Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

COUNCIL COMMENTS

April 5, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to the organisers and supporters of the Forbes Camel Races on the Easter weekend. It was a great day and a wonderful event to showcase the spirit and tenacity of our community.

Remember to celebrate the seniors in your life by attending the many exciting events of the 60th NSW Seniors Festival.

In Forbes we have the Seniors Concert on Sunday, 8th April starting at 2pm at the Town Hall.

The following week will be the Mater Aged Care Big Bingo from 10.30am on Wednesday, 11th April and on Friday, 12th April is the JRV barbecue for friends and families.

Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the Youth Week Celebrations. The main highlights being the Star Wars day, Fishing Workshop on Tuesday, trivia night on Thursday, the Youth Awards and Colour Run on Saturday, 21st April. It is a fantastic line up of events and activities organised by the youth of our community through the Forbes Youth Action Team.

Heritage Week celebrations will be held in May with an exciting antiques roadshow event planned. Other events include heritage workshops, competitions for the children, the announcement of the awards and Forbes Medal and a folk musician and entertainer.

Also coming up in May is the Forbes Relay for Life. It is lovely to have this event back to raise money in a fun way with the overnight relay. On Sunday, 13th May, is the Mother’s Day Classic to help raise funds for Breast Cancer.

Councillor Michele Herbert

Hot Property

April 5, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Click here for more info

Seniors Week

April 5, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Seniors Week Begins

Seniors Week is a festival designed to thank, celebrate and recognise seniors for the role they play and the contributions they make to the community.

Forbes Shire Council is a proud supporter of the NSW Seniors’ Festival which is now in its 60th year. If you are over 60, NSW Seniors’ Festival gives you the chance to make new friends or get together with old ones at an array of local community events. Seniors Week this year will start off with a concert at the Forbes Town Hall on Sunday, 8th April from 2.00pm.

From 10.30am on Wednesday 11th April, Mater Aged Care is hosting bingo. Families and community members are welcome to attend with great prizes on offer.

Jemalong Residential Village will be hosting a BBQ and entertainment on Thursday, 12th April from 12noon. The community is encouraged to come along and get involved. For information contact Briony on 6850 2355 or email briony.ferguson@forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration (MD) is a progressive eye disease in which the photoreceptors at the macular start to deteriorate and die due to the breakdown of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This causes a build-up of retinal metabolic waste that clinically appears as yellow spots, called drusen.”

Ways to promote macular health:

• After you turn 50 years old, have your eyes and macular checked regularly (every two years) by your optometrist.

• Abstain from smoking.

• Have a well-balanced diet. Include fresh fruit and vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables) daily, oily fish 2 to 3 times a week, handful of nuts a week and limit fat intake and high-GI carbohydrates.

• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.

• Have adequate sun protection for your eyes.

Make an appointment today at Hansen Optometrists.

Footy Tipping Results – Round 4

April 4, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Early Childhood Educator Awarded Scholarship

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Preschool early childhood educator, Codie Smith has been awarded a $20,000 Aboriginal scholarship to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood. She receives the grant in recognition of her commitment to professional development and as a community role model.

Codie’s scholarship was announced last week by the Honorable Sarah Mitchell, Member of the Legislative Council, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine said that all Codie’s staff mates are incredibly pleased about the exciting scholarship news.

“Codie is a dedicated and committed staff member. All the children adore her. She is usually down on the floor with the kids and having just as much fun as they are,” said Amy.

The scholarship has been awarded to Codie because of her continuous work to improve her teaching practices through study and application since her employment at the preschool.

Scholarships for Early Childhood degrees hope to lead to an increase in Aboriginal early childhood teachers, so that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in early childhood education and that preschools are welcoming and inclusive places for all children.

“Codie is an articulate advocate and active role model in the Aboriginal community. She fosters her Aboriginal culture and inclusive principles in her daily practices.”

“She is a leader among our young people and is an excellent mentor for the preschoolers,” said Amy.

Codie has been one from only 15 recipients to be awarded the scholarship in 2018 to 2020.

MAYORAL NOTES

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

A hearty congratulations to Grace Allen for her podium finish in the Sydney Easter Show state-wide Showgirl competition. Well done Grace, Forbes is very proud of
you!

Well done to our local young men who took part in the RAS young auctioneer’s competition. Our General Manager, Steve Loane was there and said all the boys performed very well.

On Sunday night, I attended a dinner at the Town Hall with the very enthusiastic group participating in the 2018 Beyond Bitumen Charity Car Rally. They were a fantastic group with many former Forbes residents. More than $60,000 was raised with more than $350,000 raised in total for beyondblue.

Congratulations go to Nadine Mattiske who was presented a Hidden Treasure Award by Member for Orange, Phil Donato on Monday morning. After visiting the Wirrinya Family Picnic Day in 2017, Phil was very complementary of the work done by Nadine and the Wirrinya community.

I’m really looking forward to the Camel Races tomorrow. It is a great day out and just another major successful event for our town.

Thank you to the staff and contractors who are working for an extra month to keep the Forbes pool open. So many of the heated pool users has thanked the Council for giving them access to the pool and the staff for doing everything they can to keep the pool temperature pleasant.

If you are travelling over Easter please take care, stay safe and have a lovely break with your families.

Snippets

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Grace and beauty… Congratulations to our Forbes Showgirl Grace Allen on being awarded second runner up in The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last Sunday! First runner up was Pollyanna Easey of Quirindi and the winner was Nikki Gibbs of Wauchope.

Aero Spectacular: Don’t miss out on the Parkes Aero Club’s 70th anniversary on 14th April with a spectacular air display, including the famous Air Force Roulettes. Apart from the air display, there will be on ground static displays of antique aircraft and cars, merchandise and food stalls, jumping castle and other attractions for children. Gates open 10am, air display from 12 to 3pm. Entry fees $60 (2 adults 2 children), adults $25, to 18 years $10. Enter our competition on page 9 for your chance to win a double pass.

Daylight Saving: Daylight saving will end at 3am on Sunday, 1st April. So remember to turn your clocks back one hour when you wake up on Sunday morning.

Sydney Royal Easter Show Competition Winner: Well done to Melissa Shaw on winning our Sydney Royal Easter Show competition!

Forbes Special Sports Day: The annual Forbes Special Sports Day will be held on Wednesday, 2nd May at the Red Bend Catholic College gym. This will be the 37th year for this sports day and contestants come from as far as Orange, Dubbo, Condobolin, Parkes and Forbes. The official opening begins at 9.30am with morning tea and a march led by Brian Tisdell (bagpiper) and the College drummers. There will be novelty races and some serious competition. Everyone is welcome! Some of our disabled contestants have attended every one of these events.

Eugowra Pony Club News: The Eugowra Pony Club held their annual Jumping, Sporting and Dressage Day on Sunday, 18th March. With 49 riders attending from the local area, there was some great competition across the various age groups. Eugowra Pony Club member, Makaylah McMaster was the 11 to 13 years Age Champion.

New Members Sought: Essential Energy is seeking people to represent customers and key consumer groups on electricity network issues as part of its Customer Advocacy Group. To apply, visit essentialenergy.com.au/cag. Applications are open until 5pm Thursday, 12th April.

‘Seventy for 70 Thousand WALK’: As reported in last week, Kerry Dunstan’s ‘Seventy for 70 Thousand Walk’ fundraising initiative for the Can Assist Forbes branch and the Forbes Breast Cancer Support Group, has raised $44,000 with more donations still coming in. If you would like to donate, there is still time to do so.

What do you love about Easter? The students from St Laurence’s Parish School answered.

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Ngari Walsh: What I love about Easter is spending time with my family, camping… and getting chocolate.

Dempsey O’Connell: My favourite thing about Easter is all the family coming around (including interstate). We have about 14 cousins! We swim and have a big breakfast on the verandah.

Georgette Pereira: My favourite thing about Easter is when my gran and other family come over. My favourite thing is just to spend time with my family.

All Welcome To Free Easter Festival

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Easter Festival this Saturday brings together different community groups and churches to thank the community of Forbes for their generosity over the last 12 months. This event will take place at Apex Park (near the aeroplane) starting at 10am.

The Easter Festival committee from Havannah House would like to invite everyone down to enjoy some ‘old school’ games such as three-legged races, sack races, fishing for eggs, thong toss, ring toss and tug-of-war.

This year there will also be a new junior obstacle course game for preschool age children. There will be plenty of prizes to be given away for those that take part in the games.

The day will have a free sausage sizzle, hot and cold drinks and will conclude with a 6,000 Easter egg hunt divided into three age groups.

The committee would like to thank Bunnings Forbes for getting on board this year for face painting.

There will be live music by Greg Prow. Also, there will be plenty of shade with the
two marquees.

The winners of the colouring in competition that was distributed to the local schools of Forbes, Bogan Gate and Eugowra will be announced on the day.

Pool Season Extended

March 28, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Warm weather forecasts over Easter and throughout April have prompted Forbes Shire Council and its pool contractor to extend the pool season until Saturday, 28th April.

“The Forbes pool has been such a popular place this season, it seems only logical to continue the season for swimmers,” Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane said.

“At present the pool is a balmy 26.6 to 28.6 degrees, so it is a perfect temperature and means the pool users can enjoy another month of swimming,” he added.

As well as extending the season, the very popular water aerobics class will also be extended and an additional class added. A regular class has been held every Monday from 9.30am to 10.30am and now a second class will be held every Thursday from 11am to noon until the pool closes at the end of April.

“The new pool inflatable has created a lot of interest and we are trying to extend the season for as long as possible for the heated pool users we are accommodating,” said Steve.

The pool will continue to operate from 6am to 7pm seven days a week.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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