Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Dominos Sports Brief

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Magpies Lose To Spacies

Forbes Magpies remain rooted to the bottom of the Group 11 competition after a resounding 32-12 loss to the Parkes Spacemen on the weekend in Parkes.

With only a win against Narromine and a draw with Nyngan to their name, Forbes firsts were never in the hunt despite some strong individual performances. Henry Willis again played above his weight while the Spacies had too many to name. Can Forbes turn it around next weekend?

Hats Off To Misfits

A great show of sportsmanship last week when Men’s basketball side Misfits moved their game so their opponents Cespitorians could field a side. Another shout out to Zinger Blockers, a young junior side who finished with a 7-7 record in the men’s competition. Well done boys! Check next week’s Phoenix for the grand final results.

Vale Brian Russell – Trundle’s Mr Horseracing

Eminent racing and breeding journalist, bloodstock agent, historian and renowned pedigree authority, Brian Russell, passed away peacefully in his family home at North Richmond on Saturday, May 22, aged 90. The Trundle local was a popular figure in these parts and will be sorely missed.

Forbes Junior AFL Update

The Forbes/Orange Under 12’s AFL took on the Bathurst Giants in the Central West Junior AFL competition going down 1.1-7 to 5.13-4. The loss leaves the Swamp Tigers in third but in finals contention. Best on ground were Tyson McLennan and Michael Amey. The CWJAFL starts again this weekend away to the Dubbo Demons.

Parkes Races A Success

Despite the threat of rain and COVID down the road in Forbes, the Parkes Races went ahead with no dramas over the weekend. Strong crowds and a good quality field of horses made this one the best yet.

Snippets…

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

NEW DATE: ABBF organiser Luke Acheson and MC Benny Bogan will be there at Bedgerabong Racecourse on November 13 for the festival .

Bogan Fest Gets New Date: Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival was unfortunately postponed due to COVID issues that arose in the week leading up to the event. Now, the committee have a new date.
“We are pleased to announce we will be back with the same program on November 13 – though we are confirming that as we speak,” said organised Luke Acheson.
“The warmer weather and hopefully no COVID will allow us to do the event justice,” he said.
“We will be advertising tickets again soon and ask all punters who bought theirs to keep them until the event.”

Woolworths And Landcare Team Up: The next generation of environmental champions across Forbes Shire are set to benefit from the largest ever round of Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants.
Early learning centres in Forbes Shire have been awarded grants of up to $1000, to help local students enhance native habitats, improve sustainable food production and recycling or support waste management projects at their school, Woolworths Forbes Shire Store Manager, Kathryn Simpson said.
This year’s grants also placed an emphasis on the importance of bees and pollinators in the environment with applicants offered extra funding of up to $500 for projects that directly support the conservation of Australia’s bee population.

Bernardi’s Marketplace Calls For Noms For $20k Building Better Communities Fund: Bernardi’s Marketplace is calling on its communities, Forbes, Bathurst, Blayney & West Wyalong to nominate local organisations to be in the running to share in $20,000, as part of the latest round of their Building Better Communities Program.
Since its inception in 2019, the Building Better Communities Program has proudly donated $120,000 to local organisations such as local schools, hospitals, sporting clubs and charities in Forbes, Blayney Bathurst & West Wyalong. This year, Bernardi’s has committed to donate a further $40,000 via it’s Building Better Communi-ties program – taking overall donations (including previous initiatives outside of the program) since 2011 to $800,000 dollars.
Bernardi’s Round six beneficiaries will be announced in July and voting will commence from July to December. Beneficiaries will share in a donation pool of $20,000 ($5,000 to each town).
Bernardi’s Marketplace invites you to nominate or share the word and apply via their website at www.bernardis.net.au/community.

BETTER COMMUNITIES: Bernardi’s is working hard to build better communities across the Central West.

$100 Million For Farmers Impacted By Mice

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FIGHT AGAINST MICE: The NSW Government has invested heavily in the eradication of mice. Pic courtesy of Stephen Michael Barnett.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway, is encouraging primary producers experiencing financial hardship due to the mice plague to apply for rebates for the purchase of the critical mouse plague control chemical zinc phosphide.

Mr Farraway said this is part of the NSW Nationals commitment to supporting primary producers in Central West who have been battling with the devastating wave of mice in regional NSW.

“This new funding will offer primary producers in Central West financial relief by providing a rebate of 50 percent on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000, to help cash flow and confidence to place advance orders on zinc phosphide ahead of spring,” Mr Farraway said.

“Communities in the Central West have done it tough off the back of drought, bush-fires, floods and COVID-19 and the last thing we needed was these vermin terrorizing us in our sleep and destroying crops.

“The NSW Nationals are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and these rebates are part of our commitment to supporting our agriculture sector which gives so much to this state.”

NSW Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier, John Barilaro said the NSW Government was working with manufacturers to shore up supplies of zinc phosphide to ensure the State’s farmers are prepared to stamp out a possible spring surge in the mouse population.

“When the mouse bait and treated grain programs were announced I said there would be more support to come and today I’m pleased to confirm we will extend the program to include primary producer rebates for zinc phosphide,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We will make sure any baits produced with zinc phosphide are earmarked for sale to NSW producers first, and we will continue to work to connect manufacturers with Commonwealth support such as the International Freight Assistance Mechanism.”

Successful Can-Assist Golf Day

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Saturday saw the return of the Can-Assist Charity Golf Day, after a hiatus in 2020. A near record field of 111 players showed support for the local charity group.

Scratch winners were the group of T. West, N. Corliss, R. White and S. Edmonds with a score of 66 on a count back from J. Roy-lance, M. Little, B. Thomas and S. Sallaway.

Handicap winners with a score of 57 nett were the trio of J. Morell, R. Pike and A. Saar. The best Ladies team prize went to E. Baker, C. Bratton, E. Coombs and J. Hurkett.

The day was also catered for by the Can-Assist team and many prizes were donated by businesses far and wide. A big thanks to all volunteers especially Beryl and Lynnie Roberts who’s assistance on the Leader Scoreboard was once again invaluable.

The lead organiser, Andrew Grierson, thanked all the supporters, the players and the hard working Can-Assist team as well sponsors and golfers for getting behind the event.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley comp, but there was a comp on Monday. The scores were generally mediocre, but the fun value was high.

The winner was Caleb Hanrahan with 34 pts, ahead of Phil Maher on 33 pts. The ball sweep went to Harry Callaghan and Dan Bayley. There were no NTP’s.

This Sunday we have the LVDGA Championships and Pennants, being played at Parkes. Contact John Betland or Niel Duncan for more information.

This Saturday 12 June is the first of some Forbes Championship events, with the Men’s 4BBB Stroke Championships, followed by the Men’s Foursome Championships, played over 36 holes on 26 and 27 June.

By Short Putt

‘Evolutionary’ Grant For Forbes Public

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

DONATION FOR YARNING CIRCLE: Forbes Public School Principal Megan Staples (centre) with reps from Evolution with the cheque.

Forbes Public School (FPS) vision for a proposed shade structure and Yarning Circle to support the school community’s identified needs has come to fruition in the shape of a $14,712 grant from Evolution Mining – Lake Cowal.

Forbes Public has a strong Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders (ATSI) community consisting of 77 students and are committed to celebrating this year’s NAIDOC theme “Heal Country” via the construction of a beautiful yarning circle with large rocks around a large gravel circle.

Forbes Public aim to use this every morning to simulate Aboriginal customs and culture and host Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) meetings (we are the most central school to Forbes CBD) the application stated with the aim to also run NAIDOC Week activities.

The initiative will directly benefit Forbes Public’s ATSI community as well as the 328 FPS students and staff.

Local ATSI Elders and community artists, dancers, language teachers as well as Wir-adjuri support groups will be invited to use the space to meet and share on Country in the middle of town with excellent wheel-chair access and abundant parting.

The shaded Yarning Circle allows FPS to effectively collaborate with local Wiradjuri ATSI community by Working with Peter White at the Wiradjuri Lands Council & AECG to form strong platforms for collective efficacy between students, staff and community around improving outcomes for Indigenous students.

Forbes Public’s shaded Yarning Circle project also supports the school Stronger Smarter Program, developed by Dr Chris Sarra, now used in schools to embrace a strong and positive sense of what it means to be Aboriginal in contemporary Australian society.

The school’s vision is a school where all people are strong in culture, strong in identity and enjoy prosperous, safe and healthy lives. FPS aims to improve the educational outcomes for ATSI children.

Lawnmower Racing Comes To Forbes

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Last Sunday June 13, Forbes Sports Auto Club hosted the AROLMRA Lawnmower races at Daroobalgie. With five classes on show and decent weather coupled with some game local rider drivers – it was certainly a sensational day with big crowds.

The event is proving more and more popular with punters and has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a small, country pub in Harrietville Victoria in 1988. Five men challenged each other to a race around the local hills of the area after an alcohol-related argument.

They chugged up the steep slopes belching smoke from their unmodified Briggs and Strattons, rounded a nominated gum tree, then flew down in “Angel Gear” – Australian outback slang for neutral – to the finish line.

“Half the town’s 100 people, 300 sheep and 150 dogs were there,” according to Brian Ross, six-time president of the Australian Ride-On Lawn Mower Racing Association (AROLMRA), the biggest lawn mower racing club in Australia.

AROLMRA has over 100 members and a large following all over Australia.

The first ever national race between all the clubs was held in Dubbo NSW on May 16, 2009.

Tom’s 45 Years On And Going Strong

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

BEST IN THE CENTRAL WEST: Forbes Chiropractor Tom Cole has helped everyone from infants through to centurions as well as sports people and every day citizens over his 45 year career.

While most would be out golfing or fishing, local chiropractor Tom Cole is still helping people. From the vulnerable to sports stars, Tom has seen it all and fixed it too.

“I started in October 1976 and spent time where the Commerical Hotel is now as well as the Water Resources Building,” Tom said.

“Since then I have helped everyone from babies to a 101 year old lady,” he said.

“It’s in our family DNA – even my sister is a chiro too!”

Tom watched his brother grow up with polio and swore to himself he would one day be able to help people like him and so after seeing how well his sister was thriving in the field, he decided to take the leap as well.

“I love helping people and that’s why I haven’t retired yet!”

With an industry that is rapidly evolving especially with technology advances, Tom believes it is the thrill of taking people’s pain away as well as helping Forbes locals that drives him.

“I really enjoy it – particularly when it is people I know,” he said.

“Forbes is a wonderful community and I feel privileged to be apart of it,” Tom said.

“And while lots of things have changed, the people, my motivation and passion certainly haven’t,” he said.

For Tom’s wife Donna, the other half of this family run business, the reward has been seeing how happy Tom’s work and their business makes them.

“Tom is an amazing chiropractor and I cannot recommend him enough – even if I am a little bit biased!”

If it’s any consolation Donna – we certainly are as well and hope Tom stays on
longer!

Watch this space for our 50 years of Tom Cole Chiropractic!

Students Speak Up

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Tuesday 25th May saw Primary and Secondary students from schools in Forbes, Parkes, Trundle, Condobolin, and Lake Cargelligo compete in the CWA Oxley Group Public Speaking Competition.

Competition organiser for the CWA Oxley Group, Mrs Roz Edwards commented that “the judges were very impressed with the standard of speakers. The ideas and perspectives presented over the range of topics was amazing and very creative”.

The Winners and Highly Commended from each section will meet in Trundle to compete in the CWA Western Region Inter Group Competition. Successful students in the CWA Oxley Group competition will compete against students from other groups on June 22nd.

Thank you to all the CWA volunteers, officials and judges who gave their time to assist students speak up and further develop their public speaking skills. Mrs Edwards would also like to thank Forbes Uniting Church for use of the venue and Mr Trevor Drury in helping to set up. Apologies to students and parents for the delay in these results being published due to personal reasons. Results of Oxley Group CWA Public Speaking are:

Years 3/4
• H/C: Sophia Byrne, St Laurence’s, Forbes – I must eat my vegetables

Years 7/8
• Winner: Mikaela Harris, Red Bend Catholic College – Disasters
• H/C: Lara Smith, Red Bend Catholic College – Green Technology
• H/C: Chloe Pryor, Red Bend Catholic College – My land, my life
• H/C: Daisy McMahon, Red Bend Catholic College – Disasters

Years 9/10
• Winner: Grace Taylor, Red Bend Catholic College – The wheels have come off
• H/C: Elizabeth Drewes, Red Bend Catholic College – An opportunity missed.

Players Brave The Cold For Golf Croquet

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Croquet Club had 32 brave players turn up for Golf Croquet on Tuesday 8th June. There were 6 players that had 3 wins – Merv Langfield, Jill Rubie, Dorelle Scott, Mal Smith, Neville Spry and Tony Thomson.

The big winners were:
• 11—2 Denny Smith and Tony Thomson
• 10—3 Kevin Rubie and John Farah, John Browne and Ray Burridge

Close games:
• Harley Stewart and Jill Rubie 7, Geoff Coles and Colleen Liebich 6
• John Cole and Mal Smith 7, Elvy Quirk and Bob Murray 6
• Lyn Simmonds and Mal Smith 7, Jenny Job and Evelyn Mahlo 6
• Dorelle Scott and Jeff Liebich 7, Bill Scott and Bruce Field 6
• John MacCullagh and Robin Pols 7, Barry White and Sandy Hepburn 6
• Elvy Quirk and Ray Burridge 7, Bob Murray and John Farah 6
• John Farah and Neville Spry 7, Denny Smith and John MacCullagh 6
• Colleen Liebich 7, Ray Burridge 6
• John Browne and Geoff Coles 7, Kevin Rubie and Neville Spry 6

Due to the COVID scare there was no croquet Saturday 12th June.

By Pegging Out

Mayoral Notes

June 18, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

I would like to start by saying a big thank you to our Forbes community for coming out to get Covid tested this past week and half.

This community has really stepped up during this pandemic and until everyone is vaccinated we have to learn to live with this terrible disease and take every precaution we can to ensure it does not affect us.

Thank you also to the many of you who braved the cold to get vaccinated at the pop-up clinic. We will let you know when they return. If you haven’t already, go to the Services NSW App and register with the Vaccine Eligibility Checker. This will put you on a waiting list and you will be notified when it is your turn to be vaccinated.

This week another magnificent sculpture was launched along the Sculpture Down the Lachlan Trail. ‘Heart of Country’ does fall in the Lachlan Shire and the first to be launched in the Shire. It is wonderful to work with our neighbouring Councils, the Forbes Art Society, the NSW Government and Evolution Mines to bring this project to fruition.

Remember if you are unable to come to Frost and Fire this weekend and you have tickets, please contact our Tourism team tourism@forbes.nsw.gov.au with your booking code. We have a waitlist of people looking to attend and we can reissue them to others.

Till next week. God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Magpies Lose To Spacies

Hats Off To Misfits

Vale Brian Russell – Trundle’s Mr Horseracing

Forbes Junior AFL Update

Parkes Races A Success

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