Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

First Market Day A Good Start For Festive Season At JRV

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

When it was difficult to find a car park in the Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) on Tuesday, it was a good sign that the inaugural Market Day was going to be a great success! JRV locals Cynthia Green and Gladys Johnson said the residents initiated the idea of the Market Day. They were happy with the number of people in attendance and agreed
that it would hopefully make it possible to buy two special chairs that would make the residents lives easier.

The wet weather didn’t appear to dampen anyone’s spirits as there were people milling around smiling, greeting each other, and perusing the various stalls. There was so much to see and fabulous things to buy including plants grown from both seed and cuttings by the residents with the help of Zac who volunteers twice a week.

In addition, there was also pre-loved toys, an array of delicious homemade cakes, slices, jams and what seemed to be everyone’s favourite – donuts! The too familiar Aussie bbq aroma enticed everyone to tuck into the sausages, rissoles and steak with a hint of onion. Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more, a group of carolers passed by singing ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’.

The residents all commented that they were thrilled to see local businesses at the Market Day with fantastic gift ideas. They gave a big thank you to Blush, Flannery’s Chemist, Little Extras, News on Rankin and Scrapbox Patchwork Designs for attending. If I could have one wish said resident Barbara Cowled, “it would be for every resident of Forbes to visit Jemalong Retirement Village so they could see what a wonderful place it is to live”.

By Dianne Collie

Snippets…

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Opera for Ava: Highlight 8th April 2017 in your new diary. Mezzo Soprano Dominica Matthews, senior principal artist with Opera Australia, will be in Forbes on this day to perform at a fundraiser for Ava Garland at the Red Bend College main hall from 3 to 5pm. Ava is three years old and has been treated for leukemia this year (see story on page 11). Apart from her full time opera work, Dominica recently completed a tour of Australia with the cast of the Sound of Music as Sister Berthe. Two more performers will be confirmed for the concert. Ticket prices to be confirmed.

Havannah House Christmas lunch: The lunch will start on Christmas Day at noon in the Forbes Town Hall. For further information or bookings contact Havannah House on 6852 1366.

Nominate a young person: Nominations for the NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards close on 15th December! Why not nominate a young person you know who is achieving great results or who is actively involved in your community. If you know someone up to 29 years of age who is making their mark or a valuable community contribution in one of the six categories, why not show your appreciation by nominating them. Nominations are being sought for:
• The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
• First National Real Estate Leadership Award
• Freemasons of NSW/ACT Community Service Award
• Aboriginal Education Council Aboriginal Education Award
• WHO Printing Environment Award
• Awards Australia Small Business Achiever Award

Nomination are made online at www.bit.ly/nswactyaa

Christmas Market: The Forbes Handicraft Centre Christmas Market Day on Saturday, 17th December in front of the shop in Lachlan Street from 9am to 1pm will be the last one for the year. This is a perfect opportunity to get organised for Christmas: there will be cakes, plum puddings, slices and other treats; fresh farm produce, in season fruit and vegetables, fresh farm eggs and a huge variety of plants; and presents ideas from the new supply of handmade and handcrafted goods. For the hot summer days there will be homemade milk ice blocks in six different flavours, and a new line of homemade ice cream in four different flavours for sale. The Super Christmas Raffle with three prizes: First prize a wheelbarrow filled with Christmas hamper goodies; 2nd prize a $50 Voucher from IGA; 3rd prize an ice bucket filled with Christmas goodies. Contact the shop to find out the winners of the Hundred Club results for draws 2, 3, and 4. Forbes Handicraft Centre would like to thank the community for its support throughout the year and would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Carols by the Creek: If you missed Sunday night’s carols in Forbes, you can go to Carols by the Creek at Apex Park in Eugowra this Sunday with a special performance by local singer/songwriter Kerry Hodge. He is a true Aussie bushman and busker and has performed with Gordon Parsons, Lee Kernaghan, The Wolverines, and also on the Footy Show and the Kerri-Anne Kennerley Show. He and his family won Best group performance at the Tamworth Country Music Festival with their version of Amazing Grace. The Lion’s Club barbecue will start at 6:30 and the singing at 7pm. The jolly man in red will fly in for the end of the evening.

Mayoral Notes…

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What a fantastic night out at Carols by Candlelight on Sunday. The event was very well attended and Judy Prior did a great job as Master of Ceremoies. It was a pleasant evening and Santa even made an appearance. On Monday I went to West Wyalong with our Director of Engineering and Technical Services John Zannes to attend a Newell Highway Taskforce Forum. We gave feedback as to why flood proofing is needed for the Newell Highway and this will now be
collated and presented to the Federal Government.

The Templar Street footpath is at a standstill at the moment due to the unavailability of pavers. As soon as the pavers are available this work will continue. Unfortunately Council’s Community Newsletter, that was supposed to be delivered to all households, has been lost by Australia Post. The newsletter will now be sent out the week of 19th December.

Just another reminder that there are a number of items on public exhibition and I encourage you to have a look at these documents. These include the draft Community Funding Program Policy and the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy. Both of these documents are available to view on our website www.forbes.nsw.gov.au or at Council’s administration office.

Don’t forget to have your say on the Forbes Community Plan 2027. Surveys can still be sent back or completed online
at www.forbes.localvoices.com.au. Our December Council meeting will be held in the Chambers on Thursday, 16th
December at 1pm. All welcome to attend.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Lachlan Dragons Club News

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Lachlan Dragons had a great day at the Wagga Wagga Dragon Boat Challenge regatta recently with the men’s and women’s teams reaching the finals. The Men’s team paddled with sheer determination in a very close race to gain second place in the finals, while the Women’s team raced their hearts out to be placed fourth in an extremely close finish. Nineteen paddlers made the annual trip to Wagga.

Other club news is that Bill Thomas gained accreditation as a Level 3 sweep, and six club members gained selection in the Western Region team. Congratulations to Helen Rowbotham, Claire Davis, Carmen Stephens, Beth Thomas, Rochelle Smith and Warren Edwards. Beth was also appointed manager for the squad.

Take A Swing For Flood Relief

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Professional golfer Daniel Newton will be at the St.George Flood Relief Charity Golf Day at the Forbes Golf Club on Sunday. The day is held to raise money to restore the Forbes golf course and support local farmers impacted by the catastrophic September floods in the area. Daniel will be running the day with the Chairman of the Forbes Golf Club Andrew Mcdonald and St.George Forbes Branch Manager Andrew Kerr.

St.George Branch Manager Andrew Kerr said: “The Golf Day will be an important day for our community after a difficult few months. We invite players of all skill levels to take part in what promises to be a great day, with prizes on offer and a chance to improve your golf skills,” said Andrew.

Forbes Golf Club Chairman Andrew McDonald said many people in Forbes and the farming community had suffered major setbacks as a result of the prolonged rain and flood conditions experienced during the year. “We are very grateful for the support of St.George Bank in holding this Charity Day to assist golf course restoration and to help community members via Lions Club. Please form and nominate teams to play in what will be an enjoyable day of team golf for players of all standards,” said Andrew.

The fee is $35 per person to play and includes refreshments around the course, as well as a small meal after play. Time: 10.30am arrival for a shot-gun start at 11am.

Varied Cropping Results For Forbes

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The rain and floods earlier this year had a major impact on cropping with farmers reporting varied results to date for their canola and wheat crops. With the canola harvest finished, and wheat well under way, there have been some positive results from the local farmers.

Neil Mattiske of Sunnydale, who operates a mixed farming operation on the Newell Highway, said they had lost approximately 25% of their canola and 20% of their wheat crop due to water damage. “The canola has been quite average, however the oil content is up around 45-47% oil, which means we are entitled to a bonus, which is great for the farmers.” Neil said the wheat harvest would be finished by next Friday to the north, and to the south and west they would be 50% through their harvest, “as along as we don’t get any more rain”.

He said the wheat harvest was really good in patches, with it going ASW (standard wheat), and some going H2 (which has 11.5% protein). “Under the old scale, we are getting around 15 – 18 bags to the acre, with our best paddocks producing 24 bags to the acre.” When the harvest is done, work on cutting lucerne and hay irrigation will start before Christmas, and after the festive period crutching will start.

Your Wealth Matters…

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

3 Decisions Will Change Your Financial Future
Decision 1: Snap out of it. You could be heading in the wrong direction. You might think you’re comfortable now but it’s important to ensure that your financial future isn’t heading for a financial cliff. Chances are that if you keep doing what you’ve been doing you’ll end up broke later in life. You have to snap out of it. You have to decide that doing what everyone else is doing isn’t going to get the job done in the long term. And life is too long to live any of it being poor!
Decision 2: Get smart about money. Financial education is your ticket to financial freedom. Managing your money and turning it into more isn’t rocket science. The problem is sorting through all the dodgy ‘information’ out there. Rather than rely on smooth talking salespeople trying to sell you a financial product (that will see your money make
them rich), start with the best investment possible… invest in your financial education. At Wealth Train, we will teach you what you need to know with advice that we are proud to say is completely independent and unbiased. And the best part, you can do it at your own pace, in your own time.
Decision 3: Take action. NOW. Procrastination is usually the biggest hurdle to overcome. You didn’t really need me to tell you that you need to make changes, did you? However, if you’re like most people, you’re just not sure where to start. Once you’re on board with Wealth Train, we will eliminate your indecision. Armed with world class information you will make confident, informed decisions that will build and protect your wealth.
1, 2, 3… Let’s get started.

Community’s Compassion Keeps Garland Family Going

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Last month the Garland family spent a day at Forbes McDonalds for the national McHappy Day – the biggest annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House. It was a rare moment of togetherness for the family of seven, who had been wrenched apart six months earlier when their youngest daughter Ava was diagnosed with leukemia.

At 1:15pm on 31st May, Kathy had taken the three-year-old to the doctor for a checkup. Ava hadn’t been feeling well, and the doctor sent her to Forbes hospital for blood tests, but when the results came back Ava was sent straight to Westmead. By 1am Ava had been booked into the Camperdown ward and started on intensive chemotherapy immediately. It was an unexpected crisis to suddenly face, and the fact that Ava’s four older sisters were at school at the time was an added complication. Fortunately, a close friend looked after the girls overnight, despite having four kids of her own.

Meanwhile, Andrew, Kath and Ava were in Sydney with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Redkite provided them with a tote bag full of useful products, such as toiletries, thermal cups, a thermometer, and a diary. Ava joined the Redkite Bead Program, and is given a bead for every procedure or milestone she has faced.

The family has received support from cancer charities such as Little Wings, Meals from the Heart, and the Ronald McDonald House. “They’re amazing,” Kath said, “but you never think you’ll need them.” It’s been a tough six months for the family, who are now living in four different locations. Kath and Ava are staying at the Ronald McDonald house at Westmead Hospital. Scarlett, 13, is boarded at Red Bend Catholic College. Olivia, 11, Polly, 8, and Willa, 6, have moved to Orange to live with Kath’s sister Annette and her husband Anthony.

Andrew returned home to manage the farm at Wirrinya, but after the flooding in September, he ended up in hospital with Ross River Fever. Kath said the community has been phenomenal. From providing home-cooked meals to get Andrew through harvest, to holding fundraisers, or delivering hampers of necessities, Forbes has rallied around the family. “Ava is going through a hard stage, she is currently on steroids and is scheduled to have 15 days straight chemo around Christmas. After this intensive phase of chemo, Ava will be on maintenance chemo for the next 18 months.” Kathy said. “So many people have sent me messages, letters and gifts, which just makes me feel strong and loved and able to face the hard days being away from home and the rest of the family.”

This swell of support looks set to build in 2017. Family friend Adrian Matthews is organising ‘Opera for Ava’ to be held at Red Bend College in April 2017. The concert will feature Dominica Matthews, a principal soloist for Opera Australia. Even Scarlett is doing her bit, and has so far raised more than $5,000 for the 2017 World’s Greatest Shave after pledging to shave her luscious locks for her sister. To sponsor Scarlet Garland visit https://worldsgreatestshave.com

By Raen Fraser

Forbes CWA Supports McGrath Foundation

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes CWA Branch had a successful stall at the recent Rotary Markets with proceeds of $408 donated to the McGrath Foundation. Cooking and craft were for sale including cakes, jams, pickles, date loaves, Christmas cakes, baby quilts, hand towels, pink flower brooches and hair clips. President Elaine Bright thanked the Rotary Club for the donation of a free stall site.

Pictured are Jacqui Grallelis, Dot Woodcock and Zelma Grayson at the stall. The CWA Forbes meet the first Friday of the the month at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street. A Damper competition is planned for Australia Day and the challenge is on with the Forbes Lions Club.

FORBES PHOENIX DROP OFF POINT

December 8, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

If you would like to contribute articles, Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down, competition entries or anything else, you can drop these at Ian Simpson and Co at 88A Lachlan Street in Forbes. For editorial matters, please contact the Editor, Maggi Barnard on 0403 080 085, and for sales contact our Canowindra office on 6344 1846 or Cheryl on 0411 211 065.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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