Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Council Comments

August 26, 2022 by Deputy Mayor, Cr Chris Roylance

Please be aware of the current situation with flood waters rising in our shire and do not drive through water, it may be deeper and faster flowing than anticipated or the road may have suffered damage and large potholes may be hidden beneath the water. Plan your trip to ensure that you do not enter water.

As we are again experiencing low level flooding, it is quite timely to share your thoughts and input to help revise the Forbes Flood Risk Management Plan. The revised plan will also guide evacuation plans during floods and development controls on flood-prone areas. Flood Risk Management Plans need updating with each new flood event to make sure they stay current and take current conditions into consideration.

We are looking for information, stories and images from the 2016 and 2021 floods to help inform the revised Flood Risk Management Plan. All the information we gather will help us to better understand more recent flood behaviour.

The community has a wealth of knowledge and experience, so please share your thoughts. You can complete the survey online at yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Copies of the survey can also be collected from Council offices or attend a drop-in session on Friday, 2nd September.Another fantastic event has been added to the busy Forbes calendar. The 2022 Australian Senior Motorcycle Track Championships, hosted by Forbes Auto Sports Club, on 17th and 18th September. It will attract the fastest competitors in Australia to compete in Australia’s fastest flat track racing.

By Deputy Mayor,
Cr Chris Roylance

St Laurence’s Wins Prestigious Cup

August 26, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The winning team are at the back (L-R) Team Manager Kathryn Sweeny, Darwin Nicholls, Billy Smith, Oscar Cronin, Charlie Howe, Mitchell Stocks and Coach Tony Wallace. In front are Lennox Hurford, Beau Wheeldon, Liam McCloud, Jaggar King, Archie Keane, Matthew Wallace and Hugh Hope-Hodgetts.

The prestigious Chris Gangemi Cup came home to Forbes for the very first time after St Laurence’s won the 2022 NSWCPS 10 a side rugby finals in Sydney last week.

The Forbes team went undefeated all day at the Catholic Schools NSW competition held at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.

St Laurence’s was one of eight teams and represented the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese. They played five games on the day beating Kempsey (31-14), Terrigal (25-0) and Inverell (31-5) in the pool games. In the semi-final they beat Lewisham 24-10 and played Kempsey again in the final, which they won 10-5.

The victory was very special for the Year5 and 6 boys and they were extremely proud to bring the prestigious shield back to Forbes. “They were elated,” said their team manager Catherine Sweeney.

“They played well all day and showed great sportsmanship. Their coach for the day Tony Wallace was full of praise for their team playing.”

Katherine said it was a wonderful day for all the parents, teachers and spectators witnessing some great rugby.

Upon their return the whole school rejoiced in their win that made everyone incredibly proud.

Darwin Nicholls runs with the ball in the first pool game against Kempsey at the 2022 NSWCPS 10 a side rugby finals in Sydney.

Our Bloke – Chris Finkel

August 26, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes? Since 1977 – 45 years!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I’ve been retired since 2010. I’m very involved with Forbes Rotary, vintage cars, and family and grandchildren. I sometimes envy people who get bored.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? When you’re retired every day is like a weekend, however I do enjoy watching rugby union and summer sports on weekends.

What are you really good at? Cooking breakfasts.

What makes you laugh the most? Faulty Towers and a good joke.

What’s on your bucket list? A visit to South America and Antarctica.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I was born in Washington DC, USA.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? Create a foundation to assist disadvantaged people.

What was your first job? I was a bank teller with the Bank of NSW (now Westpac).

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Sailing through the Louisiade Archipelago to Rossel Island in PNG.

Forbes Junior AFL Teams In Grand Finals

August 26, 2022 by Alex Milsom

The Orange/Forbes under 12s team will play in the AFL Central West Junior Grand Finals in Bathurst on Sunday against the Dubbo Demons.

The Orange/Forbes under 12s and 14s will take on the Dubbo Demons and Bathurst Giants respectively in the 2022 AFL Central West Junior Grand Finals in Bathurst on Sunday.

For the fourth straight game in 2022, the Orange/Forbes 12s and 14s stormed past the Bathurst Bushrangers in the second half to take big wins and lock in the grand final spots.

In the under 12s the Swamp Tigers were comfortable victors – winning 16.8 (104) to 5.3 (33).

The Swamp Tigers got off to a strong opening and was leading by 39 at the first break, and by 31 points at half time. Orange/Forbes then shattered the Bathurst resistance in the second half piling on 58 points while conceding only 18 late in the fourth quarter to take the win, the minor premiership and claim the first spot in the grand final.

The under 12s opponent next week will be the Dubbo Demons after they upset the second placed Bathurst Giants 6.7 (43) to 3.2 (20) last weekend.

Orange/Forbes also claimed the minor premiership and the first spot in the grand final for the under 14s division when they claimed victory over Bathurst Bushrangers.

The Swamp Tigers’ four goals in the opening quarter gave them a 20-point lead at quarter time, and extend their lead to 29 at half time.

Bathurst had a 35-point deficit at three-quarter time, and with no score in the last quarter the Swamp Tigers took the win 7.7 (490 to 2.1 (13).

The victory secured Orange/Forbes the minor premiership and a spot in this week’s grand final playing the Bathurst Giants. The under 14s Grand Final has the potential to be the game of the day, as barely anything has separated these two teams all year.

By Alex Milsom

Weather The Winner At Croquet

August 26, 2022 by Pegging Out

We had 32 players for Aussie Croquet on Saturday in Forbes. We had another visit from Olivia Hunt, and the granddaughter of Robin Pols.

Seven people won 3 games: Dorelle Scott, Merv Langfield, Bruce Field, Kevin Rubie, Geoff Coles, Elvy Quirk and Noel Jolliffe. There were no very close games 14 -13, which is most unusual.

We were ready to play Golf Croquet onTuesday, but the weather turned out to be the winner. Let’s hope the weather changes for next Tuesday.

By Pegging Out

Golfers Enjoy Sunshine

August 26, 2022 by Short Putt

The Saturday Men’s golf Individual Stableford, sponsored by Gunns Traffic Control, had a field of 54 starters in Forbes.

The Div-1 winner was Jack Dobell with 39 points. Runner-up was Kim Herbert with 37 points.

Div-2 was won by a player in good form, Reggie Murray with 40 points, the best of the day. Runner-up was Matt Coles with 39 points.

NTPs: 9th – Matt Coles; 18th – Greg Webb; 3rd Hole Super Pin – Matt Skene with a shot to 2.46m.

The Ball Sweep went to 33 points on count back.

By Short Putt

Thurlstone For Quality

August 26, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Thurlstone Poll Dorset and White Suffolk Studs can stand up to its legitimate claim of one of the nation’s top breeders. It has behind it a swag of awards and prizes, including Most Successful Exhibitor at the Sydney and Melbourne Royal shows, and grand champion prizes from shows throughout the Central West.

The stock forms the base of the reputable studs, originally established as a Dorset stud at Cookamidgera over 75 years ago by Ron Hawken. Son, Richard, has expanded on the reputation of excellence with diversification to include Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams. His strong interest in the industry started during his 1960s primary school years. “An indication of the success of the stud is the fact that it is free of diseases,” said Richard. “Accredited brucellosis free, Ovine Johnne’s MN3 status and footrot free.”

Poll Dorsets are one of the most popular prime lamb sires in Australia, with about 50% of lambs marketed as Dorset crossed. Another open-faced, clean legged meat sheep popular with buyers is the White Suffolk.

For more information, contact Richard Hawken on 6866 1214.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club Results

August 26, 2022 by Marty Tighe & Lea Orr

Gary McPhee (left) with Marthy Tighe. Gary played two extraordinary bowls shots to draw the minor pairs match on the final end, and then win the match on the extra deciding end.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Last week’s washed-out minor pairs match resumed on Saturday, with Brian Townsend and John Wright re-starting the match on the 17th end leading 16 shots to 14. Brian and John were at 19 shots to 15 with 1 end to play. Gary McPhee and Marty Tighe, needing 4 shots on the last end to force the match into a ‘golden bowl’ end, managed to surround the jack with 3 bowls with a measure for the 4th. Gary, displaying nerves of steel, delivered the last bowl, sitting out his opponents’ closest bowl, picking up the 4 shots, and forcing the match into a deciding extra end. Brian and John didn’t falter and were holding 3 shots. Come the hour, come the great Gary McPhee! His last bowl, forced the jack back to the gutter. Brian just missed drawing to the jack, resulting in a remarkable win to Gary and Marty.

PENNANTS

Both the Parkes Pirates pennants teams played at home on Sunday. Parkes defeated Forbes in Division 2, winning 2 rinks to 1, scoring an overall win of 62 shots to 51.

By Marty Tighe

WOMEN’S BOWLS

Once again, bowls were cancelled on Tuesday due to the weather. The Grade 3 Pennants teams travelled to Orange City and played several ends before the snow camouflaged the white jack! Parkes led on both rinks – the finale will be be continued next week.

The Parkes 4s were soundly defeated by Canowindra last Thursday. The 3s fared a little better, with a win by Team Byrne at home vs Cowra 2, but a loss on the board by just 2 points.

By Lea Orr

Tim’s Toy Story Continues After 50 Years

August 26, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

I’M SO EXCITED… Tim Goodwin from Peak Hill opens his birthday present to find the very first toy car he bought with his pocket money. It disappeared 50 years ago until he found it on eBay. (Photo: The Guardian)

When Tim Goodwin from Peak Hill opened a present for his 58th birthday recently he was shaking with anticipation.

When he finally got all the bubble wrapping off he exclaimed over and over: “It’s my toy, it’s my toy!”

Tim, who has been the mail contractor or postie in Peak Hill for 22 years, was scrolling on eBay one day when it was too wet to mow the lawn during winter.

“I typed in Ford Capri, not sure why, and started looking at all the toys, and on the third or fourth page I saw it.

“It was my toy car – the very first Matchbox car I ever bought with my pocket money when I was a kid in Wellington, Somerset in the UK in the early 1970s!”

Tim said he slept over it and a few days

later he looked at it again. “It was definitely mine.” He said after many years of playing with it on a homemade dirt track in the backyard with his two brothers, it was chipped and he painted it red over the original pink and turned it into a rally car. “I stuck a Castrol sticker on the bonnet and cut the tow hook off.

“I bought the car with the pocket money I earned washing the family car, which was about 25 pence.” He said Ford Capri was much loved in the UK. “It was the Englishman’s Ford Mustang. Some teachers at our school had them and we held them in high regard. It was a great car and I always wished I owned one. I even collect the workshop manuals.”

His favourite toy car went missing one day. “I remember seeing a boy in our shed one day taking something, but he denied it.” While the seller on eBay was in Doncaster, about 370km away from his home town, the car on eBay looked exactly like his with the modifications. “Nobody has changed it.” Tim sent a photo of the car to his brothers in England and they also recognised it.

When Tim’s wife Cathy asked what he wanted for his birthday he did not hesitate to show her the toy car on eBay for $34.62.

The seller has a toy shop and promised Tim to try and trace the whereabouts of how the Ford Capri came to him.

Tim is stoked to have his toy back and although he will become a grandfather for the first time later this year, he is not prepared to let the grandkids play with it. “This one has pride of place on the mantelpiece.” While Tim has a collection of over 300 Matchbox cars dating form the 60s to the 90s, he has now been inspired to look for more of his childhood toys.

“I am still gobsmacked that I found it back. I felt like a little boy again. It has brought back so many family memories and of playing in the dirt with our Matchbox toys.”

By Maggi Barnard