Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Business NSW Calls For Consideration

March 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, formerly the NSW Business Chamber, says the State Government has to take a bold approach in June’s State Budget to restore confidence and avoid job losses, as the impact of COVID-19 begins to take hold.

“With everything the State has confronted, from weak household demand, drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, we need robust action from the Government to ensure NSW remains the place to do business,” said Business NSW Regional Manager, Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

Measures Business NSW is calling on the Government to introduce in the Budget include:

• Reducing payroll tax to protect employment in the sectors most affected;

• Deferring payroll tax for SMEs to support business cash flow;

• Halting any increases in government-related fees and charges for business, including workers compensation premiums;

• Implementing targeted stimulus for businesses in heavily affected industries such as tourism;

• Establishing measures to better prepare NSW for future economic shocks.

“Our submission points to the need to start planning now for the economic recovery and for strategies to help industries, especially tourism, take advantage of the recovery opportunities,” Vicki said.

Garema Got Up And Came To Forbes

March 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Guest speaker Sam Bailey and Event organiser Tom Norris.

The Get Up and Go Garema gathering went ahead last Thursday, with a last-minute venue change from the Garema Hall to the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Council worked hard to clear space and pulled off making the venue both vibrant and practical. The gathering was a coming together of community groups and organisations and five powerful and inspiring guest speakers who demonstrated the importance of taking positive steps to better mental health.

Event organiser Tom Norris developed his vision for the event after attending a similar one years earlier and recognising the life changing impact it had on his own life and mental health. Tom was in great spirits at the event saying, “I am over the moon with this rain and especially grateful to Forbes Shire Council for throwing their support behind this and all they have done for us.”

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Coordinator, Di Gill weighed in on the significance of such an event, stating that, “With the fire, flood, dust, smoke and drought, addressing mental health in rural and regional communities is more important than ever.”

Forbes Council, Centrelink, Community Health, Local Land Services, NSW Farmers, Forbes Preschool, Forbes High School and many more organisations and groups were there to offer information on the support and resources that are available to farmers and farming families.

The Central West Livestock Exchange served as an impressive venue for the gathering.

Many community groups lent their skills in hospitality, which made the day all the more comfortable for the many who had travelled from Garema and surrounds to attend on the day.

MC, Bruce Reynolds of Blayney Shire Council introduced the line-up of speakers with Geoff Chase, a cattle farmer from Tottenham, speaking first in intimate detail about his own battle with depression. Geoff gave incredible insight into the disease and provided understanding and hope for those who suffer from the disease, as well as the family of the sufferer, stating, “The one’s closest to you end up taking the brunt of it.”

Guest speaker Craig Semple, former Investigative Detective who spent 25 years on the force provided insight into suicide in rural communities. He also shared his own experience and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, giving the audience a sense of the process of healing and recovering from mental illness.

Sam Bailey moved the audience with his personal story of resilience and making it through the darkest depths of the human psyche. Chris Wilson of Wantabadgery advised that it was only the attention and support of family that enabled him to recognise and seek the help he needed in his fight against the disease. Chris summed up mental illness perfectly in saying, “There is no shame in mental illness, just a shame if you don’t do anything about it.”

Netball News

March 13, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes and Bedgerabong Public School students at the Schools Gala Day on Monday.

Open Day
Saturday, 28th March is the Forbes Netball Associations ‘Come and Try Day’ from 10am-12pm, followed by a BBQ lunch. Players, non-players, all levels of experience and all ages and genders are welcome to come and have a game of netball. People of Forbes and neighbouring towns are encouraged to come and enjoy and join in the spills and thrills.

Adjourned AGM and monthly meeting
The Adjourned Annual General Meeting of the Forbes Netball Association will be held on Thursday, 19th March at 7pm at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. All teams must be represented and will receive 2 competition bonus points for attendance. A monthly meeting will be held immediately after the AGM. Agenda items can be emailed to Secretary Mon, at secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com. The 2020 Saturday competition will be finalised, and representative news will be organised.

Competition Time
Round one of the NSG will commence on Saturday, 4th April and round two on Saturday, 2nd May, after the Easter and school holidays. The Forbes Carnival will proceed on Sunday, 3rd May but subsequent rounds continuing from Saturday, 9th May.

Croquet News And Results

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Golf Croquet Tuesday, 25th February
The cooler mornings have made for more enjoyable games of late with 32 players all decked out in their new blue and white shirts. Mal Smith, Harley Stewart, John Browne, John Cole, John Allegri and Robyn Pols won all three games. Thanks to Alex, John and Neville for setting up courts each morning, to Lorraine for ensuring Croquet players can enjoy a cup of tea after playing and to Presi- dent Elvy who keeps the club running.

Aussie Croquet Saturday, 29th February
The last day of summer saw 27 players take to the courts. Barry White, Bob Murray, John Browne and Kevin Rubie won all three games. Close games were J Browne, R Rennick14, K Broderick, L Simmonds 13, L Todd, L Smart 14, J Littlejohn, E Quirk 13, J Job, J MacCullagh 14 and L Todd, E Quirk 13. A reminder to all that the Croquet Club’s birthday Luncheon for March will be held at the Golf Club on Tuesday, 3rd March at 12pm.

Our Bloke – Chandra Iyer

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? Eight years. I like the friendly people, great lifestyle and lack of traffic.

What was your first job? I worked as a Product Specialist for a nutrition company

What makes you laugh the most? The TV series Frasier.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? I’d be doing exactly the same as I am doing now.

Describe your dream holiday? Brunswick Heads, playing with my kids at the beach and relaxing.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Celebrating Divali, the Indian Festival of lights, with my family by setting off fireworks.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I would be right here, right now.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My mum, dad and sister, they live in India and I don’t often get to see them.

What does gender equality mean to you?

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Moana Duggen: Being treated with the same level of respect regardless of gender.

Tracey Mowbray: It’s a basic human right.

Sid James: Everything is equal, we share the jobs.

Share The Dignity: “One For Me, One For Her”

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Woolworths Forbes is calling on residents to get behind Share the Dignity’s annual Dignity Drive this month and support the fight to end period poverty for those women in need across the region.

With over 3 million Australians living under the poverty line and the number of women experiencing periodic poverty across NSW on the rise, local residents will be able to help make a difference to their region by donating a sanitary item via the Dignity Drive boxes located in Woolworths Forbes throughout March.

Woolworths Forbes Store Manager, Noel Reardon said: “Last year we saw so many of our customers generously donate to the Dignity Drive. It was heart-warming to see how enthusiastic they were in helping us support local women in need.”

“We hope our customers will get behind Share the Dignity again this month and help us raise vital supplies for girls and women experiencing poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.”

Deborah Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer of Share the Dignity, said: “While the number of vulnerable women in Australia is sadly growing, we remain committed to our vision to eradicate period poverty in this country. When you are shopping at Woolworths this March, Share the Dignity encourages you to think, “one for me, one for her”, because while it may seem like a small gesture, we know small dignities make a big difference.”

Funds committed by Woolworths from the sales of sanitary items in stores across the country over the past year have been used to purchase ‘Dignity Vending Machines’. Known as ‘Pinkboxes’, the machines dispense free period packs to women and girls supported by domestic violence services, homelessness hubs and schools.

Netball News

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Ladies Competition
6.15pm court 9, Post Office Hotel v Specu- lators (Carmen Stephens/Carolyn Dun- can). 6.15pm court 10, Gundamaine v Chunky Pies (Kally Molloy/Robyn Kenny).

Mixed competition
7.15pm court 9, Red Bend v Van Hotel (Marg Spackman/Kally Molloy). 7.15pm Swampies v Easy Win (Ally Walsh/Robyn Kenny). Gundamaine have the Bye. Office duty-FNA Committee.

Polaris Ceases Quad Bike Range

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Polaris will not be selling their quad bike range (ride on ATV’s) from October this year due to changes in government standards for quad bikes.

As a retailer of Polaris, Forbes Small Engines have informed customers they will continue to stock all Polaris quad bike models, however some models have already sold out.

Paul and Maree Westcott have been selling quad bikes for many years, but noticed the market had been steadily moving towards the side by side ORV models.

“We still have many customers that use ATV’s/quad bikes and this is why we will continue to stock Polaris quad bike models for as long as they are available.”

Managing Director of Polaris Australia & New Zealand, Alan Collins said, “Over recent years the Australian off-road vehicle market has experienced record levels of transference as farmers transition en masse from quad bikes, to Side by Side vehicles, Polaris has led this transition with its industry leading range of 30 vehicles with ROPS, and the market shift has been helped along in no small part by the safety rebates offered by SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria.”

Polaris maintains its view that the market itself would end up signalling the end for quad bikes over coming years anyway through sheer lack of demand driven by the availability, benefits and range of side by side vehicles.

Polaris has committed to continuing to support all ATV/quad bikes with parts, accessories and warranty support for the next decade.

If you are an avid user of quad bikes and Polaris in particular, now is the time to get in touch with the Forbes Small Engines team before it’s too late and stock has run out.

Do You Know Your Health Numbers?

March 6, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Take a positive step for your wellbeing with a health check with our Pharmacist or Registered Nurse.

“With high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and physical inactivity being key risk factors for preventable illnesses, improving even one of these areas can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing,” said Pharmacist Sarah Hazell.

The Pharmacists or Registered Nurse at Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies can check a range of indicators, including blood pressure, BMI and blood glucose and can discuss healthy lifestyle recommendations with you. “If our Pharmacist or Nurse picks up on anything that may need further assessment, we refer the patient to the Doctor.”

“Some people may like to monitor their blood pressure at home using one of our Omron blood pressure machines which provides an accurate reading,” said Sarah. “However, our Pharmacists and Registered Nurse are always available to conduct blood pressure testing and to provide information and advice.”

If you would like to know more about your health numbers, call in to Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies for a free ‘Healthy Numbers Check’, no appointment is necessary.

Live life well with Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies, Forbes.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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