Articles Archives - Page 24 of 452

Advanced Warning Signs Rolled Out At Rail Level Crossings

February 5, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Wandary Road advance warning signage.

New advanced warning signs have been installed at rail level crossings aimed at improving road safety. The new signage is designed to reduce the risk of collisions and near misses at level crossings by increasing motorist awareness.

The upgraded signage can now be seen at key approaches, including Wandary Lane, Herbert Street and several other locations across the Forbes Shire.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said, “Safety is our top priority. These new warning signs are a simple but effective way to protect drivers at rail crossings. We encourage everyone to stay alert and take extra care when approaching these areas.”

‘The Naked Artist Journey’ Explores Creative Self Expression

February 5, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Maralyn Nash’s book ‘The Naked Artist Journey – 7 Steps to peel back the layers & rediscover your joy through art & creative selfexpression’ is the story of her life through art, adventurous travel and art therapy.

“The inspiration to write this book originated from a long ago travel memory as a hippie in the medieval kingdom of 1970s Kathmandu and discovering a very magical book on mandalas in a bookshop tucked away in a winding laneway off Durbar Square.”

“After art school, non-western art, spirituality and a bohemian lifestyle became my artist’s muse with an exotic array of adventurous journeys throughout India, Africa, Egypt, Greece and the Pacific Islands,” said Maralyn.

Forming a creative backdrop for the rest of her book, Maralyn has written expressively on the early days of being a pioneering Art Therapist in Sydney, taking the reader on many twists and throughout, overcoming numerous challenges in later life.

Maralyn has further divided her book into seven sections to represent the seven chakra mandalas with a series of art therapy creativity exercises to inspire the reader on their own creative, healing journey.

Check out Maralyn’s website link below for information to book her upcoming workshops at the Marramarra Maker Space, Parkes Library, Introduction to Art Therapy’ on Saturday 7 February 10am-3pm and ‘Mandala Creation’ on Saturday 21 February 10am-3pm.

Join Maralyn at the Parkes Library on Wednesday 11 February 6-8pm for her upcoming Author Talk and book signing, showcasing her travel journals and selected artworks including a reading from her Indian travel experiences.

This is a free event, and bookings are essential to phone Parkes Library on 6861 2309 for catering purposes. Maralyns book ‘The Naked Artist Journey’ is also available at Inkwood & Ivy Bookstore in Parkes and at The Book Dispensary in Forbes. www.maralynnash.com.au

Back To School: Don’t Forget Their Eyes

February 5, 2026 By Roxane Manley

As families prepare for the new school year, many parents work through the usual checklist: new shoes, new pencils, sticking labels on everything. But there’s one important item that’s often overlooked: an eye test.

Children’s vision plays a crucial role in learning, behaviour and confidence at school. Yet many kids don’t realise they have a vision problem. To them, the way they see the world is “normal,” even if the board is blurry or reading is uncomfortable. That’s why parents need to be strong advocates for their children’s eye care.

More children are becoming shortsighted than ever before. Compared to previous generations, today’s kids spend far more time doing close work, particular digital devices and far less time outdoors. This shift is contributing to a rise in vision problems at younger ages.

Undetected vision issues can quietly affect a child’s ability to concentrate, read, follow instructions and participate confidently in the classroom. They can also impact behaviour, as children who struggle to see may become frustrated, tired or disengaged. Often, these problems aren’t obvious, and it takes more than a parent’s keen eye to pick them up.

The good news is that early detection makes a real difference. Identifying vision problems early allows for timely treatment and better long-term outcomes, particularly as a child’s eyes are still developing.

We recommend a comprehensive eye test before starting kindergarten, and then every two years throughout school or sooner if concerns arise. As part of your back-to-school routine, adding an eye test to the checklist is a simple step that can have a lasting impact on your child’s learning and wellbeing. Book your child’s eye appointment on 6963 5577 or www.hansenoptom.com

New Anglican Minister Commissioned For Parkes And Peak Hill

February 5, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Reverend Steve Cimarosti pictured with hi wife Louise and children at the Parkes Radio Telescope.

The Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill will formally commission the Reverend Steve Cimarosti as its new minister at a special service on Saturday 7 February at 10.00am, to be held at St George’s Anglican Church, Parkes.

The commissioning marks the beginning of Steve’s ministry across the Parkes and Peak Hill communities. The service will be attended by parishioners, local clergy, and invited guests, and will include prayers, readings, and the formal commissioning by the Diocesan Bishop, Mark Calder.

Parish representatives have welcomed Mr Cimarosti’s appointment, noting his commitment to pastoral care, community engagement, and faith expressed through service.

Mr Cimarosti commented, “Louise and I are looking forward to meeting you and serving our Lord together with you!” Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the commissioning service and join in welcoming Steve, Lou and their family to the district.

Nedd Brockman Named 2026 Young Australian Of The Year

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

“A young man inspiring millions through ultra marathon running to help solve homelessness” is how they describe Nedd Brockman. The Prime Minister announced Nedd Brockaman as the 2026 Young Australian of the Year in a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra.

At the 66th Australian of the Year Awards announcement, the award recipients were presented with a handcrafted glass trophy, a traditional Indigenous coolamon and clap sticks.

Nedd Brockmann had a goal – to run across Australia and inspire people to do more for themselves and the homeless. He wanted to do something to highlight homelessness, its complexities and prove that it’s solvable.

So, in 2022, he ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, completing a 3,952km journey over 46 days, and becoming the fastest ever Australian to do so. Nedd, now 27, raised over $2.6 million from over 37,000 individual contributors.

He went on to start Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge in 2024, and with his team, has raised over $8 million for those experiencing homelessness.

He also raises funds for his charity partner, Mobilise, to change lives through innovative programs to reduce the number of people sleeping rough. Find more info here https://wearemobilise.org.au/

Public nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards close on 31 July. If there’s someone you think should be considered for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards, you can nominate them now at australianoftheyear.org.au.

Snippets…

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Do you or your group need community funding? Apply now for assistance through the Forbes Shire Council Community Funding Program before it is too late.

Forbes Shire Council Community Funding Program Is Closing Soon: Applications for the next round of funding close this Saturday 31 January. Not-for-profit groups in Forbes can apply for up to $5,000 to support projects in: sport and recreation, culture and the arts, community services or rural village enhancement. A total of $150,000 is available across two roundsof funding each year. Find out more or apply: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community-funding-program. Need help with your application? Book an appointment by calling 02 6850 2300 or at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Neighbourhood Central:Everyone should have their eyes checked every two years, but if you are having trouble with your eyes, are over 40, or have diabetes, you should get your eyes checked now. An Aboriginal Eye Health Clinic is being held Thursday 5 February. Contact Family Support on 6862 1872 for further information.

Primary Industries And Regional Development: The time is right for being safe and healthy while enjoying the sunshine.

The NSW Government has a collection of resources that will help you stay informed and prepared. The Hazards Near Me and

Fires Near Me apps have information on fire danger ratings, fires, floods and other warnings from NSW Rural Fire Service.

The Bureau of Meteorology app has all the latest forecasts. The Sun Smart app has information about UV ratings. Search Beat the Heat for information from NSW Health about heat-related illnesses and staying safe. Enjoy the sun and fun while staying safe.

NSW Road Safety: Is your child starting or changing schools this year? For safety tips to keep in mind as you start planning your childs new school journey, go to: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/safety-around-schools.

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: The Trundle Bush Tucker Day is a not-for-profit group made up of a dedicated volunteer committee members. The profits each year are donated straight back to local and surrounding community groups who rely on these funds. Since the very first Trundle Bush Tucker Day in 1987, the committee has donated over $260,000 back into the Trundle community. The committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the annual Trundle Bush Tucker Day.

Save the date for the 39th Annual Trundle Bush Tucker Day, 5 September 2026.

New committee members are always welcome for the Trundle Bush Tucker Day. The next meeting will be held 4 February, 6.30pm at the Trundle Services and Citizens Club. Follow Trundle Bush Tucker Day on Facebook for updates.

2026 Community Recognition Awards

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP hosted the Orange electorate’s annual Community Recognition Awards at the Australian National Field Days Function Centre, honouring the dedication and achievements of local individuals and organisations.

Ninety seven Recognition Award recipients were acknowledged for outstanding service to the community or for significant personal and professional accomplishments. Mr Donato personally presented certificates to each award recipient.

“Our region is built on the strength of its people, and these awards are about recognising those who give their time, skills and energy to make our community a better place,” Mr Donato said.

“Whether through volunteering, leadership, service or personal achievement, each recipient has made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

Each certificate presented was formally endorsed with a speech delivered by Mr Donato in the NSW Parliament.

“Every year, this event highlights just how fortunate we are to live in a community where people genuinely care about one another.

“Many of those recognised go about their work quietly and without expectation of acknowledgement, which makes it especially important that their efforts are celebrated by the community they support.” Mr Donato said.

Parkes: 2026 Australia Day Awards

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Australia Day award recipients Mark Ritchie and Nenyasha Munodawafa.

The 2026 Parkes Australia Day Awards were announced by Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott and presented by Ambassador Dr Skye Charry, in Cooke Park on Monday 26 January. Congratulations to the following Parkes Shire Civic award recipients.

Parkes Citizen of the Year, Mark Ritchie: Mark Ritchie is a true example of a citizen who serves his community through both his vocation and voluntary work. Mark first came to Parkes as an electrical trades teacher with TAFE, later working as a training coordinator at Northparkes Mines before returning to TAFE part-time after retirement.

His passion for teaching and mentoring young people has continued for decades, including voluntarily tutoring apprentices.

Also volunteering with Apex, coaching tennis, assisting local schools, and joining the Rotary Club of Parkes in 2014. A past president and current youth director, he leads programs such as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Youth Science Forums, and the Youth Program of Enrichment, as well as the Rotary Driving Simulator experience.

Mark consistently identifies community needs and steps up to meet them, from fitting alarms for older residents to mentoring youth. His 40 years of dedicated service make him a deserving of the award.

Parkes Junior Citizen of the Year, Nenyasha (Asha) Munodawafa: Nenyasha “Asha” Munodawafa is a young leader and the founder of The Hey Sis Project, a youthled initiative empowering and inspiring young women across Parkes and the Central West. Guided by the belief that every girl deserves a safe and inclusive space, Asha has created programs that foster wellbeing, leadership, confidence, and connection.

Through The Hey Sis Project, Asha has coordinated impactful events including an all-girls Galentine’s Day celebration, community fundraisers for the McGrath Foundation and Do It For Dolly, and weekly all-girls cardio tennis squads that promote resilience, physical activity, and friendship.

Asha’s exceptional drive, compassion, and leadership have been widely recognised, including receiving the Young Volunteer Achievement Award at the 2024 Tennis NSW Awards. Her dedication to empowering girls and creating lasting community impact makes her a truly deserving recipient.

Citizenship Ceremony Welcomes New Parkes Shire Citizens

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Councillors with the new citizens at the Cooke Park Pavillion.

A Citizenship Ceremony for new Parkes Shire citizens was held on Sunday evening, 25 January, welcoming 17 new citizens to the community.

Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee welcomed this year’s Parkes Shire Ambassadors Dr Skye Charry and Professor William Chan to the event, along with the new citizens’ families and friends. Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott signed the Citizenship Certificates, which were presented to the new citizens during the ceremony. Congratulations to our new citizens:

• Bonifacio Magan Caneta: Born in the Philippines, Bon arrived in Australia in 2013.

• Ma Liesel Lecias Garth: Liesel was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2016.

• Joyce Dela China Grady: Joyce was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2018.

• Danecia Ronique Jacobs: Born in South Africa, Danecia arrived in Australia in 2018.

• Vito Jacobs: Vito was born in South Africa, arrived in Australia in 2018.

• Simranpreet Kaur: Simi was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2018.

• Gurbani Kaur Sandhu: Gurbani, 5, was born in Australia, moved to Parkes in 2021.

• Yuh Ming Alvin Kong: Born in Malaysia, Alvin arrived in Australia in 2010.

• Megan Cyan O’Toole: Megan was born in England, arrived in Australia in January 2020.

• Mabel Surigao Ruizo: Mabel was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2019.

• Gagandeep Singh Sandhu: Gagandeep was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2013.

• Shingirai Ropafadzo Sibanda and Michal Sibanda: Shingi was born in Zimbabwe, arrived in Australia in 2019.

• Abeline Minakshi Smith: Abeline was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021.

• Jack Aaran Smith: Jack was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021.

Snap The Pic, Save The Memory, Skip The Overshare This Back-To-School Time

January 29, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Families are being encouraged to put child safety first and hit ‘stop’ on oversharing as back-to-school time approaches.

Leading child protection organisation Act for Kids warns that the excitement of a new school year often prompts family members to post photos of children on social media – sometimes revealing far more information than they realise.

Images that include small details such as a child’s school uniform logo, age or first name can be used by online child sex offenders to build profiles and groom both children and their families.

Act for Kids Executive Director Tom McIntyre said the risks have intensified with the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence, which can be used to manipulate innocent images into illegal child abuse material.

“The moment an image is shared publicly online, it is no longer within your control and you may never know where it ends up or who has access to it,” Mr McIntyre said.

“That’s why Act for Kids is encouraging families to snap the photo, save the memory and skip the overshare this back-to-school season,” Mr McIntyre said.

“Children’s safety should always come first, and parents and carers can play a positive role by modelling safe online habits at home.”

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