Everyone can clear out and cash in on the Garage Sale Trail this November as Parkes Shire Council joins the nation’s big­gest second-hand treasure hunt.

Over two big weekends on 9th-10th and 16th-17th November, the Garage Sale Trail will be coming to Parkes Shire, with the event offering savings for savvy shop­pers on everything from the essentials you need, to the pre-loved gems you want.

Parkes Shire residents are invited to host their own garage sale or join a group sale in their neighbourhood, and can take part over one day or do more across both week­ends.

Do you have pre-loved treasures too good for the bin? Hold on to them and cash in! Acting General Manager of Parkes Shire Council, Mr Andrew Francis, said selling or shopping at garage sales is a fun and simple action we can all take to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Garage Sale Trail helps neighbours con­nect, make some money and keep their good stuff out of landfill,” Mr Francis said.

“With free registration, how-to guides and promotional resources, its garage sales made easy over two big weekends.”

“We hope to encourage garage sales lo­cally in the Parkes Shire, contributing to the 15,000 sales expected nationwide.”

Amidst a growing focus on reuse and recycling, Australians are decluttering and seeing the rewards. Data shows that those hosting a sale on the trail make an average of $4,571, proving that pre-loved is both planet- and pocket-friendly. With profits like these, it’s no wonder that 3 million items will be up for grabs over the trail weekends, offering bargains for every shopper.

“There really will be something for eve­ryone; designer fashion, mid-century furni­ture, cookware, vinyl, kids stuff, tools and more,” said Mr Francis.

Register your garage sale for free at: www.garagesaletrail.com.au/Parkes

It’s time to get all shook up—Parkes Elvis Festival is back for 2025! Running from 8–12 January, the 32nd annual festival will pay tribute to Elvis with a groovy 1960’s Easy Come, Easy Go theme, offering fans a packed program of concerts, dancing, markets, and a few surprises along the way.

More than 25,000 Elvis lovers are ex­pected to shake, rattle, and roll into Parkes, NSW, making it the largest celebration of The King in the Southern Hemisphere.

Australia’s official Elvis hometown will once again come alive with festival favour­ites like the Evolution Mining Street Pa­rade, Renewal of Vows Ceremony, bustling markets, and electrifying performances on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage.

A major highlight of 2025 will be the launch of the Gates of Graceland, a full-sized replica of the iconic Graceland gates, located at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. This beautiful new attraction will honour key contributors to the festival, with stars also commemorating the winners of the Parkes Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Festival founders Bob and Anne Steel will be the first to be officially recog­nised at the gates for their pivotal role in establishing the event.

Festival goers can look forward to stun­ning outdoor installations, including Under Our Umbrella, a vibrant 250-metre canopy of colourful umbrellas providing shade and a perfect photo op, and Vivid Elvis, a nightly lighting display illuminating the main drag.

Staying connected will be easier than ever with the new mobile app.

Joel Ulbricht, Festival Producer, said, “Each year we work to capture the essence of Elvis, and the 2025 Festival will be no different. This year’s program offers some­thing for everyone.”

Tickets went on sale Monday 23 Sep­tember for Parkes League Club shows and 2pm Tuesday 24 September for all other events, at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

Parkes Shire Council is excited to announce the F-ABBA-LOUS lineup for the 2024 Trun­dle ABBA Festival, set to return on Saturday 19 October 2024. As Australia’s only and original ABBA festival, this year’s event will feature a spectacular array of performances that will have fans dancing the afternoon and night away.

Headlining the festival is the world-re­nowned ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again.

These super troupers are back by popular demand after their sensational performance last year.

The festival will be hosted by Tristan Mac­Manus, best known for his five-season stint on Dancing with The Stars, a co-host of Stu­dio 10 and runner-up on this year’s “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”.

Joining the lineup are:

• Furnace and the Fundamentals. Pre­pare to dance like never before with Fur­nace and the Fundamentals, a six-piece band described as “humanity’s most exhilarating dance party,” these Sydney showmen will deliver an unforgettable party set filled with the greatest songs of all time.

• Disco Revolution. Step back into the glittering world of the 70s with Disco Rev­olution, a seven-piece show band that re­ignites the disco flame with passion and flair.

• Andante Andante Choir. For a touch of nostalgia and harmony, the Andante An­dante Choir will take the stage to perform ABBA’s most beloved hits.

• DJ Diggz. Adding a modern twist to the festival, DJ Diggz will keep the party go­ing with his infectious dance and pop beats.

This year’s festival marks the 10th anniver­sary of Trundle ABBA Festival and the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s historic Eurovision win with “Waterloo.” Join us for a day of mu­sic and magic of ABBA in the charming re­gional town of Trundle. For information visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au

QUE members look forward to your company throughout the day at the Parkes Racecourse, and in the four open gardens, on Sun­day 29th September.

The Parkes Racecourse, Eugowra Road will be buzzing with activity from 9.30am, with over 25 stalls and live music from local artists. Don’t miss the fashion parade at 1pm presented by Parkes News and Gifts and of course the four beautiful open gardens.

Be sure to get a ticket in the fabulous raffle. First prize is a beau­tiful occasional table created and donated by local artist, Susan Maddison. Second prize is a garden trolley filled with goodies and third prize is a $50 gift voucher to Dirty Gloves Nursery.

Collect your wristband and directions from the Parkes Race­course from 9.30am on the day. Tickets prices are: wristbands and directions to the gardens (cash/card) $15, morning tea $5 and lunch $15.

The money raised from this event stays in our local community, with a focus on supporting hearing, speech, and wellbeing. This year Parkes Que Club have sponsored every eligible child to at­tend Life Education Van (Healthy Harold), as well as our usual donations to schools and pre-schools for hearing amplification systems; dignity and care packs for victims of domestic violence; books for newborn babies; Southern Cross art therapy program; trauma teddies for Ambulances; participation in Paint the Town REaD; school backpacks for children in need; and sponsoring the hearing and speech assessments for pre-school children who are ready to head off to ‘big school’. Donations are also given to Can Assist, Ronald McDonald House, Sprouts, Safe Haven and other charities to benefit our local communities.

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held to provide im­portant safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and La­chlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW West Region. The workshops will be held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 10th September at 10am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Mela­nie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjust­ment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for sec­ond-hand car seats and much more. It is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

The online workshops were the first of their kind in NSW when they were trialed in May 2023.

“Over 30 local families have attended the online workshops since their inception. Participants rated the workshop 4.8 out of 5, said they would be very likely to recommend it to a friend or family member and were glad they had attended,” Ms Suitor said.

To book your place, visit the Councils’ Facebook pages, use this link: bit.ly/WorkshopRegoSept24 or call Ms Suitor on 6861 2364.