Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Rural Aid For Livestock, Crops Lost To Floods

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Australia’s trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has stepped up to help farmers across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as they face devastating, widespread flooding.

The team of counsellors are also conducting welfare checks on Rural Aid’s registered farmers and has counsellors on the ground in Forbes.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said farmers with crops nearing harvest were increasingly anxious as flood water and continuing rain caused costly downgrading.

“Months of hard work and investment has now been written off, alongside people’s homes, fences, sheds and machinery,” he said.

Registered primary producers are also being offered financial assistance as they deal with the devastating effects of the flood.

More than 70 local government areas (LGAs) across the three states are directly affected, impacting thousands of families.

Rural Aid counsellors are expecting an increase in calls to its new, dedicated 1300 175 594 counselling line, as the extent of the current flooding situation becomes more apparent.

Farmers registered with Rural Aid can access counselling support and request financial assistance and fodder for livestock.

Producers that aren’t registered are encouraged to do so immediately via www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.

Help To Count Our Feathered Friends

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Become a citizen scientist and take part in the Aussie Bird Count.

It is National Bird Week and residents can still make a difference for bird conservation by participating in the 2022 Aussie Bird Count until Sunday.

All you need to do is pick a spot outside and count birds for at least 20 minutes to help researchers create a snapshot of Australia’s urban and more common bird species. Data collected is submitted through the Aussie Bird Count app or through an online web form.

“The annual Aussie Bird Count is a great way for residents to enjoy the outdoors and learn about birds in our shire,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Officer, Michael Chambers.

“Last year 112 residents took part, and we would love to see even greater participation this year.”

Starting in 2014, the Aussie Bird Count has become one of the largest citizen science projects in Australia. The 2021 Aussie Bird Count saw more than 100,000 Australians take to their local green spaces to count nearly 5 million individual birds. Across the Parkes Shire, residents recorded a total of 5,013 individual birds across 86 species. The most recorded species in the Parkes Shire was the Galah, followed by Crested Pigeons, House Sparrows, Apostlebirds and Australian Magpies. Several species listed as ‘vulnerable’ under federal legislation were also sighted, including Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Pink Cockatoo), Grey-Crowned Babbler, Brown Treecreeper, Dusky Wood Swallow, Superb Parrot and the Speckled Warbler.

Data obtained from annual Aussie Bird Counts helps Council increase environmental engagement among residents, informs land management decisions and can indicate the impacts of tree planting efforts across the Shire.

For residents interested in attracting more wildlife to their gardens, Council will be giving away native shrubs and trees at the Spring Fling Market that has been postponed to Saturday, 19th November.

You can download the Aussie Bird Count app for free, or use the online form at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/submit-a-count/

Fashion Parade And Afternoon Tea To Celebrate CWA Centenary

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The CWA was successful in obtaining a Forbes Shire Council grant for their special anniversary celebration, which will include an amazing raffle available at the afternoon tea on 30th October. Pictured are some of the models in a selection of the outfits from yesteryear. They are at the back (L-R) Jess, Charlotte, Avril, Izzy and Drew, and in front are Marnie and Annaliese.

The Country Women’s Association of NSW is celebrating its centenary this year after it was established in 1922 at the Bushwomen’s Conference held in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Show in Sydney.

The CWA focused on fighting isolation and a lack of health facilities. Members worked on setting up baby health care centres, funding more bush nurses, and building and staffing maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes and holiday getaways for rural and remote families.

These women were initiators, fighters and lobbyists, who were passionate about making rural and regional NSW better for those who lived there. For 100 years the members of the CWA of NSW have continued this legacy by improving the social, educational, recreational and medical realities for their communities. The CWA has grown to be the largest women’s organisation in Australia.

The Forbes Evening Branch CWA will be holding a fashion parade and afternoon tea in the Forbes Town Hall on Sunday, 30th October from 2 to 5pm to mark this important anniversary.

Models will be showcasing clothing from every decade of the last 100 years, with a local story and CWA connection for each clothing item. A delicious afternoon tea will also be provided. Tickets, priced at $15; are selling fast and are limited. Go to www.123tix.com.au/events/35268/forbes-cwa-100-year-celebration to buy a ticker or phone President Robyn Miller on 0419 975 652.

Women’s Pennants Team In State Play-Offs

October 21, 2022 by Lea Orr

The Spring Fling Mufti Day was a hive of activity on Tuesday at the Parkes Bowling Club.

A new queen bee Minor Club Singles Champion has been crowned. Lorraine Baker is no longer the bridesmaid after defeating Heather Harvey in a tough match in gusty conditions. Congrats Lorraine, and well done to Heather!

In more great news, our Grade 3 Pennants team has returned victorious from the regional play-offs in Mudgee. The girls played their wings off and will now buzz off to State play-offs next month in Bomaderry.

Good luck to Liz, Cherie, Jan and Brenda as you represent Parkes in the regional play-offs of pairs and triples in Forbes over the coming days.

In social bowls, number 2 hive entertained four ladies in a game of scroungers. Helen

Heraghty, emerging from an enforced bowls break, flew away with the spoils to win, leaving Kate Keogh a close runner-up and Di Howell and Merilyn Rodgers taking a wrong turn!

Lynn Ryan/Chris Cox/Rose Mitchell sprang into action in hive 3, amassing the most pollen, leaving little for Flo Riseborough/Valmai Westcott/Jan McPhee.

Birthday girl Flo certainly hasn’t lost her touch with the black bowls! In fact, the old black bowls were tracking Jack everywhere –like ants round the cake at a picnic! Valmai, Flo, Chris, Frances – you just keeprolling them down so well!

In the cabbage patch, number 5, Elaine Miller/Frances Charlton/Brenda Davies took the biggest bite of the offerings, leaving just the stems for Kay Craft/Chris Curteis/Maureen Baillie.

As play wound up, it was time to swarm inside to the picnic rug for delish pizzas.

Happy October birthdays to Flo, Rhona, Betsy, Chris and Brenda!

The Minor Pairs nominations are open for one more week.

Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival is on 1st November! Mufti, mixed triples, names drawn from a hat. Put your names down by Tuesday the 25th. Just $20 for bowls, lunch and bubbles.

To play social bowls call the club 6862 1446 between 9 – 9:30am on Tuesday. Play begins at 10am. Social Roster: Elaine M

By Lea Orr

Mamma Mia What A Great Night!

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The world’s number one ABBA tribute band Björn Again had fans on their feet all night on Saturday at the Parkes Leagues Club. The band played in Parkes after the Trundle ABBA Festival had to be cancelled because of the unfortunate weather situation the region is currently experiencing.

Parkes Shire Council’s Visitor Economy & Major Events Specialist Cathy Treasure (left) and Trundle ABBA Festival Manager Hayley Roach (second right) with the Björn Again band members.

Donna Shaw celebrated her birthday at the show with Steve Ridley.

ABBA fanatic Wendy Boschetti and her friend Margi Smith had a great night out.

Our Bloke – Chris Sweeney

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Chris Sweeney

Where were you born? Forbes Mater Hospital.

Were you named after anyone? No, but I did adopt a nickname 45 years ago that has stuck.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Being married for 36 years, my four children and still refereeing rugby at 61.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The Bali bombing. It had a huge effect on the whole community.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t die wondering what you can achieve.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Jumping off the big board at the Forbes pool as a nine year old.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My wife, a rum still, and a solar panel.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? At a party with my friends and family. I love parties!

When are you happiest? At rugby or dragon boating with my mates.

2022 Forbes Challenge Cup

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

If you are an ardent women’s soccer supporter, you have to be in Forbes on Saturday, 29th October to see Western Sydney Wanderers FC Women play Canberra United FC at the Botanical Gardens at 5:30pm.

There will also be a Development Session and Meet the Players with International Coach Tom Sermanni and the teams from 10:30-11.30am.

Other games will be starting at 12:15pm with U/10 Girls Forbes/Lachlan v Griffith DFA, followed by U/12 Girls Southern Tablelands v Griffith DFA; U/14 Girls Lachlan Utd v Griffith DFA; U/18 Girls NSW Country v Canberra Utd.

Two Bowlers In Zone Finals

October 21, 2022 by Marty Tighe

Colin Hayward played social bowls last Thursday.

ZONE SENIOR PAIRS

Darryl McKellar and Gary McPhee have won their way through to the Zone Senior Pairs finals after winning both of their matches on the weekend, defeating the highly fancied Orange City team on Sunday. Tony Riordan and Mal Porter had a draw and a win on Saturday to play in the sectional play-offs on Sunday, however despite playing well, they were just beaten. Congratulations to all four bowlers on a great weekend of playing high quality bowls.

SOCIAL BOWLS

Last Thursday, 20 bowlers took advantage of the rare non-rain day to play two games of social triples and two pairs games.

The in-form Rob Irving and Brett Frame played Ray Jones and Warwick Parker in a tight game of pairs, which eventually saw the ‘Organiser’ and the Greenkeeper prevail, winning 19 shots to 17.

The new life member, John Carr, led brilliantly for the latest member and skip, Chris Harrison surging to a lead of 21 shots to 12 after 17 ends, and won 22 shots to 20.

The first of the triples games resulted in a win by 27 shots to 17 for Mike Valentine, Alan Affleck and Gary McPhee over Ron Hornery, John Niddrie and John Wright.

Graham Barby was back on the bowling rink, leading for Bob Freeman and John Ward against Tony Riordan, Jim Blake and Colin Hayward. Team ‘Bomber’ Ward led by 19 shots to 4. A pep talk from skip Hayward had the desired result as Col fired up Tony and big Jim, winning the remaining 7 ends, picking up 12 shots, to just lose by 2 shots.

The two bowling greens were full on Saturday as 16 social bowlers played on the top rink.

By Marty Tighe

Snippets…

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Poppy Starr from Cowra on winning the junior (under 18 years) category of the 2022 Central West is Best Photography Competition with her entry ‘Into the light’. Poppy is the daughter of the graphic designer of the Phoenix Group of Newspapers, Lisa Brien.

Return And Earn To Expand: The NSW Government’s wildly popular Return and Earn scheme is set to expand to include glass wine and spirits bottles and larger containers. The scheme has already seen more than eight billion containers returned. The planned expansion would see up to an additional 400 million eligible bottles recycled each year, including 233 million glass bottles. The discussion paper is available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/ and is open for consultation until 2nd December. More information about Return and Earn at www.returnandearn.org.au

Plastic Ban: Remember the NSW Government is banning single-use plastics from 1st November. This includes: single-use plastic straws and cutlery; single-use plastic plates and bowls; and expanded polystyrene foodware. For more information visit: bit.ly/plastics-ban

Regional Health Plan: People in rural, regional and remote communities across NSW are encouraged to have their say on a new plan for the future of regional health. Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the community’s feedback would be absolutely critical in developing the Regional Health Plan 2022-2032. So far there has been 68 consultation sessions with 1,600 people across NSW as well as more than 2,000 surveys completed.To have your say, visit https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/nsw-regional-health-plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, 23rd October.

Central West Regional Weed Plan: Central West landholders and community members are encouraged to have their say on the new draft Central West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan. It is one of 11 draft Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans that is open for consultation across NSW. The plans are used to explain how each region will work together to identify, minimise, respond to and manage priority weeds over the next five years. To view, read and submit feedback visit www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/weed-plans. Submissions close on Sunday, 6th November.

Counselling For Farmers: A new, dedicated phone line will allow to quickly and easily connect with the Rural Aid counselling team. The direct line will ensure farmers are provided a faster and more trauma-informed response with access to a trained counsellor who can support them with referrals for immediate needs, while getting a sense of their story and matching them with the most appropriate support. To get in touch with a Rural Aid counsellor, phone 1300 175 594 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Bedgerabong Public School thanked Nedd Brockmann for inspiring their students, and the rest of the world, by spelling out ‘Go Nedd’ on the school grounds this week.

Be Seen

October 21, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Twenty staff and students of the Forbes Public School did the community a great service last Friday when they helped to fill 1,500 sand bags in two hours at the SES. The school was under evacuation orders and had to close for the day.

Teacher Katie Stitt.

Lucas Chen and Bonnie Northey.

School captain Jackson Beaudin and Will Northey with Red Bend Catholic College student Oli Northey.

Sonia South.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

ZONE SENIOR PAIRS

SOCIAL BOWLS

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