Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Zarlu Takes The Forbes Cup

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

A crowd of around 1, 500 people turned up at the annual Forbes Cup on Monday to see jockey Andrew Banks win the $30, 000 Forbes Cup on Zarlu. “It was a really good race,” said Allan Black, Secretary of the Forbes Jockey Club after Banks had to replace an indisposed Brad Clark. Zarlu is trained at Wagga Wagga by Peter Morgan and defeated J Kissick riding Leucura and Clayton Gallagher on Dark Mojo in the seventh race of the day over 1, 600m. It was a first time entry for Zarlu in the Forbes Cup.

The main sponsor of the Forbes Cup for the past 21 years is Bankstown Sports Club from Sydney. Almost 200 supporters travelled all the way to Forbes to enjoy the day, with some of them doing it for the 16th year in a row.

The Forbes Services Memorial Club has also been supporting the biggest race in Forbes for 22 years. Last week Wayne and Denise Richards, President and Director respectively, handed over a $6, 600 cheque to John Rennick of the Forbes Jockey Club.

Another exciting event on the day was the unveiling of the Club’s new $110,000 irrigation system for the race track. Present at the unveiling were Michael McCormack, Small Business Minister, Phyllis Miller, Mayor of Forbes, Gordon Lindley and Scott Kennedy of Racing NSW.

BOSCARS Update

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Boscars 2016 have been launched officially and now is your chance to enter. Is there something you’re doing really well in your business or do you have a star performer? Have you launched any new initiatives or made improvements over the past two years?

Entries are open now via an easy to use online system. Visit www.
forbesbusinesschamber.com.au/boscars to access the system and review the questions for the nine award categories open for entry:
Excellence in Business Ethics, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Small Business (<20 employees), Excellence in Business (>20 employees), Employer of Choice, Business Leader of the Year (age 36+), Young Entrepreneur (age 18 – 35), Employee of the Year and Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.

Entries close at 5pm on Monday, 29th August. An independent panel of respected business leaders from outside the region will review and judge the submissions. Finalists will be announced on Friday, 30th September – don’t miss your chance to be one of them.

Magpies Back On Form

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Magpies first grade clinched a much needed 34 – 26 win over the Nyngan Tigers at the Spooner Oval on Sunday. “It was a great performance and a really good win,” said Greg Grogan President of the Magpies. “It was our best performance for the past six or seven weeks. The coach was also very happy as we needed this win to retain our position in the top five, and after going down to the Narromine Jets the previous week.”

Greg said the beautiful weather on Sunday brought out the biggest crowd so far this year. Other results on the day included a tie for the reserve grade (16 – 16); Under 18s defeated Nyngan 34 – 12; League Tag girls won.

Life Is Better With Trees!

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

More than 25 Forbes residents joined 300,000 Australians across the country to celebrate National Tree Day last weekend. Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) welcomed volunteers who helped to plant over 140 trees in the picturesque setting just off Angus Clarke Drive. This is a portion of a larger planting program undertaken by CWLL through the One Tree Per Child program.

Forbes Public School, Forbes North Public School, Forbes Learning Ladder, Bright Beginnings Childcare and Goodstart Early Learning Childcare Centre are working at the site on a continuous basis. The weather was perfect and volunteers planted various Grey Box Grassy Woodland species, including Fuzzy Box, Grey Box, Yellow Box, Bimble Box, Kurrajong, Bull Oak and Acacia.

When the planting was complete, volunteers enjoyed a sausage sandwich prepared by the Forbes Neighbourhood Watch group, and bread provided by Forbes Woolworths. The Neighbourhood Watch group brought their display trailer out for attendees to learn more about the work they do.

Margot Jolly, CWLL Chairperson said: “We are fortunate to have the Neighbourhood Watch group helping us out with the BBQ and welcoming our planting participants. They did a fantastic job and it was wonderful to have their presence at National Tree Day.”

CWLL have been fortunate to have the support of Forbes Shire Council and Toyota to bring NTD to the Forbes Community. CWLL and the Skillset Green Army Team will be continuing planting work in this area over the weeks ahead.

Question of the Week?

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Why do you think it is important to celebrate National Tree Day?

Michele Clifton, Lachland Laundry Service: It is necessary to keep people aware of the environment and how important it is to look after the environment for future generations.

Kim Herbert, Forbes TV & Video Repairs: We need to make up for all the trees getting chopped down, and we need oxygen to help stop the greenhouse effect.

Ashley Lebrocque, TSG: We need trees to breathe and we don’t want it to be just a concrete jungle everywhere.

Dukes & Cogswell Take American Foursomes

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Andy Dukes and Andy Cogswell won the Annual American Foursomes men’s competition last Saturday with 66 5/8 nett. A total of 52 players contested the competition, sponsored by Milton Cartwright. Milton brings the event from historical beginnings in Sydney, and relishes the challenge it gives the players.

It is a pairs event where the format includes playing 2nd shots from each other’s tee shots, before alternating with the “best ball”. Dukes and Cogswell played at the end of the field, dashing the hopes of P Dawson/S Sallaway, who sat in the clubhouse as early leaders. They finished runners-up with a nett 67 ½ from their 69 scratch result – a 34/35 split showing consistency in their play.

Saturday’s ball sweep went to 72 ½ , being picked up by those above plus: 681/8 – N Duncan/A Grierson, 69 ½ – D Bayley/ K Herbert, 71 3/8 – D Rhodes/ N McMillan, 72 3/8 – D Culley/ B Parker and 72 ½ – R Borger/P Nixon.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – L Grierson and 18th – K Herbert. Kim got his 2 but Lee missed out. There were four 2’s scored overall.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Dave Rhodes competing with 15 other players. He managed to concentrate all the way for his 38 points. Runner-up, on count back, was Scott Kirkman with 34 points. For the NTP’s, nobody found the green at the 9th (guys, it is just past the bunker) but Richard
Smith hit the bull’s-eye on the 18th. He missed his 2 though.

The ball sweep went to 33, and apart from those above was delivered to: 34 – L Godden; 33 – R Smith, B Carpenter. Do not forget to put your name on the list to participate in the Inaugural Sand/Grass Green Championship, to be held on 20th and 21st August. Rounds will be played at Forbes and Grenfell. Join players from as far afield as Walcha who have already registered.

All players are reminded to repair your pitch marks on the greens. The greens may look firm, but severe dents are being left unrepaired. Make the effort to walk to the front of the green even if the pin is at the back. Tomorrow is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Bernardi’s Super IGA. Sunday is the 18-hole Stableford Medley, the Men’s 4BBB DGA Final at Grenfell (good luck Messrs Newport and Drane ), and the Albert GC Open.

By Short Putt

Our Bloke – Craig Dwyer

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Craig Dwyer

How long have you lived in Forbes? I was born in Forbes a fair few years ago. I have only lived away from Forbes for about 18 months.

Where do you work? I have been Manager at John Davis Motors for the past six years.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Meeting new people, returning customers and seeing them happy with their new cars.

What do you do in your spare time?
I spend pretty much all my time with my partner, Sarelle, and her two kids, and my four-year-old St Bernard “puppy”.

How do you like your coffee? Caramel Latte.

What makes your day? Buying a car is the second biggest investment in you life, so seeing families who are happy with their purchase is very satisfying.

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world where would you go? I would love to go to Nashville, USA as I am a big country music fan, especially of Taylor Swift.

What is your favourite food? Shepherd’s pie – I can make it, but Sarelle makes a great one!

Snippets…

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Christmas in July a great success: Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) Volunteers group hosted a very successful Christmas in July last Saturday night. Catering for the three-course Christmas dinner was catered by JRV chef, Peter Ashcroft. A profit of $5,000 was made. Winner of the $500 Forbes Gift Voucher was Greg Prow. Thank you to everyone involved in making this night a huge success. Our next fundraising event will be on 1st October when we host the catering for the Forbes Open Gardens. There will be cake, plant and
craft stalls, morning and afternoon tea and a BBQ lunch.

Do you want to join the Australian Red Cross in Forbes?: After celebrating the 2014 centenary of Australian Red Cross, the Forbes Club is looking for new members to help address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable people in the community. If you are interested to join, you are
welcome to attend the AGM on 11th August at 2pm at Forbes HACC Centre. For enquiries call 6852 2736.

Mayoral Notes…

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Last week I attended the Australian Livestock Markets Association Saleyards Conference in Bendigo with Councillors Graeme Miller and Brian Mattiske and Director Engineering and Technical Services, John Zannes. One of the highlights was having Tess and Andrew Herbert speak about the relationship of saleyards to feedlots. Tess gave a great presentation and did us all proud on behalf of the region.

On Wednesday night we held our meet and greet night for our new General Manager, Danny Green. It was great to see so many community members come along to join us in welcoming Danny.

Next Tuesday is Census night! Please help us to make sure everyone in Forbes is counted by completing your form. Council is hosting three fill in a form sessions to help residents complete their forms. These will be held on Monday, 8th August at Forbes North and Thursday, 11th August and Wednesday, 17th August at the Forbes Library. Sessions will be between 9am to 12pm and 1 to 4pm. If you are having any problems completing your Census form, give us a call or come along to one of the sessions.

The Council elections are on 10th September and nominations are now open for candidates. Nominations close on 10th August and if you have any questions about becoming a Councillor, don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the current Councillors. The website for a range of information is www.votensw.info

Have a great week, stay safe and God bless.
Mayor, Cr Phyllis Miller OAM

Students Connect With The Environment

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

More than 500 Stage 3 students from Forbes, Parkes, Eugowra and Tullamore celebrated Schools Tree Day as part of Eco Day 2016 last Friday. Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) provided bus travel and workshops to Year 5 and 6 students to enable them to be involved in a variety of environmental and rural related activities.

The workshops included making NetWaste Worm Farms, Plant Care and
Propagation with Bunnings, Travelbugs Insects, FishCare with volunteer Russell Spencer, who also talked about Wiradjuri culture, weeds demonstration and talk by the Forbes and Parkes Shire Councils and a saleyards tour with Cooper Byrnes from Langlands Hanlon.

The day finished with a hands-on workshop by Paul Kirk, also known as ‘The Snake Man’, and on invasive species. Paul allowed the students to get up close with reptiles, including pythons. He talked to them about snake safety, how to handle non-venomous snakes and what to do if bitten. Chris Lane and Jessica Marsh from Invasive Species CRC spoke about how domestic pets could become a pest in certain environments. They had a selection of preserved animals, monitoring devices, skins and traps that are used to manage invasive species.

“We want the kids to go away thinking about what they can do in their own homes and schools that can make a difference and prevent needless wastage. We hope that students leave the day with a wider perspective of the connection between humans and the environment that we live in,” said Margot Jolly, CWLL Chairperson.

The Central West Livestock Exchange facility is available for free for Eco Day each year and the contribution of staff at the Exchange is greatly appreciated. Bernardi’s Supa IGA provided sausages and bread for lunches, which were distributed by the Skillset Green Army Team. Funding to CWLL to run Eco Day activities was made available through the Central West Local Land Services. The day would not be possible without the support from the Forbes and Parkes Shire Councils, presenters, volunteers, Skillset Green
Army and schools from Parkes, Forbes, Eugowra and Tullamore.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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