Parkes Phoenix Editor

The Forbes Aquatic area was a buzz with activity this weekend when more than thirty competitors took to the water to test their skills in the NSW Barefoot Skiing Club sanctioned event. Marcus Morrison, event committee member, said competitor numbers were similar to that of the inaugural event last year. He was also very pleased with the number of spectators who lined the foreshores over the two days of competition to watch these talented athletes tear up the water.

The competition consisted of two parts – each part judged and scored by three judges who ride in the boat. The skiers are also recorded on video, which can be viewed in the event that judges or competitors need clarification on the points awarded. The Slalom is the first part and skiers must cross the wake created by the boat as many times as possible in 15 seconds on two feet, one foot, forward or backward.

They are given two runs and are penalised if they complete both runs in the forward position. The second part is the Trick Run and competitors must perform a start trick and perform as many tricks as they can during the 15 second trick pass area. Tricks that are repeated in the second run do not receive a point.

Competitors hailed from all over the state and organisers were pleased that about half of them were from the local area. The Forbes event attracted some excellent junior competitors including Connor Rogers and Teejay Russo who are the current NSW Leaders in the sub junior class and who are ranked 3 and 4 respectively in the World rankings. Local boy, Tom Morrison is ranked 28 which is a fantastic effort considering the short time he has been barefooting. Tom attributes his success to the encouragement and support of Jim Cronin who has been the driving force behind the barefoot competition being held in Forbes.

Two of our young hopefuls, Jenna Redfern and Lockie Miller, were thrilled when Elaina McClung from Branxton had her photo taken with them. Elaina is the current Australian U/14 Girls Champion and is ranked 7th in the World Under 18 Juniors. She will be travelling to America in August to represent Australia in the World Titles. Both Jenna
and Lockie attended the coaching clinic on Friday which was very well attended to the delight of Jim Cronin and his committee.

Jim was grateful for the experienced coaches who attended the sessions and volunteer their time to promote the sport and encourage more participation by people of all ages but in particular the juniors. Sue Russo, from the NSW Barefoot Club and Chief Judge for the weekend, was amazed by the number of spectators who came to watch the competition. “Forbes’ one day competition attracted a larger crowd than the National Titles held in Liverpool,” she said. The barefoot season runs from September through to April and skiers have the opportunity to compete in eight competitions including the State and National Titles held at Liverpool. Even though the Forbes course is just over 600m in length in comparison to the normal length of 800m, it is a great course, Sue added.

Member for Orange, Andrew Gee visited Forbes on Tuesday to officially seal a time capsule at Forbes Hospital to celebrate the new building as part of the $113.7 million Lachlan Health Service project.

The creation of the time capsule follows the official opening ceremony that was attended by Mr Gee, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier, Troy Grant and Minister for Health Jillian Skinner on Tuesday 19 January 2016.
The time capsule, which will be buried near the main entry of the new building, provides a unique opportunity to preserve a significant period of time in Forbes Hospital’s history for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

The items selected for the time capsule depicting what Forbes Hospital is like today, including items relating to the planning and construction process, were selected by the Lachlan Culture and Arts Working Group in consultation with Mr Gee.

The items chosen for the time capsule were:
• Lachlan Health Service 2013/ 2014 Annual Report.
• A bound document featuring:
• Photos of the new hospital building and the different stages of the redevelopment
• Project newsletters
• Copies of the sketches made by local Wiradjuri artist, Stephen Ferguson–the guga design features on the
main entry doors.
• News articles relating to the construction of the new hospital
• List of project team members
• Signatures of attendees at the official opening ceremony.
• Overview of the Lachlan Health Council.
• Construction plans of the new building at Forbes Hospital.
• Hard drive with videos and photos of the redevelopment.
The new building at Forbes Hospital is part of the $113.7M Lachlan Health Service project which included the construction of the new Parkes Hospital (completed in October 2015).

Now that the new building at Forbes Hospital is complete, work has commenced on the refurbishment of the Renal and Ambulatory Care units and work is scheduled to be completed in mid 2016.

Former Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles and NSW State of Origin representative Josh Perry says he is looking forward to supporting regional NSW on the Hogs for the Homeless tour next week.

Along with other retired rugby league greats including Matt Cooper, Brad Fittler, Steve Menzies and Nathan Hindmarsh, Perry will be in town for the event next Tuesday. This will be the fourth year the tour has been run, which supports Father Chris Riley’s campaign ‘Youth Off The Streets’, and raises funds to help homeless people in regional areas get their lives back on track.

This year’s tour will see the former rugby league players visit towns in between Byron Bay and Forbes. While in Forbes the players will visit local schools, as well as run a coaching clinic for the public at Spooner Oval. Perry said he and the other players were greatly looking forward to hitting the highways, in which they will do so on Harley Davidson motorbikes, and travelling to Forbes. “We’re always looking forward to the Hogs for the Homeless. It’s a good way to raise youth awareness and get kids off the streets,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to do clinics for kids that don’t normally see NRL stars, or former NRL stars as well.” “At about 11am in Forbes we’re going out to the livestock exchange and auction the sheep. We’ll do that a few times and raise some money for Youth off the Streets.” Perry recognised Forbes as a mostly dry area where periods of drought are not unusual, and said from past experiences it was always rewarding being able to go out to regional areas.

“People out there do it tough at times. It puts smiles on peoples faces, and it’s a good will thing and we all really enjoy it,” he said. The public clinic at Spooner Oval starts at 4.30pm.

Forbes Shire Council mayor Phyllis Miller says an increase to the GST would be the fairest way to reform tax.
Her comments come after NSW premier Mike Baird revealed recently he would like to see the federal government raise the GST from 10% to 15% at the same time as lowering personal income tax and company tax.

In his opinion this would raise revenue for state governments across the nation with funding voids in key areas such as education and health. Such changes to the tax system would likely not arrive until next year, but Cr Miller said a raise of the GST at the same time as a lowering in income tax would be the fairest reform for the people of Forbes Shire.

“GST is across the board- everyone pays it,” she said. “Income tax and company tax are all over the shot, depending on how good your accountant is to how much you pay.” “There would be some people affected with an increase in GST, especially pensioners and people on Centrelink payments, but at the same time I think it’s the fairest tax because everyone pays it. Everyone’s contributing.”

She added health and education were two of the most important areas in government, and sources of extra funding for these areas needed to be looked at. “I think education and health are two critical areas to having healthy and vibrant communities,” she said. “I don’t think there’s a lot of choice (about how to fund these areas). It’s (GST rise)
the fairest way.”

Ethics classes have been available to students at Forbes North Public School for three years now. The program has been a great success with over 70 students enrolled in the program and more expected in 2016.

“At this stage Forbes North Public School is the only school in Forbes offering ethics classes and we are hoping other schools in the area will consider providing families, who do not do scripture, with a meaningful alternative,” says Tricia Greenhill, Forbes Primary Ethics Coordinator.

Since 2011, children who do not attend Special Religious Education (SRE/scripture) classes in NSW public primary
schools have had the option to go to philosophical ethics classes run by the charity, Primary Ethics.

Ethics classes are gradually making its way into the Central West with schools in Orange, Molong, Bletchington, Bathurst and Canowindra already offering ethics classes to families and their children.

The Department of Education approved ethics curriculum is available for children from kindergarten to year 6.
“In ethics classes students learn how to think logically and discuss ethical issues respectfully. Students discuss a range of topics with their peers such as homelessness, keeping promises and the treatment of living things, not to mention respect and the importance of listening to others,” says Ms Greenhill.

Ms Greenhill said Primary Ethics relies 100% on volunteers and as more families choose ethics classes for their children the need for volunteer Ethics Teachers and Coordinators increases. “You don’t need teaching experience, but you must be interested in engaging children in ethical discussion and keeping your personal opinion out of the room,” she says.

Volunteer Ethics Teachers are provided with excellent training and support, including a professional two-day course and online courses and resources. “Teaching ethics at Forbes North has been such a great opportunity for me – I feel I am making a valuable contribution to the children and the school,” says Ms Barter, one of the current ethics teachers at Forbes North Public School.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Tricia Greenhill at forbesprimaryethics@gmail.com.au and visit www.primaryethics.com.au.