Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Our Bloke – Adam McGregor

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Adam McGregor

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have only been here full time for a few months. So far, I love the town, the people and the big lizard!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? Club Forbes, the different and seemingly never ending challenges and the people, both sides of the bar/bistro/office…

What was your first job? I was a bartender while at uni.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? Currently mostly work, but one day I will get back to watching sport with coffee in the morning and/or beer in the afternoon. I love watching my boys play rugby union and baseball.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? Eat too much, drink too much and travel in style…

What are you really good at? My family likes my cooking. I have had a bit of practice with American barbeque. I love doing pulled pork, brisket and wings.

What makes you laugh the most? Comedians are fun. I love Carl Barron and Jimoien. Nina Conti and Michael McIntyre from the UK. Look up Michael McIntyre’s dentist clip, it is hilarious.

What’s on your bucket list? Base Camp Everest. Hike a glacier in NZ, Antarctic cruise and the Northern Lights. Drive Route 66 in the USA, eat barbeque in Texas, and drink a malt whiskey in Scotland

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…. I lived in China for the best part of eight years, working in Macau. Interesting and fun, but I don’t want to do it again.

Maz To Play Forbes Town Hall Organ At NSW Rural Women’s Gathering

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Maz Rees is excited to be playing the Forbes Town Hall pipe organ at the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering on 3rd April.

The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is all about women in our community and Forbes resident Maz Rees has been added to the program to welcome attendees with a rousing performance on the beautiful Town Hall pipe organ.

Maz will be playing the organ on Sunday morning, 3rd April, and if you’ve never heard this organ being played, and love the sound of a pipe organ, this will be the perfect opportunity to experience this special instrument in all of its glory.

The organ was built in 1981 by Brown & Arkley in Northmead and was commissioned by former Forbes Shire Councillor and local business owner, Paul Coles. Paul provided a number of parts from his collection, including some of the metal pipes that were made in Germany.

The organ was constructed using mechanical action parts mostly made of wool. The casework was built from Amora, a South East Asian mahogany-like hardwood.

After its initial installation, the organ has moved location twice, with its final home now at Forbes Town Hall. The organ is located on a small raised platform allowing it to be moved within the Town Hall for special events.

There is still time to register for the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering until Monday, 28th March. The registration fee has been discounted and includes the Saturday Gathering, workshop options, gala dinner and Sunday Gathering. Alternatively, each event can also be booked separately if you can’t join for the whole weekend. Go to https://forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

Load Restraint Project Wins Award

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

At the award ceremony were (L-R) Francine Binns (Chief Executive Officer, IPWEA NSW & ACT), Ben Howard (Director Operations, Parkes Shire Council), Melanie Suitor (Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils) and Grant Baker (President, IPWEA NSW & ACT).

The successful Load Restraint Education Project of the Forbes, Parkes and LachlanShire Councils Load Restraint Education Project has won the Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Award at a gala dinner at Parliament House in Canberra last week.

This year there were more than 100 nominations across the eight categories of the awards presented by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia to endorse and recognise excellence of Local Government and public works projects.

The Load Restraint Project was spearheaded by the three Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor, who accepted the award on behalf of the project team.

“The project saw an increase in load restraint knowledge, breaches decreased by almost 70% and there were no load restraint incidents recorded on our local roads during 2021.

“We worked collaboratively with NSW Police, NSW Farmers and Transport for NSW to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the project,” she said.

The project involved a pre and post online awareness quiz, how to videos and accompanying fact sheets, local case studies and the Load Restraint Village Tour. It focused on the safe transportation of hay bales, machinery and general freight.

NSW Farmers Regional Services Manager Catriona McAuliffe said: “We were able to show how vital good quality restraints and their appropriate use are for the safety of our produce and equipment, the drivers of the vehicles, and the road users that we share the roads with.”

For Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling being on the road everyday meant they were able to see the improvements in compliance with load restraints on heavy vehicles and the reduction in incidents caused by insufficiently restrained loads. “Also, to know that we were able to educate a large number of people on safe and proper load restraints meant they had less chance of being fined or having to go to court.”

60 Players Compete In 3-Person Ambros

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Sixty players took part in three-person Ambrose at the Forbes Golf Club on Sunday.

A real incentive was the cash prizes with players travelling from Parkes and West Wyalong. Troy Howe, Steve Betland and Randal Grayson won with a score of 61 2/3 nett. They had a healthy margin over runners-up Brodie Hodges, Greg Hanns and Anthony Davies who scored 63 nett.

The NTPs went to: 9th – Jordan Brett; 18th – Greg Hanns. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Shane Sallaway.

Men’s captain Steve Betland thanked the sponsors and participants saying he hoped this type of event would become a regular item on the calendar.

Saturday’s golf competition for men was an Individual Stroke event sponsored by Elders Real Estate with 57 players who scored well. The Div 1 winner was Peter Dawson with 68 nett. Runner-up was Barry Parker on 71 nett. The Div 2 winner was John Ridley, who also scored 68 nett. Runner-up was Ross Willams with 72 nett.

The ball sweep went to 76 nett, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Max Medlyn (Parkes), 18th – Paul Kay. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Paul Kay, whose shot just sat beside the hole and missed a hole-in-one by 4.5cm.

The Summer Sixes competition finals series is getting exciting. Golfie and Forbes Auto teams are in the main draw grand final, and F-Troop and HD&SI are in the plate grand final. Upcoming events:

29th March: Taylor-Made EquipmentDemo Day by Head Pro Adam.

3rd April: Presentation dinner aftergrand final – numbers are needed, let thePro Shop know.

By Short Putt

Lachlan Dragons Shine At Own Regatta

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

RACE READY… The Lachlan Dragons raced in all the finals winning two, placed second in two and third in one in very tightly contested races.

Forbes turned on an absolutely beautiful day for the second invitational regatta with more than 100 paddlers from nine different clubs making it an extremely competitive day of racing on Lake Forbes.

The day consisted of heats and finals in six different categories. The Forbes Dragon Boat Club’s Lachlan Dragons won two of the finals wearing their brand-new club shirts. They doggedly tried to defend their Bridge to Bridge title over 230m, but missed out by 0.03 seconds to Colour City in an epic final race of the day with Outback Dragons finishing 0.78 seconds behind Forbes.

“All the visiting teams were impressed by the fantastic venue and how well organised and executed the event was,” said Chris Favell of FDBC.

A large number of volunteers assisted, while the local SES and Rural Fire Service were helped out as first aiders and water safety crews.

“All in all the day was a wonderful example of competition, social interaction and camaraderie for our western dragon boat community.”

The day’s results were:

• Sports Women 200m: 1 Colour City 72.16; 2 Lachlan Dragons 74.22; 3 Parkes Endeavour Dragons 77.35

• Sports Open 200m: 1 Lachlan Dragons 66.66; 2 Outback Dragons 70.71; 3 Colour City 71.94

• Dash for Cash 100m: 1 Lachlan Dragons Lightening 39.45; 2 Colour City Purple 39.76; 3 Outback Dragons Blue 40.41

• Sports mixed 200m: 1 Outback Dragons 71.33; 2 Colour City 71.44; 3 Lachlan Dragons 71.47

• Bridge to Bridge 230m: 1 Colour City 74.81; 2 Lachlan Dragons 74.84; 3 Outback Dragons 75.62

• Sweep Event: Colour City 33.37

Raffle major prize winners: 1st 200L of fuel Alex Riley; 2nd Canvas Artwork Wendy Nelson; 3rd Picnic Hamper Nicole Williams; 4th Oztrail change room Ally Hetherington; 5th Chill Float Session Wendy Nelson; 6th Toaster & Kettle Luke Byrne; 7th $50 Ampol fuel card Jane Burley; 8th 2x $25 Ampol fuel cards Rachel Samuels.

Let The Earthworks Begin!

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

NEW ARENA FOR RDA… The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is very excited about its plans to build a new arena at Forbes Livestock Exchange. At the ground breaking ceremony were (L-R) Lisa Loane, Steve Loane
(FSC General Manager), Helen Dumbrell (RDA committee), Mayor Phyllis Miller, Deb Roylance (RDA committee), Laurie Norris (Forbes Citizen of the Year and RDA committee), Chelsie Farmer, John Zannes (RDA secretary and vice presi-dent) and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance (President RDA).

The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has some great news as it comes out of its recess with plans for a brand-new arena.

The Forbes Shire Council has provided land for the new RDA centre at the Forbes Livestock Exchange, and earthworks will start this week to clear and level the land, and prepare the base for the arena. The arena will be fenced and there will be a paddock for the horses.

“We are very fortunate to have Tommy Boyle as project officer,” said Deb Roylance of Forbes RDA. “If all goes to plan, we hope to start up the centre during Term 2 or beginning of Term 3.”

Deb said with more than 30 children from schools in and around Forbes already interested in the RDA’s services, they required a volunteer co-ordinator, horse manager and volunteers. Volunteers will help out with activities like care of horses, leading horses or assisting riders in the program, helping with activities for unmounted riders, training horses and ponies, assisting the coach and more.

She said riding helped to develop so many abilities in children with disabilities, such as improving balance and posture, promoting decision making and thinking ahead, encouraging reading and speech, and developing eye-hand co-ordination.

If anyone can volunteer their services with the new centre or on RDA days, on Wednesday afternoons, email forbes@ rdansw.org.au or ring 0438 514 472. Everyone is also invited to the AGM on Monday, 28th March at the Forbes Council Chambers at 7:30 pm. All committee positions are vacant.

High Scores In Fourball

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Matt Littlewood chips to the 9th green in good sunny conditions.

The 4BBB Stableford Saturday men’s golf competition was won by the pairing of Barry Parker and Frank Hanns.

They managed to chime well together to score 47 points with their score card dominated by twelve 3-pointers with no ‘misses’.

After some recent light rain the greens were soft and receptive to good shots for the C&D Floorcoverings-sponsored event.

Runners-up were Warwick Judge and Michael Brindle, who needed one less missed putt to tie the lead, but instead finished on 46 points. They had a 4-pointer coupled with eight 3-pointers, but it was not enough.

The ball sweep went to 42 points, on count back – results in the Pro Shop. The NTP’s went to: 9th – John Zannes, 18th – Caleb Hanrahan. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Adam Currey, with a shot to 3.2 metres.

The Sunday Stableford Medley was won by Tom Toohey who took the day with 40 points, just ahead of Brett Thomas on 36 points. There were no NTP’s

By Short Putt

Snippets…

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP visited Gum Swamp this week to look at the new multi-level bird hides that have become a big attraction for visitors. Forbes Shire Council received a Highly Commended in the Habitat and Wildlife Conservation category at the annual NSW Sustainable Communities Awards for creating 20 new nesting hollows in existing dead trees at Gum Swamp

Correction: The Rotary project number for flood donations is Project 47-2021-22 and not Project 48-2021-22 as was reported in last week’s story. Club president Chris Finkel requested that donors look for Project 47 by going to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) website, click-on “Projects” and enter 47-2021-22 to donate to the flood recovery.

Can you play an instrument? The Forbes Town and District Band is doing a membership drive and would love to hear from you. “We are searching in earnest for rusty, lapsed or budding musicians to join our community band,” said Sue-anne Nixon, publicity officer. The band meets on Monday nights from 6pm-7pm for learners, and 7pm -9pm for main band members. The band hall is at 165 Rankin Street- opposite Bernardi’s. We welcome experienced, lapsed or learners. Contact the band leader Hannah, on 0402 039 785 for more information.

Child Protection Framework: Weaving the Net is a community development project which works with the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers, government, and non-government organisations to develop a local child protection framework. Agencies in the local area are also invited to participate so that they can assist in providing services. The involvement of community members and service providers is integral to the success of the program. Join the Opening Forum on 22nd and 23rd March from 10am to 3pm at the Uniting Church Hall, 27 Browne Street in Forbes. Contact Debbie Gaudie on 6850 1234 for more information.

Buckle Up In School Bus: Students in regional communities can now buckle up and ride to and from school more safely with seatbelts installed in every dedicated school bus in rural and regional NSW. Under the $237 million seatbelt program more than 2,500 buses were fitted with seatbelts. For more information on the program, visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/buses-and-coaches/rural-and-regional-seatbelt-program-taskforce

Country Arts Support: Arts OutWest is calling for people with exciting small local arts projects in mind to apply for the Country Arts Support Program (CASP). The CASP 2022 round is focused on community-based, locally developed arts and heritage activities to benefit people in the Central West. Applications can be for $500 up to $3,000 for projects happening between 1st June and 31st December. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 21st April. To apply check the guidelines at artsoutwest. org.au and call Arts OutWest to discuss your proposal on 6338 4657.

Boosting Teacher Numbers: More teachers are on their way to public school classrooms across NSW with the opening of the next round of applications for two NSW Government teaching programs. The Mid- Career Transition to Teaching program attracts mid-career professionals into a Masters of Teaching to become a high school Mathematics, Science or Technology or Applied Studies teacher, working part-time in a school after six months, with intensive wraparound support to make the shift to teaching. The FASTstream targets teaching graduates and experienced teachers with leadership ambition and talent to accelerate their career journey.

Dragon Boaters Race In Forbes

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

DRAGONS ROAR… There will be lots of activity on Lake Forbes on Sunday with over 100 paddlers coming to race in the second invitational regatta hosted by the Forbes Dragon Boat Club. The community is invited to come and watch the action.

Over 100 dragons from all over the Central West and further afield will descend on Forbes this Sunday, 20th March for the second invitational regatta hosted by the Forbes Dragon Boat Club at Lake Forbes.

Teams from Parkes, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga along with paddlers from Mudgee, Lithgow and the newly formed Blue Mountains Club will be participating in what promises to be an exciting day with some serious racing and lots of fun.

The day’s program starts at 9am with women’s, opens and mixed heats getting underway. “The events will continue through the morning with the finals, novelty events and the iconic Bridge to Bridge classic following soon after,” said Chris Favelle of the Forbes Dragon Boat Club.

“Spectators are encouraged to come along and support the local Forbes team who are keen to have a strong showing at the regatta, and to defend their Bridge to Bridge title.”

The community is invited to bring a chair and picnic rug and make it a great day out to experience the thrill of dragon boat racing. A coffee van will be on-site, while CanAssist will be providing a barbeque.

“We would love to see lots of Forbes locals getting into the action and supporting the local team,” said Chris. Volunteers and officials from across the western region along with the local State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service will all be there to ensure the event is once again a great success for the community of Forbes.

Volunteer At Elvis Festival

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Elvis Festival is back and on the lookout for volunteers to help make this year’s event a success.

Volunteering at the festival is open to people from all walks of life, and with different skills and experiences. There are many ways to volunteer, including setting up event spaces and signage, ushering guests, assisting with a multitude of events both inside and outdoors and transporting VIPs.

“The change of date along with impacts of Covid-19 have resulted in a need for new volunteers,” said Festival Director, Tiffany Steel. “We have more than 100 volunteer roles to fill. If you have specific interests, we can place you in a role where you can learn and get on-the-job experience whilst helping on one of the most popular festivals in Australia.” said Tiffany.

Employee volunteering programs are a great way for businesses to show their corporate social responsibility and provide employees with the opportunity to contribute to the community.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with the sponsorship of the festival’s volunteer program,” said General Manager of Central West Credit Union Brett Hartin. “Volunteers are the life blood of regional areas, and this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community.”

In the spirit of Elvis, each volunteer will receive a t-shirt, hat, water bottle, bag and will get to have a whole lotta rockin’ and rollin’ fun. To apply visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au. Volunteer induction will be on Monday, 21st March from 6 to 7:30pm at the Cooke Park Pavilion.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe