Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Local Fighters Win Karate State Championships

May 26, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Four competitors from Central West Kyokushin Karate Club participated in the Kyokushin NSW Full Contact Championships in Sydney on Sunday 22nd May, winning two state titles in their divisions. Representing the juniors were Rebecca Withers from Forbes and Kye Herft from Parkes and in the adults, Parkes locals Renae Herft and Natalie Caruana.

Rebecca and Kye fought in the full-contact children’s division; however modifications on the day were an obstacle as the students were not prepared for the style of fighting. Both students displayed outstanding skill and most importantly, excellent sportsmanship on the day. Their Sensei and coach, Michelle Kable said; “although the change in fighting rules was a bit of a setback, we will be able to adapt our techniques and approach for the next tournament. Both Kye and Rebecca are a credit to our club, and I am very proud of their efforts, and that they had the courage to
have a go.”

In the adult’s division Renae Herft, a white belt, showed true spirit with the makings of a future Australian Champion; persevering through numerous fouled punches to the face to win her division and take home the NSW State Championship title. Renae’s sister, Natalie Caruana, a more experienced martial artist has also only started Kyokushin Karate this year and was well prepared for the full contact fights. Dropping 5kg in the last month to make her weight division Natalie was able to maintain her strength and dominated her opponent with snapping head kicks, punches and powerful leg kicks to also win her division and take home the title of NSW State Champion – watch this space for great things to come!

The club are now preparing for the Australian National Championships in August. Michelle said; “The karate club is growing stronger – we breed them tough out here in the bush. We’re very proud of the courage shown on the weekend, with all fighters exhibiting great karate and outstanding sportsmanship. We were very lucky to have great support for the awesome foursome.”

Women’s Bowling Club Off To State Championships

May 26, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Forbes was host to the Region 12 play-offs with pennant teams two, three and four from Dubbo, Orange, Gulgong, Parkes, and Forbes competing to play in the State Championships in August at Nowra. As Forbes were the number two pennant team to win at district level we played Dubbo City and although we had a slow start our Forbes team kept on winning each end until we passed their score to win by three shots, 31-28. What an effort and we were rewarded with a gold medal by our District President Annette Tisdell and now are off to play in the State Championships on August 15- 17. All districts in New South Wales will be competing and several of our players were lucky to be playing in this event in 2006 and are excited to represent our small club once again.

“Rampage” Jets Into 2nd Place

May 26, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Last weekend saw locals Justin and Mitch Roylance compete at Round 3 of the Australian V8 Superboat Championship in Temora in the Group A 400 class. Qualifying seen Mitch and navigator Matt Hearn in Blackjack at the top end of the field, after taking out 1st place at the previous meeting in April, they had the rest of the field
on their toes. Unfortunately Justin and his co pilot, Joel Duggan, B driving the Rampage boat had engine issues and found themselves at the bottom of the field in the Qualifying rounds.

Coming into eliminations Team Rampage found time to make a few changes to the engine, without any testing opportunity they were able to put down a good enough time to go through to the next round. Team Blackjack also laid down a blistering time allowing them to proceed. The next round of eliminations comprised of 6 teams which were 2 Obsessed (Brett Thornton), Rampage (Justin), Jack Hammer (David Moodie), Pangaea Floors Racing (Greg Harriman), Black Jack (Mitch Roylance) and the A Driver in Rampage (Jody Ely) these 6 battled it out to gain place in the top 3.

The final saw Brett and Lin Thornton in “2 Obsessed” take 1st. In 2nd place was Justin Roylance and Joel Duggan and Cowra team of David Moodie and Laura Pratt taking 3rd place.

The unlimited class was taken out by crowd favourite Phonsy Mullan in “Ramjet”, 2nd place was Darek Sygidus in”Frankenstein” and 3rd was Daryl “Nutsy” Hutton in “Hooters”. There has been fantastic local support for this sport and the teams. August and September sees racing head North to Cabarita Beach and back at Temora on the 1st & 29th October.

If you would like to know more about the V8 Superboat Championship, check out the teams on Facebook. www.v8superboats.com.au

By Justin Roylance

FNA Fundraiser A Success

May 26, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association held a very successful fundraiser last Saturday, as part of the Saturday competition. Funds were raised for The Kids Cancer Project, which is the charity of Netball NSW, where netball associations across the state get together for a day of fun and dress up to support the charity. Thank you to all the parents and
volunteers who cooked and donated at the canteen, and helped in many ways to make the day such an outstanding success.

Last year, 41 netball associations across the state including the FNA raised over $46,000 for The Kids Cancer Project, and this year the target is to raise over $50,000. The final total is still to be calculated for this year.

The theme for 2016 Forbes netballers was Crazy Vinnies day, where everyone was encouraged to dress up and have fun, playing netball and raising funds for a very worthwhile charity.

Prizes were awarded to the Best Dressed Vinnies team with the winner being the 13 years team of Pineapples. The Best Dressed players prizes were awarded to Emily Gartner (13 years) and Eliza Kerr (NetSetGo). A 100 Club was also drawn on the day with winners being number 9 Rel White; number 85 Adam White; number 40 Jessica Armitage; number 78 Nikky White; and number 74 P Greenhalge.

International Insights For Red Bend Students

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Red Bend Catholic College International Excursion Coordinator Gillian McMillan says the students that recently travelled to South East Asia are now more informed citizens.

A group of 20 students, made up of 10 students from each of year 11 and 12, travelled to Cambodia and Vietnam last month, as part of the Modern History Tour that Red Bend Catholic College takes students on once every two years.

The idea of the tour is to give students the experience of travelling overseas and learning about different cultures, but more specifically, to get a grasp on crucial parts of Asian history.

The tour forms a part of the students’ curriculum, but Mrs McMillian said the tour is really a life-changing experience for the students that take part.

“It was a really eye-opening experience for the students. I think they learned a great appreciation of the lifestyle we have here in Australia,” she said.

“It gave them a true insight into how Vietnam was invaded during the Vietnam War, and the instability of their politics, and how in Australia we are lucky not to have any of that.”

The tour of Cambodia and Vietnam took students to Saigon, Phnom Penh, Hoi An, and Hanoi.

Highlights of the trip included the Killing Fields of Cambodia’s Pol Pot era (1975-79), where around 2.5 million people were killed under the Khmer Rouge, as well as Vietnam War tunnels, rice farming, and seeing Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum.

By Joshua Matic

Lachlan Valley Caravan Club Roves To SA And Back

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

A large contingent of 13 caravans set off for our three-week roving rally, led by our Tour Director John Apps and his wife Di, to all meet for our first night camp at Ariah Park. The next day saw all set off travelling to Griffith and Jerilderie and Conargo. Day three saw us drive through Deniliquin and crossing the Murray River into Victoria at Barham for a morning rest. Kerang was our next stop for lunch and then we drove to the town of Birchip which is famous for it’s vanilla slice at the bakery. We then reached the border of South Australia and after a fruit fly check camped that night at Parilla.

Heading off we went to Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and through the towns of Hahndorf and Crafers to our five-night stay at the Belair National Caravan Park in the Adelaide Hills.

On leaving we were all directed out of Adelaide by our leaders and all safely made it to Dublin. Most drivers missed the bakery there and headed off to Ardrossan. This was the start of the Yorke Pennisula ,which is a wealthy grain producing area. We stayed at the caravan park at Yorketown and we found this a very friendly spot. Next stop was at the Clare Racecourse in the Clare Valley- famous for its wine and produce. At Seven Hills we visited the old Jesuits winery and church with its crypt. Leaving the Clare Valley on Anzac Day, the group held their own private service at the War Memorial at Gladstone, camping that night at Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. The next day we all arrived at Wilpena Pound. This is a beautiful area where walks and climbing into the pound are enjoyed, as well as driving through Brachina Gorge to Blinman and Parachilna. Lots of natural beauty was seen.

On leaving here it was the start of a homeward journey, travelling to Peterborough and Burra Morgan, and finishing at the Riverland in South Australia . The next stop was Hay, and then Forbes for a meal with some of our Club members and home after a long and very enjoyable journey.

Colleen Liebich,
Publicity Officer

Work To Begin On Rankin Street Crossing

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Work will begin on the Rankin Street Crossing at the corner of Templar Street next Wednesday, May 23, in a move that Forbes Shire Council Acting General Manager Max Kershaw says is needed for it to meet Australian standards.

The project was initially supposed to go ahead earlier, but with business owners on Rankin Street expressing concerns, it has been revised and pushed back. The project was initially going to see the curbs on both sides of the crossing brought out to be within around 3.2 metres from the middle of the road, while the curb on the corner of Rankin and Templar Streets was also going to be brought out a similar distance. Business owners on Rankin were concerned that the project would make Rankin Street too narrow for traffic to safely pass through, and had a meeting with Council on Wednesday May 4 to address their concerns. But Mr Kershaw said improvements had to be made, as the crossing did not meet Australian standards.

“Council was pleased to meet with the business owners, and took on board comments made at the least meeting, which lead to our revised plan,” he said. “We still had to make improvements to the crossing, as it did not meet Australian standards.”

Martin Cahill, owner of Cahill’s Footwear on Rankin Street, said while businesses on the road thought it would still be too narrow, it was good Council listened to the concerns of local businesses.

“We fear it will be dangerous not for pedestrians on the crossing, but for cars turning from Templar Street onto Rankin Street, across the crossing, and not having enough room to do so with traffic coming in the opposite direction,” he said.

“However we’re happy that Council took our concerns into consideration. They hadn’t consulted us before announcing the project, so hopefully now this won’t happen in future.”

Gloves On At Fight Night

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday night four of our local boxers tested their skills at a ‘Battle at the Bron’ fight night held at Oberon RSL. Dreamtime Sports Academy, promoters of the event hold events such as these approximately once a month throughout the Central West with the next event scheduled for Saturday 28th May at Blayney.

Local boy, Jimson Mores has been attending boxing training in Parkes for the past seven months with well-known trainer, Tommy Ward. Although Jimson’s mother gets very nervous when he fights both of his parents are very supportive. Jimson went three, two minute rounds with a worthy opponent on Saturday night and although he lost the bout is going to work on his fitness for his next fight in Blayney in a couple of weeks’ time. Jack Amor-Dunn has been training for about 5 years and has had six fights since turning 12 years of age, the legal age to compete. Jack drew the exhibition match. Forbes’ Jeff Little encountered a very physical opponent who just got on top of him with points during his first ever fight since commencing the sport five months ago.

Dreams Realised Through Wheelchair Basketball

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Only weeks ago Cathy Maloney began to shape her dream, of bringing Wheelchair Basketball to Forbes and district, into a reality. Initial support from Wheelchair Sports NSW provided eight specialised sports wheelchairs and funding for venue hire so that Forbes could offer people with a disability the chance to participate in sport. Wheelchair Sports NSW believe that sport has the power to rehabilitate and integrate and provides a range of quality sporting programs for all ages and abilities. Cathy, along with trained physio Rochelle Smith, teaches participants wheelchair control and to develop upper body strength and basketball skills.

With the growing number of participants attending every Monday between 4.30 & 6.30pm, Cathy is hoping to secure enough funding to purchase a further three chairs at a cost of $5,000 each.

Similar programs are being run in larger centres such as Dubbo where they hold training days once a month and often have mentor programs with Paralympic athletes. Interested people can contact Cathy Maloney on 0457 125 146 for further information as new members and their families are always welcome.

Forbes Residents Encouraged To Exercise Through Free Tai Chi

May 19, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Free Tai Chi classes will be available in Forbes for at least the next 19 weeks, with Forbes Shire Council teaming up with two local Tai Chi instructors to hold weekly classes for all residents.

Cheryl Shirvington and Sandra Nicholson both have experience in teaching 10 different forms of Tai Chi, and have been sponsored by the Council to run a 20-week program of weekly classes, which started last Tuesday.

Classes are being held at the Uniting Church on Brown Street on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 11am, with morning tea also provided.

The program is aimed at encouraging locals, of all abilities, to increase their health and fitness, and instructor Cheryl
Shirvington said that Tai Chi provided for people of all ages. “Because Tai Chi is a slow and relaxing form of exercise, people think that it is only for senior citizens, but this is completely wrong,” she said.

“Tai Chi offers challenges for both young and old, and is definitely a great way for youth to exercise as well.” Mrs Shirvington and fellow instructor Sandra Nicholson are teaching the form of Tai Chi known as ‘Yang 24 Forms’, which Mrs Shirvington described as being “what you would normally see in the park or on TV”.

She said each class would offer something new, but that they were also tailored for people of all abilities. “We teach in a very inclusive way to include all abilities. If there is something that someone cannot do, we’ll always give
them alternatives,” she said. Residents can contact Mrs Shirvington on 0400 984 114 or Mrs Nicholson on 0437 522 778 for more information.

By Joshua Matic

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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