General Interest Archives - Page 44 of 351

Country Sounds At The Pavilion Returns For An Unforgettable Night

February 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Part of the highly successful Sounds at the Pavilion series, this event has continued to grow, attracting crowds from 500 to over 3,500 attendees and proving its immense value to the Parkes community.

Parkes Shire Council’s Events Officer, Megan Morrison, shared her excitement:

“These Sounds events are about creating lasting, impactful moments for our community. Seeing how much they’ve grown over the past three years speaks to the value they bring. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching families, friends, and even strangers singing, dancing, laughing, and sharing moments of pure joy. With an incredible lineup of national and local talent, I know this will be another great night, and our team can’t wait to share it with our community.”

The 2025 lineup features an impressive mix of both national and local talent, headlined by Robbie Mortimer, with performances from Tyla Rodrigues, Baeden Faint, Gracey Jones, and DJ Sammy.

This free community event includes live music, over a dozen delicious food vendors, a dedicated kids’ entertainment zone featuring a mechanical bull, jumping castle and giant letters, and wraps up with a spectacular fireworks display.

Tickets are free via 123Tix. For more details, visit the events page on the Parkes Shire Council’s website council@parkes.nsw.gov.au We hope to see you there!

Construction Underway: BP Highway Service Centre In Parkes

February 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council, Stevens Group, and the NSW Government’s Regional Growth Development Corporation (RGDC) last week celebrated the commencement of construction with a sod-turning ceremony on site of the bp Highway Service Centre in Parkes. The Stevens Group development site is located in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct northern gateway, that will connect the precinct with the Parkes town centre and Newell Highway.

The first stage of the project commenced construction in late 2024, with bulk earthworks, servicing and road infrastructure underway. Once complete the Highway Service Centre will be anchored by bp with a convenience store, truck drivers lounge with showers, laundry, and diner, and 26 Heavy Vehicle parking spaces to provide a much needed rest stop on this significant transport route.

Mayor Neil Westcott said this project is more than just a service centre – it serves as the gateway to the heart of national logistics and the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

Parkes Shire Council is proud to partner with esteemed developers like the Stevens Group and bp, whose involvement underscores the quality and national importance of this site. For more information, you can visit: https://bit.ly/4hFf1mF

Woolworths Extends Quiet Hour To Five Days A Week

February 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

You may see signage in place when you enter your local Woolworths store Monday-Friday between the hours of 10.30am-11.30am.

Woolworths has expanded its low-sensory Quiet Hour to five days a week, an experience designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs.

During Quiet Hour, most Woolworths stores will lower lights, turn down music or radio, turn off beeps at the register and turn off oven buzzers for an hour, every Monday to Friday between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Quiet hour was developed in consultation with disability service provider Life Without Barriers and launched in 2019 one day a week to meet the need in the community for a low-sensory shopping experience.

Since then, the initiative has rolled out to over 900 stores across Australia.

Jeanette Fenske, Woolworths Director of Stores, said: “We continue to receive positive feedback from customers on the initiative, and our teams take great pride in ensuring the stores are quieter and less stressful for customers during this time.

“Quiet Hour is now an integral part of how we aim to assist independence in our stores, in addition to the opportunity provided by Direct to Boot and delivery options for many customers.

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said: “The expansion of Quiet Hour at Woolworths from one to five week days is a fantastic initiative that recognises and is actively responding to different needs in the community.

“Life Without Barriers has been delighted with Woolworths leadership to give people more options to do their shopping in store and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them.”

Quiet Hour now runs from 10:30am – 11:30am every Monday to Friday in most stores nationally.

MLA Launches Social Media Academy

February 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is launching a new Social Media Academy to create the next batch of influential red meat ambassadors to connect everyday Australians with the vital work of our producers. MLA is calling for producers to sign up to the Social Media Academy.

MLA’s Managing Director Michael Crowley said the program will help metropolitan Australians see how their favourite red meat is produced on-farm.

“MLA’s Social Media Academy will assist producers show best practice in caring for livestock and the environment so customers can continue to feel good about eating red meat. We’ll be doing this on social media where Australians are engaged in receiving and sharing information.”

Social Media Academy participants will attend workshops at TikTok’s head office and walk away with the skills they need to build a community and following, as well as insights into boosting positive community perceptions about Australian red meat production.

The first cohort of participants will be trained by TikTok in Sydney on 23 April 2025 and learn how to create best practice content. They will also connect with other Australian agriculture content creators.

Selection criteria available at www.mla.com.au/mla-social-media-academy

The Trundle Testicle Festival Gives The Finger To Cancer

February 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Team Doug: Doug, front left, and the Blue Team from Trundle’s AGnVET in a water trough that was donated by Bushmans Tanks.

Trundle’s Testicle Festival was the brainchild of customer service officers at Trundle’s AGnVET, Sharon MacDonald and Paula Wright, when one of their close co-workers, Doug, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2018.

“We asked if we could do anything? And although he said that he was fine, we decided to create a fundraiser to help raise awareness. The girls in our town host a very successful pink night to raise funds for women’s cancers, so we decided to do a blue night for the fellas, and with awareness as our moto, we started the Trundle Testicle Festival to give Prostate Cancer the finger,” said Sharon.

It’s not a well known fact, but more men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer, so raising awareness hopefully is key to getting men diagnosed early.

“Our town is quite proactive in getting behind a worthwhile cause. As soon as you ask for something, people get back to you and say, ‘How can I help?’. Everyone gets involved. The footy team choreographed a Full Monty for us one year, and it was on the night before the grand final.

“The blue night was popular, but with COVID, we decided to do something else, and Paula, one of the organisers, said we should play cricket on Boxing Day! “We named it the Trundle Testicle Festival to get men talking about their health and encourage people to get their PSA checked,” said Sharon.

“We host a BBQ, everyone enjoys a beer, and it’s just a lovely way to get together and raise awareness for a really important cause,” she added.

Sharon said it was eye-opening to find out how many people were impacted by prostate cancer in the region. “People don’t like to talk about prostate cancer, unfortunately.

We sadly lost Doug in 2022 at the age of 67.”

“His son was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he wasn’t even 40. He’s had treatment, and he’s good now, but it just goes to show how much prostate cancer impacts our lives.”

“Over the years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for PFCA. It’s an important organisation for men and their families who need support,” Sharon concluded.

To get involved, contact the Trundle Testicle Festival’s Facebook Page or email trundletesticlefestival@gmail.com

Have you got the balls to help?

We are seeking donations of items suitable to raffle and auction for our fundraiser. We would love donations of any blue items, bloke items, boy items, any items. Donations of any type are welcome, goods, services, time, or talent.

In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and more than 3,700 men dying of prostate cancer in Australia every year. To quote Doug: it doesn’t matter how “groovy cool gas far out solid and right on chickie babe” you might be, please get checked. Know your PSA. It’s no poke!

Just a few of the awesome teams who played in the 2024 Testy Festy Boxing Day match

Resting up after securing the runners-up spot was ‘Blind Leading the Blind’.

Shout out to the boys in blue from the ‘Yarrabandai Yacht Club’.

Extremely well coordinated on the day with their outfits were ‘The Wrong’uns’.

Congratulations to ‘The Wicket Warriors’ on their win in the grand final against ‘Blind Leading the Blind’.

Major Banks Put Regional Branch Closures On Hold

February 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP has welcomed the news which has followed his and the community’s advocacy to keep local bank branches open.

“Concerningly, across regional Australia, around 1,150 post offices are providing the only banking services in regional and rural towns, following the closure of nearly 850 bank branches since June 2017,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am pleased to see our advocacy has informed Government policy for the benefit of regional Australians.

“As part of the deal, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and ANZ have agreed to not close any more rural or regional branches until mid-2027.

“Bank@Post services will also be improved across the Australia Post network, with ANZ agreeing to join the service, Macquarie Bank in negotiations to join and HSCB intended to start talks.

“Existing banks using the service have agreed to revise existing contracts to improve the sustainability of the scheme.

“This outcome is beneficial to both communities which still retain bank branches, as well as those at which Australia Post offers their only banking service.

“This is an issue that is above politics — regional and rural communities simply need and deserve access to banking services, otherwise they won’t be able to continue to prosper.

“I commit to continue to advocate for a long-term outcome that provides the surety we need.”

Empowering Young Voices Across Nsw

February 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, Zoë Robinson, will embark on a tour of NSW to join children and young people in their communities.

“This is an opportunity to get back out into the community and thank the children and young people of NSW for sharing their voice and ideas,” said Ms Robinson.

The Advocate is dedicated to making this year a memorable one, as it marks the culmination of her impactful five-year term as the Advocate for Children and Young People in NSW.

“Across this year, the ACYP team and I will sit with and listen to children and young people and hear what they have to say about issues that impact them,” said Ms Robinson.

In total, ninety-five requests were submitted from schools, organisations and youth advisory groups asking the Advocate to participate in a range of activities.

“This is a chance for me to sit with the community and hear from them, and also to thank them. It’s crucial for those in government and leadership roles to immerse themselves in the community, to truly understand and appreciate the voices of our future,” added Ms Robinson.

RAS Foundation And Birds In The Bush Join Forces

February 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The amazing women from Birds in the Bush. Image credit: Clancy Paine.

The RAS Foundation will partner with Central West family and domestic violence awareness organisation, Birds in the Bush, for its 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch to help raise funds for family and domestic violence refuges in the Central West region.

Hosted annually at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the RAS Foundation Charity Brunch brings RAS Members and Councillors together to help raise funds for vital regional causes or organisations.

RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan said “Birds in the Bush is an inspiring volunteer-led organisation that provides a voice for family and domestic violence in the Central West and the RAS Foundation is delighted to have them as the recipients of our 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch to help improve important facilities,” Logan said.

Birds in the Bush Founder, Vanessa Vasquez said “We are grateful to be the beneficiary of the RAS Foundation Charity Brunch. As a regional grassroots organisation, dedicated to highlighting the unique experience of family and domestic violence in bush communities.”

The 2025 RAS Foundation Charity Brunch will take place on April 16 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and will be hosted by the RAS Foundation and Birds in the Bush committees.

Tickets are available to RAS Members via (www.rasf.org.au). If you are not a RAS Member and are interested in attending, you can contact foundation@rasf.org.au.

Parkes Anglican Celebrating 150 Years Of Faith And Fellowship

February 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

St George’s Church, which was built starting in 1927, is known for its architectural beauty.

The Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill is thrilled to celebrate 150 years of faith, fellowship, and service to the community on the weekend of 21–23 February 2025.

This momentous occasion marks a rich history of faith and community, and the parish warmly invites everyone to join in the celebrations. “We’re thankful to God for the past 150 years of serving our community” said the Reverend Ben Mackay, “and we’re looking forward to what God will do in the years to come.”

The weekend will feature a series of special events including:

Friday, 21 February

• 4pm Open House: Come and explore the historic St George’s Parkes church building, view fascinating memorabilia, and enjoy live music performed by talented local musicians.

• 7pm Guest Talk by Simon Smart: Simon Smart, from the Centre for Public Christianity, will deliver an intriguing talk titled “How The Church Is Better and Worse Than You Ever Imagined”.

Saturday, 22 February

• 6pm Celebration Dinner: A formal dinner will be held, featuring a keynote speaker and reflections on the parish’s journey through the years.

Sunday, 23 February

• 10am Celebration and Thanksgiving Service: A joyful worship service to thank God for His faithfulness and to celebrate the future of the parish.

The parish has a proud history, first formed in 1875 after which the first timber church was built. After the original church burned down, it was replaced with a brick church.

Finally, the current St George’s church, a stunning cathedral-like building located on the corner of Church and Hill Streets, was built in 1927 and extended in the 1950s.

Over the years, the Anglican church has played a vital role in the life of Parkes, offering spiritual support, community events, and a place and community of refuge to all in Parkes. In addition to St George’s Parkes, the parish is blessed to include St Stephen’s Peak Hill, St Stephen’s Bindogundra, and Holy Trinity Reedy Creek.

Ben Mackay added: “We warmly invite all community members to be part of this celebration. Whether you’re a long-time parishioner, a neighbour, or simply curious about the history and central role of the church in the Parkes community, we’d love to welcome you to this special weekend. We are blessed with a wonderful church family and a beautiful building that has been shared with the community for generations.”

Come and join the celebrations as Parkes Anglican gives thanks for 150 years of ministry and look ahead to what God has in store for the future! For more information about the celebrations, or to RSVP to the formal dinner, please contact the parish office at 02 6862 1868 or visit our website parkesanglican.org.au

Inside the church is a space of community and peace.

Children enjoy their own space during church services, and Kids Church (Sunday School).

Demand For Small Grants Dramatically Increases

February 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Seven small arts projects across the NSW Central West will share $17,000 in funding from the annual Country Arts Support Program (CASP).

“The volume of applications demonstrates not only the crunch on budgets and rising costs of making art happen, but the demand for small, accessible, seed grants for regional arts activities and ideas,” said Arts OutWest executive director Kylie Shead.

There were 40 applications for the 2023 round asking for just over $105,000 in funding, a 40% increase from the previous round and around a 16% success rate.

“The activities proposed in all 40 applications are exciting, thoughtful, creative and worthy,” said Ms Shead. “There just isn’t the money to fund all of them.”

Funded activities in 2025 include: An artist-led community postcard art project in Cowra, Music making workshops with young women with disability in Bathurst, Puppetry and movement workshops in Lithgow, Kandos and Mudgee, A mural in Gulgong to commemorate Henry Lawson, Art making for a community veggie garden in Orange, Fibre arts workshops in Parkes, Youth podcasting training in Lithgow.

“These seven projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They provide employment opportunities to artists and arts workers. We also know from the history of this funding that it often seeds the first steps of potentially bigger arts projects or collaborations,” Ms Shead said.

Arts OutWest is the regional arts development organisation for Central West NSW, servicing the 12 local government areas of Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

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