Parents, carers and grandparents are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held 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 West Region.

The workshops will be held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 7 May at 11am 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 in ensuring 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 second-hand 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.

“The results of our local checking day events show that around 80% of the child car seats that were 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 is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe” Ms Suitor said.

The online workshops were the first of their kind in NSW when they were trialed in May 2023 and were held again in November 2023.

To book your place, visit the event listing on the Councils’ Facebook pages, use this link: https://bit.ly/WorkshopRegoMay24 or call Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

The Holy Family Parish hosted a “Spirituality in the Pub’ evening on Monday, 8th of April with two vibrant and inspiring speakers, Leanne Rogers, and Daniel Wright. The event was in the function room at the Coachman Hotel, and many of the audience stayed on for dinner and a chat.

The topic, ‘A Passion for a Healthy Community’, was appropriate to their own lived experiences. Dan has been a paramedic in Parkes (NSW Ambulance Service) for the past 15 years. Dan lost his son Luke to suicide in 2019 and the grief and trauma suffered by his family prompted Dan to work towards preventing these tragedies in our community.

Dan lobbied for Parkes to be chosen as the first regional site for a Safe

Haven site in NSW. He also co-designed the concept of the site which is on the ground floor, Suite 3, 195-199 Clarinda Street. It is a place for people to go if they are feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts.

People can talk openly about how they are feeling and what they are going through, and they will be supported, not judged.

Leanne grew up in Parkes and by age 18 was in Adelaide studying to become a nurse. After graduating and completing Intensive Care qualifications, she went back to a rural setting where she had opportunities to take on leadership roles and education positions. This included teaching medical students at Flinders Uni rural clinical school with an emphasis on quality, safety and patient focussed care, teaching through realistic healthcare simulation.

As a community we must have concern about each other. Every person’s story matters and a little bit of kindness goes a long way. Is your group, service club, organisation interested in supporting these amazing centres which are fostering community connections and adding new dimensions to the provision of mental health in Parkes?

If so, visit Safe Haven, talk to people like Daniel and Leanne to find out more contact Lynn Rogers, lynnandwayne@bigpond.com.

In an energetic display of glitz and dance, Bjorn Again will bring the stage to life playing all the much loved ABBA hits, as part of the 2024 Canowindra International Balloon Festival.

2024 marks fifty years since ABBA first burst onto the music scene with their Eurovision winning song, ‘Waterloo’. Their music and style changed the landscape of the music industry, and their impact still permeates today, with audiences young and old enjoying the vibe of the show.

Roundbox Events Director, Debra Clarke, said, “It is such a pleasure to be able to bring this renowned international performance to the Canowindra region. Bjorn Again’s show is spectacular, and for them to be here performing is a real coup. Whether you are an ABBA die hard fan or simply enjoy a great show, we truly believe this brings an additional layer of entertainment to the Balloon Festival we haven’t seen before and we hope the greater community gets behind it.”

Tickets are available at:

www.123tix.com.au,

Canowindra Services Club (cash only),

Balloon HQ at Canowindra Phoenix Office, 84 Gaskill Street, Canowindra

At the gate on the day (card only).

The RAAus event planned for 12-14th April at Parkes Regional Airport will bring large numbers of aircraft and people to Parkes to enjoy and share their love of flying for fun, the event will give the people of the Central West the opportunity to experience the possibilities of affordable, low cost flying with manufacturers exhibiting their aircraft.

Recreational Aviation Australia is the governing body for ultralight aircraft in Australia and their aim is to promote affordable recreational aviation to a great number of Australians who wish to pursue their dream of owning and flying, and even building their own aircraft.

The occasion is the second “Fly’n for fun” fly in at Parkes Regional Airport where a large number of light aircraft are expected to attend, many will take the opportunity to camp under the wings of their aircraft, demonstrating the opportunity for low cost affordable flying trips away for families and groups.

Subject to weather there will be a fire pit and bar operated by Parkes Aero Club to ensure the event will maximise the camaraderie and enjoyment of the participants to enjoy a weekend with like minded people.

Some of the visitors will avail themselves of the many fine hotels and motels in Parkes and enjoy the country hospitality at pubs and restaurants throughout the town.

Aviation has always been a major part of life in Australia and costs and regulation of general aviation flying has put flying out of reach of many people and ultralight flying is an ideal way to get into the air.

Come out to the airport on Friday 12th to Sunday 14th and see how easy and enjoyable it is to get into recreational flying.

For information contact: Letesha Stretton RAAus events@raaus.com.au

Mike De La Hunty, HARS Parkes Aviation Museum, 0418473175

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is back. Rich in fun and family traditions – come along to the 2024 Show and find your happy place.

Whether it’s baby animals, wine tasting, or watching the best of the best compete in premier livestock competitions, the Show has something for everyone to enjoy.

Rural Students Café – Bush Tucker

Returning in 2024 with a new twist, this year’s regional and rural students from across NSW will be preparing, cooking, and serving an incredible meal crafted around native Australian bush tucker ingredients. Not only will this give showgoers the chance to have a real taste of the Australian bush, but it will also help regional areas with all proceeds going back to their schools.

Ag Discovery Pavilion

Learn more about what’s at the heart of the Show – agriculture – at the Ag Discovery Pavilion which is full of hands-on activities, interactive displays and

educational fun! This unmissable family feature will teach kids everything they need to know about food and fibre, paddock to plate and the importance of technology in agriculture.

Tickets

Tickets to the 2024 Show are strictly limited, will be sold almost exclusively online, and must be purchased for a specific day to manage crowd numbers.

Don’t miss out – the 2024 Show falls outside of the NSW school holiday period, so go online, plan ahead and buy your tickets early. www.eastershow.com.au

Nickyra Burley, was the Parkes Elvis Festival 2023 Miss Priscilla. Nickyra is a 19 year old Apprentice Hairdresser at Mica Hair Traralgon. Born in Sale and raised in Stratford Victoria. Nickyra is also a Rock n Roll Dancer at Lakeside Rockers, who has a huge passion for anything vintage pinup or retro style in hair and clothing. I have always been a big fan of Elvis and Priscilla Presley 

Q. What and who were your influences growing up? 

My first influencers were my parents who I used to watch as they danced at rock n roll dances. It was there I discovered my love for Elvis’ music and was inspired to learn rock n roll dancing, trained by Andrew Camp at Lakeside Rockers. 

Q. When was your first visit and/or performance at the Parkes Elvis Festival? 

My first visit to Parkes Elvis Festival was Speedway 2022 and I was amazed by the huge crowds. I entered the dance competition with Andrew Camp and we ended up winning the dance category. I also participated in the street Parade dressed in a chequered jumpsuit, with white gogo boots. Whilst seated on the back of a trike bike waving a chequered flag with friends. 

Q. What was the path you took (in career/life) that led you to the Parkes Elvis Festival? 

My passion for rock n roll dancing, dressing up and hairdressing led me here to Parkes. I first met my stylist Vicky Sheild at cooly rocks 2019. She held A Vintage Pinup Hairstyle Workshop that I attended in 2022. From that moment on we were convinced that I would be a good candidate for the Miss Priscilla Competition. 

Q. How many Festivals have you been to/performed at and what brings you back? 

This will be my 3 rd year in a row returning to Parkes Elvis Festival. I keep returning because of the overwhelming energy that vibrates from within the crowds and the friendships that we all create. 

It’s a fantastic environment for my family and I to start The New Year. It’s amazing to be around so many people who also share the love of Elvis. 

Q. What was your first memory of Elvis and what makes him so memorable? 

My first memory of Elvis was at a Lakeside Rockers Elvis Dance, where I had my first dance with my beautiful loving Dad. Who now watches me from heaven continuing with my love for Rock n Roll and endeavouring in my passions and dreams. 

Q. Describe the atmosphere that the crowds bring when you are performing on stage? 

I have been told I have a natural stage presence and look very similar to the young Priscilla. The crowds become more engaged when I’m up on stage with Elvis Tribute Artists. I hear the audience singing with passion and all I see is an ocean of bright lights and cameras capturing the moment. 

Q. If you had to pick an Elvis song that lifts the crowd more than any other what would it be? 

After experiencing the Parkes Elvis Festival After Party, I can now say that Viva Las Vegas is the song to get the crowd up on their feet dancing and singing loud and proud. 

Q. Give us a shout out to the people of Parkes or the Festival goers? 

I would like to thank my beautiful and amazingly talented stylist Vicky Sheild. The totally cool Tony Fisher for being my Escort at Parkes. Shout out to Anne, Bob and Tiffany Steel for all there dedicated hard work and passion for making this spectacular Elvis event. My biggest thank you goes to my Mum, Family and Friends for all the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes. 

This experience has been an amazing honor and a wonderful journey. It has allowed me to be a guest speaker at The Kids Foundation Charity Fundraising Event, Followed by a Charity Fundraiser Limo cruise around Melbourne. I joined the Elvis Tribute Artists On Stage whilst I was on the P&O cruise that I won. I personally received a recognition letter from Tim Bull Member for Gippsland East. I attended a live radio interview with ABC News. I was interviewed by The Gippsland Times and local Stratford Town Crier who published a story about my Miss Priscilla win. I also participated in the Maffra Mardi Gras Parade and the Sale Christmas Parade promoting Parkes Elvis Festival. I recently attended the preview screening of the new ‘Priscilla’ movie at the Astor theatre at St Kilda Melbourne. 

The advice I give to future Miss Priscillas is the quote the king himself once said “You’ve got to follow that dream, wherever that dream may Lead…”