Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Bloke -Billy Spence

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? About 30 years. I love the small country town feeling. The people here are friendly and supportive.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I own the Forbes Central Butchery. I enjoy building my relationship with customers and love how versatile meat can be, so many different cuts and flavourings.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I love a nice cold beer and playing with my kids. We head out to our family farms whenever we get the chance.

What are you really good at? Talking! And I’m a pretty good cook, especially camp ovens.

What is your pet hate? Without a doubt, liars and thieves. But I also hate people chewing with their mouth open!

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? If I could choose, I would like to be able to fly. I’d love to take in the view from way up there.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Affie Station. We go there annually as a family for a camp oven weekend.

What makes your day? Happy wife, happy life! Everything is better when she’s happy!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I’m pretty well-known for my camp ovens using mum’s secret recipe. Although I think mine might be a little better than hers. I won my first competition over the weekend!

MAYORAL NOTES

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

It has come time to bid our wonderful Farm to Trade team goodbye. When Council received the $1 million drought funding from the Federal Government, we chose to employ farmers. This has helped them both financially and mentally through the last six months and they must be proud of the wonderful work they have achieved. We wish to thank them for the picket fence around Grinstead Oval, the Solar lights around Lake Forbes and fencing jobs out at the Central West Livestock Exchange expansion.

Have you seen the news lately about a few of the buildings in Sydney that have been authorised by private certifiers and now they are finding numerous building faults? Fortunately for us we have great building inspectors who work for Forbes Council. I know sometimes people get annoyed with rules and regulations, but it’s for this very reason we have these laws, to protect you, the consumers.
How exciting the old Aussie Pub site has a new business opening soon. The other new business coming to town will be the 24 hour service station, next to the Homemakers Centre. Work is currently being completed on the service easement and then the site work for the service station can begin.

I can report design work for Templar St is well underway. It is so important we get the drainage levels right for this area, and work is projected to begin in September. I will keep you updated.

God Bless.

Your Mayor
Phyllis Miller

Catch Of The Week

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Henry Mattiske with his Mud Crab that he caught at Groper Creek Reserve Townsville.

Increase In State Funding Welcomed by Forbes Library

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Library is set to benefit from a record boost in funding for NSW Public Libraries, with the State Government delivering $36.5 million in 2019/20.

NSW State Librarian John Vallance welcomed this significant increase announced as part of the NSW State Budget in 2019, which will see a total of $60 million in additional Government funding going to public libraries over the next four years.

Forbes Library will be receiving an increase of $46,284 bringing the total amount of funding from the NSW State Government for the 2019/20 year to $85,986.

Jan Richards, Manager Central West Libraries said, “Central West Libraries will now work closely with Forbes Shire Council to decide what the funding will be used for as there are fairly broad parameters on the allocation. Potentially though this money will go towards staffing, opening hours, programs and services. We will also be working with the Forbes Community as part of the strategic planning process to fufill the needs of the local community”.

“We are very excited that this funding has come through. It is the result of the strong campaign of the NSW Public Library Association to increase funding”, said Jan.

Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller said “We love our Forbes Library and the funding increases will make a huge difference in helping our library to better meet the growing demands of our readers and communities.”

The Egging Of Scott Morrison: A Case Of Common Assault?

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Amber Holt was driving to work in May this year, when she heard over the car radio that the PM (Scott Morrison) was attending the CWA conference in Albury. The 24-year-old bought a carton of eggs and proceeded to the venue where the PM was speaking with rural women as part of his campaign for the upcoming federal election.

She then walked up behind Mr Morrison and tossed an egg onto the crown of his head, which ricocheted off the prime minister’s skull with its shell unbroken.

Mr Morrison’s security guards tackled his assailant to the ground. Ms Holt was charged with Common Assault for throwing the egg, as well as drug possession, as she was found to have 0.3 grams of cannabis in her pocket following her arrest. Holt explained that she carried out the failed egging in response to the PM’s treatment of refugees in offshore detention.

The offence of common assault falls under Section 61 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

It sets out that the crime involves an assault that doesn’t cause actual bodily harm.

The legal definition of assault differs to its everyday use, where people commonly think of assault as the inflicting of unlawful force upon another. In law the mere threat of it can also constitute an assault, if the subject of it feels fear of violence.

In Morrison’s case, the egging constitutes an assault, as force was inflicted upon him.

If it’s shown Holt meant to subject the PM to unlawful violence, she perpetrated the act intentionally.

If we at MATTHEWS WILLIAMS can help you on any legal matter, feel free to call us.

Jiangsu Students Coming To Tour Forbes

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

A group of 16 Chinese animal husbandry students aged between 18 and 22 years old will be touring the Forbes Shire this week to further their veterinary and English skills.

As part of the ongoing partnership with TAFE NSW the students will experience networking with industry professionals and farmers from the various properties listed on the tour. The overall consensus from tour organisers, TAFE NSW, is that Australian teaching methods are much more “hands-on” compared to the education system in China.

“We welcome the students to our amazing agricultural hub here in Forbes,” says Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“This program is a wonderful opportunity for them to get in there and gain livestock and small animal experience they wouldn’t necessarily have access to in China, as well as make great friends along the way,” continued Mayor Miller.

The community are urged to talk to the students if they see them around town. The tour is about students engaging with the public and learning about our culture. The same program visited Forbes last in 2015, which was a huge success.

“It’s been an unforgettable experience for me, I have learned lots of things from study and life that I couldn’t learn in China and other places. It was fantastic,” Chen Jianzhou (Charles) said of the last visit to the area.

Travelling with the students will be two teachers. The group will be based at the Council’s JREC facility during their stay.

SNIPPETS…

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Kids Helpline – 71,533 contacts go unanswered: Kids Helpline, Australia’s only free confidential 24/7 national children’s counselling and support service, has today released statistics showing 51% of requests for help to the service went unanswered over the first 6 months of 2019, due to funding shortfall. Responding to concerns children and young people have in relation to their mental health, general well-being and other developmental issues is a major area of Kids Helpline’s work. Kids Helpline relies heavily upon your town’s charitable art union and donations from the community to continue its operation. In order to meet the extra demand, an additional $5 million annually would be required to enable employment of additional professional counselling staff.

Issue 200! Thank you to our wonderful readers, advertisers and contributors on helping us to achieve our 200th edition of The Forbes Phoenix. Without your support this achievement wouldn’t have been possible.

More amazing Young Farmer Business Program News: The Young Farmer Business Program has announced grants for groups who support young farmers and fishers, locally and regionally in NSW to deliver training for their members. A grant of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) is available per eligible group and examples of projects include (but are not limited to) farm tours, commercial fishing business tours, workshops, events, business skills coaching, training and guest speakers. Learn more at https://buff.ly/2LdgIev

Services Club Community Chest: Forbes Services Memorial Club has donated $16,500 from its Community Chest Charity Raffle Program to six Forbes Community Groups with a presentation ceremony taking place last Friday. The six groups were Forbes Sorting & Penning Club $3,232, Forbes Prostate Cancer Support Group $2,484.50, Forbes Community Mens Shed $2,605, Forbes & District Historical Society $2,880, Rotary Club of Forbes Ipomoea $2,787.50 and Forbes CWA Evening Branch $2,511.

Way Back When: Have you got an old photograph of a local person or a photograph of Forbes way back when? If so we would love to see it for our new feature ‘Way Back When’, simply email your photo and information to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Do you love to write stories? The Forbes Phoenix are currently looking for a locally based reporter/editor for the paper each week. Hours are flexible to suit the right candidate. Come and join our amazing local team and deliver the good news to Forbes each week. If you are interested please call Sarah on 6344 1846 or email publisher@phoenixnewspapers.com.au

Plastic Free July

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Have you heard of the HuskeeCup? it is a reusable coffee cup that reduces the amount of waste produced by the coffee industry by applying the three foundational principles of sustainability and is now available right here in Forbes.
• REDUCE: The amount of takeaway cups that end up in landfill.
• REUSE: The coffee husk generated from coffee production.
• RECYCLE: HuskeeCups with HuskeeSwap’s closed-loop collection.

The statistics are shocking. Every year, over 500 billion takeaway cups pile up in landfill, forming the coffee industry’s ugliest footprint.

Until now, the only attempt to solve this issue has been reusable cups designed for the end consumer. While this helps coffee drinkers ‘do their bit’, individually owned cups are not the scalable solution needed to solve this global problem.

To get rid of takeaway cups completely, we need a better solution. We need a global community of cafes and coffee drinkers who swap and exchange a single reusable coffee cup.

Purchase your favourite Huskee cup + lid & become a HuskeeSwap customer. Find HuskeeSwap cafes all over the country via their web page Huskee.co. Present a HuskeeSwap cafe with your cup + lid & order your favourite drink. The cafe will take care of the rest!!

Ask the team at The Bakehouse Forbes for info on the programme & purchase your HuskeeCup today!

Foursomes Handicap Championships Decided

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday the Foursomes Championship, sponsored by S&S Welsh Transport, were held, with low numbers in the fields.

The Mens Scratch Championship finished with a tie on 117. The pairings of S Betland/M Collits and J Betland/S Sallaway will contest a play-off to decide the champions.

The Handicap Championship was also close, with a three-way tie on 114 Nett. The results on count back were – Winners: S Betland/M Collits, Runners-up: J Betland/S Sallaway, Third: L O’Connor/A Davies.

The Daily comp was judged over 18-holes. The Comp Scratch winners were P Pymont/A Alley, with Runners-up S Betland/M Collitts. The Comp Handicap winners were S Betland/M Collits with Runners- up J Betland/S Sallaway.

The ball sweep went to 78.5 nett on count back, going to: 76 – P Pymont/A Alley; 77 – S Betland/M Collits, J Betland/S Sallaway; 78 – P Barnes/R Borger; 78.5 – T Griffiths/P Kay. The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Churchill; 18th – R Baker and B Doyle.

The Sunday Stableford Medley winner was Brett Thomas with 37 points. Runnerup was Jean Judge with 33 points. The NTP’s saw both the 9th and 18th going to Ash Tucker.

By Short Putt

Expos Set To Deliver Storage Solutions For Sustainable Agriculture

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

To commemorate fifty years in operation, HE Silos have partnered with local agri-businesses to deliver a series of free Local Grain Expos across the region, commencing at their factory location, Forbes and concluding where the HE journey began in 1969, Hillston. These Expos are set to deliver topical information such as grain storage and protection, drought proofing, climate change and sealable silos. In addition, related trade information, product services, guest speakers, demonstrations and prizes, giveaways and a FREE lunch have all been incorporated into the line-up.

Expo dates and locations:
• 25 July, HE Silos, Jones St Forbes
• 1 August, Ag n Vet, Newell Hwy West Wyalong
• 22 August, Landmark 124 Hume St Goulburn
• 29 August, Landmark 46-50 Collins St Hillston
Places are limited – Secure your FREE ticket today to avoid disappointment! Visit Eventbrite http://tiny.cc/HEgrainexpos or contact
HE Silos on 1800 046 046. “Because every grain counts”

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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