Planet Ark and National Tree Day’s major sponsor, Toyota Australia are teaming up with the AFL to promote tree planting across Australia during rounds 19-20 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season.

This is the second year that Toyota has supported National Tree Day through their AFL partnership, using in ground signage and broadcast assets to amplify National Tree Day to an AFL audience. Saint Kilda defender Jack Sinclair was just one of the many players who took some time to get their hands dirty and connect with nature last year. 

If you’re at the AFL this weekend, look out for the friendly faces in the National Tree Day community service announcement, including Toyota Australia Ambassador Adam Goodes and volunteers from the National Tree Day community.

Planet Ark, would like to thank all the site coordinators, volunteers, councils, schools and community groups who are digging in to celebrate Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day.

Not Now Darling officially opened over the weekend for their 3-weekend run of this hilarious comedy play which follows two fur salesmen as they navigate scantly clad women in closets, mobsters, mistresses, and wives. The audiences were continuously amused throughout the production as our leading men got themselves caught in a tangled web of secrets all while various items were thrown from the salon window.

This production is the directorial debut for Hannah Symonds, and even with 20 years of theatrical experience under her belt, she was still overwhelmed by the support of the community. “Directing has been a dream of mine for a long time now, I love being on stage but felt I needed a challenge after performing my dream role of Elphaba in Wicked in 2021. Directing has not been without its challenges, but these challenges have helped me gain a greater insight into the world of theatre and with the mentorship of the amazing Lyn Townsend its an experience that I will treasure. Being a small cast comedy play, I was nervous that this production wouldn’t be as welcomed as most of our larger cast musicals, however the community has been wonderful in supporting the theatre and I look forward to opening our doors for the last 6 performances of Not Now Darling.

The production has received a lot of positive feedback, praising the detailed set, hysterical storyline and fabulous acting from all involved. 

Not Now Darling will run for another two weekends with closing performance on the 30th of July 2023, with a group discount of buy 5 get 1 free on tickets, this is a production not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased through our website or directly from the theatre box office 30 minutes before each performance. www.parkesmandd.com.au.

This season, join us for the hottest winter celebration of the year – the Winter Fire Festival. Running across two weekends from the 4th – 13th August, the Winter Fire Festival showcases Orange and the villages of Blayney and Cabonne at their winter best! The festival program comprises a range of events in our region’s cellar doors, restaurants, villages, and other venues that celebrate the magic of winter. 

The chill of winter is no match for the warmth of Orange’s hospitality. The region’s charming cafes, pubs, cellar doors, and restaurants offer cosy retreats complete with crackling fireplaces, comfortable armchairs, and friendly locals eager to share stories. Sample freshly roasted coffee, savour house-made specialties, or enjoy a warming glass of local award-winning red wine. 

Close to home, is WoodFired Eugowra which is happening on Saturday, 5th August. Nothing ignites the soul like an afternoon with friends and family along the Mandagery Creek. Be warmed by the crackling fire as you take in local artisan food including woodfired pizza and low and slow meat. Sample regional wine, cider, and beer whilst you sit back and enjoy live music from local musicians. The kids will be entertained with a jumping castle, face painting and their own food options. Bring the family and venture to Eugowra for a cosy Saturday afternoon! This is a free event but registration is required to secure entry. 

Orange360 General Manager, Ned Sweetapple commented, “We’re proud to showcase what we love about this region in winter. The Winter Fire Festival is our regions antidote to the cold and is the opportunity to celebrate all the good things about our Winter season and the fun to be had! Hearty, warming meals, sipping cold climate wine and artisan drinks around the bonfire, sharing stories, music, dance and laughter with friends and strangers under starry crystal-clear skies.

Bookings for all events during the festival can be made by visiting Orange360’s website, www.orange360.com.au

Not Now Darling is a British farcical comedy featuring minks, mistresses, mobsters and mistaken identities, including scantily clad women hiding in cupboards! This production is the directorial debut for Parkes M&D member Hannah Symonds, who has over 20 years of theatrical experience and graced the Parkes M&D stage as Elphaba in the 2021 production of Wicked.

Not Now Darling follows the flamboyant Gilbert Bodley (Aaron Kingham) as he schemes to seduce the beautiful stripper Janie McMichael (Lisa Ramsay) by offering her an exquisite £5,000 mink coat.

Unfortunately, Janie’s husband, Harry McMichael (Benson O’Donnell), mustn’t know about the affair so the coat is offered to Harry at an excellent price of £500, with Gilbert paying the remainder.

Harry realises the bargain and instead buys the coat for his curvaceous secretary Sue Lawson (Hannah Symonds). Gilbert is shocked by this turn in events and both he and his nervous assistant Arnold Crouch (Russell Tanswell) are further embarrassed when Janie refuses to leave the salon by stripping down. Their frenzied attempts to retrieve the coat from Sue and hide the naked Janie are further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Gilbert’s wife Maude Bodley (Lyn Townsend).

Meanwhile, Arnold’s method of hiding any discarded ladies underwear is to throw them out the window, leaving the salon’s spinster secretary Miss Tipdale (Jessica Morgan) to retrieve the garments and any other items tossed from the window. The hilarious events at the salon are interrupted by the elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. Frencham (Steve McGrath and Ruth Barnes) as they navigate the law, as well as the beautiful fur model Miss Whittington (Gyhaan Edwards).

Opening 15th July to the 30 th July 2023. A group ticket discount of buy five get one free will apply. Head to the website for more details. www.parkesmandd.com.au

GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE VOICE REFERENDUM 

Australia is having a conversation about the Voice referendum being held later this year. It’s about whether we should change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Parkes Shire Library has information booklets available that have been issued by the Australian Government providing information on how a referendum works; the referendum question and constitutional amendment; what the Voice is and what would it do?

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Board Games Day Friday: Families are invited to drop into Parkes Library to enjoy playing a board game with friends and family. Friday 7 July during library opening hours. FREE event. 

Kids Flicks @ Parkes Library: For students in Kindergarten to Year 6. Come and enjoy a junior movie and popcorn! Wednesday 12 July, 10:30am – 12pm. FREE event in person bookings essential. 

Picasso Faces: Learn about Picasso and play a game to create an art-work in his style. Tullamore Library Wednesday 12 July, 11:30am – 1pm. $2pp, bookings essential on 6861 2309.

Paint Like A Pro: Learn about Pro Hart and create an artwork using his methods. Peak Hill Library Thursday 13 July. $2pp, bookings essential on 6861 2309.

LITTLE BANG DISCOVERY CLUB RETURNS TO PARKES LIBRARY

Young scientists and their lab assistants gathered in Parkes Library during June for the Little Bang Discovery Club. The children made amazing discoveries by predicting, testing, conducting experiments and more! Stay tuned for information on future sessions of Little Bang Discovery Club.

YOUTH LIBRARY LOCK-IN

Young people aged 12-18 years are invited to come to our popular Library Lock-In event. Enjoy games, a free dinner and exclusive use of the Parkes Library. Monday 31 July, 5:30-8pm. Bookings open 17 July at events.humanitix.com/July23youthlockin

If you have ever been curious about the tiny home revolution? This Saturday 1st July, you can head along to the first ever open day for The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. where all of your questions will be answered. The open day will be held between 10am to 2pm at 7 Gemini Place in Parkes. 

Daniel Relyea, owner of The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. is excited to be holding an open day in order for the public to come along and have a look at what he has to offer. 

Visitors on the day will be able to view a fully completed single level studio design, which comes fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom. Also on-site on the day will be a two-story tiny home, which is still under construction, but can be inspected both inside and outside. 

The single story studio design which is pictured above and will be on site at open day, was recently taken to the Tiny Homes Expo in Hawkesbury on May 12th-14th and Daniel was pleased with the amount of interest that was shown and even surprised by the amount of Central West residents who approached him at the Tiny Homes Expo. 

With the cost of housing crisis gripping Australia, Tiny Homes have become extremely sought after. Tiny Homes offer an affordable option of either temporary or permanent housing and can be used in rural or residential areas. 

The options are endless and Daniel can provide structures on skids or wheels, in kit form, lock up stage for those who want to finish their own interiors, or completely finished and ready to move in. 

Tiny House trailers are also available from The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. and may be purchased with your tiny house or on it’s own. 

The added bonus is that if you purchase a Tiny Home, Daniel provides free delivery within 150km of Parkes.