Parkes Phoenix Editor

Forbes Preschool was established after a public meeting at the Forbes Town Hall on 13th May, 1957. The meeting was called when Noelle Smith and Joan Todd wrote to the Chamber of Commerce expressing a need and an interest in the establishment of a preschool kindergarten.

At that meeting a committee was formed and the following officer bearers were elected, Dr J Dent (Chairman), Dr J Dyce (Vice Chairman), C Haslingden (Treasurer) and G Ford (Secretary). It was decided at the meeting the Mayor of Forbes would be requested to become the patron of the preschool kindergarten.

A house to house canvas was conducted to ascertain the number of children and interest in establishing a preschool. As a result of the preliminary figures, it was agreed at the June 1957 meeting, to plan for a building to accommodate 25 children, a space of about 4,000 square feet.

The Bogan Street Preschool was officially opened on 10th October 1958 by His Excellency, the Governor of NSW Lieutenant General, Sir Eric Woodward.

In 2012 the Forbes Preschool received $1.2 million from the NSW Government to build a new preschool. The new preschool was officially opened on 3rd June, 2016. The new purpose built centre allowed for a daily registration increase from 39 to 100 places per day.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine said the priority is to ensure all children have access to an affordable preschool program.

“This increase in places also enables the preschool to ensure children on the priority list, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse children can have ready access to vitally important preschool services,” said Amy.

The new preschool allows accessibility for all children aged 3 to 5 years in our community. In particular children the year prior to school,” she added.

Why preschool?

Preschool and early education has long been identified as fundamental to promoting equity and excellence in young learners all through their educational journey.

At Forbes Preschool we hope to expand access to preschool so that as many children as possible can participate in our quality preschool programs for two years before starting school. All children benefit from high quality early education, but it is particularly beneficial for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and for the one in
four children who are developmentally vulnerable.

Preschool education is one step that can be taken to improve a society economically and socially. It has been shown children should begin to receive education before school since children experience substantial brain development during these early years.

Scientific research has proven that learning and mental development begin immediately after birth. During the first three years of a child’s life, essential brain and neural development occurs. Therefore, children greatly benefit by receiving education before formal schooling commences.

The following key benefits exist for preschool students, socialisation, cooperation, holistic development, enthusiasm for lifelong learning, value of experience based education, respect, teamwork, resilience, teamwork, concentration, patience, confidence, self esteem and exposure to diversity.

The conclusions drawn from most research about early childhood education are that individuals and societies greatly benefit, in terms of social, economic and other benefits.

The announcement this week securing the Corridor connecting the M7 to the Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong has the Mayors of Central NSW jumping for joy. John Medcalf, Chair of Centroc and Mayor of Lachlan Shire and Ken Keith Portfolio Mayor for Transport for Centroc and Mayor of Parkes attended the announcement, representing Central NSW.

“This is so very welcomed in Central NSW. At last we see some real action. The securing of the Corridor is the essential first step for the future development of better transport links between Sydney and our communities,” said John.

“To stand next to the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight as she made this historic announcement was a great privilege,” he added.

“The communities of Central NSW and Western Sydney need certainty and to see direction, which is what the State Government has done,” said Keith.

John said transport constraints and connecting Central NSW communities to Sydney is their number one priority, especially for freight.

“It was also great to see recognition of the task ahead to build a safe swift link between Sydney and Central NSW, recognised in the recent publication of the Future Transport 2056 Plan. It’s all go in Central NSW where it is clear that our voices are being heard,” said John.

“Infrastructure Australia has identified that Central NSW will be in the top seven regions in Australia for Gross Regional Product in 2031, improving our transport links will be critical to ensuring our growing contribution to the State and National economies,” said Keith.

“I’m sure I speak for every Mayor of every community in our region when I say we are jumping for joy. Centroc’s next meet is in May at Parliament House in Sydney and we will be taking the opportunity to thank the NSW Government for investing in regional NSW,” said John.

Double demerit points will be in force again over the Easter holiday period to improve safety on roads across the state.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that the double demerit point period would commence on Thursday, 29th March and conclude on Monday, 2nd April (inclusive).

“Double demerit points will apply to all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences this Easter holiday period. NSW police will also be targeting dangerous driving behaviours such as drink driving and driver fatigue.

“Since the inception of demerit points in 1997, there have been significant reductions in fatal crashes over the holiday periods.

“Mobile phone offences were added to the list of double demerit point penalties in December 2015, with the aim of deterring this dangerous and distracting behaviour.

“I ask all drivers to remain vigilant over the Easter holiday period. We all have a part to play in reducing the amount of crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, limit distractions in the car, don’t drink and drive and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts,” said Melanie.

Lachlan Highway Patrol Sergeant, Dearne Jeffree is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time.

“Drivers should be warned that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this five day period. There will be more police on the roads and therefore more chance of getting caught,” said Dearne.

Netball is ranked as the leading women’s participation team sport in Australia for 15 to 24 year olds. It is a great sport to develop health and fitness in a team based environment regardless of the level of competition.

Like any sport there is an inherent risk of injury. National insurance data indicates that as high as 25% of all major injuries are attributed to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Furthermore ACL injury comes at high physical, emotional and financial cost to the athlete.

The ACL is the main stabilising ligament in the knee. Females are 4 to 6 times more likely than males to rupture this ligament. There is also further risk associated with athletes participating in sports involving deceleration, pivoting and twisting. This means that netballers have a high risk of injury to the ACL and lower limbs.

Research tells us that 50 to 70% of all ACL injuries can be prevented with neuromuscular training programmes. These types of programmes are basically designed to improve the strength, flexibility, control, balance and co ordination of the athlete. Not only can they decrease the incidence of lower limb injuries, they have the added benefit of enhancing performance.

With this in mind Netball Australia, along with the Institute of Sport has developed the KNEE programme to provide education to coaches, players and parents. The KNEE programme is a netball specific neuromuscular training programme and can be accessed at www.http//knee.netball.com.au.

Whether you are a coach to your child’s netball team, support staff, athlete or parent this programme is designed to keep players on the court for longer and moving more efficiently when there.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Kyle Bolam is off to represent our zone at the Royal Easter Show after winning first in the Experienced Parader’s class and winning Overall Champion Parader at the Eugowra Show last year.

“I feel very lucky to have been provided this opportunity and can’t wait to compete in Sydney,” said Kyle.

Opportunities like this can come once in a lifetime for some students, but with dedicated teachers such as Rachel Eagles and Damian Byrnes of Forbes High School leading the schools show team, it is evident that these opportunities are proving to lead to student success.

“We are so proud of Kyle and his achievement. He has a wonderfully calming manner with the cattle,” Rachel said.

Kyle has been with the school’s show team for a number of years and recently travelled during the January holidays with fellow student Jack Coles, to compete in the International Dairy Week in Tatura, Victoria.

Both boys paraded heifers and their team came in third overall.