PARKES AND FORBES
By taking the 2025 CNC into the heart of the regional NSW towns of Parkes and Forbes, in some small way we can assist families of the floods that occurred in the region in November 2022. The Lachlan River rose to nearly 10.8 metres at its peak. Many homes were destroyed, families experienced loss of belongings, livestock and much more. Homes were dragged from their footings and were washed down the river.
The town of Parkes was part of the colonial expansion of the early 19th century. It was founded in 1862 as a reef and alluvial gold centre, originally called Bushmans, after a prominent local mine owner. It was renamed in honor of Sir Henry Parkes, a state premier, in 1873. It was proclaimed a municipality in 1883.
Parkes is the commercial centre for the sheep, grain, fruit, pig and poultry farming area of the Western Slopes region. It is also a rail junction on the Newell Highway, with air connections to Sydney, 298 km southeast.
Gold mining in the area ceased in 1947.
Industries in the region include steel fabrication works, sawmills, joineries and agricultural machinery plants. One of the world’s largest 64 metres bowl-shaped radio telescopes, operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is located at Alectown, 25 km to the north. The annual ‘Parkes Elvis Festival’, celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley, has been held in January every year since its inception 8 years ago.
With the presence of the nearby Parkes Observatory, Parkes holds an important role within the scientific community. In addition to local research being conducted at the radio telescope, Parkes’ scientists have assisted NASA with several missions as a Southern Hemisphere relay and communications station. The movie The Dish was based somewhat loosely on the role the telescope played during the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing. The Dish, although set in Parkes, was largely filmed in Forbes’ historic precinct. This was due to the small number of historic buildings remaining in Parkes.
ITINERARY
Friday 28th March 2025 – Day One – Welcome
Registration: 11.00am – 5.00pm
Held in the Bushmans Conference Room at the Bushmans Motor Inn, 9-13 Peak Hill Road,Parkes.
Welcome, Meet and Greet: 6.30pm – 10.30pm – Canapes & Cash Bar
Bushmans Conference Room at the Bushmans Motor Inn, 9-13 Peak Hill Road, Parkes.
Saturday 29th March – Day Two
Breakfast– Parkes Rotary to provide BBQ at the Bushmans Motor Inn
Show ‘n’ Shine – Parkes Showground 8:30 am-3:30 pm
*Parkes Showground Cars to be parked by 9.00am.
*Food trucks will be at the venue for Lunch at your own expense.
The National Presidents’ Meeting will take place at 4:00 pm.
Saturday alternative to the show & shine.
An interesting and entertaining tour with local guide Roel, who sounds like a bit of a character. This tour is by bus and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The tour will take in local attractions with commentary.
Tour time: 9.30 am -11 am.
Following this, there is time to check out the local shops in Parkes and get your lunch at any of the cafes, clubs, restaurants, pubs etc in town.
On returning to the bus, a visit to the Elvis museum, Henry Parkes museum and the gardens will follow. A fee of $20 is required (which also covers both Museums). You will return to your hotels at approximately 3.30 pm.
Saturday Night-Dinner
Country Style Roast Buffet @ the Parkes Showground.
Sunday 30th March 2025-Day Three
Breakfast: Parkes Rotary will provide a BBQ breakfast at the Bushmans Motor Inn.
On Sunday we’ll take a leisurely ‘Observation’ cruise to Forbes.
Once at Forbes we’ll visit a local Car Museum, followed by a short drive back to the centre of Forbes to enjoy our lunch of ‘Pizza in the Park’. Here, the locals will be given the opportunity to inspect our beautiful Corvettes.
Leaving Forbes, we’ll drive directly north through Parkes, and then onto ‘The Dish’.
When we return to our Motels, there will be time to relax and enjoy a drink with old and new friends.
Sunday Gala dinner – 6.30pm
The ‘Gala Dinner’ will be held downtown at the Parkes Services Club. Drinks will be available for purchase from the bar.
The Show’n’ Shine Awards will be presented, along with announcement of the auction and raffle winners.
Dinner Venue: Parkes Services & Citizens Club Co-Op Ltd, 9-17 Short Street, Parkes.
*There will be a Bus Transfer from your hotel to the Venue
Monday 31 March 2025
Breakfast at one of the local Cafes
Time to pack your Corvettes, say farewell, and make the safe journey home.Held in
ACCOMODATION
NOTE: Please contact the site directly to book your accomodation.
Bushmans Motor Inn (NOTE:Fully Booked)
9-13 Peak Hill Road
Parkes.
PH: 02 6862 2199 or 0426 364 606 (Maeve)
North Parkes Motel
54-56 Peak Hill Rd
Parkes.
Ph: 02 6863 4333 (Leanne or Andrew) or 0422 408 269
Parkes International (NOTE:Fully Booked)
18-30 Peak Hill Road
Parkes.
Ph:026862 5222 (Bree or Tom) or 0456 308 837
*Phone bookings Preferred, call between 4.30pm – 7.00pm EST*
Station Motel
82 Peak Hill Rd
Parkes.
Ph:02 6862 8444 (Samara or Jason) or 0437 970 193
*Phone bookings Preferred, call between 4.30pm – 7.00pm EST*
Budget Hotels
Moonraker Motor Inn
444 Clarinda Street Parkes
PH: 02 6862 2355 (Muhammed)
Apollo Motel
62 Peak Hill Road Parkes
PH: 02 6862 3388 (Andrew)
Trailer Parking
Off street parking for car trailers is available at: Bushmans Inn (6), North Parkes Motel (4) and Parkes International (3). For confirmation on availability of trailer parking, please contact:
Peter Eldred: 0407 709 854
BREAKFAST
Buffet breakfasts are available only at the Parkes International and Station Motels (at your own cost).
You may choose to enjoy a buffet breakfast at one of these Motels whether you’re staying there or not. But, you will need to book well in advance.
The Parkes Rotary Club will be cooking up breakfast at the Bushmans Motel, Saturday and Sunday morning.
Breakfast
1. Bacon/Egg Roll
2. Bacon/Sausage Roll
3. Juice
*Tim’s coffee van will be on site to provide your morning kick start (coffee).
CONTACTS
2025 CNC Co-Ordinator – Harry Turner 0409 409 599
Club President – Jeff Wilson 0478 228 899
Vic President – Peter Eldred 0407 709 854
Club Secretary – Belinda Ford 0409 419 360
