Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Question of the Week?

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What do you think of the Pokémon Go craze?

April Lewis, Spotlight: I think it’s good for getting people with anxiety and depression out of the house. It is bad as people get ignorant and don’t look when crossing roads. I play it with my friends but am always aware of my surroundings. I think there are better games out there.

Sabrina Calvani, Aglio E Olio: I don’t know much about it, but what I hear I don’t like as adults are crossing roads without looking. What are we teaching kids?

John Hick, Bunnings: I love it. I play it with my kids. We walked at least 20km over the weekend. I grew up with Pokémon and wished this game had come out when I was a kid.

McCormack New Small Business Minister

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Riverina Nationals’ MP Michael McCormack, who is the MP for Forbes as well, feels honoured by his appointment as Minister for Small Business. “Having owned and operated my own small business in Wagga Wagga for more than eight years, I understand first hand the vital role small business plays in many local communities,” Michael said.

“Since coming to Parliament, I have seen how the Coalition’s small business policies, including the instant asset write-offs and a lowering in the company tax rate, have seen an increase in confidence, investment and jobs in the Riverina electorate’s small businesses.

“With the Coalition’s focus on ensuring Australia’s small businesses have a champion and voice in the Ministry, I follow in the steps of two outstanding Small Business Ministers in Bruce Billson and Kelly O’Dwyer. Michael said he would remain focused on his role as the Member for Riverina and being the voice for the Riverina and Central West in Federal Parliament.

Michael, who is the first Small Business Minister who is a member of The Nationals, was sworn in on Wednesday.

Get Up And Pokémon Go

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Charmander, Rhydon, Snorlax, Gastly, Jynx, Pidgeot, Ponyta, Golem… Pikachu! There is a new language in the streets and parks where people congregate staring intently at mobile phones.

It is the language of Pokémon Go, the hottest game in the app store right now with millions of people playing it all over the world, including Forbes. Released earlier this month, Pokémon creatures are popping up everywhere in the real world and the idea is that you catch them.

One avid player in Forbes, Mitch Watson started the Forbes and Parkes Pokémon Go Community on Facebook with 230 members already. “It is a good community of people and fun to get to know each other and go for walks.”

Mitch was with a newfound friend Phillip Whelan in Victoria Park on Monday hunting Pokémon together. The pair said they both played Pokémon in the 1980’s and 90’s, and this game was the closest to the real thing you could get. “This is part of the game’s popularity, and it is free and gets you out of the house.

Phillip was in Canberra last weekend where he said playing the game was totally different. “As there are many more people playing, there are a lot more Pokémon,” he said. Mitch and Phillip are proud of the rare Pokémon they have caught so far, which include a Dragonair and an Aerodactyl.

They both cautioned players to always be alert and stay safe while playing.
By Maggi Barnard

Nic To Ride For His Country In Spain

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

At just 19 Forbes local Nic Tomlinson has allowed his consistent results to speak for themselves by being selected to represent Australia at the 2016 International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) event to be held in Spain later this year.

Nic submitted an expression of interest for the event, which was accepted from a pool of highly accomplished applicants. “I was really excited by the news that my application was successful,” he said.

The 2016 event is to be held at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain with 22 countries taking part in the Junior Trophy category. The ISDE will run from 6th to 17th October. Races commence on a Tuesday in order to finish on Sunday. Riders have to complete one and half laps a day, which will take them over seven hours. There are five special stages by day with two different itineraries and two service time checks out of the Paddock. Teams are allocated just ten minutes per day to change two tyres and make any modification to their bikes for the next day of racing.

Navarra borders France and has a diverse terrain with the Pyrenees Mountain range, forested mountains, well-watered valleys, basins, hills and arid regions. “I really don’t know what the course will be like,” Nic said. “I am guessing it will be hard.”

Nic’s greatest supporter, his father Gary, will be accompanying him to Spain as part of his team. Nic will continue to compete in events within Australia until his adventure starts in late September.

The history of the off road motorbike began in 1913 and has lasted until today as the ISDE. In 1985 the Junior Trophy came into effect, exclusively for riders up to the age of 23, and the Women’s Trophy started in 2007 extending the teams eligible for the event.

Movie Review – Finding Dory

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

This is the long awaited sequel to Finding Nemo, created 13 years after the original. It is set one year after Marlin and Dory found Nemo in Sydney, Australia. They are facing their biggest challenge yet, searching for Dory’s long lost family.

Dory was torn away from her parents when she was young and before she knew it, or could remember, she was lost. Although Dory suffered short-term memory loss, a trigger word set off a long forgotten memory of Dory’s parents and a place – the Jewel of Morro Bay in California.

Along the way Dory meets a Grumpy Octopus named Hank, and they become partners in crime. Dory shows that through persistence and determination you can achieve anything you put your mind to, which is a great lesson for the younger generation to learn. I really enjoyed this movie and would watch it again.

This film is suitable for all ages. It is a great movie to watch for the whole family. I give it five stars.
By Brayden Dukes-Rankmore

New Glass And Glazing Service Opens In Forbes

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Jim, Mandy and Tim Dukes opened their new business, JD’s Glass and Glazing, in January this year. Jim, a well-known local has been in the game for 27 years as a glazier and builder, having lived in Forbes all of his life.

Jim saw an opportunity and always wanted to own a business with Mandy. Located at 1 Union Street, Forbes, their son, Tim also works with them. With just over seven months of trading behind them, Jim said: “I am really thrilled with the way the business has taken off and the support shown by the locals.

Sometimes we are really overwhelmed by the level of enquiry, however we will always strive to provide great customer service to our clients.”

JD’s Glass and Glazing offers a full glazing service, supply and fit new windows, doors, security screens, shower screens and wardrobes, as well as an after hours service.

Call Jim or Mandy to discuss your needs on 02 6851 1402.

Fit4Life Opens In Forbes

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Debbie Hearan, who has been the manager at Curves for the past nine years, has finally taken the plunge and set up her own fitness business in Forbes. She took over the old Curves on 1st July, and renamed it Fit4Life. The name certainly says it all.

With Debbie’s years of experience in the fitness industry, she saw this opportunity as something that she has been keen to do for many years. A lot of members who have been coming to the centre for years are delighted with
Debbie taking the reins. Not being part of a franchise means that Debbie can offer a lot more services to her clients, including a young mother’s group as well as men’s classes. With summer just around the corner, it is a good time to start a fitness programme. Give Debbie a call for more details.

Italian Fare At Aglio E Olio

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Come in and try the selection of delicious pizzas and pastas at dinner or perhaps a light lunch of sandwiches, focaccias, melts or anything from the ever-changing menu. They create a new one every week. Call in to the Homemaker Centre in Forbes (near Bunnings) or call them on 6851 5522.

Creek & River Frontage, Vendors Need a Sale

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

“Urah” Condobolin
• 107.29ha (265.1ac) – Freehold title
• 4 Bedroom brick and tile home, main with ensuite and WIR
• Wood fire, evaporative air conditioning and ceiling fans
• Hay shed, smaller storage shed with stable, chook house
• Flat bottom silo, stock and domestic pump on creek
• Mixed steel and timber cattle yards with crush and ramp
• Mixed stock proof fencing
• Some old laser levelled irrigation country
• Frontage to both Nerathong Creek and Lachlan River
• 123ML General Security Irrigation water included
• Comprehensive information memorandum available

Offers prior to auction will be considered.

Auction: 11am Friday 19th August 2016 at the Forbes Services Memorial Club

View: Open Farm Tours 10am, Friday 22nd , 29th July and 12th August

Ian Simpson: 0417 468 565 ian.simpson@iansimpsonandco.com

Office: (02) 6851 1911

www.iansimpsonandco.com.au

Dancing Around The Stove At Kazza’s

July 21, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Kazza’s Kitchen is a home cooking business run by mother and daughter team, Karen and Ash. The pair focus on creating evening meals for busy families, lunch time single meals, and of course the good old sweet-tooth treat. A home cooking business had always been a dream for Karen. It was realised when her daughter, Ash, took a year off university to join her Mum to set up the business. Together they make a wonderful team: Karen bringing the old-fashioned recipes everyone loves, and Ash bringing some creative new ideas to life.

Kazza’s Kitchen is no ordinary kitchen. It’s not unusual to find the girls dancing and singing around the stove to a Michael Jackson tune, adding a whole lot of love to the food that you order.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe