Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Mayoral Notes

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

I want to start by thanking my fellow Councillors for giving me the chance to lead our wonderful Council again. I think we have a great team and all of us are so passionate about getting things done for our amazing town.

I am sad to see Councillor Susan Chau stand down from Council, I have loved working with her over the last four years. I do understand the distance and the COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for her to be a part of our Council and appreciate her efforts in zooming-in each month.

I would also like to thank Councillor Jenny Webb for her service as Deputy Mayor. Jenny had decided not to contest the position of Deputy this year with her work situation making it very difficult to stand in the Deputy position.

Councillor Chris Roylance is now my Deputy Mayor, and I think he will be great to work with as we have many projects in the works.

The Forbes Pool opens next week and I would like to thank our wonderful staff for their efforts in making sure the pool is ready to open and a special thank you to our user groups for their cooperation in setting the boundaries for a safe and successful season. With COVID-19 the rules are a little different and everyone will need to be patient when entering the Pool as there are new protocols in place.

Until next week, God Bless.
Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

Family Success In Golf

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Phil Maher concentrates on his tee shot to begin his round.

The Saturday competition was an 18-Hole 4BBB Stableford Multiplier event, sponsored by the Forbes Tuesday Golfers.

The overall winners were the family pairing of Anthony and Lachlan Alley, with a score of 84, built upon consistent scoring. The runners-up were Matt Duff and Ted Morgan with a creditable 81 points.

The ball sweep went to 66 points: 80 – H Callaghan and Baxter, 78 – Slack-Smith and R Scott, 77 – Cutler and Hooper, 75 – R Grayson and S Betland, 72 B Everest and Maher, 70 – D Earl and S Uphill, 68 – Rees and R Williams, 67 – G Nicholson and P Duke, Falvey and T Duncan, 66 – M Flannery and S French, J Daley and D Maling, and Carpenter and N McMillan.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a good field which included a group of visiting golfers however, a deluge of rain during the middle of the day resulted in a few cards being washed out.

The winner was Julie Hurkett with 39 points, only just ahead of runner-up Rob Webb with 38 points.

We are pleased to hear that Head Pro Adam Demidjuk and wife Ainsley now have a baby girl, Bobbie, who was born during the early hours of Sunday, 20 September. Mum and baby are doing well, needless to say Adam is very thrilled to have a princess.

Unfortunately, the Rotary Charity Day scheduled for Sunday, 27 September has been postponed until sometime in early 2021. Planning for the Forbes Nissan Classic on 14-15 November continues, with the expectation that this will be conducted as a Local/Regional event only.

Get your nominations in for the upcoming Committee elections. It is important that members continue to contribute to the Club.

Saturday, 26 September is an 18-Hole, 4-Ball Ambrose Medley, sponsored by Alby Callaghan. Sunday, 20 September has a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Croquet Catch-up

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

GOLF CROQUET
Thirty-three players took to the courts on Tuesday, 15 September. It was the best Tuesday morning, weather-wise, since before winter. At this stage, the all-weather shelter looks like it will happen. To take shelter from the hot sun in summer, and the cold breeze in winter will be a god send.

Five players won three games on the day, they were Geoff Coles, Bruce Field, Joan Littlejohn, Bill Scott and Barry White. Congratulations go to Bruce Field as it has been some time since he has achieved this.

The closest scores on the day were:
• Mal Smith, Jeff Liebich 7, defeated Neville Spry, Merv Langfield 6.
• Alec Todd, Mary Hodges 7, defeated Lorraine Todd, John Browne 6.
• Barry White 8, defeated John Allegri 5.
• Bill Scott, Mal Smith 7, defeated Lyn Simmonds, John Farah 6.
• Bruce and Lorna Field 7, defeated Tony Thomson, Robin Pols 6.
• Ray Burridge, Neville Spry 7, defeated Denny Smith, Lorraine Todd 6.
• Marie Spry, John Allegri 7, defeated Bob Murray, Libby Smart 6.
• Robin Pols, Bill Scott 7, defeated John Farah, Sandy Hepburn 5.
• Bruce Field, Geoff Coles 7, defeated Sandy Hepburn, Robin Pols 6.
• Kevin Rubie, Mary Hodges 7, defeated John Browne, Merv Langfield 6.

AUSSIE CROQUET
Twenty-six players were on the courts on Saturday. The only player to win three matches was Sandy Hepburn. Well done Sandy.

The closest games on the day were:
• Judy Ellis and Merv Langfield 14, defeated Barry White and Geoff Coles 11.
• Bill Scott and Joan Littlejohn 14, defeated Colleen Liebich and Jill Rubie 11.
• Bob Murray and Sandy Hepburn 14, defeated Lorna Field and Lyn Simmonds 11.
• Tony Thomson and Marie Spry 14, defeated Neville Spry and John Job 11.
• Bill Scott and Joan Littlejohn 14, defeated Robin Pols and BarryWhite 12.
• Elvy Quirk, Dorelle Scott 14, defeated Geoff Coles, Jill Rubie 12.
• Jeff Liebich, Neville Spry 14, defeated Lorraine Todd, Joan Littlejohn 12.
• Judy Ellis, Lyn Simmonds 14, defeated Colleen Liebich, Marie Spry 13.
• Kevin Rubie, Tony Thomson 14, defeated Ray Burridge, John Browne 11.
• Bob Murray, Merv Langfield 14, defeated John Allegri, John MacCullagh 11.

What does the Men’s Shed mean to you?

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Norm Haley: It means getting guys together for mateship which helps us to open up about health and find help, it also opens minds up about mental health and looking out for their friends. I think it’s about sharing and receiving experiences to learn.

Paul Anders: Mateship, something to do that gets me out of the house, it’s a community within a community. Being isolated on a property is hard on mental health, so it’s good to get together with others to talk.

Allan Hilder: Gets me out of mother’s hair for doing jobs at home, drinking tea and coffee, telling lies and telling yarns. Most important is the camaraderie and it’s pleasing to work in the new shed.

Forbes’ Own Kate Kelly Chamber Opera To Be Performed At Major Victorian Festival

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

From the 2011 performance of the Kate Kelly Song Cycle in Forbes, sung by Sian Prior. (Image credit: Steven Woodhall)

Kate Kelly, the chamber opera co-created by composer Ross James Carey and writer Merrill Findlay in Forbes ten years ago, is to be performed online for a major national opera festival.

The Gertrude Opera Company in Melbourne will perform Kate Kelly for the 2020 Yarra Valley Opera Festival in October.

The Kate Kelly Song Cycle, as the chamber opera was initially called, re-interprets the life of one of Australia’s most iconic women, the youngest sister of bushranger Ned Kelly. It emerged from Merrill’s Kate Kelly Project and was first performed in Forbes in September 2011, as the headline act for the inaugural Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival, beside the lagoon in which Kate Kelly’s body was found in 1898.

Gertrude Opera’s artistic director, Linda Thompson says she is excited about her company presenting Kate Kelly. “I looked for a piece that was an Australian woman’s story and this is a little nugget,” she told The Age newspaper. “The music is really exciting.”

The Yarra Valley Opera Festival performance of Kate Kelly will feature Emily Burke as Kate, Andrew Moran as Kate’s husband Bricky Foster, and Michael Lapiña as the grocer Quong Lee, whose aria describes Kate’s life and death in Forbes.

Yarra Valley Opera Festival runs 16-25 October. Kate Kelly will be streamed live from 7pm, Saturday, 24 October. For more information and tickets visit www.gertrudeopera.com.au/kate-kelly-sister-of-ned.

The original Kate Kelly Project was supported, in Forbes, by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

Be Seen@ The Park

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Holly and Alliya Bradley played with a ball in the park.

Aaylah-Mae pushed little sister Oakli-Jean on the swing.

Lilah Stevenson practiced her gymnastics skills.

Jes Evans made the most of a Sunny Tuesday at the park.

What is your favourite Spring pastime?

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Holly Bradley: BBQ’s.

Ella Bennetts: Lakewalks.

Alliya Bradley: Going to the waterpark.

Netball News: Spring Night Competition

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The first round of the Spring netball night competitions for both mixed and ladies’ teams was played on Wednesday night with more teams entering the competition.

Team representatives are being asked to update their team nomination forms at the office, and to also note if they have players who are playing in the second competition, and also state their second team name.

The committee has decided to draw all teams to play each other in each competition, and it will be assessed at the end of the first full round of games.

The competitions will be played until Finals on 2 December, with no competition during the school holidays.

All registrations must be paid by the school holidays, and then anyone not fully registered will not be allowed to take the court. All umpires must also be registered, either as a player or non-player.

Registration for players includes registration to Netball NSW which lasts for a calendar year, plus the competition levy of $50 for the first team per player and $40 for their second team per player.

The registration to Netball NSW must be done online, and the competition levy will be paid at the office in cash.

The FNA has a COVID-19 Safety Plan, which restricts unwell players from attending. Players should note the entry point to the netball courts is to the left of the office, and the exit point in between the toilet block and the skate park.

A full list of COVID-19 safe rules can be found on the FNA Facebook page or go to Netball NSW under COVID-19.

Forbes Railway Arts And Tourist Centre Inc. Celebrates 30 Years

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Railway Arts and Tourism Centre Inc celebrations from 2015 25 year anniversary at Town Hall.

The Forbes Railway Arts & Tourist Centre have long been a part of the Forbes community and this year the committee celebrates 30 years of servicing visitors from the Heritage railway building.

“I want to thank all of the amazing volunteers we have had at the Railway Station over the last 30 years,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller. “Without their dedication and hard work Forbes would not have had such a wonderful service and local business in the Railway Arts and Tourist Centre.”

“Your support in selling Forbes to prospective tourists is greatly appreciated, and without your tireless dedication many would have driven through town and not stayed to spend money here.”

The relocation of the information service from its previous location in Lachlan Street, to accompany the arts and craft group was agreed upon at this inaugural meeting and so began the unique and successful union. The committee agreed the operating hours would be 9am to 5pm, and discussions were had regarding members teaching their craft to others in a designated room.

The committee thrived for three decades, with a total of 111 members, 83 of whom were “sitting” members of the committee in February 1991. A lot of hard work was put into getting the Centre off the ground. Members joined for multiple reasons, including social interaction, particularly with others of similar creative hobbies and interests, sale of goods and community pride to show the world, their wonderful town.

The committee was instrumental in organising, planning and planting the garden in the driveway. They also oversaw internal renovations of the building including the “baby” room, middle craft room and the Ben Hall Experience Room which includes a short DVD depicting Hall’s demise, local interviews and artefacts from the era. As well as the later addition of the Ben Hall Family Tree Panel put together by local history buff Kerry Neaylon.

“A special thank you to members, who have served since the very early days of inception of the committee for their extensive years of service. Danie Doolan, the driving force and dedicated founding member must also be acknowledged. Without her initial push the Forbes Railway Arts & Tourist Centre and its committee would not have come to fruition.”

Currently the Railway Arts Centre is closed due to COVID-19. The centre will be reopening in the coming weeks fully equipped with the necessary health requirements for staff and visitor safety.

Snippets…

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Isla Bailey is learning to gain confidence around horses by grooming, leading and hanging out with the ponies.

Spring Photo Competition: It is that time of year again. The Forbes Phoenix is running its annual Spring Photo Competition where we are looking for your best and brightest Spring snaps taken in and around beautiful Forbes. This year, Sarah Hodge from Essjay Photography is sponsoring the competition. Sarah is a storytelling genius who loves adventure and finds great joy in capturing special moments. Sarah’s clients are treated more like friends and sessions are laid back in order to capture authentic and unique moments.

Essjay Photography is located in Forbes and has been operating for over ten years. The business is ever expanding and offers family, weddings, business, and personal photography. Winners of the Spring Photo Competition will win a $200 voucher from Essjay Photography. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au. The Forbes Phoenix will accept entries until the end of October 2020.

Learn To Ride Locally: Nu Walla Equestrian is a horse-riding establishment situated 20 minutes from the heart of Forbes. Owner and operator Amba McGoldrick has had a lifelong passion for horses, dressage and teaching the basic principles of riding and horsemanship to the next generation of young horse enthusiasts, as well as adults wanting to learn or refine their dressage skills.

Lessons are conducted in the 60 by 20 metre sand dressage arena, which is also available for hire. For further details on lesson pricing and availability, view their website www.nuwallaequestrian.com.au.

Harry Awarded: Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack MP, visited Forbes on Tuesday to hand deliver Forbes’ Harry Coggan his 75th Anniversary medallion. The commemorative medallion and certificate are available to all living veterans of the Second World War and Harry was privileged to receive his first-hand on Tuesday afternoon in Victoria Park.

“While Australia can never repay the debt that we owe almost one million Australians who served, this medallion and certificate are a small but meaningful way we can thank living veterans of the largest global conflict of the 20th century. The design of the commemorative certificate complements the medallion. The design includes the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, ‘Australia Remembers’ wording, and the beginning and end year of 75 years of the anniversary, that is, 1945 –2020,” Australia Government Department of Veteran Affairs.

Michael McCormack presented the 75th Anniversary Medallion to Forbes’ Harry Coggan. Photo: Forbes Shire Council Facebook.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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