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Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Forbes Celebrates International Women’s Day

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FORBES CELEBRATES IWD: Mayor Phyllis Miller, Leigh Bartholomaeus, Scarlett Garland, Meg Staples, Amy Shine and Codie Smith.

The annual International Women’s Day celebrations were a little different this year with Forbes Shire Council partnering with the Forbes Business Chamber to hold a Cocktail Night instead of a breakfast, as they have done in previous years.

“We were joined by over 120 local women to celebrate this amazing event,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“It was held at the renovated Masonic Lodge, which was so perfect for an event celebrating women!”

“Local musician, Georgia Sideris performed while finger food, drinks and cock-tails flowed throughout the night. We paused to listen to five of our Legendary Local ladies speak about their achievements and challenges of being a woman in the 21st century.”

“Our Legendary ladies included; Scarlett Garland, Leigh Bartholomew, Meg Staples, Amy Shine and Codie Smith. They all spoke so well and were very inspiring. We have so many talented and dedicated females in Forbes it is lovely to see them celebrated in this way.”

“Given the recent events it is important women stand together to get noticed and listened to. There is a real push for women to be a part of the conversation and we are very fortunate here in Forbes to have three women, there was 4, sitting around the table at Council making decisions for our community.”

This year Council was supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Orange with their fundraising efforts. The Council will be holding another charity event on the 25th March with a High Tea in Lions Park.

Tickets are available through www.123tix.com.au/events/16085/ronald-mcdonald-house-high-tea.

International Women’s Day for most of the 20th century was celebrated at a grass roots level and a rallying point for social justice. In 1975, the UN adopted International Women’s Year and confirmed March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Our Gal – Karli Noakes

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes? 23 years.

What was your first job? Chester The Chick!

What makes you laugh the most? Probably my partner and daughter.

If money were no object what would you do with your time? Pack up and travel with my family, anywhere and everywhere!

Describe your dream holiday? Anywhere coastal, would love to go up north around Cairns.

What’s your favourite childhood memory? That’s a hard one! I don’t think I could pin point any one time to being my favourite. We grew up on a farm which I loved, every day was like a new adventure.

If you could live in any time or place where would it be and when? The 1980’s.

If you could share a meal with three people past or present who would it be? Any of my lost loved ones.

If you could have one superpower what would it be? Invisibility.

What’s your pet hate? People who chew with their mouth open.

Forbes Shire Council Purchase The Presbyterian Church

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

COUNCIL OWNED: The Presbyterian Church is now owned by Forbes Shire.

Forbes St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church recently sold to Forbes Shire Council for an undisclosed sum. Despite efforts to keep the church in operation, the 144 year old heritage listed church was unable to remain viable with a dwindling congregation.

“Given the location to Town Hall, Council wanted to ensure the building remained in safe hands, so we made an offer,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“The plans for the site are not finalised as yet but we have a few suggestions.”

“It is so important to keep this amazing heritage-listed building in the condition it is worthy of,” Mayor Miller continued.

“The church sits within a very important square of Forbes, Victoria Square and is part of our very popular Heritage Trail.”

“Local stonemasons assisted in building this stone church back in 1877 and many locals don’t want to see it go into disrepair.”

Built in a Gothic Revival style with an octagonal belltower and spire, St Andrew’s is constructed in coursed stone with smooth dressed stone to quoins and surrounds and openings. It was classified by the National Trust in 1975.

Count Backs Decide Golf Results

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The Individual Stableford on Saturday March 13 was keenly contested with count backs needed to determine winners.

The Division 1 was won by Robb Webb with his 39 points, finishing ahead of Harry Callaghan on 37 points. Division 2 had three players finishing on 39 points with the winner being Matt Duff, ahead of Jeff Haley, who was a whisker ahead of Joel Tongue (Dubbo).

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Matt Duff, 18th – Dan Bayley, while the 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin went to Richard Nixon who near-ly scored a ‘hole-in-one’, with his shot finishing just 2cms short of the hole.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley, with many put off by the indifferent weather.
Our CWDGA Pennants teams did not fare well. The Division 1 team lost to a strong Mudgee side by 5-0, while the Division 4 team went down 4-1 also against Mudgee.

Hopes for a pennant flag rested with the Division 2 team, but unfortunately they lost in a close contest also to Mudgee.

The sixes competition finished the second week of finals with Still Trying and Hook, Drive & Sink It going straight to the main draw grand final. Play-offs involve Just for Fun vs Jit n Miss, and Cowhands v Part Time Putters.

The plate finalists are Hackers & Wacker’s and Forbes Auto, with Bush Divas vs Lost in the Trees and Banana Split Pants vs Grant Howell AE in the play-offs.

Players names are needed for the presentation dinner while the Sanderson Memorial day is set for March 27.

By Short Putt

Be Seen

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

PUTTING LOCAL HEALTH FIRST: Jenny Webb (Deputy Mayor Forbes Shire) and Steve Loane (General Manager) at the new collaborative care model launch.

 

CELEBRATING IWD: Violet and Lexi Millerd read a book about inspiring women in line with International Women’s Day Celebrations.

 

ABSOLUTE BLISS: Donna Brown-Bliss and Taylor Bliss having a quiet cordial

 

CELEBRATING OUR WOMEN: Lara Kronenberg enjoying the IWD festivities.

Mayoral Notes

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

I just want everyone to know we as Council are very passionate about getting a new operating theatre for our hospital here in Forbes and we will not settle for anything less than a new building for this theatre. The Forbes community deserves only the best healthcare and it needs to be kept up-to-date and operating well into the future. We saved the Government over $1 million when we completed the works on the hospital previously, and it did not include an operating theatre, now it is time to build this theatre!

This week I attended a mass to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Forbes at Red Bend Catholic College. The Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes has a special place in my heart having worked for them for many years and I know the great work that they do in educating and raising our children to be wonderful young adults.

You may have heard on the grapevine Council has purchased the Presbyterian Church next door. It was very important Council do this to ensure this beautiful heritage-listed building is kept safe and the public has access to it. The building is over 144 years old and registered with the National Trust so we will endeavour to look after it and may it have another 144 years. We are very excited to launch a new sculpture next week, this one is called “Bird in the Hand”. We will share more details soon!

God Bless.

Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

Red Bend And Magpies To Host Junior League Carnival

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

BRAINS TRUST: Red Bend league coaches Kai Merritt and Troy Read (U16’s), Colum Hopkins (U17’s league tag & president), Rodney Morrison (U10’s), Daniel Buckmaster (U12’s), and Paul Kelly (U14’s).

Red Bend along with Forbes Magpies will be co-hosting a rugby league carnival on April 24 between Red Bend fields and Spooner’s Oval.

In a real plus, organisers are getting plenty of registrations for older divisions but seek anyone especially U10s to U16s who wants to try league in a non-competitive, fun environment.

Colum Hopkins (3rd from left), President of Red Bend Junior Rugby League said nominations had come from as far as Cobar with others throughout the Central West also registering.

“We encourage anyone from all ages to come on April 24. There’s no obligation to play on and our emphasis is on having fun,” said Mr Hopkins.

“This day wouldn’t be possible without our co-hosts Forbes Magpies and sponsors who are all committed to developing rugby league in our region.

“The carnival is also a tremendous opportunity to try something new, keep fit and meet new people while existing players get a chance to have a hit out before the season starts next week.”

More info can be obtained from the Play Rugby League website or the Red Bend College Facebook page. All U8’s wanting to play this season are encouraged to register.

Snippets…

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

WELCOME SIGHT: Rain rolling in from the racecourse last week near Forbes Racecourse.

More Rain For Forbes: While we still have a way to go to match last years rainfall in March (63mm), good falls were reported across the region last weekend with a slight chance of more before the end of the month. We currently sit on around 14-15mm. For more go to www.bom.gov.au

Choose To Challenge Exhibition Wraps This Weekend: It’s the last chance for people to check out the Choose to Challenge Exhibition of mixed media work at the Platypus Gallery. The ‘Choose to Challenge’ exhibition opened in Forbes on Friday 5 March and will run until tomorrow – Saturday 20 March.

Members of the Forbes Arts Society are celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) and in keeping with the IWD 2021 theme, #ChooseToChallenge, the exhibition features individual work and collaborative pieces that challenge gender bias and inequality. Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie was glowing in her feedback. “Through artwork, we can highlight and celebrate women’s achievements – but also illustrate the gender inequity that still exists worldwide.”

The Platypus Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am until 2pm and Saturdays, 9am until 1pm. All artworks will be available for purchase. For more information visit www.forbesartssociety.com 

Rural Aid Photo Competition Is Back: The hugely popular Spirit of the Bush photography competition has returned in 2021. Rural Aid is today putting the call out to snappers of all ages and abilities to submit their most stunning photographs of life on the land. The winning photographs will be turned into a beautiful 2022 calendar, that will be available to purchase. In the popular 2020 competition, Rural Aid received more than 700 photographic submissions-making it a very tough job for judging. A panel of judges will determine the best bush snaps, based on twelve categories: farming generations, drought, fire, flood, life on a farm, farm animals, rural women, rural men, outback kids, rural landscapes, man’s best friend and small towns. Winners will be awarded a feature in the 2022 calendar, and a Rural Aid prize pack. Photos can be submitted through the https://woobox.com/srqwkg page up until 5pm (AEST) on Monday, 31st May 2021. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for the full list of terms and conditions. For more information, contact Rural Aid media on 0447 116 757 or media@ruralaid.org.au

PHOTO COMP: Send in your best photos like this one here of the Bogan Mobile for your chance to win.

Wonderful Women Exhibition

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

WONDER WOMAN: Sarah Hodge will be showcasing the Wonderful Women Exhibition this Saturday at Platypus Gallery.

The Wonderful Women Photographic Exhibition will be launched by Tracey Callinan, Executive Officer of Arts Out West at 6.30pm on Saturday, 20 March at the Platypus Gallery, 111 Lachlan Street in Forbes. The event has been co-organised by the Forbes Business Chamber to coincide with the International Women’s Day celebrations.

Wonderful Women showcases women from Forbes and surrounds. Our photographer, using black and white film, has photographed 27 groups of like-minded women and/or individual shots of women with up to four generations in one frame.

Participants are from all cultures and will include: Women who have strived to make Forbes home, women of colour, those with disabilities, women that work in male dominated industries, are aboriginal or Torres Straight islanders, lesbian and gay women, and women from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Each photograph is accompanied by a story of these wonderful women.

Drink and nibbles provided. COVID restrictions will apply. Please enter through the Lachlan Street door of Platypus Gallery where you will be required to sign in. No refunds apply to all tickets purchased.

High-Tech Road Safety Exhibition Coming To Parkes And Forbes

March 19, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Immersive road safety exhibition, SafeT360, recently came to Forbes to educate young road users around the state about how they can share the road safely with trucks. Statistics show 16-25 year olds are the most overrepresented group of drivers involved in crashes on our roads. SafeT360 puts young road users in the virtual driver’s seat to show them how to stay safe on the road, giving insight they don’t get from learner driver logbooks.

Proudly supported by Transport for NSW and Interlink Roads, SafeT360 visited students at Forbes High School on Wednesday 17 March as part of the exhibition’s NSW tour. Developed by the Australian Trucking Association, SafeT360 is an interactive custom-built road safety exhibition that uses virtual reality and interactive messaging all packed into a real travelling truck and trailer.

SafeT360 Marketing and Engagement Coordinator, Kayla O’Brien said that 16 to 25 year old road users are the most over-represented group of people involved in crashes on our roads. “This must change,” Kayla said.

“SafeT360 has one clear goal – to save lives. Whether in a regional or urban area, we all have a role to play in road safety and need to understand how to share the road safely with trucks.”

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