It's great to see some moisture back in the ground and smiles on the faces of our local farming community.

The upgrades to Parkes Regional Airport are now being enjoyed by the public with the first official flight out of the new terminal this month. 

The new terminal has been designed for the future, with the ability to house security screening and a two gate access system. 

Thank you to all our community members and travellers for their patience throughout the upgrade, it's certainly been worth the wait. 

Thank you also to the Parkes Aero club for allowing Council to use their club house as a temporary terminal. 

The official opening of the Parkes Regional Airport upgrade will be held Thursday, June 16.

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NSW Trainlink has confirmed that the Parkes Railway Station services will remain unchanged. Following initial concern the local station was flagged to see services reduced to part time or unattended.

The news to preserve the Parkes Railway Station is a positive win for our community and Council would like to thank the local Member for Orange Andrew Gee MP and NSW Translink for ensuring Parkes Railway station continues to provide services to our community.

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Congratulations to the organisers and volunteers of the ABBA festival. 

What a great weekend jammed packed with entertainment. 

This year boasted more than 4,500 attendees with over 1,400 camping at the showground. 

The festival was an absolute credit to you all. 

Well done Trundle, you are an inspirational self help community.

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Several public art installations have been installed in the Parkes Central Business District (CBD) as part of Parkes Shire Council's Public Art Program which is focused on adding vibrancy to the main street. 

The public art installations were officially launched this month and Council is encouraging community members to take the time to view the creative imagery placed throughout our Parkes CBD.

Congratulations to local artist Jac Clarke who created the public art installations, they look fantastic and capture Parkes history, culture and future direction very cleverly.

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Council is encouraging community members to complete the Parkes Shire Council Communication Survey. 

The survey is designed to decipher how the community likes to have their news and information delivered to them. 

We would appreciate your feedback, further information and links to the survey are on Council's website or you can complete the survey at Council's Cecile Street Office.

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We are on the count down to the Parkes Picnic Races. 

This year's event as usual, will be held on the Saturday of the long weekend (June 11). 

The committee has an action-packed day planned with five races, fashion of the fields and live entertainment. 

You can purchase entry tickets at the Visitor Information Centre, 141 on Main or the Railway and Cambridge Hotels.

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As most would be aware surplus items from the former Parkes and Forbes Hospitals are being containerised to send to East Timor as part of the friendship agreement we have with the village of Weberek. 

I have started a public appeal to assist with the costs associated with transporting the containers. 

Donations from individuals or businesses can be made at the Council office, and would be greatly appreciated.