What is the most impractical Mother’s Day gift you’ve been given?
Bronwyn Horan: A paddlepop stick ashtray holder. I don’t smoke!
Michelle Greenhalgh: I’ve been really lucky, I haven’t received any impractical gifts.
Irene Parker: When my daughter was five she gave me clip on earrings. I have pierced ears, but I still wore them for her.
Forbes Youth Week 2016 kicked off on Wednesday May 4 with a Super Mega Fun Day held at Forbes High School. The council initiative is a recognition of our youth, and the contribution they make to the community. As the name suggests, Super Mega Fun Day is all about fun, and plenty of it was happening at Forbes High School. The Forbes Shire Council provided a range of activities for the students, as well as a sausage sizzle.
Clarissa Stewart, the Forbes Shire Council’s Youth Development Assistant, and Blake Nicholson, the Forbes Shire Council’s Community Relations Officer cooked up 700 sausages to serve to the hungry students. School Principal, Charles Dwyer, explained “the idea of the games is to get the kids interacting together, and the awards, on Thursday 5, are to recognise achievement across various categories, not just for Forbes High School, but across the town”.
The Mega Fun Day is all about inclusion, and students enjoyed the social time with not only their peers, but also the staff. An officer from Forbes Police turned up to support the Mega Fun Day, remarking that it was a positive event for youth week, and a good time to interact and get to know the kids. Students enjoyed the police presence and had many questions.
A representative from Forbes Shire Council attended the day to talk to interested students about the new rubbish bin collection system in Forbes. He gave away water bottles and keyrings, and was available to answer questions.
The activities were popular, with mechanical bull riding, inflated glove wrestling, sumo suit wrestling, and others. The mechanical bull proved to be a real challenge throwing students off at varied time intervals onto the inflatable bull pit. Students were having a ball, enjoying the sunshine, sausages and activities.
Outback Soils, located on Orange Road, have everything you need to design a new garden or transform your existing one. In fact, with winter approaching, it’s the ideal time to be preparing your garden for winter planting. A good veggie mix is just what you need now, as the soil needs time to settle before your winter planting. This ensures the best possible outcome for a healthy winter crop. To help boost your winter garden, Outback soils are offering Forbes Phoenix readers an exclusive deal of $10 per metre off their Veggie Mix!
This is a great offer, and is yours only when you mention the Forbes Phoenix. Outback Soils stocks a large range of garden products, but also compost, sand and gravel mixes, metals, granites, firewood and woodchips. They can supply ready mix concrete, in mini-mix or maxi trucks for domestic, farm and commercial purposes. They have a huge range of excavation equipment, which is perfect for those big jobs. Outback Soils have something to offer regardless of whether you are simply pottering around in your garden, or planning a much larger enterprise. Outback Soils have a professional team to assist you, and offer same day delivery.
Call Tim Wood on 6852 4058, or drop in to find out more.
Fiona Hayward
How long have you lived in or around Forbes? I live in Parkes, and have lived there for exactly 10 years.
What do you enjoy about living in Parkes? It’s such an easy place to live. You always seem to have more time in the country. It’s also a great place to bring up children.
How do you like your coffee? I love a half strength, hazelnut latte with skim milk and no sugar.
Where would your dream holiday be? I would love to go back to Paris, France, which is where my father is from.
What do you do in your spare time? I spend it being a mum. I love spending time with my husband and children.
How do you start your day? I start my day with two pieces of toast with vegemite, and a cup of coffee.
Forbes Heritage has been a great success and for those who were able to get along to the events, there was plenty happening. A lot of hard work was done by various community members in bringing Forbes Heritage together. Their dedication and stewardship to our heritage is second to none.
One of the events I attended was the unveiling of the Discovering Our Doctors interpretive panels at the Forbes Medical Centre. Dr McDonnell and Dr Palmer were both recognised and it was really interesting to hear from one of the medical students from the University of Wollongong, Tristan Scott, who is also Army Reserve personnel. Dr McDonnell was a medico in the Boer War and World War I and Dr Palmer was a medico in World War II. Tristan related his experience to the evolution of medicine and how the compromises you make while out in the field have become innovative medical practices.
Another great event during Forbes Heritage was Rob Willis’ Down Memory Lane walking tour on Sunday. I have had numerous people tell me how good it was and hopefully Rob will be able to do a few more tours next year!
I was privileged to attend the Forbes Heritage Awards Presentation Evening on Tuesday night. It was great to see so many people in attendance as well as a great showcase of artwork from both young and old. The prestigious Forbes Medal was awarded to ‘Our Anzacs’ Centenary Exhibition at the Forbes Museum, which was just wonderful. The Heritage Volunteer Award recipient was John Fisher, whose historic machinery displays have become something of an institution in Forbes.
Have a great week, stay safe and God bless.
Mayor, Cr Phyllis Miller OAM
Professional golf returned to Forbes last Friday, its first appearance since the late 60s and early 70s, and it proved to be an outstanding success. Playing in the E-Z-Go Legends Pro- Am, David Merriman from Royal Pines in Queensland and formally from Boorowa, came out winner with 6-under par 66.
The professional tournament, for players aged 55 years and over, also included amateurs from across the district resulting in a full field of 120 plus with play from 8.30am to 10.30am on the 1st and 10th tees. Like all players Merriman was highly impressed with the Forbes course. “What the club here has put on is excellent, the course is a credit to the outdoor staff and volunteers who help out,” he said. “The speed of the greens which have a good cover of grass really impressed me, they were excellent and putts kept their line. I can see this tournament growing in years to come,” he added.
Runner-up with 3-under par 69 was Peter Woodward from Berwick, Victoria. Third was touring professional Glenn Joyner from Melbourne while fourth place was shared by local amateur Steve Betland and Allan May from Thornleigh, NSW. With a total purse of $11,000, Betland would have picked up a cheque of $625.24 if eligible.
Betland wasn’t the only local player to collect a trophy with several others taking home spoils in A, B and C grades plus Ladies. Forbes golfing ladies continued the trend of major events, staging their Open Tournament last weekend with Duntryleague Orange member Susan Fenwick winning the individual competition on Sunday with a score of 83 in Division 1.
Other winners were:
Division 1 – Handicap was won by Heather Davidson (Forbes) with 73 nett.
Division 2 – Scratch Cookie Dobell (Cowra) 93, Handicap Verna Lane (Forbes) 75.
Division 3 – Scratch Jean Judge (Forbes) 110, Handicap Briana Duncan (Forbes) 75.
On Saturday the Mens competition was a Stroke event. The A-division Winner was Jordan Brett with 68 nett, with Runner-up Todd Callaghan on 69 nett. The B-Division honours went to John Ridley, who scorched around in 63 nett, a long way ahead of Stuart French on 72 nett. Golf this weekend: Saturday has Men – Monthly Medals, sponsor Luke Hurford Painting. Ladies – Stableford, sponsor Haley Hurford Beauty Therapy. Sunday, Mother’s Day Medley Stableford.
On Wednesday May 4, Red Bend Catholic College hosted the Forbes Special Sports Day. Groups of very excited athletes attended the day and relished in the time of competition and friendship. Athletes came from across the Central West, including Dubbo, Forbes, and Condobolin. Dianne Decker, a Forbes local has been organising the sports days for thirtyfive years, with Wednesday 4 May being its birthday. Mrs Decker had written to Prince Harry to invite him to the event, and whilst he unfortunately was unable to make it, there were plenty of visitors.
The sports day was held in the gymnasium at Red Bend Catholic College, with athletes cheering from the side-lines whilst their friends competed. Forbes Deputy Mayor Graeme Miller, and Deb Wheeldon, director of Teaching and
Learning at Red Bend College, judged the march, which was won by Dubbo Westhaven, with Brian Tisdale, resplendent in a kilt playing the bagpipes. A large group of friendly Red Bend Catholic College students gave up their time to be judges and recorders for the event, and a canteen supplying an assortment of foods was open.
Whilst the day was a time of competition and sports, its mainly a social day, and one which was eagerly anticipated by all who attended. Stacey from House With No Steps was excitedly waiting for the walking race and was hoping to win it! Nathan Ellison, also from House With No Steps was planning to compete in four separate races, and sat watching from the side-line, waiting for his turn. A fantastic day of sports and friendship was had by all.
The Dubbo CYMS may have won the last two Group 11 competitions, but the Forbes Magpies will be confident of an upset, after smashing the Wellington Cowboys 48-10 last week. That performance followed an equally as good defeat of Dubbo Westside in round one, with the black-and-white side triumphing 52-22.
It has been an almost flawless start to the season by the Magpies, who have already scored 100 points in just two rounds, and have charged to the top of the ladder. While CYMS will be no easy-beats, having downed Narromine 64 10 last week, the Magpies forwards have been able to dominate their opposition in both matches so far this season, and Magpies Director of Coaching Cameron Greenhalgh said this would make them a tough side to beat.
“We’ve probably got one of, if not the best, forward packs in the competition,” he said. “Once they get a bit of a roll on, they’re pretty hard to pull back. We’ve probably just got to start playing off the back of what they do, and we’ll put on a little bit more.” “If they can keep that going for the full 80 minutes, Forbes will be pretty hard to beat.”
Greenhalgh said CYMS were a big and mobile side that had great line speed, and the Magpies had to match that to take the two points. “We’ve got to control the ball and keep the football off them as much as we can, and try to tire them out with our big forwards, and hopefully we can get the momentum,” he said.
“Both sides will be looking at going into the bye round with three wins under their belts, so it should be a good contest.” Kick-off will be at 4pm at Spooner Oval in Forbes.
Community groups and charities in Forbes are being asked to make themselves known to the local Westpac branch, as it looks to find the right organisation to give $500 to.
The ‘Community Cash’ project was undertaken by the banking giant to celebrate its 200th birthday a year early. Each branch across regional NSW will be giving away $500 to community groups and charities that write to them to express interest in claiming the cash. A group of local staff from each regional branch will take each expression of interest in to consideration, and determine which organisation would benefit the most with the money.
With the Forbes branch of Westpac looking to determine a winner in Forbes at the end of next week, local organisations are being encouraged to get their expressions of interest in as soon as possible. These should included details about the organisation, what they do, and why they need the money.
Forbes branch Manager Shannon Crowley, the person organisations need to email, said the project was a great concept, as it was local people who decided the winner of the money. “These expressions of interest are not going to be sent off to Sydney or anywhere else. They’ll be judged by staff at our branch, who are locals, and who have a good idea of how this money could be best used,” he said.
In a statement, Westpac said: “The oldest bank and company in Australia turns 200 next year, and they are giving away cash through local branches to celebrate. Westpac Bank completes the milestone in April next year and has decided to help out a local Forbes charity or not-for-profit community group.”
Email Shannon on shcrowley@westpac.com.au or if you have any questions call him on 68501554.
Forbes Widows Support Group news:
Forbes Widows Support Group met for their monthly Luncheon on the 26th March at the Forbes Services Memorial Club, our Birthday lady was Robyn Wilson and our March Quote was given by Dorothea Croker ‘Friendship doubles our joy and divides our sorrow’. We welcomed Sandra Albertson for the first time and Monica Wren from the Home and Community Care who spoke to the ladies about a planned bus trip out to Trundle on the 11th May. Our next Luncheon is on 24th May.Contact Maria Peterson on 6851 2716 for details and/or transport.
New Director of Corporate Services for Forbes: The Forbes Shire Council welcomed their new Director of Corporate Services on Monday, Mrs Alison Coe. Mrs Coe was appointed to the position and officially welcomed by Mayor Phyllis Miller and Councilors at the April general meeting of Council. The Forbes Phoenix would like to welcome Mrs Coe to her new position. We will have more information as it comes.
Battle against wild dogs: Member for Orange Andrew Gee has announced a major on-ground offensive against wild dogs in the Orange electorate during this autumn season, providing great relief to local livestock producers across the region. “In order to combat the devastating impact that wild dogs have in the Orange electorate, the NSW Government has put in place a comprehensive program to support around 3000 properties across the state,” he said.
Tertiary Day: On Tuesday the Forbes High School hosted the annual Tertiary Day. Over 35 Universities and private employment providers attended the morning and provided local High School students from throughout the Central West information of further education and employment opportunities. Year 10, 11 & 12 students were eager to gain information on career opportunities and how subject selections for Year 11 & 12 could assist. The day rotates each year between Forbes High School and Red Bend Catholic College.