Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

The Right Paint for the Right Job

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

While most of us focus on colour for our home’s exterior, in many ways it is more important to choose the right paint for the job. Basically you can choose between water based acrylic paints and oil based paints, with each being appropriate in different applications. Oil based paints can be used to give a high gloss finish to exterior trim work and they are a good choice when repainting over many layers of oil based paint on weather boards.

Otherwise most people use water based acrylic paints on exteriors. Here’s some tips on achieving the best painting job:
• Ideal painting conditions are between 15- 30 degrees celcius, low to moderate
humidity and little or no wind.
• Avoid painting in hot, direct sun light because the surface temperature can be higher than air temperature.
• Never paint below 10 degrees celcius because it’s too cold for the paint film
to form properly, and don’t take short cuts on surface preparation. Remove
all flakey, loose and peeling paint with a scraper and sand surface.
• Repair cracks, gaps and fill holes, and clean the surface down with soapy water.
• After all surfaces have been cleaned, sanded and repaired, you can now start
painting.
Happy Easter!

Our Gal – Sandie Phillips

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Sandie Phillips

How long have you lived in Forbes? I have lived in Forbes for 11 years.

What do you like most about living in Forbes? What I like most about Forbes is the lifestyle. The people here are lovely and there are great things to get involved with such as sporting groups etc.

What do you do in your spare time?
My hobbies and passions include reading and horse riding.

Who would you have dinner with if you had the opportunity to? I don’t need to have dinner with anyone famous. I just want my family and friends with me at the dinner table.

What would your dream holiday include? My dream holiday would be one of total relaxation and not a thing to do.

What would you like to see change in the world? I would like to see more stability and less hostility in the world.

Snippets…

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Balloon Crew and Volunteers Needed!
Canowindra Balloon Challenge are appealing for volunteers and balloon crew.
Volunteering activities are varied and can suit anyone, they include helping with the gates, taking stats, selling glow wands and marshalling people and vehicles. If you’ve ever wanted to get more involved with balloons
and have fun enjoying the outdoors then balloon crew is for you. For more information give Jan a call on 6344 1819 but remember, you have to be an early riser!

Pool extends opening hours: Forbes Shire Council has extended the Forbes Town Pool operating season and the pool will now be open until Sunday, April 24. The pool usually closes on the last Sunday in March, however after feedback from the community and a review of the closure
date, Council decided to extend the season at its March meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the extension would allow families to visit the pool during the school holidays.

New amenities open at Stephan Field:
The new public amenities block is now complete and open for use at Stephan
Field. The construction of the new toilet block was stage two of the upgrade to Stephan Field. The first stage of works was the extension to the canteen area for the Forbes Netball Association to use as an office and storeroom. The new amenities include one accessible unisex toilet, one ambulant unisex toilet, one female toilet and one men’s urinal for public use and six unisex toilets for use by the Forbes Netball Association or other high demand events requiring higher toilet facilities. The public toilets are accessible 24 hours.

Double demerits over Easter: Double demerit points will be in force again over the Easter holiday period to improve safety on roads across the state. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the double demerit point period would commence on Thursday 24 March and conclude on Monday 28 March. “Double demerit points will apply to all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences this Easter holiday period,” she said. A free breakfast forum will be held at the Forbes Services Club on Wednesday 23
March to explore the current road safety and freight issues affecting the local heavy vehicle industry.

Arts Society’s 2016 Takes Off

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Arts Society had its first display for the year during the week, with the exhibition “Ninety Seven” showing at Town Hall. “Ninety Seven” displayed the works of Grenfell-based artists Kathleen McCue and Nina Roderick, and was named according to the number of pieces on display, which was 97.

Coincidentally, both Ms McCue and Ms Roderick went to art school together in
1997, however this played no role in coming to the name. The exhibition started last Wednesday and finished this afternoon (March 24). It was officially opened by Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller last Saturday, with around 30 arts enthusiasts turning up for the opening.

Forbes Arts Society Secretary Klara Ward said the exhibition offered more than just paintings, which displays normally wholly consist of. “Kathleen had lots of paintings of flowers, but she also had some really interesting
sculptures, including one made out of farming pieces,” she said. “So it’s been great to have some more variety.

Most of our displays only have paintings.” Ms McCue is known best for her upscale paintings of flowers that focus on their form, sculptural characteristics, and play light on their petals. Ms Roderick has only recently moved into professional artwork, and before that enjoyed creating art as a relaxation technique, according to her exhibition biography.

The exhibition displays paintings by her of wildlife amongst other images.
Ms Ward said the Society was happy to be up and running for the year.

Its other events for the year include a photography competition, Landscape of Forbes Shire art competition, and the Heritage Festival.

Union Club Presidents Lunch Hailed a Success

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The cooler conditions were perfect for the Forbes Rugby Union Club’s Presidents Lunch held on Saturday. Almost 900 people filled the two large marques to make the 2016 lunch the largest to date. Club President, Tracey Prior, welcomed guests and gave a stirring speech about what the Forbes Rugby Club means to the community and how the members and players have contributed to make the Forbes Platypi so special.

Life Membership was awarded to Andrew Hubbard who has been a huge part of the club for many years, as a player, clubman, mentor and previous president. Wayne O’Neill launched the Forbes Rugby Old Boys, or FROBS, organisation which is dedicated to encouraging previous players and supporters of the Forbes Platypi to remain actively involved in the club and give back to a club that has given them so much in the past.

It was with a hint of sadness that Kim Muffett, announced his retirement from the Presidents lunch committee this year. The Presidents Lunch concept was
Kim’s idea and what he thought was going to be a few people getting together for lunch exceeded all expectations in its first year and has continued to grow with each event. The committee will continue the tradition and would invite new members to join and be part of this great community event.

Well known comedian, Jean Kitson, did not disappoint with her witty and entertaining presentation and afterwards mingled with guests. Randall Grayson controlled the sale of the auction items donated for the event and once again the generosity of the Forbes community was shown, with all
items reaching prices in excess of expectations.

Organisers and beneficiaries, such as the Forbes CanAssist Branch were delighted with the response and the profits raised will go a long way to continuing their great work.

House of the Week

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Outstanding South Forbes Home

This Could Be The Buy Of The Year?

146 Flint Street, Forbes
Situated in sought after South Forbes location is this modern stylish
home up for genuine sale. Boasting three large bedrooms with built
ins, spacious formal lounge & dining area, quality kitchen for the
chef of the house with caeser stone bench tops & stainless steel
appliances, 2nd living area, brand spanking new bathroom, renovated
laundry with 2nd shower & storage, under floor gas heating,
reverse cycle heating/cooling through out, fresh paint & polished
timber floors through out. Other features include a double garage
with 2nd toilet, generous outdoor entertainment area with bar, stock
& domestic bore, well fenced block all situated on a 2069sqm block.

VENDORS INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEAR TO SELL.
To be Auctioned on the 14th April 6pm On-Site if not sold prior to
Auction. Call Brendon Allegri 0416 930 197.

Sportsman’s Dinner to Raise Much Needed Funds

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Ronald McDonald House in Orange has proved to be an important place for families in Forbes since it’s opening last year. Ronald McDonald House is a charitable foundation that accommodates the families of seriously ill children when they are forced to leave home and stay in hospital for medical purposes.

The House covers all serious illnesses as well as serious injuries, high-risk pregnancies, and mental illnesses. And since the House opened on April 13 last year, 10 families from Forbes have already used the facility.

One young boy from Forbes stayed there overnight last year after suffering a major injury during a game of football, after being transported to Orange Base Hospital. Other Forbes locals have used the House for pediatric and high-risk pregnancy purposes as well.

Ronald McDonald House has partnered with the Men of League Foundation, and will host a fundraising dinner at the Orange Ex-Services Club on April 9.
Central Western NSW local and dual rugby code international James Grant will be the master of ceremonies, and will be joined by fellow dual international Mike Cleary, as well as rugby league greats Bob
McCarthy, Stuart Raper and John Peard. RMH Orange Executive Officer Rebecca Walsh said that functions are the biggest fundraisers for RMH, and the dinner would be crucial.

“Functions are our biggest fundraiser by a long shot. We have a ball each year and last year we raised $105,000 from it,” she said. “There is a great synergy between the Ronald McDonald House Charity and the Men of League Foundation, particularly here in the Central West, as it is a great rugby league territory.”

RMH Orange has the biggest coverage area of any RMH in the NSW/ACT region, covering a whopping 86% of the state, all the way from Broken Hill across to Orange. The House has already accommodated 77 families from across the state. It has eight units that sleep six people in each, and the cost to run these is about $138 per night.

Ms Walsh said RMH will never expect families to fully cover these expenses,
which is why it fundraises and hires volunteers, but a $43 charge per night can be claimed back through a Federal Government scheme for those who have travelled 100km or more.

A stay for three nights or more will be bulk-billed in full straight back to the Federal Government. Tables of 16 will be set up for the dinner, with a three-course meal provided for $25 per head, along with raffles, auctions, lucky
draws, and other entertainment.

Mayoral Notes

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Our March Council meeting was held last Thursday and Council resolved to recruit a new General Manager after the resignation of Brian Steffen. We wish Brian well in his future endeavours and in the interim Council has been fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr Max Kershaw who has a long and outstanding career as a General Manager. Max will commence on Tuesday,
March 29.

Our Director of Corporate Services Amity Howe had her last day with Council on Thursday. She has been an outstanding Director of Corporate Services and will be sadly missed by all.

Council also resolved at the March meeting to extend the pool season for another four weeks until Sunday, April 24. This means that families will be able to continue enjoying the pool during the Easter school holidays.

I attended Stuart Livingstone’s funeral on Tuesday morning. Stuart was one of our local born and bred people of the area that had a stellar career in policing. Sadly Stuart was taken from us way too early but he will always be remembered for his common sense approach to policing and his sense
of humour.

On Tuesday afternoon, Council took part in the Let’s Stand Together to Prevent Suicide event at Parkes Showground. It was a joint collaboration between a number of organisations and Councils in the Lachlan
Area Command.

Have a Happy Easter, stay safe and God bless.

Mayor, Cr Phyllis Miller OAM

Question of the Week?

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Have you been enjoying the cooler weather of late?

Rosemary Spackman: I am very glad to see the cooler weather. I don’t mind temperatures if they sit around the 30 – 35 degree mark but don’t like it much hotter than that.

Karyn Glennan: I am loving the cooler weather. I would love summer if it was this temperature all the time with no humidity. The humid weather of late has not been enjoyable at all.

Netball Association Finals and Upgrades

March 23, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association have enjoyed a great week, securing a timeframe for their courts upgrades as well as making the finals of the Orange State League event.

Resurfacing of four courts at the FNA’s base at Stephan Field will begin on Monday April 4, after Forbes Shire Council resolved to asphalt overlay and line marking remedial works at its February meeting. The works will be done during the April school holidays, when no netball will take place, and will be completed in time for the Forbes Netball Carnival on May 1.

The four courts to be re-sealed have been unplayable in recent times, according to FNA representative coach Robyn Kenny, and she said the upgrades will vastly improved conditions for netball.

“We had a very positive meeting with Council on March 15 and I’m happy to say that our courts will be re-sealed in the April school holidays,” she said.
“We were originally going to look at getting all of our courts re-sealed, but five of the courts still have a good coating on top so we thought we would leave them and just upgrade the other four.”

“As well as resealing those courts, all of our courts will also be widened, so we will have more space as well.” “It’ll be great having our new courts ready to go for our competition after the holidays, as well as our carnival at the start of May.”

Last year Forbes Shire Council also funded an upgrade to the Association’s administration building at Stephan Field, while the new amenities block there was completed last week.

Meanwhile, the FNA division two open team finished fourth in the Orange State League competition, qualifying for an elimination final meeting with Bathurst on 3 April.

After defeating Cobar and Cowra, and losing to Bathurst by only five goals in round one a fortnight ago, they lost both matches by comfortable margins to Orange and Dubbo in round two last week. Kenny said she was still impressed with her girls’ effort, but conceded the Orange and Dubbo teams were too strong for them on the day.

“The girls tried very hard with limited training throughout the week, so I am happy with the effort they put in,” she said. “Orange and Dubbo were just too fast, fit and strong for us I think.”

Their finals opponent Bathurst are undefeated, and finished first in the competition. Dubbo and Orange finished second and third respectively.
Kenny said her players were confident of pushing Bathurst right to the finish line after leading them at three quarter time in their last encounter.

“We’ll be trying our best out there. We had too many turnovers last week but if we can play how we did in the first week and hold on to the ball we’ll play much better,” she said.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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