Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

MAYORAL NOTES

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

On Tuesday I attended the certificate presentation for the mock crash which was run by Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

The certificates were presented to those who contributed to the day including the actors and emergency services personnel.

Several high schools from across the Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin region took part in the mock crash, which plays a pivotal role in teaching our children to become safer drivers and educating them about the potential dangers they face on our roads. The mock crash is a vital activity and one which Council is proud to play a part in.

Vanfest organiser Matt Clifton has been recognised by his peers for his leadership in the events and hospitality industry after winning a category in the Australia Hotels Association Excellence Awards. This is a further recognition of how lucky we are to have Matt as our Event Manager.

On Wednesday a number of Councillors and I conducted a tour of the pool and met the new pool operators. We were highly impressed with their professionalism and look forward to partnering with them over the next three years to build a top quality community facility.

In our meeting yesterday we decided that we will take a Council meeting to Bedgerebong in 2018 and a meeting to Wirrinya in 2019. This will better enable our village residents to bring their concerns to Council and provide an opportunity for them to gain an insight into the way local government functions.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Close Play In Club Champs

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

This weekend saw Round 1 and Round 2 of the Golf Club Championships, sponsored by Lachlan Commodities.

After two rounds the leaders are: A-Grade Scratch – S Betland (139) from J Betland (142); A-Reserve Scratch – B Carpenter (166) from B Shine (168); B-Grade Scratch – M Spice (172) tied with I Bown (172) and C-Grade – R Besgrove (186) from A Tucker (189).

Handicap leaders for each grade are: S Betland (141), B Carpenter (143), I Bown (143) and R Besgrove/G Webb (144).

There were exciting shots played, with an eagle being a highlight of the weekend’s play. This was scored on the 4th hole, when Steve Bate holed his shot across the water.

In conjunction with the championship play there is a Daily Comp, the results of which are:

On day 1 the A-division was won by Dave Earl (69 nett) from Ken Sanderson (70 net) on count back. The B-division was won by Geoff Drane (67 nett) from an improving Greg Webb (70 nett).

The ball sweep went to 72 on count back, going to: 67 – G Drane; 69 – D Earl; 70 – K Sanderson, J Betland, G Webb, J Haley, M Wood; 71 – I Bown, J Zannes, B Carpenter, W Judge, M Browne; 72 – S Uphill, S McAlister, T Morgan, A Rees, A Tucker, A Callaghan and S Kirkman.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Mylecharane; 18th – J Betland. There were only eight 2’s scored. Dave ‘Mullie’ converted his NTP but John missed his. The best “2” of the day went to Steve Bate, who managed an eagle on the 4th.

The day-2 Daily Comp saw the A-division won by S Betland Nett 68 on count back from D Bayley. In the B-division F Donohoe (69) was the winner ahead of R Besgrove (70).

The NTP’s went to: 9th – J Haley; 18th – B Doyle. Once again 2’s were scarce with only five scored.

By Short Putt

Vanfest Event Manager Wins Industry Award

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Vanfest coordinator Matt Clifton has collected a major industry award after claiming the national Rising Star category at the Australian Hotels Association Excellence Awards last month.

The award is the latest in a long list of accolades, which also includes the 2016 NSW Business Chamber Young Entrepreneur Award.

Forbes will benefit from Matt’s 12 years’ experience in hospitality and event management, which will be evident in the execution of Vanfest 2017.

“This recent award cements Matt’s reputation as a forward thinking specialist in this industry and this national acknowledgment will have flow on effects to Forbes’ reputation,” Forbes Shire Council’s General Manager Maxwell Kershaw said.

Matt intends to build a festival that offers a unique experience that is both authentic to the rural setting and will draw national attention to Forbes as a destination.

Maxwell said Vanfest ticket sales have continued their strong trend. “So far 3455 weekend passes have been sold. In addition all local accommodation is now booked. These are just two small examples of the economic benefits that will flow to Forbes from Vanfest,” he said.

The Truth About Tennis Elbow

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) is a general term used to describe pain on the outside of the elbow. Ironically, most people who get tennis elbow do not play tennis and whilst pain is felt at the elbow it is a degenerative problem that involves the wrist and finger extensor muscles.

Typically, those with tennis elbow will experience pain when performing gripping tasks or resisted wrist or finger extension. There will be tenderness over the bone on the outside of the elbow and the muscles of the forearm may feel very tight. Often grip strength is decreased and it is painful to grip or lift objects or to shake hands.

In the not so distant past, it was thought that this was an inflammatory condition and the common advice was to rest, and take anti-inflammatories. We now know that this is a degenerative condition of the tendon where the wrist extensors attach to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. The cause can be due to one large/strong movement or repeated movements that stress the tendon to the point where the tendon is unable to repair as quickly as damage is occurring.

Initially treatment involves rest from the aggravating activities and gentle strengtheningexercises to stimulate the growth of new tendon cells within the tendon. Load management is important, for example instead of painting that room in one day complete it over several days to minimise aggravation. Initially isometric exercises such as tensing your forearm muscles without moving your wrist will help relieve symptoms. These are later progressed to eccentric strengthening exercises to prevent reinjury.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

Forbes Batonbearers For Commonwealth Games

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

It’s official! Twelve locals from Forbes will be part of 3,800 batonbearers who will carry the Queen’s Baton during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games next year.

The 12 locals are a good representation of the community. They are Wendy Green, Taylah Hemming, Denise Jelbart, Robyn Kenny, Robin Lyell, Ethan Markwort, Peter Moore, Christopher Roylance, Yvonne Shaw, Lester Sheather (living in Young), James Smart (living in Seaforth) and Rob Willis.

Forbes is one of eight overnight stops in NSW, and the baton will reach the town on Monday, 29th January 2018.

The batonbearers will take more than a million steps collectively across Australia to bring it to its final destination at the Opening Ceremony on 4th April 2018. Each batonbearer will carry the baton for approximately 200 metres.

The baton starts its Australian journey on 25th December. It will travel through every state and territory covering 40,000km.

Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on 13th March, the baton has gone across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. It is in Malaysia currently and will visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Australia.

QUESTION of the week

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What are your thoughts on the replacement of the existing Camp Street Bridge?

John Zannes: The new proposed design is a great opportunity for Forbes to reinvigorate an entry from the east into Forbes.

Susan Chau: It’s wonderful for us to have a new and safer, more up to date bridge whilst still maintaining the heritage features such as the preserving of the beautiful antique lights.

Brett Rout: It’s due for an upgrade and the most important thing is the safety of the community

Marriage Celebrants

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With the topic of marriage currently in the news, the question may arise: “How do I become a marriage celebrant?”

It is not that simple… You need to become qualified and become an authorised celebrant under Part IV of the Marriage Act, 1961.

Ministers of religion are registered as marriage celebrants after being nominated by their church or faith and they are able to marry persons in accordance with their church or faith throughout Australia. Chaplains in the armed services have the ability to solemnise marriages overseas where one person is in the Australian Defence Force.

Registrars of births, deaths and marriages are automatically marriage celebrants by their office, and most registrars of courts in rural NSW are able to perform marriages. Most Australian diplomatic or consular officers in foreign countries are also authorised to perform marriages in those countries.

Otherwise, to become a fully certified and authorised marriage celebrant, you will need to be at least 18 years of age, be of good character, attend the correct training and showcase your knowledge of marriage legislation. The training is a Certificate IV in Celebrancy which can be obtained at many registered training organisations including TAFE.

After vetting by Police and paying fees, a person becomes registered as a marriage celebrant and may solemnise marriages at any place in Australia at any time subject to the act and provided the bride and groom give at least one month’s notice to the celebrant in writing of their intention to marriage. Instant marriages are not possible.

If you have questions on the Marriage Law or anything else, please contact any of our solicitors at Matthews Williams.

Netball Representative News

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association is calling for applications from netball players for the Open representative team to compete in the West/Central West Regional League 2018. The team will play in Orange one Sunday each month of February, March and April. Details at the office.

Nomination forms are on the FNA website, and must be emailed to the secretary, Tiff Nicholson on secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com by Wednesday, 1st November 8pm.

The Open representative team is open to players turning 14 (2018), to open ladies. All players must be registered and have played in FNA competitions 2017, to be eligible to trial. Selection trials for the team will be held on 13th and 20th November at 6pm.

OUR Bloke

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Andrew Cogswell

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I was born in Forbes in 1983. I have lived here most of my life.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work for Lachlan Commodities Pty Limited. I love the job because it is challenging and involves a lot of my personal likes such as agriculture and market development.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy golf, fishing and plenty of time in the garden.

What are you really good at? I would like to say golf and fishing but that wouldn’t be true. I would have to say I think I am good at my job.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To be able to fly.

What is your pet hate? Duffing my first tee shot at golf.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. I can’t, I just got married last Saturday and we are about to start our best holiday ever!

Of ‘Olive’ The Rest Gibson’s The Best

October 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The owners of Gibson’s Grove Olives just outside Forbes have been nurturing their olives with love and care for the past 21 years.

This devotion did not go unnoticed as the Manzanillo Hand Picked Olives of Greg and Clare Gibson have been named the Champion Olive product and won gold at the 2017 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

With 180 entries in the olive oil and olive section, the Gibson’s Grove products were a stand out also being awarded silver for both their Paragon and Corregiolla olive oil and their Ligurian style table olives.

Entering for the seventh year, it is the third time that the Gibson’s have won the champion product with the same olives.

Gibson’s Grove Olives have 2,000 olive trees and produce about three different varieties. They bottle, cask and tin their oil on the property and cover an extensive boutique market. They supply from Forbes right through to Sydney including major hotels, restaurants and Qantas.

Explaining why Gibson’s Grove Olives re so successful, Greg said: “We are a small boutique operation and can keep more control of produce. We do products naturally and don’t use caustic soda. My wife and I do all the sorting ourselves.”

With their friendly farming, care for the country side and hard work this husband and wife duo have grown their business into a nationally recognised award winning product.

By Gizell van Wyk

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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