Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

LETTER To The Editor

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,

Sport played in Forbes throughout 2018 confirmed to me that it remains an important aspect of life and community.

It provides that all important nucleus to assist us in becoming more rounded and tolerant individuals.

The recent SOYA Awards night was again very well attended and an enjoyable event.

A diverse group of people came together to share their common interest in and love of sport.

Despite the very tough time in rural NSW and retail in general, our local sponsors have continued to support SOYA. For this we are very grateful.

The judges this year once again were diligent with their task and made some very tough decisions. The number of nominations was up a little as was the diversity of sports represented. This is very positive.

Forbes Council continues to provide wonderful facilities throughout the town. This is not only beneficial to our local sportspeople but encourages bigger events to be staged in Forbes which in turn helps the entire community.

The backbone of SOYA is of course the committee. To this small but very hard working and supportive group I give my biggest thanks. You have made my current role of President relatively easy and certainly very enjoyable.

The plaudits and acknowledgements of the SOYA concept after the presentation night are always plentiful, but I believe the sporting community of Forbes needs to become more involved if they want it to continue.

With this in mind, it is with very mixed feelings that I have decided not to stand for the Presidents role or for the committee of SOYA for the upcoming year.

I have been involved for over 20 years and have certainly enjoyed the experience. I now believe new ideas, fresh eyes and ears are needed to bring this organisation more into the life of this sports active community.

Many thanks,

Andrew Norton-Knight

Rural Roundup

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

A Good Investment In Farmers

The Coalition Government is investing $5.93 million in new research, extension and adoption to boost farm productivity through well managed dams and shelterbelts deliver on-farm. The project will also measure the biodiversity benefits of farm dams and shelterbelts.

Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud said putting native vegetation and entry points around dams meant stock grew faster on cleaner, cooler water – and this research would measure the benefits across 15,500 farms.

“Fencing, installing watering points and planting native vegetation around dams can increase farm productivity,” said David. “Stock with access to clean, cool water grows better meat.”

“Native vegetation filters out runoff from paddocks, which often contains sediment, faecal matter and other things. This keeps the dam water cleaner, cooler and with less bacteria, which reduces the risk of stock contracting water-borne parasites.”

“Trees reduce surface temperatures and evaporation rates meaning the farmer’s dam retains more water. Good dam management and shelter belt management helps with drought management.”

“Then of course there’s the biodiversity boost and as I’ve announced recently, I see a future in which farmers are paid for biodiversity and carbon absorption on their farms. I’ve put $34 million towards this already.”

“Field days and workshops will make sure we get the highest adoption rates possible. Having farmers see real productivity benefits and take this up, improving Australia’s farm output and growing agriculture, is the real goal here.”

“More than 7,500 sheep farmers and 8,000 cattle farmers will be involved, including at farm field days and workshops. This investment will also help build drought resilience by giving farmers a better understanding on what happens to water stored in dams,” said David.

Drought Retains Tight Grip Despite Rain

The State continues to experience prolonged and widespread drought conditions despite some welcome rainfall in March, particularly in the east, eastern Riverina, Central and Southern Tablelands and Central West, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW, Adam Marshall said this week.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries State Seasonal Update for March has been released, which shows that while some isolated areas had moved into drought recovery, much of the Western region missed out altogether.

“The NSW Combined Drought Indicator shows that although there has been some shifts in the nature of the current drought, 99.5 percent of NSW is still experiencing drought conditions,” said Adam.

“It was wonderful to see farmers in some areas receive their first significant falls in a long time, but unfortunately there is no break from drought conditions.”

“Sadly drought is continuing to retain its tight grip on the State and more follow up rain is needed to ensure that any short-term improvement is sustained.”

According to the update, conditions are unchanged in the far west, north-west and parts of Central NSW, which remain in the Intense Drought and Drought categories.

“I am acutely aware of how difficult these conditions are for our farmers, which is why I am quickly assessing current drought relief measures to make sure farmers are receiving the best possible support and that this support is ongoing,” said Adam.

“The NSW Government has committed almost $1.5 billion to the drought support package, boosted the Farm Innovation Fund from $650 million to $1 billion and increased the value of low interest loans available through the fund up to $1 million.”

The latest State Seasonal Update and information on a range of services and support is available on www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au.

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Despite the national offering increasing slightly this week, the volume was well down when compared to the corresponding sale last year. Overall there has been 141,265 fewer bales offered this season, a reduction of 9.6%.

The large volume of lower yielding wools is continuing to put downward pressure on the market, while the higher yielding / good style wools remain highly sought after. The MPGs generally fell by 10-20 cents this week, pushing the NRI down by 7 cents to close the week at 1,986. The NRI has now fallen for six consecutive weeks, this is the longest downward run since September 2012, however the losses this time have not been as severe.

The crossbred sector has continued to defy the trend of the merinos, recording increases for the third week in a row. Strong demand helped to push prices higher, generally between 10 and 25 cents.

In a positive sign, the Western region (which sell last) sold very strongly, and managed increases across the board.

Source: AWEX

Forbes Local Star Lights Up The Stage

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society’s production of Anne of Green Gables The musical has Forbes local and rising star, Krystal-Lee McMurray starring in the lead role as Anne.

First time director, Lisa Ramsay said 17-year-old Krystal-Lee had really stepped up in her role, as did the rest of the cast.

With a cast of 31 amateur actors with half of them teens and children, a lot of energy went into the production and managing everyone.

Although it’s been a very popular story for many people growing up, the musical has rarely been done in Australia.

Lisa wanted to do something different and said she had found her first directing experience very fulfilling. “It’s been an amazing learning process to take what I’ve learned at university, the experience from watching Lyn Townsend as director and adapting it into my own process.”

Lisa is also grateful for musical director James Walan for putting together a great band, for Jenny Kingham taking on the costumes and Ray Brown for the set construction.

The heart-warming tale of Anne is suitable for all ages and told with lots of humour and tongue-in-cheek lines about small country towns.

Tickets are available at www.parkesmandd.com.au or Regional Business Supplies. The remaining show dates are 12th, 13th, 14th, 24th, 26th and 28th April with afternoon and evening shows.

By Maggi Barnard

Forbes Harness Races To Start

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club is getting set for another big year of racing!

First up, will be the Anzac Day Race Meeting held on Thursday, 25th April. This will feature the Forbes RSL Subbranch Diggers Cup as well as the Les Findley Memorial Pace, the Clarrie and Val Robb Memorial Pace, the Pud Woods Memorial Pace, the Neville Pellow Memorial Pace and the Colin Ware Memorial.

On the day, Forbes Harness will hold an Anzac Day Ceremony on course to honour those that served or died in the war. It is a great day out for the family and perfect for kids with a free jumping castle and oncourse facilities available.

Forbes Harness will also host the Tab Carnival of Cups on Sunday, 5th May. This will be done with the Forbes Services Memorial Club, who continually supports the Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club, on board as major sponsors again this year.

The Forbes Services Memorial Club Final will be the feature race on the day, with the heats to be held on Anzac Day. Forbes Harness are extremely grateful for their sponsors and the support they receive to host both of these race meetings each year.

Debutante’s Dance For Beyond Blue

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

After months of planning, fundraising and dance lessons five gorgeous young ladies and their equally handsome partners impressed and delighted their invited guests at a Charity Deb Ball held last weekend.

The group consisting of Ebony O’Malley and Billie Dukes, Abbey and Jack Hodges- Lockwood, Whitney Duffy and Tom McEwen, Kaitlin Turner and Ben Quigley and Amy Gallagher and Connor Greenhalgh were presented to Kimberley Jackson, Year 11 Advisor and English teacher of Forbes High School.

Charlie Acheson and Jake Duffy led the nervous duos out before they performed their feature dance to ‘You are the Reason’ by Callum Scott, which was choreographed by Kate Ralph. The young ladies looked spectacular in their exquisite gowns and the young gents wore smart singlebreasted black suits, crisp white shirts and light blue accessories which matched the colour theme for the evening.

The tireless efforts of each and every one of the debutantes and their partners through cooking barbeques and selling raffle tickets was awarded with a profit of over $1,300 being raised which will directly benefit Beyond Blue.

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Beyond Blue has been doing as much work as possible to encourage people to learn about the symptoms and types of stress, anxiety and depression, which they could face or may already be experiencing. In Australia, it’s estimated that 45 percent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.

The Easter raffle was drawn on the night, with first prize being won by Emma Gardiner and second place by John Crone.

Event coordinator, Anita Morrison commends the group on their efforts and congratulates their family and friends for their influences in molding these young people who are the future of our great community.

Footy Tipping Results – Round 4

April 9, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Celebrating The Youth Of Forbes

April 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

This April, Forbes will celebrate what’s great about our young people with a series of events planned to bring the whole community together to celebrate Youth Week. This will be Australia’s largest celebration of young people.

The festival begins on Thursday, 11th April with an all inclusive mural being painted at the Youth and Community Centre. The painting will take place between 11am and 2pm. With the young artists completing the mural to represent the inclusive environment Forbes possess, as designed by local creatives, Made of Fridays.

This year’s Youth Week celebrations will also see Red Bend hosting a “Colour Run” at their school. These have been incredibly popular in the past and this year will be no exception.

On Friday, 12th April between 6pm to 8pm the outdoor movie screening of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be held at Nelson Park. A barbeque, popcorn and drinks will be available, bring your friends and a picnic blanket or chair to celebrate the start of the school holidays.

To complete the celebrations a Youth Concert will be held at Lions Park on Saturday, 13th April from 2pm to 7pm. The park will be filled with entertainment such as rock climbing walls, paddleboats, giant games and food vans. The announcement of the official Youth Week Awards will also take place during the day. Bring along the whole family, a chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the amazing line up of artists performing.

“Our youth are the future of this community and it is important we interact with them to provide fun events such as these,” said Mayor, Phyllis Miller. “Celebrating Youth Week with great events like we have planned is a great way we can all come together. The free Youth Concert at Lions Park will be amazing, and who doesn’t love a Colour Run?”

For further information email sarah.williams@forbes.nsw.gov.au.

SNIPPETS…

April 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

OurAutismCrew: This April, for World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Awareness Australia is celebrating everyone that makes up our wonderful autism community!

From the incredible individuals on the spectrum, to the families and friends who love them, the educators, employers, medical and health professionals who support them… we all have #OurAutismCrew.

To join in, submit a photo of someone, or everyone, in your crew and explain why they’re so special to you. You can nominate yourself, a child, a sibling, mum or dad, a grandparent, teacher, therapist, doctor, mentor… anyone who is part of your inner circle. It’s an opportunity to recognise and celebrate them and the positive impact they’ve had in your life. The submissions will be shared across social media pages from 2nd to 12th April so make sure to follow Autism Awareness Australia on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see yours! Submissions are open from 18th March to 12th April.

Forbes North Public School Easter Fete: The Forbes North Public School Easter Fete is on today (Friday), 5th April. The fete is being held at the school grounds in Thomson Street, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. A highlight for the fete this year is the Anytime Fitness Picnic Games, which will be free for kids to enter, with great Easter egg prizes for race winners. Games will include all the traditional favourites, such as three-legged race, egg-and-spoon, sack race and more.

The first races will kick off at 3:45, with different events held throughout the fete. Another big highlight of the fete will be the Forbes Toyota Kids Karaoke Competition.

Children will be welcome to enter on the day and some happy singers will be going home with great Easter egg prizes from the karaoke. “The P&C is absolutely thrilled to have such wonderful support from the community for our school,” said P&C President, Maree Yapp. “We are looking forward to a fun filled fete with something for every budget.” Other great attractions will include the ever popular Sumo suits, the haunted house and the Gunn’s Menswear jumping castle. Gate entry into the fete is free. All welcome.

Daylight Saving: Daylight saving will end in NSW at 3am on Sunday, 7th April. So remember to turn your clocks back one hour when you wake up the following morning.

Forbes Sporting Heroes Recognised

April 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) hosted their annual Awards Presentation Dinner at the Forbes Sport & Recreation Club during March.

The evening’s proceedings was opened by SOYA President Andrew Norton-Knight and Master of Ceremonies Nick Turner, whom also welcomed this year’s special guest Alana Thomas, a former Australian Rugby Union Wallaroo and current Australian Wallaroo Development Coach.

“It is fantastic to see so many of the nominees here with us tonight and I would like to congratulate each and every one of them on their nomination. Regardless of the outcome of the awards tonight, you are all winners,” said Nick.

The 2018 award recipients were:

• The Forbes Shire Council Fair Go Award – The Forbes Soccer Association.

• The Hello World Travel Special Sports Awards – Blair Barnes, Emma Dick, Jasper Mackay, Grace Mckeown and Jakieal Ware.

• The Cahill’s Footwear School Awards. Eugowra Public School – Reece Matheson; Forbes Public School – Jonah Little; Red Bend Catholic College – Darcy Leadbitter and St Laurence’s School – Bradman Hardy.

• The Central West Credit Union Sports Achiever – Ben Molloy.

• The Forbes Netball Association Terry Wade Award – Tim Mackay.

• The Complete Plumbing & Gas Fitting Umpire/Referee/Official Trophy – Sam Mackay and Jack Piercy.

• The Phillip Adams Encouragement Award – Laura Chudleigh.

• The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association Merit Awards – Ellie Flick, Ellie Glasson, Andie Hodder, Brooke Kelly, Darcy Leadbitter, Jade Page and Aurella White.

• The Forbes Sport & Recreation Club Coach/Trainer Award – Barry Molloy.

• The President’s Award – Forbes Public School Junior Girls 4 x 50m Freestyle relay team.

• The Neil Morrison Livestock Transport Administration Award – Steve Grallelis.

• The McGroder’s Solicitors All Round Sports Achiever – Jonah Little.

• The Walker’s Ag N Vet Team Award – Forbes Magpies Under 18 Rugby League Team.

• Robb’s Jewellers Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Stephanie Behan.

• The Gunn’s Menswear Senior Sportsperson

of the Year – Leisa Burton.

• The Forbes Services Memorial 2018 Sportsperson of the Year runner up – Charlie Staines.

• The Forbes Advocate 2018 Sportsperson of the Year – Tom Drane.

“I would like to thank everyone for supporting our local sporting talents. Without nominations the awards will not continue and the committee rely on sporting organisations and community members to submit nominations.

Thanks is also extended to the independent panel of judges who chose the winners for 2018,” Nick concluded.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe