Articles Archives - Page 403 of 448

It’s Time To Enrol At Twinkle Toes Dance Studio

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Twinkle Toes Dance Studio (TTDS) is ready for a new year of dancing with their enrolment day on Saturday, 28th January between 10am and 2pm.

Principal Breanna Grebenc said: “2016 was a hugely successful year for TTDS and we are looking forward to 2017 when we will commence new classes for R.A.D. bal- let exams and extension classes for those who are already skilled dancers to further their skills.”

Twinkle Toes Dance Studio offers a range of classes for ages 2.5 years and up. Classes include Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Contem- porary, Hip Hop, Boys only Hip Hop, Musi- cal Theatre and Acro. The staff at Twinkle Toes Dance Studio is focused on providing technical, fun and safe dance tuition to the dancers of Parkes, so that they can share their love of dance with the local community. Class timetables and enrolment packs are available now – just contact Breanna by phone, email or Facebook, or come in on enrolment day to meet the teachers, see the studios and enrol. Dance shoes and uniforms will also be available for or- der and purchase on the day.

TTDS can be contacted by phone on 0439 229 976, email at ttdsparkes@gmail. com or their Facebook page facebook. com/twinkletoesdancestudioparkes.

Round One Of Building Better Regions Fund Is Open

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Community groups and local councils are encouraged to apply for funding under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), which is available for community and in- frastructure projects in the Riverina and Central West.

Funding will be available across two streams: infrastructure projects and community investments.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the fund was dedicated purely as an investment in opportunities across rural, regional and remote Australia.

“Flexible, creative thinking can be a winning formula to receive funding, providing clear objectives are mapped out that show benefits for the region,” the Minister said.

The Nationals’ Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said applications would be assessed in three categories depending on the size of the project to ensure small community projects were not competing against huge projects worth tens of millions.

“We want to invest in the infrastructure, events and initiatives that we are passion- ate about and that we know will make a difference to our region,” Michael said.

An information session will be held in Dubbo at the Western Plains Cultural Centre at 10.30am on 31st January.

Applications close on Tuesday, 28th February for the Infrastructure Projects Stream and Friday, 31st March for the Community Investments Stream.

To register for an information session or to find out more visit www.business.gov. au/bbrf

Forbes Smash Offers Quality Repairs

January 25, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Forbes Smash Pty Ltd is managed and operated by Sam Leonard who is also the vehicle painter.

Sam has two tradesmen panel beaters, Jeremy Clark and Dylan Hennock, and Tim Holmes is a first year apprentice spray painter.

Sam and her team offer all smash repair work including insurance and private work consisting of both small and large repairs such as panel replacement or vehicle re-alignment. They also do motorbikes, boats, plastic repairs and vehicle buff and polishes.

Forbes Smash won two awards at the Boscars (Forbes Business Awards) at the end of last year with Sam taking out the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and Dylan awarded Apprentice of the Year.

The team at Forbes Smash strive to provide the best quality repairs and refinishing, friendly customer service and advice and continuous customer satisfaction.

Forbes Smash now offers free quoting in Parkes weekly and also offers vehicle pick-up and delivery from your doorstep.

Call Sam on 6852 2272 or 0497 855 088 to arrange your free quote or call into the workshop at 27 Rankin Street in Forbes.

Viva Parkes, Viva Elvis Fans, Viva Enjoyment

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A record-breaking 25,000 fans came from all over the world to celebrate 25 years of the Parkes Elvis Festival last week.

The many highlights of the five days of non-stop entertainment and events include a personal message of congratulations from Priscilla Presley read out at the special anniversary gala dinner.

The town throbbed with the sounds of Elvis’ songs and the heatwave’s cicadas competing for audio dominance, while in the streets the tsunami of rhinestoned jump- suits, feathered showgirls, casino paraphernalia, hot rods, vintage cars and neon lights grew instantly with the arrival of 400 fans on the Elvis Express with more creative ver- sions of the theme from the 1964 Viva Las Vegas film.

“In the 25 years since it began, Parkes Elvis Festival has grown to become a bucket list event for many people in Australia and around the world. We’ve had an incredible five days of hip-swiveling action and turned Central West NSW into its own version of Las Vegas,” said Festival Director Cathy Treasure.

The Elvis-themed tsunami was bursting with colour and fun as it washed down Clarinda street on Saturday morning to the delight of 16,000 people lining the main street. There were Elvii and Priscillas galore of all ages and sizes on Elvis-themed floats, in vintage cars, on motorcycles, in walking groups and marching bands.

In 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 26th year with the theme ‘68 Comeback’.

By Maggi Barnard (see results of competitions and other highlights on p.12)

‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love’ (Again)…

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Las Vegas is infamous for eloping couples, where fools rush in to be married by an Elvis, but the Parkes Renewal of Vows has a more romantic take on this tradition.

On Sunday 39 couples declared their un-dying love at the popular ceremony before wedding celebrant Andrew ‘Elvis’ Appleby, and a massive public audience. Tribute artist Jake Rowley serenaded the loving couples, and they cut a wedding cake crafted by Kath Swansbra.

Parkes couple Lorraine and Kim Cham- bers were the only local couple to renew their vows this year. They have five chil- dren, and nine grandchildren, and are celebrating their 40th Anniversary. They were married in 1977, the year Elvis left the building, so Elvis is very special to them. They also wanted to share the special moment with their dear friends Colleen and Peter Blair-Hickman, who are celebrating 24 years of marriage this year. This is the second renewal of vows for the Blair-Hick- mans; who were the first couple to renew their vows at the Parkes Elvis festival 11 years ago.

Phil and Gail Voss came all the way from Perth, and renewed their vows as a celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Hearts were all a-flutter when Phil greeted his wife on bended knee. The trip was a gift from their daughter and son-in-law for Phil’s 70th birthday, and included seats on the Elvis Express. Phil is an Elvis Tribute Artist, performing in nursing homes and retirement villages in WA. “The dementia patients’ eyes just light up when they see him in costume,” Gail said. “They just love it.” This year was the couple’s first time at the festival and they were blown away. “I never met Elvis in the flesh,” Phil said, “but this week I got as close as I was ever going to get.”

By Raen Fraser

Day Ambassador

Elvis’ Mystery Train’ Is Now A Party Train

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

As a local I have heard lots of stories about the Elvis Express or party train. Arriving at Central Station, camera and strong coffee in hand I was overwhelmed to see the masses of people to watch the performances and take photos of the outfits. “This is the best day of the year,” one UK photographer said to me. I was swept up in the vibe of music, costumes and everyone ready to board.

Once on the train I met people from all around the world and I sang along with the Elvis tribute artists. Everyone was happy to pose for photos. I even received hugs from some friendly travellers after offering them some local advice on places to eat and visit.

Time ticked away as I watched the conga line travel through the carriages, the performer’s passion and speaking with die- hard Elvis fans. I even found myself shoe- less standing on a chair bopping along while trying to take photos.

As the train pulled into the Parkes station my excitement built. Being around so many Elvis fans had rubbed off. During the rest of the weekend, I was approached many more times by people from the train saying hello. It was an overwhelming experience which far outweighed my expectations!

By Sylvie Maloney

Elvis Snippets

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Winners:

• 2017 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest was won by Brendon Chase from New Zealand, followed by Sean Spiteri from Sydney and Matt Birse from Adelaide in third. Brendon will travel to Memphis, USA, to represent Parkes at the Contest Semi -Final during Elvis Week in August.

• The 2017 Miss Priscilla, Face of the Festival, was awarded to Jackie Batt of Parkes.

Star of Parkes Shire: The Parkes Shire Council presented Bob and Ann Steel with the Star of Parkes Shire in recognition of their dedication and the sacrifices they made to initiate and grow the Parkes Elvis Festival. A Binary star in the Orion Belt will be known as the Bob Steel and Anne Steel Star.

Providing high quality education and care for children from birth
to 6 years!

Poets’ Breakfast: The Poets’ Breakfast has become a legend of its own. More than 200 poetry lovers shared breakfast and some laughs at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. The MC was Barry “Elvis” Green, who entertained the rather crowded crowd with Elvis songs,. The competition was fierce – and funny. Parkes’ Amy Butler won the Best Novice Poet for her poem ‘The Elvis Train’ – a jaunty verse about the Elvis Express featuring Mayor Ken Keith. Jane Ferrari’s hilarious poem ‘Hooked Up In Parkes’ took out both the Open Contender and People’s Choice awards.

Outback Elvis: Around 60 people rocked up to the Parkes Shire Library for the launch of the Outback Elvis book. Authors, John Connell and Chris Gibson – both academics and well-seasoned festival fans – compiled a collection of anecdotes and personal stories that detail the evolution of the festival from its humble beginnings to the event that has quite literally put Parkes on the international map. Parkes Shire Librarian Shelly Buckle said it had been her dream to launch a book during the Elvis Festival.

Miniature Elvis Express: A group of repeat festival-goers from Sydney loved the Elvis Express so much that they made their own. Vivian Cronin, Graham Gardiner, Elizabeth

Bromhead and Mort Hansen kept the party going when they disembarked for the Elvis Festival. The novice train engineers scavenged an old box from a stall holder, and decorated it to recreate the Elvis Express, which they drove in the street parade. They eventually departed the train in Cooke Park, but various other Elvis revellers caught the cardboard train over the weekend, with one group riding it up and down Clarinda Street, before it was finally derailed.

Susie Elelman Is Australia Day Ambassador

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Media personality Susie Elelman is Parkes Shire Council’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2017. “We are honoured to have Susie attend our special Australia Day activities across the Shire, as well as present the Citizenship Awards,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cnr Ken Keith OAM.

“Australia Day is an opportunity for our community to come together in the spirit of friendship and harmony, showcasing the unique and diverse culture that makes us Australian.”

Susie’s media career has spanned four decades and currently she can be seen in a weekly editorial segment on Seven’s The Morning Show. She also forms part of the Sydney 2GB Talkback Team. While she is most renowned for her work in the media, Susie is also an award-winning, best-selling author – voted Australia’s Most Dynamic Author in 2006 for her first book Half My Size.

Susie’s the first and only woman ever to voice The Ode in RSL and Services Clubs Australia-wide. In the 2015 Susie was awarded an AM – becoming a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to charity, the not-for-profit sector and media. Everyone is encouraged to join the celebrations across the Parkes Shire. Activities are being planned for Parkes, Bogan Gate, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.

For infor- mation visit www.visitparkes.com.au.

Harness Racing For The King

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Elvis might have been a race car driver in Viva Las Vegas, but last Wednesday the Parkes Harness Racing Club Elvis event drew a crowd of almost 700 people all dressed up in their best Elvis costumes.

“We are very pleased with the attendance,” said Tony Dumesny, Secretary of the club.

The event featured eight races with the feature race the TAB.com.au Elvis Series Final. The race was won by Amanda Turnbull on Greengold, a horse she has trained. Amanda won four races on the night with her cousins Nathan and Emma Turnbull winning two and one respectively. Emma drove a local horse trained in Forbes and owned in Trundle. Bernie Hewitt from Bathurst took out the other race on the night.

There was great live entertainment by Rick Charles as Elvis, and spectators came dressed in their Elvis best. The photo booth proved very popular. Linda Taylor from Parkes was the winner of the lucky gate prize – a travel voucher valued at $4,000. Many people attended for the first time, even though they had been coming to Parkes for many years to attend the Festival.

The Parkes Harness Racing Club New Year’s Eve meet was also well attended with eight races on the program, and great fireworks at the end.

The next race meeting will be on Australia Day on 26th January with an eight- race program from 6pm. The feature race is the Joe Dumesny Memorial Race with prize money of $3,500 and a trophy valued at $500. The Keith Thompson Memorial race will also take place. One of the main attractions of the day is the famous yabby races for the kids held in conjunction with Parkes Shire Council with many prizes to be won. There will also be a jumping castle and face painting for the kids.

By Cheryl Newsom

Our Gal

January 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Ann Steel

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve been here for most of my life, except for a few years during my childhood when I was in Sydney, so I think I’m just about a local. I like the lifestyle and the people. It’s a great place to raise kids.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I’m retired now, but before that I ran Gracelands for 25 years. I now belong to Quota. We do a lot of hard work, but have a lot of fun doing it. Elvis also keeps me busy.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
We’re very involved with vintage cars and bikes, and we spend a lot of time going to shows and rallies. I also like entertaining friends and family, and still love cooking. Mosaics was also something I did to unwind, I’d spend one night cutting, and another night gluing.

What are you really good at?
I’m not really good at anything, but I’ll have a go at most things.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To learn how to sleep! When my first baby was three months old we didn’t sleep much because of a milk allergy. My doctor said you only need two good hours of sleep to survive and I’ve been working on that theory ever since!

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