Renee Ryan: A vending machine specifically for homeless. Giving these people free access to bottles of water, fruit, toothpaste, toothbrush, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. I lived on the streets of Brisbane for 2 months when I was 17. This would have helped a lot.
Carlos Alpacca: I would like to see a sushi train restaurant that serves iced cold beers.
Megan Byrnes: Aside from me (jokes) some more live music!
50TH CALL: Col Hodges, binoculars and race guide in hand calls his 50th Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Cup. INSET: Col Hodges has been an institution in racing circles in the Central West for half a century and shows no signs of slowing down.
In an era where the term legend is bandied about at will, a legend of the country horse racing scene reached a significant and more than likely unmatched milestone recently.
Col Hodges, who began doing phantom race calls at school as a nine-year old, is celebrating his 50th year as a race caller and 50 years since he called his first Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Cup. The spritely 71 year old shows no signs of slowing down.
“When I attended my first race meeting at 14 at Bedgerabong Picnic Races – 57 years ago, seeing the horses galloping down the straight was one of the most exciting things I had ever seen,” said Col.
“I’m an animal lover first and have called trots longer than horse racing as well as greyhounds in my time but my first horse race was Gooloogong Gallops in October 1970 – one race won by Minibill.”
“Easter 1971 I called my first race meeting.”
Bedgerabong and Forbes remain close to his heart and he has called for over 40 race clubs and does over 100 race meetings a year.
“From Bathurst to Broken Hill and Cowra to Coonamble,” said Col.
While at this stage he’s not thinking about retirement Col says that when he starts to slip that’s when he will “pull the pin.”
“I admire the people involved in this industry, they are great people and animal lovers and gives me more pleasure than calling any race.”
Until this legend of the track draws a close on his illustrious career, I for one can’t wait to see Col up there in the tower named in his honour in 2022. Binoculars in hand, form guide blocking the February sun and the horses bursting out of the barriers like hounds from hell. Must be Bedgerabong…
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST BOGAN: Ryan Bogan Edwards with Benny Parslow at the 2019 event at Bogan Gate.
After a COVID enforced lay-off of nearly two years, Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival tickets go on sale from Monday, 1 March.
The 2021 edition of the event will be held at the Bedgerabong Racecourse from Friday June 11 – Sunday June 13 with nearly all the action on Saturday.
Organiser Luke Acheson said initial tickets would be capped at 1000 with the possibility of adding more pending COVID restrictions.
“The beauty of the venue is not only have the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club successfully run a COVID event with the races this month but they have the room should anything change and we are able to alter numbers,” Luke said.
“Chris Franklin, Hype Duo, Benny Bogan, Balls n All and The Noll Brothers featuring Shannon Noll will also be on hand,” he said.
There will also be the crowning of the Best Dazza and Shazza as well as Australia’s Biggest Bogan 2021.
Tickets start at day pass $60 (for patrons with their own transport), $70 for those wanting the bus and $80 for campers. Go to – https://boganfestival.wixsite.com/2021
Representative News
Regional carnival dates will be available from Wednesday, 24 February. Representative forms are available to print from the FNA website and can be emailed to Secretary Lyn on email secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com Any enquiries, or players who cannot attend the day, but wanting to nominate should send an email to above.
Autumn Night Competitions
The Autumn night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams will play the first grading games on Wednesday night. There is still time for teams to enter the competitions.
Teams looking for players, or players looking for teams, should email above, or come down to the courts on Wednesday night. This year, the Ladies division will again be split into division 1, and a 17under division, if there are enough ladies teams wanting to play 17s.
Night comps are a lot of fun, and anyone can join. The dates for the Autumn night competitions are available on the FNA Facebook page. Teams are encouraged to bring their own id patches to wear. All COVID safety rules are still in place, and everyone needs to sign in. Teams supply one umpire per allocation when rostered for duty.
RAIN ROLLING IN: Rain at Paul and Emma Baxter’s property near Riverdale 10kms south of Forbes towards Condobolin.
Rain Glorious Rain! In a much-needed boost for farmers and the region, approx. 100mm of rain in February in the Forbes Shire with reports of more in some areas.
The 2021 total amount is already smashed for the whole of February 2020 (72mm) with less than a week of February left and more rain expected. Local James Mattiske, who’s family property sits 10kms south of Forbes towards West Wyalong had 60mm falling on Friday, 5 February and Saturday, 6 February alone. He wasn’t the only one with reports coming in of good coverage across the shire including this pic from Riverdale 10kms south of Forbes.
ALGWA Forum: The Australian Local Women’s Government forum was held in Forbes on February 20 at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel in an event designed to educate women who may be interested in putting their hand up to join Council this year. The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) held a forum for women members of the community wanting to know more about the responsibilities as a Councillor.
Nursing Grads In Central West: More than 100 graduate nurses and midwives will start working in Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) hospitals this year as part of their annual new graduate intake.
WNSWLHD Nursing and Midwifery Transition and Workforce Manager, Jackie Corliss, extended a warm welcome to the new nursing and midwifery recruits. “We’re so excited to have 104 new recruits joining us. We wish them well as they embark on this unique and rewarding career.”
“The recruits will be based across the District, including ten mental health nurses located at Bloomfield Hospital,” said Ms Corliss.
More than 54,000 nurses and midwives currently work in the NSW public health system, an increase of 24.7 per cent since 2011. The NSW Government has invested in a record total 8,300 frontline health staff over four years, including an additional 5,000 nurses and midwives, including mental health and palliative care nurses.
WNSWLHD graduates from February 2021 will work in the following hospitals:
• Bathurst Health Service: 12 nurses
• Orange Health Service: 16 nurses, 1 registered midwife
• Dubbo Health Service: 28 nurses, 2 registered midwives
• Bloomfield Campus: 10 registered nurses
Others will fill Metro/ Rural Exchange Program, Southern, Northern and Central Clusters.
This week General Manager, Steve Loane and myself have gone to the NSW Associated Mining & Energy Related Council meeting in Wollongong which is always interesting. The renewable energy sector is really gaining momentum in our region. The NSW Government is implementing three Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) pi-lots throughout NSW and one of them is the 3,000 megawatt REZ in the Central West of NSW. This is great for our local economies and for jobs in the regions as well. We have two solar farms in the Forbes Shire and potential for others as well.
In last week’s Council Meeting it was raised the need for upgrades to our town security. The program of 50 new CCTV cameras will soon to be rolled out through-out Forbes. The cameras will have a direct relay to our local police station who can then quickly action staff to respond to incidents.
We have also started renovations in Town Hall. This will see a variety of upgrades to this beautiful Heritage building. New light-ing, kitchen and bar area as well as a new floor in the concourse. We remind everyone the Town Hall may be out of action for a while but please contact Council’s Event Officer if you are looking for a space to hold your next function or event we have a few suggested venues that may serve your purpose.
Till next week. God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller
Charlie Staines has started the 2021 season on a positive note in a winning first up effort for Penrith Panthers in a NSW Cup trial against Mounties 18-12.
Linking with new Wests Tigers recruit Paul Momirovski on the right edge, the new combination got off to a rough start as Mounties scooted to an early 12-0 lead. With possession finally going the Panthers way, the tide began to turn towards Penrith.
Two quick tries brought the score back to 12-10 at half time and the Panthers soon clicked into gear taking the lead for good not long thereafter with two quick tries.
Clinging to an 18-12 lead with a fraction of the game to go, Mounties looked set to score to make it 18-16 with a kick to come however it wasn’t to be and Panthers won in a thrilling game 18-12. Charlie Staines finished strongly, saving a certain try and the see-sawing affair provided a good work-out for eight of the NRL squad.
The Forbes Magpie junior is expected to line up on the wing for Round 1 of the NRL premiership in a few short weeks having taken the place of club legend Josh Mansour who has since moved to South Sydney. It’s a massive endorsement from the club and NRL coach Ivan Cleary that they see Staines as a big part of the Panthers future.
Meanwhile Staines is expected to line up again this weekend in the Battle of the West between Penrith and Parramatta with all grades playing at Panthers Stadium in an early glimpse at a mouth watering 2021 potential finals match up.
We can’t wait!
BEE-COMING BEE SMART: Woolworths Debbie Rad-burn promoting the Bee Bonus grant for Forbes Shire education and learning centres.
Applications for the 2021 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program are now open for Forbes Shire.
Primary schools and early learning centres across Forbes Shire can also apply for a Bee Bonus, as part of a $1.5million investment by Woolworths into the program. Up to one thousand Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants are being offered, for up to $1,000 each.
Recipients in Forbes Shire can use the grant to grow a vegetable or bush tucker garden, composting, worm farm or other environmental projects in their schools and communities, helping to educate the younger generation about the importance of the environment.
Primary schools and early learning centres can also apply for a Bee Bonus, in addition to the $1,000 grant. The Bee Bonus offers $500 of extra funding to support the conservation of Australia’s bees.
An estimated 15.6 million hectares of native Australian forest was destroyed in the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis, resulting in a negative impact on the ability of honey bees to provide pollination services to Australian crops and horticulture.
Woolworths Forbes Store Manager Noel Reardon said: “Our Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program is all about inspiring Aussie environmental champions in Forbes Shire. The Bee Bonus puts the spotlight on the impact honey bees and native bees have on our ecosystem, creating awareness and encouraging positive action.
“The grants help deliver programs that not only educate younger generations on how to be more environmentally conscious, but also get Forbes Shire students hands-on and directly supporting the growth of a sustainable, greener future.
“If we work together, we can help support growth of flora and fauna so that bees can continue their vital role in supporting our agricultural systems and improving biodiversity.”
Applications for Woolworths’ Junior Landcare Grants are open from 10 February. To find out more visit landcareaustralia.org.au/woolworthsgrants
Dennis Wilson, Graeme Miller and Steve Karaitiana at the Men’s Shed for NSW Governor Beazley’s visit.
Yarangirri Holmes tending the fire at the Dreaming Centre.
Local artist Tim Acheson displaying his latest Indigenous artwork.
Click here to listen to the owner of the Phoenix Newspaper Group, Joshua Matic discussing the impact on community newspapers when Facebook removed access to media pages this week. @ 18 minutes 00 seconds