Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Grab A Free Cuppa This Easter

April 1, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

If you’re travelling this Easter in regional NSW, make sure you check out the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ website, plan your trip, have regular breaks and collect your free cuppa at one of more than 100 participating businesses.

At freecuppa.com.au drivers can search for the nearest participating business as well as find useful information on the scheme, which is operational until 31 May 2021.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said drivers were entitled to a free cuppa at participating businesses if they were more than 100kms away from home.

“The second biggest killer on NSW roads is drivers who are tired. This scheme encourages drivers to stop, have a break and enjoy a free cuppa,” said Ms Suitor.

“Remember that coffee is no substitute for rest. Take a break,” Ms Suitor said.

Free cuppas are available from a broad range of businesses with varied opening hours, making regular breaks and free cuppas more accessible than ever.

Top tips to avoid driving tired include:
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Avoid driving at night when your body will naturally want to sleep
• Arrange to share the driving
• Avoid long drives after work
• Plan to take regular breaks from driving
• Stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks
• Check if any medicine you are taking may affect your driving
• Know what the early warning signs of fatigue are and take a break

“Please travel safe this Easter and take advantage of the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme,” Ms Suitor said.

Forbes Little A’s Perform Well At State

April 1, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FORBES LITTLE A’s TEAM: Forbes future Olympians were on show last weekend at the NSW Little Athletics State titles in Sydney.

Forbes Little Athletics Club had six children qualify and attend the NSW Little Athletics State Championship in Sydney last week in horrendous conditions.

“The kids performed extremely well and all performed personal bests,” said Stevie Jackson, Vice-President of Forbes Little Athletics Club. “It is a big deal for our little club,” she said.

Each event saw 24 athletes qualify from across NSW so competition was tough. Stars for Forbes were Laura Chudleigh who medalled in the long jump while Beau Wheeldon picked up silver in the Under 10s 70 metres overall and first place in the 100 metres. Ironically, Beau’s dad Mark won the same event 35 year earlier.

Results as follows:
• Brock Maynard U12s Javelin and came 9th overall.
• Laura Chudleigh U12s high jump came 10th, U12s 200m 21st and Long jump 2nd.
• Laine Jackson U11s 100m came 19th overall.
• Jackson Beaudin U11s Javelin came 4th overall and U11s 800m came 22nd overall.
• Beau Wheeldon U10s 70m came 2nd overall, U10s 100m came 1st overall and U10s 200m came 5th overall.
• Anderson McMahon U9s 100m came 16th overall and U9s high jump came 11th overall.

“The Forbes community was extremely well represented by these young athletes,” Stevie said. “These same athletes also received local yearly awards at Forbes Little Athletics Club recently,” she said.

Club results:
• Brock Maynard was the U12s Age Champion and the Jack Hadrill Memorial Award for commitment and training.
• Laura Chudleigh U12s age champion and overall outstanding performance and achievement.
• ackson Beaudin U11s Age Champion
• Laine Jackson Club Member of the year
• Beau Wheeldon U10s Age Champion and Overall Outstanding and performance and achievement.
• Anderson McMahon U9s Age Champion and Overall Jnr Boy Champion of the year.

“Well done to all who participated – you’ve done our club proud!”

Snippets…

April 1, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

PLANNING THE FUTURE: Wiradjuri Council of Elders recently met in Parkes to discuss ways to better manage water and the next generation of elders.

Wiradjuri Council Of Elders Meet In Parkes: Last Friday and Saturday saw the first meeting for some time of the Wiradjuri Council of Elders in Parkes.

This is not the first collaboration between Parkes Shire and Wiradjuri Elders though one of the first since COVID. Zoom link was trialled successfully and connected Elders from Lithgow Associates of Wiradjuri.

Mayor Ken Keith OAM was on hand to welcome the Elders as discussions held throughout the meeting ranged from water management to emerging Elders.

The boundary of the Wiradjuri Nation extends from Coonabarabran in the north, straddling the Great Dividing Range down to the Murray River and out to western NSW.

Wiradjuri traditional country includes the townships of Dubbo, Condobolin, Orange, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Narrand-era, and Griffith.

The Wiradjuri Council of Elders is comprised of Elders from all over Wiradjuri Country and had their first meeting in 1989 and hopefully will continue well into the future.

30 Years of Service Celebrated: Last week Forbes Shire Council celebrated 30 Years of service with the Forbes Railway Arts committee. “I would like to thank all the amazing volunteers we have had at the Railway Station Arts and Tourist In-formation Centre over the last 30 years,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Such an amazing milestone to reach and we at Council appreciate your dedication and service to the community over those three decades.

“I would like to pay special tribute to our life members; Pearl Maguire, Merle Churchill and Anne Nixon who attended last Wednesday. You all were at the inaugural meeting on 18 June 1990 at the Forbes Golf Club,” continues Mayor Miller.

“Danie Doolan, the driving force and dedicated founding member, must also be acknowledged. Without her initial push the Forbes Railway Arts & Tourist Centre committee would not have come to fruition.

“We must also not forget Judith Taylor and Lyn Simmonds who also have been working at the centre for 30 years,” continues Mayor Miller.

In total the Railway Station Arts and Tour-ism Information committee has had a total of 111 members over the thirty years. Currently the committee are non-committal on the future for the Railway Arts committee as COVID-19 has changed the circumstances in which they operate.

THIRTY YEAR MILESTONE: Councillor Chris Roylance, Councillor Graeme Miller, Mayor Phyllis Miller, Merle Churchill, Pearl Macguire, Yvonne Collits and Anne Nixon.

Staines Stars In NRL Grand Final Rematch

April 1, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

After somewhat of a try drought, Forbes Magpies junior Charlies Staines scored a try and helped save two others including the matchwinner with Villiame Kikau in Penrith Panthers 12-10 win over the Melbourne Storm. The win leaves the Panthers undefeated alongside neighbours and rivals Parramatta with a game against wooden spoon fancies Manly last night. He also outran the fastest man in league Josh Addo-Carr!

CSI Launch New Sila Program

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Four major Australian foundations – The Myer Foundation, the Sidney Myer Fund, the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Paul Ramsay Foundation, have come together to fund the five-year, $9 million SILA program. In doing so, these organisations have unlocked potential to improve the wellbeing of all Australians.

Excitingly, CSI (Centre for Social Impact) have allocated a large portion of the funding to rural and regional participants. CSI strongly encourage participants in regional and rural parts of Australia to apply and will provide travel assistance. There is also funding to support people from diverse backgrounds to participate in SILA.

The program is first launching in ACT and NSW. This means that social impact leaders from Forbes, NSW are eligible SILA participants and are provided with the opportunity to further influence the for-good space.

“It is critical that we develop a truly national program. By broadening our reach in this way, we are ensuring we will be available to a diverse group of leaders and organisations from across Australia,” Jenny Wheatley, CEO of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation said.

For too long, rural and regional parts of Australia have been under-recognised in such spaces. CSI is excited to ensure that leaders from rural and regional areas are adequately represented in the sector and that the impacts of their work are amplified on a national level.

The program will include a series of immersive and dedicated training opportunities, all focused on supporting not-for-profit leaders to build their capacity and continue driving positive change.

More information about SILA can be found here: https://silaprogram.com.au/

St Pats Defeat Magpies To Win Stubby Collits Memorial

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

It is a friendly rivalry that has grown over the years and despite a disruptive 2020 and poor weather, the annual Brendon ‘Stubby’ Collits Memorial Day was again a tremendous success and a credit to both clubs.

The last two challenges had resulted in draws meaning this year had some extra tension despite the friendly atmosphere and it was Pats who got the chocolates with a grafting 28-22 win at Spooners Oval in front of a bumper crowd.

For Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh it was a great hit-out for his troops ahead of a big 2021 season. With many having had a long break from the game, the return of messrs Ben Maguire, Hayden Bolam and Mitch Andrews along with Nick Greenhalgh has been welcomed making the Magpies a force to be reckoned with in 2021.

In other games on the day, St. Pats Women’s League Tag dominated Forbes while the 18s showed why they will be a genuine threat this season with a resounding win. As for the 21s last Saturday’s contest against Bathurst St Pat’s was the final competition round for the new 21s, with the semi-finals of the six-side competition to follow.

Our Bloke – Jeremy Markwort

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

OUR BLOKE: Jeremy Markwort practicing his turkey gobble for the Bogan Fest on June 12 at Bedgerabong.

How long have you been in or lived in Forbes? On and off my whole life. I was born here.

Out of everything, what makes you laugh the most? Good comedy movies especially Adam Sandler. His movies are great and really crack me up.

What do you do for a living? I am a Bogan entrepreneur and running an online page called Bogan’s World on Facebook where we profile everything bogan.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time and money? Buy a paddle steamer and float down the Murray River of course. Why not?

Describe to us what is your dream holiday? Amsterdam in the Netherlands – it would be amazing. Rich in history and diversity and very laid back over there.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received in your life? Be humble. Still the best advice I ever received to this day.

If you could live in any time or place where would it be? The 1980s. Exciting time. It was right at a time when we were on the cusp of big technological advances and developments in society. Would’ve been awesome I think.

If you could have dinner with anyone past or present who would it be? Eric Bana as he is one of my favourite Aussie comics from his Poita days, Charlie Manson and Greg Norman – The Great White Shark. He was phenomenal and I always liked watching him play.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? X-ray vision.

What is your pet hate? Rude people. There’s no need for it. Be kind to people and treat them as you want to be treated. It’s that simple.

Great To See League Back

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Between rep footy, trials, memorial days and more it’s great to see the crowds back at Spooners Oval for rugby league. After a disruptive 2020, the Magpies are looking good from juniors to firsts and should be more than competitive this year. We will watch with interest. Up the Magpies!

Rain Here To Stay But No Sign Of Flooding…Yet

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT: Forbes SES has been fortunate so far as the rest of NSW continues to battle flash flooding.

While the rest of the state is largely on high alert due to the torrential rain coming from the Northern Territory in the past week, Forbes, unlike other towns in the Central West, remains unscathed.

At the time of publication, Forbes SES had reported no incidents despite the deluge of rain which as of March 22 had exceeded the monthly rainfall from 2020 with still over a week left in the month.

Roc Walshaw, Forbes SES Local Area Commander said that at current river and dam levels, there was no need for concern.

“The dam isn’t anywhere near capacity however if we keep getting strong showers in concentrated spots it can change quickly,” Walshaw said.

With most of NSW declared a natural disaster zone from the Mid-North Coast to the Illawarra, Forbes, notorious for flooding has been one of the luckier locales.

“Trust me when I say you’ll know if it’s going to happen here,” Walshaw said.

“We will be prepared and we have a great unit,” he said. “It’s all about preparation so when we need to perform during times of crisis like floods we are ready to go!”

Walshaw did caution people to be careful in floodwaters especially when driving and to take care.

“Don’t mess about in floodwater,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”

For more info or if you require assistance due to flood, storm and tsunami emergencies, please phone NSW SES on 132 500.

‘Bird In Hand’ Unveiled Along The Sculpture Down The Lachlan Trail

March 26, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

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. The 6.5 metre, 3.5 tonne piece depicting a hyper-realistic hand cradling a great white egret, was unveiled Wednesday at Straneys Bridge 37 kilometres from Forbes.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe