Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Snippets…

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

ROADS FUNDED: Deputy PM and National Party Leader Michael McCormack.

More Than $400 Million in Road Safety Funding En Route for NSW: Hundreds of road safety projects are rolling out across New South Wales, in a more than $400 million blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian and NSW Governments were working tirelessly to ensure works start immediately and are completed by June to get people home sooner and safer. “As someone who proudly lives, works and has raised a family in regional NSW, I know just how important safe, efficient road connections are to local communities,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“That’s why we are rolling out this funding to deliver lifesaving upgrades. This investment won’t just save lives, it will also provide more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs.”

It’s All About You at All About You: About You – It’s Your Life Pty Ltd is has recently come to Forbes and Parkes and are looking for enthusiastic and committed support workers as part of their expansion. Spokesperson Ian Lorente was excited about the growth in the area saying – “If you have the energy, commitment, a genuine interest in people and willingness to learn please contact us.” If you’re interested, please contact Ian at 0405 622 340 or email ian.aboutyoucompany@gmail.com

Lots To Do For IWD Celebrations: To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 there are a number of events in Forbes over the week from the Choose to Challenge IWD exhibition at the Platypus Gallery to a IWD Cocktail night at Masonic Lodge on March 13 from 6-9pm. Tickets $15 at 123tix

Unleashing Vitality In Forbes: They say if you don’t make time for your wellness you will need to make time for your illness and Renee Ryan is proof of both. The local Forbes woman has recently completed the Unleashing Vitality course from The Coaching Centre of Australia after dealing with health and wellness challenges her entire life. “I dealt with my own history through the course,” said Renee. “It really is about taking ownership of your life. I am living with more purpose than ever and totally recommend this to anyone.” For more info on this course please go to www.thecoachingcentre.com.au or call Shawn Dwyer 0439 194 323.

SELF GROWTH: Shawn Dwyer teaches self growth among a litany of other things in his Unleashing Vitality course seen here with Forbes Renee Ryan.

Hurford Nabs A Grade As Pennants Heats Up

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

BE THE CLUB: Peter Barnes watches his shot intently off the tee at Forbes Golf Club in the Mciahel Robinson and Co. Monthly Medal.

The Saturday comp on March 6 was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson and Co. with 69 players.

A-Grade was a close race, with Clint Hurford (nett 69) just ousting Stephen Uphill (nett 70). B-Grade was won by Peter Cowhan with the best score of the day, nett 63 while Peter Grayson was runner-up on nett 68.

C-Grade saw Geoff Drane, with 68 nett take the bacon from runner-up Steve Gral-lelis on 75 nett.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – M Spice, 18th – J Haley, who was close to a ‘hole-in-one’. The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin was snared by Ben Robinson, with a 5.19 metre proximity.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was contested primarily by visiting golfers. The winner was Gary Watts (Coolangatta-Tweed Heads GC) with 33 points. Runner-up was Christine Porter (Rossdale) with 27 points.

The 2021 CWDGA Pennants played last Sunday had mixed results. The Division 1 team lost narrowly to Parkes by 3-2. Shane Sallaway (7/5) and John Betland (5/3) were our winners. Our Division 2 team have qualified for the Finals on the back of a 3/2 win over Duntryleague. Andy Dukes (4/3), Charlie Dwyer (6/4) and Brodie Hodges (5/3) were winners.

The Div 3 team handed Duntryleague a 5-0 thrashing but may miss out on the Fi-nals on a points count back. Adam Curry (3/2), Pete Barnes (6/5), Damien Kennedy (4/3) Matt Roylance (3/2) had easy wins while Brett Thomas won on the 19th. Unfortunately the Div 4 team were not able to play.

The Sixes Competition had its first week of the Finals. Teams to drop out were Drawshanks, EHAG, ‘Boys and Girls’ and ‘George of the Jungle’.

Players are reminded to provide to the Pro Shop the names of those attending the Presentation Dinner on Sunday, 28 March.

Forbes Hockey 2021 Registration Day

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Hockey 2021 registration day will be held on Wednesday, 31 March from 5 – 6.30pm at the Forbes Tennis Courts. All players who pay their fees on this day will get a discount: $65 junior, $120 senior. After this, cost will be $75 junior, $130 senior.

Again this year there will be a no pay no play rule. Players cannot take the court unless fees have been paid (even for one game or part of a game when teams are short). This is necessary due to insurance regulations.

Forbes Hockey Inc have a Facebook page for any further information. The competition will start Wednesday, 21 April.

Council Comment

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Last week I attended the Country Mayor’s Association Meeting. The CMA allows local government from rural and regional NSW to come together to discuss issues of specific interest to areas outside the major metropolitan centres. The priorities discussed were the access to health, water security and financial assistance. The guest speaker was Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard. It was great to have someone from the health sector speak at an event such as this and given the year we have experienced through COVID, it was very interesting listening to him. I spoke about a few operational issues concerning our region and asked for a new operating theatre for Forbes Hospital.

I attended the meeting with the neighbouring Councils to discuss the Collaborative Care Project for Lachlan Health Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin to look at improving our way of delivering Primary Healthcare Services. With assistance from the Federal Government, money has been funded towards this very important program. In attendance was Minister for Regional Health, Mark Coulton, Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack and all three councils – facilitated by the Rural Doctors Network.

The Seven Sisters Bridge work has now been completed by Council and it looks fantastic. Council will now work on the new approaches to the bridge in the coming weeks with the installation of a new road base and approach guardrails. The bridge is planned to be open to traffic by the end of March.

By Councillor Jenny Webb

Netball Night Comp Continues To Grow

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Netball News
The Forbes Netball night competition team nominations must reach Secretary Lyn via email secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com by today. Round 1 starts March 17. All players are reminded that they must pay $50 per player per team, in cash, at the office on Wednesday night. All player registrations are done online through MyNetball. The link is on the FNA website.

Teams are reminder to supply their own id patches, if possible. All players are reminded to check in each week via the COVID Safe app on phones, and if you are feeling unwell, please do not enter the grounds.
The next meeting of the FNA will be held on Thursday March 18, and all teams must be represented.

Draw – Wednesday Match 10 Grading 3 Ladies competition
• 6pm court 9 Minties v Pink Ladies (Carolyn Duncan/Gundamain L-1)
• 6pm court 10 D and A Detailing v Lethel Weapons (Robyn Kenny/Take Your Time-1)
• 7pm court 9 Gundamain v Take Your Time (Carolyn Duncan/Schofields-1)
• 8pm court 9 Schofields v Commercial Hecklers (Mix & Match-1/Ball Busters-1)
• Bye – Chunky Pies

Mixed Competition
• 7pm court 10 Red Hot Chili Netters v Skadoosh (Robyn Kenny/D and A De-tailing-1)
• 7pm court 11 Mix & Match v Ball Busters (Jack Piercy/Minites-1)
• 8pm court 11 Gundamain v Bin Chickens (Jack Piercy/Red Hot Chili Netters-1)
• Bye – Rickaby’s Concreting

The Forbes Sporting Shooters Association Improves Accessibility With Upgrade

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP, was in Forbes last week to announce funding for the Forbes Sporting Shooters Association (Forbes SSAA), through the 2019 Community Building Partnership Program.

The SSAA Forbes received funding of $31,000 for costs associated with upgrading the club house, amenities block, and paths to ensure wheelchair access to all areas.

Phil Donato visited the Association to congratulate the Forbes SSAA on their successful funding application, while hosting a tour of the electorate with his colleague and Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP, who was impressed with the facilities.

“The Forbes SSAA is a great place for people to socialise while practising or learning a skill,” Mr Donato explained.

“I put my support behind this application because I know what a difference it can make to have activities that contribute to social well-being.”

Club Secretary Ben Smith said that this funding was particularly important for the club, because it has allowed access and maintenance to the clubhouse and facilities. The club was utilising the clubhouse as a storage facility for equipment and a new shed was built to specifically store that equipment. The upgrade to facilities means they are now able to be locked up and kept clean for the Club member’s use.

“Our Club has always been about being inclusive and these modifications help with access for all” Mr Smith said.

“We are all very much appreciative of Phil Donato for putting his support behind this project and keeping clubs like ours alive.”

Croquet Continues To Attract New Players

March 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

GROWTH SPORT: Croquet continues to attract new players and is becoming a hit in Forbes.

There were 26 players for Aussie Croquet on Saturday, 6 March. One of the newer players John Farah had his first win of three games, well done. The other players with three wins were John Browne, Bob Murray, Kevin Rubie, Barry White and Jill Rubie. Big win on the day was 14 – 6 John Browne. Close Games were:

• John Allegri and Harley Stewart 14 Cheryl Toohey and Neville Spry 13
• Joan Littlejohn and Jill Rubie 14 John Cole and Lyn Simmonds 12

By Pegging Out

Phoenix Welcomes New Sales Rep

March 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Jordana Freney has been appointed as the new Forbes Phoenix Sales Manager after a competitive interview process that saw applicants from across the state.

Josh Matic, owner of The Phoenix Group of Newspapers said that he was extremely pleased with the appointment and that Jordana would be a great asset to the organisation as it grows.

“Jordana brings local knowledge, a can-do attitude and some tremendous ideas to the Forbes Phoenix,” said Mr Matic.

“We know she will help us re-establish the Phoenix as a valuable local advertising tool and a part of any business marketing model.”

“We can now also offer advertisers not only face-to-face service but online and social media advertising as well as editorial and video for those who take on campaigns longer than three months,” he said.

“Jordana can assist with all your sales enquiries and all editorial can be directed to our new editor Dane Millerd.”

Jordana Freney meanwhile is excited about the new role. “I’m really happy I was successful and can’t wait to start!”

For sales enquiries email Jordana Freney at sales@forbesphoenix.com.au or call 0459 086 023

Snippets

March 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FREE CUPPAS: The Free Cuppa initiative has been a success with fatigue-related crashes more recently falling by 19% across NSW.

100 Businesses Join Forces to Reduce Driver Fatigue Crashes on NSW Roads: The ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme has been running for 11 years. This year 17 local businesses in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas have put their hands up to help fight driver fatigue and reduce our road toll by offering free cuppas to tired drivers.

Our local businesses will join over 100 businesses across regional areas of NSW to participate in the next phase of the successful ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme, which runs annually from 1 March to 31 May. Participating businesses will be encouraging drivers to take regular breaks by offering a free cup of tea or coffee to any driver who is more than 100kms away from home.

Since 2010, over 25,000 free cuppas have been given away. During that time, across NSW fatigue-related crashes have fallen by 19%. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the second biggest killer on NSW roads is drivers who are tired.

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

“If it wasn’t for the participating businesses supplying the ‘free cuppa’, then this scheme wouldn’t be possible. I would like to thank the 17 enthusiastic businesses across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas who are taking part in this year’s scheme,” Ms Suitor said.

The local participating businesses for 2021 are: Commercial Hotel, Forbes Bakehouse, Forbes Inn Hotel Motel, Isabel’s Place, Shell Forbes and Subway Forbes.

The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business as well as find useful information on the scheme. There is also an active Facebook page that will keep you up to date on the scheme and the participating businesses.

For further information, please contact (02) 6861 2364.

Clean Up Australia Day: This Sunday, 7 March is Clean Up Australia Day and for those in the Forbes shire there are numerous places to get involved in this important and wonderful initiative. Fitzgerald’s Bridge, Cottons’ Weir and Gum’s Swamp on the Newell Highway are the areas for locals to participate. For more information call Forbes River Meadows Caravan Park on 6852 2694.

CLEAN UP: Cotton’s Weir near Forbes NSW is one of the Clean Up Australia Day sites this Sunday March 7.

Netball News

March 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes netball committee is starting the Autumn night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams from Wednesday 3 March. Team nomination forms are available on the FNA website and can be emailed to Secretary Lyn email secretary. forbesnetball@gmail.com

Anyone looking for a team to play with, or teams looking for more players should either email on the above or come to the office on Wednesday nights.

Teams are asked to please supply their own ID patches if possible.

Players can start paying their $50 competition fee per player per team at the office on Wednesday and registrations to NNSW must be done online.

Draw for Wednesday March 3, Grading 2

LADIES COMPETITION
7pm crt 9 Minties v D & A Detailing (Robyn Kenny/Ball Busters-1)
7pm crt 10 Gundamain v Schofields (Jack Piercy/Mix and Match-1)
7pm crt 11 Take Your Time v Commercial
Hecklers (Carolyn Duncan/Late Or Never-1)

MIXED COMPETITION
8pm crt 9 Bin Chickens v Late Or Never (ake Your Time-1/D and A Detailing-1) 8pm crt 10 Mix and Match v Ball Busters (Carolyn Duncan/Commercial Hecklers-1) 8pm crt 11 Rickaby’s Concreting v Gundamain (Robyn Kenny/Schofields-1)

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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