Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Max Scores A Hole-In-One Surprise

January 31, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Men’s Comp on 12th January was an 18-hole stroke event, sponsored by Rob Allen’s Livestock Transport, with 62 players enjoying the weather. During play, Max Haley especially enjoyed the 18th hole where he recorded a hole-in-one. As usual he was quite calm about it.

The A-Division winner was Dan Bayley, with 63 nett that was most satisfying as he had all his touch on display. Runner-up was Niel Duncan, who also had a good score finishing on 65 nett to once again be a ‘bridesmaid’.

The B-Division players were also well below par. Steve Grallelis was pleased with his game finishing on 69 nett to win. Runner- up was new member George Falvey who did well on the back-9, finishing with 70 nett.

The ball sweep went low, going to 70 nett on count back: 63 – D Bayley; 65 – N Duncan, P Maher; 66 – P Nixon; 67 – Mike Wood; 68 – Max Haley; 69 – K Sanderson, P Grayson, R Taylor, S Grallelis, A McDonald; 70 – M Spice, G Falvey, S French, D Churchill, J Haley. The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Kirkman, 18th – M Haley. The visitors included Lloyd Cotterill (Brisbane GC) and good mate Kevin Crapp (Russell Vale GC) and Stuart Hayes (Murrumbidgee). Mike Woods scored an eagle on the 2nd to start his round, while Neil McMillan lost the head on his wedge while playing a shot on the 7th, thus causing him to manufacture shots all day.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a good field of 12, where the top scoring continued. Paul Kay was the winner on 37 points, on count back from Barb Drabsch.

The ball sweep went to 36 points, being collected by Ethel Coombs, nudging out four players on 35. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Ray Beacroft (The Grange); 18th – P Kay.

One player on the 15th tee had his ball hit the ‘Betland Tree’ and return almost directly to his feet. That mucked up his score.

The 2018 Wallace Cup was completed in 2018, with Neil McMillan victorious over Stephen Uphill. What was anticipated as an even contest, with both on the same handicap, turned into a comfortable win to Neil by 6/5.

A “New Rules 2019” presentation was the previous week and was well attended.

There is a large amount of material available, so get your handbook and any questions answered by Ben at the Pro Shop.

The 2019 CWDGA Pennants, commence on 3rd February with the first round being played at the Ex-Services Club. Please advise Ben or Stevie G if you are willing to play.

The 2019 Programme Book will be available in early February. A Programme for February will be displayed in the Pro Shop.

Also remember that the 2019 NSW Vets Programme Book is available at the Pro Shop.

Saturday, 19th January was the Australian Championship 2-Person 2-Club Ambrose, sponsored by Cahill’s Footwear, followed by the Stableford Medley on the Sunday.

Saturday, 26th January was an 18-Hole Stableford, with a Stableford Medley on the Sunday. Also on the Sunday was the final of the AAA Cup, sponsored by AAA Septic Services. Read more about this in coming editions.

By Short Putt

Hot Off The Croquet Courts

January 31, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Croquet week ending 12th January

It was good to be back on the courts for our first games of the New Year. The courts were full with players talking about the festive season, their holidays and the upcoming year. The new starting time of 8:30am is an effort to beat the heat, but the heat still managed to beat us! The winners of three games were Veva MacCullagh, Bruce Field, Joan Littlejohn, Evelyn Mahlo, Bill Scott and Alec Todd.

This Saturday’s Aussie croquet saw the hot wind play havoc with many players’ hats. We finished in record time with tea, coffee and toast all finished by 10:30am.

There were three winners of three games namely John Job, Harley Stewart and Tony Thomson.

January’s birthdays will be celebrated along with the February birthdays on Tuesday, 12th February. The venue will be advised at a later date.

Croquet week ending 19th January

Hot weather cut the numbers down for our Tuesday golf croquet. Some players could not handle the temperatures and left early.

Even with our 8:30am start some could not take the rapid rise of the temps on court.

It was great to see our young mate Bob Murray back in action after a few medical issues. There were three winners of the three games namely John Allegri, Evelyn Mahlo and Neville Spry.

Only 20 competitors turned out for our Saturdays Aussie croquet. The courts were slow because of the top dressing sand and thick grass slowing the balls.

One of the closest games was between Tony Thomson and Neville Spry with 14 who defeated John MacCullagh and Bob Murray with 12. The most exciting game was between the champions of last year, Bruce Field and John Cole, who were beaten by Harley Stewart and Alec Todd. It was a true battle in the end and came down to who hit the finishing peg first, as players all charged towards it at the same time. Bruce field missed on his last shot giving victory to Todd and Stewart. The score ended up 14 to 13.

The only winner of three games today was Merv Langfield. Congratulations Merv!

By Anne and Harley Stewart

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

51,703 bales were offered this week, making it the largest national offering since April last year. However despite the larger offering, the overall quantity is still well down on the previous season, with a reduction of 175,524 bales offered (-16.8%).

The merino fleece market was mixed in its performance. The three centres behaved slightly differently, with varied positive and negative movements recorded across the board.

Although there was an inconsistent pattern, the overall trend was upward. By the close of trade the NRI had gained 12 cents, closing the week at 1,960c/kg.

Skirtings managed to record upward movements, generally by 2-40 cents, wools coarser than 19 micron attracted the most attention and as a result enjoyed the largest gains. The oddments varied between centres, the North and West recorded 20-30 cent rises, whilst the South posted a small reduction.

The crossbred sector performed the best, with large gains of 50-80 cents experienced in the 26 to 28 micron range.

Currently, there are 41,503 bales rostered for sale next week.

Source: AWEX

Celebrate Australia Day In Forbes

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Everyone is invited to come together and celebrate Australia Day in Forbes this year.

A full day of activities is planned to entertain all ages.

The day begins with the Rotary Community Breakfast at Apex Park from 7am.

This year, Forbes will welcome Keith Potger AO from The Seekers, as the Ambassador. Keith is a self-taught musician and one of the founding members of the band The Seekers.

The Diggers Swim will again take place at the Forbes Olympic Pool. It is free entry between the hours of 11am to 2pm. There will be a BBQ lunch available for a gold coin donation.

The CWA Damper Competition is also on again to celebrate this traditional Australian bread. If you can cook a bonza damper bring it down to Lions Park by 5pm to be in the running for Forbes’ Best Damper champion.

“We encourage all families to bring a blanket, pack a hamper and enjoy the amazing music from Gabemusic,” invites Mayor Phyllis Miller. “Our beautiful Lake will be there to cool off in with the paddleboats in operation or bring a canoe of your own down for a paddle.”

Parking for the event will be at Spooners Oval. There will be free rides for the kids plus the Riding for Disabled Carriage will be running pony rides for everyone.

The day’s celebrations would not be complete without a bigger-and-better-than-last year fireworks display over the lake. These will occur at 9pm, so make sure your pets are suitably restrained.

Medallists Do Well Despite Gruelling Weather

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday, 5th January, amidst strong winds and hot temperatures, the Men’s Monthly Medal was contested by 64 players, sponsored by long-term stalwart Linden Byrne.

The A-Grade winner was Kim Herbert, with 69 nett and just ahead of runner-up, Peter Dawson with his 70 nett. They pushed each other all the way.

The B-Grade went to Dale Rogers (Peak Hill) with an excellent nett 69, while Phil Duke was runner-up with a consistently constructed 70 nett. However, because Dale is a visitor and thus ineligible, the medal is awarded to Phil Dukes.

The C-Grade saw Frank Donohoe take the honours with his 74 nett. Runner-up was Les Little finishing with 75 nett.

The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back: 69 – D Rogers, K Herbert; 70 – P Duke, P Dawson; 71 – N McMillan, B Everest, M Cahill; 72 – J Zannes, M Haley and 73 – C Dwyer, P Kay, P Maher; D Churchill, F Donohoe, Michael Wood, P Grayson, R Nixon.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – P Nixon, 18th – K Herbert. Visitors who joined included, from Parkes – M McGlashan, L Buesnell and from Peak Hill – A Brownlow, D Rogers.

The Sunday Stableford Medley saw a field of nine players get out and enjoy themselves.

Once again Peter Grayson was the winner, edging home with 34 points. Runner-up was Brendan Chambers from Parkes, with 33 points.

There was no ball sweep. The NTP’s were stolen by Parkes players, with the: 9th – B Chambers; 18th – J Van Opynen.

Prior to Christmas the final of the Wallace Cup Handicap Match Play was played. It was a solid performance by Neil McMillan to win, relegating Stephen Uphill into runner-up.

By Short Putt

Australia In 2018: A Climate System On Steroids

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Last year was the third hottest year on record for Australia, according to the latest Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) data released.

The BOM ‘Annual Climate Statement’ confirms that mean temperature was the third highest on record (1.14°C above average) and mean maximum temperature was the second highest on record (1.55°C above average).

Climate Councillor and climate scientist, Professor Will Steffen said: “These latest data from BOM come as no surprise. Climate change is intensifying around the world and Australia is no exception, as our climate system continues to set new extreme heat records.”

“Nine of Australia’s hottest 10 years have occurred since 2005, so the extremes in 2018 are part of a long-term trend, being driven by intensifying climate change,” said Will.

“2018 was a year of extreme heat across Australia, with NSW experiencing its hottest year on record for mean temperature (2.13°C above average) and Victoria sweltering through its highest mean maximum temperature on record (1.44°C above average),” he said.

“December 2018 was Australia’s hottest on record, with record-breaking mean, minimum and maximum temperatures,” said Will.

Tariff Cuts And Better Access For Aussie Farmers

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Australian farmers exporting overseas will be better off as tariffs are slashed or abolished under the Trans Pacific Partnership and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), said Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud. “Tariffs on our farm produce going into China will be largely eliminated as of 1st January,” said David.

Key exports including wine, most fruit and vegetables, seafood and some dairy will no longer cop a tariff in China, which means our produce will be more affordable for Chinese consumers.

ChAFTA has contributed to significant growth in exports over the last 12 months. Beef exports increased 34.5 percent to $1 billion, wine exports increased 65.1 percent to $982.7 million, dairy exports increased 38 percent to $818.8 million and navel orange exports increased 57.5 percent to $87.2 million.

“Just some of the benefits are our farmers will sell more dairy into Canada through a new quota, more rice into Japan and no longer face tariffs on sheepmeat or pork into Mexico,” said David.

“We’re giving our farmers more options overseas so they can sell where they choose and not just to the supermarkets here in Australia.”

With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) entering into force on 30th December 2018, exporters will receive two tariff reductions.

The first on 30th December—reductions associated with the entry into force of the agreement—followed by the annual tariff reduction rate on 1st January in those countries which ratified the CPTPP. Australia’s ratification of the CPTPP meant Australian exporters benefitted from immediate tariff cuts on entry into force of the CPTPP on 30th December 2018 for Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore, and further tariff cuts into Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore on 1st January (Japan’s second tariff cut will take effect on 1st April).

SNIPPETS…

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Giving Blood Feels Good: The mobile blood service will be visiting Forbes in Harold Street behind the Cenotaph in Victoria Park on the 4th, 5th and 6th of February from 9:45am to 2:45pm. To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au. Please bring photo ID with you. Have three or four glasses of water or juice in the hours before you donate and have a good sized breakfast or lunch.

Catch of the Week winner: Thank you for sending in your great fishing pics and please keep it coming! Scott Barrass was our December winner. Please claim your $25 voucher prize from Loomzy’s Fish ‘n’ Fix in Forbes.

Four Days Of Double Demerit Points:

As we get ready to celebrate Australia Day and school holidays are coming to an end, drivers are being reminded that double demerit points will be in force from Friday, 25th January to Monday, 28th January (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Chief Inspector David Cooper from NSW Police is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time. “The road toll over the Christmas/New Year period fell from 31 in 2017/2018 to seven this year – and whilst the message seems to be getting through, that’s still seven families affected by the loss of a loved one.

Keep cool and hydrated to beat the heat: Temperatures have again risen this week with another heat wave forecast across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) lasting up to the weekend.

The WNSWLHD is reminding everyone to take precautions to beat the heat and take particular care against dehydration, with a number of people presenting to hospital over the last week suffering this heat-related illness.

It’s Back to School Time: The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next week and Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools. There are 40km/h school speed zones in existence around all schools in NSW. Most school zones are operational between 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days, or when the lights are flashing. Road Safety around schools is everyone’s responsibility.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor is reminding everyone to keep to the school speed zones as students head back to their desks next week

BOSCARS Business Award Finalists Announced

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The moment many have been waiting for is finally here! The Midsummer Night’s Dream is the spectacular theme for the Evolution Mining BOSCARS Business Awards to be held at the Forbes Services Memorial Club on 8th February.

This year the Evolution Mining BOSCARS promises to be a wonderful gala awards presentation to the businesses of Forbes.

The committee is rolling out 11 award categories that culminate in the coveted Business of the Year.

“Tickets are selling fast and with a limited number of tickets available, I am urging businesses, sponsors and individuals to purchase their tickets as soon as possible,” said Michael Jelbart, BOSCARS Committee Chairman.

The People’s Choice Awards -Tradie of the Year and the Most Popular Business have been well supported with a staggering 22 nominations in each category.

Find a list of the finalists below:

Excellence in Small Business (under 20 employees), sponsored by the Business Enterprise Centre, finalists are The Forbes Phoenix, Life Pharmacy Forbes, Mid West Pest Management, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Roylance’s Auto One, Forbes Small Engine Specialists, BWR Accountants and Advisers and Eyewear Specs.

The categories below have one or two finalists:

• Excellence in Business (20 or more employees) sponsored by BWR Accountants

• Excellence in Social Enterprise sponsored by Matthews Williams

• Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Forbes Advocate

• Employer of Choice sponsored by Crowe Horwath

• Apprentice or Trainee of the Year sponsored by VERTO

• Business Leader of the Year sponsored by Forbes Shire Council

Employee of the Year sponsored by Agriwest CRT: Anita Westley: Forbes Veterinary Clinic, Allan Brockman: Acheson’s Home Timber and Hardware, Lauren Hutchinson: Eyewear Specs, Jayne Whitworth: News On Rankin, Robyn England: Power Tools Plus and Michelle Grace: Flannery’s Pharmacy.

Young Entrepreneur (Age-35) sponsored by Roylance Auto One: Monique Pointon: Sweet Three Vintage Van, Adam Chudleigh: McCarron Cullinane Chudleigh, Stevie Skene: Homies & Co, Nicolas Taylor: Nic’s Garage, Kristen Woods: Kristen’s Dance Studio and Kate Ralph: Elevate Dance Studio.

Start Up Superstar sponsored by Flannery’s Pharmacy: Elevate Dance Studio, Forbes Thai Massage Centre, Made Of Fridays and Sweet Three Vintage Van.

People’s Choice: Tradie of the Year sponsored by Forbes Business Chamber: Monique Pointon, Wes Finn, Mark Webb, Abe Duggan, Ahsley Acheson, Ben Godden, Rodney Buckman, Jamie Loomes, Jack Geppert, John Burton, Scott Burton, Matt Bull, Brad McMillan, Anita Westley, Corey Hurford, John Betland, Jamie Brown, John Butler, Tom Maitland, Brett Stace, Harry Jones and Jack Reid.

People’s Choice: Most popular Business sponsored by WIN Television: Sweet Three Vintage Van, Little Extras Lifestyle, Roylance’s Auto One, News On Rankin, Forbes Services Memorial Club, Forbes Veterinary Clinic, Harry Jones Painting, Life Pharmacy Forbes, Sweet Treats, Bright Beginnings Early Learning Centre, Forbes Family Dentists, Loomzys Fish and Fix, Forbes Toyota, Made Of Fridays, Forbes Railway Arts and Tourist Centre, Forbes Bake House, Homie and Co, Forbes Small Engines, Sugar Riot Events Forbes, Eyewear Specs, Blush Organic Beauty and Matt Bull Concreting.

Business of the Year sponsored by Evolution Mining: The BOSCARS Business of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding business which has demonstrated excellence across all areas of operation. The winner is selected from the winners of all categories.

“We are really excited with the response the awards have received this year. I believe we have received the highest number of entries in the awards history,” said Michael.

Tickets are available at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/2549/the-boscars

Walk Into A Healthy 2019!

January 24, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Set yourself up for a healthy year ahead by starting with a health check at Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies. “High blood pressure, excess weight, smoking and physical inactivity are some of the main risk factors for preventable illness, so setting yourself up to improve one of these areas can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing,” said Tracey Edwards, pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

“Our registered nurse or pharmacists can check a range of indicators, including blood pressure and weight, and discuss healthy lifestyle options with you,” said Tracey.

One way to reduce weight is to increase physical activity. “The recommended amount of activity for good health is at least 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity each week, which can be accumulated throughout the day,” said Life Pharmacy pharmacist, Clare Parmeter.

“Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack, strengthens bones, reduces risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improves balance,” said Clare.

Ideas for increasing your step count include:

• walk to get the paper

• take the stairs instead of the elevator

• take the dog for a walk around the block (or beyond)

• park a bit further away from the shops

• take the rubbish out to the wheelie bin more often

• walk with others or form a walking group

If you’d like a health check or more information on improving your physical activity, call in to Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and speak to one of our pharmacists.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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