Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

CanAssist Benefits From Dancing With Stars

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

CanAssist received $18,100 from the Forbes Services Club on Wednesday from the ticket sales for the Dancing With The Stars charity night to be held on 5th November at the Club. The response to the ticket sales was fantastic with a sellout within seven hours. David Fitzgerald, General Manager of the Club said: “The Club is proud to be the host venue by way of providing assistance and support for the event, which is such a good cause and encourages the whole community to come together to support those suffering from the illness. This is another example of the way the whole of Forbes supports these charities.” Maureen Field, Treasurer of CanAssist said: “At the moment we have given $60,000 a year for patience assistance and this is all done through donations and events such as this, as we receive no Government grants. Special thanks should go to Therese Gunn and Cassandra Tyack, who along with all members of CanAssist have done such a fabulous job.”

On the night of Dancing with The Stars, with all contestants unknown, there will be an auction and raffle prizes to be won. These were sponsored by local businesses who made the event possible.

Somewhere Down The Lachlan Is Fantastic

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The fourth Somewhere down the Lachlan Sculpture competition received 23 entries with the $20,000 acquisition prize going to The Hunter by Damian Vick, and the $4,000 open prize won by by Brett Garling for The Mark Maker.
“What you have achieved here is quite fantastic,” said Clive Calder, the guest judge from Sydney at the announcement of the winners. “I commend you for your efforts. There are not many towns with a space like this.”

Clive said the composition of the bronze sculpture The Mark Maker was fantastic. “I like the way he sculpted the hands.” In the acquisition category three pieces stood out for Clive: The Hunter, A Farmers Draught and Balance. The Hunter will become the property of the Forbes Arts Society and will remain in Albion Park until the sculptures will be moved out around Lake Forbes and eventually all the way to Condobolin.

Damian told The Forbes Phoenix from Melbourne he was surprised and honoured to have won. “While it is a thrill to
be recognised at a competition of this calibre, the award is particularly significant because I feel The Hunter represents a key milestone in my career. I have been making sculptures for almost 10 years and this work is possibly the first sculpture that accurately displays the kind of dynamism and energy I have long sought to achieve. “I am truly grateful to the organisers and the people of Forbes, who have under trying circumstances made this event happen.

I am truly honoured that a work of mine will become part of your community.” Wayne Richards, President of the Forbes Services Memorial Club who established the annual competition, said entries came from all over Australia, even as far as Broome. Brett is from Wongarbon near Dubbo, while John Den, who sculpted Lachland Tower, is from Eugowra.

President of the Forbes Arts Society, Keith Mullete, said the Somewhere down the Lachlan trail had become a substantial project with the recent funding announcement for the first part of the trail to expand the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. With the Lachlan Council’s input the Utes in the Paddock will be moved to the end of the Lachland Valley at the end of the trail. “I hope the community gets behind the project and that you love it,” said Keith.

Ten sculptures are on exhibition in Albion Park, while a further 13 sculptures are on display in shop windows until the end of October.

Dawson Blasts To Medal Win

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Men’s Monthly Medal played last Saturday was a true test of controlled ball flight in blustery wind conditions.
Peter Dawson won the A-grade on count back with nett 73. Runner-up was Stephen Uphill with 73 nett. The B-grade went to Ian Bown who returned a nett 72, and carried his partner to a keno win. Runner-up was Michael Browne with 73 nett.

The C-grade winner was Frank Hanns who had 70 nett – the best round of the day. Stuart French had nett 73 to finish runnerup. The ball sweep went to 77 nett on count back given to those above plus: 74 – D Bayley, D Earl; 75 – P Maher, S Kirkman; 76 – F Donohue, C McMillan, B Chandler; 77 – T Sharpe, M Woods (Orange) and A Borger.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – S Betland; 18th – M Woods.

The winner of Sunday’s Stableford Medley was Andy Dukes scoring 33 points. Unfortunately there was not enough of a field for any other balls. However, there were NTP’s – 9th A Dukes; 18th B Carpenter.

The Nissan Classic weekend, with a 4BBB will be on 12th November and an 18- hole stroke on the 13th. This event is so popular we need more carts. If you are not using your cart, or willing to share a seat, please let Daniel know.
The Forbz Skinz begins today, and on Sunday it is the Condobolin Open. We wish our Lachlan Valley Districts team
well at the Country Championships at Goulburn this weekend.

The Club Championships has been moved to 19th and 20th and 26th and 27th November.
By Short Putt

Question of the Week?

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Blake Nicholson: The Hunter as I like the foundation and the lines and the symmetry of the lines.

Matilda Den: I like the Lachland Tower as my dad is the sculptor. He is John Den from Eugowra. I like the story behind it and all the hard work he put into it. (Matilda is pictured with her father John Den.)

Lyn and Hugh Ellis: We like the Lachland Tower because it is local and the sculpture is local. We would like to take it home as it would look great on the bank of our dam where we already have other sculptures.

Paper Party Celebrates Children’s Week

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Children’s Week celebrates the rights of children to enjoy childhood, and plenty of children were doing just that on Wednesday. Northside Chapel was a frenzy of happy faces, as local service providers joined forces to celebrate childhood. About 100 pre-schoolers and toddlers from playgroups, pre-schools and early childhood centres around Forbes brought their carers along for a morning of crafty activities and plenty of fun.

This year’s theme was “children have the right to reliable information from the media”, which is taken from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In keeping with the theme the craft play centred around paper – kids made their own newspaper pirate hats, got their fingers into some paper mache, made their own badges, or got busy colouring-in.

Dietician Catherine Forbes had some healthy choices games for the kids, while others got their faces painted or donned temporary tattoos. The jumping castle was another popular activity. The Children’s Week celebrations are an annual event in Forbes, and provide a great opportunity for the service providers to get together. Workers from SaCC, Centacare and Parkes Family Support Service joined the early childhood teachers to celebrate childhood with a lot of very happy kids.

Snippets…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Morning tea entertainment: Clients of the monthly social morning teas held at the Forbes Town Hall have been treated to quality musical talent over the past two months. In September, Trevor Wren sang classics such as Roll out the Barrel and Side by Side, while in October Ruth Elphick played familiar tunes on her piano accordion. The Forbes Neighbourhood Central office hosts the morning teas with the help of volunteers – Doreen Rogers, Lorraine Rue, Gillian Davis and Ruth Elphick. Anyone who would like to register for morning tea, or other social activities can call Monica Wren at the Forbes Office on 6851 4550. Morning tea is a free event for Neighbourhood Central clients and transport is available. It is an opportunity for senior citizens still living in their own home to stay socially active and engaged in the community.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic: If you go down to Victoria Park tomorrow, you’re sure of a big surprise! The inaugural Forbes Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be held from 9.30am to 1.30pm and everyone is invited to attend. Bring your favourite teddy and stand a chance to win a prize for the best dressed teddy. There will be games, activities, crafts,
face painting, a jumping castle, storytelling, nursery rhymes and a barbecue. There will also be prizes, performances
by Mainly Music and Kristen’s Dance Studio, a Forbes Toy Library display and a major raffle, sponsored by Bunnings. Contact organiser Fiona Blyth on 0405 411 355 or Council’s Youth Development Assistant Clarissa Stewart on 6850 2357.

Council Comments…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

On Monday, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and his wife, Linda Hurley travelled to Forbes to thank volunteers and emergency service personnel who assisted during the recent floods. He was also met with flood-affected farmers, key agencies involved in the flood operation and visited the students and staff at Bedgerabong School. His Excellency thoroughly enjoyed his time in Forbes and
everyone involved appreciated being able to talk to him about their experiences during the flood.

The Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Forbes $20,000 Acquisition Prize and Open $4000 Prize winners were announced at the official opening last Thursday night. It was nice to catch up with the judge Clive Calder from Manly and to see residents and visitors in attendance. The winner of the Acquisition Prize was The Hunter by Damian Vick and the Open Prize winner was The Mark Maker by Brett Garling.

If you haven’t had a chance to have a look at the sculptures in Albion Park or around town, they are definitely worth a look. The Forbes BOSCARS Business Awards Gala Dinner is tonight. It is a wonderful night to celebrate business excellence in our town and I congratulate all the businesses that have been nominated.

Tomorrow is the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which is an event Council is supporting for Children’s Week. It is from 9.30am to 1pm at Victoria Park and will be a great day out for the whole family.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Letter to the Editor…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,
Thank you for providing such a valuable asset to our community. My clients are avid readers of the Forbes Phoenix; and as they are mostly on the aged pension, money is always an issue. They often tell me how much they love the Phoenix, because they can keep up to date with the community happenings without having to spend a cent.
Monica Wren, Administrator
Forbes Neighbourhood Central

Cuppa With A Copper

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Locals had the opportunity to have a Cuppa with a Copper at Victoria Park on Wednesday. It was the first such gathering in Forbes, but Superintendent Chris Taylor said these mornings have been held in villages around the Lachlan Area Command. It’s an opportunity to break down barriers between police and the public, and to chat
about anything or even raise a complaint. Senior Constable Wally Biles said that the ideal scenario would be for most people in town to know police by their first names. “Unless you’re in trouble or a crisis you’re not likely to talk to the police,” he said.

Melbourne Cup Luncheon For A Good Cause

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

After last year’s success the Forbes Services Memorial Club is once again holding a Melbourne Cup Lunch and Fashion Parade on Tuesday. It is a fun and enjoyable day raising money for the Forbes Breast Cancer Support Group.
Models for the fashion parade are sourced from staff ranks and other volunteers. They will model clothes from Little Extras for the ladies, while Target is supplying clothes for men and children.

Doors open at 12pm with prizes for the best hat and best dressed, as well as a lucky door prize and sweeps. The raffle
drawn on the day has three great hampers to be won. The lunch is a buffet consisting of a variety of hot and cold dishes, an assorted bread basket, delectable desserts with tea and coffee included.

The compere on the day is Jenny Curry. Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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