It’s a much-anticipated comeback for the Trundle ABBA Festival following the heart breaking, yet sensible decision, to cancel last year’s event due to the flooding and adverse weather conditions the region was suffering late last year.

ABBA fans from all over the world are set to pack their dancing shoes, sparkly outfits and head to the worlds one and only ABBA Festival in Trundle this Saturday, 14th October 2023.

We hope you’re in the mood for a dance, as returning to headline the festival is the world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again. These super troupers put on a fantastic show at the Parkes Leagues Club last year following the cancellation of the festival and we’re keen to see them have the time of their lives as they perform on this year’s festival stage.

Three fabulous bands will support Bjorn Again and ensure Trundle’s Berryman Oval is full of Dancing Queens throughout the day. The hottest live disco show on the circuit, Disco Revolution is set to have the crowd dancing to classic hits from the 70’s and 80’s.

For those who prefer to shake their tailfeather, the fun-loving Blues Brothers Re-Booted will entertain with their soul, rhythm and blues set.

Trundle ABBA Festival also continues to showcase local talent, with Parkes trio, Amitie, back by popular demand to harmonise with sweet sounds from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Councillor Niel Westcott, said “We are delighted to finally be hosting the Trundle ABBA Festival again this year. We have secured some of the best acts in live music and are thrilled to have Bjorn Again headlining.”

“Trundle is the home of the ABBA Festival, and we can’t wait to light up the streets with music and glitter once again,” he added.

It’s time to dance and jive and have the time of your lives at the Trundle ABBA Festival. Tickets go on sale Monday 3rd July, with youth and group discounts available. For more information, visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au

The Cambodian family will be staying with Marion and Ian Unger of Parkes, from 13th -15th October in the company of Tim Fisher and his wife.

Parkes resident Marion Unger is currently preparing to welcome special visitors this weekend. Marion’s long time friend Tim Fisher and his wife, are travelling with a Cambodian family who are visiting Australia to share and give thanks for the amazing work of the holy spirit in bringing the good news of salvation to the children and the families of Cambodia.

Everyone is invited to head along to the St Paul’s Lutheran Church on Sunday at 10am to join in this unique ministry by sharing in prayer and thanksgiving. 

After 18 years of leading a children’s ministry team through Trans World Radio in Cambodia, Charia You, felt God calling her to change her ministry to concentrate on independently training the children’s teachers and reaching out to all Cambodian children through face to face teaching and printed and electronic media. 

Marion Unger sells roses every Mother’s Day and raises money to send to Cambodia to help support Charia’s ministry. Marion’s husband Ian, had an uncle who generously left a significant legacy to the ministry which has helped in enabling the printing costs of “The Best News Ever” which is a bilingual book that has now printed 100,000 copies and given to the children of Cambodia for free.

Charia and her husband Thearith will both be guest speakers this Sunday 15th, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 10am for Service with Communion, followed by morning tea at 11.15am, the first guest speaker at 11.45am, lunch will then be provided at 12.30pm. After lunch there will be games and trivia finished off with afternoon tea at around 3pm. All welcome.

Freaky Friday actress Kayla Hall takes centre stage.

Kayla Hall, the enigmatic new talent of the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society, will be making her performance debut in the upcoming production of Freaky Friday.

Kayla has been a part of the band at the M&D for many years, playing clarinet in musicals including Wicked, Big and Anne of Green Gables. Kayla said that “Being in the band was great, getting to play the music and provide for the cast on-stage.”

This month however sees Kayla take on a new challenge: taking the stage herself in the new show Freaky Friday.

Kayla is taking on the role of Ellie Blake, a (somewhat) wild teen eager to take on ‘The Hunt’ – a scavenger hunt full of crazy challenges. There’s just one issue with that: her mother Katherine. On the eve of her mother’s wedding, there is no way her mother will allow her to go. In the ensuing argument where mother and daughter argue that the other doesn’t understand them, the two magically switch bodies and are then faced with experiencing the other’s challenges. 

For Kayla this means taking on the acting challenge of Ellie and also the challenge of being Katherine in Ellie’s body – often with surprising and amusing results.

When asked about the experience, Kayla said, “Getting to be on-stage and being in a different position of the theatre is life changing and extraordinary seeing everything from above. Everything is more immersive and delicate.”

Kayla has always dreamed of having a career in musical theatre and has taken this opportunity to gain experience for her studies in Sydney next year.

For your chance to see Kayla’s incredible talent, head to www.parkesmandd.com.au to secure your tickets. Freaky Friday will be performed at the Parkes Little Theatre throughout the months of October and November and it’s not to be missed.

Spring has sprung and QUE has organised five beautiful gardens for you to view

Parkes QUE members look forward to your company this Sunday, 8th October, 10am-4pm at the Parkes Racecourse and in the five open gardens. Money raised stays in our local community, supporting hearing, speech, and wellbeing. 

291 Back Yamma Road

Two years ago this property was a cow paddock! Last November the nearby creek flooded the garden and the house, and during this last winter the garden has endured severe frosts! This garden was chosen for our Open Gardens event to show people how quickly a garden can be established, and what plants will survive the “sometimes

harsh” weather conditions. We anticipate opening this garden again in a year or two so that viewers can measure progress.

5 Arana Place

The drought-tolerant front garden is easy care and sustainable. The back garden provides the visitor with a totally different perspective and includes a Balinese hut, decorative items such as water fountains, plants, shade, and garden art – all providing a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

1 Jubilee Street

This is a plant lovers haven, especially under the back deck where the owner has a huge variety of very loved indoor and outdoor plants and hanging baskets. Screening trees surround the house and provide a wonderful forum for the collection of artworks, sculptures, mirrors etc.

35-37 Thomas Street

With over a hundred different species, these extensive surrounding gardens have been

through quite the makeover in the last two years! Featuring a broad range of unique Australian natives alongside a careful selection of exotic plants, this garden abounds with vibrancy and colour.

Cnr Reymond and Jones Street 

This is a wanderer’s paradise with lavender, pink jade, a vibrant Loropetalum with its unique tussle flowers, and a wonderful Bohemia Butterfly Tree, all with a magnificent view to the east of Parkes. (best parking in Jones Street)

The team at Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society have been busy in rehearsals for the upcoming production, Freaky Friday. This family-friendly musical is an hilarious, contemporary update of the classic story, in which a mother and daughter see what it means to be a family while experiencing each other’s lives first-hand, if only for a day. This body-swapping show brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘walk a mile in another’s shoes’ with highly entertaining results. 

Set in the present day, Freaky Friday features a tuneful pop-rock score, befitting a work that has effortlessly updated throughout its several iterations. Warm-hearted, humorous and touching, this fresh take on the classic story is perfect for family audiences of all ages. 

The cast and crew of 35 feature both newcomers and regulars to the Society. Coming from Parkes, Forbes and Cowra, the cast and crew have been putting in long hours since rehearsals began in July. 

Freaky Friday will be performed at the Parkes Little Theatre on the following dates: Friday 20th October 7.30pm, Saturday 21st October 7.30pm, Sunday 22nd October 2pm, Saturday 28th October 7.30pm, Sunday 29th October 2pm, Friday 3rd November 7.30pm, Saturday 4th November 2pm, Saturday 4th November 7.30pm, Sunday 5th November 2pm.