Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Gal – Charlotte Markwort

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Charlotte Markwort

What school do you go to and what do you like most about it? I go to Forbes North Public School, my favourite thing at Forbes North is how kind the teachers are and the two big ovals in our playground.

What is your favourite subject at school and why? My favourite subject at school is narrative writing, I love it because I get to use my imagination and write a story with no restrictions.

What makes you laugh the most? My best friend Phoebe, who is a funny, kind and nice person.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a vet nurse and run my own animal rescue, or to become a famous trick rider like my great Pop ‘Dudley Markwort’.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To be able to speak to animals and understand what they’re saying, or to be able to turn into any animal.

What is something you are really good at? I think I am really good at reading lots of books, helping animals, horse riding and really good at trick riding, not as good as my great Pop though.

What is your pet hate? My pet hate would most definitely have to be not being able to continue a really good series that I have been reading.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? I think I would love to live out in the country on a quiet property with my animals and dream horse, a Friesian, as well as lots of space, green paddocks with tall green trees to provide shade.

Three-Day Forbes COVID-19 Clinic

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The drive-through COVID testing clinic which started on Wednesday, is set to run until late September, but is subject to change based on demand.

Forbes Shire Council and National Health Authority have joined forces to bring a three day a week testing clinic to Forbes for easy community access to a convenient drive through COVID-19 Testing Clinic service.

“This is a great partnership between Council and National Health Authority with a proactive approach to this crisis we are experiencing,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “The community will have access to testing more than ever before and it will be via a convenient drive through service in Hill Street on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8am and 1pm.

“The testing facility is available for patients referred by their doctors; they will not have to travel to other towns to avail themselves of COVID-19 testing. Laverty are a highly regarded organisation and deliver the highest quality professional service.”

“Previously the testing services have been sporadic, and this will provide an ongoing testing opportunity testing for the community and provide reassurance,” Phyllis said.

Patients can receive their negative test results via text message in as little as 24 hours and most tests usually take around 48 hours. It is important for Forbes Shire residents to maintain COVID safety practices and to get tested, even if symptoms are mild.

COVID-19 symptoms include a fever, a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, shortness of breath and sometimes a cough. Currently the Western Area Health has one case and the person in Orange remains in isolation.

Medals Hotly Contested

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Alf Davies, Craig Simmons, Niel Duncan and George Falvey enjoy the sun as they wait for their tee off.

The Saturday Men’s event was the August Monthly Medal, sponsored by Bernardi’s Marketplace, and strongly contested by 96 players.

The A-Grade finished with John Betland the Medal winner, on count back from Brian Everest when both finished on 72 nett. This reversed the finishing order for last month’s Medal. The B-Grade saw two visiting golfers fill the top two spots, but the Medal went to club member Ted Morgan on 72 nett. The B-Grade prize winner was John Grogan from Sugar Valley with a nett 70, ahead of runner-up Hugh Graham from Dubbo on 71.

The C-Grade had lower scores but also a tight finish. Troy Howe won the medal on count back from Matthew Duff who managed some good play on the par.

The ball sweep went to 76 nett on count back: 70 – C Greenhalgh; 72 – T Morgan; 73 – G Webb, B Hansen, M Collits, C Hur- ford; 74 – N Duncan, S Uphill, L Whifield, M Spice, G Newport, P Maher, J Ridley, T Cooper, J Haley; 75 – B Chandler, B Robinson; 76 – D Earl, S French. The NTP’s went to: 9th – A Demidjuk; 18th – P Pymont. Adam narrowly missed his hole-in-one.

The visitors included John Grogan and Hugh Graham, as well as Stephen Grant from Murrumbidgee, Jono Baker from Caragabal, Bob Hansen from Shoalhaven Heads, Trevor Cooper, and Nigel Davies from Caragabal. They all enjoyed their game.

Bruce Chandler had the best story, scoring a ‘9’ on the 14th hole, chipped in for par on the 15th, and holed his third shot on the 16th for a birdie. But then Ian Bown had bad luck, playing his third shot on the 17th from behind the Ladies tee.

The Trundle and Cowra Opens are still going ahead this weekend and the Legends Pro-Am, is scheduled for 23 October. The Kristie Carpenter Memorial Trophy has been rescheduled for 31 October.

Saturday, 8 August is a 4BBB Stableford Medley, playing for the Bob & Daine Doolin Memorial Trophy and Sunday, 9 August has a Stableford Medley and the Trundle Open.

Not The Time For COVID Complacency

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Despite the benefit of having ample space in the Forbes Shire and safety measures in place, it is still crucial that residents continue to maintain COVID-19 safety measures to ensure that Forbes Shire remains COVID free.

This week the Western NSW Local Health District has reported a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The case is currently in isolation in Orange but has a residential address outside of the Western NSW Health District. The case is linked to a known cluster in Sydney.

The Public Health Unit has contacted all close contacts. They have been provided with Public Health information which includes to be tested for COVID-19 and remain in isolation for 14 days.

Currently WNSWLHD is urging residents in the region to get tested for COVID-19, regardless of how mild the symptoms are. It is vital that individuals take the right precautions to ensure the safety of the community.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Take hand sanitiser when you go out.
• If feeling unwell, get tested.
• Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• Wear a mask in situations where you cannot physically distance.

Weekly Croquet News And Results

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Golf Croquet 28 July
Player numbers are steadily increasing with 37 players at Tuesday’s Golf Croquet. There were four players who won their three matches, they were Judy Ellis, Sandy Hepburn, Kevin Rubie and Bill Scott.

Congratulations to Judy Ellis and Sandy Hepburn. It has been some time since Judy has mastered the courts and for Sandy it was the first time he has won all three of his games.

There will be a General Meeting after croquet, at the courts, on Tuesday, 11 August weather permitting and all members are being urged to attend.

Results Aussie Croquet 1 August
On Sunday there were 29 players at Aussie Croquet. Well done to John Farah who participated in his first game of this format. John has only been playing Tuesday’s Golf Croquet up to this stage. It has been observed that playing Golf Croquet gives players time to learn the basics of the game before going on to the harder game of Aussie croquet. The winners of three games on the day were: John Allegri, Cherylin Cole, Elvy Quirk, Kevin Rubie and Barry White. Two of the closest games on the day were Lyn Simmonds 14, def Bill Scott 11 and Barry White, John Allegri 14, def John Browne, John Farah 11.

Are you in need of a great property manager?

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

A good property manager can help increase the value of your investment property and make sure you are achieving a consistently good rental yield or return. Here are some important qualities you should look for:

2. Strict leasing procedures, including stringent tenant selection, consistently achieving the best rental rate, and planning annual rent reviews in advance.

2. Proactive habits around repairs and maintenance, like performing regular routine inspections to address necessary repairs/maintenance.

3. Thorough knowledge of current legislation is essential. It is important to ensure your property manager is always up to date! As part of the Century 21 franchise, we are exposed to a multitude of property management training. We are also members of the REI, and attend the annual REI roadshow.

4. Clear and concise communication is also key. How easy is it to speak to your property manager? Can you reach them after hours? Do they return your calls promptly? Are their routine inspection reports thorough enough and do you receive photos with your report? Are your statements delivered promptly? Do you have an efficient landlord portal that you can login to and have all your important info when required?

Here at Century 21 Central West we strongly believe that we deliver on all of these points and provide the most reliable and honest service. If you are unhappy with your current service, please do not hesitate to contact us today to discuss how we can help you.

Snippets…

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

From September onwards, Daroobalgie will no longer accept cash payments. (Image: Forbes Shire Council Facebook)

Daroobalgie Tip Going Cashless: From 1 September 2020 the Forbes Shire Council Daroobalgie Landfill site will only accept card payments. Due to the continued COVID-19 situation, Council is moving to a card only system for the Daroobalgie Landfill site and no cash payments will be accepted after 1 September.

Forbes Shire Council General Manager Steve Loane is urging residents to pay by card in order to help the fight against COVID-19. Steve went on to remind residents that Daroobalgie is a business that takes it’s responsibility to keep its employees, and the community, safe. By ceasing the handling of cash, Daroobalgie will keep the transfer of disease and germs at a minimum.

“The inconvenience is highly regrettable but our community safety is the key priority and the decision has been made to ensure the ongoing health and safety of all persons involved,” Steve said.

The Daroobalgie Waste Facility is operational seven days a week between the hours of 8.30am – 5pm. Visa or Mastercard and EFTPOS or Tap-and-Go will be accepted.

The Forbes Shire Council encourages all members of the community to dispose of their waste correctly and to only send waste to landfill that cannot be recycled or recovered any other way. For more information please contact Forbes Shire Council or go to www.forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Motorists Advised Of Heavy Rainfall: Motorists are advised to prepare for ad- verse driving conditions and expected road closures due to heavy rainfall forecast across far west NSW.

Transport for NSW Director West Alistair Lunn said the Bureau of Meteorology has advised heavy rainfall is expected this week with potential widespread impacts on the 2850km network of unsealed roads in the Far West NSW, with many expected to close. Motorists are advised to delay travel unless necessary, to check the road conditions before travelling, and to be extra cautious in driving to the conditions.

“While some closures are necessary for the safety of motorists and workers during and after heavy rainfall, Transport for NSW endeavours to maintain access along all major corridors within affected areas,” Alistair said.

Permanent signs will be used to provide motorists with traffic information. For the latest traffic updates call 08 8082 6660 for a recorded message road conditions, available 24 hours a day, 132 701, visit livetraffic. com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.

Motorists are being warned of road closures due to predicted heavy rainfall..

Be Seen

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Mayor Miller recommends wearing a mask when in public to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Zara Alghamdi as Rapunzel for Education Week.

Forbes North Students sure have a green thumb, don’t miss out on seeing their wonderful display in Rankin Street.

What A Week At FPS!

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Miss Davidson teaching Kindergarten.

Forbes Public School (FPS) has enjoyed their annual celebration of NSW Public Education. This year, FPS has focused on the theme, Learning Together.

During the week staff and students have engaged in different learning opportunities and come together on Wednesday under the theme Learning Together, dressed up as their favourite book characters. This has provided a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to share in a love of reading and learning while showing off their colourful creativity.

Education Week has seen the launch of FPS’s new whole school literacy initiative.

Staff and students are very excited to be engaging in a new whole school program that focuses on embedding current and evidence-based reading strategies into all classrooms at Forbes Public School.

As part of the program, the school welcomed Mrs Janet Westcott to the team. Janet is a Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Advisor. This is a new and exciting role at FPS, which will enable Janet the opportunity to work with staff to promote quality student learning and growth over the term.

This forms part of the whole school strategy to provide students with current, effective, and innovative learning opportunities!

Netball News

August 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Saturday Junior Mixed Netball
The Saturday junior mixed netball was washed out last week, with the start of the competition pushed back one week.

The first week saw a great roll up of players aged five and up, playing in the Net-SetGo sessions before players aged under 15 for the Junior Mixed competition.

Registrations must be done online in MyNetball, where the Active Kids Voucher can be used.

It is important that all players register for the committee to plan Saturdays for netballers.

NetSetGo will be played at 10am, and Junior mixed competition for players under 15 will play at 11.15am.

Volunteers are needed to make the Saturday mornings a success, anyone who would like to help can call at the office on Saturday or communicate through the Forbes Netball Facebook page.

Thanks to all for observing the restrictions that are in place to allow the committee to run junior netball. A reminder that Friday Netball has been postponed for the time being, but will be up and running in the near future.

Spring Night Competitions
The Spring Night Competitions for both mixed and ladies’ teams will start with the first grading games on Wednesday, 26 August. Team nominations will close on 19 August.

The second grading games will be played on 2 September with the competitions starting on 9 September.

This year the committee is including a 17 and under ladies’ division, in conjunction with Division 2, for ladies who would like a more social, less competitive game than Division 1.

Team nomination forms are available on the FNA website, and can be emailed to Secretary Mon secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com

Any player looking to join a team, or teams looking for players should email Mon on above email.

There will be no competitions until the Finals on 2 December and no games will be played during the school holidays.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe