Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Self-Care In Isolation

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes resident Tracey Mowbray is maintaining high spirits in isolation by getting stuck into the front garden.

As government guidelines and laws constrict to curb the spread of COVID-19, more people are taking social distancing measures and following the advice to stay home unless attending an essential task. While this is a commendable sacrifice to ensure the health of individuals and the community, the limited social contact can impact our mental health. Isolation may trigger feelings of loneliness, anxiety, helplessness and depression, however, there are ways to protect and boost your mental health and immunity.

It is important to keep busy, if you have a hobby or household project you have been putting off, now is your chance to start and complete it. If you have always wanted to learn a new language or skill there are apps and websites that can be accessed for free and put the information you need right at your fingertips. Skillshare, Duolingo, Masterclass and Scholastic are offering free virtual classes during this time. Feeling that your time is being optimised can reduce feelings of anxiety and helplessness, so keeping routine with scheduled projects and hobbies can contribute to positive feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction.

If news and social media increase your anxiety, digital distancing may help to alleviate stress while giving more time to do more healthy and productive things like reading a book, practicing yoga or even dancing. It is also important to reach out to friends and family. No one is in this alone, so call friends, neighbours, family and talk. Hosting a digital party through a video conference can also lessen the social isolation people may feel.

There are many mental health services that can be accessed from home, offering phone and online services. Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, MensLine Australia, Open Arms, Lifeline and Suicide Call Back Services are just a few available in Australia. The most effective way to receive mental health support help is to ask for help.

Our Bloke – Alister Lockhart

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? Lived here for 40 years, more or less. I came out from Scotland in 1980. To begin with, I like farming and the town of Forbes with the lake is beautiful.

What was your first job? I was brought up on a farm in Scotland and worked on that farm in my teens with my father and brother until I bought my own farm.

What makes you laugh the most? Some things that I see on television makes me laugh but they aren’t supposed to be funny.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Well I’ve got no wish to go on a cruise ship. If I could make everything could go back to normal for everyone I’d be happy.

Describe your dream holiday? I’ve been back to Scotland a fair few times and I love going back there.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Playing in the snow with my friends. We made our own fun back then.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I enjoyed my teens thoroughly, so throughout the 50s in Scotland.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Winston Churchill, to pick his brains, Scott Morrison and Neil Armstrong.

Looking For Our Young Stars

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Despite the Forbes Youth Week celebrations being postponed this year due to COVID-19, residents are encouraged to nominate outstanding young people from across the Shire for the 2020 Youth Week Awards. Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM wants the Forbes community to celebrate the efforts of young people who are making a difference in our community.

The awards recognise the achievements of young people over 12, with three categories including the Youth Citizenship Award, Sports Volunteer Award and Brighter Future Award. “These awards specifically recognise young people who have contributed to our wonderful community,” said Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller. “Every day,

young people across the Shire are going out of their way to make our community a better place and we should celebrate them for doing so.”

Mayor Miller also stated, “It is always an honour to present these awards which open a lot of doors for young people, I en- courage everyone to nominate those who are leaders in our community and who are making change for the better.”

Award nominations close on 30th April 2020. For detailed information on each award category and to nominate a young achiever, visit the Council’s website: https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/youth-and-community/youth-week-2019.aspx

Snippets…

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Bernardi’s in Forbes are urging shoppers to wash their hands before entering the store.

On the Ball at Bernardi’s: This week saw the installation of a hand wash basin at the front of the Bernardi’s store in Forbes to help encourage the public to wash their hands and implement further preventative health measures in light of the pandemic. What a wonderful initiative to help protect the people of Forbes from COVID-19.

Livestock Exchange Update: Effective as of 12pm, 26 March every person enter- ing the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) site must complete and provide a signed COVID-19 declaration. A link to the declaration is available on the CWLE website, www.forbes.gov.au.

Without providing a signed declaration, entry will not be granted. The site entrance will be manned, and delays are expected. CWLE recommends that attendees print off the declaration and complete it prior to their arrival to minimise delays. This is a requirement going forward for each sale at the CWLE until further notice.

CWLE staff, CWLE agents and genuine commission/company buyers and carriers are permitted on site. Vendors consigning stock to the sales will not be permitted to stay for the sale. Re-stockers are being urged to contact their preferred agent or commission buyer. Livestock carriers are to vacate the site once unloaded, out loading carriers are to stay at their truck until loading is to commence. Council staff will be disinfecting the yards before each sale to help minimise risk to essential staff.

For more information please contact Saleyards Manager Cassi Walmsley on 0448 998 149.

School Respond to Changes: Over the past two weeks more and more children have been withdrawn from school in order the adhere to social distancing measures and to minimise the risk of illness. The schools in and around Forbes have each responded in their own unique ways and teachers, staff and Principals need to be commended for their creativity and quick planning that has allowed for flexible learning, both at home and on school grounds. The changes engage children while taking as much strain as possible off parents who are faced with the daunting task of teaching their children at home. While staff miss having a school full of students, they are committed to adapting to changes, in order to continue educating their students.

Forbes North Public School have offered online learning as well as take home packs. They also engage with parents and students via social media.

Forbes Mayor Asks Community To Stay Home

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Mayor of Forbes, Phyllis Miller OAM

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM has urged Shire residents to fully support and comply with the stay home directions from Federal and State authorities.

“As we all battle with the introduction of the Coronavirus into our lives, this simple action of staying home could save the virus from spreading into our community,” said Mayor Miller. “Council is in daily contact with NSW Health and the State Authorities and we will continue to update the community on the latest communications.”

Council Town Hall has closed its doors to the public, but services continue to operate inside under new social distancing protocols. Forbes residents will still be able to talk to Council staff regarding DA’s and planning proposals over the phone and via email. The health and safety of Council staff and the public are the main priority and social distancing is the most effective means of ensuring this. So while there will be no face-to-face interactions, it is still business as usual for Council.

Council is now exploring the potential for Council meetings to be conducted electronically through online systems that enable Councillors to attend from locations off-site due to new social distancing laws.

“It is important the community continue to check the Council and State Government websites and refrain from relying on social media commentary for their information,” said Mayor Miller. “The new Australian Government Coronavirus App has the most up-to-date information you need.”

The April Council Meeting is scheduled for 16th April.

Forbes Student Recognised For Literary Excellence

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Riverina MP Michael McCormack congratulates all of the students who entered the 10th annual Anzac Day writing competition.

Amongst 680 entries received from 34 schools across the Riverina electorate, it was year 11 student, Alexandra Davis from Red Bend Catholic College who won the North Division for Secondary Schools category of the 10th annual Anzac Day writing competition.

“Students and teachers throughout the Riverina and Central West can hold their heads high regarding the quality of entries in this years competition,” stated Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who also went on to thank every student and teacher who put in the time to submit entries. It was Alexandra Davies’s piece that stood out amongst a sea of talent to win in her category. Entries were put into primary and secondary categories with the Riverina electorate divided into North, South, East and West divisions.

Michael went on to say, “As Anzac services have been cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is now more important than ever for us all to remember our Anzac’s and invoke their resilient spirit.” This competition serves as an alternative way to commemorate our Anzacs, which is crucial in the current and unprecedented environment.

Each of the student’s winning entries can be found in Mr McCormack’s 10th annual Anzac Day commemorative booklet, which will be delivered to letterboxes throughout the electorate in coming weeks.

The 36-page booklet contains a vast array of stirring stories from across the Riverina and Central West, from towns including Collingullie, Coolamon, Cowra, Forbes, Ganmain, Jugiong, Junee, Parkes, Ungarie, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong and Young.

Mayoral Notes

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

At the time of writing this column Forbes Shire is still Coronavirus free! That is because the community of Forbes are doing all the right things; social distancing, washing our hands and coughing into our elbow. These simple things are terribly important in preventing the spread of this virus. Please keep it up!

Staying at home is also an important way to prevent the virus from spreading. Although I remind you not to forget all the restaurants, hotels and cafes that are doing takeaways.

We all need to be mindful of them doing it tough through this pandemic and maybe order a takeaway at least once a week or grab a coffee.

The Australian Government has put a brilliant fact sheet out in relation to the Jobkeeper program they released this week. This can be found on the Treasury website www.treasury.gov.au.

If you have had to let staff go, this program can help. This stimulus package is one of the very best I have seen.

The Australian Government is doing an excellent job and I must congratulate Scott Morrison and Gladys Berejiklian for their leadership throughout this pandemic. We will come out the other side of this, but we must stay calm, take time to smell the roses and be grateful we are all ok.

God Bless.
Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Be Seen

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Police and Council staff at the CWLE ensuring the health and safety of the public.

Forbes Public School staff are modelling a safe social distance.

Coming Together Despite The Distance

March 27, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes residents can still observe a minute’s silence on Anzac Day despite ceremony cancellations nationwide. (credit:Facebook)

Due to the current restrictions in place and to protect the public from further spread of COVID-19, the Anzac Day March and Memorial Service has been cancelled in Forbes and throughout Australia.

The War Memorial in Canberra will host a private Anzac Day commemorative service in the Commemorative Area and Hall of Memory on Anzac Day. The traditional Dawn Service, National Ceremony and veterans’ march will not take place.

The event will not be open to the public but will be broadcast live across Australia by the ABC and streamed online via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In response to the cancellation of Anzac Day ceremonies throughout the country, Australians have rallied on social media to get the word out about an initiative that can see Australians honouring veterans while maintaining a safe social distance. The Facebook group ‘Aussies & Kiwis for Anzacs’, has attracted over 158, 000 members in only a matter of days. The initiative calls on Australians to stand at the end of their driveways as they observe a minute’s silence at 5:55am on Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April. The man behind the idea, Justin Wilbur of Ballarat is urging Australians to light a candle on their veranda or driveway to honour our veterans.

While the future is uncertain, what we can rely on in Forbes is a healthy sense of optimism and inventiveness to overcome new challenges faced as a community

Snippets..

March 27, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Livestock Exchange is open to agents, buyers, Council staff and transport operators only.

Livestock Limits: Council is advising visitors to not visit the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange if it is not essential to do so. Only agents, buyers, Council staff and transport operators are to attend. Everyone entering the saleyards will be required to sign in to ensure Council has a complete register of people entering. Please contact Central West Livestock Exchange should you have any further enquiries on 02 6853 3194.

Calm for Kids: Educational psychology and child protection expert, Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, says the need for protective health practices is very real, however, when explaining to children the importance of more frequent handwashing, avoiding handshakes or high-fives, and not touching their face after touching things in public, parents should be clear that these steps are preventative, not doomed steps. For parents, the most important thing is to maintain a sense of calm around your kids. Shield them from too much sensationalist TV news but be honest about what’s happening in the world.

COVID-19 Support For Regional Australia: An initial $1 billion will be injected into regional communities to support businesses, agriculture and tourism impacted by the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Deputy Prime Minister Mi- chael McCormack said many small and medium businesses were the core of regional communities. “Our funding will ensure we provide the right support so industries and businesses keep going and employees can keep their jobs which includes the more than three million small and medium businesses as well as casuals, sole traders, retirees and those on income support.”

Contributions Welcome: With the current COVID-19 pandemic we can’t be out and about in the community. To assist us in bringing you local news each week, please email any articles, Be Seen photos, Stork News, Letter to the Editor or any other ex- citing story ideas to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or phone 0431 147 754.

Events Cancelled but Not High Spirits: While Coronavirus may be responsible for the cancelation of all events, Currajong Disability Services CEO, Jeff Evans stated that the Currajong team are keeping up to date with the latest medical and government advice to ensure the health and safety of their participants, staff and family.

Scott Salter, one of Currajong’s most experienced support workers with Karen Willis and Jay Crouch reinforcing proper hygiene.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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