The calendar has a way of catching us off guard. One moment it is spring, and suddenly Christmas is here. At Buddy Boy Kitchen, we know how important it is to have a place ready for gathering, celebrating, and sharing meals.

That is why our Christmas Menu is available for groups of 15 or more, from 3 November to 20 December 2025. Whether it is colleagues toasting the end of a big year, or families coming to­gether before the holiday rush, our team makes planning simple and the celebrations effortless. Expect festive flavours, a warm atmosphere, and service designed to take the stress out of or­ganising. From Christmas ham and cured Salmon to filet mignon, pan-roasted turkey, and Christmas pudding.

A festive gathering is about more than what arrives at the table.

It is the laughter that lingers between courses, the conversations sparked over a glass of wine, and the small details that make a night feel unforgettable. At Buddy Boy Kitchen, we create the set­ting, you bring the people, and together the evening becomes a story worth remembering.

If you’re not ready to celebrate Christmas yet, we are also open for breakfast from 6:30am and dinner from 5:30pm, Monday to Sat­urday. Our restaurant serves Happy Hour everyday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, there is no better way to raise a glass before a Christ­mas feast.

Do not wait until the calendar fills. Organise your festive gather­ing now. Christmas Menu bookings and details at buddyboykitch­en.com.au/christmas-functions-2025 or call 02 6862 5222.

Following last year’s success, plenty of garage sales are expected across the Parkes Shire this November, as locals join over 400,000 Australians taking part in this year’s Garage Sale Trail – one of the country’s biggest second-hand shopping events.

Held over two weekends (8–9 and 15–16 November), the event sees thousands of garage sales pop up in streets, schools, front yards and community spaces around the country. Locals can host their own sale or join a market, taking part on one day or across both weekends.

Over 2,700 Parkes Shire residents par­ticipated in the two big weekends last No­vember extending the life of almost 8,500 pre-loved items.

“It’s a fun and meaningful way for locals to take climate action, meet their neigh­bours and make some extra cash,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Waste Manage­ment Coordinator, Sharyn Ware. “Garage Sale Trail makes it easy to give your stuff a second life – and keep it out of landfill.”

Registration is free and includes access to downloadable signs, how-to guides and promotion tools – making it easy to take part. Last year, the average seller made $499, proving that selling second hand is as good for the wallet as it is for the planet.

“There’s something for everyone – from designer fashion and retro homewares to kids’ toys, tools, plants and books,” said Sharyn.

NSW EPA Executive Director of Pro­grams and Innovation Alexandra Geddes said, “Garage Sale Trail is a fantastic cam­paign that supports the NSW Government’s target to reduce waste and illegal dumping.

“By taking part, you’ll be part of contribut­ing to a more circular economy by getting as much use out of products and materials as possible and helping us generate less waste.”

Participation is free thanks to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Parkes Shire Council. Register now at bit.ly/GarageSaleTrailParkesShire.

Step inside and you’ll find a menu that is unexpected in the best way. From crispy coconut prawns and slow-cooked massaman curry to pork belly with crackling perfection and fresh mediterrane­an salads, every dish delivers bold flavour with city-style finesse.

This Father’s Day, Buddy Boy Kitchen is serving up dinner with dishes for every dad, the outdoorsy dad, the sweet tooth dad, the snack-loving dad, the gourmet dad, and even the chocolate-loving dad, there’s something to make him feel celebrated.

On Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September, every dad will enjoy a complimentary dessert with the purchase of a two or three course meal, the perfect gift to celebrate fathers all around Parkes.

“We wanted to prove that great food isn’t just reserved for capi­tal cities,” says CEO Liam Kelly. “There’s no reason a town like Parkes can’t enjoy a little bit of the unexpected at dinner, especially when celebrating the people who matter most.”

The psychology of a memorable meal isn’t just about taste, it’s about feeling. Buddy Boy Kitchen strikes that balance between comfort and curiosity. The menu is familiar enough to feel safe, yet adventurous enough to surprise.

With breakfast from 6:30am and dinner from 5:30pm Monday to Saturday, our restaurant is designed for real life, whether you’re up early, finishing late, or planning a special family occasion. There’s even Happy Hour from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.

Celebrate the dad in your life this Father’s Day at Buddy Boy Kitchen Parkes. Menus, booking details at buddyboykitchen.com.

au or call (02) 6862 5222.

The Calare Lions Club is a relatively new club, having been chartered in June 2023.

They started out with a few members who had a common purpose; to fundraise to as­sist others in the community. Their focus is on improving mental health and wellbeing through organisations such as Meals on Wheels.

A Club representative said, “We started out with very little and through support from other local Lions Clubs we have managed to raise funds through our Fundraising ef­forts.

“We are mostly made up of retired police, ambos, firies SES and mental health work­ers. We have lost a few members over that time for one reason or another.

“At the moment we are actively looking for new members across Calare that may have a vision like us, to help and support others in the community, through their own fundraising events.”

Some of the organisations the Calare Li­ons Club have assisted over the last two years include, but not limited to are: Coun­try Education Foundation Orange, Standby Support after Suicide, Orange, Headspace Bathurst. Street Heart Bathurst, Defence Community Dogs and PCYC.

The club would like to further support or­ganisations within Calare and seek further membership in order to achieve this.

The NSW Nationals has secured a Parlia­mentary inquiry into waste to energy incin­erators, following concerns almost a million tonnes of extra waste could be sent to the regions each year to help deal with an over­flow in Sydney.

The motion was moved in the Upper House by NSW Nationals MP Scott Barrett with fellow Nationals MP Nichole Overall ap­pointed as Chair of the Select Committee.

The inquiry, which originally intended to explore current plans for two large energy recovery facilities in Tarago and Parkes, has now also been expanded to cover other po­tential areas in regional NSW.

Mrs Overall said “This provides the chance for community members to raise the many questions they have” Mrs Overall said.

“The objective is to fully explore the is­sues and look at options and alternatives to the ever-growing Sydney waste problem that doesn’t leave some areas worse off than others.”

“People have genuine concerns around the plan and they are coming from a place of wanting answers and information they feel they haven’t received.

“I look forward to working with the In­quiry’s Deputy Chair Dr Amanda Cohn on this matter, and the community members in Parkes who initially reached out to me.

The inquiry will look at matters including the risk of potentially toxic emissions, the health implications of the projects and the impact they will have on agriculture.

Mr Barrett is encouraging people to have their say. “I recently took part in an informa­tion night hosted by the Parkes Clean Fu­ture Alliance and it’s clear the community feels there are too many unanswered ques­tions.”

“The proposed Parkes incinerator would divert 600,000 tonnes of waste from Syd­ney, so it’s common sense for that com­munity to have their voices heard, which is something that was sorely missing from the consultation phase of this project.