Car enthusiasts cannot afford to miss this year’s Speedway Exhibition at the Parkes Elvis Festival featuring 40 iconic and prestigious cars at the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street.

Inspired by this year’s Speedway theme, a diverse blend of unique cars have been brought together for the first time ever. Sharing the showroom floor will be a rare collection of Holden Dealer Team (HDT) special vehicles, special Commodore builds, the Anniversary Edition Commodores together with group A cars and a 1980 Peter Brock Marlborough Holden Dealer Team race car.

The exhibition will also see the official unveiling of the 2015VF “Blue Meanies” in sedan, wagon and ute configuration based on the 1985 HDT VK Commodore SS Group A ‘Blue Meanie’ released by Peter Brock and the HDT.

The range racing cars will include the 1977 Brian Burt and 1978 Everlast Ford XC Coupes, an Alan Moffat Tribute Ford Mustang and Peter O Donnell’s BMW 335i which has completed more laps of the famous Bathurst track than any other car.

The list also includes a Porsche 911 GT3, MK1 Ford GT40 and 1965 Shelby Cobra along with NASCARs and a range of speedway cars. As if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the feast of horsepower continues with a 327 HK Bathurst Monaro, a VL Walkenshaw Commodore and other powerful cars to get your motor revving.

To further enhance the racing experience, a state-of-the-art virtual reality racing car simulator, as used by professional drivers around the world, will get your adrenaline pumping as you try to be the King of the track.

The display will also include racing memorabilia such as bonnets from various racing cars, racing suits and a diverse selection of intriguing and fascinating collectables.

The Speedway Exhibition official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April is open to everybody where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion who will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

Exhibit Includes Official Unveiling Of Blue Meanies

The HDT VC race car will also be on display at the Speedway Exhibition at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival. The exhibition, to be held in the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street, is sponsored by the Bogan Gate Pub, and funded by the NSW Government. The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20th April to Sunday, 24th April from 9am to 5pm with free entry. Everyone is invited to attend the official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion. He will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Tril-

 

 

Parkes is going to be the focal point of the 2022 Classic Outback Rally with about 60 cars rolling into town from Thursday next week with plenty of opportunities for the public the view the cars.

Not only will the seven-day rally officially start in Parkes, but the participants will support the Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group (PPCASG) to help them bring a dedicated prostate cancer nurse to Parkes and the region.

The support group members will be outside Discount Dave’s most of next week raising funds, and on Friday the Ford Mustang of famous rally driver Warren Briggs will be parked in Clarinda Street from 10am to 2pm. Members of the public making a donation will go in the draw to be a passenger in the Ford Mustang with Warren Briggs or Matt Dillon behind the wheel for a spin around Parkes on Saturday afternoon.

Chairperson of PPCASG Michael Lynch said the prostate care nurses helped to diagnose and provide expert information and support for the whole family. “At the moment we have to travel to see one of these nurses.”

On Saturday, 26th March the competitors will line up in Short Street beside Cooke Park from 11:30am. After a drivers briefing at 12pm in the Leagues Club, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keity will flag them off at 1pm for a test run outside Parkes before the official start of the rally on Sunday morning at 8am from Church Street at the corner with Clarinda Street.

Pete O’Donnel from Spinifex Recruiting will be making a donation to the PPCASG, and in turn the group will make a donation to the CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Jim Lloyd, who will be in Parkes for the event.

This is a great opportunity to experience what might be the last Classic Outback Rally, and to support a good cause.

April is going to be a huge month in Parkes and it starts on the 2nd when two of Australia’s leading stars on stage and screen will be gracing our very own Cooke Park Pavilion for an enormous celebration of musical theatre, with a light touch of opera.

Headlining Overture will be Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman supported by other well-known performers, as well as local and regional talent.

Lucy has been described as the human personification of sunshine. The former star of the Australian production of Wicked is one of the most sought after people in show business and juggles a busy career of being an actress, reality TV star, mum and queen of Australian musical theatre.

She was born in Perth and after graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts she was cast in a variety of productions, but became known for playing the role of Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked for four years from 2008 to 2011. She was revealed as the Cactus in the second season of The Masked Singer Australia.

Josh is an established musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist who has been working on Australian and UK stages over the past 15 years. He will be taking on the most coveted role as The Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera at the Sydney Opera House from August this year after his impressive West End debut in London in the same role in 2019.

His past credits include being a part of international pop opera group The Ten Tenors, Tony in the 2010 Australian production of Westside Story, Bustopher Jones/Gus/ Growltiger in the 2015/16 Australian season of Cats – a role that won him the Green Room Award for best supporting actor in a musical.

As part of the Overture performance, UpStage Australia have partnered with Parkes Shire Council to bring a series of workshops, classes and seminars to the Central West alongside the concert. Visit www.visitparkes.com.au for tickets and further information.

LIBRARY LOCK IN

Programs for youth are being launched at Parkes Shire Library with an After Hours Lock In on Monday, 14th March.

The event is exclusively for 12-16 year olds (in Years 7-10) and will feature a movie on the big screen, video party games, free pizza dinner and outdoor physical challenges. There will be prizes to be won so you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Bookings are essential and limited. Please contact Emma at Parkes Library on 6861 2309 for more information.

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE STUDIO – LET’S GET MAKING!

The Marramarra Makerspace Studio is now open for public use on Mondays from 3pm- 7pm and Wednesdays from 3pm-5:30pm!

To use the space you will need to become a library member – which is easy and free. You can drop in and get making using our range of art and craft supplies, or call Roxanne on 6862 9101 to book a safety induction and a time to use one of our machines.

You can 3D print, laser cut and engrave, create vinyl designs, paint, draw, build Lego or carboard constructions, play boardgames, sew and much more!

Saturday Beginner Art Classes have commenced, and are almost fully booked, but call to register for our next offering.

Tuesday night Creative Journaling is going well and it’s wonderful to see the space in action.

If you have a suggestion for a workshop or event in the Makerspace Studio, please call Creative Learning Programs Coordinator Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101 or send through an email to makerspace@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

It is International Women’s Day on Tuesday, 8th March when we celebrate the achievements of women and look at how much still needs to be done, especially in the field of human rights.

Most of us have believed that women are doing pretty well in Australia, and certainly we are when you look at their treatment in countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and India for instance.

In the last two years, however, thanks to brave and outspoken young women like Brittany Higgins, Chanel Contos and Grace Tame, we have learned that bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace is rife, that many young girls, and young boys, are taken advantage of by people they should be able to trust, while many men regard their wives as their property, mentally or physically abusing them and all too often even killing them.

Fifty years ago Gough Whitlam was swept to power when he campaigned under the slogan “It’s Time!” and he made huge changes for the good of society, including properly funding public schools, and by not charging fees for attending university.

It’s time for a huge cultural change in the way Australian society treats women. Governments can pass laws to help, but that alone will not solve the problem.

All of us, men and women, must ensure that children from an early age are taught, both by our actions and our words, that men and women are equal in every way and all deserve to be treated with consideration and respect.

We also need to ensure the subject is continually talked about, and perpetrators are called out and stopped, until we rid ourselves of this cancer in our society.

By Pam Nankivell

Visit www.internationalwomensday.com for more information on how to get involved.

The internationally recognised and iconic hot air ballooning festival will take place from 2 – 10 April in what could arguably be the biggest week in Canowindra’s event and tourism history.

The much-loved community event, including the Street Parade and The Cabonne Community Glow, will be held on 9th April. This year will also see an extra night of entertainment and a new signature event.

Enliven Music Festival, will be held on 2nd April, and is bringing two of Australia’s top rated award winning artists, Jon Stevens, with the INXS and Noiseworks Collection and Eskimo Joe, sharing the stage with Country Rock up and comer, James Johnston, along with The Robbie Mortimer Band and Clancy Pye. Phat Brass, a fresh funk-pop style of brass band, rounds up the line-up for the much-anticipated event.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said: “This is an event like no other, with mass balloon launches to entertain crowds throughout the day and the Cabonne Community Balloon Glow event, featuring market stalls, live music and a special choreographed balloon show.”

Along with the exciting program of events that are already locked in, the Canowindra Business and Progress Association is also full steam ahead in planning the 100 mile dinner, which will bring back the dining experience in the Main Street.

“We are really thrilled at the prospect of bringing a truly exquisite and top shelf dining experience to Gaskill Street, and provide the community an opportunity to participate and show off the beautiful heritage of the main street,” Chair of the CBPA, Anotonio D’Onise said.

Tickets are on sale for Enliven Music Festival – www.enlivenfestival.com.au and for the Cabonne Community Balloon Glow – www.canowindrachallenge.org.au.

PARKES

7 – 9am Community walk starting at 7am at Cooke Park followed by a free breakfast

7am – 1pm 4 Ball Best Ball (4BBB) at Parkes Golf Club.

8 – 11am Kite Festival at Northparkes Oval.

9am – 3:30pm Social bowls and matches at the Railway Bowling Club – visitors welcome

10am All Australian Car Display at Cooke Park.

10am – 5pm Mini carnival at Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. $20 per player, includes a barbeque lunch.

10.30am Live entertainment by the Parkes Shire Band at Cooke Park.

11am Official Ceremony at Cooke Park including the address by Ambassador Jane Rutter, presentation of Citizen of the Year, Community, Cultural and Sporting Awards.

2 – 6pm Free entry at Parkes Aquatic Centre from 2pm, and the popular inflatable from 3 – 5pm.

5 – 9pm Harness Racing and Golden Yabby Races at 7:15pm at Parkes Showground.

6 – 7:30pm Croquet – come and play Aussie Pirates at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club, equipment provided.

BOGAN GATE

7:30am Flag Raising and presentation in Memorial Park by special guest Adam Courtenay; 8am Free breakfast in the Hall, fun competitions and presentation of Australia Day Certificates.

PEAK HILL

7.30am Breakfast at Memorial Park; 8am Official Ceremony with Australia Day Ambassador, presentation of official awards; 2pm Free entry at Peak Hill Pool and a free sausage sizzle at 5:30pm.

TULLAMORE

Due to the tragic start to 2022 in Tullamore, there will be no Australia Day Ceremony this year. 2 – 6pm Free entry at the Tullamore Pool.

TRUNDLE

7.30am Community breakfast at Berryman Oval; 9am Official Ceremony and presentation of Citizen and Sporting awards; 2 – 6pm Free entry at the Trundle Pool.