Articles Archives - Page 4 of 452

Sister Florence Kinsela Celebrates 103rd Birthday

September 3, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Sr Florence Kinsela, or “Flo” as she is affectionately known, recently celebrated her 103rd birthday with a lovely afternoon tea surrounded by friends and family at the Southern Cross Village in Parkes on 28 August.

Born in Parkes, or possibly Manildra, Flo has called Parkes home her whole life and she says “I’ve got a good family here.”

Very fond of her family, Flo is said to have had a great relationship with her sisters. Nephew David White spoke of being the eldest nephew of around 18 nieces and nephews, some of whom had travelled up from Sydney, the South Coast and even as far as Melbourne to help celebrate with Flo.

Flo left school and helped out at the convent until becoming a nun at the age of 17 and has dedicated her entire life to helping others since then. In fact, Sister Florence Kinsela is the oldest living nun from the Sisters of Mercy College.

By all accounts, Flo is well travelled and is a fantastic cook, spending a lot of time in Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Sans Souci, where her main duties were cooking and ordering food for the boarding students that they looked after. Her favorite place is said to be Wilcannia, where she spent a lot of time and developed a great relationship to the indigenous people. When Flo celebrated her 100th birthday her pride of joy on the day was a card that she received from the people of Wilcannia that she was so fond of.

Flo is an amazing lady and still keeps herself as busy as can be even at 103.

Forbes To Host The 2026 Peter Mcdonald Premiership Grand Final

September 3, 2026 By Roxane Manley

For the first time ever, Forbes Magpies Rugby League Club has four teams competing on grand final day, and the Magpies will have the home ground advantage with the grand final being played at Spooner Oval this Sunday, 6 September.

Forbes Magpies first grade won the Grand Final in 2022, the first time that the Peter McDonald Premiership was introduced, they also made the grand final last year and were beaten in extra time.

First Grade coach for Forbes, Cameron Greenhalgh said, “Forbes has never had four teams in the grand final, let alone it all being played in Forbes. It is a massive achievement and may never be duplicated, so every team will be going after a win this weekend.

“The town is behind us, and I know every team will give 100%. If you’re in town it will be something to see with our new grandstand and packed-out oval, this club has earned the right to play at home and we hope to make Forbes proud.

“It is an absolutely awesome effort from every player in their respective teams as well as their coaching staff. We have a motto ‘success comes to those who never give up’ and they have truly shown that this year to get to the big dance in every grade,” Cameron said.

Get to Spooner Oval early and secure your spot for an action packed day of footy.

Games kick off at 9.30am for league tag, 10.50am for under 18s, 12.20pm for reserve grade, 2.10pm for women’s tackle and 3.30pm for first grade.

Snippets…

September 3, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Bernardi’s Marketplace: Bernardi’s present CWA Eugowra Branch with $2,500 as the 1st Place Winner of Round 1 of their Building Better Communities program. Thanks to the incredible support of customers and local community members, this funding will help support the valuable work the branch does for Eugowra and surrounding areas. The Country Women’s Association has a long history of bringing people together, supporting those in need, and strengthening rural communities. More information on Building Better Communities: https://bernardis.com.au/community

Visit Parkes Region: Are you ready to ride The Dirty Dish? Mark your calendar for 19 September and get set to explore the Parkes Region on two wheels at the Dirty Dish cycling event. With great riding, country roads and plenty of spectacular Central West scenery, it’s the perfect way to experience the region from a different perspective. For more info and registrations visit: bit.ly/4oVY23m

WIRES: Become a WIRES volunteer and help rescue native wildlife in need. Join local volunteers in Orange on Saturday 12 September for a face-to-face wildlife rescue workshop. Sign up today at www. wires.org.au/wildlife-training/rescue-andimmediate-care-course

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Country storytelling with a bit of rock energy, Scarlett Gee is bringing her sound to Bush Tucker Day. Hailing from Orange, NSW, Scarlett Gee is known for a high-energy live show that mixes crowd-favourite covers with her own original music. Saturday 5 September 2026 at the Trundle Showground. Tickets are on sale now https://bit.ly/4gH9myI

Beyond Blue: Make your club a gamechanger for mental health. Any sport, any size can take part. Sign up for a Mental HealthMatch with Beyond Blue andAustralia Post -breaking stigma and supporting our communities together. Sign up and host a match at www.mentalhealthmatch.com.au

Vinnies Parkes: We wanted to let you know that the blue Vinnies donation bins have been permanently removed. Moving forward, we kindly ask that all donations be brought directly to Vinnies Parkes during the following hours: Monday to Friday: 10am to 3pm. Donations can be dropped off either through the front door or the back door—whichever is most convenient for you. Donating outside of these hours contributes to illegal dumping which volunteers are forced to clean up. Dumping can attract fines of up to $4,000.

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers Rev Their Engines For Fourth Annual Trek

August 27, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers are a group of volunteers from Parkes and surrounding communities who share a passion for tractors, mateship and giving back. They come together each year to organise a fundraising tractor trek in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), raising awareness of prostate cancer while travelling through regional communities.

This year’s Parkes Tractor Trek will take place from 28–31 August. Rather than travelling interstate, this year’s trek will focus on our own backyard, travelling through Bogan Gate, Trundle, Tullamore, Albert and Peak Hill before returning to Parkes.

While this year’s trek is closer to home than previous years, our purpose hasn’t changed. We’re committed to raising vital funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, increasing awareness of prostate cancer, and bringing our regional communities together for a great cause.

The Parkes Tractor Trekkers 2025 Bourke to Birdsville Tractor Trek raised an incredible $284,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Donations can be made through the dedicated bank account, with the account details available on the Parkes Tractor Trekkers Facebook page. Throughout the trek the team will also have donation tins with them, so anyone who sees the convoy or meets them in one of the towns can contribute if they’d like.

Every donation, big or small, helps the Parkes Tractor Trekkers to continue raising vital funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Snippets…

August 27, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Official Parkes High School: Year 10 students Charlotte and Savannah, will be volunteering all this week with the Parkes Show Committee in the lead up to the Parkes Show next week. The girls will be assisting with administration in the Show Office located at the Parkes Show Ground. A reminder that school hours on Tuesday 1 September will be 9am – 12pm for the gazetted half day.

Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge: Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge is back. Complete an uncomfortable activity every day, for 10 days in a row between 19 – 28 October to raise funds for We Are Mobilise, for those experiencing homelessness in Australia. It doesn’t have to be running – It can be anything but it has to be a challenge that makes you feel uncomfortable – that’s Sign up today at: www.neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com/register/challenge-2026

Street Dreams 2026: Street Dreams Festival is back in Forbes on Friday 25 September, bringing a wave of creativity, light and entertainment to the heart of town. Experience a brand-new live music stage, interactive light installations and an expanded program of underwater-inspired activities across Harold Street, Court Street and Victoria Park. Best of all, it’s free!

BlazeAid Grants 2026: Are you a farmer looking to improve your bushfire preparedness? BlazeAid’s All Fired Up Grants are now available, providing funding support for Private Fire Fighting Unit upgrades, including pumps, water tanks, hoses, radios, PPE and more. Applications open: 1 September 2026. Learn more: www.blazeaid.com.au or email afu@blazeaid.com.au

Parkes Elvis Festival: We’re excited to invite volunteers to be part of the team behind the magic of the 2027 Parkes Elvis Festival. Volunteers are the heart of the Parkes Elvis Festival, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedication, passion and generosity they share year after year. We simply couldn’t do it without them. To join our festival family, visit: bit.ly/ElvisVolunteer

Stop. Think. Protect: Scams Awareness Week runs from 24 to 28 August. Whether it’s fake emails, unexpected phone calls or online schemes, scammers always find new ways to gain your trust and steal your money or personal information. For simple steps on how to stay safe, visit: www.scamwatch.gov.au/stop-check-protect

Forbes Show: Whether you were crowned recently or many years ago, we would love to see you as we mark a wonderful milestone, celebrating the 150th Forbes Show. So many amazing women have been part of our Show’s history over the years. You are warmly invited to join us at the 150th Forbes Show on: Friday 11 September and Saturday 12 September.

Buy Virtual Steps To Support Royce Simmons Big Walk

August 27, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, rugby league legend Royce Simmons has turned his personal battle into a mission to find a cure for dementia. In 2022, he launched the inaugural Royce’s Big Walk, trekking 300 kilometres from Gooloogong to Penrith and raising significant funds for dementia research and awareness.

What began as a single fundraising event quickly became an annual movement. Royce has since completed walks from Dubbo to Bathurst in 2023, continued the campaign in 2024 around Sydney, and walked from Penrith to Mudgee in 2025.

Along the way, thousands of supporters, local communities, rugby league legends and business partners have rallied behind the cause.

This year, Royce Simmons will embark on the Big Walk 2026 from Gilgandra to Cowra.

On Monday, August 24, Rugby League Legend Royce Sommins set off from Gilgandra on the first leg of his 12 day, Big Walk for 2026.

A fundraising Dinner for Royce was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstance but everyone is invited to pop down to the Coachman Hotel Motel on Saturday night 29 August to meet Royce and his fellow walkers. Donations can be made on the website: https://donate.roycesimmonsfoundation.com.au/register/fundraise

Finalist For 2026 Fleet Of The Year Award

August 27, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council has been named a finalist in the Fleet of the Year category of the inaugural 2026 Fleet News Group Awards.

Managing a diverse fleet across approximately 5,000 square kilometres, Council has developed a comprehensive fleet management framework that combines long-term asset planning, detailed cost analysis, preventative maintenance, telematics and technology to improve the performance and efficiency of its fleet.

Parkes Shire Councillor Kenny McGrath said being named a finalist was recognition of the work undertaken by Council staff to continually improve the way Council manages its fleet.

“Council operates a large and diverse fleet across a very large rural area, so making sure our vehicles and machinery are safe, reliable and being used efficiently is extremely important,” Cr McGrath said.

“Our fleet team has embraced technology and data to find better ways of doing things, while continuing to focus on value for money and providing reliable services to our community.

“It is fantastic to see this work recognised at a national industry level and we congratulate the team on being named a finalist.”

The voting stage is now open, and the Parkes Shire Council would love your support. You can vote here: bit.ly/VotePSCFleet Voting closes 22 September 2026.

Turning Dust Into Smiles

August 27, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Since 1997, Trek4Kidz has been hitting the dirt to help sick kids smile, laugh and escape the weight of illness – even if just for a moment.

Every August, the convoy of big hearts and dusty cars sets off on a week-long trek through regional Australia. Along the way they visit incredible towns, meet wonderful locals and explore the backroads that make this country so special.

Since day one, Trek4Kidz has rolled through more than 526 towns, visited 60 schools and raised over $3,327,965 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation – an extraordinary achievement for such a small but passionate group of trekkers.

Seventy trekkers in 35 cars kicked off their journey from Wagga Wagga on Saturday 22 August, and the trek will end in Parkes on Saturday 29 August. Along the way, the Trekkers will travel through towns in NSW and SA including Barham, Renmark, Nuriootpa, Wentworth and Hillston.

If you want to cheer on the Trekkers as they enter Parkes they will be arriving at somewhere between 3pm-5pm so keep your eye out for the cars heading from the Station Motel down to Mitchelle St and onto Bogan St and then up into Dalton St to finish up at the Coachman Hotel Motel where they will have their cars parked up for anyone wanting to come down and say hi or take some pics

Trek4Kids is completely run by volunteers. Yep, no salaries and no fancy offices, just good people doing great things. That means 100% of the money we raise goes straight to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Donations can be made to the group in person on the day or on the website: www.trek4kidz.com/donate

Snippets…

August 20, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council has been named a finalist in the 2026 Fleet News Group Fleet of the Year Award, recognising the innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement happening right here in our Shire. Our Fleet team works behind the scenes to keep Council moving – maintaining the vehicles, plant and equipment that help us look after roads, parks, waste services, water and sewer infrastructure, and much more. Vote for Parkes Shire Council: bit.ly/VotePSCFleet

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Make sure to be prepared with cash before arriving in Trundle, as there is one ATM at the Trundle Services & Citizens Club and there will be limited card use at the bar at Trundle Bush Tucker Day. Most vendors will have their own eftpos machine but some may be cash only. It is always handy to bring some cash so you don’t miss out on anything.

TAFE NSW Forbes: Are you interested to learn about the basics of studying Beauty? TAFE NSW Forbes will be running an introductory course starting in October 2026. Mondays, 9am-3.30pm. Learners cannot be enrolled in school. Places are limited so secure your spot now: https://online-enrolments.oneebs.tafensw.edu.au/Enrol/Process/GetStarted/165/12370432

TAFE NSW Parkes: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your artistic skills, the Statement of Attainment in Studio Practice – Drawing can help bring your creative ideas to life through. Virtual classroom – off campus, Tuesdays: 25 August 2026 to 25 June 2027. For more info or to enrol: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/course-areas/art-and-design/courses/statement-of-attainment-in-studio-practice-drawing–900-82856

Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW: Whether fundraising for causes at a local level or lobbying governments on a range of important issues at state level, CWA membership helps make a difference. Join in August to receive two months bonus membership. Find out more at https://cwaofnsw.org.au/Web/Web/Membership/Membership.aspx

National BBQ Championships Forbes: Two months to go until the National BBQ Championships Forbes. From sizzling grills to slow-smoked perfection, the countdown is officially on. Nominate your team today at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events/events-2026/october-2026/national-bbq-championships-forbes Interested in sponsoring the event? Email events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6850 2300.

Meals On Wheels Opens Its Doors To The Community

August 20, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Meals on Wheels Parkes, Forbes and West Wyalong are throwing open their doors this Meals on Wheels Day, and everyone is invited to come along, have a cuppa and discover just what their local Meals on Wheels has to offer. The Open Days will be held on Wednesday 26 August from 9am to 11am.

While most people know the Meals on Wheels name, many may not realise just how much they have to offer — or that Meals on Wheels isn’t just for older people.

Sometimes cooking becomes difficult, life gets busy, or perhaps you’re looking for a little extra support for yourself or someone you love. Whatever the reason, head in, meet the local staff and volunteers, see the range of meals and find out how they may be able to help.

And of course, there’ll be morning tea — because you can’t have a proper country get-together without a cuppa! Each office will have something a little different happening on the day. There will also be 20% off all frozen meals purchased between 9am and 11am.

In Parkes, Marathon Health and Parkes Fire and Rescue will join in, with information about aged care services and free home safety checks for seniors.

In Forbes, Marathon Health and Flannery’s Pharmacy will be joining the Meals on Wheels team. Located within the HACC Centre, visitors may also have the opportunity to meet other local services on the day.

In West Wyalong, Marathon Health and Bland Shire Community Care will join the team to share information about local services and support.

Across our three communities, more than 200 volunteers help to deliver over 40,000 meals each year — local people looking out for local people.

Doors will be open in Parkes at 23 Forbes Road, in Forbes at 7 Harold Street and in West Wyalong at 72 Ungarie Road.

So head along and say hello.

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