Articles Archives - Page 16 of 452

Old Girls Nursing Provide Personalised In-home Support

April 30, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Pictured in pink are Elita Coughlan and Dayle Penny from Old Girls Nursing.

Old Girls Nursing aims to provide dedicated in-home nursing and support specifically for rural clients, with a mission to deliver high quality care through a team of highly trained, professional staff.

The business was started in April 2025, by Registered Nurse Dayle Penny. Based in Eugowra, this venture began after hearing many concerns throughout the region regarding the lack of available support services.

Dayle Penny is a registered nurse of twenty years; with the bulk of her nursing completed in residential aged care/nursing homes. Aged care is a specialised field of nursing and Dayle is extremely compassionate to the elderly.

“As a small business, we truly feel that we can make a positive impact by providing dedicated and personalised support.

We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the professional support, assistance and care the need, within the comfort of their own home,” said Dayle.

Elita Coughlan has worked in the aged care and NDIS sector for only a few years but finds it extremely rewarding.

“Aged care, NDIS and mental health support has been a very rewarding career choice emotionally. We have absolutely amazing clients and I love being able to help people as a job,” said Elita.

Old Girl Nursing services include medication management, complex clinical care, wound care, diabetes management, and support for those living with dementia, age related illnesses, behavioral challenges and mental health conditions.

They also provide respite care, giving families and carers peace of mind while ensuring their loved ones receive atten

tive, high-quality support and care. Support services extend to transport to and from appointments or social outings, domestic assistance, and personal care such as showering and toiletingContact Old Girls Nursing to discuss how they can help you. Call Dayle Penny RN 0425 411 122, Elita Coughlan 0423 910 011 or email oldgirlsnursing@gmail.com

Colonel Michael Robert Mudie Will Be Guest Of Honour At Parkes 2026 Anzac Day Celebrations

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Former Parkes resident, Colonel Mudie received his commission in the Australian Army in 2000, graduating from the Royal Military College of Australia as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.

Special guests of honour at the Parkes Anzac Day 2026 commemorations this Saturday 25 April, will be Australian Army Colonel Michael Robert Mudie and his wife Kelly.

The day will commence with the traditional dawn service at 5.30am held at Parkes Memorial Hill. Colonel Mudie will lay a wreath on behalf of the Australian Army. This event will see students from the Parkes Christian School MC the morning’s event.

Following the dawn service, an Anzac Day breakfast will be held at the Parkes Services & Citizens Club.

The Anzac Day March will commence at 8.35am under the watchful eye of Parade Commander Sgt Wayne Skinner. The march will depart from the front of the club in Short Street and it progress up Welcome Street to Chamberlain Square in Clarinda Street, where it will then turn right and proceed down Clarinda Street, before turning right into Short Street and coming to a halt outside the Parkes Services & Citizens Club.

At 9am the Anzac Day commemoration service will be held in Cooke Park in front of the Cenotaph. Assisted by Parkes Shire Council, the commemoration service will feature an address from both local youth and the special guest of honour, Colonel Mudie. Wreaths will then be placed at the Cenotaph.

At approximately 10.30am a small delegation of returned service personnel and local dignitaries proceed to the war graves section at the local cemetery for a brief service and laying of wreaths.

Colonel Mudie will attend and address the traditional Anzac Day luncheon which is held at the Parkes Services & Citizens Club commencing at 12 noon.

The Colonel’s final duty on Anzac Day will be at 5pm for the “Retreat” and this event takes place once again at the Cenotaph in Cooke Park, with the Parkes Services Club to sound the ODE at 6pm.

Four Days Of Double Demerits This Anzac Day Long Weekend

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Double demerit points will be in place for four days this ANZAC Day long weekend.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging people to drive safely and take care on the roads.

“Double demerit points will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences between Friday 24 April and Monday 27 April 2026 inclusive.

“This will be a busy period on local roads.

The increase in traffic leads to an increased risk of crashes occurring. We all have a part to play in keeping the roads safe.

“Watch your speed, drive to conditions, limit distractions in the car, ensure you and your passengers are wearing their seatbelt and don’t drive if you have been drinking or consuming drugs.

“Pay attention to your fatigue levels, plan your trip and if you are experiencing any of the early warning signs (tired eyes, yawning, poor concentration) stop and have a break,” Ms Suitor said.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitchell Gage is reminding drivers that there will be extra Police in the area over the four days.

“Police will be focusing on the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phones and seatbelts.

“People may think that a crash is never going to happen to them – but the statistics tell a different story. Driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do every day.

“Please take care on the roads, we want everyone to make it home safely,” Sergeant Gage said.

Snippets…

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is the Parkes Community Choir and The Reading Bug at Inkwood & Ivy.

Inkwood & Ivy Books & Curiosities: On Saturday 18 April, Parkes Community Choir, The Reading Bug and Inkwood & Ivy Bookstore performed a sing-along featuring songs from the war era, timeless melodies that honour courage, history and remembrance.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: A massive thank you to our amazing Peak Hill volunteers who shared some of their experiences as part of the Peak Hill Building Healthy Communities Challenge, with Western NSW Local Health District staff. This project wouldn’t have come to life without your contributions. We can’t wait to see the finished product.

Neighbourhood Central: Parkes — don’t miss out on an upcoming two day community event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A Free Wills Workshop will be held on 13 and 14 May at Neighbourhood Central. Get your Will done at no cost. Bookings are essential, call 4704 0207. Plus: Free birth certificates and legal advice (no booking needed).

Talk2MeBro: Join us for our Guys Catch Up in Forbes on Sunday 3 May for a 7.30am start⁠ at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre⁠. Engage in soothing and invigorating breathwork, take a dip in our exhilarating ice baths and connect with others on a deeper level. ⁠Register at: www.talk2mebro.org.au/event/forbes-guys

Legal Aid NSW: The Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline gives young people under 18 who are living in NSW free legal advice. Find out what to do if police want to speak with you, your right to stay silent, and options to avoid going to court. It’s open late and 24/7 on weekends. Save the number: 1800 10 18 10 Learn more about the hotline: https://loom.ly/p5vwG2c

Dolly’s Dream: Bullying doesn’t just hurt kids, it can devastate families, friends and whole communities. Stand with us against bullying – register now to fundraise on Do It For Dolly Day, Friday 8 May. Go Blue to end bullying, register at https://support.dollysdream.org.au/event/do-it-for-dollyday/register-your-fundraiser⁠

Forbes Automotive Services: How cool is this! A Forbes Automotive Services hat was not only on set for the filming of Balls Up, it was worn by director Peter Farrelly! Made in Queensland, the larger-than-life comedy follows rival employees, played by Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser. Balls Up was released on Prime Video on 15 April.

Balls Up was released on Prime Video on 15 April.

Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) To Visit Parkes

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The MHERV Project has been operating for over six years, travelling regional and rural NSW offering free health checkups to people who haven’t seen the inside of a doctor’s room since they don’t remember when! ln that time, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels may have reached seriously high levels and there are no symptoms, until it’s too late and a heart attack or stroke strikes.

Saving local lives is the objective of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van, and thanks to the Rotary Club of Parkes, MHERV is coming to our local area. MHERV is operated by the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local NSW Rotary clubs and other local community organisations.

The program is focussed on men because unlike women, they are not good at caring for their own health. The service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting and nobody is turned away. The MHERV registered nurse conducts the tests and discusses any health concerns seated in the privacy of the van.

You’re invited to take the opportunity to have a quick, free health check. Just ten minutes invested with MHERV can save your life or the life of someone you love. The MHERV will be located in Short Street opposite Parkes Services Club Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May from 9.30am – 3.30pm on both days.

Our Rotary team this year is proudly supporting DV Safe Phone.

All that is required is for people to drop their used phones into the box when MHERV is in town. Rotary will collect them at the end of the tour and send them on for refurbishment and distribution.

Refurbished phones are then provided to women’s shelters and similar organisations. Your old phone could save a life.

Applications Open For Variety Heart Scholarships

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT is calling on families to apply for a 2026 Variety Heart Scholarship, offering life-changing support for young people living with disabilities, chronic illness or financial hardship.

The scholarship provides practical, financial assistance to help children aged 8 – 18 years reach their full potential in sport, music and the creative arts.

Whether its funding for specialist equipment, competitions or training programs, the scholarship is designed to empower children to pursue their passions, build their talent and participate fully in their chosen field.

Variety NSW/ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said the program continues to deliver meaningful, long-term impact for families doing it tough.

“Every child deserves the chance to follow their dreams and feel included, regardless of circumstances,” he said.

“The Variety Heart Scholarship is about recognising potential and providing the support needed to help children thrive – on the field, on the stage, and beyond.”

Parents, carers and guardians of eligible children are encouraged to apply now with applications open until Thursday 21 May at 4pm. For information visit https://nsw.variety.org.au/variety-heart-scholarships/.

Sport Kicking Goals For Regional Tourism

April 23, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The Wangarang team upon arriving at Pioneer Oval in Parkes ready to compete

With ongoing concern over the impact of the fuel crisis on regional tourism, sporting events continue to have strong attendances, providing a much-needed uptick in visitation.

Shadow Minister for Tourism Kevin Anderson said “While many regional tourism operators are struggling, a bright spot continues to be the reliability and the frequency of regional sport tourism.”

“Sport continues to be a key pillar of the state’s tourism, keeping regional economies ticking over throughout the quieter months.

“Sports tourism already makes up one in every ten tourism dollars spent, and we want that to grow in regional NSW.

“Regional sporting events aren’t just about competition – they’re about filling hotel rooms, backing local businesses, and putting our communities on the map.”

“Parents are making the sacrifices they need to get their child onto the sporting field, and regional communities are welcoming them with open arms.

“Regional NSW is open for business, and I’m encouraging people to continue to make plans to get out and see what the regions have to offer.”

A recent Super Tag Gala Day held in Parkes on 14 April is a great example. Over 100 participants attended with teams travelling from Forbes, Orange and Dubbo and even from as far as Newcastle.

The team from Wangarang in Orange who attended the event said: “We hopped on the bus and made our way out for a day full of energy, teamwork, and plenty of laughs.

“The group took part in training drills, jumped into some friendly games of touch footy, and finished it all off with a wellearned sausage sizzle. It was a fantastic opportunity to get active, connect with others, and just enjoy being part of a supportive and inclusive sporting community.”

It just goes to show that sport and community is a huge draw card for our region.

Parkes Stakeholders And Community Members Voice Their Concerns

April 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Upper House Select Committee members pictured at the conclusion of the public forum in Parkes. Nichole Overall MLC (Chair) is pictured in the centre.

The Upper House Select Committee on Proposed Energy from Waste Facilities visited Parkes on Tuesday, 14 April for a hearing and a public forum. Through this inquiry the committee is examining the potential impacts of the proposed facility in Parkes (and Tarago).During this week’s hearing, the committee heard evidence from stakeholders and during the afternoon’s public forum, the committee heard directly from members of the community.

Chair of the Committee Nichole Overall MLC said, “It’s incredibly important to be here with the community to hear from them directly. Receiving submissions as part of the inquiry process is one thing, but having that direct engagement, and the community having the opportunity to present their points of view, their questions, their concerns, is really powerful from the perspective of the inquiry.”

“I know the emotion around this issue, which is why we, the NSW Nationals called for the inquiry, we understand how important it is and it’s far better to be here, and present and listening, so that we can take that message back to Macquarie Street in Sydney and ensure that our regional voices are truly being heard.”

Local Parkes farmer Sarah Townsend, who attended the public forum had this message for the decision makers, “If it is so safe, just keep it in Sydney. Why waste the money sending it here.”

Find out more at https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/listofcommittees/Pages/committee-details.aspx?pk=337 The full hearing recording is available at: www.youtube.com/@NSWParliamentOfficial

Snippets…

April 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Fuel supply in NSW remains secure.

NSW Government: If you’re storing fuel at home, only store small quantities. Fuel vapours are highly flammable, it is best to keep only what you need for things like the mower or generator. Overbuying for any reason or use means friends, neighbours and regional communities could go without. Find out more about fuel security nsw.gov.au/fuel

Sheep Producers Australia: From concept to on-farm decisions, through the Green Sheep Project, Glenelg Hopkins CMA is helping producers understand their natural capital, improve grazing systems and access future market opportunities.

Need more Green Sheep Project information? Register for the Sheep Producers Australia newsletter: https://www.sheepproducers.com.au/updates

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council advises there will be temporary road closures and parking restrictions in place for the Light Up Parkes Event and Fireworks Display on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Affected areas include parts of Clarinda Street and nearby carparks/laneways in the CBD. View the closure details here: bit.ly/4tuoHpo or contact Council on 02 6861 2333.

Cancer Council’s Do It For Cancer: Get fit and raise funds with just 31 minutes of exercise a day throughout the month of May. To support Aussies impacted by cancer sign up today to the F Cancer Fitness Challenge at www.doitforcancer.com.au/event/f-cancer-fitness-challenge.

The Forbes Inn: The Forbes Inn is now serving dinner 7 nights a week at Sylo. Head along for a relaxed evening, great food and good company.

Landcare Australia: Want to receive the next Landcare in Focus newsletter straight to your inbox? Subscribe to get your copy of this online publication and read inspiring stories from across the landcare movement. Subscribe today: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/subscribe/

R U OK?: You can care deeply and still worry about getting it wrong. But being there for someone isn’t about having the perfect words or solutions to their challenges. It’s about giving them the space to talk about what they’re going through and reminding them they’re not alone. For tips on how to have supportive conversations visit: ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

Let them know you’re there for them.

Labor’s Energy Crisis Hits Families In Parkes Electorate

April 16, 2026 By Roxane Manley

New data has revealed the impact the Albanese Labor Government’s disastrous energy policies are having on local families.

According to the Australian Energy Regulator, over 70,000 families in New South Wales were unable to pay their power bills over October to December 2025.

Since Labor was elected in 2022, 72,914 households have recorded hardship. Nationally, 230,000 households are in energy distress – up by nearly 70 per cent in just 3.5 years, the highest level of hardship on record.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said the energy crisis was heaping pressure on local households.

“It is heartbreaking to hear of the impact rising power bills, together with inflation, climbing interest rates and the fuel crisis, is having on families in the Parkes electorate. Many are at breaking point,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Behind this new data are people in our community who are really struggling to make ends meet, yet all they get from the federal government are broken promises.

“I’ll keep fighting for a more stable, reliable energy grid that puts the needs of Australians first, not one-size-fits-all mandates and targets that we can’t practically achieve.”