• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Council Comments
  • Special Interests
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
    • What’s On
    • What’s Hot
  • Features
    • Women in Business
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Loving Local Living
    • Wellness Wise
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Classifieds
  • Competitions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Forbes Phoenix

Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Swimmer’s Shoulder

December 15, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

forbes-physio

Part 2
Shoulder impingement during swimming is largely due to dynamic muscle imbalances and biomechanical faults. Dynamic muscle imbalances can be addressed by strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers together with stretches for the muscles at the back of the shoulder. One good exercise is to stand facing a wall with your arm raised to shoulder height and elbow straight. Hold a tennis ball to the wall by leaning through your shoulder and pinch your shoulder blades together. Roll the ball in small circles for 15
seconds first clockwise then counter clockwise until you become fatigued or two minutes, whichever comes first.

Biomechanical faults can be addressed by correcting your swim technique. Achieving good symmetrical body rotation through the development of an efficient bilateral breathing pattern helps to avoid shoulder impingement during the catch and pull through phase of the freestyle stroke. If you already have shoulder pain it may be helpful to shorten your stroke and avoid the use of hand paddles.
Hand placement during entry to the water should also be monitored. Instead of entering thumb first change your technique to enter with a flat hand or fingertip first. This is made easier by avoiding reaching across your midline. A thumb first entry works the shoulder internal rotators excessively and when multiplied by approximately 3,200 strokes per hour contributes heavily to the muscle imbalance of strong internal rotators and weak external rotators causing shoulder impingement.

Most swimmers pull through with a straight arm or dropped elbow. This loads the shoulder muscles excessively rather than utilising the larger and stronger muscles of the chest and upper back. Making these simple changes can help you achieve many hours of pain free swimming.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Sallaway Is 2016 Medallist King

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

monthly-medal-dec16-resize

The Medal of Medallists 2016 was contested last Saturday by 20 of the 26 eligible medal winners with Shane Sallaway the best with his 69 nett. Frank Hanns came home with 70- nett in second place. In the December A-Grade Medal, Kim Herbert led the way scoring a 68 nett. He was nervous with a fast finishing Shane Sallaway (69) in runner-up position. The BGrade Medal saw Rob ‘Spider’ Webb finish with 70, just ahead of Bruce Carpenter on
nett 71.

In C-Grade, Bruce Squires (70) battled Frank Hanns (70) with the count back in Bruce’s favour. The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Sallaway; 18th – D Rhodes. The ball sweep went to 73 nett on count back distributed to: 68 – K Herbert; 69 – S Sallaway; 70 – P Maher, R Webb, B Squires, F Hanns; 71 – B Carpenter; 72 – J House, G Pymont, P Kay, L Grierson, B Collie, A McDonald, R Borger, B Slack-Smith; 73 – S French.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Ron Morris with 38 points. Second place went to Bruce Carpenter with 35 points. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Barb Drabsch; 18th – Tony Cogswell. There was no ball sweep. Nor were there any 2’s. Tomorrow is the Stableford Ham Day and Sunday the 18-hole Stableford Medley.

Over the festive period we have Stableford Medley’s on 24th, 26th December and 1st January, and the Canadian Foursomes on 31st December.

By Short Putt

How The Grinch Did Not Steal Forbes’ Christmas Cheer

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

trilby-and-ben-crowley

The Grinch could never have stolen the Christmas cheer from the Christmas Tree Festival and Carols by Candlelight last weekend. Hundreds of people flocked to the Town Hall to see the 90 Christmas trees and nativity scenes made by Forbes families, businesses, and school, church and community groups on display, while more than 800 people enjoyed a beautiful evening of carol singing and entertainment in Victoria Park on Sunday night.

According to Sue-Anne Nixon, President of the Forbes Rotary Ipomea who organised the Christmas Tree Festival, a lot of thought and planning had gone into the entries, which impressed the youngest to the most mature visitors. “Our Rotary Club holds this festival to give children a Christmas experience,” said Sue-Anne and “the joyful chatter of school children who visited on Friday afternoon to see the trees they made was worth a million dollars”.

There were some clever play on words with entries called ‘PoeTree’, ‘Pan-Tree’ (Pantry) and no one could miss the DentisTree with lolly teeth hung with dental floss. There was a nativity scene made with tractors complete with the ‘angel on high’. The Bruen family tree was a standout made with recycled products including chicken wire, baling twine and decorated with kookaburra feathers. Ben Crowley from Forbes Public School explained his class made their tree ornaments by decorating plastic cups then melting them. Susie and Amelia Kerr from the Forbes Playgroup painted homemade salt dough cookies, whilst Jemalong Village residents commenced work in May to ensure their tree was decorated in style.

The weekend’s Christmas cheer took on a tone of peace and joy at the annual Carols by Candlelight event, which saw a marked increase in people from last year. “It was a really good evening with a good crowd,” said Robyn Kenny.
Mayor Graeme Miller welcomed everyone, while Santa’s lap was never empty as kids could not wait to meet him with their best smiles on display. The evening saw a good line-up of entertainment with the crowd taking part in carol singing with the Forbes Town Band and Generosity Church Band. James Whalan’s Cantata Choir performed, as well as Leonie Burton and Maddi Collits among others. Judy Prior, dressed as an Elf, lead the events as compere for the night. The inflatable big screen once again proved to be useful for displaying carol words, and a slide show. The Forbes Lions Club ensured no one went hungry or thirsty.

By the end of the weekend many of us would agree with the Grinch: “Maybe, Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe, Christmas perhaps is a little bit more.” If you didn’t get a chance to see the Christmas Tree Festival or attend the Carols, make sure to put it on your bucket list for December next year.

By Dianne Collie

Flood Affected Farmer Produces Calendar To Support Relief Efforts

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

2d5d47c6-cbba-4474-936d-b96bb2c4266d

The Forbes farmer who used his love of flying and photography to bring national and even international awareness of the devastating floods, has produced a flood relief calendar for 2017. Brad Shephard compiled twelve photos of
the floods around Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cowal and towards Eugowra for the calendar of which 50% of proceeds will be going to the Lions Club Flood Appeal.

He thought of compiling the calendar after his flood photos created so much awareness on social media and people encouraged him to do something to help raise funds. Brad was one of the farmers who suffered severe crop losses when up to 90% of his barley and wheat crops went under water. He said of the 300 acres of barley he had left, half of it was later destroyed by a hailstorm. He said he still had floodwater covering a couple of 1,000 acres on his farm. “At the moment I am just contracting and thinking of share farming for the future.”

With losses estimated to be more than $500 million for farmers, Brad said it was going to be a tough Christmas for many. “At the moment most of them are getting on with the job doing contract work or stripping what was left of their crops, but after the harvest things will quiet down.” As a survivor of depression, Brad had expressed concern for the mental well being of affected farmers after the floods. He said there were a lot of sad stories and the community
needed all the help they could get.

You can help by purchasing a calendar for $25 online at http://www.farmerfromdownunder.photography.com.au Calendars are also available at AgNVet stores in Forbes, Condobolin and West Wyalong, Esme’s Coffee Shop, Kenny’s Baa Moo Oink Meats in Forbes and Sprayer Barn in Parkes.

By Maggi Barnard

Question of the Week?

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What is one of your favourite memories about Christmas, and one of your favourite presents?

sally

Sally Spence: As a child going to the Forbes Town Hall for the Carnival, listening to Christmas Carols and then to collect the lollies that Santa threw off the balcony. My favourite present was a book of baby Jesus and the Christmas story… now you have made we want to get it out again.

barbara-cowled-2

Barbara Cowled: Sharing Christmas with all my great grandchildren – Christmas is not the same without children. My doll named Joy that my grandparents gave me for Christmas when I was two. I still have her and she is one of my pride possessions to this day.

dot-male

Dot Male: At the age of 12 I really wanted a camera. We lived on a farm and each Thursday my Dad went into town. I went with him close to Christmas and told him I wanted a camera. He bought me a Kodak ‘Box Brownie’ camera, which was the best camera at the time. When we got home and told Mum she said she had already bought me a camera… My favourite present was a gold cross.

Bernardi’s Popular Ron Retires

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

2000-01-01-00-00-22-4

Ron Turner has been greeting customers for more than 36 years at Bernardi’s and last Saturday hundreds of customers came to say goodbye to him. CEO of Bernardi’s Supermarkets, Joe Bernardi said at the official farewell: “Ron started at Bernardi’s the year I was born. He was one of the original 20 staff members who came to work for Bernardi’s and outlasted them all. He has seen hundreds of young team members come and go and was always willing to offer his advice and support to them. He is such a valued part of the Bernardi’s family and will be sorely missed by not only us, but also the Forbes community, who have come to know and love Ron.”

This was echoed on the company’s Facebook page with loads of comments made by members of the public saying the
store won’t be the same without him. “Sad to see you go, I can remember you from when I was a little girl,” said one. Ron said the best part of his job was meeting people and watching kids grow up to become adults. “I will miss talking to everyone the most.”

Ron said he did not have any plans for the future, but looked forward to spending time with his wife Christine and visiting his grandchildren in Queanbeyan.

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

download

Prices continued to climb this week pushing the NRI to 1441, the highest level since June 2011. Buyer attention persisted in the Superfine microns with 16.5 and 17 microns up to 60 cents higher whilst 17 and 18 microns were 40 to 50 cents dearer. The rises shrunk towards the medium/ broader microns, culminating in a small loss for 22 microns. Most activity was in the early part of the week with Thursday finishing on a flat note when lots outside of specification tended to lose ground while the better lots generally stayed firm until the end.

AWTA Key Test data for the month of November shows an increase in testing volumes of 21.5%, which counteracts the decrease in Octobers figures. Nationally we have tested 1.6% more bales YTD, compared to the same period
last season however we have sold 8% more.

55,000 bales will be put before the trade next week in the second last sale before the three week Christmas recess.

Our Bloke – Shane Percy

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

shane-percy

Shane Percy

How long have you lived in or around Forbes?
All my life, I love Forbes!

Where do you work?
Forbes Small Engines
Helping people out and our fun work environment.

How do you start your day?
With a shower.

How do you like your coffee?
Hot, two sugars and milk.

What makes your day?
Being with my three girls, Lauren, Ava and Ebony.

Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Family.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday?
Disneyland!

A Betta Store

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

dsc_0824

This week has seen the opening of the new Betta Store at 165 Lachlan Street, Forbes. With over six and a half times
the floor space of the old store, which was just across the road, the new store now not only includes electrical and whitegoods, but bedding, unique furniture and Christmas decorations.

Ian Westcott said, “After many conversations with our local customers here in Forbes requesting us to stock furniture and bedding, we decided that the time was right to expand our store and offer the Forbes community and district a ‘betta’ offering in electrical and whitegoods as well. This is the only shop of it’s kind located in Forbes and it shows our commitment and investment to the community.”

Ian and Mandy Westcott, first invested in the Forbes business community when they purchased the store in Lachlan Street, on lst July 2002. Now, some 14 years later, they have made the move across the street into bigger and brighter premises, located on the corner of Brown’s Lane and Lachlan Street, in the old Bernardi’s supermarket
building.

“Come 2017 we will have an even wider range of goods with a full range of entry and high end cooking appliances displayed as built in cooking displays. We will be featuring cooking launches, guest chefs, vip nights and as always, we continue to deliver to all areas”, Ian said. With the expansion into the new premises Ian and his team are on the lookout for new staff as well.

Mandy has spent quite a few months buying the furniture and bedding ranges, which cater for every room in the house as well as outdoor furniture to cater to everybody’s budget. New stock will be arriving all the time and of course, special orders can be sourced for the discerning customer. Ian wanted to thank his wonderful staff who have worked so incredibly hard to pull this together, as well as suppliers, tradesmen and the people of Forbes who have
been so supportive.

Make sure you drop in and see them, and with all sorts of finance offers available to customers, this is the place to go
for your Christmas shopping. Go Local,

That’s Betta!

Meet Our New Reporter Dianne

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

di

Dianne Collie is our new Reporter at the Forbes Phoenix. She has worked and lived in Forbes for the past seven years with her husband Fred (Brian when he has played golf badly). Dianne moved to Forbes from Broken Hill and she worked as a human resources manager with the Bernardi Group. When the focus of the HR team shifted to an operational role her position was made redundant.

Prior to living in Broken Hill, Dianne lived in Adelaide for 15 years. In addition to raising her two children, Lachlan and Bonnie, she was partner in a book keeping and taxation franchise. Dianne has almost gone full circle when she moved to Forbes as she attended Saint Raphael’s in Cowra until Year 10, and then relocated to the Blue Mountains.

Although Dianne’s past work experience has been primarily in human resources her love of people as well as writing, lead her to apply for the role of reporter. She is excited about her new position and is looking forward to meeting
the Forbes community with her notebook and pen in hand. She would love you to contact her with your good news, your heart-warming news, your record-breaking stories, your unique stories, your events, your news tips and your photos, whether social, funny or just of interest.

You can contact Dianne on 0414 643 250 or reporter@forbesphoenix.com.au

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 425
  • 426
  • 427
  • 428
  • 429
  • …
  • 534
  • Next Page »

Click here to download the recent issue (185) of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix (2.2MB PDF) – 17th April 2026

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

STAY CONNECTED

The Forbes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

Recent Articles

  • Parkes Stakeholders And Community Members Voice Their Concerns April 16, 2026
  • Mayoral Notes April 16, 2026
  • Snippets… April 16, 2026
  • Be Seen @ Generosity Church Parkes April 16, 2026
  • Labor’s Energy Crisis Hits Families In Parkes Electorate April 16, 2026

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

Editor 0432 337 278
editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Sales 0432 337 278
sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

View our Privacy Policy. View our Conflict Resolution Process. View our Ethics and Complaints Policy. Want to advertise with us? Information on our Community Promotions.

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in