History Parkes

Cookamidgera

Travelling to Parkes on the “Orange Road” (technically Henry Parkes Way) there is a little village on the left, Cookamidgera. While its heyday has come and gone, it still holds … Continue reading →

October 31, 2019 · 9 Comments

The feature picture includes front page of Parkes Champion Post (left); photograph of The Dish at night (centre) and a montage of the many ways The Dish is connected to the Parkes community.

The Dish – Connecting Parkes & the World to the Moon

July 21st, 2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of man landing on the moon. A unique time in the history of humanity, one that was watched on television by one fifth … Continue reading →

July 18, 2019 · 2 Comments

One of the many books in Parkes Library’s Family & Local History Resource room is called Honour The Pioneers. That could be the motto historyparkes lives by, with each post honouring those who … Continue reading →

June 27, 2019 · 4 Comments

James McGirr – from Parkes to Premier

One of more famous surnames within the Parkes Shire is McGirr. The McGirrs were among the pioneers of Parkes and their influence was great not just in Parkes but also … Continue reading →

May 31, 2019 · 2 Comments

Photograph of an ANZAC Day service at Bogan Gate with a poppy - the symbol synonymous with Remembrance Day worldwide. Source: State Library Archives and Australian War Memorial website

Bogan Gate War Memorial

Most, if not all, country towns have a war memorial. A monument to commemorate those who made the supreme sacrifice; war memorials began after the First World War and have … Continue reading →

April 17, 2019 · 2 Comments

Images source: (left) Portrait of 402745 Flight Sergeant (later Pilot Officer) Rawdon Hume Middleton VC, RAAF, attached to No. 149 Squadron RAF from Australian War Memorial website; (centre) UK. C. 1942. Portrait of 402745 Flight Sergeant R. H. Middleton VC, taken while he was undergoing training from Australian War Memorial website; and emblem of Middleton Public School, taken from school website.

Rawdon Middleton VC

The term ‘hero’ is an over-used and often inaccurate phrase allocated to popular celebrities and champions of sport. However Rawdon Middleton is a hero in the truest sense – a … Continue reading →

April 2, 2019 · Leave a comment

HMAS Parkes

The legacy of Sir Henry Parkes continues beyond the naming of the town and shire known as Parkes. A minesweeper during the Second World War was named after the town … Continue reading →

February 15, 2019 · 2 Comments

Front cover of Cliff Kearney's book about his cousin, Flying Officer Keith Kearney of Bogan Gate. Source: db Books website which can be found at https://www.dbbooks.com.au/p/17903/Flying-Officer-from-Bogan-Gate---Cliff-Kearney---sc---*signed*.html

The Flying Officer from Bogan Gate

The story of Keith Kearney, a young lad from Bogan Gate, is similar to many others of his era. With life opening its doors of possibilities, the Second World War … Continue reading →

December 21, 2018 · Leave a comment

Cec Pepper: The Parkes Lad Too Spicy for Bradman

Title picture of the larger than life personality that was Cecil ‘Cec’ Pepper. Clockwise from left: Cecil Pepper and Keith Miller walk out to bat during 1940s; author Ken Piesse … Continue reading →

December 19, 2018 · 2 Comments

Len Unger – 100 years in the Parkes Shire

PLEASE NOTE: The oral history recording of Len Unger was conducted on his 100th birthday in his room at Rosedurnate Aged Care Plus Centre. There are activities within the building, … Continue reading →

November 21, 2018 · Leave a comment