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

A nurse fills a syringe with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Perth as part of the vaccine rollout. Picture: AAP

What the AstraZeneca advice change means for you

Sydneysiders told to mask up on public transport

DIGESTSydneysiders told to mask up on public transport

Hope: NSW Hunter researcher Nathan Bartlett led studies into a nasal spray treatment that could prevent COVID-19. The project has secured $32 million to start human clinical trials. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

$32 million for nasal spray that could help prevent COVID

Ramp it up: Associate Professor Bartlett says now that the AstraZeneca age limits have changed - based on the accumulation of data - "We need to get faster with Pfizer. Get it out to these hubs, and into people's arms."

'An evolving situation': Why AstraZeneca advice has changed

Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

Vaccine rollout 'still on track' despite AstraZeneca advice change

Karen Barlow

The Australian government says people shouldn't hesitate to get their second AstraZeneca jab. Picture: Shutterstock

Get your second AstraZeneca dose: message from health authorities

Sally Whyte

COVID vaccine advice changes for people aged 50-59

DIGESTCOVID vaccine advice changes for people aged 50-59

Health Minister Greg Hunt and Health Department Secretary Professor Brendan Murphy at an earlier briefing. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

AstraZeneca to be limited to over 60s in 'Operation Covid Shield'

Karen Barlow
Sally Whyte

PARKES' GOLDEN GIRL: Mariah Williams with her ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she will be playing with the Hockeyroos. Photo: Supplied.

Parkes' golden girl Mariah Williams off to the Tokyo Olympics

Kristy Williams

IT'S TIME: Hedley Nicholson OAM will certainly be missed at the Parkes Tennis Centre after he announced he was stepping down from his many duties he'd been doing for 43 years. Photo: Christine Little

Hedley hangs up his many hats at Parkes Tennis Centre after 43 years

Christine Little

COMFORTABLE WIN: Brett Hutchings drives Caribbean Pat to victory in the opening race at Bathurst. Photo: ALEXANDER GRANT

Caribbean has it down Pat after Bathurst victory for Parkes pair

Alexander Grant

PARKES' GOLDEN GIRL: Mariah Williams with her ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she will be playing with the Hockeyroos. Photo: Supplied.

Parkes' golden girl Mariah Williams off to the Tokyo Olympics

MASTERFUL: From left, Denise Gersbach, Mandy Westcott and Maureen Massey have been picked to represent NSW. Photo: Supplied.

Parkes women set to represent NSW at Masters hockey Nationals

Kristy Williams

MAKING A BREAK: Parkes spent much of the game chasing Forbes forwards in vain. Photo: Jenny Kingham.

Magpies too good in under 18s derby against Spacemen

Kristy Williams

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates with fans after winning the men's 200m final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

'A different feeling': The pressure on players without an Olympic crowd

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates with fans after winning the men's 200m final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

'A different feeling': The pressure on players without an Olympic crowd

PARKES' GOLDEN GIRL: Mariah Williams with her ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she will be playing with the Hockeyroos. Photo: Supplied.

Parkes' golden girl Mariah Williams off to the Tokyo Olympics

PARKES' GOLDEN GIRL: Mariah Williams with her ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she will be playing with the Hockeyroos. Photo: Supplied.

Parkes' golden girl Mariah Williams off to the Tokyo Olympics

GREEN AND GOLD: Hamilton export Melissa Tapper will represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in table tennis. She won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty Images

Second Games tilt for seasoned table tennis competitor

GREEN AND GOLD: Hamilton export Melissa Tapper will represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in table tennis. She won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty Images

Second Games tilt for seasoned table tennis competitor

Should you be worried about the mouse plague?

LISTENShould you be worried about the mouse plague?

Should you be worried about the mouse plague?

LISTENShould you be worried about the mouse plague?

Take part in our listener survey

Take part in our listener survey

Take part in our listener survey

Take part in our listener survey

Voice of Real Australia host Tom Melville says hes proud the podcast is making a mark on the world. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

LISTENPodcast about regional life picks up award

Voice of Real Australia host Tom Melville says hes proud the podcast is making a mark on the world. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

LISTENPodcast about regional life picks up award

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

Free child restraint checks are available for Parkes Shire residents this month.

WHAT'S ONFree child restraint checks for Parkes Shire residents

THEY'RE BACK: UpStage NSW Musical Theatre Workshop which is coming to Orange, featuring former Parkes singer Jessica Westcott. Photo: Supplied

WHAT'S ONParkes' Jessica Westcott featuring again in musical theatre workshop

The Parkes Picnic Races are set to take place this Saturday.

WHAT'S ONRain can't dampen enthusiasm about Parkes Picnic Races

Kristy Williams

Free child restraint checks are available for Parkes Shire residents this month.

WHAT'S ONFree child restraint checks for Parkes Shire residents

Preparations are underway for the 2021 Local Government elections.

WHAT'S ONCountdown begins: Five register for council election, info sessions on soon

Christine Little

IMPORTANT TALK: Kevin Simington will be speaking at St George's Anglican Church, starting at 7.15pm this Wednesday. Photo: Supplied.

'Rev Kev' speaking at St George's this Wednesday night

Filling a void in the market

Filling a void in the market

Della Vreeland

The Great Central West

The Great Central West

President of the Koala Hospital, Sue Ashton

Black Dog Institute continues to support bush fire recovery

Gemma Purves

Filling a void in the market

Filling a void in the market

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

INTERVENTION: A new report stresses the importance of intervening to stabilise the market, with housing stock valued at an estimated $8.1 trillion and housing construction accounting for five per cent of all Australian jobs. Photo - Shutterstock.

Soaring prices need addressing

INTERVENTION: A new report stresses the importance of intervening to stabilise the market, with housing stock valued at an estimated $8.1 trillion and housing construction accounting for five per cent of all Australian jobs. Photo - Shutterstock.

Soaring prices need addressing

REGIONAL MOVES: Moving to the country is an exciting lifestyle change but the move itself is a little more complicated than moving suburbs or cities. Photo - Shutterstock.

Making your escape to the country

REGIONAL MOVES: Moving to the country is an exciting lifestyle change but the move itself is a little more complicated than moving suburbs or cities. Photo - Shutterstock.

Making your escape to the country

Some major regional locations such as Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong had strong property markets long before the pandemic according to Adviseable Property Buyer Kate Hill. Photo - Supplied.

Not every regional location is a sure-fire winner

CAUTION: If you are considering investing in property it is always best to do your research before taking the plunge. Photo - Shutterstock.

How to avoid the common pitfalls

realestateview.com.au

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

If you're shopping online, look out for fake websites pretending to be real stores.

Scamwatch: What to look out for when online shopping

PROGRAM A SUCCESS: John Grady with his eager students at Trundle Central School and some of their work, a fire bucket and model dozers, from left, Jordan Whalan, Sam Charlton, Miranda Barnes, Laney Cantrell, Max Longhurst and Kiera Stevson. Photo: Christine Little

Former shearer and School to Work program bring out the best in Trundle's students

Christine Little

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Judges Mr Peter Bright, Mr Duke Jelbart and Mrs E Taylor with the winners in the years 9/10 competition. Photo: Supplied.

Students speak from the heart at CWA Public Speaking competition

If you're shopping online, look out for fake websites pretending to be real stores.

Scamwatch: What to look out for when online shopping

The PBS vehicle display will take place at this year's Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum.

Registrations open for Forbes heavy vehicle breakfast forum

RAMHP Coordinator Philip Worrad at the Landcare volunteer training day. Phil will be presenting the Mental Health First Aid Course in Parkes.

Opportunity to learn mental health first aid

Marg Applebee

ABOLUTE STUNNER: This glorious and eye-catching tree stood proudly full of red leaves; that stayed on longer due to the drier weather.

PHOTOSTrees paint the town red in chilly Autumn for Parkes

Cobras can't tame the raging Bulls

PHOTOSCobras can't tame the raging Bulls

TOO STRONG: Ethan Morton evades a Bathurst Giants defender on the weekend. The Panthers won 181-1. Photo: Jenny Kingham.

PHOTOSPanthers continue red-hot start to premiership defence

The debutantes and their partners, flower girls, page boys, matron and reverend at the 2021 Anglican debutante ball.

PHOTOSTen debutantes take part in traditional 'entrance to society'

Pixar's Luca is a coming-of-age story about a boy and his newfound best friend. But all of their fun is threatened by a secret: they are sea monsters. Picture: Disney/Pixar

Pixar's Luca an invitation to the Italian Riviera

Lindsey Bahr

Pavlo Lehenkyi as Emerson in A Family. Picture: Pivot Pictures

REVIEWA Family: The unexpected Australian movie filmed in Ukraine

Cris Kennedy

Julie Delpy, Sophia Ally and Richard Armitage in My Zoe. Picture: Blue Fox Entertainment

REVIEWMy Zoe: a bold, intimate human drama

Jane Freebury

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates with fans after winning the men's 200m final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

'A different feeling': The pressure on players without an Olympic crowd

Steve Evans

WELL DESERVED: Phil Donato with 2021 Orange electorate Woman of the Year Mrs Beverley Rankin from Orange. Photo: Submitted

Fishways, firearms bill and Woman of the Year on Donato's agenda

Phil Donato

Parkes pool and climate still on the agenda for our readers

Parkes pool and climate still on the agenda for our readers

Forget oil and gas - what about the next generation, APPEA?

OPINIONForget oil and gas - what about the next generation, APPEA?

Bella Burgemeister

SUPERCENTENARIAN: Dexter Kruger is now Australia's oldest living man on record. Photo: Lucy Kinbacher.

GOOD NEWSMeet Dexter Kruger, 111, Australia's oldest man on record

Samara Ross

SHINGLES SHOTS: Free shingles vaccinations for 71-79-yr-olds to end this year.

Clock ticking for over-70s shingles shot

Eileen Wood

Self and part-funded retirees welcome budget measures. Image Shutterstock

Fully and part-funded retirees get some wins from federal budget

Eileen Wood

The campaign for the Murugappan family's release has grown ever louder.

National protests supporting Tamil family

23m ago

A man has been charged with 80 drug offences after being arrested at Maitland police station.

NSW man facing 80 drug charges after raid

1hr ago

Cars line up for testing at Bondi as health authorities scramble to quash a new COVID outbreak.

Two local NSW cases as Bondi cluster grows

2hrs ago

Reunited: Greg Lowe was separated from his wife and three sons for a year until Friday afternoon.

Young family reunite after a year on opposite sides of the world

1hr ago

Artist Kerry McInnis with her portrait of Jude Rae. Picture: Supplied

What happens to hundreds of paintings that don't make the Archibald?

Megan Doherty
1hr ago

NSW is allocating another $270m to equipping firefighting agencies to protect rural communities.

NSW firefighting boosted with extra $270m

John Kidman
2hrs ago

Wild storms in the Dandenongs ten days ago brought down powerlines, cutting supply to many homes.

No power for three weeks for Vic homes

Liz Hobday
2hrs ago

An extra 30,000 people will get a government hand to secure a family home with a small deposit.

Federal housing support schemes expanded

Camellias, florists cyclamen, polyanthus, pansies, violas and nemesia flowering in June in a sheltered courtyard.

Flower power brightens chilly days

Fiona Ogilvie
55m ago

Elders Jerilderie, manager Nick Gray with Pat Curtin cutting the ribbon watched by mayor Ruth McRae. Photo: supplied

Grand opening for Elders at Jerilderie

Dr Shane Norrish, CEO Landcare Australia, Federal Minister Sussan Ley, Donna ONeill, KPMG Australia, , Doug Humann AM, Chair Landcare Australia, Dr Alison Southwell, CEO Holbrook Landcare Network. Photo: Bethany Clare Photography

KPMG reports mental benefits of Landcare

PREPARED: Senior cat Cabbage's owner has a clear emergency plan for all his animals.

Emergency plans must include your fur and human family

Dr Anne Quain

GUT GARDEN: A microbiota with numerous bacteria species is considered a healthy one. A varied, nutritious diet is the way to go. Picture: Shutterstock.

OPINIONCome on into the VIP section good bacteria

Amy Cooper

Many officer workers found their quality of sleep had suffered when working from home.

Flexi-fatigue: hidden dangers of working in PJs from your bed