Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Special Students Chase Cricket Dream

November 10, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The first Thursday in November was a special day for around 50 special class students from Parkes and Forbes public schools when they participated in DreamCricket at Parkes Pubic School. DreamCricket brings together children with a disability from years three to six. It was originally developed in the NSW Central Highlands as the result of a partnership between Rotary, the Bradman Foundation and the Movement Disorder Foundation.

The day was made super special when 18 Year 7 students from Parkes High joined in with their teacher Mark Ranger to help organise the games and cook lunch. About half the high school students completed Year 6 at Parkes Public School in 2015. The DreamCricket program allows the students to develop their hand-eye coordination, movement skills and balance in a team environment, while at the same time enjoying sport.

Students enjoyed the sporting challenges, which involved groups rotating around four specially adapted cricket-based activities. The participation and smiles on faces said it all. DreamCricket gives students that normally would not participate in sport a chance to be involved. It gives participants a chance to enjoy physical activity while developing self-confidence, self-esteem, levels of behaviour and citizenship.

The DreamCricket program has grown to schools and children throughout Australia and internationally. The day was organised as a joint effort by the Rotary Clubs of Dubbo East, Forbes, Parkes and Orange Daybreak. It was coordinated by Don Stephens, Chair of Dream- Cricket Australia and member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo West.

By Ken Engsmyr

WHY LEAVE TOWN CARDS

November 10, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

As the major prizes for the Find it in Forbes promotion are to be given in Why Leave Town Cards (WLT), for many people who don’t know what they are, here are the details: You can purchase them from five stores in town, including News on Rankin. When you pay for them you receive a list of where you can spend the WLT cards around Forbes. They can be used just like a preloaded prepaid eftpos card and can be redeemed at any Business Chamber member store with eftpos connected. This means you can shop at more than 70 businesses in Forbes! With such a big variety
of shopping opportunities on offer with the card, it is a great gift idea for someone local with the added benefit that you are supporting the Forbes community.

And you will be giving a gift that allows the recipient to get exactly what they want. Remember the card can only be used at participating stores in Forbes.

Question of the Week?

November 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What is your favourite childhood memory?

Michelle Hunt: It would have to be Christmas, on a farm at Coolah. There was lots of games and cousins and fun. We had a really animated aunty who got us all going.

June Dick with her grandson Kye Goldsmith: It would have to be bonfires and cracker nights. It was a really special occasion. We spent a whole six months of the year waiting for bonfire night.

Danny Demosthenous with son James: My favouite childhood memory is probably drinking milkshakes with my dad. He lived in Papua New Guinea, and when he’d come home we’d get a milkshake together. It was really nice, because I only got to see him a few times a year.

Letter to the Editor…

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Letter to the Editor
I believe it is wise to take the time to write to the people of the Orange Electorate making it very clear why I see the importance of standing up here for my principles, my country values and the people of this region. The catalyst for my decision to stand as an Independent, apart from the many people who approached me to do so, was the proposed ban against the greyhound industry.

I believe the values of democracy in country areas in New South Wales are being eroded and this is our opportunity to voice our concerns not only over the greyhounds but other issues that are important to us such as forced amalgamations, which this Coalition promised would never take place. I do not believe in forced amalgamations as I believe that country people have the right to participate in the decision making process of issues surrounding the
future of our regional towns and villages.

I will also work hard to close the gap of inequity in funding for rural roads and transport infrastructure. There is also parking at the Orange Health Service, TAFE and its cutbacks, a respite centre for Forbes and other issues for which I am prepared to fight. I have also been working very hard to find investors to bring an export abattoir to Forbes as this could create 800 jobs for the area.

We need a member who is going to listen to the real issues of real people and who will stand up for the values of country people. I am a businessman of 36 years, a farmer, a family man and someone who empathises with the issues that you face as country people. Send this government the message that country people will fight for their rights and Vote 1 Munro for strong representation in Parliament.

Scott Munro

Health Minister Visits Forbes

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, was in Forbes on Tuesday to visit the $40.9 million redevelopment at the Hospital. She toured the refurbished ambulatory care, oral health and renal units. The refurbished building houses outpatient services (including physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology, child and family health and women’s health), counselling services (such as mental health, drug and alcohol), visiting specialists and
pathology services.

The Minister’s visit came on the day when she announced that patients and visitors to the Orange Hospital will have more free parking options with 160 new spaces to be created at the cost of about $1 million. “We understand accessible car parking is vital to ensuring a hospital visit is not made more stressful than it often is,” Jillian said.

A first tranche off 77 spaces will be constructed by the NSW Government in partnership with Orange City Council on the northern boundary of Orange Hospital and at the rear of the Orange Ex-Services Club. These spaces are scheduled to be available for use early in the new year.

Mayoral Notes…

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Boscars were a great success last Friday night and I congratulate John Davis Motors on winning Business of the Year. Congratulations to all the other businesses who won awards and to the Forbes Business Chamber for putting on such an outstanding event.

The Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong will reopen today at 9am. This is great news for our business community and the travelling public. This means all roads into Forbes are now open after the flood event.

Pre-polling starts tomorrow in the Town Hall for the NSW Seat of Orange By-Election, and will continue all week with Election Day next Saturday. Don’t forget to vote! If you haven’t purchased your tickets for The Legend of Ben Hall world premiere at the Forbes Showground on next Saturday, get yours at www.stickytickets.com.au/44586. This is an event not to be missed and we are very lucky to be hosting the world premiere.

If you haven’t got your tickets for VANFEST yet, make sure you get in quick. The two-day festival on 25th and 26th November will have many new features this year! The engagement process for our Community Strategic Plan starts on 15th November. There will be a number of workshops for community members to have their say on the future of our Shire. We also have a survey for residents to fill in. This will be sent to all households. To fill out the survey online or to register for a workshop, visit www.forbes.localvoices.com.au

Mayor Graeme Miller

Businesses Shine At Forbes Boscars

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

John Davis Motors won the grand prize at the red carpet event of the year for the Forbes business community last Friday night. More than 230 people attended the Forbes Boscars at the Forbes Inn. With Carrie Olson, the event co-ordinator in charge, the James Bond theme saw finalists, friends and colleagues all dressing up for the occasion.

The Business of the Year winner was selected from the winners of all the categories and is awarded to the most outstanding business, which has demonstrated excellence across all areas of operation. John Davis, Dealer Principal of the John Davis Group thanked everybody for their support in establishing the business in Forbes. “Everyone was very sceptical when we first said that we were moving to Forbes, and Mazda in particular wanted us to just remain in Orange. Now with a state of the art showroom, and some great staff in place, I am very proud of our team and showroom and the fact that we generate 30% of our revenue from this dealership. It is fantastic and proves that it was the right decision to move here many years ago,” said John.

The glamorous evening was hosted by Chris Baker, while Adam Enslow provided light entertainment throughout the
program. President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chris Roylance, welcomed everybody. Guest speaker, John Walkom, identified some facts and figures on the state of the economy in his speech.

Another 11 award winners were called to the stage during the course of the evening. See a full list of award winners on page 7.

By Cheryl Newsom

Our Gal – Susan Chau

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Susan Chau

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? I moved here 15 years ago from Sydney with my better half

How many children do you have? I have three, a 9 year old, 7 year old and a 5 year old

How do you start your day? I wake up with a smile

How do you like your coffee? A piccolo

What makes your day? Having a productive day, so achieving all I set out to do.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? I would love to have dinner with Pete Evans.

What is your next adventure? My next adventure which will happen in the next couple of weeks is the opening of Sylo.

Picnic Time For Teddy Bears

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The little teddy bears were having a lovely time on Saturday – along with hundreds of children who took them down to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The inaugural Teddy Bears’ Picnic coincided with the National Children’s Week celebrations – and celebrate they did! Victoria Park was transformed into a wonderland of fun, with craft, games, and entertainment for the young and the young at heart. The free event attracted more than 1,000 guests, with plenty to keep little fingers busy. There was a very popular lollipop ring toss, and a bubble station for a burst of fun. Some kids spent most of their day bouncing in and out of the jumping castle, while others indulged in a face-painting make-over.

Kids could get crafty using fruits and vegetables to create something exquisite, or make their own colour-in wearables. For those wanting to express themselves a little more vibrantly they could take to a graffiti wall. Sahara Park Riding School brought a couple of their prettiest ponies into town, thrilling countless little picnic-goers who
enjoyed the pony-rides.

An amazing troupe of young dancers from Kirsten’s Dance Studio wowed the crowd with their summer-themed routines, and Mainly Music got little toes tapping with interactive music and games. If all of this wasn’t exciting enough, there were a few prizes up for grabs. A giant teddy bear helped select the winner of the teddy bear competition, which saw the plushies pitted against each other in the cutest and best-dressed categories. Lily Ritchie
took home the coveted balloon-bouquet prize, and Leigh Baker from Parkes won the grand raffle – a cubby house donated by Bunnings, which will get plenty of use from her four young children.

Organiser Fiona Blyth of Centacare was thrilled so many community groups supported this event, and created such a lovely atmosphere.
By Raen Fraser

Snippets…

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Town and District Band presents: A concert of marches and movie music on Sunday, 6th November at 5pm at the Forbes Services Memorial Club as a fundraiser for the band with tickets going for $10 for adults, concession $5 and families $25. This performance is followed by the popular Carols By Candlelight on Sunday, 4th December in Victoria Park from 7pm. The band is always looking for more musicians to join with the next intake of new musicians in February next year. Experienced musicians are welcome any time – rehearsals are from 7 to 9pm on Mondays. Musicians can hire an instrument for $50 a year, and membership is $20 per year. The Town Band performs at community events such as ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Forbes Show and any time live music performances are required for the community.

Long lunch by the lake: Come and enjoy a two course lunch to help raise funds for a mobile Physio Touch machine for Forbes and Parkes Hospitals on Sunday, 13th November in Lions Park at 12:30pm. The guest speaker is Dianne Green, McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse. Plenty of tickets still available at $80 per person including a gourmet BBQ and dessert provided by Peter Ashcroft, beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as entertainment by Adam Enslow.
Donations for the monster raffle and auction will be gratefully accepted. Bookings close on 9th November. Contact debbie@roylances.com.au.

The biggest market day for the littlest people: The Forbes/Parkes ABA Children’s Christmas Markets are on tomorrow at Sir Francis Forbes Park from 9am to 1pm with about 30 stallholders. A free jumping castle, food and beverage stalls, a breastfeeding tent and feeding support will be available, as well as a raffle with fabulous prizes.

Newell Highway opens today: After more than six weeks of being covered in flood waters, the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong is opening at 9am today – much to the relief of the business community and travellers. This will hopefully mean back to business as usual.

Canowindra Christmas shopping evening: Are you stuck for ideas for Christmas presents and can’t bear the thought of crowded shopping centres? Visit Canowindra on 26th November from 3 – 7pm and enjoy a friendly, relaxed shopping atmosphere with live music, while the kids can get their faces painted and take a photo with Santa. Canowindra business owner Liz Mitchell said the aim of the event was to remind people how much variety is available in Canowindra, and to challenge shoppers to think about shopping locally before going online or out of town.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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