Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 37 of 52

A Reminder To Motorists To Plan Ahead This Festive Season

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Motorists from all across western NSW are being urged to consider the safety of other road users this holiday season by leaving the car at home and having a Plan B ahead of the festive season.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said drink driving remains an extremely serious issue in western NSW with 34 fatal crashes involving alcohol in the last three years and another 79 resulting in serious injuries.

“No one wants to lose a loved one this Christmas period which is why I am telling people to think about others on the road and not do something stupid like drinking and driving,” Mr Farraway said.

Mr Farraway said country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 67 per cent of lives lost on our roads.

“These are the impacts that I want drivers on our regional roads to think about the next time they get behind the wheel and why I urge all drivers to have a Plan B.”

For more information visit Plan B – Campaigns – NSW Centre for Road Safety.

Miss Priscilla Dinner Celebrates 15 Years

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

The beautiful, enigmatic Priscilla Presley made her indelible mark on fashion in the ‘60s with her signature winged eyeliner, sensational bouffant hairdo, and ultra-glamorous take on fashion.

Hailed as the Queen of rock ‘n roll, with The King by her side, Priscilla’s signature looks throughout the ‘60s were instantly recognisable. Priscilla was emblematic of the era’s decadent ‘Rock ‘n roll meets Hollywood’ lifestyle that has been celebrated for the past 15 years at the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner.

Attending a Miss Priscilla Dinner then it is highly recommended by all those that have previously attended. Enjoy a two-course dinner and a night of entertainment that includes performances, dancing and a whole lotta fun. Watch an extravagant floorshow by one of Australia’s premiere swing dancing performance troupes, the Sydney Swing Katz. Local favourites Amitie will mesmerise you with their harmonies, then dance the night away to NZ Elvis tribute artist Brendon Chase.

The evening promises to be a fun night where guests are encouraged to dress in the Blue Hawaii theme and watch the bevy of beauties and their stylists as they compete for the coveted title of Miss Priscilla – Face of the Festival. There are fabulous prizes on offer including balcony cabins on P&O’s Tribute to The King Cruise for Miss Priscilla and her stylists.

There are two other competition categories in the Festival’s Blue Hawaii theme;

Miss Blue Hawaii – will have the best interpretation of Blue Hawaii, inspired by the 1961 classic movie with the hairstyle, makeup, and dress in theme. This is a fun competition where you can use your imagination!

Blue Hawaii Theme – best dressed audience members in the Blue Hawaii theme.

Tickets and competition information can be found on parkeselvisfestival.com.au. The Miss Priscilla Dinner is proudly sponsored by Goodsell Machinery.

Show Tickets A Perfect Christmas Gift

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Elvis Festival will be celebrating 30 years of from 4-8 January 2023.

Kicking off the Festival on Wednesday, 4th of January will be music legends, Ross Wilson, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilleri and Normie Rowe, performing in a special 30th anniversary Wall Of Fame concert.

ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci is performing at the Parkes Services Club, he incorporates a modern twist on Elvis’ songs while maintaining Elvis’s famous soul and authenticity.

Sons of Sun is a wild rock and roll play about Sun Records, Memphis, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison with shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

Adam Harvey’s return with his tribute to Elvis’ country hits, Adams performance starts at 4pm on Friday, 6th January.

The Feature Concert Series will headline Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists performing five shows from 4th-8th January.

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will see 19 leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out in heats and finals on 6th and 7th January.

The ultimate christmas gift for lovers of the Festival.

Children Learn The True Spirit Of Christmas Is To Give

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

The preschool children from Central West Family Day Care in Parkes are pictured with their Christmas Giving Tree.

This year the Christmas tree at Central West Family Day Care (CWFD) was turned into a Giving Tree, with aim of teaching the children that Christmas time is not just about receiving gifts but also about giving to those who may be in need.

Each child from the center was asked to bring in a wrapped gift to place under the Giving Tree.

“The tree was set up before the recent flooding events, but when the children heard about all of the children in Eugowra who lost all of their toys, they decided themselves to donate their gifts to those children,” said Ann-Marie Winter who is Manager/Co-Ordinator of the Central West Family Day Care facility in Parkes.

The CWFD educators reached out to their connections in Eugowra to identify and contact a family that had been affected by the flooding to be the beneficiary of their giving tree.

The Fenton family lost everything when flood waters rose up to a meter and a half at their Eugowra property. Their house and all of their belongings were destroyed, and they are now tasked with having to rebuild their lives, literally from the ground up.

Laura Fenton went on to recount the terrifying moments when they had to flee for their lives.

“Isabella was asleep and Harry was outside playing. Our neighbour wandered over to just say hi and check on us because at that stage we had already had water coming up to our driveway, but that was before all the water came from the hills,” said Laura.

“It was lucky she came over when she did because we were just standing there chatting when we saw the water coming at us. We had about six minutes from when we first saw it coming, to when it his us.”

“I ran in and got Isabella out of bed, got Harry in the car and let the dogs out. By the time I drove up to the higher part of our property that didn’t flood, I was driving through water,” said Laura.

Eugowra was already experiencing flooding prior to the big surge and Kyle Fenton, who is a Helicopter Rescue Pilot, had been trying for hours to get home to his family but was unable to due to the bridge thatwas impassable at Cudal.

Laura remembered facetiming her husband Kyle and frantically saying “You need to pray for us, because we are about to die.”

The Fenton family were overwhelmed by the gesture of kindness from the children at CWFC and Laura said “The support has been incredible.”

The Fenton family pictured receiving gifts from the children at CWFD. Parents Laura and Kyle are holding their children Isabella and Harry.

Big W’s Giving Tree Has Returned

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

GIVING TREE…Monica Kearney is pictured with the Giving Tree located at the entryway of Parkes Big W.

BIG W is inviting Parkes and Forbes residents to share in the true spirit of Christmas, with the return of its annual Giving Tree initiative.

From now until Christmas Eve, customers can donate a gift at their local BIG W store, supporting families in need and helping to spread some joy to households across the country.

Managing Director of BIG W, Pejman Okhovat, said: “Our BIG W stores have had a strong connection to their communities for over 50 years. Our annual Giving Tree initiative gives us the opportunity to support local charities and families at a time that is special for many families, but also a time of need.”

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of both our customers and team last year, collecting and distributing over 11,000 gifts nationwide. With many households doing it tough this year, even the smallest gift can still make a big difference.”

St Vincent De Paul is the local Parkes charity that is collecting and distributing the gifts left under the Giving Tree located in the entryway at Parkes Big W.

“We have already had St Vincent De Paul come in and collect two loads of gifts, so people are really getting into the giving spirit this year, but there are always more donations needed,” said Monica Kearney.

Alison Covington AM, Good360 Founder & Managing Director, said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for the most vulnerable members of our communities. We’re very proud to once again be working with our long term partner BIG W to support families facing hardship after a difficult year. The Giving Tree will allow people who are in a position to give back to help share the magic of Christmas with other families and let them know they are not alone at this special time of year.”

Plenty Of Holiday Fun At The Parkes Radio Telescope

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

THE DISH…The Parkes Radio Telescope is located 20km north of Parkes on the Newell Highway.

The January School holidays are just around the corner, and the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, Murriyang will be hosting Astronomy Talks each weekday at 11am from Monday, 9th January through to Friday, 27th January 2023.

There will be three different CSIRO astronomers presenting talks, providing a rare opportunity to speak with a real astronomer and ask them your space questions.

Tickets are $5 per person and can be booked online at https://parkesdishshop.com/products/school-holiday-talks, by calling the Visitors Centre on 6861 1777 or in person at the Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor’s Centre.

All ages are welcome to attend. It is an out-of-this-world school holiday activity so be sure to head along!

Whilst you are visiting, don’t forget to check out the 3D Theatre (admission applies). The half-hour show is currently showing “Expedition Earth”, “Parkes – Beyond the Barrier” and “Bigger than Big.”

While there, enjoy lunch or refreshments at the famous Dish Café. The kids can have some fun and explore the newly opened space playground just across from the café. There are also many hands-on displays to provide endless fun for all ages.

If you are visiting during the 2023 Elvis Festival, don’t miss the daily science fun shows at 1:30pm.

These free, one-hour shows un by Fizzics Education are sure to blow your mind. This outdoor event, right in front of the Dish, will be perfect for families or anyone with an enquiring mind.

The Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre will be open daily throughout the school holidays from from 8:30am – 5pm, except for Christmas day and Boxing day.

Flying High With The Parkes Aero Club

December 9, 2022 By Roxane Manley

MEET BRETT PREISIG… Look at the smile on Bretts face as he takes position in the Pilots seat of one of the Parkes Aero Clubs 2 Aeroplanes which are available for student training and private hire

Originally built in 1948, and owned by Parkes Shire Council, the clubhouse for the Parkes Aero Club is the last remaining building along with 3 hangars which were part of the RAAF training aerodrome.

Brett Preisig is the secretary of the Parkes Aero Club and a flight instructor with the Parkes Recreational Aviation Centre.

They work together as the Aero Club provides the aeroplanes and the Aviation Centre provides the instructors. “That is how we get new members to come to the club, because people want to learn to fly and that is the club’s charter, to encourage all things aviation,” said Brett.

There are currently around 35 active members but the club is always keen to welcome new members. Students range from under 15 all the way up to retirees, and once students receive their license to fly, the club have two aircraft for hire.

Brett commented that over the years there has been busy phases such as when the military parachute jumpers were in town. However, since the flooding emergency the Parkes Airport has been busier than ever.”It’s a bit like a military operation out here with all the extra fueling arrangements. The majority of the helicopters that found themselves based here are not running on regular AV gas. They are jet turbine engines and that requires jet A1 fuel and they have been bringing that in by the semi trailer load,” said Brett.

A lot of high technology and expensive aircraft have touched down at Parkes Airport to help with the floods. Bretts personal favorite was the Sikorsky Sea King helicopter.

Flying teaches a lot of discipline and precision and Brett quoted and old aviation saying, “A superior pilot with superior skills will use his superior judgment to not have to use his superior skills.”

Let’s Make It A Christmas Of Kindness

December 9, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Spread kindness this Christmas.

Just when we started thinking 2022 might get a better rating than the previous two years, the widespread flood disaster uprooted and traumatised so many people across our region.

The outpouring of support, kindness and generosity by community members has been phenomenal, but Christmas is still going to be very tough for so many.

There are lots of ways we can all do our little bit to make this festive season a bit more joyous for those have been affected by this catastrophe.

Here are some suggestions of where you can contribute. And remember to do all your Christmas shopping local to support our businesses.

• Forbes Shire Council has set up a GIVITdonation page to match you up with people who need help. There is a need for food vouchers at the moment. If you want to donate go to www.givit.org.au/donate-items. If you need help call 1300 585 054 or email givit@forbes.nsw.gov.au

• Eugowra GIVIT applications for help orto donate can be directed to www.visiteugowra.com.au/contact

• Forbes Central Butchery has a Christmas Wishing Tree, and Be Cafe inParkes (formally Pink Orchid Cafe) is a dropoff point for presents wrapped with an age and gender. The presents will be distributed to kids, big and small, from Eugowra, Forbes and Bedgerabong.

• Big W is bringing back the Giving Treeinitiative at all its branches to supportfamilies in need and help spread joythis Christmas. Customers are invitedto donate a gift until Christmas Eve. Unwrapped gifts including books, toys, stationery, puzzles or games, can be placedunder the Giving Tree. The Parkes store will be matched with a local charity to ensure each donation is delivered to members of the community that need it most.

• Woolworths Parkes and Forbes in partnership with OzHarvest are joiningbranches across the country to help raisethe equivalent of 7 million meals for thosein need. Simply round up your supermarket shop to the nearest dollar whilein store, or by adding a 50 cent token toyour basket until 25th December.

By Maggi Barnard

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Rallies To Support Eugowra Residents

December 9, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Eugowra residents devastated by flash flooding can continue to call on CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) for financial counseling services.

It continues CCWF’s commitment to the town of about 700 people since disaster struck on November 14, tragically claiming two lives. More than 200 buildings at Eugowra were damaged or destroyed by the flash flooding, authorities report.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche visited Eugowra, and the organisation donated goods worth thousands of dollars to provide immediate relief.

“Members of our team at Forbes and Parkes did not hesitate, they wanted to be there for the people of Eugowra who have lost so much,” Ms Mioche said.

CCWF staff worked alongside defence force personnel going from house to house, and listened to people’s stories of survival, and provided information about CCWF services.

Eugowra sits outside the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, but has links with Forbes.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, Bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, travelled to Eugowra to support the neighboring community, where he said there were people who had “lost everything, in the true sense of the word”.

Bishop Columba, whose father’s family came from Eugowra, offered reassurance to the “strong and resilient” residents of the small town.

For more information on how CatholicCare can support you contact them for assistance on 1800 067 067

Are You Our Next Miss Priscilla?

December 9, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

REIGNING MISS PRISCILLA… 2022 Winner Ashleigh Smith.

The beautiful, enigmatic Priscilla Presley made her indelible mark on fashion in the 60s with her signature winged eyeliner, sensational bouffant hairdo, and ultra glamorous take on fashion.

Hailed the Queen of Rock & Roll with The King by her side, Priscillas signature looks throughout the 60s were instantly recognisable. Priscillas emblematic Rock & Roll meets Hollywood lifestyle has been celebrated for the past 15 years at the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner.

Guests are encouraged to dress in the Blue Hawaii theme to see a bevy of beauties compete for the coveted title of Miss Priscilla – Face of the Festival.

Enjoy a two-course dinner with entertainment that includes an extravagant floorshow by premiere swing dancing troupe, the Sydney Swing Katz, local favorites Amitie with mesmerizing harmonies, then dance the night away to Elvis tribute artist, Brendan Chase.

Judges will look at overall appearance, including make-up, hair, and dress to resemble the pre-1969 look of Priscilla Presley. The prize includes a cruise on P&Os Tribute to The King Cruise for the winner and her stylist.

The Miss Priscilla winner becomes the face of the Festival performing official duties including riding in a lead car in the Northparkes Street Parade, taking part in the official opening ceremony and appearing at festival favorite events including the renewal of vows ceremony and appearances on the Cooke Park main stage.

Festival founder, Anne Steel said, “Miss Priscilla becomes a celebrity throughout the Festival. Fans snap a photo with her at every opportunity. She plays such an important role and becomes a part of our history.”

Miss Priscilla becomes Parkes Elvis Festivals ‘glambassador’ for the next 12 months until she hands the title to the winner the following year.

Entries for the competition and tickets for the dinner are available at parkeselvisfestival.com.au

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