Parkes Phoenix Editor

The phrase ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ is the inspiration behind the latest sculpture to be unveiled as part of Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) extension.

‘Bird in Hand’ by Gold Coast sculptor Michael ‘Mike’ Van Dam represents the profound responsibility of environmental preservation, sustainability and development bestowed upon humans.

“This sculpture reminds viewers that we need to preserve and protect this important environment and its future state, such as native birds and all fauna, are in our hands,” Mike said.

“This piece was made from 1600 meters of 10mm, 316 marine-grade, stainless steel chain, with 38 links per meter and 4 welds per link. This equates to just over 243,000 welds and took eight months to complete.”

The 6.5 metre, 3.5 tonne piece depicting a hyper-realistic hand cradling a great white egret, was unveiled at Straney’s Bridge, 37 kilometres from Forbes towards Condobolin.

‘Bird in Hand’ becomes the 14th sculpture featured along the SDL trail from Forbes to Condobolin.

Chair of the Forbes Arts Society (FAS) Dr Karen Ritchie said, “like much of Mike’s other work, ‘Bird in the Hand’ sends a strong message about responsible conservation of our natural environment”.

“We are so excited to launch the latest sculpture in the trail,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“It is beautifully made and its message will resonate with our locals, that’s for sure!”

The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com

The Partnership of Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre and Western NSW Aboriginal Health to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people in Forbes was formalised last week.

“Over the years the needs of the Forbes Aboriginal community have changed and the focus of our organisation today is pre-dominantly on providing primary health care and wellbeing services,” said CEO Donna Bliss.

“This partnership will extend our services even further without losing our common goal, providing a range of health, education and family programs to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.”

The service provides a full range of primary health care services. The team includes; general practitioners, registered nurses, Aboriginal health workers, counsellors, domestic violence specialists, suicide prevention workers, social and emotional well-being workers.

“It is critical our services are culturally appropriate and are physically, emotionally and spiritually safe and that we work in partnership with people when providing care and treatment,” Ms Bliss continued.

The partnership will ensure safety, quality of care and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples of Forbes and surrounding areas for the foreseeable future.

Local Domino’s Forbes franchisees William Cody and Shannon Langlands are dedicated to helping those in ‘knead’ – providing safe, hot meals to locals in the Forbes area who are doing it tough due to COVID-19.

As part of Domino’s community based program ‘Feed the Knead’, which aims to provide localised support in the form of free pizza, Mr Cody is proud to have donated more than 100 piping hot pizzas to locals in need, including frontline health workers at Forbes District Hospital; Jemalong Resi-dential Village; pharmacy; and SES.

Mr Cody said Domino’s Forbes is committed to giving back to the community, and encourages individuals to ‘nominate someone in knead’ by submitting a Feed the Knead form via the Domino’s website.

“As a small business owner, I understand it is a privilege to be able to operate and safely feed those in the community during this time.

“That is why we are doing everything possible to live up to that privilege and to return the support that our community has so generously shown us,” Mr Cody said.

“So, whether you have lost your job due to COVID-19, are struggling to put food on the table, or know an individual, business, charity or organisation doing it tough, we want to do what we can to help.

“We know that pizza can’t solve all of the world’s problems, but it can bring a small slice of joy to a bad day, and in these times of extreme stress and uncertainty that’s never been more important.”

For more information about Domino’s ‘Feed the Knead’, program visit www.dominos.com.au/feed-the-knead