Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Steve Betland Tames The Course

July 9, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

TEEING OFF: Adam Demidjuk tees off to start his round in the Monthly Medal comp at Forbes Golf Club.

In Saturday’s Monthly Medal comp, sponsored by the Walkers Ag-n-Vet, the 77 players encountered heavy conditions making for tough scoring. However, Steve Betland was unfazed with an impressive 66.

The A-Grade, won by Steve Betland (67 nett off a +1 handicap), saw two ‘gun’ golfers overcome the conditions. Steve was 5-under on the par-5’s, which kept him ahead of runner-up Head Pro Adam who finished on 70 nett.

The B-Grade was won by Adam Currey (69 nett) who had a comfortable margin over Neil Duncan (72 nett on a count back). Currey did very well on the front-9, while Duncan struggled.

The C-Grade was close with Jake Shaw (69 nett) doing well on the front-9 to nudge ahead of Stephen McAlister (70 nett).

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back, so please check in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – J Bernardi, 18th – B Robinson. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Nick Greenhalgh, whose shot was slightly adrift and unlike his passes in the footy.

The lone visitor was James Meers (Dubbo GC) who struggled a bit in the heavy conditions. Unsurprisingly there were only a handful of 2’s, scored evenly across the par-3’s.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley, with players avoiding the cold weather.

On the calendar this month we have the LVDGA Mixed 4B Champs at West Wyalong (18 July), and the Burcher Open (25 July) hopefully.

Work is being done to recover the concrete tee markers, with those on the 5th, 13th and 15th tees yet to be found. If you can help please contact the Pro Shop or Jack Clarke.

Saturday 10 July is an 18-Hole Stroke sponsored by B&M Tooth. Sunday 11 July has a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Funding For Edward Street Sub-Division

July 9, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FUNDING BOOST: NSW National’s Sam Farraway with Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

Forbes Shire is set to benefit from over $166,000 in funding for infrastructure improvements supporting new homes and jobs.

NSW Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said the NSW Government will provide more than $166,000 for infrastructure improvements in the Forbes Shire from its Low Cost Loans Initiative (LCLI). “The $166,000 will support Forbes Shire Council in the developing and building the Edward Street Subdivision,” Mr Farraway said.

“Funding for the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time will ensure our growing region is able to provide a better quality of life for our current and future residents,” Mr Farraway said.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the funding for new and upgraded infrastructure was the result of upfront strategic planning and the investment of developer contributions.

“Good planning is up front about what infrastructure is needed to support new development, so new communities get vital public assets like new roads and schools much faster,” Mr Stokes said.

The SIC and VPA programs levy financial contributions from new development and provide the funding to councils and state agencies to help deliver infrastructure including roads, regional open space and social infrastructure and facilities.

The third round of the Low Cost Loans Initiative will see 13 councils reimbursed for half of their interest costs on loans, unlock-ing more than $300 million in infrastructure works to support new projects.

For more information on the Government’s Infrastructure Funding Programs visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Infrastructure-funding

Wet Conditions Don’t Slow Croquet Players

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

There were 27 players for Golf Croquet on a chilly morning on Tuesday June 22. The winners of 3 games were Elvy Quirk, Bill Scott and Ray Burridge. Big wins 11—2 Bob Murray and Ray Burridge. Close games:

• Elvy Quirk and Jill Rubie 7 Kevin Rubie and Merv Langfield 6
• Colleen Liebich and Evelyn Mahlo 7 Nev-ille Spry and John Farah 6
• Lorraine Todd and Geoff Coles 7 Marie Spry and Dorelle Scott 6
• Bruce Field and John Job 7 John Mac-Cullagh and Robin Pols 6
• Bill Scott 7 John Allegri and Jeff Liebich 6
• Elvy Quirk and Bill Scott 7 Jill Rubie and Colleen Liebich 6

We had 20 keen players for Aussie Croquet Saturday June 26. Only one player managed 3 games Barry White. The big winners were Dorelle Scott and Colleen Liebich 14 – 8. Close games:

• John Browne and Bill Scott 14 Bob Murray and Jeff Liebich 13
• Barry White and John Farah 14 Colleen Liebich and Marie Spry 13
• Colleen Liebich and Doreen Rogers 14 John Browne and Joan Littlejohn 13

Mayoral Notes

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

This week we met virtually with Federal Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard to discuss the current Covid-19 situation and how our community can assist in bringing this virus under control sooner rather than later. I want to thank the community for their compliance with the mask wearing as per the Public Health Order. It is annoying I know, but the sooner we get this virus under control, the sooner we can all go back the life as normal.

How great was the news from Sam Farraway last week regarding the successful grant funding for Hughie Wilson Oval? This funding will go towards a new amenities facility at the oval, which will be great for local groups.

Politics is politics and this week we lost two local members off the front bench in Federal Parliament. I want to thank Michael McCormack for a fantastic job he has done in the Deputy Prime Minister position. Also I would like to thank Mark Coulton Minister for Regional Health, Communication and Local Government.

It was very sad to postpone our Volunteers Thank You Morning Tea this week due to the new Covid restrictions. Rest assured we will be holding it at a future date, as it is very important we say thank you to all our wonderful volunteers.

School holiday activities have and will proceed as planned. We have Covid-safe numbers allocated for these events and participants are asked to wear face masks

Till next week. God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

COVID Restrictions For NSW Again

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

HAVE YOU BEEN TESTED: COVID testing is readily available in Forbes and other centres throughout the Central West. #staysafe

Just when we thought we were out of the woods, new regional NSW COVID restrictions were put in place last weekend by the NSW Berejiklian coalition government just in time for the school holidays.

The new orders include – no more than 5 visitors in a home, including children; people must be seated while drinking in all in-door hospitality venues; 50% capacity for outdoor events; indoor mask wearing in all settings outside the home, including work-places; mask wearing at organised outdoor gatherings and events; one person per four square metre rule for all indoor and outdoor venues, including weddings and funerals; dance and gym classes limited to 20 people and masks must be worn; singing at indoor venues and places of worship is not permitted; no dancing at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs, but dancing is permitted for bridal party of no more than 20 at a wedding; people who have been in Greater Sydney since June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for 14 days while people should only enter Greater Sydney for essential reasons.

Forbes Hospital Nurse Unit Manager, Bailee Harrison, along with other frontline workers, quickly set up the mobile COVID testing clinic on June 9 after news broke with the support of numerous local businesses and Forbes Shire Council. So far no positive cases have come from Forbes as of the end of June.

COVID-19 testing clinic locations can be found at – www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics

Donato: State Budget Positive But Still More Housing Needed

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

POSITIVE STATE BUDGET: Phil Donato, NSW Shooters Party MP, centre, earlier this year at the Forbes Menshed funding announcement.

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP responded to the NSW Government’s 2020-21 budget last week released in New South Wales Parliament by Treasurer, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP.

The budget, which many consider positive, had several announcements for the Orange Electorate, including:
• $1.25m to complete upgrades to Bletchington Public School
• $28m for Parkes Special Activation Precinct
• $60m to commence construction of Parkes By Pass
• $4.3m for fast rail planning for western NSW
• $215,000 for construction of shared 575m pathway Eugowra
• $85,000 for construction of shared pathway Forbes
• $500,000 for Canowindra Health One Facility ($6m total commitment)

Other state wide announcements relevant to the Orange Electorate include:
• Free preschool 2 days p/w
• Public sector 2.5% pay rise for public sector workers
• Learn to swim $100 vouchers for children
• $150m to combat mouse plague

Overall Mr Donato commented that the budget was positive, however he was disappointed that “more funding wasn’t provided for social and affordable housing.”

“I am pleased with many of the budget initiatives, the Orange Electorate will benefit greatly overall. However, when it comes to social and affordable housing, the government really must address this urgent need,” Mr Donato said.

“I’m hearing from many members of our community who are really feeling the effects of the housing crisis. Everyone deserves a safe place to live, and this issue won’t go away on its own.”

Locally, Forbes Shire Council is taking the lead with social housing with developments for a new estate well underway with announcements imminent.

Forbes Art And Cultural Centre A Step Closer

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY: The Forbes Art and Cultural Centre located at the site of the old ambulance station is one step closer to becoming a reality.

It has sat unoccupied for almost 20 years but not for much longer. The former Forbes and District Ambulance Station is now one step closer to becoming a cultural and arts centre, with the Development Application for the site progressing to the final stage.

Forbes Arts Society Chair Dr Karen Ritchie said, “since purchasing 110 Lachlan Street in December 2019, the Forbes Arts Society has been working closely with Source Architects to develop a final design for the building in consultation with key project partners and the wider community.”

The FAS vision is to develop the site into a vibrant, civic hub.

“We want a space that encourages locals and visitors to create, share and experience art and culture as well as meet, gather and connect with one another,” Dr Ritchie said.

“The design is an adaptive reuse of this prominent local building – sensitive to the site’s Local Heritage Significance status, whilst incorporating a beautiful yet functional contemporary extension.”

The distinctive two-storey building, located on the corner of Court and Lachlan Streets, was originally occupied by the Bank of Australasia before the Ambulance Service took possession of the site in 1944. On 25 October 2001, the building was extensively damaged by fire. Due to the damage caused, the Forbes and District Ambulance Service relocated to a temporary station up at the Forbes Hospital.

A second fire on 31 October 2001 gutted the building, and it has remained unoccupied since.

The Forbes Cultural Centre development is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the La-chlan Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

For more information about the project and to view the proposed plans, visit www.forbesartssociety.com

Be Seen

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

WELCOME TO COUNTRY: Yarangirri Holmes and other Wiradjuri peoples welcomed visitors to the 2021 Frost and Fire event.

WINNER: Maddie Foster from West Wyalong Pony Club was the winner of the John Stewart Memorial Barrel Race. She is pictured with John’s parents Loris and Bill and Forbes Pony Club’s Rachael Morgan.

HARD RAIN FALLING: Forbes has had 118mm this June, up 68mm on this time last year and one of the wetter June’s in recent memory.

FORBES ART SPACE: The new Forbes Cultural and Art Centre is taking shape with the latest designs made public this week.

NEEDED FUNDS: Hughie WIlson Oval received vital funds this week for amenities and to ensure groups within Forbes could continue to use it.

Platypi Get It Done Over Roos

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

It may not have been pretty, but Forbes Platypi kept in touch with the front runners in the Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby Union Competition at Dubbo on the weekend 12-6.

With everything to play for, both teams left it all out on the field in a tight war of attrition that could’ve gone either way.

The Platypi stuck solid and held on by the tightest of margins to remain in the top four and in the hunt for the minor premiership.

In other grades, 2nds were beaten 31-18 to continue a season of near misses while the Women’s were thumped 29-0 in a pasting. The Colts continue to struggle with a 41-5 rout confining the Colts to rear of the ladder and only pride left to play for in 2021.

Check out the Forbes Rugby Union Facebook page for all the latest COVID info.

More Than Just A Butchery In The Centre Of Forbes

July 2, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

DEMAND FOR SNAGS: Billy Spence of Forbes Central Butchery not only delivers throughout the Forbes and most of Parkes Shire but he is also releasing a new range of sausages for people to try at the local Forbes Rotary farmers markets.

Billy Spence has been operating Forbes Central Butchery for a few years now and what started as a small family business to service the local community has quickly turned into something far bigger.

Forbes Central Butchery now deliver in the Parkes and Forbes Shire covering from Bogan Gate and Trundle through to Tullamore and Tottenham and they deliver every Friday.

“There’s no order too big or small,” said Billy Spence. “We are now also targeting local farmers markets with our new and unique ranges of sausages and other selected products,” he said.

And with the local Forbes Rotary Markets on the monthly calendar now, what better time to trial Billy’s new snags in Victoria Park in preparation for the Forbes Central Butchery Sausage Sandwich Eating Contest at the Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival on November 13?

“Not sure how that guy (Martin Carney) ate all those sausage sanga’s (27),” said Billy. “He just hasn’t had my sausages yet!”

Support your local business who supports you.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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