Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP and Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP held a Men’s, Boys’ and Dads’ Forum in Dubbo on the weekend to allow a safe space for people to talk about their con­cerns.

Mr Chaffey said in a speech to Parliament that “It was a real pleasure to have Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys Llew O’Brien in Dubbo for this special event,” he said.

“It is critical to have these conversations.

Men die younger from preventable diseas­es and have much higher rates of suicide.

They have lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease and lower rates of education.

“I particularly thank Warwick and Ky­lie Mitchell of Peak Hill in my electorate of Parkes, who lost their 17-year-old son Mack to suicide in 2024. They have found a way to celebrate their son and to raise awareness of mental health through their MACK Label and a ball planned for Parkes in October. You can find out more on their website themacklabel.rocks. “We can only make a positive difference by sharing the concerns and sharing the resources.”

Thousands of landcarers are out in paddocks, parks, coastlines, classrooms, creeks and community spaces doing the work that protects the places and productive landscapes we all rely on.

With just one month remaining until nomi­nations close for the 2026 State and Terri­tory Landcare Awards, Landcare Australia is calling on communities to shine a light on the local people and groups making a real difference to the health of our land, water and environment.

Who in your community deserves recog­nition? It could be: A farmer improving soil health and biodiversity on their property, A volunteer who’s spent years restoring a lo­cal reserve, A landcare, Coastcare, bush­care or rivercare group making a differ­ence, A Traditional Owner or First Nations organisation caring for Country, A teacher inspiring students through environment projects or A young person leading positive change in their community.

From farmers improving soil health and productivity, to volunteers restoring native vegetation, Traditional Owners caring for Country and young people leading envi­

gronmental projects, these are the kinds of everyday efforts that often happen quietly but make a lasting difference to communi­ties and the environment.

It might also be the neighbour who

spends weekends replanting a creek line, the farmer trialling new ways to keep soil healthy, the teacher helping students grow a habitat garden, or the volunteer group that turns up month after month to restore a local reserve.

Many landcarers do this work quietly and consistently, often over many years, so a nomination is a simple but powerful way to say their work matters. The awards celebrate the people helping create a more resilient future for Australia.

Anyone can put forward a nomination.

Nominations close Friday, 31 July 2026.

If there’s someone in your commu­nity who is helping protect landscapes, strengthen local connections and leave the environment in better shape for future gen­erations, now is the time to tell their story.

For more information or to nominate please go to www.landcareaustralia.org.au/awards

Dogs to be banned from Harrison Park, Woodward Oval and Keast Park.

Parkes Shire Council has resolved to pro­hibit dogs from Harrison Park, Woodward Oval and Keast Park following a six week community consultation and ongoing con­cerns raised by sporting user groups re­garding dog waste on playing surfaces.

The decision was made at Council’s Or­dinary Meeting on 16 June after reviewing the results of a six-week public engagement process, which attracted 51 submissions from community members.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Neil Westcott said Council carefully considered the feedback received before making its decision.

“Council received a broad range of views from the community, with many respond­ents recognising the importance of maintaining clean and safe sporting facilities while also highlighting the value of public open spac­es for exercising dogs.”

Community feedback highlighted con­cerns relating to hygiene, safety, impacts on organised sport and compliance with existing regulations. Many respondents also expressed concern about the limited availability of suitable dog exercise areas and called for improved infrastructure and enforcement rather than a blanket ban.

Council will continue compliance and enforcement activities relating to dogs in public spaces and will provide further in­formation to the community regarding the implementation of the new restrictions.

Council is currently updating signage at the affected sporting fields and develop­ing a targeted compliance and education program to support implementation of the new restrictions. The prohibition will come into effect once signage has been installed and community notification has been com­pleted.

Once the ban comes into effect, dogs will no longer be permitted at Harrison Park, Woodward Oval and Keast Park. Failure to comply with the prohibition may result in penalties of up to $1,100 under the LocalGovernment Act 1993.

Residents are reminded that a number of other public open spaces throughout the shire remain available for walking and exercising dogs, subject to relevant regulations.

This month, I have continued advocating strongly for our region – focusing on improving local health services, strengthening community safety, and ensuring regional voices are heard at the highest levels.

I have raised a range of important issues affecting the Orange electorate, including access to healthcare, delivery of essential infrastructure, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in decisions that directly impact regional communities. My priority remains making sure our region is not overlooked and that government delivers where it matters most.

Encouragingly, this continued advocacy is delivering results, with the 2026-27 NSW State Budget securing key wins for Orange, Forbes and surrounding communities.

The budget includes significant investment in healthcare following ongoing engagement with local clinicians, including a new surgical theatre at Forbes Hospital and $9.9 million for a surgical robot at Orange Health Service. This world- class technology – a first for regional NSW – will allow patients to access advanced procedures closer to home instead of travelling to Sydney, improving outcomes and reducing stress for families.

The long-awaited upgrade at Forbes Hospital will modernise ageing facilities and enhance patient safety, while Orange·s expanded surgical capability will further strengthen its role as a leading regional medical hub and help attract and retain specialist staff.

The budget also delivers a 50% boost to domestic and family violence funding, totalling $184.1 million over four years, providing stronger support for frontline services assisting women, children and families across our region.

These outcomes show what strong, consistent advocacy can achieve. I will continue working hard to ensure our communities receive the investment, services, and attention they deserve.