Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Currajong Charity Golf Day

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Mark down Sunday, 4th November in your calendars for the inaugural Currajong Disability Services Charity Golf Day at the Forbes Golf Club. The 10am shotgun start, three-man ambrose event is open to non-golfers through to members with an 18 hole or 9 hole to compete in.

Forbes Golf Pro, Simon Houston feels that it is a great addition to the local golfing calendar. “We are thrilled to be partnering up with Currajong, as they expand throughout the region and we are excited to be able to hold this event. It should be a tremendous day with an array of prizes on offer,” said Simon.

For Currajong Disability Services Communications, Marketing and New Business Development Manager, Dane Millerd, the day is important for Currajong, who along with other NDIS service providers have had to look at a range of ways to fundraise and generate revenue.

“A percentage of the fees, plus raffle and auction item proceeds from the day will go to Currajong Disability Services,” said Dane.

“We will also have a barbeque on the day and call upon members of the Forbes community impacted by disability to come down and participate.

“Whether you play or not or even want to volunteer or sponsor or donate, we will happily welcome you with open arms,” he said.

“Interested players, sponsors or volunteers can leave their details with the pro shop or contact Currajong Disability Services.”

Currajong Disability Services can be reached on 02 6863 4713 or dane.millerd@currajong.org.au.

“Approximately 20 percent of the population is affected by disability in some way,” said Dane.

“We encourage everyone to participate because you never know when you or a loved one may need an NDIS service provider like Currajong Disability Services.”

Central West Stud Sales

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Some Of The Best In Central West

Goonigal Poll Dorsets have been operating for 12 years and will hold their 3rd annual sale on Tuesday, 28th August at 11.30am at the Canowindra Showground. Rams will be penned by 10am for inspection prior to sale. All rams are Brucellosis accredited free and vaccinated for OJD and footrot free. All rams will be stock scanned with figures available on the Facebook page.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets welcome all lamb producers in the market for rams to come and have a look on sale day. Whether you are after suckers or export lambs Goonigal Rams will produce. Allan Gray & Co will be conducting the sale and Bill Brien can be contacted on 0428 281 024.

For more than 21 years Felix Rams has had a singular focus on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound meat sheep rams.

Felix Rams’ commitment to collecting good accurate performance data is second to none. Since first starting weighing lambs at birth in 1996, they have weighed more than 24,000 lambs within 12 hours of birth. Birthweight records go into Sheep Genetics – Lambplan.

Felix Rams will offer around 140 Poll Dorset and 45 White Suffolk rams at their annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on 4th September. Catalogues are available at www.felixrams.com.au, or call Rodney 0417 499 204 or Allan Gray and Co Cowra on 02 6342 2377.

Marocara Poll Dorsets breed high performance rams to meet the requirements of commercial and stud producers.

The 18th annual ram sale of Marocara Poll Dorsets will take place on property Hillview at Wongarbon, 132R Wellington Road on 4th September at 2pm with 180 rams on offer. Wongarbon is about 18 km east of Dubbo on the Mitchell Highway between Dubbo and Wellington. Enquiries are always welcome. Contact Gus on 0428 878 221 or Alistair 0427 878 221.

Lachlan Valley Rams is offering White Suffolks and Poll Dorsets for private sale at Forbes. All rams have a good lambplan performance, are Gudair vaccinated and Brucellosis accredited. Contact Alan Sharrock on 0427 511 397 with your enquiries.

Gibson’s Grove Showcase Winning Products

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Local olive farmers, Greg and Clare Gibson of Gibson’s Grove, were invited to showcase their products at the Grape, Grain and Graze Festival (a wine and food festival) held at the Sydney Showground at Olympic Park on Saturday, 11th August.

The prestigious invitation was extended to them because they were awarded ‘Champion Olives’ at the last Sydney Royal Fine Food show and also participated in the prestigious Presidents Award.

They were joined at the festival by four other award winners as well as over 2,000 wines, which had been judged shortly before the festival. Gibson’s Grove continues to show the high standard of their produce.

Prime Minister Announces Further Drought Support In Forbes

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Prime Minister was in Forbes on Sunday to announce further support for drought stricken communities.

“We are ensuring to provide help to farmers right now,” said Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull at HE Silos in Forbes. “We are making changes to ensure farmers are even more resilient, as our farmers are the best in the world.”

The assistance provides immediate relief to communities, tax breaks for fodder storage and simplifying the application form for Farm Household allowance.

An additional $75 million will be given to 60 councils, of which 30 are in NSW to address local needs. “This will mean farmers would be able to pick up water for free from the town stand pipe for instance,” said the Prime Minister.

“Agriculture is a very big part of the Riverina and Central West and we will make sure we continue to closely monitor it and I will too, as the Local Member, make sure we certainly continue to have the farmers’ backs,” said Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The grants will also allow Councils to employ local contractors to undertake repairs and maintenance, upgrade or build new community facilities and hold events and undertake drought-relief activities.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said: “We know drought is felt as hard on the main street as it is in the back paddock which is why our drought response is designed to help farmers as well as the towns and communities that surround them.”

By Maggi Barnard

OUR Gal -Wendy Muffet

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 40 years. I love our western landscape and the tremendous sense of community that life in a small rural town engenders.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? My husband, Kim and I live and work on a beautiful little organic river farm on the banks of the Lachlan, offering eco-accommodation and workshops around sustainable living, all of which I love.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? Working in our developing permaculture food garden has to be my favourite way to relax and unwind.

What are you really good at? Finding irrigation pipes with the garden fork!

If you could have a super power, what would it be? The ability to convince leaders to act with civility, compassion and courage.

What is your pet hate? Negativity – hands down!

Tell us about your best holiday ever. We’ve spent a bit of time travelling overseas but camping in our magnificent Australian national parks is hard to beat.

QUESTION of the week -If you could ask the Prime Minister one question, what would it be?

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Dags Hill: What are you doing about the homeless, especially the homeless youth?

Robin Hancock: When will the energy prices become more affordable?

Kaitlyn Wright: Why are funds raised for the farmers taxed?

Helping Young Drivers Not Become A Statistic

August 23, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

“Believable”, “very realistic”, “a real eyeopener” – these were some of the sentiments of over 400 Year 10 students from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas that attended last week’s mock car crash demonstration held at Parkes High School.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said the mock car crash demonstration is the cornerstone of the Not A Statistic! Youth Driver Education Program.

“This program is one in a suite of projects we run annually targeting young drivers in a bid to lower our local youth road toll,” said Melanie.

Nine local high schools took part in the program, which included a morning and afternoon mock car crash demonstration at Parkes High School’s Multi-Purpose Centre, as well as pre classroom lessons held at each of the schools.

“The mock car crash demonstration started with a short film that set the scene about how the crash occurred and introduced the youth actors. Then the curtains opened and the audience watched as the youth actors called ‘000’ for help.

“When emergency service personnel arrived they were confronted with two severely injured trapped passengers, one dead passenger and a very emotional driver.

“The mock car crash demonstration concluded with victim impact statements which highlighted what life has been like for the driver, her surviving passengers and their families six months on.

“There are not only physical scars from a road crash but far reaching emotional ones too. And not just for the passengers but their families, their friends and the emergency services that attend the scene.

“I played the role of the narrator during the mock car crash demonstration, so I was in a great position to watch what the students were doing and how they reacted. They were all glued to the car and the actors – you could hear a pin drop. I think the message really hit home to them about the trauma involved in car crashes because it was so very realistic,” said Melanie.

This year the program celebrated its 10th anniversary with the launch of a commemorative book. The book catalogues the program’s origins, purpose and achievements, as well as lists all 100 past cast, crew and helpers and contains endorsements from the mayors and local emergency services involved.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a 27 percent reduction in crashes on local roads involving a young driver.

Footy Tipping Results – Round 23

August 21, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Croquet News And Results Report

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Croquet week ending 11th August

It was an interesting week with two players hitting the big 80 (years)! Congratulations to Jeff Liebich and John Job. A birthday lunch was held at the Forbes Bowling Club to celebrate the big day and was attended by 41 members.

John H. Browne did a feat that had never been done on our courts before. He managed two holes in one. There seem to be more players winning all their games with seven members managing three wins on Tuesday. They were John Brown, Bruce Field, Merv Langfield, Bob Murray, Kevin Rubie, Bill Scott and Marjorie Styles. This will add some heated competition to the end of year’s scores.

Saturday’s Aussie Croquet was a windy affair with chairs and tables blowing around the area. One of our players had a senior’s moment turning up with a tennis racquet instead of his croquet mallet. That made everybody’s day and was the cause of great hilarity. There were three winners of three games namely John Allegri, Merv Langfield and Lyn Simmonds.

By Harley Stewart

SNIPPETS…

August 16, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Magpies Rugby League Heritage Day saw a four grade win, making it a great day to be a Magpie! The girls’ league tag started the day off on Sunday at Spooner Oval and the Forbes team won 11-10 against the previously undefeated Spacecats.

Freight Input: Forbes Shire Council is seeking interested persons for a Freight Focus Working Group. The role of this group will be to review current freight routes, consider any additional freight routes and identify road constraints impacting on road freight efficiency. The commitment required will be to attend three evening workshops between 6pm and 8pm on the 22nd and 29th August and 12th September. Expressions of interest close 20th August. For additional information please contact Council’s Director Engineering, John Zannes on (02) 6850 2874.

Trundle Royal Far West: The Trundle RFW branch has two upcoming events. Everyone is invited to join in the fun at their Bingo event at 10am on Sunday, 19th August held at the Trundle Golf Club. Lunch available to buy and heaps of prizes. They are also hosting the ‘Old Time Dance’ on Sunday, 2nd September from 2pm to 6pm in the Trundle Memorial Hall. There will be a raffle, lots of ‘spot prizes’ and a afternoon tea. Cost $10 for dancers and $5.00 for viewers. Great music by Phil Redenbach. Money raised by the Trundle RFW branch, provides Speech and Language programs in the local school for those children from needy families.

‘Farmers Feast’: We invite all farmers and family to the ‘Farmers Feast’ held on Friday, 21st September. Enjoy a FREE meal at the St John’s Anglican Church hall in Court Street at 6:30pm for a 7pm start! There will be a roast dinner and dessert, including a jumping castle for the kids. RSVP to book your seat/table by 14th September. Contact the Parish office on 6851 1544, Rev. Crystal on 040 872 8638 or Graeme and Ruth Klingner on 042 720 1185.

Nominate for NAIDOC: Each year the Forbes community celebrates NAIDOC Week. As part of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations, we would like to recognise the outstanding contributions that our local Indigenous people make to improve our community or to promote Indigenous issues. Award categories include Person of the Year and Youth of the Year. Nominations are open and will close at 5pm Friday, 31st August. To nominate, please complete a nomination form and return to Forbes Shire Council with Attention: Briony Ferguson – by hand at 2 Court Street or by mail PO Box 333, Forbes, NSW, 2871. Completed forms will also be accepted by email to community@forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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