Jamie Chaffey (Parkes, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

I'm just a simple country boy at heart, so it was with great pride that I attended the Parkes Elvis Festival in January. Yes, I wore an Elvis jumpsuit, and, yes, I stood alongside a multitude of other 'Elvi', Priscillas and a couple of hound dogs, and they got all shook up. It's part of the Parkes electorate way of life. It's one of the most successful festivals in our nation, and I was simply taking care of business. But let's move along to a little less conversation and a little bit more action.

The Parkes Elvis Festival is a huge hit with Elvis fans around the world. It's estimated that more than 26,000 people can't help falling in love with the celebrations and make their way to Parkes via a jet plane, a freight train or the good old Elvis Express. The Parkes Elvis Festival was the dream of Bob and Anne Steel, and they followed that dream to international success. The show's tribute competition, the parade, the photo exhibition, the busking, the gospel service are all part of the carnival time in Parkes, and this year's theme of 'Love me tender' had the thousands of fans there celebrating the wonder of Elvis. Congratulations to the Steels, Parkes Shire Council, the tribute artists, the performers, those who put on their blue suede shoes and the many volunteers that made this happen. Thank you. Thank you, very much.

See this speech in context