Too many people don’t discover Can Assist until they’re already in crisis. This August, let’s change that.

Join the Parkes Can Assist branch and help raise funds and awareness, so more people know support is available before the financial pressure of cancer becomes overwhelming.

Every dollar you raise stays with your local branch, helping local people with the everyday costs of treatment, fuel, accommodation, travel, parking, medical expenses and more.

You don’t need to be the fastest. You don’t need to walk the furthest. You just need to take the first step to help make Can Assist visible in our community, because every person who hears about Can Assist today is one more person who knows where to turn tomorrow.

Walk for someone you love. Walk for a friend. Walk for a neighbour. Walk because no one in our community should face cancer alone.

On Sunday, 23 August, the neighbouring communities of Parkes and Forbes unite for the annual Can Do the Distance community event supporting Can Assist, walking and raising vital funds for rural cancer patients. Meet up with old friends and make a few new friends. Be part of this event knowing every step counts toward easing the burden for country patients.

Parkes Fun-Walk

Join in a walk, sprint or run around the Northparkes Oval.

Families, local volunteers, friends and survivors are invited for the 10:00 AM start, ready to put in the hard yards for people we love facing the long road of cancer treatment.

Morning tea will be served as an incentive to support Can Assist.

Forbes Lake Walk

Down the road in Forbes, a parallel wave of walkers will set off near the picturesque Lake Forbes, tracing the winding paths alongside the water.

No set start time, come along and enjoy a relaxed stroll, walk one lap or as many as you like. At midday a sausage sizzle will be held at Forbes Sport and Recreation Club All of the funds raised from the day’s strides will go directly to local Can Assist at Forbes and Parkes ensuring that rural families wrestling with cancer diagnosis and travel costs never have to walk alone.

Donations can be made on the day or through our website canassist.org.au

Join us for an evening as we officially kick off the River Arts Festival “Drift” 2026 A beautiful celebration of local creativity, music, and community.

Here is a taste of what’s drifting your way at the festival launch taking place at the Forbes Music Academy, Riley Street on 31 July from 6pm for a 6:30pm start:

• A fantastic Youth Art Exhibition showcasing our incredible local talent

• A special sneak peek of the newest edition to the Lantern Parade – a giant goanna

• Special Guest MC, Monte In the Morning from 2LVR 97.9 Valley FM.

The excitement is building as we prepare to welcome artists, performers, creatives and our community for 10 incredible days of art, music, culture and connection.

Whether you’re joining us for opening night, exploring exhibitions, enjoying live entertainment or discovering something new, there’s something for everyone to experience.

The River Arts Festival on Saturday, 8 August is a free celebration designed to unite our community through art and creativity.

Explore local market stalls and delicious food vendors, relax and enjoy incredible live music, jump into creative workshops, and soak in the atmosphere.

Have you ever thought about joining the Parkes Shire Concert Band? Did you know that playing community music leads to plenty of opportunities to play with others? Members of the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) recently played in the fantastic Sister Act musical with the Parkes M&D Society, and they look forward to the opportunity to play in more shows.

Next up for the band members is the Combined Riverina Bands Regional workshops and concerts. Also coming up on the calendar, the Griffith District Band will host the Kapooka Army Band workshop and concert on 22 August. The West Wyalong band will host Conductors from the Riverina Conservatorium workshop on 12 September and the Leeton Outback Band Spectacular will be on 7 – 8 November.

The PSCB will be performing at the Parkes Homegrown markets and workshops on 12 September. They will also be performing alongside other musical acts at a new community event, Connect the Dots on 26 September in a wonderful show of community connection.

This Sunday 26 July PSCB legend band muso Doug Richards and others will play a few numbers at EJs. Come along for an afternoon of amazing local talent at the Open Mic, 2pm at the Coachman Hotel.

If you used to play an instrument or wish to learn an instrument, there are many opportunities to be involved with others and play live music. Whether it be brass, strings, percussion, woodwind or even the sax, Parkes Shire Concert Band can teach and hire out instruments.

Head along to rehearsals and join in, every Tuesday during school term above Pool Complex 7-9pm. Parkes Shire Concert Band is keeping community music playing.

For more information you can contact PSCB via Facebook or PSCB Musical Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.

Dust off your flannels, tease up your hair, and get ready for a night of pure fun and frivolity. Canowindra is set to play host to an unforgettable Bogan Bingo fundraising night, raising vital funds for Trek4Kidz, with all proceeds directly supporting the Star­light Children’s Foundation.

The night promises to be a hilarious, ac­tion-packed evening featuring a dedicated air guitar competition, plenty of games, lucky door prizes, and an impressive lineup of major raffles.

Punters can buy raffle tickets at $2 each or 3 for $5 to win incredible prizes, includ­ing a first-place hot air balloon flight for two donated by Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley, a high tea for two at Montrose House, and various local vouchers and merch packs.

Attendees are highly encouraged to grab their crew and dress up in their finest bogan attire to really lean into the theme.

Organised by Canowindra local, Michelle Fisher, the event will take place on Satur­day 25 July at the Canowindra Services Club Hall, kicking off at 6pm. Tickets are just $20 and are available now from Law­rence’s IGA in Canowindra or at the door on the night.

Parkes Library and Cultural Centre is turn­ing up the volume these school holidays bycelebrating Youth Week with Rock Band Vibes, a high-energy, hands-on music ex­perience for young people aged 12–22, happening on Friday, 17 April 2026.

Whether you’ve never picked up an in­strument or already love to play, this begin­ner-friendly workshop is all about jumping in, trying new things, and making music to­gether.

Across the 2.5-hour session, participants will rotate through guitar, bass, drums, vo­cals and keys – before choosing a favourite and as a group, form an instant band.

Starting with the basics, you’ll have the chance to build confidence quickly and learn parts of a song that matches their skill level. Everyone will work as a group, piece together a popular song with a focus on timing, teamwork and performance skills – then wrap it up with a full run-through so the newly formed band is stage-ready.

“We’re excited to have Dave Cutler from Forbes Guitar Academy leading the ses­sions. He brings a wealth of experience and a real passion for making music accessible to young people,” said Creative Learning Coordinator Sharon Degeling.

Then it’s time to hit the stage at Jam Night! After the workshop, participants (and other young performers) will have the opportunity to perform in a fun, supportive live music setting. No pressure – just good vibes, crea­tivity, and celebrating local talent.

This event is part of NSW Youth Week from 16 – 26 April and is proudly supported by Parkes Community Arts and the Office for Youth (Department of Communities and Justice). For information contact Parkes Library on 6861 2309 or book your spot at https://events.humanitix.com/rock-band-vibes-youth-event

Trundle Bush Tucker Day began in 1987 as a friendly bet between two mates to see who could cook the best bush tucker in a camp oven behind the local pub. That spark of competition evolved into the Trun­dle Bush Tucker Day.

Since the very first Trundle Bush Tuck­er Day in 1987, the Trundle Bush Tucker Committee has put $249,000 back into the Trundle community! Now in its 38th year the Trundle Bush Tucker Day is organised and run by a dedicated volunteer commit­tee. This hardworking group is made up of locals who volunteer their time year-round to plan, fundraise, and deliver the event.

The committee’s role goes far beyond just putting on a festival, they manage everything from securing entertainment and sponsors, to overseeing logistics like market stalls, food vans, accessibility, and a fresh array of family-friendly activities.

Their aim is to preserve the original spirit of mateship and bush traditions, while grow­ing the event into one of the Central West’s most iconic celebrations.

If you’re planning to attend Trundle Bush Tucker Day 2026 on Saturday, 6 Septem­ber, here’s what’s on offer: National Bush Cook Championship, Camp oven cooking demonstrations and damper making class­es, featuring celebrity bush cook Ranger Nick, known for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest damper. Free bush tucker taste testing 11am-3pm and so many competitions to enter with prizes to be won!Live entertainment with special guests The Bushwackers and Headliner Casey

Barnes, local bands and music throughout the day and finishing off the evening with Local Band The Alternators.

Proceeds from the Trundle Bush Tucker Day benefit local groups, and any par­ticipation supports the region directly. To purchase Early Bird Tickets and to book Camping at Trundle Showground go to https://linktr.ee/trundlebushtuckerday

Fly’n For Fun is an biennial recreational aviation fly-in event hosted by RAAus at Parkes Airport, NSW. The Recreational Avi­ation Australia (RAaus) members are flying their aircraft to Parkes for a true celebra­tion of all forms of recreational aviation. The aircraft will fly in on Friday 27 March and fly out on Sunday 29 March with the main day being Saturday 28 March.

The weekend will follow an advised schedule, with Friday and Sunday focused on pilot arrivals and departures, allowing for smooth airspace coordination and relaxed travel.

Saturday will be filled with impressive static aircraft displays, powered parachutes, trikes and gyrocopters, flight activity, engag­ing seminars, interactive exhibits, commu­nity activities, and festive evening entertain­ment to keep the atmosphere buzzing into the night. There will be food and refresh­ments available on site and there is free en­try and parking on site.

The event is being held adjacent to the HARS Parkes Aviation Museum which will be open from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 March from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Visitors to the event are most welcome to tour the HARS Museum and go on board aircraft such as an AP3-C Orion, Caribou, Huey Cobra and Wessex helicopters and the recently arrived QantasLink Fokker 100 jet airliner.

Usual admission charges are family of 2 adults and 2 children $30, adults $15 and extra children $5.

With a refreshed schedule and expanded offerings, the 2026 edition promises to be the biggest and most dynamic yet.

Designed as a true celebration of all forms of recreational aviation Fly’n For Fun 2026 is not just an event—it’s an experience. It’s where connections are made, stories are shared, and the spirit of aviation comes to life. Haven’t registered yet to attend Fly’n For Fun 2026? What are you waiting for? Register your free attendance here: https://flynforfun.aero/attendance/