Children, teenagers, families – and the young at heart – can im­merse themselves in a world of science when Fascinating Science, a free interactive exhibition from Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, arrives at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre. Running from 1 September to 31 October 2025, the exhibition explores key scientific principles in a fun, hands-on way, with varying levels of complexity to engage all ages.

Parkes Shire Council’s Cultural, Education & Library Services Manager, Kerryn Jones, said the community is in for a treat.

“We are excited that Questacon’s Fascinating Science exhibition is visiting the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre for the first time. It will run for 2 months, giving the community the opportunity to visit numerous times. Children and families, as well as com­munity groups and schools, can interact with fun scientific exhibits from Questacon without travelling too far,” Ms Jones said.

While exploring Fascinating Science, visitors will discover a va­riety of Scientific topics which they will encounter throughout their life. Fascinating Science encourages exploration, excites inves­tigation and provides science-based challenges in an enjoyable environment. There will be 32 experiences to explore amongst 26 exhibits in three zones:

• Puzzlequest Zone – logic and spatial puzzles

• Eyes On and Perception Zone – visual illusions and human per­ception

• Forces Zone – magnetism, friction, gravity and spinningOpen seven days a week for two months, this is an amazing and unique opportunity for the Parkes Shire and surrounding towns.

Be sure to check out opening and closing times. School and com­munity groups can book in by calling Sharon Degeling, 6861 2309.

You are all invited to join Mr Phil Donato MP, Patron of the Henry Parkes Museum, for the official opening of the newly restored Black­smith Shop. Come along on Wednesday he 13 August from 10:30am to 11:30am at he Henry Parkes Museum, 66-78 Peak Hill Road. Entry is just a gold coin donation.

Step back into Parkes’ early foundry days as you explore some of the historical signifi­cance, such as, Earl Symonds, who estab­ished the original blacksmith shop on this very site, Richard Venables, of Venables & Co, a pioneering blacksmith engineer, Iron ounder John Westcott, Carriage & Coach­building Factory contributions to regional transport and many other local blacksmiths, foundries and carriage builders, including Arthur Cheney, Robert Turnbull and Charles Smart to name a few.

Our exhibit features authentic tools, pe­riod-correct machinery and the fascinating stories behind each artifact and the oppor­tunity to participate in an interactive ropemaking display.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the vol­unteers whose tireless efforts have brought the Blacksmith Shop back to life. Their dedication has made this project possible.

Please confirm your attendance by Friday, 8 August by email: shpm15@outlook.com

NSW Australian of the Year and Kindness Factory founder Kath Ko­schel will share her extraordinary and uplifting story at a free event at Parkes this month. CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is thrilled to invite the whole community to hear from Kath at its Mental Health Expo 2025, a powerful day of connection, education and inspiration.

The event will be held on Tuesday August 19, from 12pm to 1pm at the Cooke Park Pavilion. CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Better Health and Wellbeing portfolio manager Kate Shambrook is encour­aging the community to come to the expo.

A resilience and gratitude advocate, Kath’s story of overcoming immense personal challenges has touched hearts across the world – more than 8.4 million acts of kindness have been logged with her Kindness Factory.

Ms Shambrook says Kath’s message is one of hope, courage, and the strength of the human spirit – a talk not to be missed.

“I truly believe this event is an opportunity for our community to come together, break down stigma, and have real conversations about mental health,” Ms Shambrook said.

“We’re incredibly honoured to have Kath Koschel join us — her journey will inspire and uplift anyone who hears it.”

In addition, there will also be free refreshments, giveaways and local mental health organisations to chat to.

“Whether you’re looking for tools to support your own journey, re­sources to help others, or simply a moment to be inspired, this expo is for you,” Ms Shambrook said.

“Come be part of the movement toward a more open, supportive, and mentally healthy community.”

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is delivering this free community event through its Family and Carer Mental Health Program. To find out more, contact CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes on 1800 067 067.

The Forbes Vampire, ‘the aircraft on a pole by the lake’ is a much loved icon for Forbes and attracts aviation enthusiasts travelling the Newell Highway, to see the aircraft.

The aircraft has recently been refurbished and restored to its former glory by Forbes Council and volunteers from the town.

Now, there is a de Havilland Vampire dual seat version on display at the HARS Parkes Aviation Museum, that you can get up close to and learn about the history and development of this unique aircraft.

The Vampire flew at the end of WW2 and adopted the design influence of the de Hav­illand Mosquito the ‘Wooden Wonder’ that the fuselage pod is constructed of timber.

This design was enormously strong but it was not destined to survive for so long outside. This feature was the subject of the restoration of the Forbes Vampire.

The Museum has over 15 aircraft on display that range from a 4 engine Orion surveillance aircraft that took part in the search for MH370 to a replica of the Red Baron WW1 German fighter and aircraft engines from early jet trainers to a Boeing 747.

Should you have an interest in aviation, preserving history, hands on restorations or tour guiding and would like to volunteer, you can call the museum or speak to any one of our volunteers on duty about the op­portunity.

The HARS Parkes Aviation Museum is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Thursdays and Sundays. Admission is only $30 for a family of 4, adults $15, children under 16 $5. Eftpos is also available. For more infor­mation call Mike on 0418 473 175.

Parkes Shire Council is progressing with plans to transform Parkes’ former waste­water treatment ponds into a biodiverse, naturalistic landscape that will provide recreational, environmental, and cultural value to our community.

Jointly funded by Council and the Com­monwealth Government, this exciting pro­ject will result in an aquatic boardwalk, two purpose-built bird hides, public art in­stallations, interpretive signage, extensive revegetation, and engineered habitats to promote ecological diversity.

These upgrades will build on significant earlier works, which included reshaping the former ponds into a hydrologically diverse wetland system and creating a 2.5-kilome­tre walking track around the site. Subject to further funding, Council plans to connect this track with Parkes’ existing walkway network, eventually linking it to the track that terminates at Billabong Creek on Eu­gowra Road.

While the site remains closed to the pub­lic until the completion, residents can visit the wetlands on National Tree Day, Sunday 27 July. This annual event, jointly hosted by Parkes Shire Council and Central West Lachlan Landcare, has been held at the wetlands site and surrounding land since 2018.

People interested in participating in Na­tional Tree Day are asked to register at www.treeday.planetark.org/

Parkes community reading day is on Friday, 22 August. Aligned with Book Week, the theme is “Book An Adventure”.This year we are varying our usual format.

Instead of the activity stations along Clar­inda Street, the stations will be part of the Cooke Park celebrations. At the same time, there will be some action up the main street and business houses are going to be invited to participate in several simple ways.

A highlight of the day will be a play, “The Adventure Of Finding Reading Bug” and heading a star-studded cast will be two of the greatest explorers, Sir William Sch­weitzer Jayet and Dr Neil Livingstone West­cott.

Paint The Town REaD’s main aim is to spread the vital message of growing baby’s brain right from birth so every baby is better prepared to start learning to read in kinder­garten. It is a fact that poor literacy is highly likely to cause low self-esteem which in turn is highly likely to cause anti-social behav­iour.

Teachers are not a baby’s first educator, parents are. Parents, please start on day one to: read, sing, talk and rhyme to your baby all the time.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) is inviting all community members and ser­vice providers to their Thank You, Forbes Community Event on Wednesday, 2 July.

The occasion is a small gesture of ap­preciation for all those the organisation has worked alongside since the 2022 flooding in the town and its surrounds.

At its worst in November 2022, the La­chlan River peaked at 10.7 metres at Forbes, flooding more than 700 residential and commercial properties in the town.

CCWF, in particular its Financial Stability team, has provided practical support and stand with community members as they negotiate the long-term and wide-ranging consequences of flooding in the 2.5 years since.

CCWF Financial Stability portfolio man­ager, Louise Cormie said the organisation was holding the event to thank all the com­munity members who had placed their trust in her team, as well as the service provid­ers who had worked with them to provide the much needed support.

“We want to take a moment to say thank you, and celebrate the wonderful people in our community as they work towards re­covery,” Mrs Cormie said.

“We are grateful to be part of this com­munity, and want the community to know we are with them for the long journey of re­covery from natural disaster.

“Flood-affected residents can continue to contact our financial counsellors for sup­port, advocacy and referrals.”

The event, to be held in the Forbes Town Hall from 11am-2pm, will include a barbe­cue meal, fruit platters and soft drinks, and a gift for every attendee, as well as lucky door prizes. Forbes Shire Council’s GIVIT team and the Disaster Response Legal Service will also be attending and ready to support community members.

“We are looking forward to coming to­gether with the community for a relaxed and enjoyable event on July 2,” Mrs Corm­ie said.

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