Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Success In Summer Sixes Grand Final

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Dave Earl, John Ridley, Stuart Thomas and Brett Slack-Smith check their scores at the end of play.

Four teams were vying for the major prize of the grand final of the Forbes GC Summer Sixes competition for 2021-22 on Sunday.

The final scores saw the teams separated by less than 2 strokes and required a count back. The win went to ‘Golfie’ team (Ethel Coombs, Jill Cripps, Andrew Grierson, Sharon Grierson, Wendy Simmons and Pat Lenehan), who pushed ‘Flip Floppers’ team into runner-up position. The plate winners were ‘Corn Stars’ with ‘Part Time Putters’ as runners-up. The ‘Golfie’ team will join Head Pro Adam Demidjuk on a golf trip to the Hunter Valley.

At the presentation dinner, club president Tony Cogswell thanked the sponsors – Bernardi Group, Flannery’s Pharmacy, BWR and Golf Harvest – for their support. He also thanked all the participants for making this another successful year, despite the interruptions by the flood event.

The Saturday Men’s golf competition was the April Monthly Medal, a Stroke event sponsored by P Grayson, S French, D Earl and M Haley, and was contested by 71 players.

The A-Grade medal was won by Stuart French on count back from David Mylecharane when both finished on 67 nett. Stuart played exceptionally well, turning at 3-over. The B-Grade medal went to Chris Moore (69 nett). Runner-up was Barry Parker (70 nett). In the C-Grade, Frank Hanns (71 nett) won on count back from runner-up Kyle Sharpe.

The ball sweep went to 73 nett, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Peter Grayson, 18th – Bruce Chandler. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Harry Callaghan, with a lucky shot.

This weekend is the Sanderson Memorial Day, a 4-person Ambrose Medley event and Sunday the Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Mayoral Notes

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

What a fantastic weekend for the Rural Women’s Network Gathering it was so exciting to showcase Forbes and have all of those amazing women coming together and supporting each other. I know I am completely biased but Forbes was shining like a new button over the weekend and I was very proud to welcome our guests to the many events.

It is another busy weekend, beginning with the Forbes Community Indigenous Celebrations at Lions Park from 4.30pm on Friday. What a great way to finish the end of term one and beginning of school holidays. Remember there are plenty of very popular activities planned for the school holidays, see our Forbes Youth Action Page facebook page for all the event details.

Our Senior Celebrations draw to a close with the Keith Potger concert on Saturday night or you might be heading out to catch the amazing head

Council’s teams are very busy at the moment with our major projects well underway, as well as our ongoing maintenance and upgrading works conducted year round in a shire this size. Goldridge Estate land continues to sell well with blocks in the Stage Two now available for purchase, there is only one large 1333m2 block left in phase I while several already smaller blocks have already sold in phase II. It really is all happening in Forbes and I’m so proud as your Mayor of what we are achieving.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

‘We Are Done’

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Nurses at the Forbes Hospital who took part in the nation-wide strike action last Thursday.

Nurses at the Forbes Hospital joined the state-wide strike action last Thursday fighting for safe staffing levels across the public health system.

“The need is urgent, staffing is in crisis and the health system is not coping,” said Chloe Scheul, assistant secretary of the Forbes Hospital Branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.

“Every shift, NSW nurses are confronted with short staffing, excessive workloads and are stretched beyond what is reasonable or safe to keep our health system functioning.”

She said the changes they were asking for to staffing ratios were not unreasonable or exorbitant. “We need a guaranteed number of nurses and midwives on every shift, so we can provide safe patient care.

“We will continue to fight for our patients and our community.” said Chloe of the second strike by nurses in as many months as union members claim their demands are being ignored by the government.

The ABC reported there were 4,296 NSW Health staff in isolation on 28th March due to being infected with COVID-19 or exposed to the virus, according to government data.

Dine With Basil, Sybil And Manuel!

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Expect nothing short of guaranteed fun and a brilliant night out as you climb inside the BBC’s iconic Faulty Towers TV show and experience it from the inside out…

Yes, you can be part of the action in Parkes as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a plate alongside a 3-course meal and two hours of non-stop laughter.

It took Allison Hattenfels, Manager of Bushman’s Motor Inn, four years to get this top attraction of London’s theatre scene to come to Parkes. The good news is the show will run for two nights on Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th April.

“It is a very different and fun experience,” said Allison, who decided she wanted it to come to Parkes after she had seen in Young.

“The actors are extremely quick witted and react instantly to any quips made by audience members,” said Allison.

Book a table with friends by calling 6862 2199 or go to www.bushmansmotorinn.com.au

A bus service will run from Forbes.

Three Forbes Shire Winners In ANZAC Writing Competition

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP signs certificates and book prizes for the 700 plus participants and 16 winners of the annual ANZAC writing competition.

Three Forbes Shire students are among the winners of the annual ANZAC writing competition run by Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

Hunter Maxwell, Ava Curr and Alana Folau were picked from the more than 700 entries received for the 12th competition.

Hunter (8) is from Bedgerabong Public School and won a book prize in the primary schools category. Ava (15) and Alana (15) are both Red Bend Catholic College students, and won book prizes in the secondary schools and secondary school highly commended categories respectively.

“The entries showcased creative writing prowess as well as honing researching skills as they interpreted the ‘Keeping the ANZAC spirit alive in the Riverina and Central West’ theme,” said Michael.

“I started this writing competition as a way to help younger generations appreciate the service and sacrifice of our soldiers during a time of great turmoil in the world.

“I am continually impressed at the quality of the writing – from students imagining putting their boots on and fighting in the trenches, to the empathy shown as they write a touching piece about a family left behind – each piece offers something unique which contributes to keeping the ANZAC spirit alive in the Riverina and Central West for generations to come.

“Thank you to every student who submitted an entry this year and also to the many hundreds of students who have entered in the past 11 iterations of the competition.

“My gratitude, also, to the teachers who supported the students – without their support this competition could not take place.”

Every student who submitted an entry will receive a participation certificate, while each of the 16 winning and highly commended entries will be published in a 52-page booklet, which also contains fascinating articles of the extraordinary deeds of ordinary Riverina and Central West men and women who went to war.

Be Seen @ Overture

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The soloists on stage after the show (L-R) Lexi Herden (Forbes), Henry Best (Grenfell), Nicholas Gentile (conductor), Jarrod Draper (Orange), Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Lucy Durack, Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott, Josh Piterman, Billie Palen (Dubbo), Holly Hare (Bathurst) and Aimee Ross (Parkes). In front are Jessica Westcott (creative director) and Harriet Snaith (stage manager).

James Whalan from Forbes formed part of the program in the run-up to Overture in Parkes on Saturday night. Here he is seen on the big screen performing a Billy Joel cover.

Australia’s musical theatre celebrity Lucy Durack with 12-year-old soloist Lexi Herden from Forbes. In her first ever performance before such a big audience Lexi sang “When I Grow Up’ from the musical Matilda.

Henry Best from Grenfell was one of two young adult soloists chosen to sing in Overture.

Our Bloke – David Acheson

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

David Acheson

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? For 66 years. I like that I am living here.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I work as a community advocate. I enjoy teaching and sharing Wiradyuri language and culture.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? I read a lot and go for walks.

What are you really good at? Teaching.

What makes you laugh the most? Childrens’ antics.

What’s on your bucket list? I would love to see a united community (Ngumbaaydyil: Together as one).

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…. I am a qualified builder.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? I would buy a large building by the lake to donate to the community as a meeting place.

What was your first job? Shop assistant at GJ Coles.

‘Beau’-tiful Race For The Australian Title

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

SPEED KING… Beau Bailey became king of the speedway in South Australia last week when he won an Australian title in the 125cc class. Beau and his family used to live in Forbes, but moved to Grenfell where he has a track in the back-yard for training. (Photo: Terry Scriven of TPS Photography)

He’s been riding bikes since he was three years old and last week Beau Bailey won his first ever Australian title.

The twelve-year-old only switched to Speedway two years ago, and last week he became the Australian Champion in the 125cc class at the Sidewinders Junior Speedway Club in South Australia.

“There were 16 competitors from all over the country in that race, and they were all there to win,” said his mum Jade Bailey.

The race itself is an adrenaline rush only lasting between 30 to 40 seconds with four bikes on the track at a time doing laps. “When Beau gets in front he normally stays there,” said Jade, but he was still shocked when he walked off as the winner.

The Australian title comes after a string of other wins over the past two years including NSW title holder, two Victorian title wins and South Australian title winner.

Beau also decided to pick up a normal dirt bike again last month after 12 months of only doing speedway to enter the Bathurst long track in 85cc class and added another title to his collection.

Beau, who trains every week on the track in his backyard, seems to be on a good trajectory to realising his dream of racing for a living in Europe one day.

With the support of his extremely proud family and generous sponsors, he has a clear path set out for him.

By Maggi Barnard

Speedway Exhibit A Car Lover’s Dream

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles owner Peter Champion with the VE-VC 30th anniversary vehicle that will be on show at the Speedway Exhibition. He will be at the exhibition to talk about the launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

Car enthusiasts cannot afford to miss this year’s Speedway Exhibition at the Parkes Elvis Festival featuring 40 iconic and prestigious cars at the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street.

Inspired by this year’s Speedway theme, a diverse blend of unique cars have been brought together for the first time ever. Sharing the showroom floor will be a rare collection of Holden Dealer Team (HDT) special vehicles, special Commodore builds, the Anniversary Edition Commodores together with group A cars and a 1980 Peter Brock Marlborough Holden Dealer Team race car.

The exhibition will also see the official unveiling of the 2015VF “Blue Meanies” in sedan, wagon and ute configuration based on the 1985 HDT VK Commodore SS Group A ‘Blue Meanie’ released by Peter Brock and the HDT.

The range racing cars will include the 1977 Brian Burt and 1978 Everlast Ford XC Coupes, an Alan Moffat Tribute Ford Mustang and Peter O Donnell’s BMW 335i which has completed more laps of the famous Bathurst track than any other car.

The list also includes a Porsche 911 GT3, MK1 Ford GT40 and 1965 Shelby Cobra along with NASCARs and a range of speedway cars. As if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the feast of horsepower continues with a 327 HK Bathurst Monaro, a VL Walkenshaw Commodore and other powerful cars to get your motor revving.

To further enhance the racing experience, a state-of-the-art virtual reality racing car simulator, as used by professional drivers around the world, will get your adrenaline pumping as you try to be the King of the track.

The display will also include racing memorabilia such as bonnets from various racing cars, racing suits and a diverse selection of intriguing and fascinating collectables.

The Speedway Exhibition official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April is open to everybody where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion who will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

The HDT VC race car will also be on display at the Speedway Exhibition at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival. The exhibition, to be held in the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street, is sponsored by the Bogan Gate Pub, and funded by the NSW Government. The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20th April to Sunday, 24th April from 9am to 5pm with free entry. Everyone is invited to attend the official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion. He will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

Snippets…

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Beau Bailey crosses the finish line to become the Speed-way Australian Champion in the 125cc class.

Country Mayors Association: Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller has been elected to the executive of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA). The new executive team was elected at the AGM on Friday, 11th March with Cr Ken Keith OAM (Mayor of Parkes Shire) returning as chairman, and Councillor Jamie Chaffey (Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council) elected deputy chair. The seven other country Mayors elected to the Executive are Cr Craig Davies (Narromine Shire Council), Cr Rick Firman OAM (Temora Shire Council), Cr Russel Fitzpatrick (Bega Valley Shire Council), Cr John Medcalf OAM (Lachlan Shire Council), Cr Sue Moore (Singleton Council), Cr Kylie Thomas (Kyogle Council), and Cr Russell Webb, (Tamworth Regional Council). Kent Boyd PSM, General Manager Parkes Shire Council, was elected secretary/public officer. Priority areas for the CMA include working with the State Government to close the gap between health services in the regions and metropolitan areas, ensuring towns have sustainable water supplies and to ensure the financial sustainability of local government.

Free Online Holiday Fun: Code Camp is offering two free build-your-own games this school holiday for kids living outside of major cities. In the free online tutorial kids can choose to make the game Super Slimer, guiding a friendly slime blob collecting coins and avoiding baddies, and Firewall, where a heroic wizard or witch wards off evil spirits. To access the free online lessons visit www.codecampworld.com

Wagga Wagga Medical School: The $21 million Wagga Wagga Medical School has been given the green light to start works with development approval granted. “The very first thing I did when I became Deputy Prime Minister was to establish the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network, which comprises of schools in Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga in NSW and Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton in Victoria,” said Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

New Employment Program: Not-for-profit employment, training, education and apprenticeship service provider VERTO has been selected to deliver Workforce Australia services in Forbes, Parkes and the Central West for the next six years from 1st July. Workforce Australia is the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s new employment model to deliver simple and efficient solutions to assist local job seekers and employers. Workforce Australia will enable job seekers to self-manage, while those with greater needs will be supported by experienced VERTO consultants. For more information visit www.dese.gov.au/workforce-australia.

VERTO Workforce Development Consultants (L-R) Lau-ren Rozyn, Mikayla McVicar, Stacie Caslick and Claudia Limon.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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