Penny Gordon and Eden-Rose Flack.
Chase Mackay and Saxon Hayes.
Alia Zuliani and Molly Browne.
Be Seen @ NAIDOC Week at Forbes Public School
Upgrades For Forbes North Public
NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway with Forbes North Public School principal David McGaw and some students.
Forbes North Public School will benefit from more than $1.3 million worth of improvements and upgrades across schools in the Orange Electorate.
Forbes North Public School will get accessibility ramps. “I am grateful to the NSW Government’s investment as it helps our school meet the needs of every student and allows wheelchair access to every part of our school,” said the principal David McGaw. He appreciated the NSW Government remaining mindful of the needs of all students in public schools.
“These investments go a long way in supporting the additional needs of our students, balancing the scales for the regions and ensuring our students and staff access facilities that make the learning conditions safe and engaging.”
“With this funding, new bathroom amenities ensure greater access, and this inclusive decision caters for and creates an environment where all are welcome which is the cornerstone of NSW public schools such as Forbes North.”
NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the improvements included upgrades to bathrooms and making them more accessible, to installing safety fencing and making facility improvements.
“Our record investment into school, health and road infrastructure had seen regional NSW become a place where people chose to work, live and raise a family.
“By ensuring regional schools can continue to cater for the growing number of students we’re securing a brighter future for NSW families.”
Snippets…
The Spring Fling Festival in Parkes starts tomorrow, 8th October and runs until the 23rd and has a fun filled pro-gram for the whole community.
Free Breast Screen: More than 250 women are expected to be diagnosed in Western NSW Local Health District with breast cancer this year. Make it a priority to book a free breast screen this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in NSW, with one in seven being diagnosed in their lifetime. More than 75% of breast cancers occur in women over 50. Screening saves lives by finding breast cancer early. BreastScreen NSW recommends all women aged 50-74 years have a breast screen every two years. It takes just 20 minutes. Call 13 20 50 to book an appointment or book online.
Have Your Say on Parkes Projects: Your Say Parkes is Parkes Shire Council’s online community hub where you can provide real input into the direction of projects and decisions that affect the community. Council is seeking feedback on the Draft Middleton Master Plan and the Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy. To learn more about these projects, head to Your Say Parkes.
Helping Orphaned Animals: Forbes TAFE is hoping to run a one-day course in Orphaned Animal Nutrition. This basic introductory course is for members of the community to provide emergency care for sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife. Cost is $85, and the course will run for one Forbes Public School day and is dependent on numbers to commence. A date will be set when minimum numbers have been reached. Register your interest at: https://forms.office.com/r/dzGqrxvQ4q
Newell Highway Update: The Newell Highway Taskforce held its AGM and regular committee meeting last month. Ongoing chair, Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM was re-elected and Bland Shire Councillor Tony Lord, re-elected as deputy chair. Ken reminded the community to be mindful in light of the wet weather. “We ask that all road users during this La Niña rain period drive safely and appreciate the difficulties the various road authorities are having trying to maintain the road network.” Current initiatives of the taskforce include: an additional 40 overtaking lanes; 1.2m centreline separation of traffic; bypass of Moree completed, Parkes underway; widened clear zones; additional truck stops. Over $1.4 billion has been spent or committed by the State and Federal Governments. Important projects the taskforce is currently seeking government commitment include: Forbes – West Wyalong flood mitigation; bypass of Coonabarabran; Inland Rail grade separation; more truck stops.
Forbes has seen a lot of beautiful cars recently with the 44th National Chevrolet Festival and the 55th Veteran & Vintage Chevrolet Association of Australia Ltd Anniver-sary Rally last week, and the Forbes Motor Show on the weekend.
Our Bloke – Paul Lewin
Paul Lewin
Where were you born? Ararat, Victoria
Were you named after anyone? My grandfather, my father’s father.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My family, my kids.
What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11 – It was crazy!
What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Knowledge is power.
What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I jumped out of a plane once!
What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Lawn bowls, smokes and Jack Daniels stubbies.
If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? On my wife… happy wife, happy life, she deserves it.
When are you happiest? When I’m with my family or when I’m playing lawn bowls.
Parkes Hockey’s Golden Girls
It was a golden result for Parkes residents Fran Dixon (left) and Maureen Massey (middle) as players and Donna Payne (right) as manager of the NSW 65 Blues team. They claimed the gold medal in their division at the 2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships in Cairns last month. The NSW over 50s team with Parkes players Denise Gersbach, Jane Grovernor and Mandy Westcott won silver.
Powerful Painting Tells School’s Story
Forbes Public School students Rose Hurford with artist Cheree Stokes and the special painting she made that features tacile dots to invite viewers to touch the artwork and bring them into the present moment.
Forbes Public School (FPS) had a powerful piece of art commissioned to celebrate the school’s flourishing community and tell their story.
Cheree Stokes, a First Nation artist, poet and storyteller, collected staff’s personal FPS stories in the form of words and symbols and then incorporated them into a visual representation of the school’s journey.
“The tree represents our strong grounded roots built by former principals, staff and students,” explained teacher Katie Stitt. “The branches symbolise flexibility in the COVID winds and leaves stand for new growth and change. You can see hands working together, everyone having a seat at the table and a bridge of transformation.”
What’s On @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre
COMMUNITY LOUNGEROOM
Libraries are terrific places. Full of wonder and interesting things. But have you ever thought about visiting the library just for a quiet place to sit, perchance to dream? We have created a lovely quiet community loungeroom where you can do just that. On display are some of our collection of magazines and beautiful, glossy coffee books. There are art books and garden books, books about food and books of the rich (and not necessarily famous). So the next time you are looking to treat yourself to some quiet, dream time, come visit us at the Library – we are pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.
BE BIFFSQUIGGLED!
Recently the library celebrated Roald Dahl Story Day with fun activities. Library users were able to vote for their favourite BFG word. BIFFSQUIGGLED was the winner, and it means to be confused or puzzled. Golden tickets were hidden in the library and those who found them won a prize.
AUTHOR TALK & HISTORY WRITING WORKSHOP
Jeanette M Thompson, author of Bone and Beauty: the Ribbon Boys’ Rebellion, will be giving an author talk and history writing workshop on Wednesday, 26th October. Make sure to call us to book your spot for this event.
MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE WORKSHOPS
Two free workshops funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program. Numbers are limited, call 6861 2309 to book your place.
• 13 October: Inventing Insects with Helen Standen and Elsie Mahon, 9am-noon
• 12 & 17 October: Festival Community Drumming with Robert Shannon, 5:30-7pm.
BEST IN SHOW ART EXHIBITION
We have been inundated with paintings, sculptures, drawings and 3D creations for the Best In Show Art Exhibition! The exhibition opens on Saturday, 8th October at 10am and will be on display until 22nd October.
Little Supporters Steal Charlie’s Heart
Ruby Staines handed the special book created by his little fans at the Forbes Learning Ladder to her brother Charlie after the Grand Final. Proud parents Lisa (left) and Shayne (right) with Charlie and his partner Erin Dwyer.
If you asked the little ones at Forbes Learning Ladder about Charlie Staines they would be able to tell you lots about him.
Not only do they have the Penrith Panther player’s sister as a staff member, but they made a special book for him last week. “Every room had two pages in the book and they wrote messages for Charlie, created lots of paintings and other crafts,” said Ruby Staines.
Charlie, a former Forbes Magpies player, made sure his name was on every Forbes footy fan’s lips when he scored a try in his first Grand Final to help his team beat the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.
Ruby presented the book to him after the game and it stole his heart. “He just loved it and thought it was very cute.”
Ruby, who watched the game with her parents and older brother, said it was a day they would never forget. “The atmosphere was just unreal. I think it was the loudest event I had ever been to with 85,000 people in the crowd.”
She had no words to describe her feelings when Charlie scored his try. “There were lots of tears of joy in our group.” Ruby said it was very special that Charlie came over to them after he had received the ring presented to each Panthers player. “He was very emotional and so excited that he managed to score in his first ever Grand Final. We are just so proud of him.”
The family were invited to join the after-party for a very big night of celebration. Ruby said it was amazing how the whole town stood behind Charlie.
She said he was very determined to show the team what he could do and he hoped that he would remain in the squad and be able to play his preferred position.
By Maggi Barnard
Spring Fling Festival Starts Tomorrow
COLOURFUL SPRING… Parkes Community Arts members Helen Standen, Margot Jolly, Kerryn Jones and Lisa Ram-say were spotted yarn bombing in Cooke Park ahead of the Spring Fling Festival. (Photo: Bill Jayet)
The Spring Fling Festival will bring family fun, music, art and lots more to the Parkes community over the next two weeks with plenty of free events.
Hosted by Parkes Shire Council in partnership with Parkes Community Arts Inc (PCA) the festival will run from the 8th of October to the 23rd.
The jam-packed program of free events includes a Community Fun Day, a film screening of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS, creative workshops, music and art. The workshops cover a wide range of topics from community drumming, and an Inventing Insects Art Workshop to a spring flower-arranging workshop.
ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann’s latest film, will be screened at Cooke Park Pavilion on Friday, 14t October at 6pm.
“Movie goers are encouraged to come dressed up in their best Elvis or Priscilla gear, with prizes to be awarded for the best dressed,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones.
“Although these events are free, bookings are essential for the film viewing and all workshops. To reserve your spot, visit PCA’s Facebook page for further details.”
The Community Fun Day on Saturday, 22nd October at Cooke Park Pavilion from 10am to 2pm will have market stalls, six beautiful alpacas from Quentin Alpaca Park, face-painting, live music, free Rotary BBQ, coffee van, arts and crafts, and more.
On Sunday, 23rd October the Parkes Shire Band will team up with other musicians and bands to present a free concert at the Parkes RSL Starlight Lounge at 2pm, celebrating Lindsay Morehouse’s contribution to music in Parkes.
The Best in Show Art Exhibition (funded by CMOC-Northparkes Mines) opens tomorrow (8th October) at 10am and will be on display in the Coventry Room through-out the festival.
Other events in the Parkes Shire include the Peak Hill Arts Connect Workshops, Parkes Que Club’s Gardens and Galleries (9 October), Parkes M&D Spring into Summer events, and the Trundle ABBA Festival (15 October).
Visit www.facebook.com/PCAFestival for more information and to buy tickets.
All Dressed Up For Women’s Bowls
October has arrived, named ‘octo’ as it was the 8th month of the roman calendar. On Tuesday, 20 ladies were dressed to the nines at the Parkes Bowling Club ready to give their two cents worth!
Two matches of Club Minor Singles were scheduled. On Rink 3, Lorraine Baker put paid to the hopes of Kay Craft, scoring on the majority of ends.
Rink 4 hosted a much closer match between Heather Harvey and Maria Willcockson. As the score see-sawed, the girls gave it their all. Heather was on cloud nine after 25 ends, winning 25 – 22.
The final of the Minor Singles between Heather and Lorraine will be played on 18th October.
Social matches saw Vi West/Chris Curteis/Elaine Miller enjoy 15 minutes of fame with their narrow win over Julie Green/Merilyn Rodgers/Rose Mitchell on Rink 2. High fives all round for Lea Orr/Frances Charlton/Gwenda Carty/Brenda Davies with a sound victory over Carol Reed/Maureen Baillie/Maureen Miller.
Pocket money was claimed by Heather and Marja (card draw), and Merilyn, Rhona and Brenda (100’s club) while lucky Carol won the lucky door.
Next week, all our good luck wishes go to our Grade 3 Pennants team as they contest the Regional Play-offs in Mudgee! Anyone may enter the District Singles to be played on 8/9 November. Check the board for details.
Congrats and thank you to all who purchased Liptember products. We raised $104 for Lifeline and Women’s Mental Health.
To play social bowls next Tuesday, 11th October, call the club on 6862 1446 between 9 and 9:30am. Play at 10am, all welcome.
By Lea Orr
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