Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Learning Together For Education Week 2020

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

While colour runs were taken off the calendar in 2020, the public education community were still about to find new and innovative ways to continue to teach and engage students.

Public schools across NSW will celebrate Education Week from 3 to 7 August with the theme of ‘Learning together’ drawing on the education community’s sentiment of 2020, which saw parents, teachers and students engaging and working together in conditions and ways that were unheard of pre-2020.

However, with a multitude of changes and challenges, communities have found ways to learn together. The Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott said that with the unprecedented challenges schools had faced in 2020, Education Week would provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the public school community in the face of adversity.

“We started the year with communities still suffering the impacts of drought and the destructive summer bushfires. Flooding then forced the closure of schools in some fire-affected areas,” Mark said.

“Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and totally disrupted our way of life, changing the way we learn and socialise. But despite so many major disruptions to teachers, staff, parents, carers and students, the public-school community worked together to ensure that students could continue to learn.”

Mark went on to say: “Learning together reinforces the role of our schools as the cornerstone of the community. We all worked together to move learning online almost overnight to maintain the continuity of education during the COVID-19 restrictions.”

Education Week is an annual statewide celebration of public education, which has been held for more than 50 years. This year’s events will run from Monday, 3 Au- gust to Friday, 7 August, with a focus on opportunities to celebrate virtually.

The week will start with a live stream on Monday, 3 August featuring public schools across NSW celebrating the theme. A student film festival will be live streamed on Wednesday, 5 August.

The Education Week 2020 website at education.nsw.gov.au/edweek20 offers a wealth of ideas, information, and resources for schools to plan and promote their #EdWeek20 activities including a comprehensive Teacher toolkit.

All are welcome to share NSW students’ excitement with the following video on the Department of Education website at https://edu.nsw.link/EdWeek20 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=333664430962580.

Forbes To Welcome Netball On Saturday

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Committee is working hard, in conjunction with Netball NSW and Forbes Shire Council, to prepare for the return of community netball in Forbes on Saturday.

A COVID-19 Safety Plan has been implemented to ensure all of the community is as safe as possible, whilst once again enjoying community netball.

The FNA has organised a Welcome Back Day on Saturday for all junior girls and boys. The day will start with NetSetGo at 10am, and the Junior Mixed Competition will be held from 11.15am for all juniors under 15.

A free sausage sizzle will also be held to celebrate the day.

Registrations can be completed online through MyNetball, and help will be available at the courts on Saturday if required. All boys and girls playing in the Junior Mixed competition are being asked to choose a friend to play with in their team.

The Junior Mixed competition and NetSetGo will be played each Saturday morning through the school term, with finals for the competition to be played in September. Keep up to date with all the netball news through Forbes Netball Association Facebook page, and the FNA website.

RAS Foundation Bets On The Future Of Regional Communities

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes resident Cameron McMillan has received a scholarship from the RAS Foundation.

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) is investing in the future of strong and vibrant regional NSW communities by supporting the next generation with the announcement of its 2020 Rural Scholarship program recipients.

The scholarships, awarded to regional and rural students who are studying at a New South Wales University or TAFE, aim to support those seeking further education with the goal of injecting their new skills back into rural areas.

Cameron McMillan of Forbes received his scholarship for Certificate III in Electrotechnology, and travels 160kms each weekend to work alongside his father. Cameron has hopes to put his newly acquired knowledge to good use when he is a fully qualified electrician.

RASF Manager Cecilia Logan believes all 2020 scholarship recipients are particularly well-deserving and represent a bright future for rural and regional NSW.

“It is not an easy task to uproot your life and move away from home to reach your goals, however, it is often the journey regional and rural NSW students have to undergo to achieve further education and training,” Cecilia said.

“The Rural Scholarship program was designed to support this journey; giving students the freedom to study without the stress and financial challenges brought about by the need to relocate.”

The RASF Rural Scholarships offer financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study and $3,000 for part-time study to assist students who are passionate about contributing to the future of rural and regional communities with help from generous supporters such as the UNE Foundation, ASC, NSW Stud Merino Breeders, ChemCert, Regional Australian Bank and The Snow Foundation. The 2021 Scholarship rounds open on July 1 2020. For more information visit www.rasf.org.au

Are you concerned by, or celebrating the increased traffic in and around Forbes these school holidays?

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Joyce Nash: No, no, I’m not concerned about it at all, it’s good to see.

Katherine Lance: I guess it’s good for local businesses, while everyone needs to be mindful of social distancing and hand sanitising, the extra business is needed in smaller towns.

Trudi Smart: A bit of both actually, I want our small businesses to thrive however, the concern of COVID-19 is still there, so I am on the fence.

Croquet News

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Golf Croquet Results 7 July
A total of 32 players turned up for last Tuesdays Golf Croquet. The general idea for new players is to have some time getting used to playing Tuesdays Golf Croquet before going on to the Saturday Aussie Croquet, which needs a little more skill. The partner is very important in Aussie Croquet and working as a team wins the game. Five players won their three games this week. They were: John Cole, John Job, Bob Murray, Jill Rubie and Dorelle Scott. The closest games on the day were:
• Jill Rubie, Jeff Liebich 7, def Sandy Hepburn, Alec Todd 6.
• Bob Murray, Joan Littlejohn 7, def John MacCullagh, Evelyn Mahlo 6.
• John Browne, Vince Robert 7, def Col- leen Liebich, Sally Perry 6.
• Jill Rubie, Bill Scott 7, def Evelyn Mahlo, Jeff Liebich 6.

Results Aussie Croquet 11 July
There were 27 players on the courts for the start of Aussie Croquet. The main concern was to complete the three matches before the rain arrived. Halfway through the last game, players had to run for cover and three of the games had to be cancelled. There were only two winners of the three matches, they were: John Cole and Libby Smart. The closest scores on the day were:
• John Browne 14, def Judy Ellis, John Allegri 10.
• Marie Spry, Neville Spry 14, def Merv Langfield, Joan Littlejohn 11.
• Geoff Coles, Harley Stewart 14, def John Job, John MacCullagh 13.
• Joan Littlejohn, Kevin Rubie 14 def Jill Rubie, Lorraine Todd 12.
• Merv Langfield, John Cole 14, def Elvy Quirk, John MacCullagh 12.
• Marie Spry, John Cole 14, def John Browne, Bill Scott 11.

Snippets…

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Katie Norbury is hoping to see an increase in donations and volunteers on the ground in Forbes to help support vulnerable women.

Share the Dignity In Forbes: Share the Dignity are once again running their biannual drive to collect sanitary products for women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough. Share the Dignity are asking for volunteers in the Forbes Shire community to help with collection, counting and distribution of these products.

Share the Dignity founder, Rochelle Courtney says that with an increased need, and a decrease in the April drive donations, it is crucial to have help on the ground. “At Share the Dignity, our volunteers are called ‘Sheroes’ and ‘Heroes’, they are the heart and soul of our organisation and we couldn’t do it without them.” Every woman in Australia deserves to be able to manage their period with dignity, and donations will be collected in Forbes Woolworths in August. For more information on how to become a volunteer with Share the Dignity you can visit their website. www.sharethedignity.com.au

Have Your Say: Last week Forbes Shire Council unveiled a new community consultation website to allow community members to have their say on important issues.
Adam Loftus, Karen Wright from Forbes CWA, driver Gary Thomas and Cassie Bush were at the Showgrounds on Wednesday to distribute fresh produce to those in need.

Your Say Forbes will allow anyone with a connection to the internet to make their voice heard and have an impact on Council decisions.

The new site will allow Council to gather community opinions using a variety of purpose-built tools that go beyond the usual survey, including interactive mapping, quick polls and more.

Want to get involved? Head over to www.yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au to have your say. To participate in discussions you’ll need to register, but it’s a quick and easy process, and will help Council keep you in the loop about conversations that might interest you in the future. There are three consultations currently running, including an Events Review, a Recreation and Open Space Survey, and the opportunity to make a submission on the Forbes Local Strategic Planning Statement – a vision for the future of Forbes. For more information please contact Council’s Community Relations Officer on 02 6850 2300.

Restrictions Remain In Forbes Health Services: Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation and reviewing hospital visitor rules to help ensure the safety of patients, staff, and other visitors. Visitors to hospitals or health services should check in advance to make sure they know and understand the rules at that time, and follow the directions of staff. Visitors may not enter if they have; returned from overseas in the last 14 days, returned from Victoria in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days. The safety of health service staff, patients and visitors must be prioritised and all visitors and staff need to undergo applicable screening processes in place. For more information call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 088 or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

New Break Fees For Fixed Term Agreements

July 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act came into effect on 23rd March this year. Today I thought we should discuss the new break fees for fixed term agreements.

When a tenant signs a lease, they should be committed to staying for the entire fixed term, otherwise the tenant may need to break their fixed term lease which will incur a penalty. This is called a break lease fee.

For tenants that have signed a lease from 23rd March onward, and the lease is for a term of three years or less, their break lease fee will be calculated based on what stage of the agreement they are in.

• Four weeks rent if less than 25% of the agreement has expired.
• Three weeks rent if 25% to 50% of the agreement has expired.
• Two weeks rent if 50% to 75% of the agreement has expired.
• One weeks rent if 75% or more of the agreement has expired.

For example, if two months of a six-month tenancy agreement has expired, that would be 33% of the lease term. Therefore, the tenant would need to pay a fee equal to three weeks rent to the landlord to end their agreement early.

However, if the tenant signed the lease before 23rd March, before the new legislation came in, these fees are not applicable to them. These tenants would still be bound by the former agreement rules.

For more information go to the Fair-Trading website or alternatively, contact us at Century 21 Central West.

Mayoral Notes

July 10, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How wonderful to see the palm trees going in at the new Camp Street Bridge site! Progress is going well, and we should hear an announcement very soon about the official opening. Thank you to everyone for your patience while this major work is being done. Thank you to our wonderful team who have been helping Transport for NSW to complete the roadworks and landscaping on either side of the bridge.

It is sad to hear the new restrictions being put in place this week for Victoria. It just goes to show we can’t be complacent when it comes to COVID-19. We have noticed the holiday traffic has increased this week with school holidays. We want and need tourists to keep our local economy bubbling away. Please continue practising COVID safe measures so that we will be able to continue operating business as normal.

Our wonderful not-for-profit community groups are invited to apply for our latest round of Community Funding Grants. Council established this program a few years ago to recognise the great work our community groups play in the Forbes Shire. By providing monetary support to assist these groups they will continue to do their great work.

The program is open twice yearly and a total of $100,000 is available across the two rounds. Each community group can access up to $5,000 in assistance for each project as either a cash contribution, inkind support, or a combination of both.

God Bless.
Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Be Seen

July 10, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Paul Bennet was radiant in red at the Farmers’ Markets.

The beautiful Chelsea Riddington with little Frankie and Jack.

Josh Vanderstock and Aleisha Ward made the most of the stunning winter morning.

Medals Played In Cold Conditions

July 10, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Garry Collits wrapped up against the cold conditions.

On Saturday, the Men’s competition was the July Monthly Medal, sponsored by Walkers Ag-n-Vet, and contested by a field of 65 shivering players.

The A-Grade saw an in-form John Bet- land with a nett 72, beaten into runner-up by winner Brian Everest with a 71 nett. Ethan Gaffney with a nett 72 played well but missed out on count back.

The B-Grade winner was Jeff Haley with 70 nett, but he needed a count back to relegate Dave Earl into runner-up. The C-Grade was more clear-cut, with Mark Simmonds the Winner on 67 nett, followed by Brian Clarke as runner-up on 69 nett.

Last Saturday we farewelled Head Pro Ben Gear and his partner Som. Both Ben and Som have achieved a lot while among the Forbes golf community. We wish them well in their new life in Cairns.

President Andrew McDonald is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head Professional, Adam Demidjuk who will commence duties as Head Pro on 3 August. Pop in during that week to welcome him to Forbes.

Programme changes: Saturday, 11 July – Men play a 2-P Ambrose, with a Par event for the Ladies, while Saturday, 18 July sees the 4BBB Stableford Medley for the Hawke Cup.

Players are advised that in the short-term refreshments will be available from the Halfway House. Remember, social distancing must still be practiced, even in the ‘Golfie’. Keep in touch on the website, www.forbesgolf.org.au, or the Facebook page forbesgolfcourse, and on Instagram forbesgolf2871.

By Short Putt

Head Pro Ben Gear and partner Sudarat Ok-oon were farewelled last Saturday.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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