Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

RDA Central West Welcomes New Committee Members

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) held its 55th Committee Meeting this week and marked the occasion by welcoming three new members.

RDA Central West Chair Ruth Fagan announced that Rich Evans from Portland, Scott Barrett from Windera and Steve Bowman from Bathurst were inducted into the committee on Thursday.

“Firstly I would like to recognise everyone who applied for the RDA Central West Committee and congratulate Mr Evans, Mr Barrett and Mr Bowman on their appointments,” said Mrs Fagan.

“They are all active leaders in their respective communities and will bring a broad range of local knowledge and experience to the committee and I look forward to working with them as we build a stronger Central West region.

“By volunteering for your local RDA Committee, you have the chance to give something back to the community and help facilitate future investment in the region and I’m proud to Chair the Central West Committee as we do just that.”

To find out more, visit the RDA Central West website at www.rdacentralwest.org.au

Mayoral Notes

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

It has definitely been a tumultuous week with COVID postponing and cancelling many events in our area. The local government elections are not happening in September as previously stated, they are being moved to 4th December 2021. The COVID situation in NSW has many Council’s under an immense amount of pressure and to hold an election in a safe way does seem like a difficult task to achieve. I do believe this is an awful time of year and would be better in February 2022.

I want to thank all the potential candidates for showing interest in becoming a Councillor. We have had to postpone our briefing session this week. We will hold it closer to the new election date. Stay tuned.

You will see there is a lot of movement down at Lions Park at the moment. This is a continuation of the Lake Forbes Activation work we have going on. A permanent stage area is being installed near the Bates Bridge end of the park. This park is home to various events in the calendar year and the well patronised Sweet Three by the Lake food vendor.

Have you had a chance to see the new lights in Templar Street yet? They look amazing. With the paving work complete and the fairy lights in we are just waiting on the pergolas and street furniture and we are done.

Till next week. God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Forbes Sporting Shooters Ready For Tim Lynch

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

AIMING UP: Forbes Sporting Shooters are gearing up for a big few weeks of shooting including the prestigious Tim Lynch Memorial.

Results of the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 cabilre rimfire rifle shoot held on Wednesday 21st July 2021.

• 25 metre Buffalo – Bruce Runchel, 268/270; Dennis Christey, 266/270.
• 50 metre Crow – Dennis Christey, 242/250; Bruce Runchel, 238/250.
• The results of the 75 metre Feral Cat target shoot were – Dennis Christey, 114/120; John Dean, 112/120.
• 100 metre Bear target shoot were – John Dean,110/120; Bruce Runchel, 108/120.

The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 cabilre and other rimfire rifle (.22 magnum or.17HMR) shoot will be held this Sunday 1st August starting at 10am. Followed by a Centre-fire shoot starting at 2pm.The next Wednesday shoot will be held on Wednesday the 4th August. Any person wishing to attend any of these shoots and take part, must fill out a P650 form at the club if they haven’t already. Junior shooters must be 12yrs +.

.22 cabilre rimfire shooting contact: Wayne Facey (0414524059); Norm Brook (0458664541); Ben Smith (0427524151); David Coleman (0427401263 AH).

The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clays will be their two-day shoot on Saturday 7th August and Sunday 8th August. On Saturday a 75-target five-stand shoot will be held starting at 4pm while on Sunday a 100-target field shoot will be held for the Tim Lynch Memorial Shield starting at 10am.

Clay target shooting contact: Norm Brook mobile (0458664541); Tony Bratton (02) 68523349: Ben Smith (0427524151); Doug Davis (02) 68523249 & Phil Picker (02) 68516494

To obtain a long arm firearm licence contact Wayne Facey 0414 524 059; Norm Brook 0458 664 541; Tony Bratton (02) 68523349 to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course which is a requirement for a firearm licence application.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range.

Like us on Facebook @Forbes Sporting Shooters.

Black Spot Road Funding Will Deliver Safety Upgrades To Two Busy Roads: Mccormack

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Users of two busy roads will soon enjoy welcome safety improvements from a $1.345 million investment by the Federal Government through the 2021-22 Black Spot Program, says Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

Mr McCormack said the Government would spend $685,000 on Calarie Road between Wyndham Avenue and Daroobalgie Road at Forbes.

“The project includes road shoulder improvements, road edge lining, installing new guideposts and reflective road pavement markers,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack said $660,000 would be spent on Middle Trundle Road between 8km and 10.9km east of the Bogan Way intersection at Trundle.

“The work includes installing curve markers, improving the curved shoulder and installing new curve and advisory signs, as well as new reflective road pavement markers and guideposts,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack said regional projects in the latest round of the Black Spot program would receive 60 percent of recommended funding in NSW ($20.7 million of $34.4 million) and 42 percent of projects (41 of 97) were in regional areas. For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/fund-ing/blackspots.

McCormack’s LRCIP Visit To Forbes

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

PROGRESS: National’s MP and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack stopped by Forbes last week to inspect a number of projects as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

National’s MP and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack was in Forbes last week to get an update on a plethora of projects being undertaken in the shire.

It was McCormack’s first visit to Forbes since being unseated as National’s Leader by Barnaby Joyce and he took time to meet a number of community stakeholders.

Mr McCormack spoke at length about the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRICP) and how the program has provided a big boost to community infrastructure. He then completed a tour of town with Mayor Phyllis Miller to inspect the latest round of works. They included:

• Additional widening of road on Yarrabandi Road;

• The repair and restoration of the Lions Park picnic shelter and the installation of a rotunda, irrigation upgrade and subsequent electricity supply at Lions Park;

• Necessary upgrades to a problematic intersection on the Newell Highway on the Southern side entrance to Forbes, creation of a new access road and additional parking constructed to support the development of a new Visitors In-formation Centre at the former Lachlan Vintage Village;

• Refurbishment and repair of Forbes Heated Pool facility including improving accessibility for community;

• Installation of Closed Circuit TV system throughout the Forbes CBD.

“Forbes Council knows where this money is best spent in the Forbes community,” Mr McCormack said.

“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our regions, now and as we build our way out of the pandemic,” Mr McCormack said.

Hard Vax Is COVID Not Going Any Time Soon

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

GET VACCINATED: More and more locations throughout the Central West will soon be able to provide vaccines for community members. Please check with your local GP or via NSW Health for times and availability and book your vaccine today! INSET: WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan.

In Australia so far, COVID cases in total since the beginning of the pandemic are around 33,000 – that’s roughly the population of Bathurst and with only 13.1% fully vaccinated the number is expected to grow if NSW residents especially don’t start following public health orders and get vaccinated according to WNSWLHD Chief Executive Officer Scott McLachlan.

“The sooner we can all get vaccinated the better,” he said.

“We also need people to continue to get tested!”

With plenty of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine available and the imminent arrival of more Pfizer shots plus the increase in mobile sites, hubs, teams and locations such as medical centres, hospitals and pharmacies, there are multiple opportunities for people to get vaccinated especially over 40s.

McLachlan said that our region had just the one active case who was identified last week in the Cabonne Shire. Forbes, despite at one point being the focus of a potential COVID scare back on June 10, remains on the same restrictions as most of regional NSW and has done since an infected Victorian couple drove through Forbes on the way to the Sunshine Coast.

Key information as of July 28:

• Overnight there have been no new cases COVID-19 identified in our Local Health District;

• There is currently one active case of COVID-19 in our LHD. That case is located in the Cabonne LGA;

• As a result of contact tracing and other investigations we currently have six venues of concern in our LHD; five in Orange and one at Bathurst. All venues of trans-mission or concern are listed on the NSW Health website;

• Yesterday, more than 1,400 COVID-19 tests were performed in the Central West;

• In most cases, people will receive their results within 72 hours. If people are waiting longer than 72 hours for results, please contact our public health team between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on 1300 066 055;

• Up to time of publication there had been approximately 38,000 tests conducted in the WNSWLHD in the last four weeks;

• Overnight there have been no changes to public health orders. However we encourage readers to check online for the latest updates.

Community members with questions should be encouraged to contact the National Coro-navirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

For information on COVID-19 testing locations go to www.nsw.gov.au and click the COVID-19 button to search for your nearest location. Anyone with symptoms related to COVID-19 should arrange to be tested and self-isolate until they receive their results.

For information on COVID-19 vaccination go to the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker at www.health.gov.au

Staines Try The Difference In Tight Tussle

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

MATCH WINNING TRY: Forbes Magpies junior Charlie Staines had a try disallowed and scored the match winner in Penrith’s 18-12 win over Brisbane last weekend. Staines and the side will now turn their attention to tomorrow night’s clash with Melbourne. Photo courtesy of Penrith Panthers.

For the second week in a row, the Penrith Panthers did it the hard way against less-favoured opposition. This time it was cellar dwellers to Brisbane Broncos who they outlasted 18-12 to remain in equal first with Melbourne going into this Saturday night’s blockbuster.

A tryless first half saw only a penalty goal and a Dylan Edwards 40m two-point field goal separate the sides as Penrith went to the main break with a narrow and unconvincing 4-0 lead. The Broncos were arguably the better of the two sides and both teams were unlucky to have tries disallowed one of which was Staines.

Yet despite the effectiveness of Brisbane’s stalling tactics and the sloppy conditions, one always had the feeling that if Penrith were to click it would be very difficult for an underwhelming Brisbane side to negate. That’s exactly what the Panthers did to start the second half.

Tries to To’o and Forbes junior Staines (off arguably the flick pass of the season from Stephen Crichton) and suddenly the mountain men had an 18-0 lead with 20 to play. Not to be deterred, Brisbane dug deep, narrowing the margin to just six with five minutes remaining.

While Penrith were able to repel the Broncos coach Ivan Cleary must surely be concerned with the record 66 missed tackles his side allowed against a team running second last. As good as Cleary, Yeo and co are who are out, if Penrith defend like that come Saturday, the Storm will be far less merciful.

With Nathan Cleary expected to return, Isaah Yeo to undergo HIA tests and the possibility of former NSW player Tevita Pangai Jr also lacing up for the Panthers, this weekend’s grand final rematch might well be the game of the season!

Wet Course No Bother To Golfers

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

With the rain through the week and the difficult ground conditions Saturday’s scheduled 4BBB event was changed to an Individual Par Medley, sponsored by Everest Auto Repairs. The field of 57 players managed to navigate around the course, with scores reflecting the difficulties.

The Handicap winner was Terry Griffiths 3-up, on a count back. On an equal score Isaac Vale once again put in a marvellous performance, with all the good work on the front-9.

The Scratch Winner was John Betland with 3-up, also doing his best work on the front-9. Runner up, on count back, was Steve Betland with 2-down and nipping past Peter Dawson.

The ball sweep went to 2-down. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Men: T Griffiths, Ladies: D Scott; 18th – Men: M Littlewood, Ladies: Nil. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Jake Shaw.

Due to the inclement conditions there was no Sunday Stableford Medley.

Here are another couple of notices about upcoming events – the Bogan Gate Open had originally been scheduled for September 12 but was moved to August 1. This has now been cancelled due to community health concerns.

The LVDGA Men’s 4BBB scheduled for Parkes on August 1 has received no nominations and is likely to be cancelled.

Don’t forget the 3-Person Ambrose on Sunday 15 August, and the Temora Open on the same weekend. Refer to the brochure in the Pro Shop for Details.

Saturday July 31 is the re-scheduled 4BBB Stableford Medley, weather permitting, playing for the Hawke Trophy. Sunday August 1 has a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Kym Goodall

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Bright Beginnings ELC celebrates 5 years of operation next month and is now owned by Kym and Jonathan Goodall. Along with being the owner, Kym is also the Director and Nominated Supervisor of the business – ensuring the day-to-day operations as well as regulatory obligations are being met. A challenging but rewarding role, Kym and the team are responsible for the education and socialisation of our future leaders and often go above and beyond to support the children and families of the community. Kym and the team of dynamic women at Bright Beginnings ELC really are sensational!

Bright Beginnings Early Learning Centre

Address 9 Attlee Street, Forbes
Phone 02 6851 4597
Website www.brightbeginnings.net.au

Toni Hall

July 30, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Central West Plan Management is a registered provider of plan management services for NDIS participants. Operating now for 18 months, principal Toni Hall helps clients with the administrative and financial parts of their NDIS plans by processing payments for their supports and services and providing budget updates. Toni’s son, Cody, has cerebral palsy so she knows first hand how hard it is to navigate the NDIS and access services in the Central West. Toni strives to help her clients and their families understand and benefit from their plans enabling them to live better. Make Central West Plan Management your first port of call when looking for a caring and competent plan manager!

Central West Plan Management

Phone 0417 274 512
Email cwplanmanage@gmail.com
Website www.cwplanmanage.com.au

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Bright Beginnings Early Learning Centre

Central West Plan Management

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