Special Interests Archives - Page 2 of 115

Central West Charity Tractor Trek Group Raising Money For Little Wings

August 6, 2026 By Roxane Manley

The Central West Charity Tractor Trek are a group of volunteers who came together as a group in 2017. The group has been successfully fundraising and conducting Tractor Treks in Regional and Rural NSW during this time. Their mission is to support children and their families who are suffering from illness and/or disabilities within Central West and Regional NSW.

The upcoming Trek will be trekking in the Parkes area from 25th – 27th September, 2026. They conduct a Trek in a different area of the Central West of NSW each year and have been trekking each year since 2017 except through COVID. They usually have around 20 tractors and with drivers and volunteers/Marshalls it equates to around 80 people participating. Each entrant pays a fee to register for the event and are encouraged to seek sponsorship for their tractor.

A Fund Raising Dinner has been organised and will be held on 26th September, 2026 from 6.00pm at the Parkes Leagues Club. The fundraiser will consist of a sit down meal and an auction. All of the Parkes community is invited to attend and help support the event.

The Central West Charity Tractor Trek group raises money for Little Wings who provides free transport by air and road for sick children and their families to Sydney for medical treatment. All the money that is raised directly supports families in the central west of NSW.

Those who are able to can support the Trek by making a donation, attending the fundraising dinner, buying a Raffle Ticket or merchandise, sponsoring a tractor or may be interested in participating in the Trek by entering a tractor. Donation can be made by contacting the Secretary – Denise Wilson 0417 447 790 or cwctractortrek@outlook.com

Students Get Hands On With Healthcare Careers

July 2, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Approximately 20 students from Parkes and surrounds immersed themselves in healthcare careers through the Scrub In Work Experience Program.

Rather than shadowing just one clinician and field all week, students received a broad careers taste tester and rotated through 45-minute workshops, facility tours, speed networking and a career pathways panel.

The teenagers tried out allied health, physiotherapy, social work, nursing, medicine, paramedicine and Aboriginal health and education. They learned how to: study realistic 3D printed bullet wounds, take mobility measurements, apply plaster casts, engage with stroke simulations and engage in a VR assessment of escalating patients in a 6-bed ward.

Participating schools included Parkes High School, Tottenham Central, Peak Hill Central and Parkes Christian School.

Declan, from Parkes High School, Year 10 said, “When they offered this program I decided it might help me with future choices and I wanted to try different industries.

The activities we got up to today included nursing, social work, speech pathology and medicine. I originally wanted to do nursing, but after doing things like radiography that really caught my eye and I found an interest in that.”

Mia, also from Parkes High School, Year 10 said, “When I graduate I would like to do nursing in the hospital. I would like to help a lot of sick people because I’ve had sick people in my family and have seen how I can help them. We were drilling into a chicken bone and putting a syringe in to inject into the bone. Then we put an IV in and learned about what some kids have to deal with when they have speech impediments.”

Scrub In is designed to maximise hands on learning, broaden career awareness, clarify pathways into health, and reduce pressure on staff.

Troy Kelly, Senior Project Officer, Regional Industry Education Partnerships said “I think it’s given the students a much broader perspective than if they had gone through a conventional work experience program.”

Learning to cannulate a patient and flush veins.

Learning to intubate and ventilate a patient.

Simulating drilling through tissue and bone to enable medication to be injected

Gettin-a-Grip For Men’s Mental Health

June 11, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Supported by Club Forbes, the journey was all about showing a collective support for the official launch of Men’s Health Week. The event was described as a rollercoaster of emotions; where the attendees learned a lot, shared plenty of laughs, and even shed a few tears.

On Saturday, 6 June a fantastic collaborative effort between The Forbes Historical Museum, Galari River Arts Forbes Inc., and the Forbes Men’s Shed saw a group of Forbes locals travel to Orange for the Gettin-a-Grip event hosted by Philip Donato and MC’d by Barry Du Bois.

Bulky Waste Clean Up In Parkes

June 4, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Council is reminding residents to get ready for the annual Kerbside Bulky Waste Clean-up, with collections taking place across the Shire from 15 to 26 June 2026.

The free service is available to all residential properties currently receiving a Parkes Shire Council waste and recycling collection service and provides residents with an opportunity to dispose of unwanted bulky household items.

Parkes Shire Council’s Waste Management Coordinator, Sharyn Ware, encouraged residents to take advantage of the service and ensure items are prepared correctly for collection.

“The annual Bulky Waste Clean-up is a convenient way for residents to dispose of larger household items that can’t be placed in their regular bins,” Ms Ware said.

Residents are asked to place eligible items neatly on the kerbside prior to Monday, 15 June 2026.

Collections may occur on any day during the two-week collection period and will only occur once at each residence.

To assist with efficient collection, waste must be separated into three distinct piles:

1. Scrap metal and whitegoods

2. E-Waste

3. General bulky household items

Loose items should be securely tied into bundles using rope or string, or placed in sturdy boxes. Plastic bags will not be collected. A maximum of two cubic metres of waste per household will be accepted.

Items that are oversized, hazardous, longer than 1.8 metres (excluding mattresses), or too heavy to be safely handled by two people will not be collected. Waste placed in laneways will also not be collected.

Residents should note that tyres are not accepted as part of the Kerbside Bulky Waste Clean-up and must be disposed of through alternative approved recycling or disposal facilities.

For more information, including a list of acceptable and unacceptable items, download the 2026 Bulky Waste Collection brochure from Council’s website or contact Council’s Waste Hotline on 1300 725 415.

Call For Regional Voices To Help Shape Healthcare Across NSW

May 28, 2026 By Roxane Manley

People passionate about improving healthcare in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW are invited to apply to join the Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel.

The Panel is an independent advisory body that provides strategic advice to the Minister for Health and Regional Health, and the NSW Health Secretary.

Its role is to identify opportunities and solutions that improve healthcare access, outcomes and service delivery across hospitals and health support services in regional, rural and remote NSW.

The Panel also plays an important role in strengthening community engagement and ensuring local perspectives inform the design and delivery of healthcare services.

Applications are encouraged from people who can represent the interests of regional communities, including Aboriginal people, and those who have knowledge, experience, or expertise in one or more areas, aligned with the NSW Government’s priorities for regional, rural and remote health.

The Panel members may be appointed for a term of up to three years and will meet at least every three months.

For more information, including how to apply, visit EOI Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel or contact MOH-ODS-Regional@health.nsw.gov.au. Applications close on Friday 29 May 2026.

Building With Parkes In Mind: The Story Behind Bushmans Ridge

May 21, 2026 By Roxane Manley

On the edge of Parkes, just minutes from town, a new lifestyle estate has quietly taken shape.

Bushmans Ridge, developed by Giles Land Development, is more than a land release. It is the result of careful planning, local knowledge, hands-on work, and a simple idea: create large, practical lifestyle blocks where families can build with confidence and room to grow.

Located on Jones Street, Bushmans Ridge offers generous residential lifestyle lots with wide open space, big horizons, and the convenience of being close to the Parkes town centre. With seven lots currently available, priced from $310,000 to $360,000, the estate has been designed for buyers who want more than a small suburban block, but still want access to town services, schools, shops, sport, health services and community life.

For Peter and Nartayliah Giles, the project is also personal. We are a family building estates for families, Peter said.

Our background is in mining, engineering and property development, so we approach land a bit differently. We do not just look at a block and think about how it can be sold. We think about what it will be like for the family who builds there, what problems we can solve early, and how we can make the process easier for the next person. That mindset has shaped Bushmans Ridge from the start.

Giles Land Development’s first subdivision, Old Pine Estate, was a 29-lot lifestyle development that gave the team a strong understanding of what buyers are really looking for when they choose larger residential blocks in Parkes.

The lessons from that project have carried into Bushmans Ridge – particularly around access, services, drainage, fencing, compliance, and making the lots as build-ready as possible.

At Bushmans Ridge, the major groundwork has already been completed. giving buyers a clearer starting point when planning their future home. For many families, that preparation matters.

Buying land can feel overwhelming, especially when there are unknowns around services, drainage, approvals, site preparation and future building costs. Bushmans Ridge has been developed to reduce those unknowns as much as possible.

We have tried to do the hard thinking up front, Peter said. A lifestyle block should feel exciting, not confusing. Buyers still need to do their own due diligence and work with their builder, but our goal has been to present a clean, practical, well-prepared estate where people can see the opportunity clearly.

The estate sits within an R5 Large Lot Residential zoning, which supports the type of lifestyle many Parkes families are looking for – space for a shed, gardens, pets, room for children to play, and a bit more breathing room, while still staying connected to town. That balance is one of the key attractions of Bushmans Ridge.

Parkes continues to be a regional centre with strong longterm prospects. Major investment connected to Inland Rail, the Parkes Special Activation Precinct, transport, logistics, agriculture and local business is helping position the town for continued growth. As Parkes develops, housing choice becomes more important – not just more houses, but different types of housing and land options for different stages of life.

Large lifestyle lots play a role in that mix. Some buyers want a place to raise a family. Some want room for a workshop or shed. Some are looking for a quieter block with views and space around them. Others are thinking long term and want to secure land while Parkes continues to grow. Bushmans Ridge has been created with those buyers in mind.

The available lots range from approximately 3,081sqm through to 15,000sqm, giving buyers a range of options depending on the type of lifestyle they are looking for. While the estate is now sale ready, the project has taken significant work behind the scenes. Stormwater, boundary fencing, services, approvals, building pads and final compliance all form part of the development process, much of it unseen once the estate is finished.

Because we live here, our projects matter to us, Peter said. We drive past them. We see the families who buy in them. Our kids are growing up in this town. So we care about doing things properly and creating something we can be proud of in ten years’ time, not just on settlement day.

Bushmans Ridge is now open for enquiry, with seven lots available. For buyers considering building in Parkes, it offers a chance to secure land with space, services and a clear path forward.

Peter and Nartayliah Giles pictured with their children,River and Mila.

A New Chapter For Book Lovers At Inkwood & Ivy

May 21, 2026 By Roxane Manley

There’s something special about a good bookshop — a place where stories are discovered and people feel welcome to slow down for a while.

At Inkwood & Ivy, we’ve spent the past six months building exactly that: an inviting, community-focused space for readers, gift-givers, and anyone searching for a little everyday magic.

Over the coming months, we’re excited to bring even more literary events to Parkes.

On 18 June, we’ll welcome acclaimed Australian children’s author Katrina Nannestad for a special live video call event in store. A bestselling and multi-award-winning author, Katrina is beloved for stories including Rabbit Soldier Angel Thief, We Are Wolves and The Travelling Bookshop series. Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to hear about her life as an author and ask questions about her books and writing process at this free event.

On 1 July, we’ll host an author event with Forbes writer Bec George for her debut novel Painted Hearts, giving readers the chance to meet the author and celebrate the launch.

We’ll also celebrate six months of Inkwood & Ivy with our cosy winter event, Inkwood After Dark, on 4 July. The evening will feature delicious eats by Bec’s Catering, bookish activities, gift bags, exclusive discounts, and plenty of good company.

Ask in store or jump online for more information and keep an eye on our regular column for announcements and events Whether you’re searching for your next great read, a thoughtful gift, or simply a cosy place to browse, we’d love to welcome you into the shop.

2026 Could Be Your Year To Volunteer

May 21, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Consider how you too could make a meaningful difference in your community. This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, “Your Year to Volunteer,” recognises the incredible people who already give their time to others and encourages more people to discover the difference volunteering can make.

Vinnies Central & Far West NSW extend sincere thanks to their dedicated Vinnies volunteers and members in Parkes, whose compassion and commitment continue to strengthen our local community.

Through their kindness, care, and practical support, Vinnies volunteers bring hope to those in need and create a strong sense of connection and belonging. Their efforts remind us that communities are built through generosity and a willingness to help others.

Acknowledgement goes to the following Parkes Volunteers for their longstanding commitment:

• 30 years: Krytyna Szabo

• 25 years: Garry and Janice Hussey

• 15 years: Neil Cox and Brian Dow

• 10 years: Sarah Bowkett, Alan Curteis, Frances Scurfield, Kate Linnane and Susan Morrison

• 5 years: Joshua Cowling and Tony Marsh

If you are interested in joining Vinnies, visit your local Vinnies store, contact our Regional Office on 02 6862 5758, or email wcfsvdp@vinnies.org.au. Or EOI via the link – https://mvportal.vinnies.org.au/login

Healthy Vision Month

May 14, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Eye health is not just about seeing clearly, it’s also about protecting your long-term eye health. Many eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, often develop without obvious symptoms in the early stages. By the time vision changes are noticeable, damage may already have occurred.

That’s why regular eye examinations are so important, even if your vision seems “fine.”

A comprehensive eye test doesn’t just check if you need glasses; it allows us to assess the overall health of your eyes and detect early signs of disease.

Simple habits can also support lifelong eye health:

• Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect against UV damage

• Take regular breaks from screens.

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3s.

• Stay up to date with your eye examinations.

• Good general health has a positive flow on effect for our eyes.

At our Parkes practice, we provide advanced imaging technology that allows us to look deeper into the eye than ever before enabling us to detect issues before they affect vision.

Book an eye examination, encourage a family member to do the same, and remember early detection is the best protection.

Forbes Farming Family Makes History

May 7, 2026 By Roxane Manley

Guy Webb (cofounder and agronomist), Guy Hudson (cofounder & Loam CEO), Steve Nicholson (Garema carbon farmer), Mick Wettenhall (cofounder and Trangie farmer). Photo credit: Rachel Lenehan

A celebration breakfast was held at Garema Hall south of Forbes on Tuesday 5 May to celebrate the issuance of the world’s first Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU’s or soil carbon credits) to the Nicholson family.

The ACCU’s were grown in his soil using a specialised extensively researched fungal inoculum called CarbonBuilder, an Australian technology developed right here in Central NSW by Loam Bio, cofounded by local agronomist Guy Webb.

Loam Bio to date have raised $155 million to develop the technology for Australian, US and Brazilian growers. Steve Nicholson and his family signed up for the Australian Government soil carbon project in 2024 with the help of Loam Bio through their ‘SecondCrop’ soil carbon program.

This marks one of the largest broadacre cropping projects that has met the strict requirements of Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator, demonstrating that carbon farming has moved from concept to a commercial and scalable reality.

“We knew we couldn’t keep farming the same way,” owner Steve Nicholson said. “If we didn’t adapt, the future of the farm wasn’t sustainable.”

“From year one we saw a measurable increase in soil carbon. It was a seamless integration and offered something the industry doesn’t often get – a new income stream. In effect we are now growing a second crop from the same paddock,” said Steve.

The Nicholson Carbon Project, part of a 4,000ha grazing and cropping operation, has successfully generated an issuance of 4,867 tradeable ACCU across 881 hectares. Becoming the first broadacre cropping operation in NSW to successfully

generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) using an innovative carbon-sequestering fungal seed treatment, a breakthrough that unlocks a game-changing win for farmers to get paid for capturing carbon, while building healthier, more productive soils for their existing cropping operations.

Steve Nicholson and his family have been farming at Garema for 27 years, Steve said that he judged the technology on three simple metrics. “Does it work, is it simple, does it make money? The answer is yes to all three.”

After extensive research they rolled out a suite of farm management changes, including modified crop rotations across wheat, barley and canola, pasture and pulse rotations, reduced tillage, and improved residue management. In 2024 the Nicholsons

added Loam Bio’s CarbonBuilder™ to their program, a world-first fungal seed treatment that integrates into existing farm operations to boost productivity.

In Steve’s case, an initial investment of $40,000 for treatment and seed related equipment has seen him turn that into $200,000 worth of ACCU’s.

The fungal based technology also increases soil structure allowing greater rainfall infiltration and storage, and also stores nitrogen in the soil profile more effectively, allowing a grower to improve his soil health whilst literally growing two crops in the one paddock, a grain crop above the ground and a soil carbon crop below the ground.

For information on the projector to explore similar benefits through soil carbon projects, visit www.loambio.com.

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