Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Bloke -Clynt Breen

June 6, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I moved here about 13 years ago. I lived here for a couple of years before spending some time in Sydney and then Canberra. I came back to Forbes in 2016.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I am part of the IT team at the Catholic Education Office. It’s a great place to work. There’s a lot of variety in what we do which I like. It’s a relatively new field of work for me and it’s certainly challenging. Occasionally you might have to pretend a little to know what you’re talking about.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? There’s not much unwinding happening at the moment. My four and two-year-old aren’t really interested in it. If I can get one TV show in each night I’m happy.

What are you really good at? Some say I’m an okay guitarist.

What is your pet hate? Our pet. Well, her behaviour anyway. We have a labradoodle. She chews everything. I had about eight pairs of thongs and I’m down to zero.

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? I wouldn’t mind having a photographic memory. That way I might have a shot at winning the occasional argument. I’m often hearing the words “I told you this already”.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? I’d have to say my first road trip to Byron Bay while I was at Uni. A friend and I went up there for the Splendour in the Grass music festival. We did a lot of surfing back then (it was actually bodyboarding but surfing sounds better). There wasn’t much trip planning (we had no accommodation or even tickets), but we survived the week and had a great time.

What makes your day? Seeing my boys sleeping soundly in their beds each night. It makes all the craziness and chaos that led up to it totally worth it.

Save The Date For Taste On Templar!

June 6, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

A group of women chatting and suddenly … Taste On Templar was born! This dynamic and very professional group of ladies and the Forbes Business Chamber are proud to present Taste On Templar a long table dinner and fundraiser for Ronald MacDonald House, Orange.

Taste On Templar will be open to guests from 6.30pm for 7pm on Saturday 9 November 2019 and will close at midnight.

“The Forbes Business Chamber is excited to provide a wonderful outdoor environment unique to Forbes under the sparkling lights, green trees and shade canopies in Templar Street,” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Marg Duggan.

220 people will be seated in groups of 18 on long tables along Templar Street. Templar Street will be dotted with pop-ups where patrons will find local and regional wines, boutique beer, cider, soft drinks and water.

“Theming for this premier outdoor event is based around local and regional product and produce, local businesses, people and summer. The evening will include a meet and greet, live entertainment and a business relevant guest speaker, Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House, Orange,” added Marg Duggan.

To ensure that you don’t miss this opportunity please put Taste On Templar and the 9 November 2019 in your diary and save the date. We will keep you posted on all that is happening including sponsors, when and where tickets will be available, your chefs and who your local musicians will be!

The Kids Cancer Project

June 6, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association has chosen June 15th 2019 to be The Kids Cancer Project fundraiser where all players and everyone at netball will participate in a PJ day. This day is a major fundraiser for The Kids Cancer Project where netball associations all over the state will raise much needed funds for the charity.

Cooking from donations will be sold at the canteen, to raise extra funds, so everyone is asked to bring some donations, and some money to donate to the fundraising day. All players and umpires must wear joggers for their games.

SNIPPETS…

June 6, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Last weekend the Red Bend Catholic College Debutante Ball was held in Forbes.

Winner: The winner of our Questacon competition was Ashley Milford! Thanks to everyone for entering, stay tuned for our next competition.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea: Neighbourhood Central organised a Biggest Morning Tea on 21 May 2019. The morning was a very big success that could not have been possible without the amazing volunteers. The winner of the raffle was Judy Ellis and the winners for the 100-Club were Zelma Grayson, Lyn Ward and Vince Roberts. Vince very gracefully re-donated his winnings which made the total proceeds to be donated to the Cancer Council $641.

Regional Skills Relocation Grant: The NSW Government has established the Regional Skills Relocation Grant to increase the availability of skilled and experienced workers for businesses setting up in, relocating to, or existing in regional NSW. Grants will be available for businesses operating in NSW regional eligible industries. The funding is available to assist with the relocation costs of eligible skilled workers they employ that move from metropolitan areas to regional NSW. Approved businesses will be reimbursed up to $10,000 to assist with relocation costs incurred by eligible skilled workers they employ. For further information visit https://invest.nsw.gov.au/assistance/regional-investment-attraction- package/regional-skills-relocationgrant

Double Demerit Points: Will start today Friday 7 June and run through to Monday 10 June (inclusive) this long weekend. Double demerit points apply for speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences during all holiday periods such as long weekends, Christmas, New Year and Easter. Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period can expect to be hit with the fine as well as up to 10 demerits.

Farm First Aid Free Training: On-farm accidents are a major problem for farming in Australia. Incidents can involve workers, bystanders to work and others (including children) and occur in a range of circumstances on farms of different agricultural enterprises. Develop skills and improve the safety of your farm or rural workplace by enrolling in this First Aid training course, delivered by an accredited Red Cross Trainer. This free event is supported by NALAG NSW’s Our Shout Program and Australian Red Cross. The event will be held at Bedgerabong Hall on Tuesday 11th June from 8.30am – 4.30pm. Limited places, register online at www.nalag.org.au/farmfirstaid

Member for Riverina and Central West Michael McCormack with Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove after being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister at Government House last week.

Footy Tipping Results – Round 12

June 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes A Small Business Friendly Council

May 30, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council has been commended for its leadership in making it easier for local businesses to start and grow at the inaugural Small Business Friendly Councils Conference in Sydney on 16-17 May.

NSW Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope said Forbes was one of 69 NSW councils to join business leaders, mayors and experts from across the country to plan and discuss strategies to stimulate local economies.

“The Small Business Friendly Councils is a fantastic initiative that provides all NSW councils with information, workshops, networking opportunities and resources to support local businesses,” Mr Tudehope said.

NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello also attended the conference to acknowledge Forbes Shire Council joining the Easy to do Business program. “This award-winning program puts customers at the heart of everything we do and transforms small business owners transact with government.”

“Easy to do Business has been a huge success, with 108 NSW councils now on board, covering two-thirds of the state.

Small business owners can access free online and phone support from Service NSW’s Business Concierge, which means they can start, open and grow much faster,” Mr Dominello said.

Forbes Shire Council was presented with a plaque to recognise its commitment to the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative and Easy to do Business.

“We are pleased to be part of an initiative that helps small businesses navigate their way through red tape to get started quickly and succeed,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“More small businesses are being created in NSW than any other state, with a net growth of close to 30,000 businesses in 2017-18,” Mr Tudehope said.

Forbes Rugby Union

May 30, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday 25th May the Platypi came away with two wins out of three at Grinsted Oval. The women’s rugby team came away with an amazing victory over the Cowra- Canowindra women 94-10. Second grade also came away with a tight win 29-19.

Unfortunately first grade went down to the Cowra Eagles 29-10 in a tough game of hard hitting rugby.

The Forbes Rugby Club then enjoyed a Mexican Cocktail night after the first grade game.

First Ever Autism Friendly Performance Of Shrek

May 30, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The next big show for the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Socety is Shrek the Musical Jr. It will run over the first two weekends in June with a cast of 38 between the ages of 7 and 19 from Parkes, Forbes and surrounding towns. It is a wonderful show for the whole family from 3 years to 100!

For the first time ever, the Society is staging an Autism friendly performance on 15th June at 2pm that will be specially adapted to be accessible to people with Autism, a learning disability, or anyone with sensory disposition. All sudden lighting and sound effects will be taken out and house lights will be left on at 50%. There will be no aggressive or confrontational content and all main characters will be introduced before the show commences. There will be quiet spaces, and an open day before the show so kids can come along and get familiar with the theatre environment.

“We are very excited to be the first regional company to hold an Autism friendly relaxed performance and look forward to seeing many kids experience theatre for the first time,” said Director Lyn Townsend.

Tickets for all Shrek shows can be purchased online at www.parkesmandd.com.au or you can also purchase them from Parkes Regional Business Supplies (across the road from Cooke Park in Parkes).

MAYORAL NOTES

May 30, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

It looks like Winter has finally made its way to us with this cold snap coming through this week. I would like to start this week’s column by recognising the great work being done by Nell’s Pantry. If you haven’t heard about this great service it’s a pop up supermarket for farming families to come in and pick up essential pantry items all donated by local people. It is open to farming families every Tuesday from 1pm to 3.30pm, except on public holidays. We have so many wonderful people in our community wanting to help our farmers get through this horrible drought. If you’d like to
donate I’m sure Nell’s Pantry would love to accept your donation.

It was great to see the amount of people who headed to the showground to see the Ranch Sorting and Penning competition on the weekend. It’s a sport that is growing in popularity and we definitely have the talent here in Forbes. Another sport doing well is the Forbes Netball. How good do the Forbes Netball courts look? Work will be completed this week but you will see some fencing will remain until the grass re-establishes itself. Here at Council we are very pleased to be able to support our sporting groups in this way.

This Friday we will be holding the first of our Welcome to Forbes events. We all know how hard it can be moving to a new town and not knowing anybody. We wanted to provide new residents with the opportunity to meet fellow councillors and community groups to establish who’s who and where they can go for help if needed.

Have a great week.

God Bless.
Your Mayor Phyllis Miller

Have You Met Macca And Al The Maraca Shaking Alpacas?

May 30, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Last Wednesday 22nd May at 11am at the Forbes Library a group of children were treated to an entertaining reading of the book Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove as part of National Simultaneous Storytime.
Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards said that 2019 will be the biggest year yet for the event with 1 million children throughout the country sharing the story all at the same time.
“Now in its 19th year, National Simultaneous Storytime is well established on the Library calendar and this year’s story is a real treat,” Jan said.

“The story features alpacas Macca and Al in a talent show. It takes them some time to work out they can play the maracas. It is a great rhyming story and very entertaining,” continued Jan.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
The children at Forbes Library loved the story that was also being enjoyed by thousands of other children at the same time across Australia, followed by craft.

“Kathy Garland did a great reading of this year’s story for our greatly appreciative group of storytimers,” said Forbes Branch Librarian Bronwyn Clark.

If anyone would like to have their own personal storytime session at home you can listen to read aloud renditions of Matt Cosgrove’s books with Story Box Library.

Alpacas with Maracas can be accessed on the Story Box Library link via the Central West Libraries website http://www.cwl.nsw.gov.au/ All you need is your library card to log on to Story Box Library and you then have access to over 200 beautifully animated and brilliantly read story books.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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