Parkes news, sport and weather | Parkes Champion-Post | Parkes, NSW

Health minister Greg Hunt says new on-shore mRNA vaccine production could include Moderna. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Moderna deal paves way for local mRNA production

The latest federal budget contains a $17.7 billion plan to improve Australia's aged-care system.

Record $17.7b to improve aged-care system

Tradesmen will be among those to benefit from the extension of business investment incentives.

Business gives big budget spend thumbs up

Missing: Cash for purpose-built quarantine facility

DIGESTMissing: Cash for purpose-built quarantine facility

All you need to know on the big-spending budget

DIGESTAll you need to know on the big-spending budget

John Paul Moloney

ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt says the university sector in one industry bearing the brunt of border closures. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

'We will be left behind': ANU vice-chancellor calls for border plan

Sally Whyte

Why two Newmans are making headlines

DIGESTWhy two Newmans are making headlines

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

DIGESTDo you know your ABC? Appreciation, Budget, Coronavirus

Victoria Lee

RACING AT HOME: Parkes jockey Tiffany Jeffries with Thee Jenner, which is owned by her husband Alex Prout and trained by her mum Sharon. The gelding will be running in Race 5 on Sunday. Photo: Kristy Williams.

A family affair for the Jeffries at this Sunday's Parkes Cup

Kristy Williams

Under 11's Junior League Tag

PHOTOSBig wins for Parkes Marist juniors over Forbes Magpies

Abi Simpson was recently selected for the NSW under 21 side.

Parkes' Abi Simpson selected in NSW under 21's side

Kristy Williams

RACING AT HOME: Parkes jockey Tiffany Jeffries with Thee Jenner, which is owned by her husband Alex Prout and trained by her mum Sharon. The gelding will be running in Race 5 on Sunday. Photo: Kristy Williams.

A family affair for the Jeffries at this Sunday's Parkes Cup

BIG MISSION: Hit The Target, trained by the Scone-based Stephen Jones stable, is the topweight in Sunday's Parkes Services Club Parkes Cup. Photo: Phil Blatch.

Jones looking to 'Hit The Target' with Parkes Cup tilt

Kristy Williams

REP HONOUR: Parkes' Finnley Neilsen, pictured playing for the Western Rams in the Laurie Daley Cup earlier this year, has been selected in the under 18 NSW Country team.

Neilsen, Folau to represent NSW Country

Tom Barber

Mark Richards has barely worked since Hazelwood power station closed in 2017. Picture: Tom Melville

LISTENCommunity left behind as nation snubs coal

Mark Richards has barely worked since Hazelwood power station closed in 2017. Picture: Tom Melville

LISTENCommunity left behind as nation snubs coal

Jim Morrison (centre) and other members of the Special Operations Group responded to the Port Arthur shooting in 1996. Picture: Supplied

LISTENFirst responders break silence on Port Arthur massacre

Jim Morrison (centre) and other members of the Special Operations Group responded to the Port Arthur shooting in 1996. Picture: Supplied

LISTENFirst responders break silence on Port Arthur massacre

Community solar farms empowering small towns

LISTENCommunity solar farms empowering small towns

Community solar farms empowering small towns

LISTENCommunity solar farms empowering small towns

FIRST PLACE: Parkes businessman Peter O'Donnell (centre) and his team Garry Mennell and Peter Johnston with the Class B1 trophy after Sunday's win at the Bathurst 6 Hour. Photo: Submitted

King of his class: O'Donnell wins his first Bathurst 6 Hour

FIRST PLACE: Parkes businessman Peter O'Donnell (centre) and his team Garry Mennell and Peter Johnston with the Class B1 trophy after Sunday's win at the Bathurst 6 Hour. Photo: Submitted

King of his class: O'Donnell wins his first Bathurst 6 Hour

START YOUR ENGINE: Parkes businessman Peter O'Donnell will compete in his third Bathurst 6 Hour in his BMW 335i and he's taking Elvis with him this year. Photo: Submitted

Elvis will be on the Mountain this Easter long weekend

START YOUR ENGINE: Parkes businessman Peter O'Donnell will compete in his third Bathurst 6 Hour in his BMW 335i and he's taking Elvis with him this year. Photo: Submitted

Elvis will be on the Mountain this Easter long weekend

BIRTHDAY CHEERS: A small group of Elvis fans gathered at Bob and Anne Steel's house in High Street for an informal celebration of the King’s birthday on January 8 - Mary Fanello was invited to cut the cake as she shares the same birthday with Elvis.

PHOTOSNo Elvis Festival in 2021 but fans still celebrate the King's 86th birthday

BIRTHDAY CHEERS: A small group of Elvis fans gathered at Bob and Anne Steel's house in High Street for an informal celebration of the King’s birthday on January 8 - Mary Fanello was invited to cut the cake as she shares the same birthday with Elvis.

PHOTOSNo Elvis Festival in 2021 but fans still celebrate the King's 86th birthday

LOAD SESSIONS: Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said attendees would see damaged restraint equipment and case studies. Photo: Submitted

WHAT'S ONFree load restraint sessions for farmers, harvesters or operators

MORE SUPPORT: Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall (inset) announced extra mice management workshops for farmers battling the plague across the state.

WHAT'S ONMinister announces extra support for Central West farmers still battling mouse plague

PICNICS COMING SOON: Some of the 2018 Fashions on the Field winners - Guest judge Julie Herbert, Ben Terry, Aimee Hay, Karlie de Kaste, and Melissa West.

WHAT'S ONReady to get 'Back to Parkes'? Town gears up for first picnic races in two years

Jeff Hanson

LOAD SESSIONS: Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said attendees would see damaged restraint equipment and case studies. Photo: Submitted

WHAT'S ONFree load restraint sessions for farmers, harvesters or operators

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Keep an eye out for mherv in Parkes on May 15 and 16 in the Parkes Shire Council car park, next to the post office.

WHAT'S ONMen's health van to visit Parkes

Christine Little

The Emerald City

PHOTOSParkes Musical and Dramatic Society opens Wicked

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Emma Brown

Discovering the beauty of Regional NSW

Discovering the beauty of Regional NSW

2020-21 Parkes Community Guide

2020-21 Parkes Community Guide

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Purnim Dairy Farmer Anthony Eccles, is seeing healthier cows and calves from feeding Mylo.

Maximising herd health with Mylo in south west Victoria

Partner Content

2020 Parkes Community Guide

2020 Parkes Community Guide

JOIN FORCES: Property syndicates suit those who may have a limited budget and want to see long-term growth rather than flip properties. Photo - Shutterstock.

Alternative ways to invest in property

JOIN FORCES: Property syndicates suit those who may have a limited budget and want to see long-term growth rather than flip properties. Photo - Shutterstock.

Alternative ways to invest in property

The path to buying property will take almost 20 months for many Australians. Picture: Wilm Ihlenfeld/Shutterstock

How long does it take to buy a new home? Research says 20 months

The path to buying property will take almost 20 months for many Australians. Picture: Wilm Ihlenfeld/Shutterstock

How long does it take to buy a new home? Research says 20 months

CUTE AND COMFY: The renovated caravan, which proved the perfect tiny house, on the Louth Park property. Pictures: Ben Wirt Photography

Thinking small a big step in the right direction for home hunters

Alex Morris

PROTECT YOUR ASSETS: According to the Insurance Council of Australia, landlords should consider how they can protect their premises, its assets and the income they receive from their tenants. Photo - Shutterstock.

Insurance is fundamental to protect your investment

Property prices are becoming unaffordable

Property prices are becoming unaffordable

TARGET: Fraudsters are impersonating caravan and motorhome companies in a recent scam that is circualting across Asutralia.

Scamwatch: If the price is too good to be true, it might be fake

Congratulations: Val Worthington was recently acknowledged for 60 years of service.

Val Worthington honoured for 60 years of service

Pam Nankivell

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: John Chatman with his sons Ian, Andrew, Stephen, Mark and David. Photo: Kristy Williams.

John Chatman turned 95 and he is still as cheeky as ever

Kristy Williams

TARGET: Fraudsters are impersonating caravan and motorhome companies in a recent scam that is circualting across Asutralia.

Scamwatch: If the price is too good to be true, it might be fake

National Motoring Heritage Day is this Sunday.

Australia's proud motoring heritage on show in Parkes

HUGE SUCCESS: Some of the main roles performed by Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society members in the 2013 production of The Sound of Music. Photo: Parkes Champion Post

Sound of Music caps off very successful season for M&D in 2013

Warwick Tom

Under 11's Junior League Tag

PHOTOSBig wins for Parkes Marist juniors over Forbes Magpies

Bats as far as the eye can see

Bats as far as the eye can see

CLUB SONG: Western Districts Football Club president, Tony Nolan get the club to sing "When the Saints go marching in" after the AFL funding announcement. Watch the song in the video.

AFL helps fund $4 million club rebuild on Kangaroo Island

The Emerald City

PHOTOSParkes Musical and Dramatic Society opens Wicked

DAWN SERVICE: The magpies on Memorial Hill always attend the Anzac Day dawn service. This particularly special moment was beautifully captured by our casual photographer.

PHOTOSIn the morning: Parkes remembers all who served at dawn service

Christine Little

DARK DAYS: Bad//Dreems guitarist and songwriter Alex Cameron, top right, admits it was difficult spending the majority of 2020 dislocated from the music industry. Picture: Ian Laidlaw

MUSICBad//Dreems guitarist reflects on nightmarish tour

Josh Leeson

Rhiannan Iffland diving from a hot air balloon in the Hunter.

Watch the incredible moment a diver jumps from a hot air balloon into a dam

Damon Cronshaw

Above it all: Musician and producer Billy Otto.

The boy who gave Netflix and Byron Baes the flick

Jim Kellar

FESTIVAL GLOW: Former Parkes man Michael Samson attended this year's Canowindra International Balloon Challenge and has shared some of his great snaps. Photo: Michael Samson

Heated discussion: Readers have their say on indoor pool proposal

Climate, fountains and toilets - readers discuss range of topics | Letters

Climate, fountains and toilets - readers discuss range of topics | Letters

Howard Springs was better known for its bakery's donuts before the quarantine came along.

REAL AUSTRALIAHoward Springs is in the national spotlight but don't forget the donuts

Chris McLennan

New research has found 70 per cent of Australians aged 65 and do not have any form of advance care planning document in place and of the 30 per cent that do, the majority of them are either incomplete, invalid or not legally binding. Photo: Shutterstock

End-of-life crisis looming for older Australians

Geraldine Cardozo

Foods seniors should be eating

Foods seniors should be eating

Samara Ross

WOMEN'S BUSINESS: Obstetrician Caroline de Costa has been delivering babies for almost 50 years. Photo: Sean Davey.

How delivering babies has changed in 50 years

Samara Ross

The frigate HMAS Anzac has been sent to the aid of a fishing vessel in trouble in the Indian Ocean.

ADF in search for fishing vessel in strife

38m ago

A woman has died in the collision of a bus and a car on Queensland's Warrego Highway east of Roma.

Woman dies in Qld bus versus car crash

1hr ago

Israeli-Gaza hostilities have entered their fifth day, with no sign of abating.

Security Council to meet on Israel, Gaza

Scott Morrison has spoken with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson in the lead up to next month's G7.

PM, Boris Johnson speak on climate change

Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has lost his defamation case against the ABC.

V'landys loses ABC defamation case

Margaret Scheikowski

Dozens of Australians will not be returning home from India after testing positive to COVID-19.

Positive tests thwart return from India

Daniel McCulloch and Paul Osborne

An Australian man has dropped a constitutional challenge to the India travel ban.

India travel ban legal challenge dropped

Luke Costin

NSW's deputy opposition leader Penny Sharpe has resigned over a mandatory disease-testing bill.

Penny Sharpe quits NSW shadow cabinet

Tiffanie Turnbull

Michael and Cheryl Rutherford with Nutrien's Bill Gilbert, Bathurst, and sale-topper bulls after the Stanford Poll Hereford autumn bull and female sale, Bathurst.

Strong return support for Rutherford stock

Mark Griggs

Wellington-based dry stone waller, Emma Knowles at one of her "Stone of Arc" walls at her Glenrock training Centre.

Wellington's great wall

Mark Griggs

Meat sheep take to the mat at NSW Sheep Show in Dubbo

Meat sheep take to the mat at NSW Sheep Show in Dubbo

Hannah Powe
Billy Jupp

"We all have the capacity for change. It's our choice whether we change up or change down". Picture: Shutterstock.

ADVICETo change up or change down, choice is your own

Gary Bentley

Anton Vikstrom with goats Jilly Love Face. Picture: Hannah Moloney

Urban goat keeping: the things to know

Hannah Moloney

Upcycling your garden ornaments.

Junkyard gardening: turning trash into garden treasures

John Gabriele