Evolution Senior Environmental Advisor Simon Coates distributing coffee vouchers to educators and health care workers throughout the Forbes Shire.
A Coffee On Cowal
Simon Coates gifting a voucher to Dr Richard Draper. The Evolution Senior Environmental Advisor distributed vouchers to educators and health care workers in Forbes.
Last Friday, Forbes health care workers and educators were recognised and thanked by Evolution Mining who recently rolled out ‘A Coffee on Cowal,’ a fantastic, community focused initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative saw Forbes Shire essential workers in the health and education sector gifted with a free cup of coffee from Evolution Cowal. The initiative not only supports local business through the purchase of the coffee vouchers, but also acknowledges and thanks those health care workers for the fantastic job they are doing to keep our community safe. The thanks extends to Forbes Shire educators for the challenging, fast-paced, ever changing work that they are doing to support their students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and the government’s response to the pandemic has brought changes, minor and major, to the lives of all and this is one way that Evolution Cowal has stepped in to show their thanks and support for Forbes’ health workers and educators.
Simon Coates, Senior Environmental Advisor to Cowal, who handed out the vouchers said, “It was great to touch base and share stories with these workers and it was very clear the small gesture of a cup of coffee was very much appreciated and they were grateful for the recognition.”
Evolution handed out 300 vouchers to 10 businesses in the Forbes Shire and endeavours to continue to support the community during these challenging and uncertain times.
Upgrades For Bedgerabong Showgrounds
With around 580 shows across Australia, and drawing in nearly 6 million visitors in total, upgrades, and maintenance of aging facilities as well as the construction of new infrastructure is crucial for the sustainability of rural showgrounds. The Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program is injecting $20 million into 122 regional agricultural show societies, including Bedgerabong PA & H Association Inc.
The upgrades at the Bedgerabong Showgrounds will include the development of a multipurpose livestock facility, fence repairs, installation of barriers and an upgrade to the watering system.
Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the grants would also serve as a much needed cash injection in the wake of recent bushfires and the COVID-19 outbreak which has seen agricultural shows, a major drawcard for visitors, cancelled Australia-wide with a loss of roughly $965 million to the economy.
“Upgrading show facilities means more visitors to these regional events, more local employment, and more tills ringing in local businesses,” said David. “Ag shows are the heart and soul of our regional communities. They bring and keep communities together, link the country to the city and provide a key boost to these local economies.”
Talking Mental Health
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is encouraging residents to access mental health support if they need it. The Federal Government has bolstered mental health and wellbeing services during the COVID-19 pandemic and Michael implored those who are feeling unwell to get help.
“Regional Australians are a resilient bunch but too often they shirk their own health and wellbeing.”
The Federal Government’s mental health package includes funding for dedicated phone and online resources. “These services are vital for residents throughout the Central West to get the support they need, when they need it,” Michael said.
The Australian Government funds a range of organisations where people can raise concerns, whether they relate to COVID-19, the ongoing drought, or the impact of the recent bushfires.
Telephone and online support is available from the following organisations:
• Headspace (for people aged 12 to 25 and their families) call 1800 650 890 or chat online
• Beyond Blue (anyone feeling depressed or anxious) call 1300 22 4636 or chat on-line
• This Way Up Clinic (anyone with stress, anxiety, and depression) online courses
• MindSpot (people with anxiety and depression) call 1800 61 44 34 or online screening.
Snippets…
Jarrod Zuvela urges families and carers to REACH.
Do you know when to REACH?: Hospitals and Multipurpose Services across the Western NSW LHD (WNSWLHD) will be rolling out the REACH system to help patients and their families escalate their concerns with staff about changes in a patient’s condition. The REACH model is a graded approach to patient and family activated escalation:
• Recognise: Patients and families can often recognise signs of deterioration before they are clinically evident.
• Engage: Patients and families should engage with their treating team if they are concerned that ‘something is not right’.
• Act: Patients and families can request a ‘clinical review’.
• Call: Patients and families can call for an independent review if they are still concerned.
• Help: Help will be on its way in Western NSW when you call our REACH number, your call will be answered by a nurse who will coordinate an independent review of the patient.
It’s No Time To Be Complacent: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has urged residents to get tested for COVID-19, even if the symptoms they have experienced are mild.
There are a number of places where testing is available for people with mild symptoms including:
• General practitioners (call ahead).
• Respiratory Clinics being established in several communities by the Western Primary Care Network.
• Fever Clinics at Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo Hospitals.
• Testing clinics at smaller rural hospitals (call ahead).
If you are not sure if you should be tested, contact the Western Public Health Helpline on 1300 066 055.
Get A Saucepan And Wooden Spoon Ready: Music for Little Ears will be available online in Term 2. Samantha Bartholemeusz of the Orange Regional Conservatorium is moving her Music for Little Ears program online while libraries are closed. Samantha has created a six week program of videos to initiate little ears to classical music, singing, percussion, dancing and musical games. The program is suitable for ages two to five. Music for Little Ears at Home will be available to all members of Forbes Library. Register on Eventbrite and the link to the Orange Regional Conservatorium’s Channel will be emailed to you. Each new episode will be available for you to enjoy again and again from the comfort of your home. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/music-for-little-ears-at-home-registration-104918624430
Join Samantha’s free Music for Little Ears program online.
A Windfall For Book Lovers!
Central West Libraries has ramped up local access to online digital content in the wake of COVID-19 to help locals stay entertained through self-isolation. With the launch of an innovative new platform indyreads, Forbes library members can now access over 11,000 new ebooks and audiobooks from home.
Developed by the State Library of NSW, indyreads gives members 24/7 access to a range of eBooks, including fiction titles by well-known and popular authors, poetry collections, cookbooks, educational books, local studies resources and more.
“Indyreads also includes books from independent Australian and international publishers as well as the best examples of self-publishing, offering communities a greater diversity of stories,” says Ross Balharrie, indyreads project coordinator, State Library of NSW. “With indyreads library members can get a lot more variety – from high quality self-published works by local writers to international award-winning authors and modern classics,” says Ross.
According to Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards, “indyreads is a great addition to our library collection. I am particularly enjoying being able to access such a wealth of fiction by Australian authors”.
To access the collection visit www.cwl.nsw.gov.au To log onto indyreads you will need to:
• Download the app from the App Store or Google Play to use on your phone or tablet
• Choose ‘Central West Libraries’ from the drop-down list
• Type in your library card number
• Type in the password or PIN number associated with your library card.
Please call Central West Libraries on 6393 8132 if you require any assistance with your PIN number.
Mayoral Notes
This Friday the restrictions will loosen a little further with more people allowed at outdoor gatherings and up to 10 patrons allowed to dine inside restaurants. Our playgrounds and parks will be reopened, again restricted to 10 people at a time. Weddings can have 10 guests and funerals up to 20 mourners indoors or 30 if the funeral is outdoors. Please remember that we are all in this together and we do still need to remain vigilant!
If you are out and about this weekend you must go and have a look at the latest landscaping work completed at the Ski Dam. Looks amazing!
I would like to remind everyone our lovely walking track around the Lake is for use of walkers, joggers and bike riders combined. All must be respectful of others on the track and if you are on a bike please ring your bell or call out to alert those in front you are coming along.
Council administration building will be opening to the public again very soon. Access will be limited to three people in the foyer area, due to social distancing guidelines and the front counter will have Perspex screens in place. The front glass doors will be closed and access can be made through the automatic doors in Harold St.
Have a great week.
God Bless, Your Mayor Phyllis Miller
What community events are you most looking forward to in Forbes?
Peter Tzinos: I work seven days a week so every day is an event for me.
Jayne Whitworth: I am most looking forward to shows at the RSL club and things returning to normal.
A Day In The Life Of A Forbes Mum
Jonah, Julian, Seth, Mel and Finley Butler hard at work learning from home.
“Keep your kids at home if you can.” That was the advice given by our government to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Okay”, I thought, I am a stay at home Mum and Mr Three had pneumonia just a few months ago, so it is probably best for me to keep them home. Five children, four who are school aged, two with special needs and all in different grades, how hard could it possibly be?
At first it was simple, we had to quarantine after coming back from overseas and had no formal schooling to do. My “home learners” and I would cook together, making cheese, butter and bread, and planting vegetables. In the afternoon we had a “movie appreciation class” with popcorn. This home-schooling gig was easy!
Then came the ‘continuity of learning packs’, actual schoolwork. “I can do this,” I thought as I woke up early enough to set everything up before logging into each child’s Google Classroom account, but while trying to navigate the website realised, this is not fun anymore.
“But I don’t do this at school,” “I finished this bit,” “I need the toilet,” “Is it recess yet?” and “he took my pencil!” played on repeat like a broken record until I decided to set up learning areas in each bedroom, away from each other. With each child demanding my undivided attention, there was not enough of me to go around.
I looked around at the end of day one and wondered how we managed and how they made so much mess. The dining table was strewn with pencils, scissors, glue sticks and paper as my husband came home to the children in their pyjamas and me with a glass of wine, almost ready to login for online dance lessons. This gig is not easy and teacher’s Christmas presents will look very different this year.
By Mel Butler
Our Bloke – Brett Slessor
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I grew up here and have been back and forth my whole adult life. I like that my family is here and country towns are awesome.
What was your first job? Woolworths in Forbes.
What makes you laugh the most? My friends.
If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Travel, I would get a bunch of friends together on a private jet, country hopping and partying.
Describe your dream holiday? I have had my dream holiday, meeting Britney Spears in Las Vegas.
What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Holidaying every year at Sussex Inlet with my family.
If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Sydney in the 80s or the 90s.
If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Britney Spears, Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga.
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