Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

MAYORAL NOTES

February 22, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council has been officially declared the naming rights sponsor for the Forbes Camel Races. The races are a major event and a most enjoyable day for our town. It is our privilege to be the major sponsor. I hope you all come along on Good Friday, 30th March and make it a spectacular day.

Talking about successful and enjoyable events, I hope you all take the chance to enjoy the skills on show at the Barefoot Waterskiing tournament in Forbes this weekend. An ever expanding event, it is great to see classes and entertainment for all to enjoy.

Councillor Webb and I attended the Centroc meeting in Condobolin this week. While the main topics of discussion were the Bell’s Line and Joint Organisations, it was a pleasure to be hosted at the new pavilion at the showground. It is a fantastic new venue for the Condobolin community.

The live streaming of Council’s recent Vanfest public meeting has been well received with more than 3,000 views since it was aired live. It was pleasing to note just as many people watched the live feed as well as attending the meeting. Council will certainly be looking to live stream other events to enable everyone to participate.

Thank you to those who successfully organised it and to those who tuned in. It is an exciting move into the future for all.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Forbes Shire Council

Recognising Our Sporting Heroes

February 22, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) are delighted with the quality of the nominations they have received for the 2017 awards with the Annual Presentation Dinner to be held on Saturday, 24th February at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel commencing at 6.30pm.

The Forbes SOYA is a small, yet hard working committee dedicated to recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of local sports men and women as well as administrators and officials. Sport is an important part of life and the awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the athletes who excel in their chosen sport. Also, to thank and show appreciation to the many volunteers who give their time to ensure that children and adults of all ages have access to some of the best sporting facilities and competitions in New South Wales.

The awards being contested include the Junior and Senior Sportsperson, All Rounder, Coach/Trainer, Referee/Umpire/ Official, Administrator, Team and of course the Forbes Sportsperson and Runner Up for 2017. The overall winner of the Central West Credit Union Monthly Achievers Award will also be announced on the night along with the President’s Award, Phillip Adams Encouragement Award, Merit Awards, School and Special Sports Awards. The calibre of the nominations received for all the awards was of a very high standard making the job of the independent judging panel extremely difficult.

This year our special guest is Alana Andrews, Australian League Tag player. Alana has a local connection and is the daughter of well-known local man, Adam Andrews. Alana was excited to be asked to be part of the presentation dinner and is looking forward to sharing her experiences representing Queensland and Australia for Oz Tag and League Tag.

The SOYA Awards would not be possible without the generous support of local businesses, allowing Forbes to be one of the last country towns in New South Wales who host a separate sporting awards ceremony.

Tickets are available from Hello World Travel and include a delicious two course meal. To assist with catering, all tickets need to be purchased by 5.00pm Friday, 16th February.

Congratulations to all nominees and the SOYA committee look forward to seeing them, their families and the nominated sporting organisations when the 2017 winners are announced.

Croquet News And Results

February 22, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Week ending 17th February

It’s hard to believe that we’re almost finished with the second month of the year.

February is known to be the hottest month and I’m happy to report that we’ve had some lovely fresh starts to our games over the last week. I hope they continue.

The club is proud to welcome our newest member John Job, who is shaping up to be a pretty good player after only two games.

Members are advised that on Tuesday, 27th February, there will be a general meeting after the games. Depending on the weather, this will take place on Halpins Flat at the club grounds or in the Uniting Church Hall.

Clean sweepers this week for Golf Croquet were Libby Smart, Mal Smith and Barry White. For Aussie Croquet they were Judy Ellis, Robin Pols and Jill Rubie, and for the first time Anne Stewart. Congratulations everyone.

The club is looking to welcome new players for 2018 to join a friendly and supportive bunch of people on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Come along and watch and have a chat about the games to some of our long standing members. When you’re ready to play we have plenty of mallets that we’re happy to loan you.

By Anne Stewart

Forbes High School Say G’Day USA

February 22, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

To travel overseas and discover the world is something only some students can dream of but at Forbes High School 12 students seized the opportunity to take part in the G’Day USA school program during the summer holidays.

The 20 day program saw students land in Los Angeles and fly out of San Francisco and for Year 12 student, Konnor Ryan it was an opportunity not to be missed. “The trip was fantastic. I had such a great time and seeing parts of America was really a great experience.”

The G’Day USA program provides students with the opportunity to travel to the USA during the Australian school holidays.

Students travel as part of a supervised group with a teacher acting as the group leader. The program is available to students from 14 to 18 years. Students who took part in the program from Forbes High School included Tyrone Clothier, Jessica Ashcroft, Georgia Palazzi, Montana Palazzi, Ethan Markwort, Wally Campbell, Jade Carpenter, Gabrielle Boland Kelly, Fiona Howarth, Kristian Markwort, Tyler Murphy and Konnor Ryan.

“Providing opportunities that help to enrich our students learning and provide a better quality of life is something we strive to do at Forbes High School. The G’Day USA program is something we take part in every 18 months to provide our students with the opportunity to broaden their horizons and see other parts of the world in which we live,” said Relieving Principal Jason Nottingham.

The G’Day USA Program also provides students with the opportunity to live with an American host family for ten days and experience daily life in the United States of America. The tour itinerary also includes four fun-filled days in Los Angeles and three days exploring scenic San Francisco, with a plethora of great activities and landmarks in America for students to participate in and see.

Let’s Talk About Bums

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Running from the bottom of Tasmania to the tip of Cape York might sound like an impossible mission, but a resident of Birdsville in Outback Australia has set herself this challenge to raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Forbes will be part of the Running for Bums challenge with Jenna Brook running through our town on 26th March. Jenna will be covering in excess of 4,500km and plans to complete the epic journey in around four months. Her aim is to start a lot of conversations along the way. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia, and not enough people talk about it.

Jenna hasn’t always been a runner – in fact she has never really been a consistent one until this idea popped into her head. In 2012 she walked 435km across the Simpson Desert, and has since finished two 250km ultra marathons. Jenna will also be spreading the message of how keeping active can play an important role in the fight against bowel cancer.

Jenna is inviting local community groups, runners, or wellness groups to organise an event for when she reaches Forbes. Contact her on her website at https://runningforbums.wordpress.com/

OUR Bloke

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Shane Wode

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes for all of the 52 years of my life. I love the country lifestyle.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I do a lot of voluntary work and really enjoy being around people.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I read mostly. At the moment I’m busy reading a book about the history of the Melbourne Cup which is very interesting.

What are you really good at? I’m good at getting behind the microphone and doing announcements. I’ve been doing the Forbes Show announcements for the past 33 years.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? I don’t believe in super powers.

What is your pet hate? I can’t think of anything, except for not being able to read because I love reading.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. I went to the Gold Coast once and stayed with my cousin, I really enjoyed that a lot. I’ve been on one-day trips to Canberra, Bathurst, Lithgow and some more. I like exploring the surrounding areas.

It’s 110km/h All The Way

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The missing 110km/h link on the Newell Highway has been completed and was officially opened by the Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister last week.

The $36 million upgrade at Trewilga (just north of Alectown) means the speed limit on the Newell Highway will be 110km/h all the way from Forbes to Gilgandra.

Minister Melinda Pavey said the roads budget in the Central West had tripled since 2011. The work at Trewilga involved the widening and realigning of 6.5km to improve safety. In addition a 1.3km northbound overtaking lane was built, as well as a bus turning area at Baldry-Peak Hill Road and a truck parking area on the eastern side of the highway.

The Minister mentioned the importance of the addition of the centre space in the middle of the road to give motorists extra time for correction.

A special guest at the event was 90-yearold Laurie Narris who grew up in Trewilga and remembers when the Newell Highway was first built in 1935.

“I was seven years old and used to ride five miles to school on my bike opening seven gates along the way.” He clearly remembers how he saw a steam engine for the very first time working on the road, as well as the two teams of ten horses each driven by a man helping to build the road.

“We all laughed when our teacher said there would come a day when it would be a job trying to cross the highway…”

By Maggi Barnard

MAYORAL NOTES

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Tomorrow is a big day for Bedgerabong with the running of the annual races. The races are one of the biggest occasions on the local social calendar and draws visitors from near and far. My congratulations to the organisers who have worked so hard to put on a top quality race meeting.

Later this month, the Federal Minister for Transport will inspect the Newell Highway between West Wyalong and Parkes. As we all know this road was severely affected by flooding during 2016, which caused substantial financial loss. A number of us will represent the Shire and we will be making the case for flood proofing the Newell.

We’re grateful the Minister has taken an interest in our submissions.

The General Manager and I attended CENTROC last week. Most of the Councils who are currently a part of CENTROC will be a part of the joint organisations. A decision needs to be made by 28th February.

Council was considering us being a part of CENTROC at this week’s Council meeting.

The other issue discussed at the CEN TROC meeting was the Bells Line of Road and our link to Sydney. We will be trying to put more pressure on the government to get an adequate and appropriate link to the Sydney basin.

Finally, we met with the Golfers Association this week. The association really does deserve congratulations for the professionalism they have displayed in maintaining our golf course to such a high standard.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Is Your ITB Tight?

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Do you sometimes feel a pain in your hip or the outside of your knee after sitting for a while? Maybe when you stand up or when you run? It could be that you have a tight Iliotibial Band (ITB).

The ITB is a thick band of fascia that runs down the outside thigh. It starts at the top of your pelvis, runs over the hip and attaches to the outside of the knee. It also attaches to some of the buttock and hip muscles allowing it to co-ordinate how these muscles work to stabilise the hip and knee. Fluid sacs, called bursae, located at the hip and knee, provide cushioning between the ITB and the bones beneath. If the ITB is tight it can irritate the bursae causing inflammation and pain.

An inflamed bursa at the hip is called a Greater Trochanteric Bursitis and at the knee it is known as ITB Friction syndrome or Runners Knee.

The ITB shortens when sitting for prolonged periods. It can also tighten if the muscle is overworked. This occurs with sudden increases in exercise load or volume or if pelvic control is poor due to weak hip and glute muscles.

Because the ITB is a thick, fibrous band rather than an elastic muscle it requires a longer lighter stretch than most muscles.

The use of a foam roller can also be quite helpful in increasing the flexibility in the ITB. A YouTube search of “foam roller + ITB” will yield videos of how this can be done. For the fitness of you,

Linda R

Enduring Powers Of Attorney

February 15, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Powers of attorney have been around since 1500 or thereabouts. An enduring power of attorney authorises another person chosen by you to make decisions for you on legal and financial matters. The main difference between a general power of attorney and an enduring power of attorney is that the latter remains valid even if you become mentally incompetent.

You can limit the powers that you give to your attorney, and you can limit it in time to be revoked at any time, provided you are mentally competent to do so.

You can appoint one or more persons. If you choose more than one attorney, you must decide whether they can act jointly or severally. Jointly means they must act together. Severally means each attorney can make decisions by themselves and bind all other appointed attorneys. There are no set rules on whom you can appoint but there are rules against the attorney giving gifts to themselves. Attorneys are trustees and they must not intermingle the principal’s monies with their own. Breach of these rules might see criminal prosecutions.

An enduring power must be witnessed by a Solicitor, Barrister or the Registrar of the Court. In each case the witness must not work for, or have any close connection with, the person appointed as the attorney.

The power of attorney lasts until you die; you cancel it (you have to be mentally competent to do this) by tearing it up and notifying the attorney that it is cancelled, you become bankrupt; or a court cancels it.

This is a complex legal field and is becoming an essential legal document. Feel free to call us for any legal matters.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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