Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott was tempted to give Croquet a go when the Parkes Croquet Club set up at the Parkes Kite Festival on Australia Day.
Regular croquet games are played on Saturday mornings at 9.30am and anyone interested in trying out the sport can come along to the Parkes Tennis Courts.
Enjoy the picturesque setting of Lake Endeavour whilst Dragon Boating on the Love Boat.
The Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) invite all Elvis visitors who would like to try a paddle on the love me tender themed “Love Boat”, to head out to the beautiful Lake Endeavour on Wednesday, 7 January from 5.30pm – 7pm. Open to anyone, this will be an easy introductory session to dragon boating, with no previous experience required. Cool off at the end of the day and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Lake Endeavour.
Dragon boating is a fun-filled, water sports activity. Dragon Boats are large canoe-like vessels fitted with ornately carved dragon’s heads and tails. Each boat has a drummer beating time to keep the paddlers in unison, and a professional helmsperson in the stern to guide the boat.
Originating in ancient China, Dragon Boat Racing is now the fastest growing water sport in the world.
The Parkes Dragon Boat Club was formed in 2018 by Bill and Beth Thomas, amongst others. The club currently has 20 members ranging in age from 22 to 76.
PDBC offers an annual Elvis paddle, and this year they hope to introduce even more people to this fabulous pass time.
Lake Endeavour is about 30km out of Parkes, towards Orange. It is an amazing facility – and a dragon shaped lake! The water is crystal clear and the facilities include toilets, a jetty out into the water, a large carpark and a concreted access ramp to the water. Please note there, is a stretch of dirt road to get to the Lake.
Bookings will be taken until 12 noon on Wednesday 7 January, To book contact Linda on 0447 687 342. Spectators are also welcome to come out and watch.
Participants must bring a bottle of water, a sunhat/sunscreen, wear comfortable clothing (activewear) and enclosed footwear (crocs/joggers/aqua shoes etc). Barefeet or thongs are not acceptable. Life jackets and paddles will be provided. No alcohol is allowed to be consumed before or during paddling.
Pat Murphy, Harry Callaghan, Jade Page and Cam McMillan enjoying their early start at golf.
Last weekends Mens competition was an Individual Stableford sponsored by Woolworths Forbes, who provided hams for the winners. The field of 58 were keen to get their game in early to avoid the forecast thunderstorms with only a few groups caught in the conditions and a handful not finishing their rounds. The prizes on offer were great.
The Div-1 winner was Dave Mylecharane who was well ahead on his 40 points. He credits most of his success to a new driver setting which aided his hot back-9 scoring.
Runner-up was Anthony Alley with 38 points. He matched Dave with his back-9 score but was a bit untidy on the front-9.
The Div-2 needed a count back between four players to decide the winner after they all finished on 34 points. The nod went to Matt Duff who managed 18 points on the back-9 after an indifferent run of 1-pointers to start his round.
The Div-2 runner-up was Alex Mackinnon. He had an even round with 17 points on each half, which also include two ‘misses’ on each half although he finished the back-9 strongly.
The NTPs went to: 9th A Dukes; 18th L
O’Connor. The 3rd hole Super pin went to Paul Kay whose shot looked ‘miles away’ at 440 cm on a green that was hard to hit.
This Saturday, 20 December, is an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Forbes
Central Butchers. There is also a Stableford Medley on Sunday 21 December.
The Forbes Golf Club wishes all players a happy and safe Festive Season.
By Short Putt
Showcasing impressive skills that have inspired a return to the courts next year.
Croquet has become the highlight of the week for participants from Currajong Disability Services (CDS) thanks to a new inclusive coaching program delivered by the Parkes Croquet Club.
Around 30 participants and staff attended eight coaching sessions from May this year, quickly embracing the sport and asking for more once the program concluded.
“It has been a great success, and our participants absolutely loved it,” said Douglas Pout, Day Services Coordinator at Currajong Disability Services.
The initiative began after Parkes Croquet Club member Graeme Hunter attended a grant-writing workshop at Parkes Shire Council. The idea came to life when the club secured a Parkes Shire Sports Grant to deliver the coaching sessions and provide morning tea for Currajong participants.
“It was a privilege for our club members to run this program,” said Graeme.
“It was wonderful to see some participants showing exceptional talent and being able to play a proper game at the end of the program.”
He also praised the participants for their strong team spirit and willingness to help pack up after every session.
Currajong plans to return to the croquet courts in March next year. “Our lads and ladies are missing it already,” Douglas said.
“Participants stepped into something new with confidence and quickly connected with the members of the Parkes Croquet Club. The partnership has been positive for everyone involved, and by the end some of our crew were matching it with the more experienced players.
This has opened the door and given our participants another space where they feel welcomed and included.
“CDS is not defined by limitation. We are a group of people with different strengths, and when opportunities like this come along, our participants show exactly what they can do.”
Pictured are the Saturday Competition winners.
Last Saturday 101 players attended the Kelly Golf Ambrose, the highest members comp since Zac has taken over which is great to see. The comp raised $200 for the juniors from the sausage sizzle lunch so thank you very much to Zac and Maddi and all who helped make that happen.
Winners on the day were first Melissa Matthews, Craig Matthews, Fletcher Matthews and Nicholas Strudwick – 58.75 Nett.
Second Arthur Medcalf, Tony Evans, Scott Winter and Sean Sloane – 61.25 Nett. Third Lex Hodges, Rob Cheney, Tony Hendry and Robert Staples – 61.75 Nett. Well done to all the winners.
Monthly Medal this Saturday and save the date, 13 December for when LIV Golf comes to Parkes. Get ready for the Greenkeepers’ Revenge, the greens are fighting back.
Pictured are the Lachlan Dragons. Dragon boating will broaden your horizons and introduce you to a healthy lifestyle.
Forbes Dragon Boat Club recently competed at the Masters Games in Weston ACT. The 3-day event included 200m races and 1km turn races in both small and full boats. Forbes combined with four other clubs for this competition. Team Forge included paddlers from Forbes, Geelong Vic, Parkes, Adelaide Survivors abreast and Powerblades SA.
In November FDBC also competed in the Western Region Regatta this year held in Orange. Races included 10’s and 20’s crews over 200m and “a dash for cash “over 100m. We combined with Parkes and Blue mountains on that day.
Forbes Dragon Boat Club is offering a 4 week introduction to paddle plan, aimed at recruiting some new members. Dragon pass is a free program to trial dragon boating before joining a club.
We aim to run sessions on Sundays from 30th November until 21st December. Sessions will be for 30-40mins from 9am. It’s all about fitness, friendship and fun. There is no requirement to attend all sessions. You are also welcome to join our regular training sessions during the dragon pass period.
Paddles and life jackets are provided. All you need to bring is a bottle of water, a cap and closed in shoes.
So, if you have ever wondered about giving dragon boating a try – this is your chance. We challenge businesses, sporting teams, anyone looking for something new, who loves the water, to come along and give it a try. Minimum age 11 yrs.
Paddling with Forbes Dragons can be social or competitive – you decide on your level of participation.
For more information search Forbes Dragon Boat Club on Facebook and register to attend.
The coaching staff and committee are extremely proud of the U16s girls’ efforts.
Lachlan District U16s are 2025 Premiers.
Coached byTroy Gosper from Parkes, the team is made up of Parkes and Forbes predominantly with some Condobolin girls as well.
The Club was started three yearas ago with a rising number of girls within the area who wanted to play rugby league especially with the growth of the NRLW.
The women’s rugby league is a fast growing sport especially in our area, Club Secretary Stevie Jackson said “This year we had over 41 players registered to play just in our u12s development side, proving how strong the growth is.”
“The U16s team have played together for a long time, half of the team have made representative teams for Lisa Fiaola teams for Western Rams, as well as Forbes Ruby Coote who has been listed for Illawarra Steelers, and Forbes Sarah Price for the Canberra Raiders.
In the grand final the girls went up against a very determined Vipers team who both came out strong.
“Our girls scored a try within the first 10 mins and vipers were quick to reply by scoring. The rest of the first half was extremely intense. As the second half kicked off it was a back and forth game, but then with 10 mins to go our girls kicked it up another gear with Laila Hartwig scoring a try and our amazing kicker Katie Galvin converting.”
“The Vipers kicked off and straight into the hands of Ruby Coote who took off and scored a try, again we got the conversion.
It was this second gear that the girls found that led them to victory, and finishing the season undefeated.” said StevieThe Western Women’s comp kicks off in September each year. For anyone keen to follow the club, go to facebook page Lachlan District Woman’s Rugby League.
The blustery weekend did not dampen the participants in the Saturday Golf Comp as those eligible vied for the ‘Medal of Medallist’ honours.
The Men’s competition was an 18-Hole Stroke sponsored by Loomzy’s Fis-n-Fix.
The field of 57 were keen to enjoy the day of golf. The Medal of Medallist Trophy was contested by 25 of the 30 eligible players.
The blustery conditions did blow the scores around but a steady round by Sandy Patterson (68 nett) gave him the trophy, ahead of Cam McMillan and Niel Duncan.
In the Stroke competition there were some individual flashes of brilliance. The Div-1 was won by Tim West with a 64 nett, finishing well clear of runner-up Cam McMillan on 70 nett. Tim played the back-9 in 3-under. Both he and Cam finished with 2’s.
The Div-2 was won by Sandy Paeterson with his 68 nett. He had not played much through the winter and was quite fresh.
Runner-up was Brett Woonton with 71 nett.
He was a bit rough at first but settled well on the back-9.
The NTPs went to: 9th Ben Robinson; 18th Cam McMillan. The 3rd hole Super pinwent to Brett Slack-Smith with a shot to 95 cm, making for an easy ‘2’.This Saturday, 22 November, is a 4BBB Stableford Medley, vying for the Deacon Dwyer Trophy.
By Short Putt
The weight lifting competition was a crowd favourite. Dubbo Crossfit Tyler Edgcumbe.
As the athletes stood in the shed on Saturday morning at 7am, with a cool breeze at their backs, anticipation was high for the start of the inaugural Parkes Athletic (PA) Games. The briefing was quick but crucial, with the organisers outlining the day’s schedule, the requirements for each event and the scoring process. Over 80 athletes and 20 volunteers disperse to prepare for the first events. It was clear this event would be a mix of competition and camaraderie.
The five events for the day consist of stationary skiing, running, tyre flips, athletic movements, olympic style weightlifting, gymnastic movements and high aerobic output. The crowd of athletes and local supporters cheers’ echo as athletes in each event and category push themselves throughout the day to their limits, fuelled by adrenaline. By the time the last event finishes late in the day, the athletes have tested their physical capabilities, are thoroughly exhausted yet completely euphoric.
A huge congratulations to all the teams for their incredible performances and sportsmanship. Special shout-outs to the podium winners in each category—your hard work and dedication truly shone.
The PA Games were a fantastic showcase of talent, teamwork, and community spirit! PA would like to thank each of the key sponsors such as The Worklocker, Littles Power, Standen Building , Specialized plumbing and excavation, Yakka solutions, EM earthmoving, Laura Jelbart Photography and organisations such as Parkes Shire Council.
“We can’t wait to hold an even bigger and better event and look forward to seeing everyone again next year,” said Emma Montgommery of Parkes Athletic.
Running and giving it everything in the tank, from Logan Thorpe Fitness Condobolin is Logan Thorpe and Kelly Tyack.
Congratulations the Parkes golfers – well played ladies.
Parkes District Junior Cricket
Congratulations to Harry Yelland, Eamon Moody and Zac Guy on their selection in the Western Plains Outlaws Under 16’s team. The boys have recently played four matches against Central West. All three have now been selected in the Western Zone Under 16 Bradman Cup team! They’ll play pre-carnival matches in Orange in November before heading to Albury in January for the Bradman Cup carnival.
Parkes Services Squash Courts
Squidgies Squash is held every Friday afternoon at 4.15pm at Parkes Services Squash Courts. It is all about having fun, and learning the basics of Squash. Our awesome coaches make sure the session is filled with heaps of fun activities. Give Squidgies a go – all the equipment is provided, and if you like it, there is no commitment, it’s just $5 each time you come along.
Parkes Bowling And Sports Club
Friday evening and Sunday morning social Bowls are proving extremely popular with both events well supported by new Bowlers and a few old hands as well. Anyone in the community, near or far, who would like to try rolling down a few bowls will be made most welcome. Just phone the Club or turn up.
Parkes Golf Club
Eight ladies played in the WD Silver Teams event at Wellington on 7 November. This is an annual team scratch stableford event. Although they didn’t come home with a prize, they were not quite good enough against the bigger clubs with their low markers, the ladies still played well and had a great day. Duntryleague won easily from Bathurst. Col Staples almost aced the 8th, to win a NTP – 5cm.