Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 4 of 53

Humphrey B. Bear Premiers His New Live Elvis Tribute Show

January 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Humphrey B. Bear, the lovable and curious brown bear best known for his adventures on long-running Australian children’s television series Here’s Humphrey, will be premiering his brand-new live Elvis tribute show ‘All Shook Up with Humphrey B. Bear’ at the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival. A long-time fan of Elvis, Humphrey can’t wait to ‘shake, rattle and roar’ as he and friends perform their ‘bearyspecial’ all-singing-and-dancing tribute to the King of Rock and Roll on the Cooke Park main stage at 11am, Friday 9 January.

The show promises five popular Elvis songs, tied together with Humphrey’s trademark humour and playful discovery in a memorable storyline for all ages. Humphrey is also excited to be roaming the festival grounds performing awe-inspiring magic tricks and illusions from 9:45am. You can also meet Humphrey at the Parkes Library from 1pm – 1.30pm and 2:15pm – 2.45pm.

Follow along with Humphrey’s adventures on the official Humphrey B. Bear YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@officialhumphreybbear or visit his website at www.humphreybbear.com

Dean Vegas Has Performed Around The World As Elvis

January 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Dean Vegas has travelled the world but says “There is something special about performing in your home country (Australia).”

Dean Vegas grew up in Sydney’s housing commission area of Mt Druitt. He went to Dunheved High School and started his first job at the abattoirs in Sydney. He sang his first rendition of an Elvis song at his school play ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ where he performed ‘Rubberneckin’ which he has since added to his repertoire of Elvis songs.

Dean has since gone on to perform in Las Vegas, New Zealand, China, Sweden, Canada, Dubai, Norfolk Island, Lebanon, Malaysia, and clubs and casinos across Australia.

Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis where Dean was given the key to the city by the Mayor of Tupelo. “That was an unbelievable feeling. I couldn’t believe that I was the first person in the world to receive the key after Elvis himself. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

This year at the Parkes Elvis Festival Dean will mainly be performing the MC work. “I am performing a 30 minute set on Saturday, and I will also be singing a couple of Gospel songs on Sunday and I will be officiating the Elvis Wedding renewal on Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful couples there.”

“Parkes is being recognised all over the world. It’s an amazing festival and it keeps growing, it rates as one of the best in the world and that’s all credit to how the festival is run and to the Elvis fans that make it so special.” Dean said.

When Dean is not performing he organises tours, where he takes people around the world. They travel while meeting new friends and seeing new destinations. So far, Dean has organised tours to the USA, Canada, China, Parkes Elvis Festival, Thailand, Las Vegas, Norfolk Island. Tallangatta 50’s Festival, Port Pirie and Gracelands to name a few.

Wild Summer Fun At Taronga Western Plains Zoo

December 18, 2025 By Roxane Manley

New arrivals are making a splash at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – NSW’s Best Major Tourist Attraction – this summer. The Dubbo Zoo, which claimed the gong at the recent NSW Tourism Awards, has welcomed four Black-handed Spider Monkey babies, three African Lion cubs, two Quokka joeys and a critically endangered Scimitar-horned Oryx calf this year.

“Lion cubs Kaari, Mzuri and Nguvu have turned into quite the handful for parents Marion and Lwazi as well as their four big sisters,” said Director Steve Hinks. “They love playing with and pouncing on their siblings, as well as anything they find in their exhibit from balls to sticks and even tree roots!” The best time to see the cubs is between 10am and 10:30am.

The Black-handed Spider Monkey troop has welcomed four new arrivals to the Primate Islands on Savannah Lake, and the awesome foursome can be spotted from Cafe Wild. The best time to see the troop is at the Spider Monkey feed between 12:30pm and 1pm daily.

The final new arrival is a Scimitar-horned Oryx calf. “This calf is a fantastic little ambassador for his species, which is a true conservation success story. Once extinct in the wild, Scimitar-horned Oryx were reintroduced to their native Chad by a coalition of zoos from the USA and Europe in recent years and have since been reclassified as critically endangered,” Mr Hinks said.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open every day of the year including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All tickets are valid for two days and include access to more than 10 free keeper activities, The Waterhole waterplay area, Waterhole Cafe and Frozen Coke Kiosk between 10am and 3pm. You can buy tickets online at taronga.org.au

Neighbourhood Central Celebrates Volunteers At Annual Christmas Party

December 11, 2025 By Roxane Manley

There was plenty of smiles amongst the crowd at the Neighbourhood Central Christmas Party. Paul Hocking, Ray Brown and Jim Jennings.

Neighbourhood Central recently hosted its annual Volunteer Christmas Party which was a festive and heartfelt evening dedicated to honouring the outstanding contributions of its volunteer team.

Executive Officer Dianne Scott warmly welcomed everyone, expressing sincere gratitude for their commitment throughout the year.

She gave a special mention to the 14 new volunteers who joined in 2025, adding to the organisation’s strong team of dedicated volunteers.

Together, these volunteers achieved some remarkable milestones, they delivered over 4,000 hot meals in Parkes, supported aged clients through social groups, activities, and excursions, they assisted the reception team at Parkes, offered comfort and care to those who are lonely, socially isolated, or are in their final stages of life and provided more than 35,000 transport trips across the Central West and Riverina/Murray regions

Dianne also acknowledged the Board of Directors, who graciously volunteer their time to govern and guide the organisation.

The celebration coincided with International Volunteer Day (5 December), a global occasion to honour those who give their time and energy to make a difference.

“Each of you does exactly that,” Dianne said. “Your generosity and spirit of service strengthen our community and bring kindness and connection where it’s needed most. You are all amazing.”

Chairperson Graeme Dean, recently elected for his sixth term, also extended his thanks and appreciation to the volunteers for their unwavering support.

The evening was filled with festive cheer, laughter, and gratitude – a fitting tribute to the people who make Neighbourhood Central’s work possible.

Can you spare a little time and are keen to be a volunteer? Contact Neighbourhood Central to find out more by calling 02 6862 3757 or emailing admin@ncentral.org.au

Chris Duffy and Kittie Dwyer.

The Parkes Elvis Festival Is Back In 2026 With A King Sized Celebration

December 11, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The Parkes Elvis Festival 2026 is gearing up to be one of the most exciting celebrations the town has ever seen, bringing five unforgettable days of music, energy and pure Elvis magic to Parkes, from 7–11 January. Each year, tens of thousands of fans travel from across Australia and the world to honour the King, and this year’s theme, Love Me Tender, promises a heartfelt and immersive tribute to Elvis Presley’s most iconic ballads.

Across the festival, visitors can expect a vibrant program packed with world-class concerts, street parades, competitions, workshops, family activities and late-night entertainment. From the sparkling performances of renowned tribute artists to the charming retro atmosphere that transforms the town, the experience is unlike anything else in the country. In 2026, new additions including expanded Family Fun Zone and enhanced fan experiences will give both first-timers and returning festival-goers more to explore than ever before.

The official program will be available for purchase from Elvis Central, the Parkes Visitor Information Centre, and several local retailers.

What makes the Parkes Elvis Festival truly special is its sense of community, celebration and shared nostalgia. Whether you are singing along to the classics, browsing the themed markets, or soaking up the electric energy on the famous Elvis Festival Street Parade route, you will feel part of something bigger, an annual tradition that continues to grow.

With demand increasing each year, tickets are selling fast. If you want the best seats at headline shows, exclusive experiences or accommodation close to the action, now is the perfect time to secure your place.

Do not miss the chance to start your year with five days of music, memories and pure joy. The King is calling, grab your tickets today and be part of the 2026 celebration.

https://www.123tix.com.au/events/parkeselvisfestival

See You At The Parkes Christmas Parade And Carnival

December 4, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The 2025 Parkes Christmas Parade starts at 6pm in Short St on Friday, 5 December.

The Parade and Carnival have been running for nine years, since 2017, however the Apex Club did co-ordinate Christmas functions prior to that. Each year the parade and carnival are organised by the Parkes Action Club which is a group of volunteers raising money for local children.

It’s expected most of the schools will participate in the Parade as well as many businesses. Previous parade winners McPhersons are sure to be there to reclaim their Parade crown from The Fergie Group.

There will be a prize for the best commercial float and also school participation.

There will be approximately 30 local stalls in the Carnival in Cook Park featuring the wealth of talent from across the Parkes Shire. Jo Burke will be selling her beautiful sewing, Parkes Potters will have their wares on display. Spuddy Buddy will be one of the many food vendors along with the Rotary BBQ.

The Parkes Action Club would like to thank participants for supporting the Parade and Carnival over the years. More details on the Action Club Facebook page.

Big Mac Burgers, Big Donations, Bigger Purpose: Mchappy Day 2025 Raises $4.8 Million

November 27, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The results are in, and Aussies have once again rallied behind McHappy Day, and shown their generosity in a big way, raising an extraordinary $4.8M for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Thanks to the generosity of Macca’s crew and customers, more than 30,000 nights together will be provided to families supported by RMHC across Australia.

The funds raised through McHappy Day will help RMHC deliver its full range of vital Programs including Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and support to families when and where they need it most.

Aussies showed up in incredible numbers to support McHappy Day 2025 by:

Rocking Silly Socks – Grimace and Hamburglar designs brought smiles and style, Wearing Bucket Hats – Showing heart from head to toe, Purchasing Helping Hands – Coloured in and displayed proudly in restaurants and homes, Donating online – Every click made a difference and Buying a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose – $2 from every Big Mac sold on McHappy Day went directly to RMHC Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for RMHC Australia, said: “It’s truly heartwarming to see the incredible generosity shown on McHappy Day. We couldn’t have achieved this result without the support of Australians everywhere – from Macca’s crew and Licensees to every customer who bought a Big Mac, a pair of Silly Socks or a Helping Hand for a cause that means so much to families with children who are ill or injured.

“Every dollar raised makes an impact.

Thanks to you, we can continue to ease the journey for families.”

McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $83 million, helping RMHC support more than 69,000 families every year.

Visit www.mchappyday.org.au

RAS Foundation Delivers Christmas Joy To Regional NSW

November 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Connecting regional NSW with Good360’s resources and distributing them within local communities to bring families together and ensure that every child has a gift for Christmas.

Twenty-eight Show Societies from across New South Wales have recently received an assortment of toys, children’s books, skincare products and other useful items to distribute within their local communities just in time for Christmas.

The distribution, valued at $330,883, is thanks to a partnership between the RAS Foundation and Good360, which connects the work of Good360’s initiative to find homes for surplus and donated new items with communities in regional New South Wales.

Packed by RAS Foundation staff, RAS Volunteers and AgShows NSW staff, the pallets of goods have now been distributed to show societies from the Riverina, Murray, Southeast Tablelands, ACT, Central West and Orana regions.

Since 2018, a total of 224 Show Societies have received pallets as part of the RAS Foundation Christmas distribution, with the goods delivered over this period valued at $2,535,174.

“The annual Christmas distribution is a significant project in the RAS Foundation’s giving calendar and one we are very proud to work with Good360 to deliver,” shared RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan.

“It is a small way that we can work with local show societies to give back to our wider community and create joy at this time of year.”

Show Societies will distribute the toys and books at local Christmas events, in some cases coordinating with local Lions Clubs, Rural Fire Services, Women’s and Children Resource Centres, Homelessness Support Services, and other local charities that assist families in need.

Some of the local show societies selected this year are: Grenfell Show, Trundle Show, Forbes Show and Parkes Show. To learn more about the RAS Foundation, visit www.rasf.org.au.

Leading Frontline Voices To Reveal Realities Of Domestic Violence In Rural, Remote NSW

November 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche says the Hidden No More symposium on November 28 will bring the focus to domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW, with a goal of improving the safety of women and children.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will bring together leading voices and frontline workers in domestic violence this month to uncover the realities of the issue across regional, rural and remote NSW.

‘Hidden No More: shining the light on domestic violence in rural communities’ will seek to drive lasting change when it takes place at Narromine on 28 November.

Its keynote speakers are The Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, author, professor and investigative journalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Superintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of New South Wales, Dubbo.

Orana and Far West had the highest rate per 100,000 population of domestic violence-related assaults in NSW in the year to June 2025, the latest update from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows.

In Orana and Far West, domestic violence-related assaults have consistently occurred at more than three times the state rate per 100,000 population for at least the past two years, BOCSAR’s quarterly reports also show.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes operates across 52 per cent of NSW and is a lead domestic violence service provider in Forbes and Bourke, also managing the women’s refuges in both towns.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said the extent of perpetration in regional and rural communities should not be ignored.

“Levels of domestic violence continue to remain at unacceptable levels,” Ms Mioche said.

“Women and children have a right to live in safety and without fear.

“Domestic violence causes deep and long-lasting emotional, social and financial effects on victim-survivors, their families and wider communities,” she said.

The 150+ capacity symposium, which will be MC’d by Emma Alberici, is already at full capacity, highlighting the collaborative and collegial commitment of regional frontline DFV service providers to drive meaningful, trauma- and survivor-led change.

Central West Locals, Get Ready To Celebrate Mchappy Day

November 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Macca’s is inviting Parkes and Forbes locals to join the fun this Saturday, 15 November, and help raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  From now until midnight on Saturday, 15 November, Central West locals can pick up Silly Socks for $6.50 and on McHappy Day you can buy a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose with $2 from every Big Mac sold (solo or in a meal) going directly to RMHC.

That’s a smile with every mouthful. 

Organised by McDonald’s Australia, McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $79 million for RMHC, helping support more than 69,000 families every year – but with thousands more families needing support each year, McHappy Day donations are more important than ever.

Supporting McHappy Day helps fund essential RMHC Programs like Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and support to families when and where they need it most.

Want to get involved? Visit: www.mchappyday.org.au. Want to donate? Visit: mchappyday.org.au/donate

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