It’s an exciting time for Parkes Shire’s history with the new Regional Airport Upgrade officially opened and the new terminal unveiled as the Robert Wilson Terminal. Dignitaries and special guests were in attendance at the opening yesterday, including Federal Member of the Riverina Hon. Michael McCormack MP, the family of Robert Wilson OAM and Councillors.

It was a fitting tribute to our former late Mayor Robert Wilson and we were delighted the Wilson family were with us as we unveiled the terminal named in his honour. Congratulations to the Parkes Picnics Race Committee! The chilly weather didn’t deter over 2500 racegoers at the Parkes Racecourse.

Other weekend events included the Scale Aerobatics NSW State Championships held at Nelungaloo Flying Field, the Peak Hill Arts and Craft Exhibition and the Parkes and District Kennel Club Show hosted the three all breeds championships at the Parkes Showground.

Another Parkes local had been added to the prestigious Queens Birthday Honour List; with the Parkes Radio Telescope’s Operations Scientist, John Sarkissian awarded an OAM over the weekend. Council would like to extend their congratulations to John on his recent Order of Australia honours. Well done John and well deserved.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM

Polish your boots and pull out your hat boxes as racing returns to Parkes Racecourse this Long Weekend. Saturday 11 June will feature the running of the Coradgery Cup and Fashions on the Field. Parkes Picnic Races presents a five race program and live trackside entertainment by ‘One Non Blond.’

Congratulations to the organisers and presenters of the Central West Business Summit. It’s great to see such a strong focus on innovation and business development. Excellent to see the event held here in Parkes and supported by many neighbouring towns and regional businesses. Well done.

The Inland Rail progress is creating great confidence in regional Australia with welcomed comments from the Deputy PM and Leader of The Nationals Barnaby Joyce when he says the project will create a ‘corridor of commerce’. It’s an exciting time for Parkes with the $894M funding committed from the Federal Government and the endless opportunities posed by the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail for our Shire.

In response to recent media speculation we can rest assured the Parkes radio Telescope (The Dish) will remain in operation. I have personally received assurances from the Federal member for the Riverina Hon. Michael McCormack MP that the media reports regarding the future of the Telescope were based on a narrow reading of future budget possibilities. The Parkes Radio Telescope has always been at the forefront of innovation be it helping televise man walking on the moon, assisting during the Apollo 13 mission, the discovery of over half of the 2000 pulsars known to mankind, providing a learning platform for the world’s astrophysics and contributing to the discovery and implementation of the Wi-Fi technology we all take for granted today.

Whether you’re a sports fanatic, culture seeking, or a socialiser, there’s something for you this June long weekend in Parkes. The long weekend will be filled with a variety of events for locals and visitors alike. Explore the Henry Parkes Centre for a hit of culture and history, head to Peak Hill for a day of handmade wares, turn heads at the Parkes Picnic Races, or perch on the hill of Jock Colley Oval and cheer on the Spacemen!

Enjoy a safe and happy long weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Congratulations to all our committees and volunteers in their organising of the successful Anzac Day commemorations throughout the Shire. It was uplifting to see our wonderful residents paying their respect to our past  and present servicemen and women.

The Draft Operational Budget for 2016 – 17 has now been prepared. This document outlines the programs and projects Parkes Shire Council will undertake over the next twelve months and how these will be funded. All documents are available for review at Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street Parkes.

The Parkes CBD Vibrancy Strategy has been on public display at the Council PMO office in the old CBA building over the last two weeks. Council would like to thank the great number of residents that have shared their feedback on the plans and encourage all interested residents to attend the public workshop next Monday from 6pm in the Council Chambers.

Parkes Painting Group will tonight host their opening night for their art exhibition in the Coventry Room at Parkes Library. I encourage our local residents to support this event as all money raised will be donated to the Parkes Hospital.

And it’s not long now till we dust off our sequins and enjoy a great weekend of fun at our iconic ABBA Festival. This year has already seen over 2000 tickets sold. Don’t miss out, get in and buy your ticket today. Enjoy the Autumn weather.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

I hope our Shire’s farming community has been able to capture some of the sporadic rain over the last week during this unseasonably dry time. The recommendations of the Parkes CBD Vibrancy Strategy seek to improve the overall appearance and performance of the town centre and focus on 6 main areas including, small wins, further designs, car parking and movement, activation and maintenance. The Strategy will be on public exhibition until 20th May.

Another successful NSW Touch Football Junior Regionals was hosted in Parkes recently, seeing over 750 competitors and team officials and their families converge on our great centre. Congratulations to all the organisers and volunteers, it’s great to see such high level competition within our region.

Anzac Day celebrations are planned throughout the Shire next Monday, with services taking place in Alectown, Peak Hill, Bogan Gate, Trundle, Tullamore and Parkes. I encourage all our residents to support our services and pay respect to our past and present servicemen and women.

Our Shire’s iconic ABBA Festival is coming up on May 7th with over 2,000 tickets already sold for this year’s festival. Organisers are excited by the response and say this year is shaping up to be the largest. Enjoy your last weekend of the school holiday period.

Yours Faithfully, Cr Ken Keith OAM

Happy Senior’s Week to the Parkes Shire. I trust all of our community’s seniors are enjoying the number of events and activities happening throughout the towns, including the art exhibition at the Parkes Library and a range of activities organised by Neighbourhood Central. Seniors Week is a great initiative by the NSW Government,
highlighting the important role senior resident’s play and the contributions they make to our local community.

Youth Week 2016 will be held from today (April 8th) to April 16th, and to celebrate a Free Pop-Up Cinema will travel to each township in the Shire so bring your chairs, bean bags, a picnic and the whole family. Visit Council’s website to find out more details. Parkes Upmarkets are on this Sunday in Cooke Park from 9am-1pm showcasing a wide variety of stall holders with tasty treats and handmade goodies. Enjoy the sunshine and head on down.

It’s a great time of year to be out and about, with the region’s sporting competitions in full swing and lots of events and activities for all our residents. I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy our Parkes Shire.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire