From Parkes Shire Council
Parkes Shire Council is excited to announce the recipients of Round 1 of the Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) for 2026. The round was popular with seven applicants requesting over $45,000 in support. Council has allocated $39,250 in funding to various community events throughout the shire.
The EFAP is designed to support both new and existing events that contribute positively to the Parkes community while striving for event sustainability. The funding, which includes cash and in-kind support such as facility use and equipment, will enhance various local and regional events.
The recipients are:
| Applicant | Event | In-Kind Contribution | Cash Contribution |
| Central West Car Club | 2026 Show ‘n’ Shine – Pioneer Oval, Saturday 17 October: A charity car show supporting local causes. | – | $5,000 |
| Parkes Action Club | Christmas Carnival – Cooke Park, Friday 4 December: A festive event enhancing community spirit during the holiday season. | $4,345 | $655 |
| Parkes Ministers Association | Christmas Carols – Cooke Park, Sunday 13 December: A festive event enhancing community spirit during the holiday season. | $5,200 | $2,000 |
| Parkes RSL Sub-Branch | Remembrance Day – Cooke Park Cenotaph, Wednesday 11 November: Honouring and remembering those who served. | $1,500 | $500 |
| Central West Lachlan Landcare | Parkes Homegrown – Cooke Park, Saturday 12 September: Showcasing local produce and fostering community engagement. | $8,690 | $1,310 |
| Adavale Lane Community Centre Inc | Bush Dance Dinner & Poetry – Adavale Lane Community Centre, Saturday 25 July; Glitter & Glow 70s/80s Night, Saturday 12 September: Two community events to help build community spirit and cohesion. | – | $4,050 |
| Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club | The Long Lunch – Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club, Friday 11 September: A community event to bring Tullamore together. | – | $6,000 |
| Total Funding: $39,250 | $19,735 | $19,515 | |
General Manager of Parkes Shire Council, Kent Boyd, said Council is pleased to support such a diverse range of events through the Events Financial Assistance Program. “Each of these events plays a crucial role in enhancing community engagement, boosting local tourism, and fostering a sense of pride within our region.
“Council’s commitment to supporting these initiatives reflects what the community has requested – to building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Parkes Shire. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these events continue to have on our community,” Mr Boyd said.
Alan Flavel and David Lewis of the Tullamore Bowling & Citizens Club thanked Parkes Shire Council for the funding for their inaugural long lunch on the 10th of October. “It really means a lot to the club. We were really struggling for a couple of years, but a lot of volunteering and work have gone in to get the club back up to where it was. We will host the inaugural long lunch with this grant and make it a yearly event and build and build until it becomes well known in the shire.”
Tricia Trim from the Parkes Coradgery & Diggers Club thanked Council for the assistance (in the previous round of the program). We’ve had our event, the Parkes Picnic Races, on the 6th of June. Unfortunately, this year, we had a wet track with no horses, but it was still a very successful day. We have received wonderful feedback and everybody who attended really, really enjoyed it! We would like to thank Counsel for the support.”
The next round of the Events Financial Assistance Program will open in October 2026 for events to be held in the first half of 2027.
Details and application forms can be found on Parkes Shire Council’s website: https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/Councils-Grants-Programs