Do you want to truly understand what life is all about and live life to the full? Then join us as we look into life with Jesus. 

“LIFE” is a five week course investigating the claims of the Bible and of Jesus, seeing how they can truly grant us, not just a full life now, but also eternal life. 

This free course will run for five weeks from 8th March to 5th April at the Presbyterian Church, Cnr Gap St and Hill St on Wednesday nights from 7 – 8:30pm.

The course will be run in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment and will include free food, an engaging talk and the opportunity to chat and ask questions. 

When you come to understand who Jesus really is and the love that God has lavished upon us in sending Him, it really will change your life, forever. 

Jesus said: “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full” John 10:10. So please join us as we look into life with Jesus and discover how you too can have life and have it to the full.

The Festival of Seniors at Parkes Shire Library was in full swing last week with seniors from throughout Parkes Shire popping in to get involved. 

Margaret Dwyer’s Author Talk on Friday was the perfect main event of the first week, highlighting the talents of seniors in the region and inspiring attendees. Margaret’s talk covered everything from what encouraged her to write, her family and how she got published. Margaret’s four books are available at the Parkes Shire Library for borrowing. 

The fun continues in the library this week, so head along to check out your friends in the 70s on the photo board and listen to the best tunes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. 

Finish it all off in spectacular fashion by attending the Seniors Library Lock In on Friday 10th February, beginning at 6pm. There will be games, snacks and plenty of time to chew the fat about the ‘good old days’. This is a booked event so please give the Library a call on 6861 2309 if you would like to attend. It is guaranteed to be a hoot!

FESTIVAL OF SENIORS 1 – 12 FEB

If you’re 60+ here is a festival just for you! 

Who we were in 1975: Drop in a photo of yourself in 1975 to go on our photo wall.

Author Talk with Margaret Dwyer: 3rd February 6pm-7:30pm, bookings essential.

Library Lock-In: A night filled with music, fun and friends. Friday 10th February from 6pm-9pm, bookings essential.

Throwback Tuesdays & Thursdays: Retro music playlist from 12pm throughout the festival.

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME RECOMMENCE

Storytime recommences on Tuesday, 7th February at 10:30am.

Rhyme Time recommences on Thursday, 9th February at 10:30am.

BE CONNECTED AND SURVIVE IN A DIGITAL WORLD 

Want to build your confidence in the digital world? This four week course for seniors will cover the basics of using your device, building confidence on the internet, staying safe online and avoiding scams, installing and using government apps, and much more. This course commences Friday, 10th February with limited places so call us to book in. 

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN FEB

4 Feb Beginner AUSLAN: Free classes every second Saturday morning from 10am- 11am. Contact Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101 to register your interest. 

7 Feb Parkes Multicultural Art Group: 10am – 11.30am, free. Contact Sonia Tilly on soniatilley@outlook.com.au or on 0400 990 001.

Visit or call the library on 6861 2309 to register your interest in the following workshops:

11 Feb Cricut Workshops: With Shannon from Orange Cricut Group, cost $80pp. Beginners 9am-12pm, Intermediate 1pm-4pm

17 Feb Parkes Games Group: Second last Friday of each month from 6pm-9pm, free.

20 Feb Seniors Card Short Story Competition Workshop: With Fellowship of Australian Writers, Ages 60+, 10am-12pm, free.

28 Feb Dried Flower Arranging: Lockdown Lucy’s, 6pm-8pm, cost $110pp.

Clear your schedule for this evening Friday, 3rd February! Whatever you had planned, scrap it and head down to The Coachman Hotel Motel in Parkes for the Eugowra Auction and Fundraiser Night organised by Michael Dumesny. 

Michael has co-ordinated donations of some hot items that will be sure to start a bidding frenzy and raise much needed funds for flood ravaged town of Eugowra. 

Some of the items on offer include NRL and Cricket Australia signed memorabilia, a five night stay in Parkes at The Memphis Motel for the Parkes Elvis Festival in 2024, a money can’t buy experience with the Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club and an accommodation package included, courtesy of the Managers of The Coachman Hotel Motel. 

Funds have already started rolling in with tickets for the monster raffle selling fast. Michael has received a lot of positive feedback surrounding this event and he is expecting a huge turnout and a great atmosphere for all those that attend.

Don’t forget to show your support on the night by “wearing something Eugowra.” This may be a Eugowra Bowls shirt, footy guernsey or something black and gold, which are the colors of the local Eugowra Rugby League team.

It is sure to be a great night out for the entire family, with lucky door prizes, a raffle and play equipment for the kids. The crowd will also be entertained on the night with live music by Greg Hush. Grab a meal, have a few drinks and enjoy the auction.

The auction will begin at 7.30pm sharp, please arrive early.

Ross Wilson is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer best known for one of the great Australian songs of our time, Eagle Rock. In his early years he was front man for Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock and later went on to produce albums by Skyhooks. Ross is this year’s inductee on the Wall of Fame.

How do you feel about being honoured on the Wall of Fame at the Parkes Elvis Festival? The Parkes Elvis Festival is a big deal, known worldwide, so to be honoured and connected with Elvis in that way does mean something to me. I’d like to thank the people responsible for recognising me and my own achievements.

What can fans expect to hear at your concert in Parkes, and will you be jamming with the Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Joe Camilleri? This is a very special get together – Brian, Russell, Joe and me are all about the same vintage. We are good buddies and I love everything about those guys and the incredible list of songs they have written and had hits with. Got a few of my own to add to the mix too. There’ll definitely be some interaction between us and I expect a few laughs as well.

Have you performed with any of them before? Must be our time to flourish – I did a show with Joe and Brian back in November on Cup Eve, and then two weeks later a double bill with Russell on the Rock The Boat cruise. We’re all good rockin’ daddies, unstoppable.

Has Elvis played a role in your musical journey? Elvis is still The Man. No one else looked or sounded like him. The Sun Sessions album is still a touchstone for me. I was a kid in the 50s and a teen in the 60s and Elvis was everywhere. He made great records and I was a fan. I went and saw King Creole at the movies, awesome. So, yeah, definitely an influence.

Do you ever perform Elvis songs? I have recorded a couple of Elvis songs. A live version of Hound Dog but mine is in a minor key (I got that from Junior Wells’ and Buddy Guy’s version) and the lyrics are closer to the original by Big Mama Thornton, much raunchier; Elvis cleaned it up. And there’s Heartbreak Hotel on my acoustic album Tributary – what a great song, such dark lyrics. I bet at Heartbreak Hotel they have Unhappy Hour with really expensive drinks and lots of tissues on hand.

Why do you think Elvis has such an enduring legacy after all these years? He was/is one-of-a-kind and had an extraordinary output of terrific music and the legend of Elvis also has those tragic elements that add pathos to his story. He died so young and, in my opinion, was taken advantage of, and that must have weighed on him very heavily in his later years.

Do you think the Parkes Elvis Festival plays an important role in the music landscape in Australia? I’m about to find out for myself first hand – so I’ll get back to you on that. But I’m pretty sure that those hundreds of Elvii and thousands of fans converging on Parkes can’t be wrong. I’m really looking forward being part of the festival!