Middleton Public School students enjoy free swimming
at their carnival. Front to back are Hayden Lamond, Hugh MacGregor, Riley Duncan, Caylan Neilsen and Lee Piercy.

Parkes Dragon Boat Club members took part in Clean Up Australia Day at Lake Endeavour last Sunday. Here are Louise Moore, Gemma Francis, Sue Gersbach and Beth Thomas with some of the bags they filled with rubbish.

At the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee meeting this month were front (L-R) Cr Kevin Morris (Narrenderra Shire), Merran Socha (Berrigan Shire), Cr Ken Keith OAM (Parkes Shire Mayor & Taskforce Chair), Cr Tony Lord (Bland Shire), Barry Heins (Narrenderra Shire Works Manager). Back (L-R) John Scarce (Murrumbidg- ee General Manager), Cr Robert Black (Murrumbidgee Deputy Mayor), Cr Doug Batten (Gilgandra Shire Mayor), John Morris (National Roads Co-ordinator), Cr Dennis Todd (Warrumbungle Mayor), Richard Jane (Forbes Shire Director Engineering).

Bingo is on at the Parkes Services Club every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am. On Tuesday Christine Miller, Tracy Parrington and Kathy Van Riin were happy to join in.

Rachel Kelly was also at Bingo on Tuesday.

Margaret Cherry has been playing Bingo for many years and was there again on Tuesday.

Gwen Salt, Kerry Stevenson, Joan Thornton and Patricia Davis were ready for some Bingo on Tuesday.

Kindergarten students make patterns using colour. (L-R) Archer Gould, Lexie Swindle, Chase Fliedner and Carter Bateson.

Logan Roberts and Tyler Jones doing buddy reading.

Showing off their sheep art are (L-R) Lauren Crotty, Leaon Deeth, Deakin Monkerud, Tom Wilkinson, Elliott Gould, Cooper Haensch and Hayden Stenner.

Olivia Doering and Sophie Doughty settling in.

Attending the Australia Day ceremony in Cooke Park on Sunday were Fran Scurfield, Linda McGlynn and Helen Huntley.

Le-Rie and AJ van Wyk had fun at the fourth Australia Day Kite Festival at Northparkes Oval on Sunday. (Photo: Keith Turk)

Patrick Simpson accepted the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award on behalf of his sister Victoria for her achievements in wheelchair basketball. Patrick is with his two grannies, Trish Simpson and Paula Sutherland.

Outback Lifesavers graduates are: at the back (L-R) Alexandra Smith, Blake Price, Thomas Ball, Matty Price, Joshua Ball, William Ellis, Caitlin Douglas and Christie Pisani (Trainer). Front: Jayden Kuun, Kelly Ellis, Bailey Price, Kalvin Hines-Dargin and Nicole Ellis.

The Parkes Camera Club members did a fantastic job taking photos of the Parkes Elvis Festival. L-R are Steve Ostini, Cathy McPherson, Frances Thornton, Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, Keith Turk, Rosemary Richardson and Maree Tanswell.

Jeff McClurg flew the flag for Parkes in a dance off on stage at the final Dean Z show at the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club won the prize for the best float in the Elvis Street Parade. Here are some members dressed up for the occasion: Louise Moore with her grandchildren Logan and Olive Cope and Deb Abela.

Ally Francis and Jasmin Dalton were at the Christmas Carnival in Cooke Park last Friday.

Some of the Parkes Community Choir members before their performance in Cooke Park last Friday (L-R) Judie Shaw, Kerrie Peden, Colleen Leonard and Sheree Rosser.

Parkes Dragon Boat Club asked Pauline Nicholson to draw the lucky winners of their very successful Christmas raffle at the Carnival last Friday for three huge hampers as prizes. The winners were 1st: Marie Walker, Parkes; 2nd: Jan Lewis, Condobolin; 3rd: Steff Bee, Parkes. At the draw were (L-R) Beth and Bill Thomas, Linda Snyman, Deb Abela, Louise Moore and Pauline Nicholson.

Parkes True Blue Line celebrated another successful year of dancing with a Christmas party last week. The focus this year was on the easy steps for new dancers with participants showing a lot of enthusiasm! They thanked Parkes Services Club for their support.

The Parkes Painting Group held their Christmas party at the Parkes Services Club last week. Attending were (L-R) Kim Chambers, Scarlett Gosper-Chambers, Heather Moss, Sue Woods, Bronwyn Riley, Annette Witherow and Joan Ash.

At the Carols in the Park last Sunday were at the back Isabelle, Isaac and Tyson Lennox with Blaire and Brydie Crisp in front.

The Stokes family enjoyed Carols in the Park. They are (L-R) Elise, Isaiah, Solomon, Avalyn, Mark and Mercy.

The Hewett family with Tim, Tracy, Tyler and Sienna at Carols in Park last Sunday.

The National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch held its Christmas Party at Moorillah, the property of Peter and Merran Cannon last Sunday. Branch President Martin Bell (right) presented long serving member Andy Tom of Parkes with the Prudence Tucker Branch Award for services to the branch and NPA NSW.

Semetria Hubbard had a stall at the first Market Day at the Greenparkes Garden Centre last Saturday.

Renee Purcival was selling Doterra essential oils at the Greenparkes Garden Centre Market Day last Saturday.

Parkes QUE donated $500 to the Pink Up Parkes committee. Pictured (L-R) are Miriam Luyt, Raelene Rout, Lorraine Parker, Carolyn Rice, Ruth Taylor, Jenny Breaden, Nancye Blatch, Bev Laing, Rosemary Morris and Jeanine Boland.

Sue and Ross Smith (right) received an award for exceptional volunteering spirit at the Meals on Wheels Christmas lunch held last week. They are with Gill Kinsela from Meals on Wheels and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.

Another award for exceptional volunteering spirit went to Currajong Disability Services (CDS). Deitre Jackson (middle) received the award on behalf of CDS from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.

Doro Tom (middle) also showed exceptional volunteering spirit during the year and received her award from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.

Maureen Miller (middle) received a farewell gift as a retiring board member from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.