Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Nev Leaves His Print On Music

January 24, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

By pressing his handprint into a dedicated footpath, Forbes-born musician Nev Molloy will seal his legacy as one of the most influential music artists at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. He will be inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and Hands of Fame Park this Saturday.

“I had my first band in Forbes at about 16 years of age. The band line-up in those days was my younger brother Bill on rhythm and vocals, Greg Cook on bass, Glenn Bentic on drums and I played lead guitar. We made the princely sum of $6 a night,” said Nev.

Today, to list the people Nev hasn’t appeared, played or toured with would be easier than listing the ones he has. Over the years Nev has been involved with most of Australia’s greats.

In the early eighties, Nev went to Tamworth and did his first show with Slim Newton, and appeared with Barry Thornton on Barry’s shows at the Oasis. He was also house guitarist for Rick (Ford) Aitchison’s Cavelcade of country, backing almost every artist that appeared.

Nev spent a lot of time on the road with music over the years. He toured Queensland with Buddy Thompson and Lyne Bennett and toured with the Brian Letton show for about 23 years on and off, to date.

He also had his own recording studio in Broken Hill, recording many award winning albums for other artists.

By Gizell van Wyk

Australia Day Nominations And Celebrations

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Nominations for the Forbes Shire Council Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year close at 5pm today, Friday 19th January.

To be announced and officially presented at the 2018 Australia Day celebrations.

Mayor Graeme Miller encourages nominations for community members who deserve to be recognised.

Forbes Shire Council’s Australia Day awards reward and acknowledge community members who have achieved excellence or made a significant contribution to our community.

Forms can be collected from Council’s Administration Office or downloaded from Council’s website.

Forbes’ 2018 Australia Day celebrations feature an enormous three event program, beginning with the free Rotary Community Breakfast at Apex Park. This will be followed by the Diggers Family Swim at the Forbes Olympic Pool before the main celebration, Australia Day Party in the Park.

Australia Day Ambassador, endurance swimmer, James Pittar will be a special guest at the many water based activities this year. Australia Day Party on the Park will feature fireworks, live entertainment from Gabe Middleton and Cameron Sharpe, pedal boats, amusement rides, face painting, the traditional CWA Damper Cooking Competition and a range of exciting food.

There will also be displays by community groups including the SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and Forbes Dragon Boat Club.

NSW In 2017: Warmest On Record

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

The year 2017 was the warmest on record for NSW for both mean and daytime temperatures. It was also the State’s driest year since 2006. Following the warmest summer on record for the State, heavy rain in March across the east then made way for a very dry winter and start to spring. Winter overnight temperatures were the lowest since 1997, but daytime temperatures remained above average for most of the year, and were the warmest on record overall.

Rainfall below average for much of the State

• It was the driest year for NSW since 2006, with the statewide average rainfall coming in at 18% below average.

• October and December were the only other months with above average rainfall for the State as a whole.

• The State had its driest September since comparable records began in 1900, and the second-driest June to September period.

Record warm days but cold winter nights

• The mean temperature for NSW was the warmest on record, 1.42° C above the 1961–1990 average and just ahead of the previous record set in 2014.

• The State’s mean maximum temperature was also the warmest on record, 1.87° C above average.

• Maximum temperatures were in the top 10% of years for most of the State, and the warmest on record in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands and Upper Western districts.

• The year began with NSW’s warmest summer on record, followed by the State’s second warmest March.

• The State experienced several bouts of exceptional warmth during the year, including heatwaves in January, February and December, and two warm spells in September that brought record heat across the State.

Discover Vanuatu Onboard Pacific Explorer

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Set sail with a great deal on your next cruising holiday with help from the cruise experts at Helloworld Travel. With so many destinations, itineraries and ships to choose from our cruise experts are committed to navigating you through the intricacies of creating a perfect cruise holiday.

We have a wide variety of great cruise savings and discounts to choose from. Why not try the 10 night Discover Vanuatu Cruise onboard the Pacific Explorer at a special deal from $1,299 per person? Departing 14th May 2018.

Accommodation, main meals and entertainment included. Some of the highlights include Lifou and Isle of Pines. Helloworld travel exclusive up to $300 onboard credit per room and free oceanview to balcony upgrade.

The 10 night cruise sails from Sydney for a roundtrip aboard the Pacific Explorer.

More than just stunning vistas and great weather, Vanuatu is an adventure lover’s dream.

With Vila having more adrenaline pumping Shore Tours (from Zorbing and Jet Boating, to horse riding and abseiling) than any other Pacific Island port, why not inject your holiday with some serious thrills?

Some of the cruise highlights include Noumea which is situated on Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s main island; Lifou with long stretches of white sand beach, small coves, limestone caves, grottos and imposing cliffs give the island one of the most dramatic landscapes in the pacific and Isle of Pines is commonly referred to as the jewel of the pacific. Its beauty is simply breathtaking.

To learn about our latest cruise offers or to book your next cruise trip call Helloworld Travel Forbes on 02 6852 2344 or visit in store for more details.

Weekend Golf A Pleasure

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

In keeping with the Elvis flavour, there were surprises in the weather and the golf scores, making for a good weekend.

Saturday’s event was an 18-Stroke sponsored by Rob Allen Livestock Transport, contested by 80 was played in two Divisions.

The A-Division winner was Phil Maher with 67 nett. He enjoyed pleasant conditions and maintained his form, finishing with a birdie. Runner-up was Lee Grierson, who had played early in changeable conditions.

He was 1-under par after the front-9, then parred the back-9 to present a very classy score of 71 nett.

The B-Division had a real surprise, being a nett 63 scored by Garry Pymont, showing his best form for many weeks. Runner-up was Craig Barrett who was noted to have putted brilliantly, but alas his 65 nett was not quite enough.

The ball sweep went to 73 on count back, going to: 63 – G Pymont; 65 – C Barrett; 67 – P Maher; 68 – Mitch Andrews, L Grierson, S Sallaway, S Kirkman; 69 – N Mc- Millan, T Griffiths, G Webb, P Tisdell; 70 – L O’Connor, W Judge; 71 – T Howe, B Squires; 72 – R Morris, D Bayley, M Cahill; A Alley, S Uphill and A Dukes.

The NTP’s went to: 1st – Craig Barrett, 18th – Dave Mylecharane. The Sunday Stableford Medley comp, was played by 15 players in very comfortable conditions.

Bruce Carpenter used his knowledge of the course well to score 38 points, and takethe win ahead of Ray Taylor on 37 points.

The ball sweep went to 35 points, being collected by the two gents above, and Bess Shield and Charles Dwyer, both on 35. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Steve Betland; 18th – Bruce Carpenter.

By Short Putt

Weekly Market Update

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Following the strong pre-Christmas market, the first sale of the New Year saw growers keen to accept the current price levels, which was reflected by the high clearance rates and packed spectator galleries across the nation. The market did not disappoint, with the NRI adding a further 67 cents, pushing it to a new record of 1908.

More records were broken with merino fleece generally 50-100 cents dearer. All types and descriptions enjoyed similar rises, irrespective of style and spec, as buyers fought hard to secure their market share in the rapidly rising market. Merino skirtings experienced gains of 25-50 cents, while the oddment sector marched onward & upward, with locks, stains and crutchings all 50-70 cents dearer.

The crossbred market accounted for over 32% of the national offering. In percentage terms, it was the largest Crossbreds offering in two years, however despite the large volume, they still managed gains of 10-30 cents, excluding 32 micron which lost buyer support and tracked downward.

Source AWEX.

Paddles Up For Ian Simpson Team

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Ian Simpson Real Estate organised a great surprise Christmas party for their staff in December by taking them all paddling in a dragon boat on Lake Forbes.

Even the extreme temperature of a very hot morning did nothing to diminish the excitement of the 18 very surprised staff members.

Ian’s team had to meet at the Bowling Club, so they thought they were going bowling.

What a shock they were in for when they were lead to the dragon boat, with Kathryn Sweeney happy to captain her amazed crew. Deb Abela took the drummer’s position,

Patti Smith set the pace as stroke and Liz and Les Mitchell were also on hand to help out the newcomers.

“After a few safety instructions and paddling demonstrations the crew took to the water. They picked up the technique and the timing pretty easily,” said Kathryn.

This is a fabulous idea for any staff at any time of year! So if you’d like to treat your team with this experience just call Lachlan Dragons’ president, Bill Thomas on 0418 616 500 or secretary, Chris Sweeney on 0414 762 775.

SNIPPETS…

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Rosaline Coffee from Forbes was the winner of this year’s Parkes Shop + WIN competition! She has won a $5,000 travel package to a destination of her choice through TravelManagers – Louise Gillogly! Rosaline entered the draw at Adele’s Salon & Skin Clinic in Parkes.

Healthy Lunch Box website: The task of creating a healthy school lunch is now easier for parents with Cancer Council NSW’s newly launched Healthy Lunch Box website. The website includes recipes, ideas and tips. The Healthy Lunch Box shows parents how easy it can be to add more fruit and veg and pack a lunch box that kids will love to eat while encouraging behaviour that has lifelong cancer prevention benefits. The website has been launched as part of Cancer Council NSW’s Eat It To Beat It program which runs free sessions and workshops across the region. Visit healthylunchbox.com.au

Ready To Respond: In the event of severe thunderstorm activity such as that which has swept across NSW in recent weeks, Essential Energy works closely with local emergency services to keep communities safe and restore power. Regional Manager Northern, Mark Summers said when storms, lightning, heavy rain and wind gusts damage Essential Energy’s network and disrupt power supplies, crews are ready to respond. Essential Energy reminds people to report fallen powerlines or damaged infrastructure and keep at least eight metres away. If you notice fallen trees, deceased animals, smoke, fire, or scorched areas around electrical equipment, call Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80. For more information on electrical safety during storms, visit essentialenergy.com.au/safety.

More Focus On Bullies: Australian parents have called for firmer action against schoolyard bullies rather than focusing on making vulnerable children more resilient. Just over 50 per cent of parents who responded to a recent UniSA study said their child had been bullied at school and were highly critical of how teachers addressed the problem. The study, by UniSA bullying expert Professor Ken Rigby, tracked parental attitudes towards bullying and the actions they believe are needed. Schools should focus more on changing bullies’ behaviour, rather than encouraging victims to become more resilient, many parents suggested. The full report is available online in the latest issue of Educational Review.

Eugowra Pony Club: Eugowra Pony Club is holding its registration and first rally day on Sunday, 4th February starting at 8:30am at the Eugowra Showgrounds. Centrally located with knowledgeable instructors and dedicated parents, Eugowra Pony Club welcomes new and existing members to sign up and get their children involved in learning about horsemanship, riding and making new friends. For more information visit www.eugowraponyclub.com.

Eugowra Pony Club Members (L-R) Liv Holland, Stacey McMaster and Makaylah McMaster.

Amazing Elvis Breakfast ‘Fit For A King’

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes’ first ever Amazing Elvis Breakfast held on Saturday marks a series of very successful firsts for the event.

There was a fantastic Elvis buzz around Forbes when around 300 people attended and enjoyed breakfast at the very long red checked tables in Templar Street. While indulging in Elvis pancakes, rocking rolls and coffee, visitors and locals also enjoyed listening to Elvis artist Anthony Pertrucci from Melbourne.

There was plenty of praise for Anthony who was later announced the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist at the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Anthony said the Amazing Elvis Breakfast in Forbes was a fantastic experience and he loved singing and performing live.

Anthony will now go on to Memphis in August to compete at the next level of the competition during the Elvis Week.

As well as live entertainment and impromptu dancing in the street, there was a quiz, sharing fun details and facts about Forbes and Elvis.

Mayor Graeme Miller said the breakfast was highly successful and it was a privilege to welcome so many visitors to our town to enjoy the breakfast and shopping event. “Forbes Shire Council staff are to be congratulated for organising the morning.

Thank you also to the many local businesses who supported the event,” said Graeme. “I can’t wait to see what we have next year. It will only be bigger and better,” he added.

Following the breakfast, a shuttle bus transported visitors to the Elvis Festival.

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Kate Small: To stop drinking Coke and reduce the amount of sugar I eat.

Mark Watts: To spend more time with my family.

Leah Smith: To save money.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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