Parkes Phoenix Editor

The NSW RFS very kindly donated 20 helmets to Learn-ing Ladder for the children to use in imaginative play. Michael Browne from the RFS handed the donation to Louise Allen from Learning Ladder.

Grease and Oil Change Workshop: This is the 7th consecutive year of the brain and body workshops for rural people started by Cherie Quade in 2015 as a way of creating conversation in our community about mental health, wellbeing and real life stories of how people in rural communities stay afloat when the rest of the world seems like a lot. The next free workshop is on Monday, 30th May at 6pm. Clinical Psychologist Vicki Maher is coming to The Back Room in Forbes for an educational, uplifting and practical conversation about mental health in these current times. Numbers are limited due to space, make sure to register at https://greaseandoilchangevickimaher.eventbrite.com.au

Loneliness: It is a growing epidemic impacting seniors across Australia with one in four older Australians identifying themselves as lonely. Community organisation Inclusee is encouraging Australians who are feeling isolated or lonely to visit inclusee.org,au to access the power of connection. Inclusee is calling for participants over the age of 65, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the age of 50, who feel they are at risk of social isolation and loneliness. The programs are completely free for participants, though some eligibility conditions apply. You can register to participate online at www.inclusee.org.au or call on 1800 287 687.

Lightweight Bag Ban: The NSW Government’s ban on lightweight plastic bags will come into force from 1st June, and from November more problematic plastics, such as cutlery, plates and polystyrene food ware and cups will be banned. Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60% of all litter in NSW. Stopping the supply of problematic plastic will help prevent it from entering our environment as litter, or going into landfill. The ban will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in NSW over the next 20 years. So-called “compostable” and “bioplastic” alternatives are also being banned. For more information about the NSW plastics ban, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban

Birth Certificate Blitz: Hundreds of free birth certificates will be made available to vulnerable people in NSW, including people experiencing economic disadvantage, Aboriginal people and survivors of domestic and family violence. A new agreement will provide up to 700 free birth certificates for vulnerable people, particularly in regional and remote NSW. The free birth certificate blitz will run up to 30 June 2022.

Mason and Aiden Campbell enjoyed the Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser at Forbes North Public School.