Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Bringing Aboriginal Languages Back To Life

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Preschool has been selected to deliver the Ninganah No More program, Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless announced on Monday.

Rick said the Preschool would receive $20,000 to deliver this much needed program. It is designed to increase the level of Aboriginal languages being taught and embed awareness and understanding for children from an early age.

“The $400,000 program will support young children in appreciating and understanding Aboriginal languages while participating in early learning environments,” said Rick.

“I’m extremely pleased to announce a range of agencies across the Orange electorate will be participating in delivering the Ninganah No More program.

“The local community will also benefit immensely, with stronger relationships forged between early childhood services and their local Aboriginal communities.”

Director of the Forbes Preschool, Amy Shine said this funding would go a long way towards linking indigenous children with their heritage culture.

“This is such a great program and we’re excited to deliver this in our community. It’s so important for these young kids to understand their culture and history. It’s through developing their language skills that we will be able to do this,” said Amy.

Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Sarah Mitchell said: “Agencies and services running the program will soon be teaching 14 languages across NSW including Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaraay, Yuin, Wiradjuri, Paakantji and Bandjalang.”

“In addition to increasing the literacy and vocabulary skills of Aboriginal children in NSW, Ninganah No More will help young people preserve some of their heritage and traditions and develop as bilingual speakers.

“By opening the door on children’s curiosity, we are supporting them to learn more about Aboriginal cultures and languages,” said Sarah.

Corked Thigh

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

If you have ever been hit hard in the thigh with someone’s knee or shoulder, you most likely know how painful and debilitating a corked thigh can be. A cork, or a muscle contusion as was formerly known, is a common occurrence in contact sports, as well as sports like cricket and hockey when a player is hit by the ball.

Contusions result from blunt trauma to a muscle such as when two players collide and one is hit in the thigh by the knee of the other. The underlying muscle and connective tissue are crushed without breaking the skin. This causes bleeding within or between muscles resulting in a haematoma. A cork may result in immediate pain, weakness, muscle spasm and stiffness.

Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, however if you lose joint range or power in the leg, have trouble with explosive bursts or kicking, it is time to come off the ground and not return to play.

It is important that treatment of a muscle contusion starts immediately, with the first 48 hours post injury the most important.

Immediate treatment for a corked muscle should include ceasing activity, icepacks applied every two hours for 15 minutes, bandage the corked muscle with an elasticized bandage, elevate the injured limb above heart height whenever possible and avoid exercise, heat, alcohol and massage in the first 48 hours.

Range of motion is a good indicator as to the severity of the injury. Difficulty flexing the knee past 90 degrees may suggest a more severe injury that requires a physiotherapy assessment.t.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

MAYORAL NOTES

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Opening and running a café, small bar or restaurant in Forbes just got easier! Supporting and growing our local business economy is a priority for Council. We are delighted to partner with Service NSW and the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner to launch Easy to do Business.

Through one online portal you will receive step-by-step guidance and support across local, state and federal government requirements, to open and grow your business.

For more information on the Easy to do Business initiative, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.

Maureen and I attended the Bowls tournament at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club. It was a very successful and well organised event by Leisa Burton and Brian and Annette Tisdall. We had dinner recently with James Phillips, grandson to Yvonne Shaw, who was part of the crew from HMAS Warramunga, home after nine months in the Middle East. Since deploying last November, they’ve seized and destroyed narcotics from 16 vessels valued at more than $2.17 billion.

On Tuesday, the General Manager and I along with Hon. Mark Coulton MP Member for Parkes, the Hon. Michael McCormack MP Member for the Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister and Senator the Hon. Matthew Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia with Parkes Mayor Ken Keith and Mayor John Medcalf from Lachlan Shire visited the proposed mine site at Fifield as part of Clean TeQ Sunrise.

Have a great week!

Mayor Graeme Miller

Prevention Through Awareness

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies are focusing on diabetes awareness during July and August. “We are trying to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes,” said Sarah Hazell, Pharmacist. “Unfortunately too many Australians are being diagnosed with diabetes too late,” said Sarah “and the delay in diagnosis is putting many people at risk of major health problems”.

Early diagnosis, treatment, ongoing support and management can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, the leading cause of kidney failure, the leading cause of preventable limb amputations and increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times.

“Around 5 percent of Australians aged 18 years or older have diabetes,” said Sarah “and the risk of diabetes increases with age, from 2.8 percent in people aged 35 to 44 to 15 percent in those aged 65 to 74”.

If you would like to know more about diabetes, please call into either Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and speak to the registered nurse or one of the pharmacists.

They can provide you with information and advice and refer you to your GP for further investigation if necessary.

The Consumer Credit Code – Protection For Borrowers

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Most credit arrangements, or contracts, are covered by the Consumer Credit Code (CCC). Before a credit contract is offered, the borrower must be given a statement by the credit provider. A document that sets out the borrower’s rights and obligations must also be provided.

Some of the items which must be disclosed under the code are:

• The amount of the credit;

• The interest rate, and how it is to be calculated. If it is a variable rate, you must be told how you can check this;

• All charges and fees must be disclosed, including ongoing loan maintenance fees and default costs and fees. This must include any government fees and charges, including any stamp duty;

• Commissions paid to or by the credit provider;

• Details of any required security, such as a mortgage or a guarantee, and of any required insurance.

The contract must clearly set out what terms of the contract may be changed by the credit provider during the term of the contract, and the notice that must be given by the credit provider. These may include changes to the interest rate and changes to the repayment instalments. Where the contract sets out pegged interest changes and repayment instalments, a separate notice need not be given.

So be careful. Fully investigate any proposed credit arrangement and, if the terms are not fully understood, get professional advice before signing up.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Chain Of Responsibility Threat

July 19, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council is taking a bold step in speaking out against what it feels is unfair treatment of local government under the new Chain of Responsibility legislation.

Under the legislation, Council as the loading manager of the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) is responsible for any breaches that may occur at the facility, including overloading, driver safety and fatigue.

General Manager, Steve Loane said that council has just been served an improvement notice addressing some 57 breaches by transport operators leaving the CWLE.

“We have been working hard to educate transport operators to ensure the breaches do not occur by ongoing site inductions covering the requirements of Chain of Responsibility, extensive signage around the site and direct letters to all operators,” said Steve.

“The improvement notice issued would require funding in excess of $2 million worth of additional infrastructure just to comply.”

“We are concerned that Council is being made an example of despite doing our best to address the requirements of the legislation. We are determined to take our case to as many political influencers as we are able, to bring about some fairness to Chain of Responsibility laws.”

Footy Tipping Results – Round 18

July 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Considerations For Late Sown Barley Crops

July 12, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

NSW producers considering late sowing barley in consideration of the dry start to winter have been advised to take paddock selection and seed quality into account.

With the lack of substantial winter rainfall, many growers have dry sown a proportion of their winter cereal crop and are now waiting on rain before committing to further plantings.

As the sowing window becomes later, growers are increasingly looking to barley as a late sowing option. In some cases this might also be to increase the level of stubble cover to reduce the risk of erosion and runoff in bare paddocks.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Research Agronomist, Rick Graham said barley is considered a lower fertiliser input crop, which is seen as more adaptable and tolerant of short seasons, in comparison to spring wheat varieties.

“When deciding to late sow, growers need to take into account paddock selection and history as the impact of potential weed problems and any sub-soil constraints are likely to be amplified in a dry season.

“Growers will need to consider seed quality, particularly seed size and germination percentages, when looking at late sowing options and adjust seeding rates accordingly,” said Rick.

Growers currently have access to a number of late sowing/early maturing barley variety options, which are photoperiod sensitive, enabling them to speed up development when sown later.

To read the full article visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2018/considerations-for-late-sown-barley-crops.

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

July 12, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Wool held over for the new selling season was significant this week, with 43,880 bales offered.

The softer market tone that was evident in the previous sale, was apparent from the outset and corrections were felt across the entire merino spectrum.

As is often the case in a falling market, it was off-style types, wools with poor additional measurement results and those carrying excessive VM that were most affected. By the end of the week prices had generally fallen by 50-90 cents, with some off-style types over 120 cents cheaper.

The NRI lost 62 cents for the series, closing at 2026. Many sellers were reluctant to accept the reduction in prices, lifting the national passed in rate to over 15%.

Skirtings also suffered large corrections, prices generally fell by 50-100 cents, however oddments attracted excellent support, with most types only 5-15 cents weaker.

Next week is the final sale before the annual three-week recess. Quantities have slightly reduced, currently there are 41,431 bales rostered.

Source AWEX

Hello Winter Getaway

July 12, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

With winter well and truly here, now is the time to start planning your winter getaway!

Whether you like to cruise the high seas, flop and drop on a Pacific Island or take in the culture in Asia, we have something for you.

When thinking travel, call in and see Alison and her team at the local Forbes office of helloworld. They can tailor-make a package to suit your every need.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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