The Dish was lit up in orange on Wednesday for Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day in support of NSW SES volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week. The ob-servatory’s Visitors Centre gates were open for the night to the public for photo opportunities.
Christmas Parade Is Back: The Parkes Action Club is busy planning the 2021 Christmas Parade and Carnival on Friday, 3rd December. It will be done in a COVID-safe way and promises to be as good as it was in 2019. There will be prizes for the best floats in the parade, and many stalls to shop for Christmas presents. Local entertainment groups will be able to perform on the new stage in Cooke Park. Put the date in your diary – contact Peter Guppy on 0448 166 016 for more information.
How Good Is Your ‘Hood’? The largest social research project in Australian history is underway with the 2021 Australian Liveability Census. After a year where local neighbourhoods were more important than ever, it is the perfect time to understand what would make them better. The census aims to capture what really matters to communities and how our cities, towns and neighbourhoods are performing today. “We encourage you to take just 15 minutes to sit down and share what the most important thing to you is and include our community’s perspective in a national forum,” said Parkes Shire Councillor George Pratt. From open green spaces, to better footpaths, a buzzing nightlife or play equipment. What is your idea, big or small to make your neighbourhood more livable? “Council can also use the data to inform the next Parkes Shire Community Strategic Plan, as well as targeted service planning.” Find the link on Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Rock The Flock: Retrovibe, a popular Central Coast cover band is set to ‘rock the flock’ at St George’s Anglican Church tomorrow performing a free gig from 5:30 pm. There will be a free sausage sizzle and face painting for the kids. The four-piece professional band has been together for over 12 years. The band’s lead guitarist, Kevin Simington, is also an Anglican minister who is currently conducting an eight-week ministry at St George’s Anglican Church. The other members are John Hed-ley (bass guitar and vocals), Adam Bradford (drums and vocals) and Karen Durand (lead vocals). Karen is relatively new to the group and currently has a solo album that is charting very well nationally. Karen will be coming back to Parkes for a solo concert at St George’s Anglican on Saturday, 19th June. Retrovibe will also be playing at the church service on Sunday morning, leading worship and performing an item. It is not every day that a top cover band offers a free gig in Parkes! Make sure to get there.
The Parkes Croquet Club held its second match last Satruday. These are some of players who braved the cold wind (L-R) Julie Dearden, Ruth Unger, Ingrid Stephenson, Helen McQuie, Suzie McNamara, Gidge Copping, Sue and John Maddison.