Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Question of the Week?

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Why shouldn’t we buy water in disposable bottles?

Ryan Withers: Once you’ve drunk the water the disposable bottle becomes part of landfill. Garbage dumps take up land that belongs to our
native animals. My favourite native animals are wombats and I want to make sure they stay safe.

Sarah Jane Sullivan: Disposable water bottles create more rubbish. Oh, and it really annoys me when I see rubbish on the road that people have tossed away. Why don’t they care more about the environment?

Brodie Morley: By using disposable bottles, we are creating more rubbish. That is why I like the bottle Forbes Shire Council gave me. I can use this bottle again and again.

Mayoral Notes…

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The draft of our Forbes Shire Community
Strategic Plan 2017-2027 is on public exhibition.
Please make sure you have a look
at the draft plan and provide your feedback.
There will be two public meetings on
Wednesday, 12th April from 3:30 to 5pm or
5:30 to 7pm at the Forbes Town Hall.
Our General Manager Danny Green will
be presenting these meetings and it will
also give residents the chance to ask any
questions. Council officers will also be in attendance
at the Forbes Public School Easter
Fete today from 4:30 to 6:30pm and at
the Rotary Ipomoea Markets next Saturday
and the Bedgerabong Country Fair next
Sunday. The draft plan is available to view
on Council’s website www.forbes.nsw.gov.
au and hard copies are available at Council’s
administration and engineering offices
as well as Forbes Library.
We are pleased to welcome the Armstrong
Siddeley Car Club Rally to Forbes
this weekend. There will be a public viewing
at the Forbes Town Hall tomorrow from 9am
to 12pm so make sure you head down to
have a look. Also on tomorrow is the Forbes Triathlon
Festival, which is sure to be a great event.
Just a reminder that the Forbes Aquatic
Area will be temporarily closed to the public
all day tomorrow.
We farewelled the former Director of Tourism,
Community and Cultural Development
Richard Morgan earlier this week. We wish
Richard the best of luck for his future endeavours.
Deputy Mayor
Grant Clifton

Croquet Is Good For You

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

In Forbes we play golf croquet every Tuesday and Ausie croquet every Saturday at 9am. You need to arrive by 8.45 to register for the day and participate in the draw. You can learn for as little as $2 for six games, after which you are invited to become a member for $10 per person per year and $5 per day to play.

Croquet promotes good health and wellbeing without the need for sophisticated gym equipment. Our courts provide fresh air, and gentle exercise for the body, and stimulation for the brain. It is a non-contact sport for all ages. It is easy to learn, low cost, great fun to play
and provides for social relaxation as well as competitive and challenging games, with men and women competing on equal terms.
But beware croquet is addictive!

For more information contact president John Cole on 6857 3346, or secretary Anne Stewart on 6851 5320 or 0432 273 295 or look us up on Facebook.

By Veva MacCullagh

Tea For Two Concert

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Former Forbes resident Grant Roberts and friend Maddie Anderson will present an afternoon concert of piano and vocal music in the Forbes Town Hall tomorrow. The concert includes highlights from operatic and music theatre repertoire, along with selected piano favourites and a healthy portion of fun and laughter.

Grant and Maddie have been performing together for over five years, having first met while both were studying at the Australian National University in Canberra. Following the success of their concerts in the Canberra region recently, Forbes music lovers have an opportunity to enjoy the duo’s unique combination of music and laughter.

Doors open at 2:30, and the concert will include a light afternoon tea. Tickets are $30, inclusive of afternoon tea, and can be purchased at News on Rankin on 6852 1008, or at the door.

Cheers To 200 Years

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Westpac, Australia’s first and oldest bank, is celebrating 200 years in business on 8th April. Every branch in the country will be celebrating. In Forbes, where Westpac has been open for 146 years, the celebrations will take place on Thursday, 6th and Friday, 7th April. “We will be celebrating this milestone with prizes, giveaways of Westpac promotional items, such as pens, umbrellas, key rings, stubby holders, beach towels, lollies and many more,” said Forbes Bank Manager, Shannon Crowley.

The celebrations on Thursday will be a birthday party complete with balloons, coffee and a massive cake cut at 10:30am. “All customers and the wider community are invited to attend,” said Shannon. Westpac was established in 1817 as the Bank of New South Wales.

Footy Tipping Results – Round 4

March 29, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Footy Tips-Round 3 Winners

March 24, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

A Passion For Poultry

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Organising poultry auctions does not top the list of things to do for most 15-year- olds, but Sam Mackay has found his passion early on.

He and his friend, Jarrad Morrison are organising their seventh auction at the Forbes Showgrounds on Sunday.

Sam’s uncle, Andrew Milford said: “Sam was 10 when he organised his first sale in 2013.” When asked why he thought to hold his own auction Sam simply said: “We own poultry and had an excess, so I thought it would be good to hold one.”

He sold a total of 300 chooks at the first auction. “There was paper everywhere,” laughed Andrew. Since then they have upgraded and “Uncle Andrew has developed spreadsheets, so we are now electronic,” said Sam. “No more paper.”

Just as well as 1,000 head of poultry are expected to be sold on Sunday. “We hold the first poultry auction in Central West NSW when it cools down a little so we can be sure the poultry don’t become stressed,” said Sam.

“In fact, we are not like any other sale because Jarrad and I and some helpers, cage the poultry and make sure they are ok and have water. That is important as animal welfare carry out inspections.”

Sam appreciates the coaching Andrew and his aunt Trish Milford provide. “They are the backbone,” he said. Sam also wanted to mention his Aunty Kerry as she “helps massively on the day.” What a team Sam and Jarrad make!

By Dianne Collie

Planting Peas For Peace Of Mind, Heart And Soul

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Among the many friends of the Forbes Riverside Community Garden are two families spanning three generations with grandparents, daughter and partner and grandsons actively.

Meeting with some of the founding members, The Forbes Phoenix wanted to learn what attracted people to join. “It’s so peaceful here, and sheltered from the wind and weather,” said Leo Curran. Anne Hodges agreed adding: “We are just so blessed to have this space.”

According to Denis Irvine, friends can choose what they would like to grow, “however we do encourage the growing of clean, organic food.”

The community garden is a picture of perfect health with an array of raised garden beds bursting with fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers. There is a passionfruit vine, citrus and mulberry trees as well as mounds where pumpkins, rockmelons and asparagus grow.

“We cater for people of all abilities, ages and walks of life, and love to share our gardening knowledge. Mind you there is never a day where we don’t learn something new,” said Leo.

The community garden falls under the auspices of the Forbes Shire Council, and has been successful in attaining two grants. However nowadays they supplement the grant money with the sale of sea- sonal fruit, vegetables, potted vegetable and herb seedlings and dried herbs. “We have also received excellent support from many Forbes businesses, farmers and producers, we are very grateful to,” said Denis.

The Community Garden is always looking for new friends and open to anyone wanting buy fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs. The gardens are located within the former State Forest Nursery in Reymond Street and are open from 9 to 11am Monday to Saturday.

Visiting the garden you will easily understand the friendly volunteers’ motto: Plant three rows of peas; peace of mind, peace of heart and peace of soul.

By Dianne Collie

Netball News

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball primary schools gala day set for Monday had to be postponed again because of the wet weather, and will take place today.

Volunteers to help at any stage during the day will be needed to make it an enjoyable experience.

Thank you to the school organisers for re-scheduling teams for the third time, and thank you to the volunteers who have committed to help.

WEST/CENTRAL WEST NETED

NetEd (netball education) will be held in Orange on 1st April, and is free to all mem- bers. Representatives from Netball NSW will also hold coaching and umpiring workshops during the day. Theory and practical sessions will be held for all levels of coaching and umpiring.

The coaching workshops are 9am to 3pm, and the umpiring workshops from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Contact coach convenor Robyn Kenny for more information. Flyers will be avail- able at the office on Wednesday nights and Saturdays.

Accredited coaches and national badged umpires will receive updating points. Updating points have always been a requirement for coaches, and is now a requirement for badged umpires. The next round of West/Central West Regional League will be held in Orange on Sunday.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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