Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Record Funding For 53 Forbes Applicants

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Twenty-two community organisations in the Forbes Shire have received record funding from the last round of the Department of Social Security Volunteer Equipment Grants Program.

A combined total of $102,400 has been awarded under the Federal Government program, which is aimed at supporting not- for-profit community groups to buy badly needed equipment to support their work. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000.

On Tuesday, Forbes Shire Council hosted a free sausage sizzle for funding recipients, to celebrate the record milestone and acknowledge the hard work of community groups.

More than 30 representatives from local organisations came along to enjoy some lunch and share stories about what the grant means for them.

Forbes North Public School received $5,000, part of which will go towards air conditioning for the canteen.

“The canteen runs five days a week and the lovely ladies in there need to be in a comfortable environment. It’s a work health and safety issue,” said Laurinda Ray.

The Calarie Hall Committee also received $5,000. “You don’t know what it means for us,” said Ann Fisher. “We started out years ago making egg sandwiches to fundraise. This money will help us put heating and cooling in the hall, which will be better for people who want to use it.”

The Men’s Shed, Valley FM Community Radio, Forbes Handicraft Centre, North- side Temple, the Toy Library, the Forbes Band, and the Forbes Historic Machinery Association were also among the grant re- cipients.

Andrew Rawsthorne, Grants Officer at Forbes Council said 53 funding applications (council and community) were approved to a value of $3.2 million this financial year. Another $4 million is potentially coming our way with 38 other applications pending.

Andrew is available to help local organisations with funding applications, and can be contacted at Council on 6850 2300.

By Rochelle Bright

Mayoral Notes

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

At last Thursday’s May Council meeting, the Our Community Strategic Plan 2017- 2027 of the Forbes Shire was adopted. The supporting plans including the 2017/18 Op- erational Budget was planned to be on public exhibition, however some of our Council- lors wanted some more information before it went on display.

A briefing session was held on Monday to answer any remaining questions and a special meeting will be held this afternoon at 5pm to endorse the documents for public exhibition. Once endorsed, the plans will be available to view on our website www. forbes.nsw.gov.au or at Council’s Admin- istration and Engineering Offices and the Forbes Library.

Last weekend Councillors and executive staff attended a strategic planning workshop. This session was excellent and it gave us a chance to all work together on future plans for the Shire.

If you aren’t already aware, community members can report issues around town through a smartphone application called Snap Send Solve. This allows you to report and capture issues such as broken playground equipment or road conditions. You need to download Snap Send Solve to your mobile phone to utilise this service.

On Wednesday the Library Council of NSW visited the Forbes Library. The results of the focus group that was held earlier this month were discussed and the Library Council members had a tour of the library. It was great to welcome the members to

Forbes. Have a great weekend, Mayor Graeme Miller

Friends And Fun Fuel The Food Revolution

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Fruity faces, healthy pancakes and even kangaroo stew were available for the community to enjoy at the Forbes Food Revolution Day held last Friday at the Church in the Schoolyard.

Most of the visitors were children from lo- cal schools who came to try different foods with their friends.

They also got to dig their hands into buckets of compost with Netwaste’s Sue Clarke, and taste different kinds of olives as Marg Applebee from Landcare explained how they are grown.

Between activities, the kids lined up for spray-on tattoos, courtesy of Neighbourhood Central volunteers.

This is the fourth time organisers Lucy Pearce and Maree Yapp have run the annual event.

“I believe in teaching kids from a very young age to make healthy choices,” said Lucy, who is the local Food Revolution Am- bassador.

Maree, from Schools as Community Centres (SaCC), is passionate about food security and land care.

“I’m interested in the whole cycle of food,” she said. “And between us, we’re trying to extend the message about eating healthy right through the year.”

During May, Maree and Lucy also run Real Food Tasting sessions, which aim to encourage children between the ages of three and eight to try different fruits and vegetables.

This year, they expect to reach over 800 local children.

“We get so much feedback from parents about kids that have always refused to eat fruit or vegetables suddenly deciding that, because they’ve tried it at school with their friends, they eat fruit and vegetables now,” said Lucy.

To find out more about Food Revolution or the Real Food Tasting program visit the Facebook page, contact Maree Yapp at SaCC on 6852 3008, or Lucy Pearce on 6851 5809.

By Rochelle Bright

Local Outlaw Chases Glory Up North

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes speed racer Justin Roylance and his team will compete in round four of the Australian V8 superboats championship in Tweed Heads this weekend.

Justin will race a new boat, The Outlaw, with Michelle Hodge in the navigator’s seat. The Outlaw packs around 700 horsepow- er and can reach 120km/h in just under two seconds, so driver and navigator need to be

reasonably fit, and safety gear is a priority. “It is certainly a rush. You’re pumping yourself up for a 45 second dash,” said Justin. “This weekend we race both days. Saturday is practice and qualifying, and Sunday is our big day.”
For those interested in following the excitement, the races will be streamed live on the V8 Superboat page on Facebook.

Big Field For Legends Pro-Am

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Legends Pro-Am last Friday attracted 33 professionals and 82 club players. Players came from all around NSW and interstate.

The professional winner for the day was Steve Conran from Bathurst with a score of 70, followed by Grant Kenny and Allan May, both NSW, on par 72.

Prizes for the club players were awarded for scratch points, handicap points and NTPs. The winners are (Forbes unless otherwise stated):

Scratch points (men): A-grade S Betland; B-grade T Morgan; C-grade T Howe; Handicap winners: Ladies – A Tilley (43 pts; a Junior from Belconnen), Men C- grade R Scott (42), B-grade G Newport (40), A-grade R Nixon (42); Handicap runner-up: Ladies – S Crosby (35), Men C-grade A Cullen (36 – Wentworth Falls), B-grade P Cowhan, A-grade J Dickinson (39 – Catalina, a junior).

NTPs: Ladies 3rd – J Sullivan, Ladies 9th – A Tilley; Men C-Grade 3rd and 9th – none; Men B-grade 9th – G Newport, 18th D Sly; Men A-grade 1st – S Betland, 18th – R Nixon. The Pros had one on each hole.

Saturday’s B&C Autos 3-person ambrose saw 42 players in 14 teams. The winners were Geoff and Andrew Drane with John Betland with a nett of 57.17. Runners-up were D Bayley, P Dawson and T Sharpe on 59.17.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Bruce Carpenter with 38 points, from Scott Kirkman on 37 points.

By Short Putt

Snippets…

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Local Land Service (LLS) Election: Local farmer Chris Sweeney is standing in the LLS Election held this month. He is one of eight candidates seeking election for the Central West Local Land Services. The other candidates are Jenny Bradley, Don Schieb, Sharon Portelli, Alan Smith, Penny Heuston, Peta Tumpey and Will Martel. The election is held every three years and is an opportunity for ratepayers to elect a member of the board to represent them and their views on how the Local Land Ser- vices will be structured over the next few years. Enrolled rural ratepayers can vote online or via postal vote until 5pm on 31st May.

Water Bills: Forbes Shire Council is reminding ratepayers that the latest water bills are for the period from the end of November to mid-March. This works out at an average of 108 days usage at $1.14 per kilolitre of water used. General Manager Danny Green said it was important to con- sider how many days were included rather than just comparing to the previous charge as the former period was for only 88 days. An increase of 11 cents per kilolitre of wa- ter used for 2016-2017 was also included.

Hair-razing effort! The extraordinary peo- ple who shaved or coloured their hair and their generous sponsors have raised al- most $5 million in NSW in support of this year’s World’s Greatest Shave.

The money raised for the Leukaemia Foundation will help to fund projects to provide safe and comfortable accommoda- tion in the city for families living in regional NSW, and to offer free transport, counsel- ling, information and practical support to the 60,000 Australians living with a blood cancer.

Nomination: The #MonteFamous show on 2LVR Valley FM has been nominated in the 2017 Community Broadcasting Asso- ciation of Australia Radio awards. James ‘Monte’ Irvine hosts #MonteFamous on Monday nights with a guest co-presenter, interviewing three independent or un- signed Australian musicians each week.

Monte has interviewed 201 artists since the program’s inception, and has given
a number of the artists their debut on the air waves.

“Monte and his show are a great contribu- tion to new and unsigned Australian artists who wouldn’t necessarily get interviewed or airplay on other radio stations,” said John Berger, President of 2LVR Valley FM.

Exceptional Property On Market

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

It is not often a property is on the market that has everything going for it. The property at 11527 The Escort Way is one you would not see again soon.

The list of what is available is rather long, but the main features include a three-bedroom brick and tile home and granny flat, town and bore water, four acres to play with – all currently sown to oats, and ample sheds and excellent fencing.

The property is currently vacant with no furniture, so the vendors took advantage and replaced carpet and flooring, as well as a brand new kitchen and fresh paint throughout. There is wood and gas heating with ducted evaporative air-conditioning. The home has a main bathroom with a second shower and toilet in the laundry.

The granny flat is fully self-contained with one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge room.

Beautifully kept lawns and gardens wrap the brick and tile home, with a sophisticated watering system.

The freshly sown paddocks will provide plenty of feed or grain. The property is subdivided into five paddocks including the fully fenced house paddock.

The workshop has a cement floor, power, plenty of bench space and shelving, plus a double colourbond shed, chook and storage sheds.

Arrange a private inspection today or attend one of the open home tours. Please call Ian Simpson on 0417 468 565.

Show Your Heart Some Love!

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Did you know that heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia?

This means that on average, one Australian dies from heart disease every 26 minutes.

Heart disease is associated with a number of factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and can lead to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. Many of these signs are silent meaning there are no obvious symptoms. That is why it is important to have regular checkups with your pharmacist and GP.

There are a number of simple measures that you can take to reduce your chance of suffering the complications of heart disease, such as:
• Know your blood pressure (have it

checked regularly at the pharmacy).
• Exercise – as little as 30 minutes brisk walking, five times per week.
• No smoking – smokers are six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smokers.
• Get tested for diabetes and keep it under control.
• Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels – ask your GP.
• Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
• Maintain a healthy weight – the higher your BMI the higher your risk of heart disease.
• So show your heart some love and don’t become a statistic!

Help us to help you avoid heart disease and get to know ‘your numbers’. Call into Flan- nery’s Pharmacy or Life Pharmacy for a blood pressure check, a cardiovascular risk assessment, quit smoking assistance and weight loss support – all of which are free during the months of May and June.

Are You The New Face Of Eyewear Specs?

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Fiona Hayward of Eyewear Specs says having regular eye checks is the most important thing you can do to take care of your eyes.

Word of mouth has seen Fiona’s business grow since she opened the shop at 95 Rankin Street last year, and she is celebrating with a special offer for the Forbes community.

Right now, anyone who has an eye test and buys a pair of frames or glasses will get a second pair free. If you are willing to have your photo taken in your new glasses and have it posted on the Eyewear Specs Facebook page, you will be in the running to become the new face of Eyewear Specs.

Each month, the person whose photo has the most likes will receive a $100 voucher. At the end of the year, all names will go into the draw to win an iPad mini.

If you’ve noticed any changes in your eyes, Fiona says it’s important to have them checked as soon as possible.

You can have your eyes tested at the shop, or at any of Fiona’s mobile clinics around the Central West. Call Fiona on 6851 2299 to book or just drop in.

Netballers Go Crazy For Cancer Research

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Tomorrow all Forbes netballers will go crazy for cancer research when they join net- ball associations from all over the state to raise money for The Kids Cancer Project. Forbes Netball Association (FNA) signed up for the crazy hair and sock day with all play- ers in the Saturday competition dressing up.

Fun prizes will be awards in each division, from NetSetGo to divisions 1, 2 and 3, for the best crazy dressed players and best crazy dressed teams, with an overall prize awarded to the best from all the divisions.

Entry for the day is a gold coin donation, with a barbeque on offer. Donations of cooking are welcome. A donation bucket will also be available, and a 100 club.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe