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Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Mayoral Notes

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Wow, how quick has this year gone! Firstly I would like to congratulate the Forbes Business Chamber, led by Margaret Duggan, on a wonderful Christmas Carnival street celebration held last Friday night. People are still talking about it. I think we have the recipe right and we may need to stick with it.

Council considered the Templar Street re-development last Thursday at our final Council meeting for the year and we are now having some dimensional plans completed on the area to see what it will look and function like in more detail. Option 2 was the preferred concept by the people in attendance. I want to assure everyone we are advancing the project, but with caution, it is important to get this right. You wouldn’t build a house from a concept plan so hence the next stage is to get a proper plan.

Many of the Council staff and Councillors will be taking a break over January in order to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for 2019.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and holy Christmas and blessed New Year. Enjoy time with your family and friends and above all, travel safely.

God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Signs You’re Struggling With High-Functioning Anxiety

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Despite it being the most common mental health condition in Australia, there are plenty of misconceptions around anxiety.

Sufferers are typically thought to be paralysed by panic attacks and withdrawn from the world but this isn’t always the case. While it’s not an official diagnosis, “highfunctioning” anxiety is something many people identify with.

SANE Australia Psychologist, Suzanne Leckie says that anxiety can affect different people in different ways and that high-functioning anxiety is an alternative manifestation of the condition, rather than an alternative condition.

“Sometimes people with anxiety inadvertently shrink their own world by avoiding activities that trigger their anxiety. Other times anxiety can motivate people to try harder across all aspects of their lives.”

She says that those living with high-functioning anxiety can be perceived by others as achievement-oriented, perfectionistic and highly motivated.

“Their own reality is likely to be one of racing thoughts, restless bodies and a sense that they are never doing enough.”

The usual symptoms of anxiety are present for those living with high-functioning anxiety, including catastrophic thinking, excessive worry and irritability.

“The difference with high-functioning anxiety is that people experiencing this may feel the desire to achieve more as a way to manage their fears and doubts,” Leckie says.

If this sounds like you, here are some of the other signs you might be struggling:
1. People describe you as a “Type A” perfectionist: You strive for perfection in everything you do.
2. You exhibit controlling patterns: This “perfectionism” can manifest in controlling habits and strict routines.
3. You’re constantly busy: Your to-do list is a kilometre long and your weekends are packed with plans.
4. You’re not sleeping well: All that tossing and turning during the night can be a true reflection of what’s going on in your head.
5. You have aches, pains, repetitive habits or ticks: There can often be physical manifestations of your mental state, like that constant knot in your stomach or unexplained neck pain, biting your nails, chewing your lip, tapping your foot or cracking your knuckles.
6. People have a hard time reading you: You’ve been described as stoic and unemotional but you know that couldn’t be further from the truth.
7. You have a crippling fear of letting other people down: Obsessive and intrusive negative self-talk is a big indication of high-functioning anxiety.
8. “No” isn’t part of your vocabulary: The dread of letting people down leads you to taking on more than you can handle.

If this sounds like you, contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 187 263 or email helpline@sane.org for information, support and guidance from mental health professionals.

Source: WomensHealth by Lauren Williamson.

Forbes High School Celebrate HSC Results With Students

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

With their schooling year complete, Year 12 students at Forbes High School are now able to celebrate their results that they have achieved in their Higher School Certificate (HSC) and can all look forward to a positive future ahead.

The HSC class of 2018 at Forbes High School have reached just one of the many milestones in their life by attaining the HSC and Forbes High School are extremely proud of all of them and their achievements to date. The HSC should never define a person, we expect all of our students to achieve more and more as life continues. We are proud that Forbes High School delivers on this sentiment.

A message from Forbes High School Principal, Safija Bristina: “Forbes High School would like to congratulate the Year 12 Class of 2018. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. You are equipped with the skills to be positive contributors in the community and make a difference in the world.”

Forbes High School acknowledges the outgoing leadership team Chelsea Turner (Captain), Mitchell Ashcroft (Captain), Claire Maslin (Vice-Captain) and Konnor Ryan (Vice-Captain). They have led the school with determination, diligence and dedication to school and community.

Year 12 achievements were recognised at a farewell assembly at the school. Among honours listed that day Chelsea Turner was named Dux of the school for 2018.

The Forbes High School community wishes all of our Year 12 students the very best in their future endeavours and hope they continue on a lifelong path of learning.

Croquet News And Results

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Croquet week ending 15th December

It is hard to believe but we are back on the croquet courts after a month of top dressing. The courts look great but they will be slow until we get some rain and have more growth. I am sure some of our members were in a state of depression waiting for the resume of their beloved game.

A new member took to our courts on Tuesday. We welcome Geoff Coles to our club, a seasoned golfer who has never played croquet before. With little surprise, he won his first game as most golfers find croquet very easy to adapt to. The winners of their three games were John Browne, Evelyn Mahlo, Kevin Rubie, Bill Scott and Alex Todd. Welcome back everybody!

Saturday’s Aussie croquet had 24 players. There were only three players who won their three games. They were John Cole, Elvy Quirk and Kevin Rubie. Congratulations to you all! The closest game of the day was between Neville Spry and John MacCullagh, who defeated Merv Langfield and Anne Stewart with 14-13.

The Croquet Club Christmas dinner will be held at the Vandenberg Hotel at 12 o’clock Tuesday, 18th December. We hope everyone can attend.

The last play for the year will be Saturday, 22nd December. The courts will re-open on Tuesday, 8th January. The starting time will move to 8:30am for the summer. Please arrive at 8:15 to ensure an on time start.

Have a safe, merry and enjoyable Christmas and a happy 2019!

By Anne and Harley Stewart

Flannery’s Pharmacy…Here’s To A New Year

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The teams at Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies would like to wish all their customers a very happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year.

“It’s been a great year and we’ve really enjoyed providing professional services and giving health and beauty related advice to all our lovely customers,” said Debbie Prior, Business Manager at Flannery’s. “Thank you all so much for your continued support of our pharmacies,” continued Debbie.

Flannery’s Pharmacy would also like to inform their customers of a slight change in their trading hours.

“Flannery’s Pharmacy will commence trading till 5:30pm each weekday from 2nd January 2019,” said Debbie. “Recently we have found that not as many people are accessing the pharmacy between 5:30pm and 6pm,” said Debbie. “We will continue to open at 8:30am and Life Pharmacy will be open until 6:30pm each week day.”

Over the festive season the trading hours will be:
Flannery’s Pharmacy
Christmas Eve: 8:30am to 6pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
Thursday, 27th December: 8:30am to 6pm
Friday, 28th December: 8:30am to 6pm
Saturday, 29th December: 9am to 12:30pm
Sunday, 30th December: Closed
Monday, 31st December: 8:30am to 6pm
New Years Day: Closed
Tuesday, 2nd January: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Life Pharmacy
Christmas Eve: 8:30am to 6:30pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: 10am to 1pm
Thursday, 27th December: 8:30am to 6:30pm
Friday, 28th December: 8:30am to 6:30pm
Saturday, 29th January: 9am to 1pm
Sunday, 30th January: 10am to 1pm
Monday, 31st January: 8:30am to 6:30pm
New Years Day: Closed

Forbes Joins The Street Library Movement

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

In a push to encourage more Forbes residents to enjoy reading, Forbes Shire Council has installed an amazing bright red “Street Library” in Nelson Park. Local resident, Kathy Prow initiated the project with Council after seeing Street Libraries in other locations around NSW.

Kathy explained that the concept of Street Libraries is that they are a beautiful home for books, planted in a public place.

“People can simply reach in and take what interests them and when they are done, they can return them to the Street Library. They can also swap the book they take with one of their own, or even just donate a book or two for others to enjoy.”

General Manager, Steve Loane said that the installation of the first Street Library is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives.

“We congratulate Kathy on her idea. Our support of this project is in line with great events such as Reading Down Town Day, that really foster an ethic of learning in young and old alike. Reading is so important for children and modelling an enjoyment of reading by adults can only encourage young people to do the same. This street library is the first in town and there is more planned – stay tuned!”

Our Bloke – Paul Lynch

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? My wife and I moved to Forbes in November last year from Mudgee. We both really enjoy the history of Forbes and the surrounding towns, as well as the very friendly people.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I am a French Polisher by trade and work for Lyndee Lynch at Forbes Furniture Restorers. She is a hard but fair boss.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I work in a tin shed so a cold beer after work is good. Also watching live sport and bush walking.

What are you really good at? I consider myself a Master French Polisher. I completed my trade in 1974 and have been working in this industry ever since.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Besides being able to make it rain, world peace would be good.

What is your pet hate? Littering.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Travelling anywhere in the Outback is great. The South Australian coast is fantastic too.

Parkes Christian School Class Of 2018 Raises The Bar

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School is celebrating its most successful HSC results to date. In just their fourth year of delivering the HSC, the school is very proud of the results achieved by their 2018 cohort.

Students achieved Band 5 and 6 results in Advanced and Extension English, Biology, Business Studies, Community and Family Studies, Design and Technology, Modern History and German Continuers.

Emma Greenland capped off a year to remember when she received her ATAR of 90.95 last Friday. Emma, who was named High School Dux and Best All-Rounder at the school’s Presentation Night last week, received a Band 6 in Community and Family Studies, and Biology. She also achieved Band 5 in Modern History and German Continuers, and also Advanced English which she completed as an accelerated student in 2017. Emma will now be able to gain direct entry into a Speech Pathology Course in Sydney next year.

Elly Collins also achieved some outstanding results in Design and Technology and English Extension 1, in which she received 40/50 in an extremely demanding and academic course. This will put her in a good position to undertake an Occupational Therapy degree in Port Macquarie, which she had already gained entry to through the Schools Recommendation Scheme.

Madelynne Capple achieved a Band 5 in Business Studies and will use her business acumen when she enters the International College of Management on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 2019.

High School Coordinator, Greg Ballantyne was thrilled with the results. “As a school we are really pleased for Emma.
Her results are the product of many hours of hard work and dedication,” he said.

“But the rest of the group have also done extremely well and have bright futures ahead of them. Every student who applied for early entry to university received an offer, maintaining our 100 percent record over the past four years,” said Greg.

Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast To Wow Crowds

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast will once again wow visitors in Forbes on Saturday, 12th January 2019. Set to bring all the fun of a 60’s, 70’s retro carnival to Forbes, the Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast will feature food vans, live entertainment, kids activities and much more… all in the heart of Forbes CBD.

Join us in Templar and Rankin Streets from 7am for free live entertainment from International Elvis tribute artist, Che Orton, followed by chilled tunes from local artist, Adam Enslow until midday. Tantalize your tastebuds with visiting food vans. Featuring fairy floss, bagels, old-fashioned lemonade and popcorn as well as local retailers featuring special Elvis-inspired menus. The kids will be kept entertained with face painting and free rides including a massive jumping castle and bucking bull, along with retro carnival-inspired activities throughout the morning.

“We are thrilled to be once again hosting the amazing Forbes Elvis Street Breakfast,” said Mayor of Forbes, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Last year was a raging success and this year is set to be just as much fun!” “I’m especially looking forward to trying out some special Elvis-inspired treats from our local cafes and we have a great range of local food vans joining the party including Sweet 3 Vintage Van, Benny’s Bagels and Bakery and Steve’s Mega Treats,” she said.

Take advantage of special deals and discounts from local retailers, only available during the Festival period (Thursday, 10th to Sunday, 13th January). All can enjoy a relaxed breakfast before the special shuttle bus departs at 9am to transport festival goers from Forbes CBD to Parkes, arriving right on time for the Northparkes Street Parade.

For more information about the Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast, contact Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300.

Congratulations From Phil Donato…

December 20, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to the young men and women who have completed their HSC this year – no small feat! A passed exam is a happy event unlike any other.

As you know, there is no secret to success. It’s the result of hard work and more importantly, resilience. Not everything goes to plan and it’s not the wins that make us who we are, but our ability to handle the setbacks along the way.

Whether your HSC results exceeded what you expected or fell a little short, you’ve put in the hard yards and for that you deserve a huge pat on the back.

It’s important to know that your future isn’t determined solely by those numbers, as plenty of opportunities will arise if you’re ready to meet them. Your future is determined by your attitude, choices and – here’s that word again – your resilience moving forward.

You may have put some pressure on yourself, or you may have felt the pressure from others, to have the enormous question of “what you’re going to be” all figured out by now. But the truth is that you find the path on the way, and there are plenty of paths to choose from.

I wish you happy beginnings in the next chapter of your life.

Cheers,
Phil.

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