Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Gal -Kristen Woods

October 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes my whole life and think it’s a beautiful town with great people! I love the community spirit.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work as a dance teacher at my studio, Kristen’s Dance Studio. I enjoy all of the wonderful students I have the privilege of teaching and watch grow.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy taking the dogs for a walk around the lake or going water skiing when the warmer weather gets here!

What are you really good at? I am really good at losing my voice!

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To time travel… or to stop time. Time goes too fast!

What is your pet hate? People littering.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. A stand out would be travelling to America for Coachella this year and seeing Beyoncé perform… amazing!

A Multicultural Night Out In Forbes

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Multicultural Group was astonished by the attendance of their Cambodian and Peruvian Multicultural Dinner hosted at the Forbes Anglican Church Hall last Saturday.

The more than 90 people who attended the evening were treated to Cambodian and Peruvian entertainment, cuisine and culture.

Local Cambodian designer, Nin Mao and business partner Nicky May showed off kids and adult fashions by putting together a fashion parade. Various models, including children, entertained guests with their confidence by “snapping” or “posing” in many different outfits.

Among the evening’s guest artists was Socheata Mao, who performed breathtaking Cambodian dances and song, as well as the talented Hannah Dun from Parkes, who provided dinner entertainment.

Orange City Council Migrant Support Officer, Anni Gallagher said: “A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the wonderful Forbes Multicultural Group’s Cambodian and Peruvian night. We were thrilled by the wonderful atmosphere that was created by the multicultural group and their setup enabled a colourful spectacle for the event.”

“Multicultural groups are a good way to develop on-going connections and support in the community in each area. This often involves people coming together with shared cultural food, entertainment and sharing of their stories,” said Anni.

The event was supported by the Forbes Shire Council and the church hall was offered free of charge by Rev Crystal Spindler.

The Forbes Multicultural Group endeavours to meet once per term for a morning tea and once a year for a larger community event.

By Gizell van Wyk

Does Golf Make Your Back Hurt?

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Injuries to the lower back are one of the most common golf related problems. The incidence of lower back pain in the male golfer is between 25% to 36% and 22% to 27 % in the female golfer. It has been reported to account for up to 52% of all injuries in recreational golfers and 24% of injuries in professional golfers. The injury mechanism of nearly half of all lower back injuries in golf is due to the swing.

The modern golf swing has been shown to produce large forces on the lower back which change directions rapidly during the swing. Because golf is played in a slightly forward flexed position, along with the asymmetrical, rotational nature of the swing the forces the joints in the lower back are subject to are quite high. The compression force on the spine during the swing has been shown to be up to 8 times body weight.

So what can you do to prevent getting back pain when you play? Maintenance of good mobility in the hips and thoracic and lumbar spine is important.

This may require a regular exercise programme at home along with a good warm up before you play whilst using proper technique when lifting your bag and bending through the knees when retrieving the ball.

If you already have lower back pain consider slowing your back swing down. Make sure your weight properly shifts to your back foot and your hips rotate during the back swing. Also, avoid placing your feet too far apart during the address phase as this limits hip rotation later in the swing and increases stresses on the lower back.

Royal Visit Massive Morale Boost For Central West

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Excitement is mounting for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Dubbo next Wednesday with the Mayor inviting the community to a picnic in the park.

Prince Harry and Meghan will fly from Sydney to Dubbo on the second day of their official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand.

They will first visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn more about the life-saving role the aviation service provides for people living in rural and regional areas.

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region, and His Royal Highness will give an address.

The historic event in Victoria Park will start at 11:30am and is an opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse of their Royal Highnesses.

The Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Ben Shields has invited the community to a picnic in Victoria Park to welcome the Royal visitors to the region. “Dubbo’s Picnic in the Park will be a great day out for the whole region. Council staff have been working hard to ensure we deliver a great festive atmosphere with music and activities that celebrate our regional community,” the Mayor said.

Representatives at the picnic will include members of the community who have made special contributions in the services of youth, community and the environment, as well as organisations supporting people affected by drought.

The Picnic in the Park will run for three hours with musical performances and food stalls. All the proceeds will go to local charity.

Stand the chance to meet their Royal Highnesses by pre-ordering a beautiful gift bouquet or arrangement for the Royal Visit from the Pink Orchid in Parkes. Phone them on 6862 3522 or call in store at 18 Bushman Street, Parkes.

Australian Breed Record For Senepol Sale

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Australian breed records tumbled at the annual 5 Star Senepol Sale held two weeks ago at CQLX Gracemere, Queensland.

For vendors, Geoff and Alison Maynard and family, the 5 Star Senepol Sale saw a new breed record established at $27,000 and bulls sold to all parts of Queensland and also to Western Australia.

Sarah and Clayton Maynard of Southern Star Rural (Canowindra) sold eight bulls through the 5 Star Sale this year. Southern Star Rural managed the top price for a Senelais (Senepol/Charolais) bull at $8,000 and also the top priced Senegus (Senepol/Angus) bull at $7,000.

Earlier this year, Senepol Stud Southern Star Rural recorded the highest midterm weight gain during the prestigious Callide Dawson Beef Carcase Competition in Queensland, with a Senepol/Angus steer gaining a whopping 4.6kg per day. This is the highest mid-term weight gain recorded in the 30 year history of the competition.

On the day, 65 bulls were sold with an average of $6,677 a top of $27,000 and a 93 percent clearance rate.

Buyers who were focused on Senepols, provided the vendors with a bottom line average of $7,425 for the 40 pure bred Senepol entries on offer.

Seven three quarter Senepol/one quarter Shorthorn bulls topped out at $6,500, while six Senegus bulls hit $7,000 and six Senelais entries peaked at $8,000.

Topping proceedings and new breed record holder was the $27,000 5 Star M71013, a 22-month, 772kg, 12/9mm, 133EMA son of Antigua Dalgada (CBN Alcoota) selling in a three quarter share full possession arrangement to Chris Simpson, CAP Genomics, Brisbane.

CAP Genomics took three to average $13,167. Regular supporters, Alistair and Jo McClymont, Burleigh Station, Richmond acting again through Ken Roche, Marlborough, took four Senepols for an average $10,125. These included the $13,000 5 Star M70782 a 17-month-old, 678kg delivering a rib eye measurement of 110sq cm.

M70782 was the first sale progeny of one of the studs leading sires, 5 Star Hefner 140634.

For more information on pure bred Senepol and Senegus or Senelais Bulls on offer in Canowindra please contact Clayton Maynard on 0439 029 204.

Entries Open For This Year’s BOSCARS

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Business Chamber BOSCARS committee are pleased to announce the opening of the awards and the categories for this year’s BOSCARS.

The Chamber has also added in one new category for 2018. The new category for 2018 being ‘Excellence in Sustainability’. Where sustainability is your core business, you must enter this category based on sustainable initiatives and projects within your business, not related to your core offering. The ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ award recognises businesses that are working to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment and/or provide products and services that have positive environmental outcomes.

All other categories remain the same as last year. The categories are Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Social Enterprise, Excellence in Small Business (under 20 employees), Excellence in Business (employing more than 20 employees), Employer of Choice, Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Employee of the Year, Young Entrepreneur (Age 18-35), Start Up Superstar, Business Leader of the Year and Business of the Year. The People’s Choice, Tradie of the Year and Most Popular Business remain for 2018.

All Forbes businesses are welcome to participate. Entries close 5th November 2018. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Fiona Ferguson (Forbes Business Chamber) on 0407 380 936 or Cheryl Newsom (Media Liaison) on 0411 211 065.

MAYORAL NOTES

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Back in the Mayoral chair after a busy week away. You will see that work will commence at the Homemakers Centre in the coming week. We have a Western Regional Planning Panel meeting on Thursday and then it will be full steam ahead constructing the various roads and infrastructure needed for the area.

Forbes Mega Farm Rescue by Rural Aid will commence in Forbes this Sunday, 14th October. They will be staying at the showground and working with 14 local farms that have registered for work to be done on their properties.

Local Government NSW had our board meeting in Sydney last Friday. Member Councils across the state have submitted motions that will form a policy platform for the sector over the next 12 months.

We appear to be getting some traction with the National Heavy Vehicle regulator regarding Chain of Responsibility legislation. The General Manager, Steve Loane will be meeting with them on Monday.

I had a catch up with Northparkes Mines this week. Over the next couple of years there will be another expansion to the mine.

This will be great for Parkes and Forbes leading to many opportunities for both towns.

For all those people that have made contact regarding the new admission rules to the Forbes Olympic Pool, we are investigating a solution and will discuss at next week’s meeting. Rest assured common sense will prevail.

On that note, have a great week and God Bless.

Your Mayor

Phyllis Miller

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Following the losses experienced the previous week, sentiment remained cautious in the final sale before the recess.

A softer tone was evident from the outset, with most types and descriptions across the merino spectrum generally discounted by 10-30 cents.

Lots possessing favourable additional measurement results (and in particular those with a CVH of less than 42), did however manage to attract excellent support, leaving them generally unchanged for the series.

The NRI lost 13 cents, to close the week at 2013c/kg, however towards the end of the sale positive sentiment returned giving the NRI a 3-cent boost on the final selling day.

The skirtings generally dropped by 10-20 cents, with higher VM types most affected, while the limited offering of fine/low VM skirtings managed small increases for the week.

The cross bred sector performed with mixed results. 28 microns fell by 20-40 cents, while 30 microns rose by 10-20 cents and all other microns were firm. The limited offering of cardings also eased, with general reductions of 20-30 cents.

Question of the week -There are now 25 hours in a day. How do you spend your extra hour?

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Sophie Clifton: I would definitely catch up on some sleep.

Brielle Thornton: I think I’d spend the extra hour eating more food.

Dan Martin: I’d probably have another beer.

SNIPPETS…

October 11, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

CONGRATULATIONS… Brooke Kelly was named the Central West Credit Union Sports Achiever for June. Kara Bellach was there to congratulate her. Brooke has been selected in the NSW team to compete at the National Interschool for Equestrian. She will compete against all states in Australia and also representatives from New Zealand.

Warbirds Downunder Temora competition winners: The lucky winners of our Warbirds Downunder competition are Gay Bayley and Jeff George. They will each receive a family pass to the event.

Latest Competition: Don’t forget to enter our latest competition and you could be off to the Australian National Field Days. Fill out the form on the front page or enter via the website www.forbesphoenix.com.au or via Facebook.

Greater Access To Drought Support: The NSW Government announced it is making it easier for farmers and their families to access the Drought Transport Subsidies and the Drought Assistance Fund. The current criteria is being lifted from a $1 million off-farm assets to $5 million, which means more farmers will now be eligible to access drought assistance. The criteria for ‘new entrants’ have also been created within the government’s drought assistance guidelines to support farmers who are new to the industry. In addition to amending the access criteria, it’s easier for farmers to get help completing and submitting drought support applications, with Local Land Services offices now providing this assistance. The Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) is open until 10pm weeknights, allowing farmers who have been out in the paddocks all day a greater opportunity to seek support. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research stations and 37 Service NSW offices can also provide assistance to complete drought support applications. For more information visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au.

Spring Photo Competition: The Forbes Phoenix has teamed up with Farmer From Down Under Photography to launch a spring photo competition. Point your camera just about anywhere to get a scenic shot. We would love to see the great photos our readers can come up with. A wonderful prize is up for grabs – a framed picture donated by Farmer From Down Under Photography! The competition will run until October, with entries to be submitted to The Forbes Phoenix by Tuesday, 31st October. Entries can be sent to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au or via our Facebook page.

Scarecrow Competition Time: The challenge is set to build an amazing scarecrow for this year’s annual Forbes Community Garden Scarecrow competition. It is free to enter and the entry forms are available at Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Library and the Forbes Riverside Community Garden. Entries close on Friday, 2nd November.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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