Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Gal -Lauren Hutchinson

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you been involved in Forbes and what do you like most about our town? I’ve been working in Forbes for the last 18 months. I love the great sense of community here.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about it? I’m the optometrist at Eyewear Specs. I love working in a small team in a small community. It means I really get to know and spend time with my patients.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love going fishing with my dad during cod season.

What makes you proud? My brother and my cousins.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book? Favourite song: Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Favourite book: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Favourite movie: The Hobbit Trilogy.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? An owl. Being able to fly would be amazing.

Tell us about your best holiday. My trip to Nepal. The people were so wonderful and the country is just beautiful.

Success In Mixed Foursomes Championships

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Mixed Foursomes Championships on Sunday, 28th April were contested by 32 players and played over 27 holes. The consistency of the Dan Bayley/ Beth Dickens pairing gave them success in both the Les Forbes Trophy for Scratch (130) and the Treanor Memorial Trophy for Handicap (106 Nett).

Runners-up in the Scratch were the fancied pairing of Richard Nixon/ Heather Davidson with their 131, edging out Andrew Grierson/ Kerry Stirling on count back. However, Grierson/ Stirling had success in the Handicap, finishing runners-up on 112.25 and themselves edging out T Griffith/J Fletcher on count back.

The ball sweep, excluding the prize winners, went to 116 nett, being distributed to:

Griffith/Fletcher, Duncan/Duncan, Uphill/ Uphill, Tucker/Tilley, Maher/Bratton and Nixon/ Davidson. The NTP’s went to: 9th Ladies – K Stirling; 18th Men – M Collits.

Saturday’s competition was an Individual 18-hole Stroke event, sponsored by LINX and contested by 69 players. The A-Division winner was Ken Sanderson, who was exciting in compiling his nett 66. Runner-up was Dave Rhodes, on 69 nett and on count back from Digit McAuliffe.

The B-Division players were not out-done with Greg Webb also scoring 66 nett. Runner- up was Bruce Chandler, with 69 net and on count back from Geoff Drane.

The ball sweep went to 71 nett on count back: 66 – G Webb, K Sanderson; 69 – D Rhodes, D McAuliffe, B Chandler, G Drane; 70 – A Borger, D Bayley, K Cobcroft, A Dukes, B Doyle, P Kay, R Borger, B Shine:

71 – G Pymont, R Smith, R Harrison and D Clarke.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – S French; 18th – D McAuliffe. There were 12 scored overall, with by far the best ‘2’ was that scored by Todd Callaghan on the 10th, which is an eagle in fact.

A Stableford Medley was held on Anzac Day, with the good weather encouraging 28 participants to perform well. The winner was Rod Luyt (Parkes) with 41 points, ahead of Kim Herbert on 40 points, and on count back from Mark Collits.

The ball sweep went to 36, going to: 41 – R Luyt; 40 – K Herbert, M Collits; 39 – A Alley; 38 – S French, P Duke, D Mylecharane, P Dawson; 36 – B Carpenter, B Thomas.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Sallaway; 18th – B Warren. Visitors on the day included a group from Parkes – Rod Luyt, Tom Delmenico, Bill Warren and John Pearce.

By Short Putt

Upcoming TAB Carnival Of Cups Meeting

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club held a successful meeting last Thursday on Anzac Day and are looking forward to their TAB Carnival Of Cups Meeting on this Sunday, 5th May.

Gates open at midday with on course bar and canteen facilities. The committee would definitely recommend that you get in early for a steak sandwich.

With our upcoming meeting, Club President Lex Crosby would like to thank all the volunteers that help the club to prepare for both race days. Also, a special thanks to the sponsors that continually support Harness Racing in Forbes.

Feature races for this meeting are the Forbes Services Memorial Club Final and The Ted Clifford Memorial.

Races on Sunday, 5th May include:

• R1 – TAB.COM.AU Three Year Old Pace (3c0 To 3c1.)

• R2 – Forbes Livestock & Agency Co./ Walkers Ag n vet Forbes Pace (C0 To C1.)

• R3 – Kevin & Kay Seymour Ladyship Pace (C1 To C2.)

• R4 – Forbes Shire Council Club Dubbo Golden Gig Heat

• R5 – Forbes Services Memorial Club Final (C0 To C1.)

• R6 – Club Menangle Where Horses Fly Heat (C1 Only.)

• R7 – Ted Clifford Memorial (C2 Only.)

• R8 – Club Menangle Country Series Heat (C3 To C4.)

Forbes Anzac Day 2019 Commemorations

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The streets of Forbes were lined with a multitude of people last Thursday who came out on Anzac Day in honour of those service men and women of both Australia and New Zealand whom sacrificed their lives and still risk their life today in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations so that we may live in freedom.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the ANZAC’s (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915, during WWI.

As Australian citizens, we enjoy the rights of a free country: safety, opportunity and democracy. Anzac Day is our opportunity to commemorate the men, women and children who fought, endured, suffered and died for us, our country and all the privileges we enjoy daily.

The traditional Anzac Day dawn service commenced with participants assembling at 5:15am in front of the Forbes Services Memorial Club with a march to the Cenotaph followed by a ceremony held in Victoria Park.

Masses of Forbes locals and visitors attended the mid morning commemorative Anzac march and service. Marchers assembled in Cross Street at 10am for the march to the Cenotaph in Victoria Park via Lachlan Street.

The march to the Cenotaph saw many schools, community groups and ex-service personnel together to pay their respects, mourn with pride, and remember with equal pride, those that have served and still live. Also to give gratitude for the peace we enjoy, and acknowledge, the responsibility of ensuring the freedom and liberty so costly won is not lost by our own indifference.

After the march, the mid morning service began with a variety of Forbes community groups, businesses, families and individuals laying wreaths. Flowers have traditionally been laid on graves and memorials in memory of the dead.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving followed, which thanks the nations of the world in seeking peace and happier relations with each other.

Where after the Prayer for the Queen and Prayer for the Nation was read. Retired serviceman, Scott Stephens was the guest speaker.

Scott has shared in events marking the centenary of battles across the Western front in both France and Belgium.

The day concluded with a lowering of the flag ceremony at 5pm at the Cenotaph.

Focusing On Efficient Soil Management

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) is pleased to be hosting a workshop with a focus on managing soils for climate and market change.

CWLL is proud to have guest speakers Guy Webb and Callen Thompson presenting the latest information on cover cropping, increasing soil carbon and climatic expectations moving forward.

Chairperson, Ben Kerin said: “This is not only a chance to learn more about the opportunities to increase soil carbon and look at the possibilities to adapt farming systems, but to gain a greater understanding of using these options to increase productivity and profitability.”

Guy Webb is an agronomist with Agriwest in Forbes and the Founding Director of Soil C Quest, a not-for-profit organisation that has been researching ways to empower farmers to draw down carbon, combining knowledge of microbiology and agricultural systems.

Callen Thompson is a Senior Land Services Officer with CWLL Services heading up their National Landcare Program project with a focus on assisting landholders to adapt their enterprise to meet the changing climatic conditions.

Workshops are being held in Parkes (12:30pm – 3pm) and Forbes (5pm –7:30pm) on Wednesday, 8th May. RSVP is essential to Marg on 0418 611 053 or cwllpo@hotmail.com.

Drought Impacts Businesses

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Business conditions have fallen sharply as the NSW economy slows down, with the largest drop in business confidence recorded since July 2010 according to the latest quarterly survey by the NSW Business Chamber.

“It’s no surprise that the impact of the drought is a major factor in Western NSW. Respondents in our region are experiencing cash flow challenges and responding with reduced spending,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe.

“The Far West and Orana reported some of the worst business conditions in the state, with more than half of the businesses surveyed reporting deteriorating conditions, falling revenues and profits. In the Central West, it wasn’t much better, with around 45% of businesses reporting worsening conditions and falling profits.

“As a result, about one-third of business across the Far West and Orana report cutting staff this quarter, while more than a third are expected to reduce staff the next quarter.

“There is an urgent need to help offset the devastation brought on by the drought.

All levels of government need to provide targeted measures to support our businesses,” said Vicki.

SNIPPETS…

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

FANTASTIC WIN… The Red Bend Catholic College Rugby League Opens team celebrated a 38-16 win over Farrer this weekend in Tamworth. Congratulations!

Candidates to contest 2019 election: A total of 1,514 candidates have nominated to contest the 18th May federal election, the Australian Electoral Commission announced.

The national figures include 458 candidates contesting 40 Senate vacancies and 1,056 candidates for the 151 House of Representatives divisions across Australia.

The national total for the 2019 federal election is slightly lower than the 1,625 candidates who stood at the 2016 event. The 2019 candidate nominations were officially declared at public events held across the country recently, followed immediately by a draw for ballot paper positions. The declarations represent a milestone in the huge logistical operation that is a federal election – over 50 million ballot papers will be printed and distributed in the coming few days and early voting began on 29th April.

Between next Monday and 6pm on election day, 18th May, a record 16.4 million Australians are enrolled and able to cast their votes at more than 8,000 polling locations over the period. Voter services will include early-voting centres, mobile-polling teams visiting hospitals and remote areas, election- day polling places and interstate voting centres, overseas voting venues, and other offshore locations such as Norfolk Island and Antarctica.

Mamma Mia! Dancing in Trundle: The Trundle ABBA Festival has arrived with many festival goers expected to start their travel to Trundle and the region this weekend. “We have ABBA fans coming from all over Australia, and even fans from England, travelling to Trundle,” said Felicity Jackson, who is one of the event organisers. “We also have about 400 people coming from Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Parkes on special ABBA Trains,” said Felicity. This year’s festival includes Bjorn Again, the world-famous ABBA tribute band, renowned artists including Ben Ransom, Ingrid Mae, Amitie, MRQ and The Natalie Prevedello Duo. There will also be market stalls, dancing and best costume competitions and lots of fun activities for all ages. “It’s going to be a great fun filled day, so come and visit us on 4th May,” said Felicity.

Contributions: If you have a story, photo for Be Seen, a Thumbs Up/Down, Letter to the Editor or Snippet we would love to hear from you! Simply email editor@forbeshoenix.com.au.

The Mixed Foursomes Golf Championships held last Sunday saw Dan Bayley and Beth Dickens as the winners of the Les Forbes Trophy for Scratch and the Treanor Memorial Trophy for Handicap for a second year running.

Catch of the Week

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Alex Boyton with his catch on Straney’s Bridge on the Lachlan River recently.

News And Results Off The Croquet Courts

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Week Ending 27th April

It was nice to see the return of Keith and Jan Brodie at our Tuesday golf croquet; they are both good players and an asset to the club. One of the best players to grace our courts was Bill Greenhill from Tasmania. On his last visit he won all of his games and he was again in good form, playing two balls to defeat Bill Scott 7 to 6. Congratulations to Colleen Liebich! It has been some time since she has won her three matches on the same day. The winners of three games were Bruce Field, Colleen Liebich, Bob Murray and Neville Spry. Well done!

The colder weather for Saturday’s Aussie croquet did not dishearten our players.

There were only two winners of the three matches on the day in spite of a full complement of players. They were John H. Browne and Dorelle Scott.

The closest games for Tuesday’s golf croquet were:

• Neville Spry, Colleen Liebich 7, def Mary Hodges, Marie Spry 6

• John H. Browne, Carol Slattery 8, def Dorelle Scott, Lily Allegri 5

• Alec Todd, Lorna Field 7, def Kathleen Broderick, Ruth Cheney 6

• Bruce Field, Carol Slattery 7, Lyn Simmonds, Ruth Cheney 6

• Bill Greenhill, Neville Spry 7, def Kathleen Broderick, Libby Smart 6

• Dorelle Scott, Colleen Liebich 7, John Allegri, Dorelle Scott 6

• Lorraine Todd, Keith Brodie 7, def Merv Langfield, Harley Stewart 6

• Jan Brodie, Bob Murray 7, def Elvy Quirk, Mary Hodges 6

• Bruce Field, Neville Spry 7, def Alec Todd, Kathleen Broderick 6

• Colleen Liebich, Bob Murray 7, def Keith Brodie, Lorna Field 6

• Bill Greenhill 7, def Bill Scott 6

• Ray Burridge, Mary Hodges 7, def Libby Smart, Merv Langfield 6

The closest games for Saturday’s Aussie croquet were:

• Lorraine Todd, Doreen Rogers 14, def Geoff Coles, Evelyn McLean 12

• Anne Stewart, Barry White 14, def Harley Stewart, Ray Burridge 11

• John H. Browne, Alec Todd 14, def Bob Murray, Jeff Liebich 13

• Colleen Liebich, Robin Pols 14, def Tony Thomson, Lorna Field 11

• Dorelle Scott, John Job 14, def Lorraine Todd, John Cole 12

• Geoff Coles, Harley Stewart 14, def Alec Todd, Barry White 12

• Doreen Rogers, Lorraine Todd 14, def Robin Pols, Cherylin Cole 12

• John Browne, Neville Spry 14, def Geoff Coles, John job 12

• Ray Burridge, Libby Smart 14, def Anne Stewart, John Cole 11

• Elvy Quirk, Elizabeth McLean 14, def Alec Todd, Lorna Field 13

By Anne and Harley Stewart

‘My Mother Is A Walking Miracle’

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Even though mums give us so much help and love every day, there’s only one Mother’s Day, and this year it is on Sunday, 12th May. Show your appreciation and love and make it a memorable day this year.

Here are some ideas to help you make Mother’s Day 2019 as special for your mum, as special as she is to you.

Don’t miss the Forbes Riverside Community Garden Pre-Mother’s Day Market and Devonshire Tea, including pop up market stalls, on Saturday 11th May from 9am to 12pm. Also, get in early to register for their free fun-filled workshop in making Kokedama Balls. Call Heather on 0409 029 529 or email forbescommunitygarden@gmail.com to book now.

Why not spoil Mum with lunch at the Forbes Services Memorial Club and enjoy great live music from your favourtie entertainers Terry and Nigel “Two Much Trouble”. Live music will be on from 12noon –4pm.

Crave Café and Catering in Rankin St will also be open on Mother’s Day. Bookings are essential so please call 6851 5296 to make a booking.

Don’t forget to shop local this Mother’s Day, head into Painted Daisies on Templar St where you can find a great range of home and giftware perfect for Mum! News on Rankin also have everything just right to make Mum’s Day perfect, call in and see Gabe and her friendly team at 70 Rankin St, Forbes.

Children love to make homemade gifts too.

There are plenty of very handy DIY ideas online to give mum a very special gift that she will be able to use for a long time to come. Many ideas use supplies you already have hanging around the house, including wool, paper, a mason jar and even an old shirt!

To make the day even more special, get the kids to help whip up a delicious brunch or treat for mum (remember to clean the kitchen as well!).

Create a playlist for your Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner with these sentimental songs…

1. Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood

2. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

3. A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men

4. Mom – Garth Brooks

5. Turn To You – Justin Bieber

6. Hey Mama – Kanye West

7. The Best Day – Taylor Swift

8. Baby Mine – Alison Krauss

9. Like My Mother Does – Lauren Alaina

10. Mama Liked Roses – Elvis Presley

A Mother’s Day film is a great way to end a fun day with Mum. Here are a few movie ideas she might enjoy …

1. Mother’s Day

2. Step Mom

3. Bad Moms

4. Instant Family

5. The Parent Trap

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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