Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Rhyme Time has returned at Forbes North Public School.

Rhyme Time Returns: Rhyme Time is back in full swing with parents and young children embracing the weekly sessions now being held at Forbes North Public School. Previously held in the town library, the change of location was due to COVID restrictions not allowing voice projection in enclosed spaces. Rhyming helps babies and young children to learn about words, sounds and the formation of language. Hearing rhyme and rhythm helps children develop a strong foundation for early literacy skills and is important for early brain development. The new location of Rhyme Time at Forbes North Public School is accessible via Facey Street which allows for ample parking and a beautifully shaded area for families to enjoy. Organiser Maree Yapp said she was thrilled to have Rhyme Time back after a lengthy COVID hiatus. The group now meets weekly at 9.30am each Friday.

Christmas Hampers: Foodbank delivered a pallet load of 60 Christmas hampers to Forbes North Public School (FNPS) on Friday, 7 November, which are still being distributed to families throughout Forbes. The school and Foodbank have teamed up over this year, with volunteers from FNPS help- ing with Foodbanks July food drop at the Forbes showgrounds and Foodbank also running their School Breakfast Program at FNPS. While there has been a generous amount of rain this year, Foodbank recognises that families are still living under the strain of drought. To donate $35 for food hampers, follow the link of the Forbes North Public School Facebook page.

Veteran And Community Grants: Grants for activities and services which improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families in the Riverina and Central West are now available, with the latest round of Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program now open. The project aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, help veterans to live independently, reduce isolation, and to provide support to carers. The provision of these grants will enable communities to choose where funding is allocated, this is because it is the communities who know best which services will benefit individual veterans and their families the most. For information about how to apply visit the Community Grants Hub website www.communitygrants.gov.au. Assistance with grant application queries is also avail- able by phone on 1800 020 283 or by email support@communitygrants.gov.au. Grant applications will close 29 January 2021.

Maree Yapp and Annemarie Goodger have been distributing the Foodbank Christmas hampers to Forbes families.

https://www.forbesphoenix.com.au/14988-2/

The Giveaway Begins

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Maree and Melissa Westcott of Forbes Small Engine Specialists will assist with all of your engine needs, accessories and gifts.

November has seen the Find It In AMAZING Forbes promotion begin, with lucky winners receiving $500 to put towards their Christmas shopping. The ticket for the draw on 5 November came from a purchase at News On Rankin, and the 12 November winner came from Undercover Sleepwear. Further $500 draws will be held on 26 November, and 3, 10 and 17 December. All winners will be notified by telephone and/or mail.

“We hope that you are discovering the wonderful Christmas Trees that are displayed outside shops that are participating in the promotion. Please remember to collect your tickets and fill them out so they can be included in the Thursday draws being held until Christmas,” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Marg Duggan.

The Forbes Business Chamber thanks their Major sponsor, Forbes Shire Council, Gold sponsor, Evolution Mining, and Silver sponsors Bernardi’s and Terry Bros Carpet Court. The Bronze sponsor list includes Undercover Sleepwear, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Central West Diesel, Steele Technology, Michael Robinson & Co., Superbee Honey Factory, C & D Floorcoverings, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Loomzy’s Fish ‘N’ Fix, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Co, Forbes Betta Home Living, Walkers Ag N Vet and MD Steel.

“I am encouraging each and every member of the public to visit all businesses including those outside of the CBD. These businesses are Forbes Small Engine Specialists, Loomzy’s Fish ‘N’ Fix, Hozpots, Superbee Honey Factory, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Terry Bros Carpet Court, Vandenberg Hotel, C & D Floorcoverings, AgriWest, Jelbart & Dawson, and Walkers Ag N Vet. You will be amazed what you will find in these stores and they all have trees and tickets,” said Marg.

Superbee Honey Factory has a wonderful gift and product store located on their factory premises in Landrace Street. Call into the shop or for further details contact Sandra Hessel on 6851 1155.

Be Seen @ Rhyme Time

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Sienna and Layla Sukkar.

Abi, Maisie and Ada Bernardi.

Harry and Michaela Miller.

NAIDOC Celebration Boost For Forbes

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

All are welcome to join in the celebration on Friday from 4.30pm-8pm at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Forbes.

While community groups and organisations, schools, and preschools have had to be creative and flexible in running their NAIDOC Week celebrations this week, a funding grant of $5,000 to Forbes has contributed to plans to make the Wiradjuri celebrations in Forbes just as special as previous years.

The grants for the Riverina electorate are part of the Federal Government’s $1.4 million program to support local organisations to celebrate the week.

Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is encouraging the whole community to get involved in community events to learn more about the local Indigenous culture and share in the traditions which make Australia unique.

“The Wiradjuri people are a proud people with a proud history,” Michael said.

The Forbes Aboriginal community has come together to plan a spectacular day, with committee members from Yoorana Gunya, Binaal Billa, Forbes Wiradjuri Rangers, Amaroo, CatholicCare and Council, alongside local school representatives. Official community celebrations will be held today Friday, 13 November, from 4.30pm – 8pm and all are welcome to come and celebrate the ancient culture, language and customs of the Wiradjuri people, whose land we call home.

The event will feature a range of free activities including traditional art, dancing, storytelling, and language as well as art and craft activities, jumping castles and bungee trampolines plus the chance to win some amazing prizes and eat some delicious food on the day.

Better Homes And Gardens Comes To Town

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Ed Halmagyi from Better Home and Gardens went fishing at Cottons Weir for the Epic Adventure across NSW.

Popular lifestyle program Better Homes and Gardens will showcase some of NSW’s spectacular towns and tourism businesses with the entire 90-minute program filmed on location around the state.

The Channel 7 program filmed the Epic Adventure across NSW earlier this year, with each presenter exploring a different area of the state including the Forbes and Parkes region.

The exclusive NSW episode was secured by the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW to support the recovery of the state’s visitor economy.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway, said both Parkes and Forbes had many unique experiences on offer to visitors. “It’s really exciting for regional communities to be featured on Better Homes and

Find it in Forbes this Gardens, beaming into living rooms around the country where holidaymakers may be planning their next NSW escape.”

Better Homes and Gardens Ed Halmagyi went fishing with Brayden Stephens from Loomzy’s Fish N Fix before cooking up a Golden Perch that Brayden caught. Brayden said: “It was really good, we just went down to Cottons Weir, they wanted to go somewhere close. We caught a Cod but were after a Yellow Belly, luckily I caught one the day before that was used in the show.”

Better Homes and Gardens Executive Producer Russell Palmer said: “The NSW Road Trip episode expands that focus to show the heart and soul of New South Wales, why so many Aussies love hitting the road, and the people and places they encounter along the way.”

Our Gal – Kieren Mowbray

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived around here for eight months and I like all of the art around town, the beautiful fountain and crazy sculptures.

What was your first job? A dental assistant.

What makes you laugh the most? Friends and family.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Travel and experience as many places as I can in one lifetime.

Describe your dream holiday? I would be based in Scotland and travel to all nearby countries.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? My sister took the stuffing out of a giant bear and put me inside it to surprise the rest of the family.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I’d live in Bondi in the 1980’s, before mobile phones were around.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Barack Obama for his wealth of knowledge and charisma, my nana Lorraine, the sweetest nana ever, and Trevor Noah to make us all laugh.

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

What is your pet hate? Bad manners.

Dawson Scores Well In Medals

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Hannah Plunkett and Troy Hurford from Frank Spice Nissan passing on their sponsorship of the Classic Golf to Ladies’ Captain Heather Davidson and Al Rees from the Classic Committee.

The Saturday Men’s competition was the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower, and contested by a competitive field of 69.

The A-Grade winner was Peter Dawson, who finished with a nett 66, and had the best scratch score of 70 on the day. Runner-up was Josh Coulthurst, who had a tidy back-9, finishing with a nett 67.

The B-Grade saw Max Medlyn, visit- ing from Parkes, post a score of 66 nett. Runner-up, and Medal Winner, was Harrison Callaghan with a 67 nett. His front-9 of scratch 38 was very tidy.

In the C-Grade, Hamish Steele-Park had a day where his easy swing lead to a final score of 68 net. Runner-up, on count back, was Stephen McAlister with 70 nett.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back. The NTP’s went to 9th, Falvey and 18th, J Coulthurst. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Sarah Black. The visitors included Max Medlyn from Parkes who really enjoyed his day, and Bob Hansen from Shoalhaven Heads who held his bat up.

The Sunday Stableford Medley field was 21, with many visitors. But the local players carried the day, with Richard Smith winning with 39 points, ahead of Frank Donohoe on 37. The ball sweep went to 27 points.

The West Wyalong Open, held on Sunday, 8 November, was won by John Betland, showing he is gaining form for the Nissan Classic.

The Nissan Classic has a big field, but there is still room for more entries. Contact the Pro Shop for details.

The Presentation Night is now scheduled for Saturday, 28 November, upstairs in the ‘Golfie’. Notices will be posted to confirm details.

Saturday, 14 November is the 4BBB, sponsored by the Forbes Advocate. Sunday, 15 November is the Nissan Classic Individual Stroke play, with the primary sponsor Frank Spice Nissan.

Short Putt

Trees Are Out; Find It In AMAZING Forbes Begins

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Residents of Forbes may have noticed a more festive look taking over the CBD with businesses putting their trees out. The wonderful timber Christmas trees are being displayed out the front or close to the front door of participating businesses for the Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas giveaway.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer $20,000 in prizes this year. It has been a tough year, and as there is no Christmas Carnival, the Chamber is delighted to have kept the draws to encourage local shop- ping,” said Marg Duggan, President Forbes Business Chamber

“The draws are going to begin on Thursday, 12 November, with the first $500 coming out of the barrel. Please make sure that tickets are filled in correctly with your full name, not initials, on the tickets. Tickets need to be placed into the container provided by each store. There are seven $500 cards up until Christmas Eve and then 10 $500 cards, one $1,500 card, two $2,500 cards and one $5,000 card to be won, which will be drawn out of the truck on 24 December.”

Participating businesses are: Bernardi’s, Terry Bros Carpet Court, Blush Organic Beauty, Forbes Small Engines, Gunn’s Mensland, SportsPower Forbes, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Bron’s Hair Design, Turners Furniture One, Life Pharmacy, Chapter Two, Jessica’s Essential Beauty, Euphoria Road, Robbs Jewellers, Little Extras, Painted Daisies Gift Shoppe, Allure On Main, Vandenberg Hotel, News On Rankin, Cahills Shoes, Made Of Fridays, The Bakehouse, Agri-West, Forbes Automotive Services, Jelbart Dawson & Co, Hozpots Garden Centre, Walkers Ag N Vet, Superbee Honey, C & D Floorcoverings, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Loomzys Fish N Fix, Forbes Betta Home Living, Undercover Sleepwear, Acheson’s Mitre 10 and Steele Technology.

“The Forbes Business Chamber would like to thank Evolution Mining and Forbes Shire Council for their generous support,” said Marg.

Netball News

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The netball spring night competitions are in full swing, with some close games coming through. The season is drawing to a close with the finals set to be played on Wednesday, 2 December.

All players playing in the finals must have played three games with their team to be able to play. For finals, substitute players will be unable to fill in for any team.

Unfortunately, last week, team Mix & Match forfeited their game for playing with an unregistered player. Teams are urged to ensure all players are registered in order to avoid disqualifying for play and forfeiting games.

The Forbes Netball Association wished to thank all of the teams for fulfilling their umpiring duties when they have been allocated.

All players are reminded that the COVID-19 restrictions are still in place, and everyone entering Stephen Field must sign in at the desk.

Entry to Stephen Field is to the left of the office block, and exit is between the toilet block and the skate park. Any players or spectators who are feeling unwell are not allowed to play or enter the grounds.

Where are you visiting from and what is your favourite thing about Forbes?

November 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Andy McNaughton: The Lake is my favourite thing in Forbes, I’m from Port Stephens.

Carol McNaughton: The Lake here is just beautiful, and we are so lucky to be able to camp right by it.

Ross Hendry: Well, I’m originally from Parkes and Coffs Harbour, but I have been on the road for 13 years. What I love about Forbes is the scenery and that it is RV friendly with plenty of areas to camp for free.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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