Parkes Phoenix Editor

Maggi Barnard has been with the Forbes Phoenix since 2021 and loves writing about her community.

Mayoral Notes

September 3, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Thank you to all who came down to Town Hall over the weekend to be vaccinated at the Western NSW Health District pop-up clinic. 1,224 people came through the doors to get vaccinated and this is fantastic news for our community, as at 1st September 2021 the Forbes Shire sits at 79% having received their first dose. This is great news and I encourage everyone to continue to seek vaccination through our Medical Centres and Pharmacies to ensure the majority are vaccinated. This is the way out, majority vaccination and life can go back to a “new” normal.

You may have noticed or heard there is a lot water around Forbes at the moment. Wyangala Dam has been releasing water gradually and is sitting at 99.7% at the moment, last week it was well over 100%. WaterNSW do need to manage the dam levels though as a result. I urge everyone to sign up to our SMS emergency messaging system, should there be a flood come through which could affect houses we will notify everyone so everyone can activate their flood plans. Either call Council or email forbes@forbes.nsw.gov.au your mobile number and name and we will pop you on the list.

Goldridge Estate has now gone on the market. The Estate will be sold through the local Real Estate Agents; Century 21, LJ Hooker, Michael Robinson and Ray White. Please contact them for more details.

Take care and God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

$8 Million To Prevent Suicides Among High-Risk Groups

September 3, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Older people, the LGBTIQ community and people living in regional NSW are among the at-risk groups who will now have improved access to mental health support thanks to the NSW Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said that $8 million in funding has been allocated to six organisations committed to engaging with communities known to have higher rates of suicide.

“We know that there are some groups of individuals who are at greater risk of suicide due to issues such as past trauma, stigma or isolation,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These experiences not only destabilise their mental health and sense of connectedness, they also make it extremely hard to ask for support. This is all about encouraging safe conversations around suicide and suicidal behaviour so people in these priority groups know how and where to access the help that is right for them.”

The NSW Government is also in the final stages of identifying an Aboriginal-owned organisation to deliver targeted suicide prevention activities to First Australians.

The funded services and activities are ACON, Anglican Community Services, HealthWise – NE/ NW Health, Grand Pacific Health, Suicide Prevention Australia and Wellways Australia. The $8 million investment is in addition to the $87 million To-wards Zero Suicides investment. Towards Zero Suicides is a NSW Premier’s Priority.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, please seek help immediately by calling 000 (Triple Zero). For anyone who is struggling, you can call the below helplines for support and advice: Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800, NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Nominations For The 2022 Rural Women’s Award Now Open

September 3, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced nominations for the 2022 Rural Women’s Award is now open and encouraged women across NSW to consider putting their hand up.

Mrs Taylor said the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in bush communities. “These awards provide the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution rural women make in their industries and communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“This is all about calling out and empowering these female leaders and supporting them to go on to even bigger and brighter achievements.”

Mr Marshall said the award provides a platform to inspire, promote and support women who use their skills to help improve the prosperity of rural and regional NSW. “Previous winners and finalists have gone on to further their vision and made wonderful contributions to primary industries and rural communities, including 2021 winner Cressida Cains.”

Ms Cains is from the Southern Highlands, and her project Dairy Cocoon provides small dairy farms a place to connect, get support and education as they grow their businesses.

“Winning the 2020 NSW/ACT award has had a huge impact on my life and career. The Rural Women’s Award can help unlock your potential, offering support and guidance throughout your journey,” Ms Cains said. She will now represent NSW at the National AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year announcement in October.

The 2022 NSW/ACT Rural Women’s Award nominations are now open and will close on the 8 October 2021. If you know a local Forbes woman that you would like to nominate, applications and further information can be found at Rural Women’s Award AgriFutures Australia, or contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries directly rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au

More COVID Cases In Forbes As Record Numbers Get Vaxxed

September 3, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

LINED UP: Forbes residents turned out in droves for the pop up vaccination clinic at Forbes Town Hall run last weekend. The clinic will be back in 2-3 weeks. There were 1224 vaccinations over 3 days bringing Forbes to 79% at least one dose. There have been over 7 million jabs in NSW so far.

It was the news we knew was coming – we have more confirmed cases in Forbes and Parkes this week. If we continue with the current rate of infections across the Western New South Wales Local Health District we could expect to see the number of active cases reach 1000 by Wednesday as NSW continues to break one unfortunate record after another. The region has also recorded its first death.

On Monday there were two new cases in Forbes, taking our total to three. All three cases have been stated as sources unknown on the NSW Government COVID19 website as of Tuesday 31st August. The two new cases are self-isolating. There were also another two cases in Parkes which now takes their total to 10. Nine of their cases have known sources. Investigators are still trying to trace the source of the Forbes infections. The total number of cases in Western New South Wales is currently at 641 with 322 of those with an unknown source and a total of 131,039 people have been tested.

The community of Forbes is doing a fantastic job stepping up to be vaccinated and hundreds of residents have turned out at the Forbes Town Hall for the ADF run pop up vaccination clinic. There were 391 on Saturday and 449 on Sunday with Monday also proving to be another big day as Forbes nears the 80% jab mark target. Despite this, low COVID test numbers across the region still remain a concern with only 66 conducted.

There remains hope that once NSW is at 70-80% fully vaccinated the world may return to normal again – whatever that may be. We wait with baited breath.

One Mask Shot For Regional NSW

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

MASK CHANCE SALOON: No it’s not a new Daft Punk album launch, it’s shopping in Forbes in 2021 as black lab Nacho, Benjamin Parslow and daughter River.

As cases across NSW start inching towards a thousand a day and the number of those infected in Western NSW also grows to near 400 including known COVID cases now in Parkes, Forbes, COVID-free for now, is looking more like an island surrounded by infection. Bunnings remains a venue of concern.

The burgeoning numbers prompted a swift response from the Berejiklian NSW Liberal Government who not only extended lockdown until this weekend – with the potential of further extensions – also tighter restrictions such as mandatory mask wearing for all adults outdoors and permits to travel into regional NSW from Greater Sydney. It is the latest in an extension to police powers given to the men in blue by the Berejiklian lead Coalition.

The new measures came in while NSW is recording higher vaccination rates than those of the UK and the USA over the last week, around a third of the of the population across Australia and a third of the population in NSW having received both doses, over half of Australians with at least one shot and close to 125,000 doses handed out on Wednesday.

Mask wearing is now required outside at all times and fines will be applied to those disobeying public health orders, police said.

For local man Benjamin Parslow, shopping has never been the same. “What used to take a few minutes now takes a bit longer,” Mr Parslow said. It’s a little surreal – especially walking into banks and service stations with a mask on,” he said. “It is what it is.”

Wait Is Over For While The World Waits Album

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

While NSW waits, a new album ‘While the World Waits’ launched 15 original tracks by musicians from the NSW Central West last weekend.

In 2020, and now again, isolated and in lockdown, musicians longed for an audience and music lovers wanted to come together and experience music at their favourite venues. But for all it was, and is, a waiting game.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 on the local music industry, Arts OutWest commissioned 15 songwriters across 11 local government areas in the region to each write a song reflecting their experiences of 2020. ‘While the World Waits’ is the outcome, a professionally produced, beautiful sound-capsule of this time in our lives.

One of those was Forbes very own singer/songwriter Adam Enslow who wrote and performed ‘Stay Together’ – the tenth track on the album. Adam is a singer/songwriter and producer who has been working on his craft for more than 25 years.

Adam did vocals, guitar and bass while Kris Schubert played wurlitzer electric piano and backing vocals and James Vanderhel performed on drums and tambourine. ‘Stay Together’ is about how strong we are as a people if we all ‘stay together’ and not be divided by hierarchical interests wishing to separate us.

The album was launched via an online performance at 2pm last Saturday 21 August, then for sale as a limited edition CD.

“This collection of songs is a cathartic expression about 2020, but it is also a musical journey across the Central West,” said Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan.

You can listen to the album on our Facebook page or go to Arts OutWest.

No Staines As Panthers Flex Finals Muscle Over Bunnies

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

There was no Charlie Staines, Brian To’o, James Fisher-Harris or Tyrone May but the Penrith Panthers had enough in the tank to overcome an early 12-0 deficit and a mountain of defence to triumph 25-12 over fellow contenders, third-placed South Sydney last weekend.

Lead by youngster Nathan Cleary, Penrith fought back from a mountain of early pressure as the Bunnies threatened to run riot. But this Penrith side is different and cannot only absorb pressure (they have let in less than 11 points per game all year) but apply it back onto their opposition in an instant. Despite the early onslaught from Souths, to trail only 12-10 at the break as Souths began to tire after the Panthers had five consecutive sets of six, buoyed the men in black.

Penrith are one of the youngest and fit-test sides in the NRL and after a frenetic opening half, it was Souths despite all the territory who were looking fatigued.

The second half Penrith’s big men started to assert their authority, meanwhile expos-ing Souths for their lack of size. The domination in the middle allowed little men such as Cleary and Koriasau to work their magic, with the latter grabbing the game winner with time expiring.

The win gives the Panthers a mortgage on second spot with the finals in only a few short weeks and a likely rematch with the Rabbitohs. Penrith play Wests Tigers this week – one of the few teams to beat them this year before a final hit out against fellow semi-finalists Parramatta to close off the regular season.

Ag Visa A Win For The Regions

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Farmers across the Riverina and Central West will “greatly benefit” from the newly announced Agricultural Worker Visa, Riverina MP Michael McCormack said. The Federal Government has delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia.

The visa will provide a long term and reliable workforce for our critical industries. Mr McCormack said the Agriculture Minister David Litttleproud and he had agreed on an Agricultural Visa with the Prime Minister in June and was pleased to see it implemented.

“The Agricultural Worker Visa delivers on the Federal Government’s commitment to best support our food and fibre producers,” Mr McCormack said.

“It is important our farmers have the confidence to plant a crop and know they will have access to a reliable workforce to assist during harvest, and this visa will deliver just that.

“The Agricultural Worker Visa will help to steady the agriculture sector as we build it to a $100 billion industry by 2030.”

The Government’s primary and growing method for meeting agricultural workforce shortages are the existing Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme. The new visa program will build on these.

Between now and March 2022, the number of Pacific and Timorese workers in Australia will double to more than 24,000. These workers are highly valued by Australian industry and are critical to Australia’s horticultural and meat processing sectors, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be Seen In Forbes

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

COVID TESTERS: COVID testing in Forbes hasn’t been as impressive as vaccination rates while an ADF run Pop Up Vaccination Clinic will be set up from tomorrow August 28-30th.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: NSW Shooters Party MP Phil Donato in Orange last week where he launched a comprehensive mental health directory for everyone in the electorate to receive over the coming weeks.

BUSY TIMES: Forbes Medical Centre staff Rebecca Cassidy and Bronte Everingham with Practice Manager Dave Borger last Saturday at the clinic administering COVID-19 vaccines to the Forbes community.

UNDERWAY: Last week work was underway on the new lighting at Spooners. Along with a raft of other works, Spooner Oval one day may be able to make a case to host NRL games.

TIM LYNCH SNAP: Shooters are encouraged to follow the Forbes Sporting Shooters Facebook page for all the latest updates.

FSC Wants You To Have Your Say!

August 27, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Council is excited to be continuing the development of the Central West Industrial Park (CWIP) to the advantage of economic opportunity locally and across the region.

The Forbes Central West Industrial Park boasts access to the most affordable water in the Central West with secure availability and access to each site. With a strong, established agricultural sector and the nearby Parkes Special Activation Precinct (SAP), this area is ripe for the development of water-intensive businesses like no other industrial precinct in the Central West. Strategically located on the Newell Highway, halfway between Melbourne and Brisbane, with approved road train access to the site, it presents unparalleled benefits for industrial developments. The CWIP has the added bonus of sizing a block to the purchaser’s needs due to its ability to create bespoke lots as a result of its Greenfield nature, thus, giving developers a unique ability to expand in the future.

Council is seeking feedback from the community to help us choose the name for a street located in the Central West Industrial Park.

You can put forward your suggestions by writing a letter to Council or completing the YourSay Survey. Head over to Your Say here: https://yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au/

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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