Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

The Mighty Platypi Dive To Victory

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Mighty Platypi did not disappoint fans that came out in droves to support their favourite team at the Blowes Clothing Cup grand final. The Platypi defeated the Orange Emus with a 28-20 final score after a gut-wrenching game, clinching the 2017 premiership held at the Endeavour Oval in Orange last Saturday.

Forbes Rugby Union Club President, Tracey Prior said: “The game was always going to be a tough one for the boys. They’d faced Emus several times this year but the Emusalways got on top of us in the last few minutes somehow.”

“As soon as the guys ran on the field on Saturday they were confident and calm. They knew what all our strengths were and what we needed to focus on and do to secure the win,” said Tracey.

During the first half of the game the score changed regularly and at half time the Platypi had a three point lead with the score 13-10.

During the second half the Platypi had strong winds to their advantage which they used very effectively.

“The Platypi knew it was going to take hard work and they were willing to do that,” said Tracey. They were really hungry for it! All players stood up and did what was asked of them.”

The Platypi victory was followed by an electric atmosphere, with the crowd and supporters celebrating and congratulating the team.

“A lot of people from Forbes and other clubs were there in support. It was a bit like David and Goliath. Forbes is a small town compared to Orange. I think people wanted to see the underdog win,” said Tracey.

She was very impressed with the number of Forbes community members who came on Saturday. She could not express enough how proud she was hearing everyone cheer for the team. “It was a magical afternoon.”

By Gizell van Wyk

And The Boscar Goes To…

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

It was a night of glitz and glam as guests strolled onto the red carpet at this year’s Boscars Gala Dinner held last Friday at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. Attendees were welcomed at the Forbes Business Awards with tasteful decor of The Godfather theme making this annual event even more thrilling.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Chris Baker, entertained guests with his quick wit and sharp humour as nominee finalists awaited in eager anticipation for the award winners to be announced.

Loud applause and cheers erupted when Forbes Family Dentists was announced as the Business of the Year winner sponsored by Evolution Mining. This award is given to the most outstanding business which has demonstrated excellence across all areas of operation. They were also the winner of the Excellence in Small Business (under 20 employees) award. On acceptance of the award, Dental Assistant at Forbes Family Dentists Tabitha Blake said, “This means the world to all of us. We all really love our jobs and we all love all of our patients.”

Among the guests were Forbes Business Chamber President Brett Rout, guest speaker Neil Druce from the Junee Licorice Factory, Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack gave the introduction to awards, MP for Orange Philip Donato and Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller.

A number of the award categories are aligned with the NSW Business Chamber. Winners of those categories can progress directly as finalists to the 2018 Western NSW Business Awards.

A full list of the award winners and photographs can be seen on The Forbes Phoenix Facebook page.

JUST A SHORT DRIVE TO… Orange

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

AMAZING CAKES TO BUY AND BAKE

Sugarcraft is your one-stop shop if you are looking for quality wedding cakes and decorating supplies. They also have a large range of cake decorating equipment. At Sugarcraft you will find an assortment of cakes such as cupcakes, traditional and tiered. They are open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Gluten free and themed cakes can be made upon customers’ request.

Sugarcraft offers a wide variety of cakes such as Mud Cakes, Fruit Cake, Chocolate Mud Cake, Caramel Mud Cake, White Chocolate Mud Cake, White Chocolate Mud Cake with Raspberry Swirl and many other flavours. You can visit them at Shop 28 in The Orange Arcade, 142-146 Summer Street in Orange or contact them on 02 6361 3434.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOUMIGHT FIND

Eclectic Orange has a mix of new and second- hand furniture, home decor, clothing and accessories. If you’re into funky and retro, vintage or industrial, Eclectic is the place to go.

Maybe you’d like to find a one-off piece, or you’re intrigued by unusual items. Everyone likes to find a unique piece, whether it be for the home or yourself. Eclectic Orange derive ideas, style and tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources – a store where you never know what you might find.

HANDMADE QUALITY JEWELLERY

Your natural beauty can be complimented with the right choice of precious metals and gemstones.

At Second Chance Collectables in Orange you can select from a range of quality rings and jewellery handmade in Australia from quality gold and natural gemstones: rubies, emeralds, sapphires, aquamarine and of course diamonds.

All handcrafted by one of Australia’s longest established manufacturers of quality jewellery!

Engagement rings, dress rings, bangles, bracelets, neck chains and earrings. Visit Second Chance Collectables at 149 Peisley Street Orange, phone 6369 1513 or email second.chance@bigpond.com

FAIR TRADE ETHNIC CLOTHES AND GIFTS

If you shop with your conscious, Cinnabar in Orange is the place to go to find well sourced ethnic clothing and gifts.

“We always try and source fair trade products, and if possible from the same ladies if not village,” says Nyasa from Cinnabar. “We keep a wide variety of mixed price items so there is hopefully something for every budget.”

If you like to support locally, Cinnabar has products hand made in the Orange area. To round off an enjoyable shopping trip, why not enjoy tea or coffee and a slice in the courtyard?

OUR Bloke

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Chris Baker

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes since 2008. It’s a fantastic place to live and raise a family with great people and fantastic community spirit.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at Baker Ag Advantage as an agronomist. I enjoy the challenge of running a small business and I get a lot of satisfaction working with innovative and progressive farmers. My wife and I also have a mixed farming business near Trundle.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy spending time at home with my family and I try to grab every opportunity to drop a line in the mighty Lachlan River.

What are you really good at? Watching footy! Two premierships in two weeks (Trundle Boomers and The Platypi), how good is that!

If you could have a super power, what would it be? The ability to make it rain…

What is your pet hate? People who are consistently late.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? We recently went to Noosa and I don’t think there is anywhere in Australia that beats that. Nice beaches and great weather!

Teenage Cricketers And Low Back Pain

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With a household of teenage boys, it always amuses me to see that as soon as the footy grand finals are over the cricket gear miraculously appears and watching cricket on TV for the next five months. As cricket can become a bit of an obsession for some, now is an appropriate time to highlight an injury often seen in young cricket players (under 25 years) and particularly in fast bowlers: spondylolysis.

A spondylolysis is a stress fracture in an area of the vertebrae called the pars interarticularis (pars). Pars stress fractures are thought to be caused by repetitive hyperextension and rotation loading of the spine that can occur in the bowling action. The most common site is at the level of the L5 vertebrae. Pain is usually felt on one side, occurs gradually and is aggravated by rotation and extension of the lumbar spine. In the initial phase pain will settle with rest.

Stress fractures tend to occur on the nonbowling arm side of the lower back and are typically due to errors in technique (such as a mixed bowling action, too much counter rotation or high ball release height), and/or excessive bowling work load.

If your young cricket player does complain of low back pain it is important to get a correct diagnosis. Cricket players who have had a pars stress fracture can still make a full return to sport. Initial treatment would involve rest from bowling and a rehabilitation programme focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, trunk and gluteal muscles. Bowling action may need to be modified once training is resumed.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

MAYORAL NOTES

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Boscars were held last Friday night at the Forbes Services Memorial Club and in my opinion it was one of the best Boscars I have attended. Councillors and Council staff were in attendance and it was a fabulous night to recognise our business community. Congratulations to all of the winners, especially to Forbes Family Dentists for winning the Business of the Year. Council sponsored the Business Leader of the Year award and I congratulate Larry Storm from HE Silos on his win.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Central West Rugby Union Blowes Clothing Cup Grand Final in Orange on Saturday but the Forbes Platypi were victorious against the Orange Emus 28-20. From what I have heard the mighty Platypi played very well and I congratulate the players and the committee on a very successful year.

On Saturday night we were back at the Forbes Services Memorial Club for the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show for the presentation dinner. Most of the awardwinning wineries were in attendance to col lect their trophies and it was a great night with delicious food and wine. Once again congratulations to the organising committee for continuing to recognise the small winemakers industry.

Tomorrow is the inaugural Grazing Down the Lachlan event and it will be a great day out. There are a lot of visitors coming to Forbes and I wish the organising committee all the best for a fantastic day.

Mayor

Graeme Miller

Betland Wins Parkes Open

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes golfer John Betland made sure to keep it in the family when he won the Parkes Open Golf Tournament in the strongest field of the 43 year history of the event on Sunday. His brother Steve won the coveted title last year. Here is John with sponsor Bill Wakim of SCT Logistics at the presentation of trophies.

The 142nd Forbes Show Shines

September 14, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Unlike last year, the skies were clear at the Forbes Show on Friday and Saturday, allowing enthusiastic show-goers to be entertained with many attractions, competitions and events. From magic shows and shearing competitions to rides for thrill-seekers.

There was something for everyone to enjoy.

Jan Facey, Show Secretary, said that the committee were pleased with a good show all over. “The Show was a big improvement on last year. We were lucky with the weather and had a good crowd on both Friday and Saturday.”

“It was good to see the showjumping back again this year. The pavilion entries were also up and the cattle pavilion was well attended.” “The dog show section ran very well and the dairy section’s numbers were up,” said Jan.

By Gizell van Wyk

TO THE EDITOR…

September 14, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate Mr Murray White for all the years and hard work that he has put into taking care of our pool.

I have had a number of medical issues over the last few years and the pool is vital to me to get my mobility back to a reasonable level. We are so lucky to have this wonderful warm pool. The water is kept at an amazing level and it never stings our eyes. Thank you Mr Murray White your effort for more than 40 years is very much appreciated.

Dianne Decker AM JP

Rotary Connection Brings Seeds Of Hope

September 14, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Town Hall was recently packed to capacity with citizens who had come to hear the Seeds of Hope Choir from Ndola, a large city in Zambia.

The choir was composed of teenaged students of the Grace Academy, which is run by the Canadian charity, Seeds of Hope. The audience responded enthusiastically to the singing of songs in the student’s native language, accompanied by clapping, dancing and drums.

What many in the audience may not have known when they entered the Town Hall is that the students who sang and danced had all been affected by AIDS in their native country. Some of them told their stories. Most are orphans who have lost their parents to the disease, which had also been passed on to them.

Because of the improvement in AIDS treatment, they will now live normal lives with the help of Seeds of Hope which pays for this treatment and most hoped to become professionals who will help their country rise out of poverty and disease. They sang their hearts out in thanks for the future they can look forward to, thanks to Seeds of Hope and those who donate to it.

Many in the audience would not have realised also that the choir made only a few appearances on the East Coast of Australia, and two of these were Forbes and Parkes.

The Rotary Club of Forbes has helped the Zambian orphanage by sponsoring Daniel Greef, a policeman based in Parkes. Daniel’s expenses on his three visits to Ndola have been partly funded by Forbes Rotary, with the rest funded out of his own pocket. Daniel has been part of a team which has constructed classrooms and dormitories for Grace Academy.

If you wish to know more please contact the Rotary Club Forbes Secretary, Christine Hawke on 0409 661 358 or Google Seeds of Hope Australia.

Contributed By Rotary Club

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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