NSW Corvette Car Club will host the Corvette National Convention in 2025
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 Lach Ian River rose to nearly 10.8 metres at its peak. Many homes were destroyed, families experienced loss of belongings, loss of livestock and much more. Homes were taken from their footings and were washed down the river.
The town of Parkes was part of the colonial expansion of the early 19th century, the town was founded in 1862 as a reef and alluvial gold centre, originally called Bushmans after a prominent local mine owner. It was renamed for Sir Henry Parkes, a state premier, in 1873, was proclaimed a municipality in 1883.
Parkes is a 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, join eries and agricultural machinery plants. One of the world’s largest 64 metres bowl-shaped radio telescopes, operated by the Common wealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is at Alectown 25 km north. The annual Parkes Elvis Festival, celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley, has been held in January every year since its inception 8years ago.
With the presence of the nearby Parkes Observatory, Parkes has had an important role in the scientific community. In addition to local research conducted at the radio telescope, Parkes scientists have assisted NASA for 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 land ing. The Dish, although set in Parkes, was largely filmed in Forbes’ historic precinct. This is due to very few historic buildings remaining in Parkes.
Itinerary
Friday 28th March 2025 – Day One – Welcome
Registration – 11.00am – 5.00pm
Bushmans Conference room within Bushmans Motor Inn 9-13 Peak Hill Road
Parkes.
Welcome, Meet and Greet – 6.30pm – 10.30pm – Canapes & Cash Bar
Bushmans Conference room within Bushmans Motor Inn 9-13 Peak Hill Road
Parkes.
Saturday 29th March – Day Two
The National Presidents’ meeting will take place at 4pm.
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 parked by 9.00am.
Food trucks at the venue for Lunch at your own expense
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. Entry fee of $20(covers both Museums). Returning to hotels by approximately 3.30 pm.
Saturday Night-Dinner
Country Style Roast Buffet@ Parkes Showground.
Sunday 30th March 2025-Day Three
Breakfast- Parkes Rotary to provide BBQ at the Bushmans Motor Inn Today we’ll take a leisurely ‘Observation’ cruise to Forbes.
Once at Forbes we’ll be visiting a local Car Museum. A short drive back into Forbes and enjoy ‘Pizza in the Park’ for our lunch break. 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’.
Upon arrival back to Motels, there will be time to relax and enjoy a drink with old and new friends.
Gala dinner-6.30pm
The ‘Gala Dinner’ will be held downtown at the Parkes Services Club. Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar.
The Show’n’ Shine awards will be presented along with the auctions and raffle winners.
Parkes Services & Citizens Club Co-Op Ltd 9-17 Short Street, Parkes NSW 2870
Bus transfer from Accommodation to Venue
Monday 31 March 2025
Breakfast at one of the local Cates
Time to pack your Corvettes, say farewell, and make the safe journey home.
Rooms have been secured at 4 northern Parkes Motels. Bushmans, Northern Parkes, Parkes International and Station.
Buffet breakfasts are available only at the Parkes International and Station Motels (Additional cost).
You may choose to have a buffet breakfast at 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- Bacon/Egg Roll
Bacon/Sausage Roll Juice
Tim’s coffee van will be on site to provide your morning kick start (coffee).
Off street parking for car trailers is available at: Bushmans (6), Northern Parkes (4) and Parkes Internation al (3). For confirmation on availability of trailer parking, please contact: Peter Eldred: 0407 709 854
Accommodation— Please contact the site directly to book
Bushmans Motor Inn (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 (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
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