Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Pairs Winners To Regional Final

September 23, 2022 by Short Putt

Jake LeBroque and Jesse Hamilton enjoyed their golf last Saturday.

The better weather encouraged golfers onto the course, only to find many challenges resulting from the rising water which altered the way many holes were played.

Saturday’s Golf NSW KENO 2-person Ambrose, sponsored by Golf Harvest, had 30 pairs of players competing in the men’s, ladies and mixed categories. The winner in each category qualified for a regional final.

The men’s category had 23 pairs vying for the honour. Playing at the back of the field, the pair of Tom Toohey and Harry Callaghan scored well and putted even better to record 65.25 nett. Runners-up, and eligible to also go forward because of the number of participants, were Sandy Paterson and Reg Murray who scored 67.25 nett.

The ladies category had five pairs and the winners were Nicole Death and Veronica Rebellato with 67.5 nett. Helped by a good handicap, they were streets ahead of the remainder of the field.

The mixed category had two contending pairs with only a half point separating them. The pair of Warwick and Jean Judge took the honours.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – ladies: L Kennedy, men: B Carpenter; 18th – ladies: C Duncan, men: H Callaghan. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Jordan Brett.

The Ball Sweep went to 69 nett, being distributed to: J Brett/C Hanrahan, S Paterson/R Murray, S Grallelis/J House, D Rhodes/M Brindle, B Chandler/S Uphill, R Webb/P Tisdell, A and L Alley.

The Sunday Stableford Medley did not take place because of rising water.

This weekend we have a 4-ball Ambrose Medley sponsored by Alby Callaghan, and on Sunday the Annual VW Scramble.

By Short Putt

Forbes Public School

September 23, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Deputy Secretary, School Performance DOE Mr Murat Dizdar, accompanied by other senior system leaders, visited Forbes Public School on Thursday,1st September.

Mr Murat was greeted by our SRC leaders before viewing every classroom, sharing in delight the wonderful student results, our teaching practice, the engagement of students and strong school culture of efficacy.

Educational journey was the theme of Mr Dizdars visit, as he was presented with a ‘Forbes Public School Travel Journal’ to mark this occasion, filled with wonderful results, stories and extracts of each year group.

As he visited each classroom, teachers and students had the opportunity to share with him the everyday teaching and learning opportunities that take place, their classes and classroom practice, referring to the featured pages that reflect them and their students in his take away ‘travel journal’.

Our school grounds, so green at the moment and framed by the lake, as well as the refurbishment of our classrooms, our new outdoor learning space, dubbed Conservation Corner, and the cultural safety projects inclusive of our new PBL signs in Wiradjuri and totem murals were all things that staff and students took great pride in showing.

Mr Murat’s visit was made significant by the unveiling of a piece of artwork by Cheree Stokes which celebrates our flourishing school community. Cheree collected our staff’s personal FPS stories in the form of words and symbols and then incorporated them into this visual representation. The artwork showcases the strong culture our school shares and the journeys our staff have been on.

We were honoured to receive such distinguished guests and relished the opportunity to highlight our wonderful school.

Forbes North Public School

September 23, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Deputy Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Mr Murat Dizdar came to Forbes North as part of a scheduled visit to look at public education in Forbes. Mr Dizdar arrived right on time and spent the afternoon at Forbes North. This significant visit included seeing 3/4P and Miss Parker in the kitchen and garden, preparing and eating vegetable linguini with produce harvested from our very own garden. The touring party then went to Miss McMillan in 1/2M who were studying Science and the life cycle and botany of troublesome weeds on our farms and properties. In 3/4F, Miss Fliedner led the demonstration of investigating decimal numbers less than 1 and placing them on number lines. Our visitors then enjoyed time in our support unit with K-6J and Miss Jones who were preparingfor Father’s Day, and finally our esteemedguests were astounded by the FNPS Wiradjuri choir performing no less than foursongs

in Wiradjuri Calare and English in an emotional performance at our Yarning circle.

Mr Dizdar completed his visit talking to our entire staff after school and was warmly welcomed, enjoyed afternoon tea, was presented with multiple gifts including a traditional totem design from our Wiradjuri tutor Miss Haines and then they headed back to Parkes to fly and return to Sydney.

Our captains Corby and Will were perfect hosts, and the guests were amazed to see primary students cooking, gardening, doing maths and science lessons, getting excited for Father’ Day and then listening to our choir.

The official party visiting Forbes North included:
• Mr Murat Dizdar, Deputy SecretarySchool Performance
• Mr Dean White, Executive Director RuralSouth and West
• Mr David Lloyd, Director EducationalLeadership, Cowra Network
• Mr Damien Dooley Human ResourcesBusiness Partner Department of Education
• Miss Evonne Webb Deputy SecretarySocial Media Officer

Our visitors were impressed with Forbes North, its beautiful appearance, the collaboration between teachers, the data collected to inform teaching practice and the improvement focus ongoing for every child at our school. We hope they all return soon to Forbes.

Forbes High School

September 23, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Deputy Secretary of Education, Mr Murat Dizdar accompanied by Mr Dean White, Executive Director, Rural South and West, and Mr David Lloyd, Director Educational Leadership, Cowra Network, visited Forbes High School as part of a scheduled visit. The dignitaries were joined by members of the Deputy Secretary’s team throughout their stay.

The official guests were greeted by our student leaders, Benjamin Barnard, Emily Gartner and Rachel Todd who led the school tour. Mr Barry Merritt, Aboriginal Education Officer discussed the significance of the school’s updated mural and his passion for our students was evident in his talk. We toured our school stopping in Advanced Maths where the use of a reflection tool was discussed as a means of ensuring that HSC revision was targeted and specific. The Learning Centre was visited and the many dynamic projects that emanate from this space were explored. Year 7 Wood and Metal Work classes were in action and the students were able to discuss their hands-on approach to learning. Year 11 Biology were busy with an experiment extracting starch from leaves and explained the processes they were undertaking. Year 12 HSC Major Works showcased the exceptional skills of our staff and students. All guests were in admiration of the work of our students and what they accomplished in their HSC course.

Year 11 Hospitality provided a delicious lunch for our guests and allowed for additional guests, Ms Megan Staples, Principal of Forbes Public School and Mrs Natalie Walker, P and C President, were able to attend. The entrée consisted of asparagus topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce, which was followed by main of Cowra lamb loin filled with spinach and pine nuts, dauphinoise potatoes, charred broccolini and lamb sauce. The feedback from the guests was that it was the best meal they had in Forbes and the best food they had ever eaten in a school.

Congratulations to the staff and students at Forbes High School for a magnificent showcase of our exceptional school.

Forbes Public Schools Receive Special Visit

September 23, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The special visit by Murat Dizdar kicked off with a dinner at the Forbes Inn with Middle Leaders and Principals from the Forbes Public Schools.

Murat Dizdar, Deputy Secretary, School Performance, NSW DOE and special guests visited Forbes Public Schools on Thursday,1st September.

The visit began with a warm welcome and dinner at the Forbes Inn hosted by the Middle Leaders and Principals from the Forbes Public Schools. The following morning the party went to the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for breakfast catered for by the Bakehouse. The visitors met with the Forbes Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and an acknowledgement of the Wiradjuri country our guests were visiting. Mr Dizdar spent the rest of the day visiting each of the three schools, beginning with Forbes Public School, before heading to Forbes High School and then ending the day with Forbes North Public School.

Murat Dizdar and his special guests visited the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for breakfast where they met with the Forbes Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

At the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre the guests were welcomed with an acknowledgement of Wiradjuri country.

The Day The Prince Came To Parkes

September 23, 2022 by By Jenny Short

Prince Charles accompanied by Parkes Shire Mayor Robert Wilson on 27th January 1994.

The year 1994 was significant for many reasons.

At the movies we were watching the Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump. As a country we were celebrating our first medal at a Winter Olympics, and in Parkes we were getting ready to celebrate the second Elvis Festival.

But most significant for Parkes was a visit by HRH Prince Charles on 27th January. Quite the crowd had rallied to catch a glimpse of the Prince on Bushman’s Hill, the site of the first gold mine in Parkes.

After a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Angelique Symington, proceedings lent themselves to a potted history of Parkes. And what better way to re-tell this than through a skit. Members of the local Musical & Dramatic Society rose to the occasion with Warwick Tom being cast as Sir Henry Parkes himself, John Short as an inebriated miner and Jenny Hawke as his wife. The cast being ably directed by the late Lizzie Matthews.

The skit was to be performed on a temporary stage with the players entering from stage left and leaving stage right.

To add a little veracity to his role, John had purchased a small flask of brandy and poured a little over himself, carrying the remainder in the pocket of his waistcoated costume. He decided it simply wasn’t believable that he would enter the stage from the same side as his ‘wife’, so he ducked around the back of the stage to enter from the opposite side.

And that is where everything turned to custard!

The security detail were still a little anxious from the previous day when a would-be assassin had run on to the stage in Sydney with a fake pistol and waved it at the Prince before being rugby tackled to the ground by the then Premier, the late John Fahey. When met with John reeking of booze and being somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be they said: “And where do you think you are going Sunshine?”

John responded that he was about to go onto stage to perform a skit, the two burley security detail responded with “Well no one told us about that” and with one either side of him the beleaguered actor was frog-marched up the hill to an awaiting Police van.

Fortunately, a nearby local had caught sight of the entire episode and alerted Lizzie.

In her signature style of utter fearlessness, she bolted up the hill in hot pursuit, calling for them to stop. She was able to explain the situation and John was returned.

Meanwhile, John’s ‘leading lady’, Jenny Hawke, was working herself into quite a frenzy not knowing where John was. She went on without him making it up as she went along. Her relief when John finally stumbled onto the stage was palpable.

The skit continued without further incident with the crowd knowing nothing of the incident until Lizzie later apologised for the delay, but that an attempt had been made to arrest John. There was a gentle ripple of mirth through the assembled crowd before, as they say the show went on.

Later, when fortunate enough to speak with the Prince, he shared a joke with John commenting that he was indeed in good company as Sir Barry Humphries had been ‘arrested’ in a similar fashion during a performance for the Prince.

The 27th of January 1994 will long remain in the memory of all involved.

By Jenny Short

The temporary stage at Bushman’s Hill with a packed Parkes crowd.

‘Bugman’ Supports Charity Golf Day

September 23, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Bugman’s Paul Lewin (middle) with Chris Dunn and Michael Lynch of the Parkes Prostate Cancer Group.

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Group is having an ‘Awareness’ Charity Golf Day on Saturday, 8th October on the renovated course. The day includes a longest drive competition for men and women, nearest the pins and a few other surprises.

Paul Lewin of Bugman has stepped up to help sponsor the day, as well as the Parkes Services Club. (More about their sponsorship next week.) Funds raised on the day will be used to invite prostate cancer specialists to Parkes meetings and will increase the possibilities to have more Prostate Cancer Nurses in our area.

“The support of ‘Bugman’ is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in promoting our cause,” said Michael Lynch of the Parkes Prostate Cancer Group.

Mayoral Notes

September 16, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

First, my sympathies to everyone since the passing of our beautiful Queen, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Personally, I do not know life without her as our Queen, like many in our community. Her 70 years of selfless service was an inspiration.

Council has already received many messages of condolences which will be sent to the National Library and will become part of the lasting record of this moment in time.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement for the National Day of Mourning on Thursday, 22nd September, Forbes Shire Council will be holding a short service to commemorate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We are inviting members of the community to join us at 10:30am to lay wreaths and flowers and observe the minute’s silence at 11am.

There is a lot of water and more expected at the end of the week. Forbes Shire Council will be meeting with key stakeholders to develop an emergency plan for medical and immediate needs of communities restricted by roads and floodwater at this time. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns – we will be prioritizing medical requirements. Good luck to all the wonderful events this weekend. It will be wet but a bit of rain can’t dampen our spirits. Surely the riders at the Australian Dirt Track Senior Championships will love a bit of rain on the track.

Don’t forget to join the Forbes Wiradjuri Community Celebration on Saturday, 24th September from 10am to 2pm at Gaggin Oval for cultural games, arts, crafts, interactive displays and bungee trampolines.

Workshop Prepares Wirrinya For Harvest

September 16, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Wirrinya event was well attended. The recording of the field day held at Forbes Saleyard can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9o6yykVxiY&t=39s

As harvest time is fast approaching more safety workshops were held in preparation at Wirrinya, Peak Hill and Lake Cargelligo.

The ‘Be Road Ready for Harvest’ satellite events attracted about 45 participants with lots of positive feedback given.

The satellite events were spin offs of the main event held at the Forbes Saleyards in early August.

“We held information sessions in these locations as part of the Load Restraint Education Program last year,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor. “The sessions were well attended, and participants asked us to come back and run similar events on other relevant topics – hence the pre-harvest satellite events.

“The topics covered were similar to what was discussed at the main event, but we also included presentations from the Councils’ engineers about road upgrades and access as well as from NSW Police about compliance and rules/regulations.

“There was some feedback that we didn’t spend as much time as the audience would have liked on the relevant notices, rules and regulations, which we will take on board for next year’s events,” Melanie said.

There were also presentations from SafeWork NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Farmers, Essential Energy, Transport for NSW and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program with advice about staying safe during harvest.

The winner of the Brass Monkey 15 litre fridge was Royce Johnston, who attended the Lake Cargelligo satellite event.

Dancing For Charity

September 16, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Dancers at Kristen’s Dance Studio during their fundraising week for Redtember.

Kristen’s Dance Studio in Forbes raised $350 during its Redtember dress up week to raise money for Ronald McDonald House charities.

The money will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, which is a vitally important haven for families from Forbes and Parkes needing medical care.

Parkes tops the list of families using the facility in Orange with 195 families using 1,412 room nights. This equates to accommodation savings of $211,000 for families. Forbes is second with 91 families using 410 room nights, with accommodation savings of $62.800. Condo and Cowra both had 89 families using the facility, Dubbo 44 families, Mudgee 39, Grenfell 36, Cobar 21, Young 18 and Canowindra 17 families.

Redtember runs throughout September, supporting families who need to stay at RMHC Central West NSW. Any fundraising effort is welcomed.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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