The Phoenix Newspaper Group has opened a new office in Forbes to serve the Forbes and Parkes Phoenix sales team. The new office is at Shop 7 in the Forbes Arcade, 113 Rankin Street.

Phoenix Newspaper Group owner Josh Matic, who took over ownership of the group from Sarah Maynard two years ago, said the latest investment in space, skills and packages was the start of a new culture in the organisation. He is hopeful everyone in the business communities of Parkes and Forbes will continue to support the brands.

“We offer complete multi-media solutions and video has proven extremely popular for those who commit to longer term campaigns with us,” he said.

For Parkes-Forbes Manager and Forbes Editor Dane Millerd, the importance of an office space for a free weekly community newspaper and for business and community contributions is vital.

“The Phoenix is unlike any other publication in that it has a dual purpose of providing a platform for public interest journalism as well as to promote each respective town it represents like tourism and council organisations do,” he said.

“Our mailbox drops and distribution points are all reflective of the demand for the paper and we will only continue to grow as our owner is invested in our region.”

The Parkes/Forbes sales team of Jordana and Emma can be reached at – sales@forbesphoenix.com.au or sales@parkesphoenix.com.au.

Whether you are into sports, culture, or love a social outing, there is something for everyone in the Parkes Shire this long weekend.

The annual Parkes Picnic Races will make a fashionable return tomorrow, 12th June with plenty of trackside entertainment. The five-race program includes the Coradgery Cup sponsored by Parkes Services Club, full TAB and betting facilities, canteen and bar services, coffee van, and the popular Fashions on the Field. Guest judges from Sydney, Elizabeth Packchung and Dixie Coulton, will be looking for modern cutting-edge style and originality, discreet elegance and fine craftsmanship, attention to detail with accessories, an understanding and interpretation of current fashion trends for winter and excellent grooming and deportment. Entry is free for under 16s, with $20 adult general admission tickets available online via 123Tix. Service NSW Dine & Discover vouchers can be used to purchase tickets online. Gates open at 11.30am.

The Peak Hill Arts and Craft Exhibition returns for the 48th year. It’s an opportunity to browse the huge display of local handcrafts and artworks, market stalls and handiwork, and also sampling local delights, including Devonshire tea, homemade soups and a barbeque.

The official opening will be at the Carrington Hotel today at 6pm. The exhibition will be open to the public tomorrow and Sunday at the Southern Cross Hall and Leisure Centre for just $2 per person at each venue from 9:30 am to 4pm on both days.

Sporting fans will also be kept entertained on Sunday with the action-packed clash between Parkes Spacemen and rugby league rivals Forbes Magpies in the local derby at Jock Colley Oval.

The Henry Parkes Centre will be open all weekend from 10am to 3pm daily. One ticket gains access to The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit and Parkes Motor Museum. Service NSW Discover vouchers can be redeemed to purchase tickets.

Billy Spence has been operating Forbes Central Butchery for a few years and what started as a small family business to serve the local community has quickly turned into something far bigger.

Forbes Central Butchery now cover the Parkes and Forbes Shire from Bogan Gate and Trundle through to Tullamore and Tottenham with deliveries every Friday.

“There’s no order too big or small,” said Billy. “We are now also targeting local farmers markets with our new and unique ranges of sausages and other selected products,” he said.

And with the local Forbes Rotary Markets on tomorrow, 12th June what better time to trial Billy’s new snags in Victoria Park in preparation for the Forbes Central Butchery Sausage Sandwich Eating Contest at the Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival on 13th November?

When Tommy Jeffs OAM hung up his alter ego Tallulah’s sparkly gown in 2020, he was sure she had retired forever. Then Ronald McDonald House in Orange called on Tallulah to raise some funds for their vital service and Tommy could not say no.

So, the perpetually busy Canowindra legend will be taking his cabaret show to Forbes for Christmas in July in collaboration with Forbes Shire Council.

“I have had friends that have used Ronald McDonald House. They are getting more and more people over there and it is becoming harder to raise money to support the good work they are doing. It is much easier to raise a lot of money in one night, than to do a lot of little fundraisers.”

Tommy knows this well, after a career of fundraising over $1 million, which earned him an OAM last Australia Day.

Those who know Tommy, will not be surprised that Tallulah is back. As Canowindra’s mover and shaker, he is not one to remain idle. During lockdown last year, Talullah gained a cult following of half a million people around the world from posting short clips online.

When asked what people can expect of the show, Tommy said: “They will get value for money. A beautiful meal, a variety show and a good laugh — and that is all we need

I decided I would have a try
At doing Waste to Art.
Recycling old to make objects new
Sounds easy – but where to start?

I went down to the library
To see the latest ones on show.
What do they use ? How can they make stuff?
To see them may help me to know.

Well! There’s nothing they won’t use.
(Though I viewed some with distaste)
But though my art is fairly limited
We have an awful lot of waste.

Rex says it will come in handy
I mustn’t throw it away.
It will end up “just the thing we need”
Upon some far-off day.

Car parts, wheels, gates and iron,
Posts of wood, cement and iron,
Materials to “build that shed one day”
Can’t remember them all, though I’m tryin’.

I know! I’ll build a sculpture!
In the garden to be seen
By those who come to visit us-
(I began to get quite keen.)

I searched, and found just what I need.
I put them in a pile.
While I thought about how to make
A sculpture with pizazz – and style.

Visitors can “Oooh and Aaah” over it
On Open Gardens Day.
It will look so fine, so cultured, so clever.
“I wonder what they will say?”

But an old-car man came. He bought three wheels,
Swapped Rex some tools for my cattle grid.
Took some iron lace, a tractor seat
And a camp oven (without a lid).

All this came from my sculpture pile.
It was gone before I found out.
Ambition was dashed. Inspiration was quashed
(That’s what art is all about.)

So here I stand. All my plans are gone.
Reality is – they are now all ghosts.
For all that is left is a petrol drum
And three big iron posts!

The future of water security in Parkes received a $5 million boost in funding on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP announced the funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Partnership at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant. The funding will go towards Stage 2 of the Parkes Water Security Projects for two new pump stations.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM said: “These valuable water projects will future proof the Parkes township water supply and support anticipated residential growth as a result of the thousands of new jobs created by developments such as Inland Rail, mining and the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.”

Andrew Francis, Director Infrastructure at Parkes Shire Council, said the total project was about $60m. “The $5 million will provide two key parts of scope for the project: one pump station on the Lachlan river and one on the outskirts of Parkes township. This will really activate water security into the future on the 40 to 50 year time horizon with a 3,000 to 4,000 population increase for Parkes providing long-term strategic investment in Parkes, with water a key part of that.”

Andrew said once the full project was complete, Council would have access to the full 12 gigalitres of water that it owned within the Lachlan valley. “Currently we only have access to about six of those gigalitres, which means it would be a 100% increase in the total value of water supply over the next 40 to 50 years.”

The announcement formed part of a $10M commitment to deliver three projects in Central West NSW to strengthen economic growth, that also includes the Central West Industrial Park in Forbes, and a $1 million upgrade for the village centre of Lake Cargelligo.

Michael McCormack said the funding would make such a difference by creating jobs and opportunities, and unlocking the wealth of these areas.

Famous TV presenter known for his knowledge on growing food and flowers as well as beards, Costa Georgiadis entertained 350 Year 5 students from Parkes and Forbes on Eco Day last week.

Students from the five primary schools in Parkes travelled to Forbes where Costa talked about sustainability, while they also attended several hands-on workshops.

Costa inspired and encouraged students to be the change makers and work at things that they were passionate about. He reminded the children that he did not start out life planning to be a television host on Gardening Australia!

“He is such a vibrant ambassador for the environment and a dynamic presenter,” said Judy Unger who helped out on the day. “The coordinators of this event, Marg Applebee and co did a fabulous job. It was a great day!” The day was organised by Central West Lachlan Landcare.

Parkes student Ella Butler who volunteered at Eco Day said he was wonderful with the kids and got across a good message while keeping it interesting and relevant to the audience. “There were a few giggles too. He is definitely passionate about what he does.”

Costa attended a Landcare dinner in Forbes on Friday night and to finish off his visit, he attended the Forbes Riverside Community Garden’s open day to give the community an opportunity to meet him and be part of his visit.

A former Parkes resident received a singular honour last month becoming only the third musician to be awarded an honorary doctorate from one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.

Gary McPherson received an Artium Doctorem Honoris Causa from Lund University in Sweden based on his international reputation as a leading researcher and music educator. Gary is regarded as a great inspirer with a long and multidisciplinary inter-national career.

He watched the formal ceremony via a live stream on Friday, 15th May from the Lund Cathedral (ca 1145) with the ceremony conducted in Latin. Established in 1666 Lund University has only awarded the honour to musicians on two previous occasions: 2010 to George Martin, Beatles producer; and in 2015 to Nina Stemme, Swedish dramatic soprano.

Gary is the brother of Cheryl Thompson and Dennis McPherson from Parkes, Roslyn Dean now living in Brisbane, and the son of George and Lorna McPherson of Close Street Parkes (now deceased).

Gary was born and bred in Parkes and played in the Parkes Shire Concert Band. He won various regional, state and national awards on the soprano cornet, and went on to study and gain academic qualifications from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Indiana University, Trinity College (London) and the University of Sydney.

Gary performed professionally on the trumpet for many years and has had a long, illustrious career as an academic with well over 250 publications including 12 edited or authored books for Oxford University Press. He has also held professorial positions at major universities in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States, and during the last 12 years, the Ormond Chair of Music at the University of Melbourne where he served for 10 years as the Director of the Conservatorium.

During the ceremony Gary was bestowed with the insignia; a hat, gold ring and diploma. The doctor’s hat symbolises freedom and power and is covered with black, pleated fabric. The ring is made of gold and symbolises loyalty to science. The diploma (in Latin) is the written confirmation of the rights awarded to honorary doctors.