Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Netball News

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams had some very exciting games last week.

Now that the new term has started, a reminder to all players, that all fees must still be paid before they can play in the games.

Registration includes the registration to NNSW and FNA, which can be done online, plus the $40 competition fees per player per team, which can be paid in cash at the office. Players cannot play until all fees are paid. Thank you.

Representative coaches, umpires and players 2020
The FNA committee is calling for nominations for 2020, for representative players (Opens playing Regional League), coaches and umpires to represent FNA at Regional League, Junior State Titles and Senior State Titles.

All nominations must be emailed to Secretary Melissa at secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com

Anyone wanting information about any of the positions should email Melissa, and all nominations will be considered.

Coaches and umpires must also include their WWCC number on the application.

Draw for Wednesday, 30th October
LADIES COMPETITION
• 6pm Office duty – Postie Hotel
• 6pm crt 10 Not Fast Just Furious v Ruff Nek Ring Ins (Marg Spackman/Hughes & Co)
• 7pm crt 9 Postie Hotel v Hughes & Co (Marg Spackman/Jack Piercy)
• 7pm crt 10 Trundle Hotel v Chunky Pies (Carmen Stephens/Straya Mate)

MIXED COMPETITION
• 7pm Office duty – Van Hotel
• 6pm crt 9 NSG to Postie v FPS Teachers (Robyn Kenny/Ally Walsh)
• 8pm Office duty – NSG to Postie
• 8pm crt 9 Gundamain Guns v Van Hotel (Marg Spackman/NSG to Postie)
• 8pm crt 10 Couples Retreat v Straya Mate (Hannah Staines/Carolyn Duncan)
• 8pm crt 11 Aggies v RBCC (Robyn Kenny/FPS Teachers) • Bye – Swampies

Crown Land Grant For Forbes Pool

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Heated Pool has won a $550,000 Crown Land Grant to upgrade its facilities.

President of Forbes Heated Pool Inc Dianne Decker was excited to announce the news, “Yes, I am very excited to have this grant from the Crown Lands Department. Very exciting. We are now working to have an early meeting with the Council to get it underway.”

The grant will provide funds for a number of upgrades to the pool. “This will allow us to greatly improve our pool and allow us to improve the access to the pool for everyone. The money will allow us to upgrade the pool, put in a lift for access and to replace the steps leading into the pool with a ramp.”

Other upgrades being looked at are relining the pool, better ventilation, a new shell toilet and shower improvements.

The upgrades will be of great benefit to those throughout the area who use the pool. “We have over 700 people use the pool every month, users come from Parkes, Condo, West Wyalong, Peak Hill, Tichbourne, Caragabal and of course, Forbes. We have wanted to improve the pool and have pursued funding for a few years now,” said Dianne.

Retail Campaigns Boost Country Shopping

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Cassandra McLaren (One Day Closer to Rain) & Grace Brennan at the launch of the Buy Regional campaign.

The devastating impact of the drought in rural Australia has prompted several initiatives to see the light over the last month in support of country town businesses and entrepreneurs.

Go Country for Christmas was launched last week to encourage fellow Australians to support rural and regional communities by purchasing their Christmas presents from a business based in the country.

A new social media campaign called #buyfromthebush has also been started. It targets people in the city, encouraging them to buy from regional areas in the lead up to Christmas.

Liberal Senator for NSW, Hollie Hughes, encouraged Australians to think outside the box when buying presents this Christmas at the launch of Go Country for Christmas. “We don’t need to buy from the usual suspects, just go to gocountryforchristmas. com.au and get the same thing you had in mind but buy it from a small regional business,” she said.

The website gives consumers an easy and accessible directory enabling them to buy Christmas presents from a registered country business.

Businesses that have an online presence and haven’t yet registered on the website, can go to www.gocountryforchristmas.com.au. Consumers and retailers taking part in Go Country for Christmas, can use the #gocountryforchristmas on your social media accounts to spread the word.

Grace Brennan, who started #buyfromthebush, never expected the campaign to take off the way it has. She told the ABC some business owners said they were already reaping the benefits, as the campaign has gathered more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

Grace created #buyfromthebush to shine a light on drought-affected towns struggling to maintain their businesses. “Small businesses in the region depend on money coming from the agricultural industry, which is diminishing in the drought,” she said.

Grace saw this as an opportunity to draw in new customers using social media. “It’s incredible what you can do with Instagram and Facebook.”

Be Seen @ the Forbes Kennel Club Championship

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

David Smith with his multiple award winning Havenese, Jed from Pakenham Victoria showing his sash for first in toy group on day one of the All Breeds Championship show.

Jessie Carey and her boxer Sunny.

Therese Rhyn and the handsome Bernese Mountain Dog Moritz, both from the Swiss Alps and now residing in Melbourne, Victoria.

Dust Storm Blowing But Dogs Still Showing

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Dust looms in the background of the Forbes Kennel Club Championship.

Despite the wild weather welcoming guests from near and far, the Forbes Kennel Club hosted their three-day All Breeds Championship at the Kennel Club Grounds last weekend.

The show attracted 300 competitors along with their humans and featured a delightfully wide variety of Instagram-worthy dogs competing in a range of classes across the three days. They came from as far as Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

The Club also hosted three interstate judges, flying them in from Victoria and South Australia for the event. Competitors were in high spirits, undeterred by the raging dust storm on the opening day of the show, parading their prized companions before judges who issued a trophy and sash to the winners of each group.

“Our numbers are unfortunately down from last year, mostly because of the drought,” said Forbes Kennel Club Secretary Faye Dwyer. “We are very grateful for Council’s assistance in keeping the grounds green and healthy in time for the show.”

The Club itself has been operating for about 50 years and although membership numbers dwindle, the passionate and tireless group members behind this event are a great asset to our community as each event gives a substantial economic boost to local businesses.

The competition is one of several through out the year hosted by the Forbes Kennel Club.

By Alexandria Irvine

MAYORAL NOTES

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

I have just returned from a week of rest and relaxation which I desperately needed. You don’t realise how tired you are until you stop. I’m back now, all refreshed and looking forward to chipping away at State and Federal Governments for extra drought relief required for communities such as Forbes.

I was honoured and privileged to be reelected to the Local Government NSW Board at our recent conference. Local Government is constantly fighting for our communities across NSW and making sure we are not forgotten when it comes to investment.

Council is commencing upgrade work at the cemetery on the 4th November. The works that are being undertaken include lawn areas, a rose garden and paved edgings as well as general maintenance work. This work is much needed and we hopefully will have all the work complete by Christmas. The cemetery is a special place to our community and we need to look after it.

Just a reminder to all residents to shop locally, especially in the lead up to Christmas. Our shops are also doing it tough with the drought. There is really nothing you cannot buy in Forbes. This drought will end eventually and we need to make sure all our retail businesses survive. Keep your prayers up, rain is forecast for the end of the week.

For anyone who is struggling with drought and needs an ear to listen, my door and all our Councillor doors are open. Please don’t hesitate to make contact.

Till next week, God Bless.
Your Mayor Phyllis Miller

Charity Golf Weekend

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Adam Currey watching his tee shot at the 9th.

Golfers were busy with a Rotary Charity Golf Day on Sunday as well as their Saturday competition.

With 58 players participating on Saturday, the competition was going to be good. Divi- sion 1 was won by Niel Duncan, with a +4 score. Runner-up on +3 was Paul Pymont, who warded off Greg Webb also on +3. In Division 2, Adam Currey scored +2. Gra- ham Newport was runner-up on countback. The ball sweep went ‘Square’.

The NTP’s went to: 9th–R Smith; 18th–M Spice. Visiting player was Adrian Acheson, back in Forbes for the weekend.

In Sunday’s Annual Forbes Rotary Charity Golf Day, 36 players played a 3-person Ambrose format, shotgun start at 9am, timed to beat the heat.

Scratch winner was the team of N Duncan/P Barnes/S Grallelis with a 67, snaring five birdies. Scratch runner-up was the team of R Williams/G Webb/S Uphill, with a score of 71. Handicap winner was the team of B Shine/S Shine/V Lane, using a modest handicap to score 59 5/6. Run- ner-up was the team of T West/F Emmett/L Jordan with a handy 61 1⁄2 off a higher handicap.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – A Summerhays; 18th – P Barnes. The Lucky Card draw went to D and B Slack-Smith/J Nottingham.

In the Wallace Cup, Todd Callaghan won the semi-final against Ian Bown, finishing 2-up. Todd plays Steve Grallelis in the Final.The first round of the Summer Sixes comp was played last week, with 28 teams participating.

We wish the Lachlan Valley District team including three Forbes players good luck in the Country Championships, held at Goulburn this weekend. Don’t forget the Forbes Nissan Classic on the weekend of 9/10 November.

Junior Coaching sessions are going well. Adrian has developed a fun-inducing development pattern and welcomes more kids. Contact Adrian for details 0423 356 670.

By Short Putt

Don’t Play Renovation Roulette With Asbestos

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

November is Asbestos Awareness Month to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos as Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.

Asbestos-related diseases continue to increase as a direct result of exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations and maintenance.

Many people wrongly believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos, but asbestos products can most likely be found in any Australian home built or renovated before 1987, whether it’s brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes.

It can be found under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets, dog kennels, chook yards and backyard sheds.

It’s vital that Australians take the warnings seriously, stop playing ‘renovation roulette’ and protect themselves and their families from exposure to asbestos fibres during renovations and maintenance.

If you suspect you have asbestos in your home: Dont cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… don’t dump it!

Check out the NSW Ministry of Health fact sheets about asbestos and health risks at www.health.nsw.gov.au

Our Gal – Chloe Boyd

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 3 years. I like the friendly people, laidback atmosphere and the stunning lake around the town.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work as a veterinary nurse for Lachlan Valley Vets. I enjoy caring for animals daily, regardless of the fact it’s not at all glamorous. I particularly enjoy all aspects of surgery and learning something new every day.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy spending time with family and my other half and love the quality time with my dogs and alpacas. I like to unwind by playing my guitar, cooking and playing music a little too loud.

What are you really good at? I’m awesome at halter training animals and making a pretty decent pork roast.

What is your pet hate? The many negative stigmas attached to mental health.

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? I would love super strength so shearing alpacas and moving heavy animals at work would be a lot easier.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? When I was 16, we snorkelled and spent a day on the water around Magnetic Island. It was so beautiful.

What makes your day? Coming home to my better half, playing with the dogs, listening to Post Malone and a cold beverage in my hand.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? Although we are having a break from it at the moment, I have an alpaca stud with my father. We show, breed, train and shear alpacas in our spare time and I love it.

Rotary Ipomoea 9th Christmas Tree Festival

November 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Trees at last year’s exhibition.

Members of Rotary Ipomoea are inviting residents to make and decorate a Christmas tree for exhibition in their 9th community Christmas Tree Festival.

There are no restrictions on the theme of your tree, it could reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. For example, a school could choose classes to make paper decorations for a tree to reflect their school’s recent projects or messages for the people of Forbes at Christmas.

There are also no size or material restrictions. It’s requested a Christmas greeting is placed on or under your tree from your family or organisation.

The fee for entering a tree in the exhibition is $5, which is used by Rotary Ipomoea to support local Rotary Ipomoea projects. RSVP your intention to enter to Sue-Anne Nixon on 6851 5197 or at sueanne.nixon@hotmail.com or Helen Pitt on 6851 4930 or 0427 201 445. Trees will be accepted right up until the opening, but the requested time to deliver trees for exhibition is between 8am and noon on Friday, 6th December.

The exhibition begins 6.30pm on Friday, 6th December at the Forbes Town Hall with the official opening. Viewing will be open all weekend, with the exhibition open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, 7th December and 9am to 3pm on Sunday, 8th December

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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