Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations awarded Parkes Que Club a $1,000 grant in late 2025 to support our program supplying DV bags to NSW Police (Central West District), Neighbourhood Central and Catholic Care, and backpacks to all Parkes public schools. We matched the grant with an additional $1,000 raised through fundraising efforts. Northparkes staff also volunteered with Que members in a workshop to assemble the bags — we thank them for helping us support people in need in our community.

Save the date: our major fundraiser, Open Gardens and Markets, will be held Sunday, 11 October. For details contact parkesque­club@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

The Parkes Special Activation Precinct is set for a major economic boost, with three companies planning to establish operations in the precinct in a move expected to gen­erate $65 million in private investment and more than 100 new permanent jobs for the region.

A further 100 jobs will be created during the construction and establishment phase, in what is expected to be one of the larg­est and most significant local investments in many years.

Attracting these businesses to the Parkes Precinct is part of the Minns Government’s plan to grow regional economies and create new local high value jobs across regional NSW. The three businesses are:

• Soul Origin – proposing a cold storage, warehousing and distribution centre

• Ecotech Enviro – proposing operations that will process raw steel materials into fabricated steel components for use in construction, infrastructure and industrial projects

• Maya Recycling – proposing an advanced plastic recycling facility to process mixed plastic waste and convert it into higher value products.

The businesses have recently exchanged contracts securing land within the Parkes Precinct and will now progress through the required planning and approvals processes prior to land settlement.

It is expected that the businesses will be operational from 2029.

These latest investments signal the Parkes Precinct continued rise as a hub for employment, logistics and industry, adding to the momentum within the Precinct and its contribution to regional communities and lo­cal economies.

The Parkes Precinct is now home to 12 businesses, who are all working to contrib­ute to job creation and economic growth.

The Parkes Precinct land release drew strong interest from both national and inter­national businesses, seeking industrial land capable of supporting a diverse range of in­dustries.

This expansion of the Parkes Precinct represents a significant step toward unlock­ing new industry, investment, and employ­ment opportunities for the region.

For further information please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-indus­tries/regional-business-and-economy-nsw/special-activation-precincts/parkes-specialactivation-precinct

Let me share a story that’s close to home.

When Emma was just 3 years old, she was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis.

This was long before the NDIS existed.

Long before Telehealth. Her family travelled from Yeoval to Dubbo twice a week for Ear­ly Intervention appointments. Speech ther­apy. Occupational Therapy. Assessments.

Support. And honestly? It sounds like it took a whole village.

There would have been exhaustion. Long car rides. Rearranged schedules. Financial pressure. Siblings shuffled around. The emotional weight of trying to do the very best for a child you love deeply.

But her family kept showing up. Because when you love a child, you do whatever it takes.

Now, Emma has just turned 40. She lives independently, zips around Dubbo in her little red car, and her checkout line at Woolworths is always the longest because everybody wants to talk to Emma.

She remembers people’s names. Their dog’s names. She is witty, funny, social and deeply loved by her community.

Emma, is my beloved sister-in-law.

And I think watching Emma’s journey un­fold as a brothe shaped Luke deeply, too.

He has a glimmer of understanding of what sits behind every appointment of the families who come to see us at Keirn Health — the hope, the advocacy, the exhaustion and the love.

It’s something we think about often at Kerin Health.

And this is the WHY behind Kerin Health.

Because early intervention matters. Not just for milestones. But for confidence.

Connection. Independence. Quality of life.

Sometimes I think about the therapists, teachers and support people who helped shape Emma’s life all those years ago.

The therapists. The teachers. The family members. The people who believed in her future.

And what an incredible privilege it is that we, at Kerin Health, now get to be that sup­port for other families, too.

We are currently opening additional ap­pointments for Speech Pathology and Oc­cupational Therapy, both face-to-face and via Telehealth, for families across the Cen­tral West.

And if something in your gut has been telling you your child may need extra sup­port, please know you don’t have to navi­gate that alone.

Carer Gateway have partnered with Live Better to host a series of carers gatherings in Parkes that will provide a fantastic opportunity for carers to connect, share their experiences, and find support.

The gatherings aim to meet the important social needs of carers in our community and if participation increases, consideration is be­ing given to launching a peer support group.

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. If you care for a family mem­ber or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.

The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.

Carer Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including: in-person and online peer support groups, tailored support packages to help with accessing planned respite, transport services, in-person and phone counselling, in-person and online self-guided coaching, online skills courses to support your wellbeing and your ability to understand access to emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured.

Upcoming dates for carers gathering are Thursday 25 June, Thursday 27 August and Thursday 22 October 22 at Rose Street Community Centre, 16 Rose Street, Parkes from 11.30am -1pm.

RSVP by calling 1800 422 737 by close of business the day before the morning tea. Please inform of any dietary requirements when you RSVP.

For more information on Carer Gateway go to: www.carergate­way.gov.au/

Royal Far West supports Little Wings in its call for urgent, targeted funding support dur­ing the current fuel crisis, to ensure that they can continue supplying aeromedical trans­port services, especially to families in rural and remote communities.

Royal Far West partners with Little Wings through its Medical Wings program to de­liver specialist outreach clinics directly into regional communities several times each year. Little Wings also supports approxi­mately 40 per cent of all families travelling to Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids in Manly, with three to five families relying on the service every week.

The current aviation fuel crisis has cre­ated extraordinary and unsustainable pres­sure on Little Wings’ operating costs. With­out urgent intervention, there is a real risk that flights may need to be reduced or sus­pended.

“The past few months have been really heartbreaking. We are doing the best we can with the resources we have, but we’ve cut our capacity and will have to reduce our services even further if the avgas contin­ues to go up,” Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings, said.

“Little Wings eases the pressure on these families. The fuel crisis is tearing that lifeline to shreds, leaving them without a backup, and we need swift support to keep our op­erations running,” she added.

“The consequences for rural and remote families would have an immediate impact.

Delayed diagnoses, missed treatments, and reduced access to specialist services would widen existing inequities for children who al­ready face significant challenges accessing care.” said Dr Briony Scott, CEO of Royal Far West.

The partnership between Royal Far West and Little Wings is critical in ensuring coun­try children can access specialist care, re­gardless of where they live. Your support means country kids can connect with the care they need, when they need it. Donate today at www.royalfarwest.org.au/ways-to-give/

Over recent sitting weeks, I have continued advocating strongly for the Orange electorate and Central West in the NSW Parliament.

I raised concerns about the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, calling for greater support for affected businesses and communities, increased tourism recovery funding, and urgent repairs to restore this vital transport link.

I also spoke against proposed renewable energy legislation changes that could further fast-track major projects without adequate community consultation, and questioned the Government over a reported $422 million shortfall in Restart NSW funding intended for regional infrastructure.

In addition, I lodged a Notice of Motion seeking a dedicated funding program for mining-affected regional councils to help address the significant infrastructure and service demands these communities face.

I remain committed to fighting for fair funding, stronger services, better infrastructure and practical outcomes for our regional communities.

Men’s Mental Months

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s that most blokes are pretty good at looking after everyone else before they look after themselves.

Whether it’s work, family, sport, the farm, the business or helping out in the community, many men put their own health and wellbeing at the bottom of the list. Too often we ignore that niggling health issue, put off the check-up, or keep our struggles to ourselves because we think we should just get on with it.

Men’s Health Month is a timely reminder that there’s nothing weak about asking for help, talking to a mate, booking a health check, or taking the time to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, it takes strength.

Across Orange and the Central West, I regularly hear from men facing challenges with their health, access to services, mental wellbeing, isolation and the pressures of everyday life. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting initiatives that encourage connection, conversation and healthier communities.

It was the driving force behind the Gettin’-A-Grip Men’s Health Event, to bring together local health professionals, community organisations and everyday people for a morning focused on mateship, wellbeing and breaking down the stigma that too often stops men from speaking up.

My message this Men’s Health Month is simple: check in with yourself, check in with your mates, and don’t put off looking after your health. A conversation, a check-up or reaching out for support could make all the difference.

Because looking after yourself isn’t just important for you – it’s important for the people who care about you too.