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Parkes Phoenix

Danielle Mcdonald: Australian Off Road Champion

September 19, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Danielle McDonald (centre) celebrating with her team after being named AORC EW Champion for 2024.

Parkes local Danielle McDonald just keeps going from strength to strength. She stepped up this year from dominating in the Junior class and has just been named the EW Champion for 2024 in her first year rac­ing in the Women’s division.

The EW championship is the Endruo Women’s class in the Australian Off Road Championship. The competition took place across four states, over six massive week­ends. Danielle said, “This Championship means everything. I’ve been wanting this for years and to get it in my rookie year is unbelievable. I can’t believe we’re here!

“I raced 12 rounds of the AORC through­out this year, battling it out in the woman’s class against previous Australian Cham­pion and my teammate Jess Gardiner, it was a super tight battle at the start of the year with Jess leading the championship by a few points. I managed to put my head down at rounds 5 and 6 and got a double win, which made me the new points leader I then went on to win all the rounds after that, I even won all my Tests (races) on Saturday for round 11.

“Thanks to my team the Yamaha JGR Ballards off road team and all the team’s sponsors big thanks to Yamaha Australia for all the support this year in the moto­cross scene and off roads. Big thanks to my mechanic at home Foodge Burrell and my trainer Aaron Rankmore for all the train­ing.”

Ben Lovett: Red And Green Ball Award Winner

September 19, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Ben Lovett is pictured front and centre at the Junior Spacemen presentation night with the Parkes Marist Under 16s Grand Final winning team.

Ben Lovett, who was once a local Parkes Junior, and now plays at the top level in the NRL for the Sydney Rabbitohs, received two prestigious awards at the annual Rab­bitohs Red and Green Ball last Friday night. He then flew back to Parkes the fol­lowing day to support the Junior Spacemen at their end of season presentation night.

Rabbitohs forward Ben Lovett has earned the Souths Cares Award for Most Outstanding Contributions to the Commu­nity for 2024. Ben stood out this year for his unwavering commitment to, and sheer vol­ume of, community activities he supported.

Ben has also won the Bob McCarthy Club person of the Year award for season 2024, being recognised for his contribu­tions to the team and the Club, both on and off the field.

Ben was also the Rabbitohs nominee for the NRL Ken Stephen Medal, nominated for going above and beyond in his involve­ment in charity work, youth development and community support.

Faced with a career-threatening injury, Ben’s response to adversity has been be­yond impressive. Whilst undergoing a dif­ficult rehabilitation process, Ben has never lost sight of his role within the team and has remained an exceptional teammate, providing support and encouragement, even when he couldn’t contribute on the field. His perseverance, positive attitude, and selfless dedication to others have truly set him apart.

In addition to his club commitments, Ben actively supports a wide range of commu­nity and educational initiatives. He serves as an Ambassador and Mentor for Goal College, participated in a regional trip to Brewarrina to support marginalised youth, and runs his own football clinics while pro­moting Junior League participation across regional NSW.

Congratulations to Ben Lovett on receiv­ing these two outstanding awards.

Sunshine Bathes Roylances Cup Day

September 19, 2024 By Short Putt

Brett Thomas (Roylance’s) and group looking to score well.

Last Saturday was the Annual Roylances Cup, played as a 3-Person Ambrose. The field of 119 produced a range of scores with less than a shot separating the top places.

The winning team were Jack Dobell, Nick Ryan and Nick Morrison with a score of 58 5/8 nett. Started on the 14th hole with a par, then birdied the 15th, finishing with a 69 Scratch score.

Runners-up were Peter Cowhan, Linda Cowhan and Todd Callaghan with 59 1/3 nett. They scored a birdie on the 15th and played dynamic golf thereafter. Unfortu­nately it wasn’t enough to get the win.

Three teams finished on 59 5/8 , a count back decided 3rd, 4th and 5th places. The result saw Gus Hopper, Ned Hooper and Cooper Byrnes snare third spot.

NTP’s were held on all four par-3’s for both Men and Ladies. The sharp shoot­ers there were: Men 1st D Hood, 3rd L O’Connor, 9th M Simmonds, 18th A Davies; Ladies 1st Nil, 3rd Nil, 9th S Grierson, 18th L Cowhan. A Novelty Shot was the 2nd shot to the 12th and another to the 13th.

They were won J Sharkey and M Callen respectively.

J Fletcher, V Rebellato and A Hearn picked up the ‘Bradman’ Award. They did laugh the whole way around after starting on the 9th and scoring a par.

On Sunday the Parkes GC ran their Mens Open Tournament. It had an exciting finishwhen Steve Betland (Fbs) had a playoff with Aaron Wilkie (Pks and J Elliott (Pks).

Jack Elliott dropped out early but Steve and Aaron went to three extra holes. With failing light they were declared ‘Tied Win­ners’. This Saturday, 21 September, is an 18 Hole Par event sponsored by Everest Auto Repairs. Sunday has the Stableford Medley for those wanting a game.

By Short Putt

Medallists Score Below Par

September 12, 2024 By Short Putt

The Mens golf event on Saturday was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by McFeeters Motor Museum, with a field of 71.

In the A-Grade Terry Griffiths had re­turned from a recent break and was re­laxed throughout his day, posting a nett 68 to win the medal. He may have not been so relaxed if he had known that John Betland, the eventual runner-up was closing fast.

But John faltered, finishing with nett 70.

The B-Grade had Greg Webb gain some accolades. His nett 67 saw him finish with a two shot margin over runner-up Dave Earl.

Dave would have done better but for some lapses on the back-9.

The C-Grade Archie Quirk, a Junior, just eclipse Jake LeBrocque in a count back, after both finished on nett 69. Jake stormed home in style, but Archie had too much handicap over him.

The NTP’s were: 9th Stuart Thomas and 18th John Betland.

The Pro Shop Super pin went to Brianna Duncan, finding the green but still 440cm.

The ball sweep to 72 nett on count back.

This weekend is the Annual Roylances Cup, sponsored by Roylances Tractor Re­placements.

By Short Putt

Parkes Sport Wrap-up

September 12, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Kathleen Hutchison (seated left) sitting on the donated bench, surrounded by the women bowlers at a special luncheon held to signify this amazing gesture.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club

The Kathleen Hutchison Bench Seat: Kath was keen to show her appreciation for our wonderful ladies bowlers after they did an outstanding job catering for her 100th Birthday celebrations earlier this year. As a result we now have the addition of a new bench seat at the entry of our club.

Parkes Little Athletics Club 

Registrations are open. You will need to register as a new member unless you have been registered with Athletics NSW before.

If you have more than one child we have discount codes avaliable. CHILD2, CHILD3, CHILD4 and CHILD5. The discount codes do not apply to Tiny Tots. To get started use the link https://www.revolutionise.com.au/parkeslac/rego/

Parkes Boars Rufc

Congratulations to Brendan Guy and Chris Summerhayes on becoming the clubs newest life members. They were voted in life members at a special meeting and we couldn’t think of 2 people more deserving of the title. Thanks to these two for everything you have done and continue to do for the club, we wouldn’t have the club we have without these guys around.

Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association Inc. 

Go Parkes Vipers! Coached by our own President, Wayne Osborne, this team is taking on Forbes Foxes in the Men’s LASA Grand Final this Sunday. Support our local team featuring 9 Parkes Junior players. So, if you can, make it to Forbes to support the Vipers.

Parkes Railway Bowling Club

On Saturday 7th September the 20 keen players for Social Bowls got to watch the State Over 40’s Pairs while they rolled up the top. Winners were Alan Affleck and Rob Hill winning 16+16. Runners Up were Mike Valentine and Toby Tanks winning 15+13. Third Place went to Peter Job and Ray Grif­fith winning 15+4.

Grand Final Showdown For Spacies

September 5, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Get a car load and get to Mudgee this Sunday 8th September to cheer on the Spacies in the 2024 Peter McDonald Premiership.

Parkes Spacemen will play Mudgee Drag­ons this weekend in a grand final show­down.

Parkes Spacemen Club President Tony Dwyer said “The boys are pumped for the grand final. The last grand final we won was 2013 and there are 5 boys from that side in the squad this year, Chad Porter, Brandon Paige, Jordon Pope, Jake Dooley and Sam Dwyer. It’s been a great effort from all the team to get us to Sunday and hopefully we get the job done. Mudgee has been the fa­vourites for the title all year, but we’re fit and healthy so we’ll see what happens.”

Head to Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee this Sunday, 3pm to support the Spacemen.

Be Seen @ Netsetgo And Junior Netballers At Forbes

August 22, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Forbes Netball Association hosted the Susan Pettitt clinic. Susan Pettitt is a popular former Australian Dia­mond with over 70 caps, and also a player in the winning World Championship Australian team.


The fun clinic started the day, where over 80 boys and girls from across the region, joined in the very popular session, from Forbes, Orange, Young, Narromine and Cowra. The Forbes Netball Association plan on the day being a regular event on the calendar.

Parkes Bowling And Sports Club

August 15, 2024 By Roxane Manley

In a nail-biter of a minor pairs final, Ian Simpson and Brian Sticks Hampton just scraped in against Geoff Smith and John Wright. They now into the final against Mick Valentine and Marty Tighe. Left to right: Ian Simpson, Brian Hampton, Geoff Smith and John Wright.

SOCIAL BOWLS ON THURSDAY

Twenty social bowlers attended to enjoy two games of triples and two games of so­cial bowls on Thursday. John Carr (lead), Bob Freeman and Rob Irving defeated a competitive trio of Ron Hornery, Graham Dixon and Geoff Smith. John, Bob and Rob started the game in fine form by establish­ing a 6-shot margin after the 5th end, ex­tendeding to a margin of 12 shots after the 17th end. Ron, Graham and Geoff won the remaining ends’, however the Village May­or’s men won the game by 21 shots to 14.

MINOR PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

The final of the Clubs’ Minor Pairs Cham­pionship will be played Saturday, at 1pm.

Two of the less fancied teams will contest the Championship Final, with Ian Simpson and Brian Hampton, full of confidence af­ter recent consecutive wins over quality opponents to get to the final, placing team Hampton as starting favourites to win.

SATURDAY BOWLS

Twenty-six Bowlers attended a game of tri­ples and four games of pairs.

Geoff Smith introduced his Son to Sat­urday social bowls, teaming up with Colin Hayward, in their triples game against Ron Hornery, Bob Freeman and Tony Riordan.

Team Hayward started as strong favour­ites and they were in control for nine ends, but then dropped off. Tony, Ron and Bob took control, and proceeded to out bowl the veteran and the Smith duo, winning by 23 shots to 11.

Ian Simpson continued his good run of form when he and Jim Blake defeated two club life-members John Carr and John Ward, by 24 shots to 20. The turning point occurred when Ian and Jim scored six shots on the 8th end, after which they maintained their slender margin until the final end, to win by 24 shots to 20 over John Carr and John Ward.

Parkes Bowling And Sports Club

August 8, 2024 By Roxane Manley

In a nail biter of a minor pairs final Ian Simpson and Brian Sticks Hampton just scraped it in against Geoff Smith and John Wright, now into the final against Mick Valentine and Marty Tighe. Left to right; Ian Simpson, Brian Hampton, Geoff Smith and John Wright.

The Horses’ Birthday was greeted by 28 so­cial bowlers on the 1st day of the last month of winter, last Thursday.

The triples game featured Ron Hornery, Ian Simpson and Mike Valentine against Noel Johnstone, Bob Freeman and Marty Tighe, which ended up like a practice ses­sion for team Valentine. Mike, Ian and Ron were too strong for their opponents, winning by 30 shots to 8.

Mark Glasheen drew the lucky straw, partnering with Gary McPhee to record a win against strong opponents in our visitor, Maureen Brown, and John Wright. From the 6th end, Gary and Mark were not headed, although they withstood several challenges from John and Maureen who bowled well to draw level on the 16th end. Gary and Mark consolidated on the next end, and drew away to win the game by 21 shots to 15.

Alf Davies In Sunshine Again

August 8, 2024 By Short Putt

The Mens golf event last Saturday 3rd Au­gust was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Bernardis Marketplace. Scoring in the field of 52 was better than in previous weeks and reflected the abundant sunshine.

In the A-Grade Alf Davies scored a nett 71 to take the medal. His game was gen­erally a par performance with a couple of bogeys for colour. Runner-up was John Betland on 73 nett who fired well but suf­fered from his good handicap.

The B-Grade saw Phil Wells taking the Medal with a score of 75 nett. Paul Kay was runner-up on 76 nett, a scratchy front-9 hurt his score.

The C-Grade saw Jake LeBrocque a clear winner with 66 nett, recording a very even split on his score. Runner-up was Jake Banks on 69 nett. He wonders what he has to do to win a medal.

The NTP’s were: 9th Jake LeBrocque; 18th John Betland. The Pro Shop Super pin, went to Jake LeBrocque, shooting to 57cm.

The scores were spread out, bringing the ball sweep to 78 nett on count back.

This weekend the Men’s comp is a 4BBB Stableford Medley playing for the Bob and Daine Doolin Memorial Trophy, sponsored by the Francis Family.

By Short Putt

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