Spring Homegrown Parkes Event Success
The Spring Homegrown Parkes Event was held in October 2025 in conjunction with the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards
Capacity building - LEP23-005-01_LLC_009
The issue
When Homegrown Parkes events commenced in March of 2023, it was widely recognised that there was a need for increased community connectivity and a need to encourage learnings around self sufficiency.
Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) committed to delivering two Homegrown Parkes events each year for the period of funding for the current Landcare Enabling Program.
Parkes Shire were also hosting the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards and due to the success of the event at the 2024 Awards, it was proposed to host them on the same weekend to showcase the event.
The solution
Our Spring 2025 event was held on Saturday, 10 October, coinciding with Parkes hosting visitors from across NSW for the State Awards. This was an opportunity to showcase an event that had one the Community Spirit and Inclusion Award in 2024.
Homegrown Parkes events aren’t about being bigger for every event. The ethos behind the ‘homegrown’ concept is more about quality. Whilst having 80 stalls in our park would provide a lot of diversity, it is really important that we maintain a standard that focusses on promoting local and regional businesses, not for profits etc.
We try to factor in community suggestions moving forward, particularly around demonstrations, workshops, educational opportunities and stallholder suggestions.
The impact
The Spring Homegrown Parkes event was an opportunity to celebrate our local talent, through performances with the Spicy Mercury Band, Parkes Dance Co and the Parkes Music and Dramatic Society.
Our Local State Member, Mr Philip Donato and his wife Nadia provided a workshop of Tiramisu making, with delicious samples for all attendees.
Central West Lachlan Landcare have committed to delivering Homegrown Parkes events for our community. We are supported by volunteers from our Committee, volunteers from the Parkes Community Arts Committee and with in-kind support from Parkes Shire Council and grant funding from Evolution Northparkes Operations.
Survey's are distributed for the public and stallholders after every event to provide an opportunity for the community to share their feedback. This provides suggestions and general ratings from each event to assist with planning moving forward.
Two further events are planned for Autumn and Spring of 2026.
Key facts
- Homegrown Parkes events would not be possible without the Landcare Enabling Program.
- These events are an opportunity to learn, encourage and buy locally.