Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Red Bend Rides Through Rain At Coonabarabran

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

A total of nine riders from Red Bend entered the North West Equestrian Expo at Coonabarabran for Secondary Schools encompassing Years 7 to 12 competing in various events over five wet and muddy days. Friday competition saw the holding of Dressage for One Day Event and Novice Freestyle dressage as an Exhibition event across two arena’s. Lizzie Wythes competed in the Novice Freestyle and finished 6th in her arena.

Sunday competition results which also included events from Saturday for Combined Training – Dressage & Show Jumping, Eventing – Dressage, Show jumping & cross country. Prue Baker, Forbes – 9th CT5. Katie Townsend, Eugowra – 4th D Grade Eventing, Division 1. Emily Phillips, Forbes – 9th CT2 Division 1. Jack Turner, Parkes – 8th D Grade Eventing Division 1 Kristen Grady, Parkes – 9th CT3 Division 2 Lizzie Wythes, Parkes – 5th CT5 Dana Wales and Jack Turner from Parkes also competed in the Working Horse Challenge, which is made up of a number of challenges for both handler and horse.

Monday events consisted of individual Dressage and Show Jumping competition as well as Sporting events. Lizzie Wythes 5th Dressage Prelim 1:2. Katie Townsend 4th Age Show jumping Monday’s evening entertainment was the Teams Barrel Race and is great to watch and everyone had a great time. RBCC had two teams entered and consisted of Katie, Prue, Kristen, Emily, Grace and Jack. Each rider posted some great times either the fastest or slowest. Our fastest competitor was Katie.

Tuesday’s competition was Show riding and Team Penning. We had five riders compete in their prospective Show riding classes, Prue, Katie, Grace, Jack & Lizzie with Team Penning consisting of Kristen, Dana & Emily who were unfortunate not to place but definitely had great fun.

Results for the show riding were; Grace Ross – 3rd Show Pony, Prue Baker was unfortunate not to place but was in her rider class finals, Lizzie Wythes – 1st Open Show horse, Rider class, Champion Ridden Lightweight & Champion rider.

Forbes To Benefit From Sydney Weekender

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Girragirra Retreat owner and Forbes local Wendy Muffet says the town and shire will benefit from TV program Sydney Weekender’s visit to town last week. The Prime7 program, which is hosted by former Australian cricket fast bowler Mike Whitney, came to Forbes last week, visiting the Central West Livestock Exchange, the McFeeters Motor Museum, and the Girragirra Retreat.

Mrs Muffet said it was a great opportunity for the Forbes Shire to get showcased, especially as Sydney Weekender had not visited the town before. “It’s great that they came and got to see that there is actually a lot of things to do in the country,” she said. “Forbes has so much to offer and the country side is so nice, and personally I’m glad they came out and got to experience it.”

“They told me they really enjoyed their stay in the region, and Mike told me it was as good a stay as what he has had in any city that he’s been to as well.” When the Sydney Weekender crew visited Girragirra, located four kilometres out of Forbes on a rural property, they showcased the best of what the countryside has to offer, with nature literally walking up to the door of their room.

At the Livestock Exchange they attended a relatively small sheep sale of about 20,000 sheep, with Presenter Whitney helping out at the sale. The crew checked out the huge range of historical motor vehicles McFeeters Museum has on display, with Mr Whitney commenting that it was as good as any metropolitan museum he has ever been to.

“This motor museum is truly world class,” he told The Forbes Phoenix last week. “I love my motor bikes, and I’m telling you, I know a lot about them, and what this place has on show is just awesome.”

The episode will go to air on July 10.

By Joshua Matic

Early Childhood Wellbeing Program Launches In Forbes

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program is launching in Parkes and Forbes, with thanks to NorthParkes Mines Community Investment Program. The team at Positive Living Skills has a big vision – to see the alarming and growing statistics around depression, anxiety and suicide drastically reduce within one generation.

They are moving one step closer to that vision now by launching their Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program within the Forbes and Parkes communities, with support from NorthParkes Mines. Catherine Shaw, founder of the Positive Living Skills initiative and local Parkes resident, knows too well what mental health problems can do to communities.

“We have all heard about the rising rate of suicide, particularly in rural NSW, and we all know someone who has lost a loved one to such a tragedy,” she said. “Mental health problems do not discriminate, and people of all ages and backgrounds are at real risk. When I experienced my own struggles and went looking for help, I found these practical Positive Living skills in my late 40’s.

My immediate thought was, why don’t they teach this in schools? And so this journey began.” Cath Shaw is a woman on a mission; a mission that saw her form an alliance in 2012 with Dr. Terry Orlick PhD, world renowned performance expert and creator of the original Positive Living Skills concepts in Canada. Dr. Orlick is a global leader in the applied field of mental training who has dedicated over 40 years to researching the benefits and effects of positive living skills on children, young people and adults.

“I am very excited to see this Positive Living Skills Program launched in Australia and I support this program and the Positive Living Skills Australian team wholeheartedly,” said Dr Orlick.

“It is so essential to teach all children Positive Living skills from an early age, because when you think about it, the destiny of our world depends on how we support the youngest children of today.” Local psychologist Carly Fisher has also seen the benefits of the Positive Living skills program first hand. “I have seen first hand through my clients the positive effects that have been achieved via the initial pilot studies here in the Parkes Community, and I look forward to seeing this vital program reach broader communities,” she said.

As part of the latest round of funding supported by the NorthParkes Mines Community Investment Program, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre will be the first in the area to get the opportunity to share the learning and resources with the children they serve and their families.

Raewyn Molloy, Director of Forbes Learning Ladder, has already experienced the PLS program during the product development stage “After participating in the PLS Early Childhood Program pilot in 2014 and seeing the children in our Centre benefit from the concepts and activities then, we are now excited to be implementing the final product and seeing the continued positive results,” she said.

Question of the Week?

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

What did you do on the long weekend?

Josh Vale: I played golf in the CanAssist Golf Day on Saturday then worked Saturday night. Sunday I played Rugby League for the Magpies against Parkes in Parkes and I rested on Monday.

Louise Allen: I caught up with family at an Uncle’s 70th birthday party at Merriwagga, a little place between Hillston and Goolgowi.

Maree Schrader: On Saturday I volunteered for Forbes CanAssist at the Charity Golf Day. On Sunday I went to the footy in Parkes – I love watching many of my ex-students play, there are some in every grade. I relaxed on Monday.

Mayoral Notes…

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Over the long weekend we welcomed the 40th National Sunbeam Car Rally to Forbes. We hosted an official welcome on Friday night in the Town Hall and it was a great event. On Saturday morning the rain held off long enough for the show and shine in Harold Street and there were some great cars on display.

The participants in the rally were so pleased with their time in Forbes and I enjoyed a great night out at their social dinner on Saturday.

The Sydney Weekender episode featuring Forbes is set to air at 5.30pm on Prime7 on July 10! Make sure you tune in to watch Mike Whitney venture around Forbes! We have had quite a few economic development enquiries and we are working with the interested parties to achieve the best outcome possible for the community.

All of the enquiries have been very positive and we will keep you posted when we have something concrete to report.

A background paper on the Joint Organisations model has been released and is currently on exhibition. If the model is right, Joint Organisations will be beneficial for regional collaboration and planning throughout regional councils.

Tonight the Western Region Academy of Sport is hosting a Regional Athlete and Coach Education Workshop at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. The workshop will provide a range of valuable information to athletes and is free to attend.

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

Snippets…

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Roadworks continue on Templar/Rankin Streets: Improvements to the crossing on Rankin Street, at the intersection with Templar Street, are still happening, with the northern end of Rankin Street currently closed to traffic. Work is expected to be completed soon.

Bovarian Crocheting workshops: A series of 5 workshops will be held to teach Bovarian Crocheting. All are welcome and the cost is $5 per person per workshop. The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, 22 June 2016 starting at 11 am and finishing at 1pm. All participants are required to bring their own supplies, some assorted colours in 8 ply wool and a crochet size 4.5 or 5.0. Come along and have some fun, the workshops will continue each Wednesday at the same time each week.

Western Region Academy of Sport workshop: The Western Region Academy of Sport is holding a 2016 Regional Athlete and Coach Education (RACE) Workshop in Forbes this Friday, June 17 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club. The workshop is free and will provide valuable information to athletes, coaches, parents, students and community members. For more information about the event, see attached flyer with contact details for the Western Region Academy of Support.

Pride in Public Education $1,000 scholarship: This Essay Competition is open to NSW year 11 students who attend a public school. Students are invited to write a 400-word essay on ‘Why a Good Public Education System Matters in Modern Australia’. The winning entry will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Public Education Foundation to support their education expenses. Entries, as judged by members of the Retired Teachers Association, should showcase quality of content, originality and format. More information at http://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au/scholarship-archive/the-public- educationfoundation-essay-competition/

Forbes kids make healthy art: Primary school kids in Forbes are using their artistic skills to help the community think more about healthy food. In workshops that began recently, vibrant new artworks will be made for a local exhibition and to feature on the walls at the new Forbes Hospital. Selected students from kindergarten to year six in Forbes have joined Orangebased artist Heather Pike in four weekly art workshops. The students will make a series of artworks linked to the Forbes Food Revolution program. The student’s completed artworks will go into a twoweek long exhibition at the Platypus Gallery in Forbes, opening June 30. Students will then donate one of their works to the Forbes Hospital where it will be part of the hospital’s new art collection.

Farmers urged to watch for powerlines while sowing: Essential Energy is urging farmers to remain alert and be aware of the location of overhead powerlines and power poles following a spike in incidents of agricultural machinery contacting the electricity network in recent weeks. The 10 state-wide incidents involved tractors and cotton module makers contacting power poles, causing damage to the electricity network and endangering the safety of the machinery operators. Essential Energy encourages farmers and agricultural workers to pre-plan sowing and map out safe traffic paths between power poles to remove the potential for machinery to contact the network.

Grant Planned For Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre Secretary Aileen Allen says she hopes to place Aboriginal sculptures around Lake Forbes, after Forbes Shire Council announced it had applied for a State Government grant. Council will make a full application for the grant, which is worth $270,000, to expand the Centre, which would include installing at least eight sculptures, interpretive signage, extra tables and chairs, landscaping, a toilet block, and an ampitheatre to host more cultural workshops.

The grant would be a massive coup for the Centre, which earlier this year received three new security cameras, a new barbeque, and a new table set. The barbeque and table set arrived just in time for Reconciliation Day celebrations a number of weeks ago.

Ms Allen said the sculptures would be sculpted by Wiradjuri artists, and would run up and down Lake Forbes. “We would start with eight to ten sculptures, and they would start at the Dreaming Centre near the footbridge, run up to where the road is, and then come back down on the other side of the river,” she said.

With the barbeque and table now in place at the Centre, Ms Allen encouraged the whole community to use it. “It’s there for everyone and not just Aboriginal people, and it can be used at any time,” she said. Ms Allen added, plans to construct a small information building at the Centre were also being considered.

By Joshua Matic

Magpies Look To Improve Focus

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

With the second half of the 2016 Group 11 season already upon us, the Forbes Magpies will look at importing their discipline and concentration, after losing two games that could easily have been won.

With round seven being a split round, the Magpies will rest this weekend after playing the first half of round seven last weekend in their 28-22 loss to the Parkes Spacemen, with the teams who rested last weekend playing this weekend.

With round seven yet to be completed, the Magpies currently sit in fourth position on the ladder, however with two extra wins, they could easily have found themselves in outright second position.

These two wins could have come from their matches against Parkes last week, and their match against Nyngan on May 29. They turned on a terrible first half against Nyngan, trailing 30-10 at half time, but came back in the second stanza to lead 32-30. But they then conceded a try in the dying seconds to lose 36-32.

It was the opposite story against Parkes, getting off to a blinding start to lead 18-0, before letting go of their grip and losing 28- 22. Magpies President Greg Grogan said the players would be working their consistency in games. “I think Coach Jake Grace will be looking at their attitude and discipline so the boys can play for the full 80 minutes again,” he said.

“At the end of the pre-season we expected to be in the top three or top four, which is where we are at the moment, but we could easily be in the top two.” Grogan said the rest this weekend was good to allow injured players, including captain/coach Grace, the chance to recover before taking the field again against Dubbo Westside in round eight on June 26.

While Westside hasn’t had the greatest season to date, Grogan said it would be important for the Magpies not to get too complacent. He added that his side would be boosted by the return of more players from injury, however.

By Joshua Matic.

Now’s The Time To Buy

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Rural Property Specialist, Ainslie Toole at Landmark Harcourts Forbes, has sold 10 Rural Properties in just three months, which has led to a shortage of listings in the district. Talking to our leading national agents in all states across the country at a recent national conference it was found that there is a shortage in most areas.

This means there has never been a better time to buy a rural property. The combination of record low interest rates and a great season with strong commodity prices is rarely seen. In almost 20 years of specialising in rural property sales this is the first time Landmark Harcourt have ever had less than 10 rural properties listed. Properties that have been sold recently include Brotherony & Everton at Condobolin, Overton in Forbes, Ingaladdie in Grenfell, Valhalla at Grenfell and Happy Valley in Forbes, all of which were sold within an extremely short time frame.

With record low interest rates investors are also looking at rural properties as part of their portfolio. Rural properties can be leased at 4-5% – a significantly better return than current bank interest and they have the potential for capital gain. Landmark Harcourts Forbes have qualified buyers that are ready to buy broad-acre cropping country, irrigation and rural properties in the Forbes, Grenfell, Condobolin, Eugowra, Gooloogong, Parkes and Trundle districts.

Landmark Harcourts is the only national company with international offices throughout China, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and America. For a free confidential appraisal, contact Ainslie Toole at Landmark Harcourts Forbes on 0407 946 838 or email ainslie.toole@landmarkharcourts.com.au to take advantage of the exclusive and very affordable National and International Marketing Programs.

Official Opening Of The Parkes Regional Airport

June 16, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The official opening of the Robert Wilson Terminal and the completed upgrades to the Parkes Regional Airport took place on Thursday morning at 8.30am. More than 100 dignitaries and special guests were present on the day, including Federal Member for the Riverina Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Parkes Shire Councillors and Robert Wilson’s wife and family members.

The upgrade to the Terminal is part of the $3 million redevelopment of Parkes Regional Airport which is jointly being funded by Parkes Shire Council and the Australian Government, through their Community Development Grants Programme and the New South Wales Government Community Partnership Grant. The project included replacing the existing runway lighting, terminal refurbishment and expansion for security readiness, additional car parking infrastructure and technology improvements.

The Parkes Regional Airport is located five kilometres east of Parkes and is serviced by Regional Express (REX) which provides regular passenger services between Parkes and Sydney. REX transports around 35,000 passengers annually and is vital for connecting the Central West with larger cities.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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