Parkes Phoenix Editor

Lions Recycle for Sight Australia is part of the Lions Clubs International Worldwide Eyeglass Recycling Program, headquartered in Queensland and operating throughout Australia and overseas. Recycle 4 Sight Australia has collected thousands of pairs of used spectacles, sunglasses, new frames and other equipment. The program distributes regraded spectacles to many parts of the world to Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other humanitarian
organisations for distribution to poor people in need at no expense or obligation on the recipient.

Over the 15 years that the Australian program has existed, the program has delivered 2.5 million pairs to countries in Africa, Europe, Middle East, Indian Sub continent, Lions Recycle for Sight Australia East Asia, and the Far East, including China, the countries of the Pacific Rim and Southern Asia and Oceania. The Recycle For Sight program is operating in Forbes for the Month of May. The Forbes Lions Club is collecting used eyeglasses and sunglasses from the local community so they can be cleaned and sorted before being used for distribution in Lions Eye Clinics around the world. Glasses can be left in the collection boxes located at Phillip Wells Optometrist and Eyewear Specs.

Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs of Australia have collected and forwarded 250,000 pair of glasses, sunglasses and other equipments that are the life blood of the program.

By Anita Morrison

Concerned business owners, and representatives from Forbes Shire Council met at the pedestrian crossing on Rankin Street on Wednesday May 4 to discuss the amendments to the crossing. Acting General Manager, Max Kershaw, Director of Engineering, John Zannes, and Manager of Technical Services, David Timlin, met with business owners to discuss their concerns. Max Kershaw started by apologising for the lack of previous consultation and resolved to answer questions, and to address concerns. Business owners are concerned that the extension of the kerb is not safe passage for cars speeding through, and it also takes up car spaces.

Martin Cahill from Cahill Footwear voiced his concern about trucks getting around the corner, “When a truck parks in front of the extended kerb, cars can’t see around it and have to pull out into the other lane to pass.” All business owners reiterated that safety is their first concern, but some were adamant that the extension of the kerb was not the best option to optimise safety. The issue of the speed limit in the street was voiced, with the suggestion of reducing the speed limit to 40 km/ h. Some of the business owners were in support of the amendments, stating that any safety measures were desirable, and even if the kerb extension wasn’t ideal, it was better than it had been. Mr Cahill asked for a show of hands for those who do not support the kerb extension, and the majority raised their hands.

Mr Kershaw confirmed that the crossing amendments would go ahead, and reassured business owners that the rumours of Rankin Street being closed, were false. While the meeting may not have produced an outcome favourable by all, it was an important time for business owners to have a voice, and have their concerns directly addressed by the Council.
By Annelise Stephenson

 

During the recent devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston, the Category 5 storm in Fiji, forty lives were lost, and thousands of homes, hospitals, schools, and water supplies were severely damaged. Tyrepower’s suppliers generously donated a range of items to be auctioned off to those in attendance at the Tyrepower International
Conference in Fiji. The auction was so successful, that $86,975 was raised, with more donations still to be received from the Tyrepower Dealer Network. Tyrepower will donate these funds to the Makogai Primary School, located on an island of approximately 8 square kilometres in the Lomaiviti Group which houses 38 children. The school was severely damaged in the cyclone, with students being left to attend class under only a tarpaulin. The donated funds will assist the Makogai Primary School in rebuilding their classrooms and facilities.

Tyrepower CEO, David Wilson said, “We are extremely touched that our Australasian Dealer Network banded together to raise funds for those in Fiji who have been left with very little following the devastating natural disaster in February.”

The big dry that has engulfed all of Australia seems to be coming to an end for Forbes and surrounds, with around 80mm of rain falling during the last two weekends. It comes after the Bureau of Meteorology officially announced there was a 50% chance of a La Nina weather pattern forming later this year, and in what is great news for local farmers, current weather models suggest the next three months will be wetter than usual. Temperatures should also remain above average. La Nina is basically the opposite of El Nino- the weather pattern that has brought Australia bone-dry conditions over the last six months.

Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Agatha Turkey said much rain had fallen right across the Central West region. “For the most part April was a very dry month, but it finished off with some good rainfall right at the end,” she said. “We’ve already seen good rainfall so far this month as well, and the further west you go, some areas have already received their May average rainfall.” “It’s been a good start to the month, especially on the back of a dry February, March and April, and the couple of months preceding those.”

It has still been a drier than average start to the year for Forbes, with 25 days of recorded rainfall seeing 178.2mm fall, compared with the historical average of 185.2mm to May.

But with the tropical Pacific Ocean currently transitioning from warmer waters to cooler waters, Ms Turkey said El Nino was on its way out, and that neutral conditions or La Nina would follow in the second half of the year.

“The Indian Ocean is still quite warm, so this could bring some good falls for local farmers across winter,” she said.
By Joshua Matic

The Forbes Dragon Boat Club held their Business House Challenge last Sunday. Members from Parkes, Forbes and surrounds enjoyed the great weather by the lake. Four local businesses participated, which involved being coached in the skills of dragon-boat paddling, culminating in racing each other for the championship trophy. The four teams, Rabobank, Forbes Shire Council, Crowe Horwath and Saint Laurence’s made extreme efforts – with Rabobank proudly holding up the prized cup at the end of the day, whilst generously donating back the monetary prize.
“It was wonderful to see how the camaraderie built up among our staff at the Shire Council in the lead up to the day,” said Michelle Quigley, whose team arrived at the challenge garbed impressively in bright dragon-backed team shirts.
The smooth running of the day was thanks to the skills of Wendy Green and her subcommittee, including Chris Sweeney who did a brilliant job as MC, co-ordinating the day to run without a hitch. The day showcased the community spirit of the Forbes Lachlan Dragons along with their partners and associates as they banded together to play their roles of paddlers, officials or breakfast chefs.
By Beth Thomas