Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Flannery’s – Pharmacy Of The Year

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Flannery’s Pharmacy has been named Guild Pharmacy of the Year 2019. The awards were presented by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, at the Australian Pharmacy Professional conference (APP) held on the Gold Coast last Thursday.

The Guild Pharmacy of the Year Award, conducted annually by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, recognises pharmacies that are leading the way in providing innovative and optimal healthcare for members of their community. The ultimate winner was chosen from the four category winners who this year were:

• Pharmacy 777 Glengarry, Duncraig WA: Excellence in Community Engagement, Collaboration and Partnerships

• Wilkinson’s Pharmacy, Burnie TAS: Excellence in Community Engagement, Health Services

• Flannery’s Pharmacy, Forbes NSW: Excellence in Business Management

• Harding’s 24 hour Pharmacy, Annerley QLD: Excellence in Professional Innovation A spokesperson for the judging group, pharmacist Nick Panayiaris, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National Councillor and President of the South Australian Branch of the Guild, said Flannery’s Pharmacy was an exceptional example of the pharmacy of the future.

“The pharmacy’s excellent business operations and its investment in its people has established a great working environment with a strong emphasis on delivering a wide range of professional services to the community,” said Nick.

“Its refurbished design provides consulting space for other health professionals to provide services to the community from the pharmacy.”

Nick said Flannery’s Pharmacy was constantly looking to innovate and improve its service offer for the community.

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, said Flannery’s Pharmacy was a great example of a pharmacy’s commitment to the community.

“The pharmacy is dedicated to the people of Forbes and surrounding areas and has invested to secure its future and the future of the services it provides its patients and customers,” he said.

“Flannery’s Pharmacy shows the heights that can be achieved by planning for, and committing to a strong community pharmacy sector into the future.”

As the team accepted the award, pharmacy partner Sarah Hazell said: “Our motto at Flannery’s Pharmacy is putting the community back into community pharmacy.

We know it’s just as important to provide a listening ear to our patients in need as it is to dispense their prescriptions.”

Sarah also congratulated the other finalists, the Guild for hosting APP and the competition, QCPP assessor and the competition judges, and most of all, the team at Flannery’s.

“They are the most wonderful group of people,” she said, calling the team “the most positive, engaged, loyal, trustworthy, and clever people to work with. They’re such a warm, friendly and welcoming environment for our customers to come to for all their health care needs.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the 2019 Pharmacy of the Year.”

MAYORAL NOTES

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

I attended the Community Precinct Meeting with Police this week and they have reported on the numerous thefts from motor vehicles recently in the Forbes Shire. I would like to encourage everyone to lock your cars, even if they are parked in the driveway.

On Tuesday, I chaired the Meet the Candidates session at the Forbes Services Club. It was very interesting to see the candidates express their ambitions for our Shire.

Last week I attended the Local Government Country Mayors Conference in Sydney with Councillor Jenny Webb. This was also very interesting with the leaders from all of the political parties, except the Liberals, present at the conference. It is heartening to know the government appreciates the support local government plays in the political process.

This week work has started on the Camp Street Bridge. This first stage involves installing temporary lights until the bridge replacement work begins in September. The existing lamp posts on the bridge will be reused in the landscaping approaches on the new bridge.

Can I say how fantastic all the retailers are looking at the moment. We are lucky to have so many great shops in town including our independent stores, Target Country and Spotlight especially, when you hear about towns like Gilgandra losing their Target store. We must support our local shops to make sure we don’t lose them. It was also good to hear the reports that real estate is enjoying 11.4 percent increase.

God Bless

Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Our Bloke -Sam Johnston

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Forbes in 1995 and spent much of my early childhood living about 50km west of Forbes on a property called ‘Merriment’ near Corinella. What I like most about being part of the Forbes community is that everyone is very supportive, friendly and interested in what you are doing even though I no longer live in the area.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am currently working as a Sales and Marketing agent for rural property specialists Meares & Associates. I enjoy most the ability to meet so many different successful people and to be based in a metropolitan area but still having the opportunity to get out to the country a couple of days each week.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy spending my free time doing activities with mates and family.

What makes you proud? I’m proud of being part of the Australian agricultural industry. It has always played a pivotal part in my life and been my passion.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A working kelpie! They work hard, are full of energy and get to be involved with ag!

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was a horse ride through the Andes in Argentina in late 2017. It was some of the most amazing scenery that I had ever seen and a ripper boys trip that tested even the most experienced riders in the group.

Free Learner Driver Workshop

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop which will be held at Red Bend Catholic College in Forbes on Tuesday, 19th March commencing at 6pm.

The free two-hour workshop, ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the workshops offer practical advice to parents and supervisors on how to help learner drivers become safer drivers.

“Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why Forbes Shire Council has teamed up with Roads and Maritime Services to hold these free workshops.”

“The workshop covers the licensing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more,” said Melanie.

Light refreshments will be available during the workshop. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Melanie on 6861 2364.

SNIPPETS…

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Say Goodbye to the old lights: The old lights on Camp Street Bridge have been switched off and replaced with temporary lighting until the bridge replacement. The existing lamp posts on the bridge will be reused in the landscaping approaches on the new bridge and the remaining lights will be gifted to Forbes Shire Council. Work to relocate the power and water utilities from the bridge has been completed and temporary solar lighting has started being installed to maintain pedestrian and road safety.

‘Tackling Rural Crime’ handbook: It’s hard enough working on the land at the best of times without also having to deal with the threat of trespassers, illegal hunting, livestock theft, equipment and property theft and other preventable crimes. As rural crime is costly, preventing it is an integral step to building a long-term prosperous agricultural, pastoral and aquaculture industry and vibrant regional community. That’s why the NSW Police Force and the NSW Farmers have been working together to improve the ways rural industries assess the security of their property to reduce the risk of rural crime. In October 2018, 26 ‘Tackling Rural Crime’ workshops were held around the State to help farmers detect and prevent the major security risks facing their business, property and family. This included options to increase security infrastructure, ways to improve asset protection and surveillance to reduce trespass and new ways to report rural crime. Farmers came away from the workshops better equipped to report any criminal activity, with the intention of ultimately reducing crime. During and since the workshops 1,000’s of ‘Tackling Rural Crime’ handbooks have been handed out. To ensure that everyone gets the chance to use this handy reference guide, it is now available electronically. View https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/623602/BOOKLET_interactive_Police_Rural_Crime_Web_FINAL.pdf to get your copy.

Election Day: Will you be away on Election Day? NSW Election Pre-Polling is available from the 16th March to 22nd March at the Forbes Town Hall. Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri, 8am to 6pm and Thurs 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday closed. On Election Day, 23rd March, voting can be made between 8am to 6pm at the following locations: Bedgerabong Public School, Forbes High School, Forbes Tennis Club and Forbes Town Hall. For more information on the election please see: www.elections.nsw.gov.auorganisation.

Modern Slavery

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Late last year, the Modern Slavery Bill 2018 was passed Federally in the NSW State Parliament heralding a new statutory modern slavery reporting requirement for larger companies in Australia.

Reporting obligations relate to the steps taken to respond to the risk of modern slavery in the operations and supply chains of the reporting entity and its controlled entities. The reporting criteria are mandatory.

It is crucial that reporting entities begin reviewing their supply chains and collecting data ahead of the introduction of reporting obligations. The first reporting year will be 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

At its broadest, the term ‘modern slavery’ refers to any situations of exploitation where a person cannot refuse or leave work because of threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception. The Australian regime defines modern slavery to incorporate conduct that would constitute an offence under existing human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offence provisions set out in Divisions 270 and 271 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

Modern slavery will encompass slavery, servitude, the worst forms of child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, slavery like practices, forced marriage and deceptive recruiting for labour or services.

Entities will need to report if they carry on business in Australia with a minimum annual consolidated revenue of $100 million.

Entities in NSW will be obliged to report under the NSW Act if they have a turnover of $50 million. Corporate groups should obtain specific advice in relation to which entities are required to report and how joint reporting can work.

Once the Modern Slavery Act commences, a targeted regulatory regime will be introduced, under which large businesses will report annually. Those reports will be published on a public register.

Croquet News And Results

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Week ending 9th March

There was a good turnout for our Tuesday’s golf croquet before venturing to the Vandenberg Hotel for our March birthday lunch. Birthdays for March were Doreen Rogers and John Job.

There were some close games for our golf croquet. The winners of their three games were Mary Hodges, Harley Stewart and Geoff Coles.

Dark clouds did not dampen our enthusiasm for our Saturday Aussie croquet. In fact it was a lovely day with a cool southerly breeze that made it a pleasure to play. New comer to the game, Ray Burridge, had two wins in his first effort in the Saturday game.

Previously he had only played Tuesday’s golf croquet for a short time. Congratulations Ray!

The winners of three games were John MacCullagh, Jill Rubie and Bill Scott. The closest game by far was the last game of the day between Ray Burridge and Bill Scott who defeated Doreen Rogers and Kevin Rubie, with all four vying to be first to peg out. Those who had finished, were avidly watching the game and cheering everyone on.

By Anne and Harley Stewart

Experience Wins In Monthly Medals

March 7, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Saturday’s men’s comp was the Monthly Medal 18-Hole Stroke, sponsored by Michael Robinson and Co and contested by 78 players. Most scores reflected the tightness of the games, although the winners seemed untroubled.

The A-Grade winner, Ecky Dawson, started and finished with a double-bogey but in-between played brilliantly for his nett 70.

Runner-up on 71 was Dan Bayley, with a round that split the course evenly of 38-38.

The B-Grade honours went to the wise man Ray Taylor with a very classy 69 nett. He was chased by the youthful vigour of Ethan Gaffney, who fell one shot short with a 70 nett.

The C-Grade was quiet overall, although Stevie G celebrated his win, a nett 71, with some very noisy socks. Peter Tisdell had fun when amassing his nett 73.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, with recipients being: 69 – R Taylor; 70 – E Gaffney, P Dawson; 71 – S Grallelis, B Hodges, D Bayley; 72 – S Betland; 73 – P Tisdell, A McKinnon, M Watts, D Mylecharane, M Cahill, N McMillan, S Sallaway; 74 – D Churchill, B Parker, A Rees, S Hayes, B Carpenter, P Duke, M McGlashan.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – B Hodges; 18th – J van Opynen.

On Sunday Forbes hosted the CWDGA Pennants 2019 for the final round-robin play, with the Forbes teams having a bye.

In Division 1 Bathurst team had a resounding 5/0 win over Parkes, ensuring they finished in top spot. This means that Forbes will meet Dubbo in the semi-final. In Division 2 a narrow win by Parkes meant that Forbes finished tied with Bathurst, but missed out by count back on the semis.

The Division 3 saw the continuation of the Parkes juggernaut, who finished on top with Ex-Services second. In Division 4 team, it was Cowra and Ex-Services who head to the semi-finals.

By Short Putt

MAYORAL NOTES

March 7, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

This dry weather is continuing and is very worrying for our whole community. Hopefully by the time you read this we may have had some rain.

Our Joint Organisation Meeting, formally known as Centroc, met in Orange last week. Minister Littleproud (Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources) addressed the Mayor and General Manager in relation to the drought and the work that is being done to not only assist with this drought but to prepare for the next one.

Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack made a visit last Sunday to announce the $867,241 for town entryways to Forbes, Rankin and Templar Street upgrades and the Target corner which all fall under the CBD Masterplan. He has worked really hard for Forbes and we are very thankful that he is our local member.

A big thank you, on your behalf, to the farmer tradespeople for the great picket fence around Grinstead and South Circle Ovals. The workers are now about to commence work at the extension of the saleyards. We are very appreciative of the wonderful work they are doing.

Yoorana Gunya are having an event on the 28th, 29th and 30th April, called the Walkabout Barber. The event includes a trauma and recovery workshop for youth, and the following day they can get their haircut. You must attend the workshop to be eligible for a haircut. It is a great initiative and thanks to Donna and her team.

On that note, I’ll have more updates next week.

God Bless.

Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Assistance To Offset The Ravages Of Drought

March 7, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber, says there is urgent need to help offset the devastation of the drought on the farming and regional business communities in NSW.

A report released this week by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, shows that in NSW, broadacre farm incomes are set to fall by 51 percent in 2018-19, with farms expected to lose $69,000 on average.

“This is the worst performance of any state in the country,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe.

“The effect of the drought is particularly bad in the Far West of NSW. Broadacre farm incomes are expected to be just $3,000 for the year, with the average farm set to lose a shocking $276,000 because of the impact of the drought. That follows a loss of nearly $90,000 the year prior.

“In the central west of NSW, farm income is expected to drop nearly 60 percent in 2018-19, with the average farm set to lose $81,000 for the year after losing about $30,000 the year prior”.

“This is a natural disaster on any definition, not just for the farmers themselves, but for our entire community. These types of events have a catastrophic impact on regional businesses impacting regional employment and small and local businesses.

The NSW Business Chamber is calling for immediate action to help provide relief,” said Vicki.

The NSW Business Chamber is calling on the next government of NSW to:

• Establish a Natural Disaster Recovery Fund to assist businesses and communities to mitigate the ravages of natural disasters.

• Abolish stamp duty on insurance premiums for commercial and business premises to increase insurance coverage.

• Allow flexible payroll tax payment arrangements for businesses impacted by natural disasters.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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