Parkes Phoenix Editor

What a celebration! There were games including croquet, bocce and volleyball. And let’s not forget the DJ Disco, drum workshop or the face painting with participants choosing to turn into transformers, spiders and even snakes! Joshua Cowling summed it up perfectly: ‘It was fun!’ Forbes International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) was held on Tuesday at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre. DJ Paulie played an amazing mix of music including golden oldies, hip hop, rap, right through to modern pop. There was also an impromptu dance performance from the House with No Steps dancers fresh from the Kristen School of Dance concert.

The 50 plus audience loved the dance performance to Uptown Funk and really got involved with one of their all-time favourites,
Gangnam Style. The Drum Workshop was extremely popular. “Absolutely everyone participated,” said Blake Nicholson, Forbes Council’s
Community Relations Officer. Martin Bates, Linker from AbilityLinks NSW took the lead with the drums and got everyone finger tapping with bongos and African drums. “There were so many smiles, everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was a fantastic atmosphere,” said Blake.

Blake also organised a bbq lunch. Everyone enjoyed the sausage sandwiches and the dessert treat of either gelato or Neapolitan ice-cream cones. So what is IDPwD? It is a United Nations and internationally sanctioned day that celebrates abilities and assists to break down
disability barriers that may exist in communities. Forbes IDPwD was a collaborative effort between Forbes Shire Council and House with No Steps. It was a day reflecting the statement of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon: “Let us work together for the full and
equal participation of persons with disabilities in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity.”

(Photo credits: Amy Millerd and Kim Wright)

By Dianne Collie

Police in the Lachlan Local Area Command are reminding residents to remain vigilant to avoid being the victim of opportunistic thieves this summer. Senior Constable Daniel Greef warned that most intruders hope to avoid confrontations. “So whenever you leave your home,
lock all doors and windows, but maintain a ‘lived in’ appearance by using timer devices to turn lights and radios on/off at different times.”
He also said it was important to secure belongings and not leave valuables, handbags, wallets, car keys and cash lying around the house.
Important Security Checklist:
• ensure everything is secured; consider engraving valuables with your details
• stop deliveries
• empty bins of rubbish including large packaging boxes for electronic items
• turn the phone volume down
• have trusted friends or neighbours clear your mailbox
• have your neighbour or a friend park their car in your driveway
• arrange for someone to cut your lawn and keep your property tidy
• ask a relative or friend to check your home; leave your contact details
• let a trusted neighbour know your plans
• pay bills in advance including electricity, gas, water, and telephone so that your supply continues while you’re away
• avoid posting information online about being away because thieves will use this information to target properties
• be sure your home and contents insurance is adequate and up to date

If your home has been broken into:
Call your local police station immediately. Don’t touch anything. Let police see your home exactly as the thief left it. Compile a list of what you think is missing – include brand names, model numbers, serial numbers, and any engraving details. For further contact Senior Constable Daniel Greef on 6862 9999.

The 12-week pilot Art Connection program for Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) participants ended on a high note with an exhibition
this week open to family and friends. “When I saw the exhibition, I became teary. We underestimate those with cognitive impairment and it just makes my heart sing when I see how they talk through their artwork,” said JRV Pastoral Care Coordinator, Gwen Barnard

The exhibition opening was very exciting. Participants beamed with pride, proudly standing in front of their artworks for photos. JRV employees and the families have requested the artworks to be placed around the facility. The Art Connections program is a partnership between JRV, ArtsOutWest and the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG). The purpose is to provide participants with an intellectual and sensory stimulating program. Unfortunately, this is not always provided to people with a diagnosis of dementia so they often become socially isolated.

The Art Connections program endeavours to break down those walls, build relationships and provide an avenue for residents to express themselves in a safe environment. The weekly workshops incorporated both discussion as well as practical art work. The first half of the session centered on discussions loosely centered around various artworks, where memories and stories were shared. Participants discussed what they liked about an art piece, for example, the colour, lines, or shapes that appealed. Acceptance of silence is paramount during conversations with people with dementia as they may become quickly confused so the conversation ceases if they are interrupted by prompting or asking additional questions.

The second part of the workshop entailed the participants producing their artwork either by painting, sketching, modeling clay or the use of building blocks. “The benefits to the JRV residents has been startlingly evident,” said Merryl Morris, Reactional Activity Officer at JRV. “To
see residents expand their minds and their world around them through this program is very exciting.”

By Dianne Collie

Kristen Woods arrived with enormous lolly pops at the annual concert of Kristen’s Dance Studio last Saturday. The lolly pops were a prop for one of the 38 performances that Kristen and five other teachers had choreographed for the 240 students to entertain over 1,000 audience members over two shows. “Our annual concert is the showcase which celebrates with our dancers’ family and friends their amazing year,” said Kristen Saturday morning before the concerts. The What’s on the Juke Box? performance was a trip down memory lane and then back up a recent street. The audience couldn’t help but bop, toe tap and clap long with hits such as, Splish, Splash performed
by the Friday Tiny Dancers (who nearly stole the show), Uptown Funk performed by House with No Steps and Gotcha performed by Adult Jazz.

The costumes were dynamic and although many were purchased online, they still needed a lot of alterations and quick fixes. For Kristen one of the highlights of her year is the finale when all the students from the age of three to adults are on stage together. For many in the audience it was the highlight too. Kristen’s Dance Studio teaches over 70 classes per week including ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop. “Moving into our own studio in Lawler Street this year has been nothing but amazing,” Kristen said. “Now we can pop in and see other teachers and classes. We feel so much more connected.”

By Dianne Collie

Forbes Council is pleased with the ideas and comments from the community to inform the Forbes Community Plan 2027. Consultation forums have been underway since November in Forbes and at Bedgerabong, Ootha and Wirrinya with 133 people attending. If you were not able to attend in person, there is still time to have your say via the community survey, which was delivered to every household in the Shire. The survey can also be completed online at www.forbes.localvoices.com.au and closes on Tuesday, 3rd January 2017.

The feedback received from these forums and the survey will prepare a shared vision for our community, which will shape Council’s future planning over the next 10 years. General Manager Danny Green said: “Your input will help Council identify where we would like to be in the future and how we can plan together to get there. We are aiming for at least 1,000 people to complete the survey.”

At each workshop, participants were asked two questions: what do you love about the Forbes Shire and what would you change about the Forbes Shire. “The most common responses to the question, what do you love, were the community, lake and people/family. Responsed
to the question, what would you change, included increased employment (job opportunities), improved roads and diversify
industry,” Danny said. Contact Council on 6850 2300 or email amymi@forbes.nsw.gov.au.