TIME OF YOUR LIVES… Excitement is building up for the return of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday 15th October with a fantastic line-up including world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again.

ABBA fans only have to wait two more weeks for the much-anticipated comeback of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday, 15th October.

This year Parkes Shire Council has announced a hugely entertaining schedule full of ambition, breadth and range for Australia’s one and only ABBA festival.

Headlining the festival is the world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again. ABBA fans from all over the world are packing their dancing shoes and sparkly outfits to ensure Trundle’s Berryman Oval is full of Dancing Queens while they also enjoy the five fabulous bands supporting Björn Again.

The hottest live disco show on the circuit, Disco Revolution is set to have the crowd dancing to classic hits from the 70s and 80s, while those who prefer to shake their tailfeather will enjoy the fun-loving Blues Brothers Re-Booted with their soul, rhythm and blues set.

Plump, the dynamic five-piece band from Canberra will channel a Studio 54 vibe bringing some funky disco tunes to the party. Trundle ABBA Festival also continues to showcase local talent with Parkes trio, Amitie back by popular demand to harmonise with sweet sounds from the 50s, 60s and 70s. For the very first time teenage sensations, Plus One from Cowra will win over the crowds when the gates open at 12pm.

Irish born dancing sensation and co-host of Studio 10, Tristan MacManus will be the official festival host, bringing together the fabulous line-up and keeping the crowd dancing the day away.

The festival is a day of family fun and entertainment as Trundle comes alive with colour, glitter and music. It’s time to ‘dance and jive and have the time of your lives’ as the Trundle ABBA Festival returns to light up the region.

Don’t miss out! For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au.

At the funding announcement were (L-R) Cr Bill Jayet, Cr Kenny McGrath, Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway, Cr Pat Smith, Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM, Cr George Pratt and Deputy Mayor Cr Neil Westcott.

The Parkes community will enjoy a number of free family-fun activities and events thanks to $240,000 provided by the state government.

The free events include the Spring Fling Arts Festival from 8th to 23rd October with a variety of shows and workshops, the annual Car Swap Meet on 15th October at Pioneer Oval, a rugby 7’s tournament presented by Parkes Rugby and an anniversary celebration for Bogan Gate’s 125th year on Sunday, 9th October at the Bogan Gate Memorial Hall.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the funding delivered under the government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Program was supporting the economic and social recovery of regional NSW through local events. 

“Our government is rolling out a number of initiatives to help families with the rising cost of living and keep them connected to their community,” Sam said. 

By Maggi Barnard

Have you found this winter to be extra cold and wet? The Parkes Que Club is thrilled to be able to host open gardens again after the past two years of cancellations. As a part of the inaugural ‘Parkes Spring Fling Festival’ we have a fabulous day lined up. 

Our theme is “Open Gardens ‘n Galleries” with our very generous local artists opening their private studios and our very generous garden owners opening their gardens to share with the public. 

Lots of stalls, a raffle, displays of artwork at the racecourse and in gardens, and music over lunch are lined up in what promises to be a great day out on Sunday, 9th October from 9:30am.

As usual, our amazing Que cooks will be catering for morning tea and lunch at the Parkes Racecourse. We have kept our entry fee at $15, morning tea $5 and lunch $15. There is no entry fee for children under 16 years of age. Entry tickets available online from Humanitix.com.au, or Regional Business Supplies (cash only), or Visitors Centre (cash only) and the Racecourse (cash/card) on the day. Stay up to date with information on our two Facebook pages: Parkes Que Club Inc and Parkes Open Gardens. 

The money we raise goes to our local communities supporting women, children, the deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired. Our members create personal hygiene bags for police stations in the Lachlan Area Command for domestic violence victims (women and children); books for new-born babies; backpacks (packed with essentials) for primary schools and the women’s refuge; assessment of hearing/speech at PECC; sound-field systems for schools throughout our Shire – these are just some of the ways we support our community. 

Contact us via email at parkesqueclub@gmail.com

By Lynn Rogers 

The 30th anniversary Feature Concert Series has Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr. (inset) performing combined and separate shows at the Parkes Elvis Festival next year.

The build-up to celebrate 30 years of rockin’ and rollin’ at the Parkes Elvis Festival started this week with ticket sales going crazy from the very first day.

The official launch of the program planned for Monday had to be postponed because of the official mourning period for the Queen, but Festival Director Tiffany Steel said locals could look forward to a program sprinkled with things from the past 30 years, plus some new events.

She did not want to give away too much until the launch early next month but said: “We are bringing back the original minister who did the very first gospel service, as well as the Elvis Tribute Artist.”

Tiffany said with the special anniversary they wanted locals to think about having their holiday at home. “Invite your friends and family to come and stay with you, or consider doing home hosting. We have a great program lined up and we really want the community to get out and experience the festival and show off our town.”

As the festival will be back to its summer spot from 4th to 8th January, the Blue Hawaii theme lends itself to some great dressing up ideas. The 2023 program features plenty of Blue Hawaii-themed events, plus some new and adventurous ones. The Parkes PCYC will be offering Climb Me a Mountain Rock Climbing, while the thrill-seeking fans of The King can skydive over Parkes decked out in their finest Elvis costume. The Feature Concert Series has two artists with Dean Z returning for his fourth time and newly crowned world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists Victor Trevino Jr.

Fans of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock will rejoice to hear that Ross Wilson will be inducted to the Wall of Fame and perform a special concert on the opening day of the festival.

Tickets to all Parkes Elvis Festival shows are available online at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

The performance of Stellarphant by Meerkat Productions in Parkes last week with students from the Parkes Christian School.

Parkes students were treated to a wonderful show last week when Meerkat Productions was in town with a dramatisation of one of the shortlisted Book Week books.

Parkes Shire Library hosted Meerkat Productions for the eighth time for their performance of Stellarphant by James Foley. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) shortlisted book is a powerful story about following your dreams despite overwhelming obstacles.

Students and staff from Parkes Christian School were invited to join in the interactive show at the Cooke Park Pavilion with Meerkat Productions performers, Debbie and Abby.

Students commented after the show saying: “I liked how well they acted and how inclusive they were.” Another one said: “It was funny and witty and I loved the audience’s involvement.”

Meerkat Productions, an Australian theatre company, is owned and operated by qualified teachers who specialise in adapting children’s literature for the stage.

Museum volunteers Rosemary Prior and Suzy Cotterell at the Henry Parkes exhibition holding the book signed by him in 1887.

It’s heritage month and a good time to brush up on your local knowledge of Parkes.

Research officers Rosemary Prior and Rose Jones at the Henry Parkes Museum have updated and revamped the exhibition on the famous figure the town has been named after.

The Henry Parkes – Father of the Federation exhibition is looking fantastic with new photos and new and updated information. It also includes a very precious item.

A great discovery was made when a book of speeches by Henry Parkes with an inscription and signature by him was found in the museum’s archives. The inscription reads: “Presented to the free library of Parkes with the compliments of Henry Parkes – July 30th 1887”

The five-time premier visited Parkes on four occasions, and he donated this book during his second visit when he stayed for a week.

His first visit was in August 1873, and it was after this visit that the Progress Committee petitioned to have the town’s name changed from Bushman’s to Parkes. The name change happened on 1st December 1873.

Henry Parkes migrated to NSW in 1839 and he started a business as an ivory and bone turner in Sydney, and later added toy making. At the end of 1850 he started a newspaper called The Empire as he was always interested in political matters. He also wrote poetry. He was elected to parliament in 1854 and became premier in 1878.

The exhibition has some personal items of Henry including some of his carvings, his wallet, and a Bible given to him by his sister Maria. There are also photos of his three wives, Clarinda who died in 1888, Eleanor who died in 1895 and Julia. Henry married Julia on 24th October 1895 and died six months later on 27th April 1896. Julia was left to look after his children from his previous marriage and died in 1919.