavilion at 10.30am and 1.00pm. There will also be also a free, live reptile display throughout the day, with Andrew providing two formal presentations at 11am and 1.30pm.

Funding for this event has been granted under the Open Streets Program, funded by Transport for NSW, in addition to support from Central West Lachlan Landcare and volunteers from Parkes Community Arts. Chef Jack Brown is attending thanks the support of Landcare NSW.

For further details on the full program, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or follow the Homegrown Parkes Facebook page.

Canowindra Balloon Festival Ready To Take Off

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Balloons taking off at the 2024 Canowindra International Balloon Festival. Image Credit: Farmpix Photography

The skies over Canowindra are set to dazzle as the beloved Canowindra Balloon Festival returns from 26 April to 4 May.

This vibrant week-long celebration of hot air balloons, music, art, food, and community spirit offers something for everyone.

Festivities lift off with the Welcome Street Party on 26 April, featuring live music from Nerida Cuddy and the Neil Gill Band, alongside a sizzling BBQ competition, delicious food, and market stalls. Throughout the week, enjoy Flicker Fest at Rosnay, creative Paint and Sips, inspiring workshops from The Creative Cure, and Sue Hodges’ art exhibition at the Canowindra Services Club, just to name a few of the offerings for the week.

Test your trivia knowledge at the Trivia Night hosted by the Canowindra Public School P&C. Then, don’t miss the Home Ground Sounds Concert on 2 May, headlined by country star Casey Barnes, with performances by Furnace and The Fundamentals, Big Night Out, and Nathan Lamont.

Saturday, 3 May, begins with the thrilling Balloon Key Grab, followed by the CWA All Day Breakfast, a colourful street parade, and the spectacular Cabonne Community Glow—gates open from 3pm.

Whether you’re here for the balloons or the beats, the Canowindra Balloon Festival is an unforgettable autumn escape. Balloons fly from 27 April to 2 May mornings and afternoons, weather permitting.

Tickets and more information available at Balloon HQ located on Gaskill Street and 123tix.com.au.

ANZAC Day In Parkes And Forbes

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

On Friday 25 April 2025, Australian’s will mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, as well as commemorating all Australians who have served in times of peace and war. Parkes and Forbes residents are invited to attend the ANZAC Day Commemorative Services to be held across the Parkes and Forbes Shires:

PARKES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS

• Dawn Service 5:30am at Memorial Hill

• Breakfast Bistro 6:30am at Parkes Services Club

• Church Service 7am at Holy Family Catholic Church

• Church Service 7:30am at Parkes Anglican Church

• ANZAC Day March 8:30am at Welcome Street, Chamberlain Square and Clarinda Street to Cooke Park

• Commemorative Service am at Cooke Parkes

• Wreath Laying Pilgrimage 10:45am at Parkes Cemetery War Graves

• ANZAC Day Luncheon 12pm at Parkes Services Club

• Sound Retreat 5pm at Cooke Park

• The Ode 6pm at Parkes Services Club

FORBES ANZAC COMMEMMORATIONS

• Dawn Service 5:20am Harold Street, form up 5.15am Templar Street, adjacent to Club Forbes

• ANZAC Day March 10:15am Cross Street, Cross Street, Lachlan Street, Harold Street terminating at Cenotaph

• Commemmorative Service 10:30am Harold Street

Neighbourhood Central To Host Innaugural Seniors Expo

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The dedicated staff from Neighbourhood Central will be on hand on the day to help guide you.

Established in 1977, Neighbourhood Central is a not-for-profit community organisation that provide a variety of community support services to people living in the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Bland Local Government Areas. On 2 May, they will be hosting the innaugural Parkes Seniors Expo, providing local seniors and carers with a one-stopshop of services and assistance available, empowering seniors to lead their best life.

No matter what level of assistance you or your loved ones need, Neighbourhood Central’s Seniors Expo will connect you to the right people. The expo will showcase the latest in products and services for inhome aged care, healthcare support, mental health and general wellness.

On the day you will be able to speak to representatives from a whole range of services including Catholic Care, OPAN, Carer Gateway, Advanced Care Planning, Philip Donato, Centrelink, Vital Call, NSW Police, All Ages Podiatry, Red Cross, Yoorana Gunya, Matthew Williams Lawyers, Kerin Health Physio, Central West Allied Health, Standby-after death care, Legal Aid, Service NSWHead along and speak with the experts about what is available to help individuals and families embrace the future with confidence. Morning tea will be provided, there are plenty of lucky door prizes to win, and it’s free to attend. No matter what care looks like to you – Neighbourhood Central care. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

The Neighbourhood Central Senior Expo is being held on Friday, 2 May in the Starlight Lounge at the Parkes Services Club, starting at 11am ending 1pm. At 11:30am the Expo will be officially opened by Philip Donato MP. For more information call 02 6862 5045 or email admin@ncentral.org.au

Coalition Commits $10 Million To Support Veterans

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Sam Farraway The Nationals candidate for Calare said “Our veterans have given so much for our country – we owe them more than just thanks,”

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud was happy to make an announcement for Veterans and their families in the Central West, who will receive a much-needed boost in support under a Dutton-Littleproud Government, with the Coalition committing $5 million to establish a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Bathurst and $5 million to expand the Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre in Dubbo.

David went on to say “They will deliver integrated support to veterans and families, by improving access to local services such as wellbeing, advocacy, employment and housing advice, social connection and physical and mental health.”

The Nationals candidate for Calare Sam Farraway said the funding commitment would provide a critically important space for veterans’ services and advocacy organisations to co-exist and deliver integrated support to current and ex-service personnel and their families.

“The commitment will bring services together under one roof so that veterans and their families across the Central West can access the support they need, when they need it.

“Too many veterans slip through the cracks because help is too far away or too hard to find. I hope this will make a lasting difference to those who’ve worn the uniform and their families.”

The Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said “We must never forget the sacrifices made by our local veterans and always act to ensure that they and their families have the support they deserve.

“This investment will not only provide further support for veterans in Dubbo (and Bathurst) but a regional base for surrounding areas. Support services like today’s announcement will build on the support already available for veterans. There is no doubt more work needs to be done, but it’s a start.”

Resilient Homes Program Hits Next Stage Across Central West NSW

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Making the announcement at the Eugowra Showground is Deputy Mayor of Cabonne Council Jamie Jones, Janelle Saffin MP, Minister for Recovery, Member for Orange Phil Donato, and Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon.

Residents across the Central West of NSW impacted by the 2022 floods have begun to receive their free home assessment reports from the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s $40 million Resilient Homes Program.

Since applications for the Resilient Homes Program opened on 28 October 2024, the Reconstruction Authority has received 200 applications and undertaken 125 home assessments, with more to be scheduled.

The Resilient Homes Program supports resilience and safety so that people can continue to live in the communities they love. The program has three streams:

Home Buybacks – eligible homeowners in highest risk areas may receive a payment for the purchase of their home and land in areas that have a very high risk of future floods.

Resilient Measures – grant funding of between $50,000 and $100,000 to eligible homeowners to raise liveable areas of their home, relocate their home, rebuild a more resilient home or retrofit their home with more resilient materials and innovative design features.

Free Home Assessments – a flood resilience expert will help identify opportunities with eligible homeowners to increase the resilience of a home.

Eligibility for the Program takes people’s individual circumstances into account, with priority given to those facing additional barriers and challenges that could increase their vulnerability or risk in future flooding events.

For more information on the Resilient Homes Program in the Central West visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/resilient-homes-program-central-west or call the Reconstruction Authority Concierge Team on 1800 844 085

Let’s Get The Bush Connected This Election

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for commitments from all sides of politics to bridge the digital divide for rural and regional Australians in this election.

NFF President David Jochinke said that while significant investment has been made, we’re still a long way from fixing the rural and regional connectivity problem.

“Whether it’s calling for help in an emergency, coordinating logistics during harvest, or simply staying connected with loved ones – bush connectivity is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Reliable connectivity is critical to keeping people outside major population centres safe and connected, both in times of natural disasters, and in daily farm life.”

Mr Jochinke said rural, regional and remote constituents deserved reliable and resilient connectivity, and he acknowledged productive discussions with telecommunication providers, but it’s time for the Federal Government to step up.

“This election, we’ve put all parties on notice: rural voters are tired of buffering, dropouts and excuses. They want to be connected” Mr Jochinke said.

The NFF has compiled a list of actions that would continue to improve bush connectivity.

The NFF’s Election Platform can be found here keepfarmersfarming.org.au

Peak Hill Community Luncheon And Information Session

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Volunteers should be proud of the wonderful contribution they provide to our communities.

On Wednesday 9 April, Parkes Meals On Wheels hosted a community luncheon and information session for their clients and residents at Peak Hill. The event was wellattended by Meals on Wheels clients, staff and board members, walk-in participants, local Council members, and hospital staff.

The wonderful team who catered for the event and also joined in the lovely day.

Some events truly highlight the importance of a service in a small country town, and this was one of those events. Elderly residents who attended the event spoke about the hardship they have accessing basic services, the extreme loneliness they suffer daily, and the struggles they face with every day life.

Meals on Wheels services across Australia promote that they are more than just a meal. Volunteers from all lines of work, provide such a valuable service to our communities. In Peak Hill, the phone call each week from our caring staff followed by a visit from the Meals on Wheels volunteers are the joy for some Meals On Wheels clients.

The simple small act of bringing someone a meal, and having a conversation is the highlight of their day, or even their week as they have no family in town, and no one who drops in for a cuppa. The Meals on Wheels team are always asking about their clienst well-being, while quietly ensuring that the person is ok, and then caring enough to report when that person isn’t coping.

On 21 May, Meals On Wheels will be celebrating Volunteers Week by hosting a morning tea at the Parkes Service Club.

The morning tea is their way of saying “thank you” to all of our amazing volunteers.

Protect Yourself Against The Flu Season

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Influenza is rising rapidly in Australia with more than 58,200 confirmed influenza cases already reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) this year.

Health professionals warn the flu season is expected to peak earlier this year, with more than 22,400 confirmed cases in NSW, while the ACT has recorded more than 660 cases.

It’s a timely reminder for families and vulnerable members of the community to speak with healthcare providers about vaccination.

“The best time to get vaccinated is now, peak flu season is from June to September, so we want as many people as possible protected and vaccinated against influenza before that peak season hits to take pressure of our doctors and hospitals.”

“Quite often long weekends and school holidays are a time for family gatherings, you might be seeing the older relatives in your family, or those with babies, and we want to protect those individuals. It takes two weeks to get full protection from the vaccine so now is the opportune time.”

The flu vaccine is recommended for all Australians over six months of age[2] with modelling suggesting influenza cases may be higher than reported.

“Those who are at more risk of serious illness and hospitalisation have access to free flu vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program (NIP),” Lisa said.

Patients are encouraged to speak with their local pharmacist, or GP, to determine which vaccine is suitable and who qualifies for the NIP.

For information on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) visit: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine

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