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Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Wendy Gill Among Winners NSW Rural Scholarship

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Wendy Gill is one of 24 recipients living in rural and regional NSW of the 2022 NSW State Government Rural Scholarship Program.

The one-year scholarship program begins with the finalists attending the Future Women Leadership Summit in Sydney earlier this week on 7 – 8 March, as part of the 2022 NSW Women’s Week celebrations. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said regional women are the lifeblood of so many bush communities.

“Each of the winners have already gone above and beyond in their local community, and this program will boost their leadership potential as they inspire the next generation of leaders,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the program is designed to connect driven and passionate women from all ages and backgrounds and help them in developing leadership skills as they progress to the next stage of their career.

“Last year’s NSW Rural Scholarship Program was a huge success. I’m sure we will see another exceptional result with this year’s intake.”

Not only do the winners get access to the coveted Future Women Platinum+ Program, valued at $5,500 each, but all 218 women who entered will also receive a complimentary one-year Gold membership, which gives them access to Future Proof, a year-long career development webinar series, and a 50 per cent discount to attend this week’s Future Women Leadership Summit.

For more info visit www.futurewomen.com/rural-womens-scholarship

Toohey And Hanns Repeat Their Medal Success

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

GREEN ABOUT: Mark Watts taking advantage of the downpour and softer conditions. Tom Toohey and Frank Hanns were among the many with great scores recorded on Saturday in the February Monthly Medal.

On Saturday the Men’s golf competition was the March Monthly Medal, a Stroke event sponsored by Michael Robinson & Co.

The A-Grade Medal was won by Caleb Hanrahan who presented a very tidy card with his 67 nett, playing off Scratch. Runner-up was Wade Ritchie who had a 69 nett.

The B-Grade Medal went to Tom Toohey (67)on count back from Steve Grallelis.This is a second successive win for Tomafter taking out last month’s medal.

The C-Grade saw Frank Hanns also repeat last month’s success, but this time with the best score of the day, a 65 nett. Runner-up was another Frank, this time Frank Donohoe, quite a way back with 73 nett.

The ball sweep went to 77 nett on count back. Check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Isaac Vale, 18th – Reggie Murray. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Heather Davidson, in yet another repeat as she won it last week.

There was no Stableford Medley played on Sunday, with not enough players. However, the Ladies who played early enjoyed the better part of the day.

The Men’s Pennants was played at Dubbo with all teams versus Bathurst. The Forbes Division 1 and Division 2 teams won, but the Division 3 team went down.

The Ladies returned to competition play through the week. Both the Wednesday and Saturday Ladies had to contend with a bit of wet weather.

The Summer Sixes has completed its round-robin series and is now into the Finals playoffs. The top teams were Pool A – Golfie and Pool B Forbes Automotive, who enjoyed a bye in the first round. The Grand Final is set to be played on 3 April.

By Short Putt

Lachlan Valley Community Primary Health Service Survey

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Residents from Condobolin, Forbes, and Parkes can now share their experiences of primary health care services through a community survey.

The Lachlan Valley Community Primary Health Service Survey asks community members about their experiences when accessing primary health care. Primary health care is the care delivered outside a hospital by a range of health professionals. It includes general practitioners, allied health professionals, primary care and community nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

The survey is open to all members of the community 15 years of age and above. It takes around 10 minutes to complete. The initiative is part of the Collaborative Care Program in the Lachlan Valley.

Wellington Digwa is the community contact for the Primary Health Service Survey. He says every community member’s feedback is important.

“Your responses will help local health care providers understand the needs of your community and how these might be addressed,” said Wellington.

“By understanding your experiences, we can develop models of service provision which will meet the needs in our communities.”

The Primary Health Service Survey closes on Friday, 1 April. Community members can access the online survey at https://nswrdn.engagementhub.com.au/lachlan

Paper copies of the survey will be made available to community members who have difficulty accessing the internet. For a paper copy, please contact Wellington at Wellington.Digwa@health.nsw.gov.au or 0438 210 323.

Letter to the Editor

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

To The Editor,

The members of Forbes Historical Society were pleased to hear the Vandenberg Hotel has been resold to local people. We understand that it is to be reopened as a hotel with accommodation upstairs. The restoration of these facilities is essential as this particular building is of great significance to our town, not only because of its history but it is where, until its closure, many organisations held their meetings. It also provides unique accommodation for tourists overlooking Victoria Park and our unique heritage buildings.

We understand that the previous sale was legal, but it is the transfer of poker machine licences that concerns many of us. In the last 20 years we have lost five of our hotels in similar circumstances and apparently for similar reasons. This raises the question as to what has happened to these hotel licences?

Country pubs in country towns are part of our way of life in the bush. They are a meeting place for young and older people, a tourist attraction, our heritage and a vital component of the lifeblood of our town.

The Forbes community has worked very hard to make Forbes the wonderful tourist destination that it is today.

These business deals are not only happening in Forbes, it is also happening in other rural communities.

We are resolved to explore every avenue open to us to make other people aware of what is happening and hopefully gain the support of the state government to initiate an inquiry, maybe even legislate to prevent these poker machines from being sold or transferred.

We will support any efforts undertaken by Forbes Council to prevent these deals in the future.

Yours faithfully, Bruce Adams
Forbes Historical Society (President)

Forbes Rotary Joins Flood And Ukraine Causes

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Rotary Club has joined Rotary Australia to assist Ukraine and Northern Rivers flood victims.

Last week at Wednesday’s Forbes Rotary meeting, the Forbes Rotary Club agreed to donate funds to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Aid Fund and the RAWCS National Flood Appeal.

Since the time of the invasion of Ukraine, Rotary’s Ukrainian Aid Fund has received nearly $1 million. To donate, go to the RAWCS website, click-on “Projects” link and enter number 83-2014-15. Once details appear select “Donate” and complete.

As the national Ukrainian floral emblem is the sunflower, the Rotary Club of Coolamon with the donation of several tons of sunflower seeds from a local farmer will soon be sending out seeds along with specially printed packets to NSW Rotary Clubs. These will be packed and sold for $2 a packet with the sale proceeds being deposited into the above mentioned RAWCS project.

To donate to the RAWCS National Flood Appeal, repeat the steps above then enter 48-2021-22 and complete. All donations to these appeals are tax deductible. For more on Rotary call Garry 0427 401 267, Chris 0429 661 358 or Grahame 0427 640 065.

Bruce, Wayne Hit Targets

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes SSAA members are gearing up for the Cliff Bradley Memorial this Sunday, 13 March. Photo supplied.

The Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 calibre rimfire rifle shoot was held on Wednesday, 2 March. The 25 metre fox target shoot results were Wayne Facey, 280/280; Paul Baker, 279/280 and John Dean, 278/280 while Facey took the 100metre feral cat shoot as well with 118/120.

Results of the 50 metre .22 target shoot were John Dean, 290/300; Wayne Facey, 286/300 and Paul Baker, 284/300 and in the 75metre Bear target shoot Bruce Runchel, 111/120; Lyall Strudwick, 109/120 and Wayne Burton, 109/120 filled the podium.

The 25 metre fox target shoot had Wayne Facey, 280/280; John Gorman, 280/280; Phil Anderson, 280/280; Colleen Gorman, 280/280 and Julie Crimp, 280/280 all with perfect scores.

In the 50 metre rabbit target shoot John Gorman, 246/250 won from Colleen Gorman, 244/250, Phil Anderson, 242/250 and Julie Crimp, 242/250.

Gorman also won the 75 metre bear and the 100 metre feral cat target shoot went to Julie Crimp with 120/120.

The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 calibre and other rimfire rifles (.22 magnum or.17HMR) will be on Wednesday, 16 March starting at 2pm. The next Sunday shoot will be held Sunday, 20 March at 10am. All target shooters are welcome to attend these shoots. Junior shooters must be 12 years or over.

For all information on .22 calibre rimfire shooting contact Wayne Facey on 0414 524 059.

The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clays will be for the Cliff Bradley Memorial Trophy shoot this Sunday, 13 March. The Cliff Bradley Memorial Trophy shoot is a 25 target DTL point score shoot starting at 10am. The Cliff Bradley shoot will be followed by a 100-target field shoot at the Bedgerebong Road Range.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes S.S.A.A. range. S.S.A.A. members should check the Facebook page for shoot details.

Be Seen

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

DRIVER REVIVER WORKS: Works are well and truly coming to a conclusion at Victoria Park for the Driver Reviver Centre.

 

VARIETY CLUB DROP IN: Last weekend Papa Smurf and the gang dropped into have a drink, a bite to eat and a sing-a-long or two with Judd and the team from the Fat Parcel Food Van in Eugowra – home of the best pulled pork burgers in the Central West!

 

LIONS AWARENESS DAY: Last Friday Forbes Lions celebrated Lions Awareness Day with the public by holding a barbeque at Forbes Bunnings. The day also served as a membership drive for the group.

 

YANDHARRA BREAKFAST: Kate Shaw and Jacinda Acheson from Acheson’s Mitre 10 at the Forbes Business Chamber Yandharra Breakfast hosted by Rose De Jong among the gums at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre.

Snippets…

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: A new GROW Program at Forbes TAFE has proven popular among locals and helps participants learn and develop new skills in a number of fields in a bid to be prepared for the workforce. Photo supplied.

Forbes TAFE Launches GROW Program: Forbes TAFE was very excited this week to launch the start of the GROW program. In a statement on their Facebook page, Forbes TAFE said – “This is a wonderful opportunity for our young learners to participate in training over multiple trades in preparation to join the workforce. Thank you to our sponsors Evolution Mining and Forbes Shire Council. To Gunn’s Menswear and Cahills Footwear Parkes and Forbes we appreciate being able to work with our sponsors to fulfil our uniform requirements locally.”

Forbes Rotary Ipomoea Markets Tomorrow: Don’t forget the Forbes Rotary Ipomoea Markets are on tomorrow Saturday, 12 March at Lions Park from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Come along and enjoy what should be another amazing day with plenty of food, fun and sun not to mention local produce.

Forbes Town And District Band: Forbes Town and District Band is encouraging learners to come along Monday nights from 6-7pm as it looks for new members. The Band Hall is at 165 Rankin Street opposite Bernardi’s. Any questions call Hannah on 0402 039 785.

Farewell Forbes Phoenix: They say nothing is permanent except death and taxes and sadly, this will be my last issue as Editor of the Forbes Phoenix. Thank you to everyone who has supported me specifically and the paper – especially over the last 13 months. It has been an experience I won’t forget. Hopefully I see some of you around in my new roles throughout my travels in the Central West and beyond. Take care and always support local. Dane Millerd

Bernardi’s Building A Better Forbes: Aruma Forbes were the recipients of a $2,500 donation from Bernardi’s Building Better Communities Program in a real boost for the NDIS organisation. Aruma Forbes plans to use the donated funds to purchase tables and chairs for their HUB to use as a central meeting place to connect with one another. Some goals include:
• Building Social Skills in a group setting.
• Learning New Life Skills – Setting a table and dining etiquette when eating out.
• Social Activities – Holding events (Parties and Biggest Morning Tea).
• Craft activities, Bingo and Puzzles.

“We thank Aruma for all the work they do in the Forbes community,” Bernardi’s said in an online statement on Facebook.

BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES: Bernardi’s Forbes with a $2,500 cheque for Aruma as part of Bernardi’s Building Better Communities Program designed to assist groups and organisations in the shire. Photo supplied.

Calling All Forbes Foodies

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Museum would love to know about your favourite foods, how to make them and your memories associated with them.

Many of us have memories of foods that take us back to our childhood or to a special person that made them or with whom you shared the food. It may be a simple evening meal that your mother made on weeknights after school, or a more elaborate dish that you associate with special events like Christmas and Easter. Even your first baking disaster can be memorable.

No matter the importance, memories involving food are vivid and they often feel more evocative and nostalgic than other types of reminiscences.

This is why the Forbes Historical Museum wants you to share both your recipes and your memories associated with them, so that they can record them in a book, “Recipes Remembered.”

“Our history is far more than the amazing objects that we have on display at the museum in Cross Street but it is the personal individual experiences of each one of us that now call Forbes our home, no matter where we were born or what country we came from,” said Margaret Adams of the Forbes Historical Museum.

“Forbes has always been a multicultural community with a fascinating rich heritage that we must preserve in a variety of ways. This is one valuable aspect that we can recognise and record for future generations,” Margaret said.

Volunteers are also welcome and can contact Bruce Adams 0429 151 280 or on the museum’s email below.

Recipe templates are available at the Forbes Historical Museum on Cross Street from 2pm to 4pm daily or they can be emailed to forbesmuseum@gmail.com

Forbes Local Jobs and Careers Expo

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

FORBES CAREERS EXPO: Skillset’s School and Community Engagement Officer, Amanda Ferguson will be at the Forbes Local Jobs and Careers Expo on Thursday, 17 March to talk about all stages of the career lifecycle – from career development and employment services, there will be something for everyone.

Are you looking for a job or career change? Do you want to know what opportunities are out there in the local region? Job seekers, parents and carers and secondary students will find plenty of useful information at the Forbes Local Jobs and Careers Expo to be held in the Club Forbes Auditorium from 5.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, 17 March.

With 30 exhibitors already registered the night will showcase employment opportunities in a range of local industries including agriculture, retail, hospitality, agricultural machinery, engineering, real estate, legal services, mining, earthmoving, and civil construction.

Representatives from Council and State Government agencies such as Local Land Services and Transport for NSW will be on hand to outline the many career opportunities and entry pathways available in the government sector.

Charles Sturt University, Parkes Country University Centre and TAFE representatives will be attending to supply information and answer questions on a wide range of tertiary courses and options for local study support. Connect with Training Services NSW and local recruitment agencies such as Skillset, Verto and Sureway to discuss your career options and get information on apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across the region.

No matter your age or where you are at in your career journey there will be something at the Expo for everyone. Admission is free and attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the Expo. Come along and explore the amazing local employment and study opportunities on your doorstep.

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