Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Snippets…

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations… The Western NSW Business Awards were held last Friday in Bathurst. The Excellence in Business Award went to H E SILOS. Well done!

Forbes Handicraft Centre: The Handicraft Centre will be holding a series of basic knitting and crocheting lessons for beginners or anyone wishing to update their skills by learning new stitches. The lessons will be held each Wednesday, commencing at 10am until 12.30pm. The cost is $5 per person, each person is to bring their own supplies (at least one ball of 8 ply wool and a crochet hook size 4.5 or 5.00 or knitting needles). If you are interested in participating please call Marg Maguire on 0478 225 163. Also the next Market Day Stall will be held on 19th May, commencing at 9am until 1pm outside the shop in Lachlan Street. There will be lots of home cooking available,
plants on display, fresh farm eggs, in season produce and many handmade items. The Handicraft Centre’s Biggest
Morning Tea will be on Thursday, 24th May, commencing at 10am until 12 noon at 83 Lachlan Street, for $5 per person. All funds raised will go to the Cancer Council.

Inland Rail Community Consultative Committees: The Australian Rail Trac Corporation (ARTC) is calling for nominations for four Inland Rail Community Consultative Committees in NSW. There will be three committees for the 307km greenfield Narromine to Narrabri section of the project; and a committee for the 37km greenfield North Star to NSW/Queensland border section. People can nominate to join any of the committees in Narromine, Gilgandra, Narrabri and the North Star to Border section. The committees will consist of up to 15 people and each will have an independent chair. Committee meeting dates and locations will be advertised and will be open to the public and the media. More information is available at Inlandrail.com.au or by calling 1800 732 761 or emailing inlandrailnsw@artc.com.au.

Lions Car Boot Sale: The next Lions Car Boot Sale will be held on Saturday, 19th May. This will be held at Lions Park from 8am until 1pm. Admission to the markets is free. There will be varieties of goods for sale, from hand crafted items and produce, to second hand wares. Site fees from the day will be donated to Havannah House. The Lions members will be catering with their barbeque food and also hot and cold drinks. Those wishing to hold a stall on the day are charged $10 and should contact Peter 0439 280 994 or Robyn 6851 2209.

The Red Bend Catholic College Show Team attended the Dubbo Show last week. Lilly Hand took Reserve Champion Junior Judge for 15 to 18 year olds. Lilly, Hannah Brown, Mackayla Cox and Olivia Twyford also did well with parading. Cattle judging day went well with ‘Binky’ winning Champion steer and ‘Norto’ taking Limousine bull.

Legal Eagle

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Abatement Of Offensive Noise

Everyone has experienced nuisance noise coming from a neighbour’s property. What to do? It depends on the type and frequency of the noise.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POE) sets out in considerable detail regulations which apply to all sorts of domestic appliances and machinery, internal and external. It deals with such things as air-conditioners, lawn mowers, electric power tools, musical instruments and amplifiers, pool motors, and car and burglar alarms. It sets hours during which appliances and machinery can be used and maximum noise levels.

Your local council can deal with a wide range of problems, such as barking dogs or other continuing noises. One-off noises, such as a noisy neighbourhood party, are best dealt with by the Police.

If there is a continuing problem, it is best to have a talk with your neighbour. If that fails, consult your council. If the problem is beyond the powers of the council, then consult your solicitor to see what legal action can be taken. In many cases the Local Court has the power to make a “noise abatement order”. Breach of this by the noisy neighbour
can lead to fines and other more serious penalties

If there is a “one-off” problem, the Police have the power to issue a similar notice. They can also issue on-the-spot fines if, after telling the offender to stop or mitigate the noise, it starts again within six hours.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to contact our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson
Partner/Solicitor

Incorporating More Wellness Into Your Work Day

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Just because you’re at your desk all day, doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze a little more movement into your day.

With around one-third of an adult’s life spent at work, there’s plenty of time to incorporate health and wellness into your day – you just need to think outside the square.

Here are a few tips:

Change It Up: Round up your co-workers and suggest an office wellness conversion. You could transform an unused area into a mini-workout zone for quick stretch sessions, introduce a stairs-only policy or encourage regular breaks.

The University of New South Wales recommends short, frequent breaks during periods of intensive repetitive work, for example two to three minutes every 20 to 30 minutes. The breaks should involve whole body movement to restore circulation and relieve muscle fatigue.

Healthy Choice: Plan ahead and set aside time on a Sunday to prepare healthy lunches. At work, choose snacks wisely (keep some nutritious goodies in your drawer) and drink plenty of water. A drink bottle is convenient but getting up and refilling your glass will keep you moving.

Keep It Fresh: Escape that mountain of work on your desk and venture outdoors at lunch to clear your mind. Sign up for an express fitness class in the park or take a walk.

Self Help: Keep calm and focused with some easy breathing exercises. Depending on whether you prefer a quiet space away from co-workers or are happy to zone out at your desk, beyondblue has a range of technique guidelines on its website.

You can also ask your physiotherapist or masseuse for some self-massage techniques and stretches you can do at
the office. It’s a good idea to talk to your workplace health and safety officer about assessing your desk set-up.

By Jenna Meade

Netball News

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The netball night competition for both mixed and ladies teams played the last round of the competitions last week. Thank you to all the umpires who have umpired every week so games could be played.

The next night competition will start in August. Anyone who would like to continue playing ladies competition netball should come to the Saturday competition at 9am, to be put into a team. Saturday competitions
will be played through until August.

Regional Carnivals

The next regional carnival is in Bathurst on Sunday, 20th May. A bus will be running for players and parents. An 11 years team has been entered and the first 10 players to nominate will make up the team. Players can be turning either 10 or 11 in 2018.

Players to nominate so far are: Delilah Karaitiana, Hannah Williams, Clare Williams, Lilli Cronin and Matilda Cronin. Five more players need to nominate to make up the team. Parents can email to secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com.

The Dubbo carnival is on 27th May and again an 11 years team will be entered.

A New Beginning For McGroders Solicitors and Conveyancers

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

July 2018 will bring yet another chapter to the Forbes legal firm that has grown and changed over a century. From 1st July McGroders will come under the ownership of Stephanie Hughes, from Hughes & Co. Lawyers & Conveyancing.

This change will have little impact on clients. Dennis and the McGroders team will move to 9 Harold Street, while the phone number and other contact details will remain the same.

Completed files from the past seven years, title deeds, wills and other safe custody documents of previous partnerships will remain in safe keeping at Hughes & Co. Lawyers & Conveyancing. As Palmers Solicitors has ceased trading in Forbes, Hughes & Co. Lawyers & Conveyancing also has custody of all wills, title deeds and other safe custody documents from the Palmers practice since 2004.

Dennis is approaching 66 and after a satisfying working life with three children living away and six grandchildren, he had to put in place a viable succession plan for the practice. He intends working for Hughes & Co. Lawyers & Conveyancing as a consultant until he retires.

Dennis would like to assure the community and his clients he did not take this decision lightly and that the continuity of quality service, continued employment of his staff and care for his clients are paramount. He feels confident that Stephanie Hughes and her team and the McGroders team will guide this historic Forbes legal practice into its new chapter with quality skills and service, young ideas, energy and enthusiasm.

The premises of 155 Lachlan Street will be unoccupied from 1st July. This stately old building has been a private home, a maternity hospital and a legal office, and will be for lease or sale. Any creative options would be welcome. Contact McGroders solicitors on 6852 3366 with any questions.

Be Asthma Aware

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Last year Australians suffered the worst flu outbreak on record. The pharmacists at Flannery’s Pharmacy are urging people with asthma to not let colds and the flu inflame their symptoms this winter.

“Getting the flu can increase the symptoms of asthma including wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in the chest. If not treated properly, these symptoms can cause complications and even hospitalisation,” said Tracey Edwards, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

Around 40,000 Australians are hospitalised and 400 die each year from asthma, with a spike in hospital admissions during winter for people of all ages – from preschoolers through to the elderly.

Tracey recommends having an asthma action plan and taking asthma medications as prescribed by your GP. “Getting a flu vaccination is very important as it reduces the risk of influenza,” said Tracey.

Winter asthma checklist:
• Get your lungs checked — see your doctor for an asthma check-up;
• Follow your asthma action plan;
• Keep warm and dry, if cold air triggers your asthma;
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick and control germs by washing your hands regularly;
• Have a flu vaccination at the pharmacy or see your GP and
• Use a spacer in conjunction with your asthma medication. A spacer ensures you get more medication into your lungs, making your medication much more effective.

For more information about asthma medication, asthma devices and flu vaccinations, please call into Flannery’s Pharmacy and see our registered nurse, Rach Hayes or one of our pharmacists.

National Carp Control Plan Community Briefing Session

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) team, together with Central West Local Land Services would like to invite you to an information evening focusing on the use of a species-specific virus known as Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (the carp virus) as a biocontrol agent.

The community briefing session will be held on Wednesday 30 May, from 6pm to 8pm at the Forbes Inn Hotel, 43 Rankin Street, Forbes. The event is an opportunity for Forbes residents to hear about proposed carp biocontrol measures first-hand from the NCCP and Local Land Services as well as contribute feedback to the plan.

This event is one of more than 40 community briefings that have been held in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Queensland. For more information on the briefing or to register your attendance, please contact Vivien Howard on 0439 387 603 or email vivien.howard@lls.nsw.gov.au.

Boost For Vital Road Safety Projects

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The most dangerous hotspots on NSW roads will be upgraded as part of the NSW Government’s Safer Roads Program, which will help drive the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads towards zero.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless last week announced a $70.9 million investment to deliver 180 vital safety upgrades this financial year.

The Safer Roads Program will:
• Include re-engineering dangerous curves, installing rumble strips to alert tired drivers, widening shoulders and
centre lines, and installing flexible wire rope barriers to help prevent run-off-road and head on crashes; and
• Uses proven engineering treatments to reduce the number and severity of crashes on the state’s roads.

The projects are estimated to save the equivalent of 425 deaths and serious injuries over the life of the program.

Rick said that 64% of the investment will be directed to regional NSW, delivering 125 projects.

“Last year, 272 people killed on NSW roads were in the country, so this will go a long way to reduce the number of fatalities on regional roads”.

“The NSW Government has invested over $282 million in road safety in the current financial year, and this $70.9 million from our Safer Roads Program will deliver more important safety upgrades in 2018- 19 for many of our most dangerous roads,” said Rick.

The Safer Roads Program was established in 2014 and to date $193.6 million has been invested and 490 road safety upgrades delivered.

Croquet News And Results

May 17, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Week ending 12th May

On Tuesday, 8th May we welcomed back Ilma Davis, Sharnie Sentence and visitors Norm and Jan Wellmer. We also celebrated World Croquet Day along with our regular fun filled games which was a real test of ball skills and caused many laughs. In celebration of World Croquet Day, a delicious morning tea followed and cake-cutting by two of our more senior members, Bruce Field and Dorothea Croker. Many thanks to all who contributed!

Members that took out all three games were: Harley Stewart, Veva MacCullagh, Marj Styles, Colleen Liebich and Libby Smart.

After a beautiful day, disaster struck with a trip and fall on the steps requiring an ambulance to attend. This was followed by another person losing consciousness and two more ambulance vehicles, along with Hazmat and the Fire Brigade, attending to the emergency. Neither of these incidents was attributed to our gentle exercise game of croquet.

The second patient was fine after being examined but unfortunately Joan has been hospitalised. We wish her well and a speedy recovery so that she may return to croquet. Joan loves her croquet as much, or possibly even more than any of us. This goes to show how we really do need a ramp to provide safer access to our clubhouse. On Saturday, 12th May winter had hit with revenge. It was a bitterly cold wind blowing after the beautiful autumn days we had experienced thus far.

It was lovely to welcome Dorothea’s daughter, Moira for the day’s games. Happy Birthday was sang to Elvy, before she and John departed to set up raffles etc. for the Relay For Life event, at which a lot of our members were registered to walk for cancer.

The game winners were: Bob Murray and Jill and Kevin Rubie. Congratulations to all!

By Veva MacCullagh

Footy Tipping Results – Round 10

May 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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