Parkes ELVIS Festival

PHOTO COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION
Coventry Room, Parkes Library
A picture is normally worth a thousand words, but when it comes to Parkes Elvis Festival, an image is priceless. There are four categories: a smartphone, digital portrait, digital black and white, plus digital colour categories. View the collection of photos entered in the photography competition – you’ll never know who or what you will discover hidden in the photographs! Proudly supported by Harvey Norman and Adobe.
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Winners announced at 4pm!
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm

FREE MOVIES
Enjoy the cool surrounds of Parkes Library as you watch an Elvis classic.

Friday
• 10am: Jailhouse Rock
• 12pm: Elvis Lives in Parkes *
• 2pm: King Creole

Saturday
• 11.30am: King Creole
• 1pm: Elvis Lives in Parkes *
• 2.15pm: Jailhouse Rock
* SBS documentary about the Festival

The feature artist of the 27th Parkes Elvis Festival is the multitalented actor, singer, songwriter and musician Ted Torres Martin from Orlando, Florida. Parkes Elvis Festival audiences will be the very first to see him perform on his debut in Australia.

Ted’s portrayal of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is one of the top tributes in the world. He acquired this title in Memphis Tennessee in 2011 and 2012 at competitions organised by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. “I am very excited about headlining the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival in Australia, which is the biggest Elvis festival in the world! I am very honoured and look forward to entertaining all the wonderful Elvis fans in Australia!” said Ted.

He is sure to leave fans ‘All Shook Up’ appearing in four highenergy concerts celebrating Elvis Presley’s music at the Parkes Leagues Club over the next four days. He will be backed by a dynamic live Elvis band to recreate the performances that made Elvis Presley the one and only King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

In addition to the feature concert series, Ted will appear at the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival Street Parade, gospel service and Renewal of Vows Ceremony. Ted is one of the top tribute artists in the world, and has toured the United States, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Other accolades include 2016 ‘Images Of The King’ World Champion; 2016 1st place Fan Favourite at ‘Images of the King’ in Las Vegas; 2014 ‘Heart Of The King’ Award; and 2014 Vocalist for the soundtrack of the Elvis-based independent short film ‘Nobody’.

Parkes Elvis Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “Ted has a great reputation for putting on an unforgettable show and we look forward to seeing this when he takes to the stage in Parkes.”

This local group of young dancers have become synonymous with the festival since 2015 when The Parkes Little Boppers began with a group of six local year 5 and 6 students. They thought it would be a fun idea to participate in the festival.

The group has now grown to 17 children, ranging from 6 to 16 years, and have a junior and senior troupe.

The Boppers started rehearsing for the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival in November last year with dance routines choreographed by a member of the Boppers, Gracey Denham Jones, under guidance of manager Maureen Massey.
Maureen is extremely proud of the commitment made by each member of the Boppers troupe.

The Boppers will be performing every day at the Parkes Leagues Club and will take part in the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Showcase competitions in Cooke Park on Saturday. They will also take time to visit and entertain the residents of Niola Aged Care, and a range of other appearances during the week.

Be sure to give them a friendly wave and take photos with the troupe when you see them out and about. You can find them on Instagram for dates and times of appearances.

The Parkes Elvis Festival is “All Shook Up” and ready to deliver yet another year of unforgettable family fun, with an estimated turnout of over 26,000 people travelling to Parkes to celebrate the legend that is Elvis. A highlight on the yearly calendar for many music-aficionados (myself included!), it’s remarkable to consider the event’s small and humble beginnings – a simple idea sparked by a few Elvis fans at a fancy dress party back in 1993. It’s a testament
to the dedication of the organisers and the welcoming spirit of the people of Parkes that this event rapidly grew into the internationally renowned phenomenon it is today!

Of course, just like the Elvis Festival took on a life of its own to attract people from near and far, it looks like the same will happen with Vanfest in the “amazing” town of Forbes.

Two great reasons to visit the Central West with the Elvis Festival in Parkes in January and Vanfest in Forbes on 10th and 11th May!

Congratulations to the organisers of the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival for putting together a fantastic program for what shapes up to be another outstanding celebration of one of rock and roll’s icons – the great Elvis Presley.

I have had the pleasure to don an Elvis costume several times for previous festivals and it is impossible not to get swept up in the excitement with thousands of others, whether they be die-hard Elvis fans or people who just can’t help falling in love with all the fun the festival creates.

The professionalism of Parkes Elvis Festival organisers and the value of their work to Parkes and the wider Central West was recognised recently when the event was named best festival in the State at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards.

The 2018 festival drew more than 25,000 people to Parkes and injected $13 million into the regional economy. The Elvis festival is always on my mind, so everyone put on your blue suede shoes, it’s now or never to get ready for one of regional Australia’s greatest rock and roll parties.

Parkes is used to doing things on a large scale, but last Thursday a new chapter of once-in-a-generation proportions started as the first sod was turned to mark a historic moment for the construction of the multibillion dollar Inland Rail project.

“The project is bigger than Elvis, even in Parkes,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison on video before the large gathering of over 200 people stepped outside where the first 5.3km of new rail for Inland Rail will be built.

A double-stacked freight train came around the bend near the intersection of Coopers Road and Brolgan Road, and local Nelungaloo farmer and owner of adjacent land, Warren Skinner, stepped from the train to hand a 106-year-old shovel to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

“A fantastic event for the heart of Australia and Australian rail. This day will be looked back on as a momentous occasion. The first 600 tonnes of steel have been delivered, using Australian steel from Whyalla. Nothing this large ever happens easy,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

In addition to the 5.3km of new rail, another 98km of existing corridors will be upgraded between Parkes to Narromine for the first phase. “When Inland Rail is operational, Parkes will be an important hub with double stacked, 1,800 metre trains connecting west to Perth and Adelaide and along the east coast between Melbourne and Brisbane,” said ARTC CEO John Fullerton.

Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller said a resilient rail network would be built, with multiple pathways to meet the needs of customers while also providing flexibility for farmers by connecting to existing regional freight lines.

As for the economic benefits of the project, ARTC Chairman Warren Truss highlighted the fact that Inland Rail would generate opportunities and benefits to the regions – 16,000 jobs and $16 billion dollars to the economy and will stimulate business activity beyond the construction phase.

In Parkes several businesses have already started reaping benefits with the awarding of the $310 million contract for the first leg of Inland Rail between Parkes and Narromine to INLink Joint Venture.

“We are shopping local and have already spent over $120,000 across local businesses in Parkes, including Sullivan’s Mining and Hardware, Totally Workwear, Hays Hardware, Andrews Auto Electric, Signs You See and Regional Business Supplies,” said Project Director Gerard O’Connor. He said the project would also provide close to 100 job opportunities for local residents.

“We believe it is important to work closely with local communities along the alignment, and we have already made a start by engaging with local sports teams and educational institutions.”

By Beth Thomas and Maggi Barnard

A total of 57 pubs, clubs and bottle shops across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas have joined forces to promote the Plan B campaign.

Plan B is a statewide initiative encouraging patrons to think about an alternative to driving home after a night out.
Drink driving is one of the biggest causes of death and injury on NSW roads. Country people are at particular risk given the lack of public transport or other options for getting home.

Almost 80% of fatal crashes and 57% of serious injury crashes involving illegal alcohol occurred in country areas.

In the Western region there were 368 casualty crashes with alcohol a contributing factor over the past five years resulting in 36 people killed and 219 seriously injured.

Patrons at participating outlets are invited to enter a competition to nominate a Plan B for getting home and can win a swag valued at $250. The winner will be drawn on New Year’s Eve.

Parkes Shire Council and CMOC-Northparkes Mines have partnered again to extend the Parkes Shire Grants and Aboriginal Project Officer positions for an additional three years.

Both roles were established to build capacity, achieve long-term sustainability for community-based projects and initiatives, and deliver improved outcomes for residents. “The partnership is creating value and opportunities
for the community that neither organisation could achieve on their own,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Keith OAM.

Northparkes acting Managing Director Hubert Lehman said, “We’ve been operating in Parkes for over 24 years and we understand the vital role these positions have played in delivering improved outcomes for the residents of the shire.”

Between 2013 and 2018, the grants team have submitted 412 successful grant submissions, securing over $35.5 million in grant funding for the Parkes Shire. Furthermore, 167 community groups have been assisted with funding applications, with over 300 representatives from community and sporting organisations attending grant writing workshops and presentations.

Recent big wins for the community include, $4.2 million for the Parkes CBD Vibrancy project, $9 million for the Recycled Water Rising Main, $2.2 million for Parkes Shire Library expansion and more than $1.7 million
towards township infrastructure projects.

The Aboriginal Project Officer role, based out of Neighbourhood Central, has led to significant advancements in health, culture and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Some of the positive initiatives supported by the Aboriginal Project Officer include free outreach eye and dental clinics in Parkes and Peak Hill, free health checks, free hearing checks, the establishment of a homework centre, as well as the establishment of a Boys and a Girls Group in Peak Hill.

The Parkes central business district has come alive with sound and colour the past month with street performers adding to the festive cheer leading up to Christmas. The initiative by the Shop Parkes Christmas Campaign has brought lots of local talent out on the street for the whole community to enjoy. The artists range in age, experience and genre.

They include young emerging acts Hannah Dun, Gemma Ellis and Annabelle van Wyk, who all had great success at the Australian Busking Championships this year, to up and coming performance artists, sister duo Birdee and Georgia Sideris, and wellknown local groups, the Parkes Shire Concert Band and acapella ensemble, Tapestry.

“It has been a great experience,” said Georgia Sideris, who has been performing on her own and with her sister Birdee for the past four weeks at the Roasted Combi Cafe.

“It is a great location to play, and people said they enjoyed the music while having something at the café.”

A key objective of this year’s Shop Parkes Christmas Campaign was to increase trade for local businesses and to keep shopping dollars local. According to Parkes Shire Council’s Marketing and Branding Manager, Katrina Dwyer the idea was to activate the main street to attract more patrons and to encourage businesses to extend their trade offering.

“This was done through installation of lighting and projections, opening up of Christmas Central on Thursdays and Saturdays offering free gift wrapping and concierge services and live music.”

The live music component was implemented to complement the late night trading days to encourage people to stay longer and enjoy local hospitality outlets. The artists will continue to perform until Christmas and you can hear them tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am to 2pm on the corner of Church and Clarinda Streets near the Roasted Combi Café, and outside Christmas Central at 203 Clarinda Street.

By Maggi Barnard