Young people, businesses and commu­nity organisations from across the Central West are invited to register for Connect and Thrive – Pathways, a dynamic, free youth event focused on building leadership skills, making real-world connections and prepar­ing for future opportunities.

The event will take place at the Cooke Park Pavillion in Parkes on Tuesday 3 June and will equip young people aged 15 to 20 with the tools, networks and confidence they need to shape their futures.

Delivered by the NSW Office for Regional Youth, Connect and Thrive – Pathways is a direct response to feedback from the 2024 Your Voice, Our Future consultation and NSW Youth Summit, where young people called for more meaningful, face to face en­gagement in their own communities.

The agenda includes a youth-led net­working session, a leadership and com­munication skills workshop and a Pitch It session featuring local businesses, coun­cils and community groups sharing oppor­tunities for youth employment and engage­ment.

Another highlight is the Think Tank ses­sion, where young people will collaborate with their peers to co-design solutions to challenges they face in their communities.

Registration is free, but it is essential. For local young people who would like to regis­ter to attend this event, go to: https://tinyurl.com/connectandthriveparkes

Keast Park was transformed into a vibrant celebration of health and wellbeing on Wednesday, 7 May, as Healthy Harold’s Colour Run returned, launched the 2025 Healthy Harold Parkes Festival of Health.

Hundreds of participants of all ages walked, ran, and danced through clouds of colourful powder, while exploring interac­tive booths hosted by local organisations.

These booths provided valuable resourc­es and sparked important conversations about health, safety, and wellbeing – ignit­ing interest in healthier lifestyles for all and a stronger understanding of local health services available.

The Colour Run continues to be a cor­nerstone event of Healthy Harold’s Parkes Festival of Health, which reaches over 1,300 children across 14 schools and early learning centres in Parkes and surrounding regions.

Healthy Harold, Life Ed’s iconic giraffe mascot, was a crowd favourite, with fami­lies and friends capturing countless selfies throughout the afternoon. A complimentary BBQ, provided with the support of Wool­worths Parkes and served by the Rotary Club of Parkes, ensured everyone could refuel.

A highlight of this year’s festival was the launch of a free Peer Support program webinar for teachers, educators, and sup­port staff in Parkes. Hosted by Jill Pear­man, a wellbeing and education expert, the session provided practical ways to build wellbeing across school communities. For more information, teachers can visit: https://peersupport.edu.au/resources/book-a-webinar/parkes-info-webinar/

The event, hosted by Life Ed NSW, was made possible through the generous sup­port of local community organisations in­cluding Parkes Shire Council, Western NSW Local Health District, Transport for NSW, Parkes Rotary Club, Evolution Min­ing Northparkes Operations, Parkes Que Club, PCYC Parkes, Neighbourhood Cen­tral, and the Country Women’s Association.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is back for its 25th year, and Parkes Shire Library is inviting families, carers and young children to join in the nationwide celebration of reading and literacy.

On Wednesday 21 May, head to Parkes Library at 11:45am for a free event featuring a lively performance and reading of this year’s chosen picture book, The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. The reading will begin at 12:00pm sharp, in synchronisation with thousands of libraries, schools, child­care centres and homes across Australia.

NSS is a much-loved initiative that promotes the value of reading and storytelling by encouraging children of all ages to enjoy books, language and shared story time experiences.

Parkes Shire Library’s Children and Youth Services Librarian, Miss Rachael Westcott, said the team is excited to bring you this year’s book in a fun and memorable way.

“We are especially excited to bring to life The Truck Cat in a fun and interactive performance with our talented library staff. We are expecting a big crowd from the local preschools so any parents with young children who would like to attend, please book your spot now by calling the library on 6861 2309.”

“Reading aloud to children builds their vocabulary, sparks their im­agination and supports early brain development. National Simulta­neous Storytime is a powerful way to show how fun and meaningful books can be, and libraries play a key role in creating those positive experiences,” she added.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this colourful, vibrant cel­ebration, where books come to life and the joy of reading is shared across the country.

On Sunday 25 May, Marnie Noakes and her dog Teddy are walk­ing the Million Paws Walk to raise funds in the fight against animal cruelty.

Did you know that nearly 20,000 dogs were cared for by the RSPCA last year? That’s over 52 dogs every day! Many of these precious pups are victims of cruelty, bred to turn a profit, abused by their owners or abandoned by the humans they loved uncon­ditionally.

That’s why Marnie and Teddy are walking for Million Paws Walk.

Will you help Marnie be a hero for dogs in need? No pressure at all to donate, but if it is achievable for you to donate please support us by making a tax-deductible dona­tion. Every dollar donated will help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need. Make a donation at www.millionpawswalk.com.au/ sponsor?kw=Marnie+Noakes or if technology isn’t your thing, cash can be given to Marnie and she is happy to upload it straight onto the website via bank transfer.

Call Marnie or send a text on 0448 375 587 if you have ques­tions or would like to donate with cash.

The iconic Variety NSW Bash is back for its 33rd year, aiming to raise $1 million to support children who are sick, experienc­ing disadvantage or living with a disability.

From Sunday 18 May to Saturday 24 May, 78 colourful cars and 255 participants will embark on the exhilarating seven-day road trip, congregating at Mount Panorama and ending in Newcastle.

The Variety NSW Bash is a one-of-a-kind motoring adventure that unites car lovers from all walks of life in a colourful celebra­tion of community and cause. Spanning just over 3,000km, the event is packed with fun, friendship, and purpose — with $41,647 in grants to be awarded to rural schools and communities along the route.

Participants are encouraged to decorate and theme their vehicles; from Men in Black, Scooby Doo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pokémon to Minions, all while raising criti­cal funds for Variety–the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT.

Stops along the way include Bathurst, Young, West Wyalong, Weethalle, Coleam­bally, Hay, Pooncarie, Broken Hill, Ivanhoe, Griffith, Euabalong West, Parkes, Bogan Gate, Yeoval, Mudgee and finishing with a Family Fun Day in Newcastle.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Variety NSW Bash back for another year,” said Tony Warner, CEO of Variety NSW/ACT.

“It’s more than just a road trip, it’s a pow­erful fundraising event that directly sup­ports kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability right across NSW.”

This year, school beneficiaries include Weethalle Public School, Kalinda School, Coleambally Central School, Pooncarie Public School, Ivanhoe Central School, Euabalong West Public School, Yeoval Central School. Each school will receive between $3,000 and $5,000 for education­al resources and sporting equipment such as projectors, workbooks, sensory play equipment, EDU classroom drone kit, and even a Variety Sunshine Coach!For more information or to donate, visit: https://fundraise.varietynswact.org.au/event/nswbash25

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held next week to provide important safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and La­chlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW. The workshops will be held online via Microsoft Teams, on Tuesday 13 May at 10am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Mela­nie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital to ensure children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjust­ment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for sec­ondhand car seats and much more.

“It will be a great refresher for grandparents, as child car seats and the rules have changed a lot since they had their children, but also for parents and carers as they are navigating their way through their child or children’s growth.

“Local checking day events show that around 80% of the child car seats we checked were incorrectly installed. Transport for NSW research shows that children who are not restrained correct­ly are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured. It’s so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe,” said Ms Suitor.

To book your place, use this link: https://bit.ly/WorkshopRegoMay25 or call on (02) 6861 2364.

Parkes Shire Council is pleased to an­nounce its involvement in the 2025 Waste 2 Art community exhibition and competition.

Waste 2 Art is open to all residents of the NetWaste region and showcases creative works made from reused waste materials.

The aim is to challenge peoples’ percep­tions about ‘rubbish’ and to celebrate the reuse and recycling of waste through arts and crafts.

Waste 2 Art provides an innovative ap­proach to waste education, invites individu­als, schools, and community groups to take up the challenge and create a new life for materials that would otherwise have been thrown away or considered useless. Over the years many materials have been used including soft plastics, tin cans, bottle tops, plastic bags, scrap metal and clothing, the options are endless. Instead of heading to landfill, these waste materials can be turned into fantastic works of art.

In the lead-up to the competition, Parkes Shire Library is running a Community Work­shop on Saturday 10 May, facilitated by Waste 2 Art artist Helen Standen. With a focus on the Year of Toys, participants will use items like Minecraft Cubeez and other supermarket collectibles to create their art­works. If you already have a project idea, this workshop is a great opportunity to gain creative input and expert guidance. Tickets are available via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/waste-2-art-toy-workshop-with-helen

Each year a specific waste item will be featured, 2025 is The Year of Toys. That doesn’t mean that you have to use this ma­terial in your artwork, but we want to raise awareness each year of one particular prob­lem waste stream.

Entry forms are available online – https://bit.ly/2025Waste2ArtEntryForm. Visit the Parkes Shire Council website or the Marra­marra Makerspace Studio Facebook page for key dates. Or contact Sharon Degeling at Parkes Library and Cultural Centre on 6861 2309.