Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Ridley Demolishes The Course

August 28, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Stephen Uphill prepares for his tee shot.

The Men’s competition on Saturday was an 18-Hole Stroke event, sponsored by Steele Technology, in which John Ridley defied the conditions and blasted his way to a low score, unlike most of the 66 players.

The Division 1 was won by Nick Greenhalgh, with 75 nett, but only by count back from Mike Spice. Nick’s par on the 18th was the clincher. The Division 2 was emphatically led by John Ridley with his 67 nett score. Runner-up was Troy Howe on 74 nett, which was more representative of most of the scores.

The ball sweep went to 78 nett on count back; 75 – A Rees, N Ryan, L Whitfield; 76 – A Dukes, D Bayley, T Callaghan, G Drane, J Bernardi; 77 – S Uphill, B Slack-Smith, T Griffiths, J Cutler; 78 – A Cole, D Churchill, K Herbert, T Morgan, J Haley, J Dobell.

The NTP’s went to; 9th – T Howe; 18th – D Bayley, with Peter Dawson nabbing the third hole ‘Super Pin’ prize. Visitor Steven Thomas had a rusty start but soon warmed up to enjoy his game.

Sunday’s weather was not very inviting, affecting the Sunday Medley field. The winner on count back was Rob Webb with 31 points from Ethel Coombs.

Plans are underway for the VW Scramble, to be held on 25 October, focusing on local attendees.

All players are reminded that they are not to scan their own cards, but instead leave them in the Pro Shop or give them to a designated person. This procedure is a result of the recent COVID inspection. Remember we still need to socially distance in the Golfie and at outside places.

Saturday, 29 August is the Golf NSW 2-P Ambrose, sponsored by Marg & Ron Hurst, and Shirley Redfern. The format includes Men’s, Ladies and Mixed pairings. Sunday, 30 August has a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Land Acquisition On Just Terms

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

With the State Government seeking to acquire land either by negotiation or resumption in our area, it is worth considering the law relating to this.

The NSW Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act, 1991 was introduced to prevent land resumptions without compensation. Section 55 of the Act provides the heads of compensation:

a. the market value of the land on the date of its acquisition,
b. any special value of the land to the person on the date of its acquisition,
c. any loss attributable to severance,
d. any loss attributable to disturbance,
e. the disadvantage resulting from relocation,
f. any increase or decrease in the value of any other land of the person at the date of acquisition which adjoins or is severed from the acquired land by reason of the carrying out of, or the proposal to carry out, the public purpose for which the land was acquired.

Some of these heads of compensation might not apply in each case, but the first step would be to get a registered land valuer, who is familiar with the Act, to provide a comprehensive valuation report on these heads of compensation. It is important to remember valuations are opinions and valuers often differ in how they arrive at their valuation.

You will also need a lawyer to advise you and undertake the legal work involved. It is worth noting that loss attributable to disturbance includes legal costs, valuation costs, financial costs, stamp duty, mortgage costs and more.

Compulsory acquisitions are a very complex area and you may need our help. For further information contact us.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Updated For NSW Schools

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Updated health advice announced this week will ensure that NSW public schools can continue to operate full time with face to face teaching and learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools remain safe however, school communities must remain vigilant.

From Wednesday, 19 August, all public schools in New South Wales will be required to adopt the changes to ensure school communities remain safe inside and outside the school gate.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is prohibited from returning to school until a negative test result has been reported.

Under additional measures for Term 3:
• Students must remain within their relevant class or year group to limit mixing.
• Schools must not travel outside their local community or zone, including between rural and regional areas.
• Interschool sport and zone carnivals are restricted to 100 people per venue and must be held in the local area.
• Spectators, including parents and carers, are not permitted within school grounds or at sporting events held during school hours.
• All group singing and or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings are not permitted.
• Dance activities and drama group work can continue under a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• School formals, dances, graduation, or other social events are not permitted. Schools may hold a Year 12 assembly at school without parents to recognise the completion of school or consider delaying events until later in the year.

Students and staff required to support HSC students are permitted to undertake activities to meet their HSC requirements with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Organisations that use school buildings or grounds must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and encourage strict compliance with that plan.

The new restrictions will complement existing health advice for schools, including maintaining good hand hygiene inside and outside the classroom, physical distancing for adults and banning non-essential school visitors.

Book Week At Goodstart

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Staff and children at Goodstart Early Learning Centre have dressed up as their favourite fictional characters this week.

Girlpower: Builder Meg Sladek, Cowgirl Annabelle Hartwig and Wonder Woman Meg McKenzie.

Clowning around: Tillee-Jae Johnson, Princess Pearl Paradowski and Alicia Cronin as Little Red Riding Hood.

Mayoral Notes

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

This week is our August Council Meeting and I am excited to see all the wonderful projects Council has been busy with. You would have noticed work has begun in Templar Street with the new sewer pipes being installed. This work will be staged so traffic can continue to travel through the street without too much disruption.

I have inspected the new planter boxes which are going in as well. These are being manufactured locally and they look amazing!

Work has begun in Lions Park with new toilets and a car park on Junction Street. This Park never ceases to amaze me, it is such a lovely place to have a picnic, watch the local bird life, or to grab a coffee. The new parking bays will hold 20 spaces.

This month I have written to the National Cabinet calling on the NSW Premier to help ensure Local Government is represented on the National Cabinet. It is important our voices are heard on a National level. Local Government is on the ground and we know the issues in our community.

In the Business Paper we have a paper on the three-way split for our Road Safety Officer that the Forbes, Lachlan, and Parkes Council’s share. A record of $350,000 has been allocated for 10 projects over the next three years which include road safety issues. It is great we can work together with our neighbours to tackle these important issues.

God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Serving The Country

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Karen Wright, President of the Forbes CWA evening branch holds some of the beautiful face masks that the ladies have sewn for the community.

The Forbes Evening branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) have again put their time and skills to great use by sewing masks for cancer patients. The colourful face masks are also available to the community for a small donation of $5.

It is not the first time that the ladies’ have put their time and efforts towards supporting those in need, in fact, since its inception in the early 1920’s the CWA has strived to ensure the survival and well being of people living in the country. While some of their earliest achievements were gaining access to proper education, roads, and healthcare in a time where such luxuries did not exist for rural women, the CWA has not tired of finding new ways to improve life and support the wellbeing of all living in the country.

The CWA is the first, largest and most significant women’s association in Australia. The earliest branches of the CWA of NSW demanded change in a male dominated world. Many of the things we now take for granted living out West were only made possible thanks to the efforts of the founding members of the CWA. In a time where life on the land for pioneering women often meant a short, lonely and gruelling existence, a small group of country women banded together and changed this, ensuring the survival of rural communities.

Today the Forbes CWA evening branch continues the legacy of the earliest CWA ladies by fundraising for disaster relief and helping to sponsor countless community programs. The Forbes CWA evening branch also supplies much needed packs for the women’s refuge and miscarriage support packs for grieving women in the community.

The Forbes Evening Branch meets every second Thursday of the month at the Vandenberg Hotel with a dinner meeting. Email forbeseveningbranch@gmail.com for more information.

Rental Bonds

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Today I would like to share some information with you regarding rental bonds. At the beginning of a tenancy, we ask the tenant to pay a bond for the rental property which is equivalent to four weeks rent.

The bond is only four weeks rent regardless of how many tenants occupy the property, and it is used as security for the property in case the tenant does not follow the terms of the agreement and they need to compensate the landlord.

Rental bonds are required to be lodged with the Rental Bond Board. These days we lodge bonds using rental bonds online. The bond lodgement details include the rental property address, the landlord and landlord’s agent, and the primary tenant.

To ensure they get the bond back, tenants need to make sure the property is left in the same condition as when they first rented the property, except for fair wear and tear. If the tenant has damaged the property, or not left it in a clean and tidy condition, or if they owe rent or other money to the landlord, they may forfeit some or all of their bond.

If there is a dispute over the bond at the end of the tenancy, then the matter is taken to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

We hope that helps you understand rental bonds a little more, and if you have any questions regarding this topic or would like assistance with managing your rental property, we are more than happy to assist at Century 21 Central West for all your property management needs.

Croquet Notes

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Last Tuesday 34 players took to the fields for their much-enjoyed game of Golf Croquet. It is indeed pleasing to see so many enjoying the game, especially on a much warmer morning. The close score games on the day were:

• Lyn Simmonds, Libby Smart def John Cole, Tony Thomson 6.
• Dorelle Scott, Sandy Hepburn 7 def Bill Scott, Ray Burridge 6.
• Bob Murray, Joan Littlejohn 7 def Neville Spry, Lorraine Todd 6.
• Colleen Liebich, John Allegri 7 def Neville Spry, Sally Perry 6.
• Geoff Coles, Robyn Pols 7 def John MacCullagh, John Job 6.
• Jill Rubie, Bruce Field 7 def Merv Langfield, Sally Perry 6.

The winners of all three games were John Allegri, Geoff Coles, Bob Murray, Jill Rubie, Kevin Rubie, Mal Smith and Tony Thomson. Congratulations to all players.

Unfortunately, Aussie Croquet was again cancelled on Saturday due to inclement weather.

A general meeting was held last Tuesday, and a new ruling was made that players must arrive at the courts 10 minutes before the commencement time, so that names can go into the draw and play can commence on time.

By Elvy Quirk

Snippets…

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Sue Jolliffe from Nell’s Pantry 4 Farmers with Elaine Bright and Zelma Grayson from the daytime CWA Forbes Branch.

CWA Daytime Deliveries: August has been another busy month for the Forbes CWA Branch. Members are still finding time to sew, knit and crochet with the latest bundle of library bags, tablecloths, aprons, and doll clothes going to the Forbes Learning Ladder. Once again, members were delighted to deliver their work to the childcare centre. Aiden and Raewyn greeted the ladies and arranged to have three children model the aprons.

The ladies also delivered toiletry bags to the Forbes Hospital, which are given to patients to ensure a more comfortable stay. The Forbes CWA Daytime Branch also visited the Farmers Pantry to donate ‘Buy it in Forbes’ vouchers, men’s boxers, and knee rugs along with oranges, wool, bags and books as a way of saying thanks to the pantry for being there to help farmers. The next meeting is Friday, 4 September at 1.30pm in the CWA Hall. If you are interested in joining, contact one of the members or President of the CWA Forbes Branch Elaine Bright on 0402 025 888.

Forbes’ Second Street Library Launched: A brand new street library has arrived at Lions Park in the shelter, the second of its kind in Forbes. Street Libraries provide free books for all ages without the need for a membership. Simply reach in and take what interests you, when you are done, return them to the Street Library network, or pass them on to friends. If anyone has a book or two that they think others would enjoy, they can just pop it into any Street Library they happen to be walking past.

LEGO Winner: Thirteen-year-old Thomas Burton from Forbes has won the Lego Build competition in his age category, in the Central West Libraries school holiday LEGO build competition. Thomas submitted a photo of the Lachlan bridge, along with a picture of his build which won him first place in his age category of 13+ years. The competition called on entrants to build iconic buildings across the Central West and entries included schools, train stations and museums.

The competition was judged by Orange Council CEO David Waddell, Orange City Council Senior Planner Summer Commins and the team at Source Architects. Judges were very pleased with the entries and finding a winner was challenging.

Thomas Burton from Forbes won the Central West Libraries LEGO building competition for his Lachlan Bridge build.

When You Smile, The Whole World Really Does Smile Back

August 21, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Ground-breaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that the act of smiling can trick your mind into being more positive, simply by moving your facial muscles.

Since government restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an alarming rise in anxiety and depression amongst Australians and around the world. However, the study, published in Experimental Psychology, evaluated the impact of a covert smile on perception of face and body expressions. In both scenarios, a smile was induced by participants holding a pen between their teeth, forcing their facial muscles to replicate the movement of a smile.

The research found that facial muscular activity not only alters the recognition of facial expressions but also body expressions, with both generating more positive emotions.

Lead researcher and human and artificial cognition expert, University of South Australia’s Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos says the finding has important insights for mental health.

“When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way,” Dr Fernando says.

“In our research we found that when you forcefully practise smiling, it stimulates the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state.”

“For mental health, this has interesting implications. If we can trick the brain into perceiving stimuli as ‘happy’, then we can potentially use this mechanism to help boost mental health.”

The findings demonstrate a strong link between action and perception. So perhaps there is more to the term “fake it ‘til you make it” than previously thought.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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