Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Shin Splints

October 5, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With winter sports winding up and pre-season training for summer sports commencing, it is not surprising that today I saw my first case of shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome), for this year.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is the medical name for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee on either the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints). MTTS is a common injury seen in many running or jumping based sports for example, basketball, netball, football or hockey.

Shin splints most commonly occur when repetitive or prolonged activities place strain on where the muscles attach to the outside lining of the bone (tenoperiosteum). Put simply, the cause of MTTS can be summed up in four words: too much too soon. Athletes often first experience shin pain early in the season due to deconditioning and when training surfaces are generally harder. Later in the season it can be caused by increased load or fatigue from over training and not allowing enough time for recovery between activities.

If you have shin splints stretch your calf muscles regularly through the day. Another good stretch is to kneel on a carpeted floor with your legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back then slowly sit back onto your heels, pushing your ankles onto the floor until you feel tension in the muscles in your shin. Hold for 15 seconds then relax and repeat. When you return to sport, increase your load slowly and avoid running on hills and hard surfaces until your pain goes completely.

“For the fitness of you”

Linda Reilly

New Camp Street Bridge Concept

October 5, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Roads and Maritime Services have invited the community to view the concept design for the new bridge across Lake Forbes which will replace the existing Camp Street Bridge at Forbes.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless said the NSW Government has provided $500,000 to fund planning of the new bridge across Lake Forbes on the Lachlan Valley Way.

“An architect was engaged to design the new bridge, which includes landscaping suitable to the surrounding lakeside environment,” Rick said.

“The lamp posts from the existing bridge, which was built in 1927, will be incorporated in the design to complement the town’s heritage aesthetics.”

“A new bridge is needed to meet current design standards and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians into the future as the existing bridge is narrow, in poor condition and nearing the end of its useful life.”

“The project will involve building a new, wider bridge across Lake Forbes with wider travel lanes and pedestrian/cyclist paths.”

A number of drop-in sessions are being held where the community can view the design for the new bridge and speak with the project team. Sessions will be on Monday, 9th October at 11am to 2pm and Thursday, 12th October at 4pm to 7pm at the Forbes Shire Council, also on Saturday, 14th October at 9.30am to 12pm at Lachlan Street Forbes (outside Bernardi’s supermarket).

The bridge design can also be viewed at Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Library where it is on display until Thursday, 30th November.

OUR Bloke

October 5, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Murray Field

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I lived in Bedgerabong for my first 17 years and have lived in Forbes ever since. Forbes is a quiet and peaceful town with a friendly atmosphere and plenty of caring people. It is also good to get anywhere in town in a few minutes.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I am retired. What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? Gardening, walking my dog, spending time with my wife and grandchildren.

What are you really good at? I am ok with numbers and can get along with most people quite easily.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? The power to rid the world of power hungry people.

What is your pet hate? Bad mannered and aggressive drivers.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. I have just returned from four weeks with my wife touring the Scottish Highlands, Croatia and Lake Como in Northern Italy and it was as good as any holiday I have had.

Out Of This World Petition To Save The Planet

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

When you are 11 the world can be an infinite and even daunting place. Not for a young boy from Forbes who dreams of travelling into space one day, while at the moment he has his feet firmly planted in the soil of Mother Earth.

Year 5 Forbes North Public School student Angus Webb’s long-term quest is to go to Mars one day, but for the time being he has embarked on another inspiring mission: he is reaching out to explorer, inventor, engineer and businessman Elon Musk with a petition to get him to the Central West and help put carbon in soil.

Angus is very concerned about global warming and climate change. “It is real and affects everyone on our planet. My dad is part of a soil carbon research institute, Soil C Quest, where they are trying to find a way to remove carbon from the atmosphere. They are researching ways soil can ‘soakup’ excess carbon. I reckon Elon Musk is an amazing man, and I reckon he would want to help, don’t you?”

For Angus it would be a double whammy if he could get the co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX to Forbes: meeting his idol, who also wants to go to Mars, and getting Elon to support his dad, Guy Webb’s research in order to double carbon levels in the soil by 2031.

Angus is asking everyone’s help by signing his petition at https://www.change.org/p/ angus-s-amazing-climate-challenge-forelon-musk

By Maggi Barnard

Mayoral Notes

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What a weekend we have just had in Forbes. We had two major events with the inaugural Grazing Down the Lachlan and the River Arts Festival lakeside celebrations.

Grazing Down the Lachlan was a wonderful experience and it really showed to our visitors what we can do out here in Forbes. The event was very well organised and I congratulate the committee for doing such a wonderful job.

After the Grazing Down the Lachlan, Maureen and I attended the official opening of the River Arts Festival. The lantern parade was quite spectacular and it was great to see so many children performing at the festival. Congratulations to Margot Jolly and her team. I would also like to mention the great work of the Council staff who helped pack up everything.

At last Thursday’s Council meeting Councillor Jenny Webb was elected Deputy Mayor and I am looking forward to working with her for the next 12 months.

I would also like to mention the presentation Guy Webb made at our Council meeting in regards to his not-for-profit research organisation Soil C Quest. If you get a chance watch the video petition his son has created to invite Elon Musk to back the Soil C Quest 2031 Project.

There are a number of events in the Forbes Shire over the long weekend including the opening of the Somewhere Down The Lachlan Sculpture Trail tonight, the Rural Arts Symposium tomorrow night and the Forbes Motor Show on Sunday.

Mayor
Graeme Miller

Snippets

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Spring Photo Competition: The Forbes Phoenix has teamed up with Aerial Antix to launch a spring photo competition. With Spring all around us, you can point your camera just about anywhere to get a scenic shot. We would love to see the great photos our readers can come up with. A wonderful prize is up for grabs – a picture donated by Aerial Antix! The competition will run until October, with entries to be submitted to The Forbes Phoenix by Tuesday, 31st October. Entries can be sent to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au or via our Facebook page.

Go bold: The regional biennial Rural Arts & Culture Symposium will be held in Forbes tomorrow. This year’s symposium has a specific focus on ‘being bold’ – people, ideas and approaches that step outside the traditional or take big leaps in regional arts making. The symposium is co-hosted by regional arts development organisation Arts OutWest as the final event of the Kalari Lachlan River Arts Festival. A free event open to the whole community from 10:15am to 1pm at Forbes Services Club. Special guest speaker is Alex Wisser, director of the Cementa contemporary arts festival in Kandos. Bookings essential via www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rural-arts-andculture-symposium-tickets-37376292497, call 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Call for Australia Day volunteers: Forbes Shire Council is calling on local residents interested in volunteering to help organise Australia Day. Those who are willing to lend a hand will be involved in the planning, preparation and running of Australia Day celebrations. The first meeting of the Australia Day working group will be held at 1pm on Thursday, 5th October at the Forbes Shire Council administration office. Anyone seeking further information can contact Community Relations Officer, Blake Nicholson on 6850 2355.

#Montefamousreview: Anna O – Reckoning: Reckoning, Anna O’s latest release, is a brilliant blend of electronic, pop and RnB. Each track is filled with emotive audio imaging that is brought to life magnificently by Anna O’s powerful voice. The music has a deep pulsating beat and ingeniously crafted melodies that complements the lyrics being delivered so purely. While some of the tracks have a darker pop feel about them, Anna O still delivers a positive message. Reckoning is an EP that you can put on any time day or night and feel good about what you’re hearing, it’s the perfect EP to relax to. Let Anna O’s superb vocals tell you a musical story.

Question Of The Week

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Which summer activities are you looking forward to?

Emily Molloy (12): Playing soccer, horse riding, swimming, touch football and cricket.

Matty Duke (12): I’m so excited to play touch football and cricket.

Shyeka Griffiths (11): Going to the beach in Sydney.

A Show For Motor Lovers

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The seventh annual Forbes Motor Show on Sunday, 1st October has an impressive lineup with something to suit everyone’s taste.

There will be bikes, cars, vintage machinery, trucks and tractors, as well as antique machinery and model car displays.

The gates at South Circle Drive will open at 8am for registration and the show hours are 10am to 2pm.

The 33 categories this year include cars, bikes (with ladies categories), trucks, trac- Preparing for the Forbes Motor Show on 1st October are Barry Read & Jill Kay from McFeeter’s Car Museum and Ian (Bart) Bartholomaeus from Midpro and President of the Forbes Motor Show. tors, antique machinery, veteran, vintage and almost anything else you can think of.

For the children there will be a jumping castle, tattoos, face painting and other activities, while food and drink stalls will help to keep hunger and thirst away.

Donations will be given to local Forbes charities and schools following the show. Entry is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Contact Jill on 6852 3001 or Bart on 0412 859 444 for further information.

Approval For Major $5.4 Million Service Centre

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes will play host to a major new highway service centre following approval by the Western Joint Regional Planning panel last week.
The approval provides consent for the $5.4 million development that will be located at the Homemakers Centre on the Newell Highway. It will include a service station, convenience store, restaurant and car parking.
“This is great news for the future of Forbes and shows the willingness and confidence of major developers to invest in the Shire,” said Mayor Graeme Miller.
“It builds on the development that has already occurred at the Homemakers Centre and is another vote of confidence in promoting Forbes as a strong rural centre for both agricultural and commercial developments.”
Cr Phyllis Miller OAM is the Chair of Forbes Shire Council’s Economic Development Committee and welcomed the development.
“This is very good news for Forbes and shows the hard work being done to drive economic development in our town,” she said.
“This is one of a number of very exciting developments for the Forbes Shire.”
Peter Middlebrook, Development Director with Retail Fuel Developments, acknowledged Forbes Shire Council’s assistance in bringing the project to fruition.
“I am looking forward to commencing the development but to date I’ve been very happy with the professionalism and assistance provided by Council,” he said.

Our Gal

September 28, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Shannen Toole

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I was born and raised here in Forbes. What I love about living here is the community. They never cease to amaze me with how well we all come together if ever there is a crisis or issue that needs to be resolved.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at McGroder’s Solicitors as a receptionist. I love how every day is completely different. I’m constantly learning new things about the job and it’s always a challenge!

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I like to unwind with a book, movie, going outdoors and going for a walk with my dogs. Also I enjoy spending time with family or if all else fails, sleep is always a good option.

What are you really good at? I’m really good at writing stories. I may be bias, but I think they are great and my goal is to get one of my stories published.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? I would love to be able to shapeshift into any animal, extinct or living.

What is your pet hate? Animal cruelty. I am a huge animal lover, so when I see animals getting mistreated or in pain, I want to help them out.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. I went to a country music festival called CMC Rocks QLD up near Ipswich and went to Surfers Paradise for two weeks. Best holiday I’ve had so far! I met a lot of new friends at CMC, went to majority of the theme parks as well as Outback Spectacular. It was fantastic!

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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