Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Connection Through Commemoration, Lest We Forget

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Anzac Day this year is set to be like no other. With public services cancelled Australia wide, grassroots movements are in motion to make Saturday 25 April, as significant as it has been in previous years, despite the lockdown.

Forbes residents are being encouraged to stand at the end of their driveways, front gates, balconies or verandas with a candle, or any suitable light, and observe one minute of silence at 6am, in commemoration of our ANZACs. The nation-wide gesture has been unanimously endorsed by RSL branches in every state of Australia.

Whether Forbes residents choose to do this or not, the silence of dawn will be broken by the playing of the Last Post by members of the Forbes Town and District Band, who will be playing from home.

President of the Forbes Town and District Band, Sue-Anne Nixon is encouraging all Forbes musicians to give it a try, saying, “any instrument can play the Last Post, not just the bugle or trumpet. You may just hear the sombre tribute being played from a neighbour’s driveway in your own street.”

Alternatively, ABC Radio Australia will be broadcasting from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra beginning at 5am, the service will conclude with the observing of a minute’s silence followed by the playing of the Last Post at 6am.

While this year has thrown many challenges our way, the optimism, determination, and spirit of the Forbes community is the vehicle that unifies, despite the distance. While we cannot physically stand together on this day, we will stand together in spirit to remember the service and sacrifice for this nation.

The atmosphere of this Anzac Day provides a chance to reflect on something bigger than ourselves. Perhaps more than ever, many Australians will have a better capacity to understand the sacrifices of our ANZACs.

As a business owner, what are some positives you have taken away from operating in lockdown?

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Moana Duggan from Lakeside Takeaway: It has forced us to budget more, consider where our income comes from in terms of sales. While our lifestyle hasn’t changed too much, seeing our customers each day has kept us balanced and sane and vice versa. It has been great to see customers from different situations, like those home-schooling and enjoying it, and not enjoying it, farmers who are celebrating the rain we’ve had, those who have lost work, come together (at a social distance) to talk and form new friendships on their morning coffee run. There is a real sense of community and of being in this together.

Janet Callaghan from Painted Daisies Gift Shoppe: It has given me the chance to put more effort into my business online. I never would have done it otherwise. I think our locals also realise that times are tough, and they are shopping. We don’t get visitors anymore so local support is more important than ever.

Our Gal – Donna Cain

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? We have been in Forbes for 11 and a half years now. I like the small, quiet, country town.

What was your first job? I was working as a legionnaires and water tester, a long time ago.

What makes you laugh the most? My kids.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Spend every day like it was an adventure.

Describe your dream holiday? A nice long road trip all around Australia, stopping any and everywhere.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Hanging out with my cousins on the farm.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I would still live in Australia, but in the early colonial days. I would like to see it for myself.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My Father, my Grandmother and Great Grandmother West.

Can Our Nurses’ Waive Fees Goodbye?

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Philip Donato is calling for the government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses’ and healthcare professionals.

Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP has called on the Government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses and other essential registered healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our nurses and other healthcare professionals are working around the clock while under constant threat of the deadly Coronavirus,” said Phil.

“We value and appreciate what our nurses do to care for the sick and injured, even in ordinary times. But we now find ourselves in extraordinary times. In these extraordinary times our nurses continue to front for work despite the risks they now face with the potential for infection of COVID-19.”

Phil applauded nurses’ dedication to their profession and to the unyielding number of patients for whom they care, adding “It should be of no surprise that because of their tremendous work ethic and mantra of putting their patients first and foremost that nurses are considered the most trusted profession in Australia.”

“In light of the increased risks our registered nurses and healthcare professionals now face, and as a gesture of our sincere appreciation for what they do, their annual registration fees should be immediately waived.”

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works with 15 National Boards to help protect the public by regulating registered health practitioners across Australia. The registration of Nurses and Midwives is managed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), through which an annual $175 registration fee is paid by nurses and midwives.

“We have all stood and clapped to applaud nurses and health care professionals for their brave and tireless work in caring for the COVID-19 patients and other sick or injured patients, so now let’s give them a well earned waive on their annual registration fees too,” Phil said.

Golfers Enjoy The Exercise

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Merv Lowing of Orbost enjoying his golf as he waits for travel restrictions to lift.

Golfers in and around Forbes are lucky to be able to participate in their favourite exercise and were lucky over the last week to enjoy some sunny autumn weather.

In the Men’s competition on Saturday 18 April, an Individual Stroke sponsored by Forbes TV and Video Repairs, 78 players filled the allotted tee time and produced high scores.

Division One saw Anthony Alley the winner with nett 60, but on count back from Max Haley. Both scored well however, Max was disturbed by a ‘7’ on the 16th. Division Two also needed a count back. This time it was Robert Scott with 66 nett ahead of Lachlan Alley.

A warm welcome to Lee Grierson, staying here while University is closed, and to Merv Lowing, from Orbost, who is stuck here because of travel restrictions. Both players enjoyed the course, although Merv did not have the best of rounds.

The Tuesday golf saw a good field, with Ted Morgan declared winner on count back from Brian Clark, where both finished on 31 points for their 12 holes. Brian was looking good to be the first in the history of this competition to be a back-to-back winner, but alas it was not so. Geoff Drane was third with 30 points.

This winter will see the running of a 9-Hole Individual Nett competition, instead of the Winter 3’s. This is open to all – club and social golfers alike. Kind sponsorship from Niel’s Complete Carpet Cleaning will enable a weekly winner and ball sweep. Just roll up, pair up and enter a score. You can play as many times in a week and as many week’s as you are able.

Do not forget that changes have had to be made to the Men’s and Ladies Programmes, so check at the Pro Shop to see what is on.

By Short Putt

Forbes Remains Free Of COVID-19

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

As of 10.00am Tuesday 21 April, the Western NSW Local Health District remains at 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this 45, there are currently five active cases of COVID-19 across the region.

It is critical that everyone in all our local communities continue to practice social distancing to minimise the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.

This is important for everyone, but particularly for older people and people with health conditions that make them more vulnerable. It is also important that we protect our health care workers who we need to stay well to provide care to people who become sick with COVID-19.

Local Government Area	No. Cases
Bathurst Regional	9
Blayney Shire	3
Cabonne Shire	5
Coonamble Shire	1
Dubbo Regional	6
Mid-Western Region	6
Narromine Shire	1
Orange City	10
Warren Shire	1
Warrumbungle Shire	1
Weddin Shire	1

Be Seen

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Rosie Hurford celebrated her 10th birthday at home on Monday, iso style.

Josh Picker helping out on his grandparents farm, scanning ewes and giving much needed lamb cuddles.

Kyal Sauer busy at work, washing trucks at Wallace Haulage.

ANZAC Treat

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Caramel ANZAC Slice

SLICE
• 2 Cups Plain Flour
• 2 Cups Brown Sugar
• 2 Cups Rolled Oats
• 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut • 250G Butter, Diced
• 4 Tbsp Golden Syrup
• 2 Tbsp Water
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

CARAMEL FILLING
• 400g Sweetened Condensed Milk • 2 Tbsp Golden Syrup
• 60g Butter

TOPPING
• 1⁄2 Cup Melting Chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat Oven to 170C and prepare a 25cm spring form tin with cooking spray
2. Combine flour, brown sugar, rolled oats and coconut.
3. Heat the butter until melted, add the golden syrup and the water and whisk until blended.
4. Add the baking soda to the butter mixture and whisk until all dissolved.
5. Pour in the melted butter mixture to dry ingredients.
6. Place 2/3rds of the mixture into the prepared tin.

CARAMEL FILLING
1. Add condensed milk, butter and golden syrup in a saucepan, stir over a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until mixture boils and thickens.
2. Pour the caramel filling over the slice.
3. Sprinkle the remaining slice crumbs over the top of the caramel.
4. Bake the slice for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

TOPPING
1. Melt the chocolate in a small microwave proof bowl, 20-30 seconds at a time.
2. Flick the melted chocolate over the slice off the end of spoon.

Letter from the publisher

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Dear readers,

I would like to write to you personally and on behalf of the entire Phoenix Group of Newspapers to thank you for your continued support of our publications over the last few weeks during the Coronavirus crisis.

This is a stressful period for many, and will no doubt continue to be over the next few weeks, at least. While we have done it tough here at the Phoenix, there are many other local businesses doing it much tougher, and I would like to let them all know that our thoughts and best wishes are with them. We will continue to support our local community as best as we can by providing all the up to date local news, as well as continuing to offer our publishing space to all our advertisers, past, present, and future.

With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm to our readers and advertisers that we will continue to publish our weekly newspaper as we normally would. I understand that there is currently much uncertainty around community media, but we are here to stay. We have plans in place to ensure our future viability, and while our staff are all working remotely from home at the moment, they are all still contactable by phone, email and social media, and are still responding to all enquiries that come their way.

While there are challenges, we will still be the local voice of our community, as we have been over the last few years. Our newspapers will continue to be free of charge, and while there are some outlets that we cannot distribute from at the moment, our newspapers will still be available from all others, and we will still be distributing our rural copies through Australia Post.

Please let it be known that we are with everyone through this tough time and will always be available to support our community wherever we can.

Kind regards,
Joshua Matic
Publisher
The Phoenix Group of Newspapers

Crime

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

What is a crime? There are many crimes or offences. A lot are contained in the Crimes Act but many more are contained in other statutes both of the State and Federal Parliaments. The range of offences vary from murder down to parking.

Most criminal matters are commenced by the Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions by way of court attendance notices (formerly known as Police charges/summonses). Those charged with an offence will appear firstly before a magistrate in a local court. In some cases, issues of bail may need to be considered.

Magistrates deal with over 90% of criminal matters summarily, but the more serious offences are committed to the district court or supreme court for trial before a judge and/or jury.

Unlike civil matters, criminal matters must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ having regard to the elements of the offence. This is when a solicitor’s professional knowledge becomes essential for the client (ie the person charged with an offence).

It should be noted that in civil matters the standard of proof is much less in that the plaintiff usually has to prove their case ‘on the balance of probabilities’.

Police will have a fact sheet (which is not evidence but outlines the Police case) on the first appearance before the court. The fact sheet and instructions from the client will help the solicitor in deciding whether to advise the client to plead guilty or not guilty. Sometimes an adjournment is necessary to obtain further information.

Once a plea is entered, the magistrate may adjourn the matter for hearing, sentence the client, commit the client for trial in a higher court or other options, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and the previous criminal history of the client. For further information contact us.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Caramel ANZAC Slice

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