Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Turning Into A Police Officer For A Day

June 30, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Lachlan Local Area Command invited local community leaders to get a taste of aspects of police work as part of an initiative to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of policing. The second Community Awareness of Policing Program in Local Area Commands (CAPP in LACs) was held at Parkes Police Station recently.

Participants in the program experienced various aspects of police work, including highway patrol, defensive tactics, criminal investigation and forensics. “CAPP in LACs is an exciting community engagement project that offers the opportunity for our community leaders to get to know us and the diverse range of services we have to offer,” said Lachlan Local Area Commander, Superintendent Chris Taylor.

“The program provides members of the community a chance to experience what it is like to be a police officer. It is a real eyeopener, showcasing the varied and complex duties of policing.”

Participants included Councillor Chris Roylance, representing Forbes Shire and the Forbes Business Chamber; Councillor Barbara Newton, Deputy Mayor of Parkes Shire; Stefanie Loader, Managing Director, NorthParkes Mines; Jenny Doecke, Aboriginal Medical Service, Murrin Bridge; Michael Ostler, Principal of Parkes East Public School and Councillor Dennis Brady, Lachlan Shire.

What Makes a Splashback?

June 30, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Glass splashbacks are a sure way to enhance the appearance of your new kitchen layout. And not only do they look great, splashbacks also make the job of cleaning in the kitchen heaps easier and much faster.

When the staff at Glassplace measure a kitchen for a new splashback, we check the size of cupboards, benches, work areas and windows. Most splashbacks are made from low iron toughened 6mm glass or from special mirrored glass. It’s toughened to handle the heat from the cooktop. And we use low iron glass because ordinary glass has a very slight green tint, which is not noticeable until it is painted, but it can slightly change the appearance of the splashback when installed, especially if using light or white colours.

The colour choice is totally yours. Some customers want a very plain colour to blend in with walls and cupboards, while others like to have a bold colour to enhance the look of their new kitchen.

So after we have the size and shape of the splashback pieces confirmed, it’s up to our glass supplier to cut the pieces to size and shape, polish the edges, do cut outs for power points and then toughen each piece in a furnace. When the glass has cooled it goes through a chemical wash, gets dried and has three coats of paint applied on the back surface.

When the glass comes to our workshop we unwrap it, check it for size and imperfections. Then we take it to your place and carefully fit each piece and seal it all to the wall with a sanitary grade silicone. That’s it – finished!

That’s when you get to see what you have planned and dreamed of for a few weeks and show your friends and neighbours and enjoy what is often the focal point of your new kitchen. Call Glassplace on 6862 2346 and we can advise, measure and quote a glass splashback for you.

By Col Lamrock

Beware Of Tax Scams

June 30, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Police Stations in the Lachlan Local Area Command have received a number of enquiries from the public about alleged phone calls from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The caller claims to be from the tax office and states the person owes money. If they do not pay it immediately, a warrant will be signed for their arrest.

“We often see this type of scam pop up at this time of year,” said Senior Constable Daniel Greef, Crime Prevention Officer at the Lachlan Local Area Command. He said the ATO does not operate like this, nor are warrants issued in this way (except in the movies). “We all need to remain vigilant when taking phone calls as scammers have a variety of methods they use.”

If you receive a call from someone claiming they have an arrest warrant and demand you pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. Do not give personal information to anyone on the phone, unless you made the call and the phone number is from a trusted source.

For more information on scams, please check the Scamwatch website: www.scamwatch.gov.au.

Cameras To Stop Vandalism

June 30, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre received a welcome gift this week of $13, 600 for the funding of two closed-circuit television cameras. Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack made the announcement on Tuesday as part of the Safer Streets program that supports communities at the grass roots to help address crime and anti-social behaviour.

“This has come as such a big surprise and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Aileen Allen, Secretary of the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. “We keep on spending money we should be using for development, because of vandalism at the centre.” Michael said the cameras would be beaming images straight to the Forbes Police Station to ensure the culprits were caught and faced the full punishment of the law.

Forbes Shire Deputy Mayor Graeme Miller said he was pleased the funding had been announced as the centre had a lovely setting at the lake and needed to be respected and not damaged. “The Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre Inc has done a great job with the development of the centre and unfortunately it has been the target of vandalism since it opened in 1996,” said the Deputy Mayor. Plans are underway to place at least eight Aboriginal sculptures around Lake Forbes if a grant application is successful. New barbeque facilities were recently installed. Aileen wants the whole community to enjoy the facilities any time.

Our Bloke – Martin Cahill

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Martin Cahill

How long have you lived in Forbes? I was born and bred in Forbes – been here for 52 years.

Where do you work? At Cahills Footwear. My father started the business in
1949 and I have been working here 31 years.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Talking to all the customers. I know pretty much every face in Forbes. There are so many different people from all walks of life who have done many interesting things.

What do you do in your spare time? My second grandchild is one week old and the other one year. I play a bit of golf too and do some gym work. On Sunday afternoons I like to watch the footy or a movie.

How do you like your coffee? White and one sugar.

What makes your day? To see the smiling faces of my staff, and to see my family happy.

What is your favourite food? A baked dinner of lamb roast with all the veggies.

Eisteddfod Big Draw Card For School Dance Groups

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Competition among schools has increased in the 23rd annual Forbes Eisteddfod, which ended in Forbes yesterday. With prize money of $500 for the school with the most points, there has been a rise in entries from schools this year, according to Helen Hurley, President of the Forbes Eisteddfod Committee.

Helen said approximately 1,400 entries were received for the eight different categories. This meant more than 2,000 children and adults went across the stage for the five days of the Eisteddfod. Every session had a packed Town Hall to capacity with about 200 parents in attendance.

Participants not only came from Forbes but from all over the Central West and even further afield, including Grenfell, Parkes, Bathurst, Griffith and Leeton. The individual categories were open to participants of all ages. The competition started on Saturday with piano, and vocal on Sunday. On Monday the first school groups were on stage in the instrumental category, while the speech and drama section was on Tuesday. The most popular category this year, school dance groups, had its turn on Wednesday. Many schools entered for this competition. Other categories for groups were for bands and school choirs.

On Tuesday the Red Bend Catholic College choir were awarded a first place. Each category had prize money, medals or scholarships to be won. There were 250 scholarships, which cover tuition fees, up for grabs. The adjudicator this year was Mel Philip from Toowoomba. She is qualified under Eisteddfod rules and able to judge all the different categories.

Helen said the individual dance competition of the Eisteddfod would take place during the second week of the school holiday. A different adjudicator, who can judge all types of dance, has been asked for this competition.

A voluntary committee giving talented people in the region a platform to perform every year runs the Forbes Eisteddfod. The idea for an Eisteddfod dates back to the 12th century in Wales when it was a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance.

The current format comes from an 18th century revival of the Eisteddfod. There are many Eisteddfods held across Australia, including the Australian National Eisteddfod.

By Maggi Barnard

Question of the Week?

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What is your favourite rainy day activity?

Cara Pocock: I used to jump in puddles, but these days I love watching Disney movies.

Lester D’Ombrain: I catch up on office work or I tend to my 200 roses when it is drizzling.

Georgia Dagger: I like watching movies. At the moment I am into the TV series Game of Thrones.

The Support You Need

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Undercover Sleepwear & Lingerie is a premier boutique specialising in essential and fashion lingerie, beautiful sleepwear, shapewear and hosiery. Owner Margaret Duggan is a qualified and experienced bra fitter and is proud to offer Amoena beast form fittings. Margaret cannot stress enough the importance of wearing the correct fitting bra and encourages women to regularly have a professional fitting.

If you are planning ahead for summer and need new swimwear, look no further. Undercover Sleepwear & Lingerie has a wide range of leading swimwear labels in sizes 8 to 24. You will find Berlei, Playtex, Triumph, Bendon, Fayreform, Miraclesuit, Jockey, French Country, Schrank, Givoni, Deshabille, Sunseeker, Poolproof and Jets.

This weekend a 25% discount sale is on throughout the store, and shopping hours have been extended until 2pm on Saturday. Find Undercover Sleepwear & Lingerie at 61 Rankin Street.

Mayoral Notes…

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

This week I attended the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra with Deputy Mayor Graeme Miller. There were many and varied topics on the agenda including NBN blackspots and mobile phone coverage issues as well as funding opportunities through the Federal Government.

On Thursday afternoon Riverina MP Michael McCormack was in town to announce $10,500 for the Forbes Amateur Swimming Club. This funding was made possible through the Stronger Communities Program and will help bring the clubhouse up to scratch. Our Grants Officer Andrew Rawsthorne did a great job in helping the swimming club apply for this grant. If you need any help with grant applications, don’t hesitate to give him a call.

I attended the official opening of the Parkes Regional Airport upgrade and the dedication of the late Robert Wilson Terminal on Thursday morning. Robert was a great Local Government colleague and a wonderful mayor of Parkes Shire Council for 23 years. It was lovely to see his family representing him at the occasion.

The Federal Election is just around the corner on 2nd July and pre-polling starts at the Town Hall on Monday. Absentee voting is also available during a Federal Election, make sure you don’t forget to vote. With the amount of rain we have had this week, please don’t drive in flood water and if you are driving in wet weather, drive very carefully.

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

Camping And Caravans

June 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The annual Lachlan Valley Caravan Bush Rally was held at the Kiacatoo Hall grounds last week. The popular rally saw 29 caravans arrive to enjoy a week of camping in a bush setting beside the Lachlan river. Campers were serenaded by resident muso’s Rod, Rob, Jim and Colleen.

Each morning the campers feasted on dampers with the camp cooks seeing who could cook the best before a plate of jaffles and toast for breakfast and pots of soup on hot coals for dinner. The club would like to thank all the woodcutters for the firewood they gathered and Judith Buttriss for keeping the coals alight in the early hours.

For those who haven’t seen it, The Church in the Paddock was another highlight with its lovely domed ceiling and mosaics. As the weather turned wet the campers retreated to a hall for their Biggest Morning Tea, with tasty food coming from the caravans, decorations and raffles. A total of $617 was raised, with all money going to Cancer Research. The mood of the rally turned silly when members dressed up for the skit pantomime, Cinderfello. Helen Pitt and Ruth Armstrong gathered all costumes for a hilarious few hours!

President, Peter Bright, then presided over the club meeting, welcoming all for attending and reports were read and business discussed. It was noted that Lachlan Valley are one of the four biggest clubs in NSW.

Lots of games of rummy and scrabble were enjoyed over the week while fishing and games of tennis were popular for those who were fit along with bush walks. At the end of the week winter seemed to quickly set in so all campers were happy to head back to their home comforts!

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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