The mock crash road safety initiative had seen a 27% reduction in crashes involving young drivers since its inception more than 10 years ago. Amateur actors are invited to audition for this year’s production.

The call is out for amateur youth actors over the age of 16 across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires to star in this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program.

“We are looking for four new actors to join our team and are holding auditions on Wednesday, 22nd June from 4pm – 7pm at the Parkes SES shed in Clarke Street,” said Melanie Suitor, Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer for the three councils.

She said this road safety initiative had seen a 27% reduction in crashes involving young drivers since its inception more than 10 years ago.

“The auditions will give participants an overview of all aspects of the project. The youth actors will take part in both filmed and live ab-lib exercises,” said Melanie. 

Following two years of COVID disruption, this year’s mock crash is going to be developed into a training video. The video will replace the live mock crash demonstration for this year but will result in a resource which allows the program to be implemented in other areas and provides a back-up option for future years’ live demonstrations.

Pre-registration for the auditions is essential. Contact Melanie on 6861 2364 or Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au for more information and to book your place.

Judy and Robert Shore will be sleeping out on 25th June to raise money for Shelterbox in support of homeless people.

Two Parkes residents will be braving the icy elements on 25th June by sleeping out to raise money for the homeless.

Parkes Rotary President Robert Shore and his wife Judy have taken on the #offthegrid fundraising challenge of the charity Shelterbox, which is supported by Rotary.

“We plan to sleep out at the Jemalong Weir, outside Forbes, without any electricity and electronic devices,” said Robert. They chose a site near a river to make it colder.

The public is invited to support Robert and Judy’s challenge by making a donation on the Shelterbox page https://offthegrid.raisely.com/donate

Shelterbox supports people affected by disasters around the world. Earlier in the year Parkes Rotary donated a ShelterBox in support of the devastation in Haiti. There are currently 113 million people who are homeless because of disaster and conflict. Over the next 20 years the situation is only going to get worse with an estimated 200 million people to be displaced by intensifying storms alone.

Two out of three child restraints are not being used properly putting children at risk. Make sure your child restraint is properly fitted on 14th June at Lions Park for a free check.

The safety of children when travelling is paramount and residents will have the opportunity to receive a free child restraint check on Tuesday, 14th June at Lions Park from 11am to 3pm. 

Parkes Shire Council has organised Authorised Child Restraint Fitters for the annual day to ensure the safe travel of young children.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor. “Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we have checked at previous events have had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child – such as tightening and untwisting straps, fitting gated buckles and correcting the seatbelt’s path through the restraint.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe,” Melanie said.

Bookings are essential, phone 6861 2364 to secure your place. Free barista coffee will be available, with information about the national child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on moving children from one restraint type to the next.

The management team at PETstock Country Parkes are Ainsley Newton, Ellie Littlewood and Shirilee Jackson with some of their favourite pets.

PETstock Country Parkes is the first PETstock Country branded store in NSW, and tomorrow is the grand opening with a family fun day from 10am to 2pm at 138 Clarinda Street.

“The whole community is invited to come and enjoy a free coffee from The Fat Parcel, watch the reptile show and display by Kym, the Reptile Man, support the charity barbeque run by Parkes Rescue and Rehoming and enjoy the 20% off sale storewide,” said Ellie Littlewood of the management team. The local station 2PK/RokFM will be live streaming from the store.

PETstock Country Parkes keeps a wide range of products for all pets from your horse to your dog, cat, bird, fish, reptile, rabbit or guinea pig.

According to another management team member Shirilee Jackson all pets’ needs are catered for with a huge selection of pet products including flea, tick and worming treatments, premium dog and cat food ranges, horse ranges and rural supplies.

The Parkes store has already established a working relationship with Parkes Rescue and Rehoming and adopt cats out in store on their behalf.

At the moment virtual puppy training is on offer online with a trainer with 20 years’ experience. “We are working towards opening  a puppy school soon,” said Shirilee.

“We do not only focus on pets, but also cater for hobby farms and bigger farms with supplies of rural agricultural products like fencing and troughs,” said Ainsley Newton of the management team.

She said the store also had a wide range of equine products including locally sourced hay and chaff.

The management team of three supported by a casual staff complement of five are all locals with a wide range of knowledge of pets and local conditions. The store is open seven days a week.

John Niddrie and Greg Cregan volunteer at Vinnies in Parkes.

This week is National Volunteer Week and a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you. Volunteers do a lot of work behind the scenes that is vital to the functioning of groups and organisations that serve our community for its betterment.

At Vinnies in Parkes the female volunteers are always in the front helping out customers, but there is also a team at the back doing some vital work. Two of the behind-the-scenes volunteers are Greg Cregan and John Niddrie.

They do a lot of after hours work and on public holidays being responsible for emptying out the donation bins. “We also sort all the items, and pick up and drop off items to people,” said Greg.

Greg has been doing it for about six years, and John joined around 12 months ago. “It is all about helping people out and the comradeship. We all get along really well working here.”

Have you ever considered volunteering? It brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.

The historic and recently renovated Carrington Hotel in Peak Hill is one of two main venues for the 49th Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition over the June long weekend.

The long weekend in June is going to be huge in Peak Hill as the 49th Annual Arts and Craft Exhibition is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. 

With the two main venues at the Peak Hill Leisure Centre and The Carrington at full capacity the event is spilling over to Peak Hill Country Crafts for exhibitors, while other shops in the main street will be open for the weekend as well on 11th and 12th June from 9:30am to 4pm. 

Long-time Peak Hill resident May Chandler, who is well into her 90s and continues to crochet, cross-stitch and make cards, will share her story as the guest speaker at the official opening on Friday, 10th June at 6pm at the Leisure Centre. There will be a $5 fee for CanAssist catering. 

“The exhibition committee are thrilled to offer artisan and modern contemporary style arts and craft at this year’s exhibition,” said Judi Unger, Secretary of Peak Hill Leisure Centre. “Artisan arts and crafts demonstrations and static displays include Aboriginal Art, spinning, weaving, loom work, macrame and patchwork, and contemporary style demonstrations highlights acrylic painting workshop, machine embroidered reading cushions, metal work design resin jewellery and lampshade workshops.” 

The Leisure Centre will showcase members’ work created in art and craft groups throughout the year, and an opportunity to vote for the most popular work in The People’s Choice award. 

The Carrington building is an ornate, rustic venue which will feature artworks from the Parkes Art Group, artist-in-residence Leanne Hamblin, mosaic displays, local honey, knitting, sewing, embroidery, jewellery, candles, plants, artwork, sewing, scrapbooking, dolls and card-making. 

Peak Hill Country Crafts also known as the Open Cut Gallery, is a great addition this year’s event as it is already stocked with handmade and home made products created by members of the local community and surrounding district.