Parkes Phoenix Editor

It’s never too late to learn. This was the most important lesson for the students of a senior’s IT course. They completed Certificate I in Information Technology on Tuesday, after nine months of attending weekly classes.
Some of the students started the course having never even turned on a computer. It was a challenging prospect, but teacher, Steve Welsh said the biggest problem was self-doubt. “People think they can’t handle it and they lose heart. But with patience and perseverance it all just falls into place,” he said.

The course was initiated by Monica Wren of Neighbourhood Central. She said it stemmed from a client who wanted to be able to shop on the internet and felt left out of the technological age. “These days everything is online, even essential services like MyGov. This means people are reliant on others to access government services, which obviously creates privacy issues,” Monica said.

Home and Community Care (HACC) is focussed on helping people remain independent, and technology training was one aspect of increasing independence. More clients wanted to learn to use technology, but Monica felt she didn’t have the skills or the time to provide instruction, so she looked to TAFE. The students studied six units on modern technology. The module Digital Devices taught them to use items such as phones and cameras; even printing photographs is daunting for someone who has always used film.

Ann Williams bought a tablet and needed to learn how to use it. “I felt I was getting behind and wanted to learn how to Skype my grandchildren, and communicate with friends,” she said. The course will run again next year, and fee exemption is available for senior students. Student support is also available for students with additional needs, such as impaired hearing or reduced mobility.

By Raen Fraser

NSW Health is urging people to safeguard against mosquito bites after a marked increase in detections of the mosquito-borne Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses. Stephen Doggett, Senior Scientist at NSW Health Pathology, said recent flooding had caused a proliferation in the number of mosquitoes. “With added swarms of mosquitoes we have detected Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus in mosquitoes in Forbes, Griffith, Leeton, and Moama.”

Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are spread by bites from mosquitoes that have fed on animals that carry the virus. These viruses are not fatal to humans but they can cause persistent and debilitating symptoms such as joint aches and pains, fever, chills, headache and sometimes a rash. The rash usually disappears after seven to ten days, but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months.

“So far 63 cases of people with Ross River and Barmah Forest virus have been confirmed. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.” Simple steps to avoid mosquito bites include:
• Screening all windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside.
• Avoid being outside unprotected, particularly during dawn and dusk.
• Apply mosquito repellent regularly to exposed areas. Repellents containing DEET or Picaridin are best. Repellents
containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or p-Menthane-3.8-diol (PMD) also provides adequate protection.
• Don’t use repellents on children under the age of three months. Instead use physical barriers such as netting on
prams, cots and play areas for babies.
• Light mosquito coils or use vaporising mats indoors.
• When mosquitoes are inside, use insecticide sprays, especially behind furniture and dark places.
• When camping, use flyscreens, or sleep under mosquito nets.
• Get rid of items that hold water or empty containers around the house.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is requesting landholders and harvesting operators in Mid Lachlan Valley Team area to make use of the new Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide to enable them to determine if it’s safe to harvest. NSW RFS Superintendant Ken Neville said those operating harvesting machinery needed to take a proactive approach to minimise the risk of fire in certain conditions.

“Each year, fire fighters attend a number of fires on farms, which have been started as a result of harvesting operations. Many of these fires have the potential to destroy homes, crops and livelihoods,” Ken said. “The NSW RFS appreciates the cooperation of farmers on days of heightened fire danger. A few hours of down time lowers the risk of fires breaking out and can prevent a great deal of damage,” he said. “Listening to the concerns of the current broad area cease harvesting requests, this guide was developed in partnership with NSW Farmers and Australian Custom
Harvesters to overcome some of the downtime this has caused for local land holders and contractors.

“The Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide is designed for farmers and contractors to make an informed decision at the local level, based on a set of identified weather conditions.” Ken said using this step by step approach can determine if the current conditions need harvesting operations to stop until the weather is safe to return to the paddock.
“The Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide is easy to use and compact enough to have readily accessible, whether it’s in the harvester cabin, shed or home.”

You can access and download the guide through the NSW RFS website, with current and forecast fire danger ratings also available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

With the Find it in Forbes promotion well underway in all participating stores, it is a great incentive for locals to buy from the local stores participating. The Why Leave Town Cards can be purchased from five stores in town, including News on Rankin. You can give them as a gift voucher for a Christmas present when you are looking for something
for that person who has everything. With stores like Undercover Sleepwear, who have a great range of sleepwear, underwear, swimwear and now children’s swimwear, Marg is the person to drop in and see. Over at Little Extras you can find that special bag, piece of jewellery or pair of shoes, as well as choose from their great range of clothing for every occasion. Melissa and her team at Blush have put together some great specials, particularly easy for the man of the house who is wondering what to give his loved one for Christmas.

At Gunns, for the lady of the house, Greg and his team will be able to find something special for your man, from casual to sporting apparel. Then on the other side of Rankin Street, there are always flowers from Banksia Grove Florist and if you are looking for a fantastic table setting for your Christmas dinner, why not ask Jacinta to make one up for you. All the best selling books can be found at News on Rankin, as well as toys, gift wrapping paper, cards, parker pens and for that person dreaming of a holiday, a scratchie is always something people appreciate receiving. Make sure you visit these great stores now.

Vanfest promises to be bigger and better this year with thousands of visitors expecting to flock to Forbes this weekend. The stellar musical menu includes Angus and Julia Stone, The Rubens, Xavier Rudd, DRAPHT, Dead Letter Circus, The Potbelleez, Veru Blue – fresh from her performance at this year’s ARIA Awards, Tigerlily, Hein Cooper, Urthboy, Mashd n Kutcher and EAST.

Festival goers can look forward to seeing Melbourne producer and DJ Will Sparks, who has headlined festivals around the world and was named Australia’s number one DJ in 2014. The world’s first time travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine, who has recently completed a sold out tour and is set to cement Vanfest as the Best Party Ever by taking the crowd on a journey through music history. The Sydney duo Set Mo constantly push the boundaries and is set to keep the crowd moving with their deep house disco and techno sounds. ManaLion will bring their unique mix of electronic funk, dirty roots and soul music, while the psychedelic reggae fusion of Ocean Alley, the million dollar voice of Morgan Bain and the country rock sounds of Jane Martin Band will keep every music
taste satisfied.

Of the alternative activities on offer, the Budgy Smugglers crew and Bondi Rescue lifeguards Hoppo (Bruce Hopkins) and Reidy (Andrew Reid) will be getting a lot of attention. They are the Vanfest ambassadors and will be on hand manning Australia’s biggest inflatable waterslide at the festival. If getting wet does not your tickle your fancy, there is plenty more to enjoy like carnival rides, a NSW wine tasting corridor, market stalls, extreme sport activations and more.

Head down to the Forbes Showgrounds. Gates open at 5pm today, and 1pm tomorrow. Don’t miss out – get your tickets at www.vanfest.com.au