Promoting this year’s Plan B Win a Swag promotion is Chelsea Philips from Parkes Services Club.

It’s the season of celebration and end-of-year gatherings with work mates, family and friends, so if you’re choosing to have a few drinks, it also means, planning how to get home safely.

Throughout December 2022 and January 2023, almost 60 licensed venues across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are participating in the Plan B Win a Swag promotion to encourage patrons to make a Plan B to get home safely when they drink alcohol. It’s a reminder that drink driving is never an acceptable plan.

The promotion is currently underway in all pubs, clubs and bottle shops across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas, with the exception of venues in Forbes, Lake Cargelligo and Tullibigeal.

The Plan B Win a Swag promotion encourages the conversation about planning safe ways to get home. In many of our smaller villages there isn’t public transport or a courtesy bus, so this promotion prompts patrons to think of other alternatives to get home safely. It’s great that the swag is also a Plan B!

If you’re celebrating locally, patrons at participating hotels, clubs and bottle shops can complete an entry form that asks what their Plan B for getting home safely is. They then go in the draw to win a swag valued at over $250. Each venue has a swag to give away, with winners drawn at the end of January (or February in Forbes, Lake Cargelligo and Tullibigeal).

NSW Police will also be out in force conducting random breath testing during the holiday season. Double demerits will be in force from the 23rd December 2022 to 2 January 2023 and 25th to 29th January 2023.

For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils; Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

BACK TO SCHOOL…Parent are being encouraged to access their Back to School NSW vouchers on the Service NSW app.

Parents across the State can access $150 worth of vouchers through the Premier’s Back to School NSW program from Monday, giving a boost to household budgets through savings on textbooks, uniforms, stationery and other school essentials.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Summer holidays are a good time for families to start buying supplies for the new school year and the voucher program would help cover those costs.

“The NSW Government wants to make sure every child attending school has the opportunity to strive for their best when they are in the classroom and providing access to essential items for learning is our priority,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said people can start applying for the vouchers from Monday, until they expire on 30 June 2023, giving everyone plenty of time to take advantage of the savings.

“Applying for the vouchers is simple and can be done in a matter of minutes using the Service NSW app, on the phone or by visiting a Service Centre,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Premier’s Back to School NSW program would ensure every school-aged child has a brighter future.

The Premier’s Back to School NSW program is one of more than 70 government rebates and vouchers available through the Savings Finder program.

For more information about the vouchers visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your local Service NSW Service Centre. 

Customers can search for registered businesses here: https://vouchers.service.nsw.gov.au/vouchers/providers-search/

Motorists from all across western NSW are being urged to consider the safety of other road users this holiday season by leaving the car at home and having a Plan B ahead of the festive season. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said drink driving remains an extremely serious issue in western NSW with 34 fatal crashes involving alcohol in the last three years and another 79 resulting in serious injuries. 

“No one wants to lose a loved one this Christmas period which is why I am telling people to think about others on the road and not do something stupid like drinking and driving,” Mr Farraway said. 

Mr Farraway said country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 67 per cent of lives lost on our roads. 

“These are the impacts that I want drivers on our regional roads to think about the next time they get behind the wheel and why I urge all drivers to have a Plan B.” 

For more information visit Plan B – Campaigns – NSW Centre for Road Safety. 

Parkes Elvis Festival will be celebrating 30 years of from 4-8 January 2023. 

Kicking off the Festival on Wednesday, 4th of January will be music legends, Ross Wilson, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilleri and Normie Rowe, performing in a special 30th anniversary Wall Of Fame concert.

ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci is performing at the Parkes Services Club, he incorporates a modern twist on Elvis’ songs while maintaining Elvis’s famous soul and authenticity.

Sons of Sun is a wild rock and roll play about Sun Records, Memphis, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison with shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

Adam Harvey’s return with his tribute to Elvis’ country hits, Adams performance starts at 4pm on Friday, 6th January.

The Feature Concert Series will headline Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists performing five shows from 4th-8th January. 

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will see 19 leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out in heats and finals on 6th and 7th January.

The ultimate christmas gift for lovers of the Festival.

GIVING TREE…Monica Kearney is pictured with the Giving Tree located at the entryway of Parkes Big W.

BIG W is inviting Parkes and Forbes residents to share in the true spirit of Christmas, with the return of its annual Giving Tree initiative. 

From now until Christmas Eve, customers can donate a gift at their local BIG W store, supporting families in need and helping to spread some joy to households across the country. 

Managing Director of BIG W, Pejman Okhovat, said: “Our BIG W stores have had a strong connection to their communities for over 50 years. Our annual Giving Tree initiative gives us the opportunity to support local charities and families at a time that is special for many families, but also a time of need.” 

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of both our customers and team last year, collecting and distributing over 11,000 gifts nationwide. With many households doing it tough this year, even the smallest gift can still make a big difference.” 

St Vincent De Paul is the local Parkes charity that is collecting and distributing the gifts left under the Giving Tree located in the entryway at Parkes Big W. 

“We have already had St Vincent De Paul come in and collect two loads of gifts, so people are really getting into the giving spirit this year, but there are always more donations needed,” said Monica Kearney. 

Alison Covington AM, Good360 Founder & Managing Director, said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for the most vulnerable members of our communities. We’re very proud to once again be working with our long term partner BIG W to support families facing hardship after a difficult year. The Giving Tree will allow people who are in a position to give back to help share the magic of Christmas with other families and let them know they are not alone at this special time of year.”