Saturday, September 30 the Parkes Historicall Society held their special Heriatge Event for 2017. We were acknowledging several events that occurred during 2017, which covers our commitment to Parkes heritage.
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80 years of 2PK ROK FM “The voice of the Golden West” operating and its involvement with our community. Firstly by commencing 1939 the Sunshine Club raising funds for the Drummond Far West Childrens Home, the Childrens Koala Club and in 1967 supporting and sponsoring the 50 years of country music. It’s 50 years when the Emmanuel family came to Parkes and 50 years since the Historical Society opened their first Henry Parkes Museum.
The day commenced at 7am when 2PK staff arrived at the museum in their van. The staff gave us their time for free as they had been given the long weekend off. We are so grateful for this.
From 9am to about 1pm we had the day broadcasted. Elliot Kinsela interviewed so many people including mayor Ken Keith and brother town crier Tim Keith, country and western singer Wayne Horsborough, some of 2PK’s old staff, Mark Drummond from the Far West Childrens Health Scheme – the founder of the homes grandson.
Elliot spoke to as many people as he could and the cutting of the cake was also broadcast.
The special cake was cooked and decorated by Smeatons Bakery and we would like to thank the ladies who spent so much time making the special emblems on the cake that depicted us all.
Wayne Horsborough entertained us all morning and we would like to thank him because we knew he had a busy day down at the 2017 Parkes Country Music Festival. We were not overburdened with speeches and it was great for our event to have the town crier.
Our special guests for the day were the Trundle Sunshine Club, Molong, Manildra and Orange. Until we started looking for the history of each group we were aware that Forbes, Trundle, Dubbo, Grenfell, Orange, Molong and Manildra still had a Sunshine Club and it was very special for us to see them. Two members of the far West Health Scheme Management Committee Sharon Scott and Mark Drummond also made the day memorable for us. As did Councillor Pat Smith, Lindsay Morehouse (2PK special technician) and his daughter.
We had the 2PK Sunshine Club Cooking Book reprinted and are selling them and the profit will go down to the Far West Health Scheme in Manly. We have also commenced a book of as many Sunshine Club members names as we can get. So please if you have a family name would you please give it to us at the museum.
We were astounded by the photos and memorabila we have been able to borrow for the 2PK display and the most memorable aprons that were made for the handicraft day, which Betty held each year are quite beautiful.
Country music was the hardiest for us to find.
Looking for items to display for each special group has taken almost all year to find them. The Historical Society was the easiest, followed by the Emmanuel display – so many very lovely and informative posters and the story of the family, then 2PK special books etc, on loan.
On Thursday, October 5 we celebrated 2PK ROKFM’s birthday at Keast Park, near where the original 2PK building that was burnt down was. Elliot broadcasted from 7am to 9am and we shared a breakfast of egg and bacon rolls. One of our members won a special little card on the Spin the Wheel and was she happy.
Our apologies were from State Member for Orange Phil Donato, Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Minister for Lands and Forestry Paul Toole, Councillor Bill Jayet and family, Darcy Emmanuel, Trish and Tony Jackson, and Councillor Neil Westcott (he had his own family reunion).
Putting this display together has been one of the most rewarding as we have involved so many people and we have now formed some very good friendships. I personally would like to thank all my members and their friends for their support.
