Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Snippets…

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

This beautiful echidna was seen in Parkes this week near the Spicer Caravan Park. (Photo: Jenny McLeod)

$15 Million To Fix Roads: The Forbes and Parkes Shires are part of the eight councils in central and western NSW to receive $15 million in emergency funding fast-tracked by the NSW Government for urgent road repairs to restore access to flood impacted areas. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding would allow councils to start repairing critical infrastructure and support future recovery works. “With harvest underway, we also need to ensure roads are up to the task of carrying the additional truck and heavy machinery to get this crop off and to receival sites,” said Paul. “This cash is being directed straight to councils which, with their detailed knowledge of their local region and roads, are best placed to identify those critical priority areas.

More Help For Roads: On Tuesday NSW Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway announced the NSW Government would deploy 200 people and heavy machinery to the Central West and Murrumbidgee to assist with the mammoth task of reconnecting the road network. According to local councils about 10,000km of roads had been flood-affected. NSW Farmers Business, Economics and Trade Committee chair John Lowe welcomed the extra help, but said roadworks would be needed for many months to come. “Rural people are dismayed at how quickly the road network crumbled, and it’s pretty clear that we need to rebuild better so we can avoid these sorts of headaches in the future.

Flood Funding: Last Friday recovery grants to help begin immediate clean-up and recovery costs, and to repair extensive damage, were increased from $25,000 to up to $75,000 for primary producers. The grants were made available to all of local government areas (LGAs) that had been disaster declared since 14th September.

Dangerous Mould: As the devasting floods start to subside, they leave a mess, including dangerous mould. National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson and GP, Dr Joel Ten said it was critical that mould wasn’t left to grow unchecked. “Reducing the amount of moisture as soon as possible is the best way to control mould growth, so do a thorough clean and open all the doors and windows to dry out the area as quickly as possible. If you can, use fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the process,” he said. For more information visit nationalasthma.org.au

The amazing story of survival of Ed the sheep from Eugowra is a good news story we all love to hear at the moment. Ed was in the direct path of the floodwater, but he paddled hard and kept his head above water. He was found 24 hours later by firies pinned by some debris in a shop that sells second hand and vintage furniture. (Read the full story on our facebook page. Photo: Andrew Gee MP facebook page.)

Big Or Small We Love Them All – Christmas Tree Festival

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes community is encouraged to let their imagination go in creating entries for the 10th Christmas Tree Festival next month.

Rotary Ipomoema has confirmed that the 10th Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place as planned from Friday, 2nd December to Sunday, 4th December.

All entries need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall from 7am on Friday, 2nd December.

Anyone can enter. No matter how big or small, your entry will brighten our community at this time when the spirit of Christmas is really needed.

Your tree could reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. There are no restrictions. A sewing group could decorate their tree with patch work decorations, for example. A school or pre-school can make paper decorations for a tree, while a choir could decorate a tree with musical notes or carols. A sporting group could make lots of ball shapes in Christmas colours. Welders may wish to weld a tree, or builders may like to nail up an entry. The possibilities are endless.

The trees will be open for viewing from Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend. By coming to see the Christmas Tree Festival you will also assist Rotary raising important funds to share within our community at this time of need.

For more information call 0427 201 445 or 6851 5197.

Free Floating Tyres All Over Forbes

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

About 60 tyres, some weighing up to 200kg, were floating all over Forbes when a fence was broken at Jelbarts Tyrepower during the flood. “The tyres went as far as the ski dam,” said Brody Rumble. “People were letting us know and we went all over town to collect our tyres.”

Be Seen @ Forbes

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The volunteers at the Forbes Historical Museum have a huge task ahead of them cleaning everything. Hard at work on Tuesday were (L-R) Cheryl and Rex Baron, Judy Hodge and Ray New.

Over 100 volunteers, including the ADF and RFS, helped to restore some order to Forbes Primary School. Andrew Gartner and Liam Skinner ensured everyone was fed to keep them going.

RFS volunteers from the Blue Mountains Steve Skinner and Michael Barker helped Forbes resident Peter Walsh on Tuesday to get mud out of his partner’s home.

Sensational Achievement For Parkes Bowls Team

November 25, 2022 by Lea Orr

The bowling champs are (L-R) Lynn Ryan (manager), Brenda Davies, Heather Harvey, Maureen Miller, Liz Byrne, Marja Iffland, Jan McPhee, Rhona Went, Cherie Frame and Merilyn Rodgers (reserve).

The Grade 3 Pennants teams of the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club won silver at the State Championship in Bomaderry on Sunday.

The runners-up in NSW played Yamba in a closely fought final in very windy conditions with the final score 42 – 36. Congratulations on a fantastic effort which has put our little country club on the bowling map! We are all in awe of your staying power, with three solid days of high-intensity matches under very trying conditions. We welcomed the triumphant champs, sporting their silver medals and banner home on Tuesday, amid cheers and applause and a special cake!

By Lea Orr

Forbes High At Schools Spectacular

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Good news from Forbes High School is that six students and staff left for Sydney on Tuesday to take part in the School Spectacular Extravaganza. The group used the rest of the week for dress rehearsals and will be doing two performances today and two tomorrow. A bus load of students will also be going to Sydney today to watch the performance. On the photo are (L-R) Emma Dick, Angus Carpenter, Sarah-Jane Sullivan, Chloe Cowell, Logan Harvey and Hailey Mckeon Ovington.

What is your role in the flood recovery in Forbes?

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

James Rollo from the Navy (right): We are about 50 members of the Navy, while the Air Force has about 40 members helping the community in Forbes to get back on their feet. This week we have been at Forbes Public School to help the kids get back to school. We are very happy to help out, and the community spirit is great. Everyone has been so accommodating. We will be helping as long as required and until the job is done.

Duane Burke and Bob Callow from Fire and Rescue Perisher Valley 426: We are part of strike team November and have been here for five days. Today we are helping out at Forbes Public School. We have been given specific tasks to wash out all the mud and debris, and also to get rid of any hazardous material.

$20,000 Of Prizes To Encourage Local Shopping

November 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Trees are out. Each participating business will have a wonderful timber Christmas Tree out the front of their business or close to their front door.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer $20 000 in prizes this year,” said Aaron Acheson of the Forbes Business Chamber. “It has been a tough year so the Forbes Business Chamber is delighted to have kept the draws to encourage local shopping.”

Due to the floods and businesses needing to clean up, the draws will begin on Thursday, 1st December with the first $500 being electronically drawn. Please make sure that your electronic entry is filled out correctly. All you need to do is scan the QR Code and fill in the details. There are 7 x $500 up until Christmas Eve and then 10 X $500, 1 x $1500, 2 x $2500 and 1 x $5000 which will be drawn on 24th December.

Major sponsors and participants: Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Business Chamber. Gold Sponsor – Bernardis, Silver Sponsors -Terry Bros Carpet Court and the Forbes Phoenix. Bronze Sponsors – Flannery’s Pharmacy, Gunn’s Menswear and Embroidery, MD Steel, Steele Technology, Walkers Ag N Vet and WA Knights. “All the sponsors will have a QR code for you to scan when you shop in their business.” For those people who don’t have a phone, there will be a sign-on-sheet. Your details will be entered manually prior to each drawer.

Participating businesses: All of the above plus Acheson’s Mite 10, Allure On Main, Blue Sky Outdoors, Betta Home Living, Blush Organics, Bowns Sports Power, Brons Hair Design, ChapterTwo, Forbes Automotive Services, Forbes Central Butchery, Forbes Small Engines, HelloWorld, Hozpots Garden Centre, Isabel’s Place, Jessica’s Beauty, Life Pharmacy, Little Extra’s Lifestyle, Loomzys Fish n Fix, Made Of Fridays, McMillian Industries, News On Rankin, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Robbs Jewellers, The Bakehouse, The Book Dispensary, Turners Furniture One and Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie.

“We hope the Find It In Forbes Christmas Promotion and Christmas Carnival will bring some fun and happiness to all,” said Aaron.

Forbes Christmas Carnival on 9th December from 5 – 9pm.

Nym Wins Pybar Shootout

November 25, 2022 by Peter Bristol

Club Captain Cath Kelly and Pybar Sponsor Representative Paul Thomas at Sunday’s Pybar event.

On Sunday the annual Pybar Shootout at the Parkes Golf Club had a strong starting line-up.

On the 2nd hole Geoff Leonard exited, on the 3rd it was ex-president Mark Kelly’s turn, on the 4th hole Peter Bristol had to pack up, on the 5th hole it was adios to Jarrod Kemp, on the 6th par 3 a double par was way too much for Anthony Riach, on the 7th another gun went pop for Brendan Chambers.

On the 8th hole David Speakman had trouble with the chip-off, on the 9th hole club President David Stevenson lost an 8-person chip-off, on the 10th Rob Leawent over the fence on his drive. Tony‘Scrubber’ Evans was next to go on theshort 11th. On the 12th one of the favourites Joe Van Opynen exited stage left. Onthe par 5 13th big hitting Phil Barnard leftthe game. On the 14th,another strong contender Michael Thomas went out. On theshort 15th Lindsay Elliott left. On the par 516th it was Robert Norman’s turn.

On the 17th Mick Jeffress, couldn’t keep pace leaving Rob Cheney and the most under rated golfer, Nym Dziuba, to tee off for the prize of Pybar Shootout champion for 2022. Both hit solid drives and then hit decent approach shots in.

Unfortunately, Rob’s putter let him down when it was most needed leaving Nym to close out and take the title. Big thanks to all participants, referee John Green, club Captain Cath Kelly and Pybar rep Paul Thomas, and Steve and Kerry in the clubhouse.

This weekend is the annual 18 Hole 4 Person Ambrose Prostate Cancer Awareness sponsored by the Parkes Prostate group.

By Peter Bristol

Forbes Golf Course Update

November 25, 2022 by Short Putt

The 9th bridge re-emerging after the 2nd peak on Sunday at the Forbes Golf Club.

The Forbes community is recovering from the effects of two high flood events in two weeks. As with many of the sporting venues around town, the golf course is still quite wet.

The aim is to get the golf course running as soon as possible with the first job to ensure the health of the greens and then to mow the fairways when they dry. There is not much that volunteers can do at present, but once the course dries enough to enable traffic around the course there will be a call for bodies to help with the clean-up.

If you think you may be able to help, call the Course Supervisor Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510.

Planning is underway for the commencement of competition play when we are able. The Summer Sixes will probably start in the new year with a revamped format.

On the weekend of 12th and 13th November a team of golfers from Forbes and Parkes travelled to Shoalhaven on the South Coast to represent the Lachlan Valley District at the NSW Country Championships.

Our players did well, but their scores of Day 1 – 296 and Day 2 – 294, aggregating the four best individual scores each day, meant they were a long way behind. The eventual winners were Newcastle (280, 280)from Central Coast (281, 280) and Illawarra (281, 282).

Each of the Lachlan Valley team contributed in some way, with Steve Betland and John Betland scoring par 71s along the way.

Pro Shop is closed at present, but stay tuned as best you can.

By Short Putt

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe