Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

OUR Bloke

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Shaun Howlett

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes going on 8 months now, but I’ve built up my career in Forbes over the last 9 years.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work with the amazing team at Steele Technology. Nathan and Noami are gracious employers, they treat you more as family than as a colleague.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? When I’m not playing computer games, I’m out with mates on the longboard or getting out on the dirt bike. The occasional game of paintball is always welcomed – the bruises they leave are not!

What are you really good at? I’m not usually ‘really good’ at anything in particular, but I can generally do ‘just okay’ with anything I put my mind to.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? The ability to read people’s minds.

What is your pet hate? ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way. I miss ‘common sense’ appears it’s not very common any more.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Good ol’ fashion road/camping trip around Australia with my mother, sister and grandfather.

Croquet Results

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Week ending 13th January

A large contingent of members attended the game on Tuesday. Alec Todd and Bruce Field top scored with 3 wins each, followed closely by an awesome 14 runners up with two games each.

On Saturday, Harley Stewart was the only member who defeat all comers with three wins and 9 runners up with two wins.

A cracking start to the season for all.

Be A Part Of Queen’s Baton Relay

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes has a long and proud sporting history and Mayor Graeme Miller has invited everyone to be a part of the world celebration on Monday, 29th January as the Queen’s Baton Relay passes through our town on its way to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.

The 14 members of the Forbes community who have been nominated and selected to run with the macadamia wood, stainless steel and reclaimed plastic baton designed using surfboard dynamics and design principles have received their uniforms and instructions.

They have also been advised of the route they will carry the baton as it makes its way through Forbes, 35 days after it landed in Australia.

Wendy Green, Robyn Kenny, Paul Cameron, Ethan Markwort, Rob Willis, Lester Sheather, Peter Moore, Chris Roylance, Phil Adams, Denise Jelbart, Yvonne Shaw, Taylah Hemming, James Smart and Robyn Lyell have been selected to escort the baton through town with a celebration event being held for the whole community.

To commence the baton’s journey in Forbes, it will travel along the lake on a dragon boat, from there it will begin its land journey at the bowling club, to the skate park, to Stephan Field for the community celebration, then the baton will be escorted to the Forbes Golf Club where it will then continue onto Parkes.

The community celebration will acknowledge our Amazing Forbes with music, peach ice cream and entertainment including a skateboard demonstration, it will commence at 2pm with the baton to arrive at approximately 2.30pm.

New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home?

Here are some resolutions that will make your home a more beautiful, efficient and clean place:

Streamline The Stuff

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter. This year resolve to go roomby- room periodically clearing anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it to charity. Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVD’s, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets. Clear your counters of everything you don’t use on a daily basis.

Work Out A Weekly System For Keeping Your House Clean

• Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night. Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place.

• Weekly: Clean your entire house.

Shrink Your Bills The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

• Remember to switch off the lights when you leave a room.

• Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house.

• Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.

Get Your Place Ready For Entertaining

To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update? One easy update that makes your home seem more “finished” is the addition of plants. Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television.

Source: HGTV website

MAYORAL NOTES

January 18, 2018 by Maggi Barnard

Have you nominated someone for the Forbes Shire Council Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year award? Today is your last chance with nominations closing at 5pm. Please take the time to nominate someone who truly deserves to be acknowledged for making a difference in our community.

Last weekend Deputy Mayor Jenny Webb and I had the great pleasure of attending the Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast. It was an outstanding success and the 300 people who attended agreed. It is absolutely something to build on for future years. A big thanks to Council staff for their efforts to organise the event and the local businesses that supported it.

Well done to the Forbes Youth Action Team who organised public screenings of two family movies to help beat holiday boredom. There was a good amount of interest from the community. Watch out every holiday for similar events.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Australia Day activities on Friday. I am excited to welcome James Pittar, an Australian visually impaired endurance swimmer, as our ambassador to Forbes. Our Australia Day activities begin at 7am with a free Rotary breakfast at Apex Park, then onto the Diggers Family Swim from 11am to 2pm before the fun begins at the Party In Park from 5.30pm until 9pm. There will be entertainment, rides, live music, paddle boats and dragon boats, CWA damper cooking and fireworks to enjoy. Hope to see you there.

Graeme Miller

Forbes Mayor

Christmas Shoppers Find It All In Forbes

December 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Where else would Santa make a grand appearance in a bright red fire truck but at the FSMC Find It In Forbes Christmas Festival!

The festival was held last Thursday in Rankin and Templar Streets and had much to offer enthusiastic Christmas shoppers while children were kept occupied with exciting activities.

Although the weather did not play along at first, avid festival goers from Forbes, Parkes, Orange and surrounding areas were not going to miss out. “We struggled with the weather to start off with but the participation was still really
good. Stall holders ended up doing very well,” said Forbes Business Chamber Admin and Marketing Coordinator Fiona Ferguson.

There were 10 draws of $500 at the festival and lucky winners were rewarded in ‘Why Leave Town’ cards.

The festival also featured an array of local talents. Dance groups from Kristen’s Dance School and local musicians entertained and showcased some of what Forbes has to offer.

Another highlight of the festival was when Santa arrived in a big fire truck to deliver lollipops to children, causing great excitement and a sudden nervousness in some. This year empty shop windows were covered with a beautifully creative mural painted by children and a giant sandpit kept the little ones busy for hours.

The Find It In Forbes committee would like to thank naming rights and major sponsor, Forbes Memorial Services Club, silver sponsor Forbes Shire Council, bronze sponsor Terry Bros Carpet Court, community groups, emergency services and the fire brigade.

By Gizell van Wyk

Council Comments

December 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Council Comments With Cr Grant Clifton

Wishing you all a very safe and Merry Christmas and looking forward to another busy New Year for Council. Forbes Shire Council has achieved a lot this year through its works and community programs.

Congratulations to all the businesses which have supported and participated in the 2017 Christmas promotion, it has been a tremendous initiative. Don’t forget tomorrow’s major draw at noon. Good luck to all the shoppers in the Find It In Forbes Christmas promotion. I think this is the best Christmas promotion and light display we have ever had, it has ensured Forbes has not gone unnoticed.

Nominations are now open for our Senior and Junior Citizen of the Year Awards which will be presented at the Australia Day celebrations. These awards celebrate the outstanding members of our community who really make this a great place to live. I encourage everyone to nominate outstanding residents for the work they do to enhance the Forbes community. Nomination forms are available at Council or online, under events on the Forbes Shire Council website.

Have you received your copy of the Forbes Community News? It is Forbes Shire Council’s quarterly newsletter and is being circulated through Australia Post, copies can also be collected at the Council administration office or it can be viewed online.

Stay safe over the holiday period and I hope you all get to enjoy a well-earned rest. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Snippets

December 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

She did it… Carmen Spry shaved off all her hair last Thursday, in an incredible act of generosity and kindness through her participation in the World’s Greatest Shave. Carmen’s original aim was to raise $2,000 but she has managed a spectacular $8,198.75! In case you were wondering, it’s not too late to donate. We applaud you
Carmen!

11 Days Of Double Demerits: Double demerit points will be in force for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year period to improve road safety during the holiday season. It will run from Friday, 22nd December 2017 to Monday, 1st January 2018 (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences. Lachlan
Highway Patrol Sergeant Dearne Jeffree is warning motorists to obey the road rules as there is a greater chance of losing your licence. “All it takes for people to be hurt or killed this holiday period is for a road user to make one bad choice. We all know that seat belts save lives and that drink-driving creates a real risk to yourself and everyone else around you. If you choose to speed, to look at your phone, to drink and drive, it’s not just yourself you’re putting at risk, it could be someone you know and love that you’re putting at risk.”

Homeless Over Christmas: Almost 300 people in Forbes and Parkes are without a home this Christmas. Centacare Wilcannia Forbes Chief Executive Officer, Anne- Marie Mioche, said the agency is bracing as those in need are expected to increase substantially over the holiday period. Already demand is high for rapid crisis support with some people having to resort to camping out and sleeping in swags. “These numbers are just the people we are helping, many more families and individuals need assistance,” Anne-Marie said. Centacare Wilcannia Forbes is currently operating three programs that provide rapid crisis support, intervention for at-risk youths as well as tenant advocacy and support. Last year more than 600 men, women and children sought assistance. “We encourage people to come in early for help, don’t stay in an unsafe environment, let us help you plan and support you. Homelessness is a very real concern in our community and no one wants to see a family without a home over Christmas or for the New Year.”

Letter to the Editor

December 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Neighbourhood Central would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2018 brings peace, health and happiness. We would like to thank everyone that has supported our social groups in 2017, our excellent guest speakers, our marvellous volunteers and of course, Forbes Shire Council for allowing us to meet at our beautiful Town Hall. Stay safe and well hydrated over summer, as we are looking forward to doing it all again come February. We would also like to thank the Forbes Library staff and our Housebound Library volunteers for the outstanding effort you demonstrate every month while delivering reading material. Our deep thanks also to the Community Visitor volunteers. Both services provide vital social contact and inclusion for many in the Forbes community. Last thanks go to our exceptional team of Community Transport Drivers and Driver Supports, allowing an ease of access to medical appointments in Orange and Dubbo. All our volunteers are truly the heart-beat of the Forbes community and our heart beats strong! Merry Christmas everyone.

Regards, Monica Wren.

Question of the Week

December 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What Is Your Favourite Thing About Christmas?

Rocky: Spending time with family.

Denise Richards: It brings everyone together whether it be friends or family.

William Harris: Spending time with my family.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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