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Parkes Phoenix

Parkes Nurses And Midwives Rally For Improved Staffing And Security

November 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Pictured at the Sir Henry Parkes statue in the centre of Parkes, nurses and midwives rallied together for community and government support to increase staff and safety at the Parkes Emergency Department.

Nurses and midwives working at Parkes Hospital rallied in their own time, in the centre of town on Tuesday, 18 November to raise serious concerns about understaff­ing in the emergency department (ED).Members of the NSW Nurses and Mid­wives’ Association (NSWNMA) Parkes Hospital Branch say they’re working with unsafe staffing levels on a regular basis.

This is resulting in increased workloads, staff burning out and safe patient care be­ing compromised.

Along with staffing concerns, the Branch is seeking dedicated after-hours security personnel and appropriate administration support, with the ED reception desk cur­rently unmanned for 20 hours a day. This has resulted in nurses performing non-clin­ical duties including answering phones and booking transport.

O’Bray Smith, President, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, attended the rally in support of the Nurses and midwives and said “ The staff are working in really unsafe conditions here at Parkes, they’ve only got two nurses on a shift for about 16hrs a day, which is really unsafe for the amount of admissions that they get. This community deserves safe staffing levels and they don’t have it.”

“Nurses do not come out on the street lightly, they’ve been to the internal meet­ings, they’ve been to management, they’ve written letters, they’ve done basically eve­rything they could possibly do to engage management in this and they have just hit a dead end” Said O’Bray Smith.

We also spoke to an emotional Tania Elsley who is a NSWNMA Parkes Hospi­tal Branch delegate working in the emer­gency department of Parkes Hospital, she said “We are here today because there is a drastic care issue and a concern from the nursing staff at our hospital that people are falling through the gaps of the care we can deliver. We are exhausted, in the last two years four senior clinicians have left the emergency department due to burnout.”

“We are asking for one senior clinician on every shift, that is three extra staff per day.

Parkes, Forbes, Mudgee and Cowra have the same sort of demographic, the same bed capacity, we are supposed to have the same sort of staffing, but we do not.”

“My passion drives me, it is why we are still here, and it is unfair. The community needs to start writing letters to MPs and start their own petitions. When you come to emergency and you think your care is substandard it is not because I didn’t want to deliver it, it is because I can’t,” said Tania Elsley.

Concerned community members can write letters asking for MP’s to advocate on their behalf, including Mr Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange phildonato.com.au/contact/ The Hon. Ryan Park MP, Minister for Health and Regional Health https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/Member-details.aspx?pk=58 The Hon Ste­phen Lawrence, MLC www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/Member-details.aspx?pk=2297 or the Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/Member-details.aspx?pk=108

RAS Foundation Delivers Christmas Joy To Regional NSW

November 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Connecting regional NSW with Good360’s resources and distributing them within local communities to bring families together and ensure that every child has a gift for Christmas.

Twenty-eight Show Societies from across New South Wales have recently received an assortment of toys, children’s books, skin­care products and other useful items to dis­tribute within their local communities just in time for Christmas.

The distribution, valued at $330,883, is thanks to a partnership between the RAS Foundation and Good360, which connects the work of Good360’s initiative to find homes for surplus and donated new items with communities in regional New South Wales.

Packed by RAS Foundation staff, RAS Volunteers and AgShows NSW staff, the pallets of goods have now been distributed to show societies from the Riverina, Murray, Southeast Tablelands, ACT, Central West and Orana regions.

Since 2018, a total of 224 Show Socie­ties have received pallets as part of the RAS Foundation Christmas distribution, with the goods delivered over this period valued at $2,535,174.

“The annual Christmas distribution is a significant project in the RAS Foundation’s giving calendar and one we are very proud to work with Good360 to deliver,” shared RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan.

“It is a small way that we can work with local show societies to give back to our wid­er community and create joy at this time of year.”

Show Societies will distribute the toys and books at local Christmas events, in some cases coordinating with local Lions Clubs, Rural Fire Services, Women’s and Children Resource Centres, Homelessness Support Services, and other local charities that as­sist families in need.

Some of the local show societies selected this year are: Grenfell Show, Trundle Show, Forbes Show and Parkes Show. To learn more about the RAS Foundation, visit www.rasf.org.au.

Leading Frontline Voices To Reveal Realities Of Domestic Violence In Rural, Remote NSW

November 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche says the Hidden No More symposium on November 28 will bring the focus to domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW, with a goal of improving the safety of women and children.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will bring together leading voices and frontline work­ers in domestic violence this month to un­cover the realities of the issue across re­gional, rural and remote NSW.

‘Hidden No More: shining the light on do­mestic violence in rural communities’ will seek to drive lasting change when it takes place at Narromine on 28 November.

Its keynote speakers are The Hon. Ste­phen Lawrence MLC, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, author, professor and investigative jour­nalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Su­perintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of New South Wales, Dubbo.

Orana and Far West had the highest rate per 100,000 population of domestic vio­lence-related assaults in NSW in the year to June 2025, the latest update from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows.

In Orana and Far West, domestic vio­lence-related assaults have consistently occurred at more than three times the state rate per 100,000 population for at least the past two years, BOCSAR’s quarterly re­ports also show.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes oper­ates across 52 per cent of NSW and is a lead domestic violence service provider in Forbes and Bourke, also managing the women’s refuges in both towns.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said the extent of per­petration in regional and rural communities should not be ignored.

“Levels of domestic violence continue to remain at unacceptable levels,” Ms Mioche said.

“Women and children have a right to live in safety and without fear.

“Domestic violence causes deep and long-lasting emotional, social and financial effects on victim-survivors, their families and wider communities,” she said.

The 150+ capacity symposium, which will be MC’d by Emma Alberici, is already at full capacity, highlighting the collaborative and collegial commitment of regional frontline DFV service providers to drive meaningful, trauma- and survivor-led change.

Snippets…

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Some of the committee members are pictured along with Commercial Hotel publican Jed Ramsey.

Parkes Picnic Races: The Parkes Picnic Races Committee have commenced their meetings in preparation for the 2026 event. The Committee will hold their monthly meetings at a different venue each time supporting our local sponsors. The Parkes Picnic Races are held annually on the Sat­urday of the June Long Weekend.

Forbes Shire Council: Only food and garden scraps are allowed in your FOGO green-lid bin. Packaging from your food does not belong in this bin. If your food packaging is cardboard, hard plastic or glass, it belongs in your recycling yellow-lid bin. If your food packaging is soft plastic or broken glass, it belongs in your general waste red-lid bin. Do the right thing and make sure only your food and plants go in your FOGO green bin.

Arts Outwest: Forbes and District Histori­cal Society has received a $6,900 National Library of Australia Community Heritage Grants to do a reservation Needs Assess­ment on the Paul and Hettie Wenz Collec­tion. The Paul and Hettie Wenz Collection consists of books from the personal library of Franco-Australian writer Paul Wenz (1869-1939) and his wife Hettie Dunne, of Nanima Station, Forbes. The Collection in­cludes books that Paul wrote. Read more under ‘Stories’ at www.centralnsw.com

Parkes Wetlands Transformation: Parkes Shire Council is inviting creatives from across Australia to be part of the Parkes Wetlands transformation. They are commissioning two to four public artworks that capture the spirit of this new environ­mental and recreational space. The budget is $100,000 to be shared across selected artworks. Location: Parkes Wetlands, Aku­na Road, Parkes. Expressions of Interest close 10am, 1 December 2025. Help us tell the story of connection, sustainability, and creativity through art. Download the EOI documents on the wetlands page: bit.ly/3ReQ714 For further enquiries contact: council@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Forbes Rugby Union Club: The Forbes Rugby Union Club are fired up, freshfaced, and ready to lead the Platypi through another season of bush footy. The new committee members are President Wayne O’Niell, Secretary Lily Boyd, VP Management Sam Parish, VP Senior Rug­by Ted O’Rafferty, Junior Rugby President Daniel Beard, VP Facilities and Develop­ment Randal Grayson, Treasurer Oliver Patterson, Social Secretary Sam Mackay, Registrar Jack Cole, Bar Manager Caitlyn James, Media Officer Siobhan O/Malley, Canteen Manager Ashleigh Dent, Ground Manager Sam Cox and Merchandise Man­ager Elliott Parker.

Introducing your 2026 Forbes Rugby Union Club com­mittee.

Central West Locals, Get Ready To Celebrate Mchappy Day

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Macca’s is inviting Parkes and Forbes lo­cals to join the fun this Saturday, 15 No­vember, and help raise vital funds for Ron­ald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  From now until midnight on Saturday, 15 November, Central West locals can pick up Silly Socks for $6.50 and on McHappy Day you can buy a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose with $2 from every Big Mac sold (solo or in a meal) going directly to RMHC.

That’s a smile with every mouthful. 

Organised by McDonald’s Australia, McHappy Day is the largest annual fund­raiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $79 mil­lion for RMHC, helping support more than 69,000 families every year – but with thou­sands more families needing support each year, McHappy Day donations are more important than ever.

Supporting McHappy Day helps fund essential RMHC Programs like Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospital­ity Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and sup­port to families when and where they need it most.

Want to get involved? Visit: www.mchap­pyday.org.au. Want to donate? Visit: mchappyday.org.au/donate

Keeping The Roads Safe During Harvest

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Safety and compliance during the busy harvest period is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsi­bilities and ensure that all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.

Agricultural machinery owners and opera­tors are invited to pick up a free “Moving Harvest Machinery” USB from all agricul­tural machinery retailers and rural supply stores in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires areas. The USBs will also be availa­ble at the Councils’ Administration Offices.

The ‘Moving Harvest Machinery’ USBs contain all the relevant notices for safely and legally moving agricultural machinery, combinations and trucks on the road, along with other useful information.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the Councils develop and distribute the USBs each year to help farmers and contract harvesters have all the relevant information at their fingertips – and they are usually extremely popular.

“Safety and compliance during the busy harvest period is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to. Regu­lations do change and these USBs help to ensure that people have up to date infor­mation.

“The USB contains the relevant notices, operator guides and other useful informa­tion. The USB also contains a live “link’s” document, which provides the web address for the documents on the USB and other useful tools and information. It is advisable to regularly check the National Heavy Ve­hicle Regulator’s website (www.nhvr.gov.au) for updated notices and/or changes to operating conditions,” Ms Suitor said.

There are over 800 USBs available – so call into your local agricultural machinery retailer, rural supply store or the Parkes, Forbes or Lachlan Shire Council Adminis­tration Offices to collect yours before they are gone.

“This year we also have a limited num­ber of windscreen stickers to give away.

You can attach these to your machinery as a quick reference guide for travel require­ments such as pilots, lights and signage.”

Ms Suitor said.

Big W Champions NSW’s Bravest Kids This Christmas

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Charity Wrap and Heart Token to raise vital funds for sick kids.

BIG W is calling on the community in Parkes to join it in championing some of the country’s bravest kids this Christmas, with the launch of its 2025 Charity Wrap and Heart Tokens, in stores nationwide un­til Christmas.

Featuring the heartfelt designs of 11 pas­sionate young kids in hospital care, 100% of proceeds from this year’s wrapping pa­per and tokens will go directly to helping kids like them. In NSW and ACT, all funds raised go towards fuelling the vital work of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

In addition to its fundraising efforts, BIG W is contributing an additional $20,000 to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, further supporting programs that bring care and joy to sick kids and their families this Christmas.

Kristina Keneally, CEO of Sydney Chil­dren’s Hospitals Foundation, said: “Each year, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network’s Child Life Therapy teams sup­port families nearly 25,000 times – helping children understand what’s happening to them, cope with treatment, and feel more in control. But the need is growing. With more children coming through our hospitals each year, and Sydney’s two new children’s hos­pital redevelopments close to opening, de­mand is higher than ever.

“Thanks to the generosity of BIG W’s customers, we can ensure no child misses out on the support of a program that truly transforms their hospital experience – eas­ing fear, building confidence and making hospital a little less overwhelming.”

BIG W’s Charity Wrap ($5) is available now in two festive designs, and Heart To­kens ($2) will be available until Christmas.

Customers can place their Heart Token on the BIG W Big Hearts Wall in store as a show of support.

Public Drop-in Sessions To Help Shape The Future Of Central West Transport

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Residents across the Central West and Or­ana region of NSW are invited to have their say on the future of transport in their area through a series of public drop-in sessions.

“The Central West and Orana population is expected to grow by 11 per cent up to 2041 and we want to hear people’s ideas on how transport services and networks can change to support that growth.” Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partner­ships and Integration West Holly Davies said.

Residents are invited to view the draft SRITP and speak with Transport for NSW staff at the following public drop-in sessions:

• Forbes: Town Hall, 4.30pm-7.30pm on Thursday 27 November

• Parkes: Cooke Park Pavilion, noon-3pm on Thursday 4 December

The draft Central West and Orana SRITP and supporting materials are available at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/central-west-and-orana, while copies of the draft plan are available at local libraries.

Submissions on the draft close at mid­night on Sunday 14 December and can be made via the Have Your Say webpage, www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/central-west-and-orana by emailing engage.srit­ps@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Topsoil Organics Wins Top Honours Again

November 6, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Lana and Dan Nicholson pictured receiving Topsoil Organics award at a black-tie event at Sydney’s International Con­vention Centre on Wednesday evening.

The state’s most innovative and forwardthinking businesses have come together and been celebrated at the NSW State Business Awards. Topsoil Organics from Forbes won the Excellence in Large Busi­ness Award.

The Excellence in Large Business Award recognises a business with more than 20 employees that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the spe­cific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Business NSW, Regional Director – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe said “This is Topsoil Organics’ third win at the State Business Awards, having won Excellence in Small Business in 2022 and Excellence in Sustainability in 2023.

“Topsoil Organics is such an exciting and dynamic business and they are paving the way for our future. They have gone above and beyond in respect to innovation, sus­tainability and leadership. The initiatives being pursued demonstrates great ingenu­ity and it’s so exciting that it’s happening right here in Western NSW,” said Vicki Sec­combe.

Topsoil Organics is a family-owned busi­ness that launched the Central West Nu­trient Return Centre in 2021, diverting 200,000+ tonnes of organic waste from landfills into premium compost for broada­cre farming. By transforming waste into energy and regenerative solutions, they are creating lasting environmental, agricultural, and community benefits for a cleaner future.

“All three winners should feel incredibly proud to be named amongst the State’s leading businesses and business leaders for 2025 and this win truly highlights the strength of the Western NSW business community,” said Ms Seccombe.

Clean Up Australia Day Registrations Are Now Open

November 6, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Clean Up Australia Day returns on Sunday 1 March 2026, and we’re calling on indi­viduals, families, schools, and community groups across the country to register now and get in on the action to be part of Aus­tralia’s largest environmental movement.

Since its inception, over 23 million vol­unteers have joined the Clean Up effort.

In 2025, over 800,000 people volunteered across 8,000 events nationally during the Clean Up Australia Day campaign period.

Registrations for Clean Up Australia Day 2026 are now open. Volunteers can receive a free Clean Up kit, containing gloves, bags and other resources, with packs for indi­viduals, families, community groups and schools available (businesses are asked to pay a small fee to cover costs).As an added bonus, if you register your Clean Up Australia Day event before 31 December, you will automatically be en­tered into an early bird competition to win one of five donated $500 Coles vouchers.

Terms and conditions apply.

With Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday February 24, 2026 and Schools Clean Up Day on Friday February 27, 2026.

Register now at cleanup.org.au for Clean Up Australia Day March 1, 2026

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