Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Great Event For Parkes

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Pictured (L-R) are Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott, Phil Donato MP, Parkes Little Athletics President Kerrie Edwards, Manager Parkes Coles Jacob Schneider and Western Plains Zone Coordinator Bruce Cox.

Parkes hosted the two-day Zone Little Athletics Carnival last weekend with up to 370 participants from all over the region. The athletes came from Ballimore, Cobar, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cumnock, Dubbo, Forbes, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Gwebegar, Mudgee, Narromine, Orange, Three Rivers, Walgett, Warren and Wellington. The event was officially opened by Member for Orange Phil Donato MP. He said Little Athletics played an important role in developing not only physical skills but also life skills. 

Flood Damage Too Much To Comprehend

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Sisters Aimee Woods, Kristen Apsey and Eliza Woods put on brave smiles as they try to process the damage caused by the flood at Kristen’s Dance Studio.

By Tuesday the floodwaters had started receding enough for people to return to their homes and businesses to assess the damage caused.

The state of the dance floors at Kristen’s Dance Studio in Rankin Street came as a huge shock to owner Kristen Aspey.

“The water came knee deep through the whole building and ruined all our sprung flooring in all three dance studios,” said Kristen. The wooden floors are all wobbly and will have to be ripped up.

“We have some furniture damaged too, but the flooring is the biggest worry.” Kristen did not want to start thinking about the cost of the damage on Tuesday as they tried to clean out the big mess. “The costs will be insurmountable.” She said replacing the sprung flooring would probably cost over $100,000.

“We were confident the plastic and sandbags would keep the water out, as it had worked in previous floods over the past three years, but this time it was different. It looks like the water was the same depth inside as it was outside.”

The end of the year is also the busiest time for her studio preparing for the annual concert. She did not see them returning to the studio this year, and she’d had to find an alternative space.

Kristen and her two sisters Aimee and Eliza Woods found some solace in the support they had received from the community. “We had about 20 people who came to help today. We are so appreciative of our Forbes community and our dance school supporters,” said Kristen.

Lachlan Laundry Services had to rip up all the carpets in the business.

 

The force of the water was too much for the fence at the Forbes Olympic Pool.

 

Shopping trolleys at Woolworths with flood debris.

 

Forbes Smash employees were hard at work on Tuesday to get the business clean and back to normal again.

 

There was a huge mess at Kristen’s Dance Studio to clean out with lots of damage to furniture as well.

Patients Give Very High Rating For Hospital Care

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Up to 93% of patients treated in the Western Region gave very high ratings of their experience of care. 

According to the Bureau of Health Information’s 2021 Adult Admitted Patient Survey almost all patients treated at Western New South Wales Local Health District (WNSWLHD) hospitals rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. 

More than 1,300 respondents from across the district provided positive feedback on the safe, high-quality care they received. 

The dedicated health professionals in the district received very high ratings from their patients. Nearly all surveyed patients (95%) rated the doctors who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. A similar proportion of patients (96%) rated the nurses who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. 

Mark Spittal, WNSWLHD Chief Executive welcomed the findings and thanked patients for their feedback. 

“My gratitude to our staff who adapted to the challenges the pandemic presented – as well as their continued dedication to delivering patient-first care- cannot be understated.” 

Forbes Health Service performed very strongly where nine in 10 patients (92%) rated their treating doctors as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. Almost all patients (99%) rated their treating nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. 

Between mid-2012 and mid-2022 the Western New South Wales Local Health District increased its workforce by an additional 701 full time equivalent staff – an increase of 14.6% including 136 more doctors, 216 more nurses and midwives, and 143 more allied health staff. 

Our Gal – Elly Tom

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Elly Tom

Where were you born? Carlton, Victoria. 

Were you named after anyone? Yes, my great grandmother Ellen Mary Morris. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My adult daughter, and son, to see their achievements and little families. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The moon landing, the whole school watched it on one tv in the hall. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Trust yourself that you can do it. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Parkes, leaving behind family, friends, and where I grew up. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My husband, a radio and books. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Share it around my family. 

When are you happiest? When with family and playing music. 

How did the flood affect you?

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Alice and Michele Clifton at Lachlan Laundry Services:

Michele: It is the third time in 12 months that we’ve taken out all the machines and we are very happy we did. The water came in the front at about 700mm and higher at the back. We had to rip out all the carpets today, and paint is coming off the wall in the back. It looks like the sandbags stopped most of the mud and debris from coming in. We consider ourselves lucky, as there are people who’ve had a lot more damage. We are not sure yet when we can reopen as we’d have to check all the electricity.

The community has been so supportive and people just walking past are asking us if they can help. We would also like to give a huge thumbs up to Lee and staff members from Ray White who came in to help rip up the carpets and get all the dry cleaning out.

Alice: I was eight years old in the 1952 flood and we were evacuated to Parkes. In 1974 I was in hospital having a baby. I’d say this flood was on par with the 1990 flood.

Flood Impacts Forbes Golf Club Program

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The rails on the 9th bridge lowered, ready for the overflow of water.

The impact of flood waters in the Forbes Shire has been felt by many, with varying results.

At the Forbes Golf Course the staff were mowing the greens and as much of the fairways and rough to ensure the flood waters would flow and disperse more easily. They also cleaned up around trees and structures to reduce the opportunity for flotsam to be caught.

Preparations included picking up the tee markers, mats on the practice fairway, rubbish bins, large sand buckets, signs around the course, and anything else that could float away. Covers to the electrical equipment for the irrigation system were checked to ensure they did not drift away and leave a hole for someone to fall into.

Final preparations were to lower the hand rails on the 9th walk bridge, raise the equipment in the workshop as high as possible, and to move the equipment to as high a ground as possible. This did not prove totally successful, but saved some significant impacts.

Once the waters subside the first actions will be to wash the greens and remove any silt, thus allowing them to dry. The irrigation water pumps will need servicing, as also will the mowers and other equipment before use. Inspection across the whole course will be made to identify those sites needing repair.

The irrigation system will be flushed and all electrics checked, then a test operation will be made. And flotsam and debris will be removed.

The time taken for the flood waters to subside is unknown. Obviously, this will have an effect on the golf programme, on the Summer Sixes competition, and also impact the programme schedule for next year.

As soon as possible the club officers will notify players of the arrangements for the return to our game.

By Short Putt

What’s On @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre

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LIBRARY LOCK-IN

Youth aged 12-18 are invited to attend our next Youth Lock-In Games and Pizza Night on Wednesday, 23rd November from 5:30pm-8pm. Four-player games on the Nintendo Switch, or BYO a 4G-enabled device to join the fun of our Jackbox party games, plus outdoor games and free pizza, thanks to Domino’s Parkes. Places are strictly limited, book via humanitix.com.au. 

YOUTH VOICES

Parkes Shire Youth Voices is in recess for Term 4. In the meantime, Parkes Shire Libraries are asking the youth to share their thoughts, ideas and feedback on youth programs and events at https://forms.office.com/r/ciK8MkTaCB

FRIDAY FLICKS

Friday, 25th November at 6pm we are screening a legendary Australian story which has been adapted to film. This award-winning film is set in the Snowy Mountains in the late 1800s tackling issues of feminism and anti-racism. Bookings are essential, contact Parkes Library on 6861 2309.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS IN MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE

Composting & Worm Farming (FREE): Tuesday, 8th Nov from 5:30 – 7pm. Book via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3NkLbVX

Weaving with Ronda Sharpe ($25 per workshop): Monday 14th, 21st & 28th Nov

from 6-8pm. Book via Humanitix https://bit.ly/3FAKYwh

Multicultural Art Group (FREE): Tuesday, 15th Nov from 5:30 – 7pm. Contact Soniatilley@outlook.com.au

Social AUSLAN (FREE): Sat 5th & 19th Nov and Sat 3rd & 17th Dec from 10am. Register your interest with Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101

Cricut Beginner Workshops ($80): Saturday, 26th Nov from 9am or 1pm. Book through the Orange Cricut Group Facebook Page.

Succulent Workshops ($150 per workshop): Friday, 2nd Dec from 6:30pm and Saturday, 3rd Dec from 10am. Bookings via email popupsucculentshop@outlook.com 

What do you remember fondly about volunteering for Vinnies?

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Marie Walker, Sister Anette, Pam MacRae and Beryl Searl: The connection with people and being able to help a lot of people. Everyone was happy and smiling, and it felt like we were doing our bit to help others. We had some wonderful days at Vinnies chatting away while working at the back. The atmosphere was just wonderful.

 

A Family of Volunteers: It has become a bit of a family tradition and together they have volunteered over 100 years at Vinnies in Parkes. Mum Francis Charlton (second left) with cousin Elaine Charlton on her right and her two daughters Christine Cox (left) and Maree Mulligan (right). Christine is the current Retail Team Leader in Parkes, and also filled the role from 2011 to 2016. 

International Hockey Players In Parkes Next Weekend

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Parkes Hockey Incorporated (PHI) is getting ready to showcase Parkes as a premier regional venue when the first ever Hockey One game will be played out of a capital city in Parkes on 12th November. PHI officials are (L-R) executive direc-tor Richard Rice, women’s director Mandy Westcott, treasurer Tracey Chambers and event manager Ian Westcott.

Excitement is building for the biggest hockey day ever to be held in Parkes next Saturday when up to 11 international players will be in action at the McGlynn Park.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Kookaburras and Hockeyroos in the NSW Pride and Canberra Chill teams on 12th November in the first ever Hockey One match to be played in a regional centre.

Parkes Hockey Incorporated (PHI) organisers are expecting a crowd of around 1,000 people with local hockey star Mariah Williams the biggest draw card on the day. The 27-year-old has been a lock in the national squads for the past decade and has made over 100 appearances across all national levels. Mariah has played a pivotal role in the 2022 instalment of the NSW Pride campaign.

Event Manager Ian Westcott from Parkes Hockey Incorporated said he would love to see local people getting behind the event.

The men’s and women’s matches in Parkes will be the final games for the second season of the Sultana-Bran Hockey One League and will decide the make-up of the final series to be held in Bendigo the following weekend.

The NSW Pride teams will feature a number of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos with some players returning from stints in the powerful European Hockey Leagues. This will also be the first taste of Australia’s Hockey One league for these returning superstars of the game.

In addition to these international superstars there is a mix of great young locally developed talent as well as some up-and-coming stars of the game.

This will be the first time a Hockey One game has been played out of a capital city and is a joint venture between Parkes Shire Council, Hockey NSW, NSW Pride and Parkes Hockey Incorporated.

“Hockey NSW is delighted to be partnering with the Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Hockey Incorporated to bring the only Hockey One game to regional Australia. It’s a wonderful opportunity for hockey enthusiasts and the broader community in and around Parkes to enjoy elite sport and we are expecting a capacity crowd on the day,” said Hockey NSW Chief Executive Officer, Emma Highwood.

Both games will be streamed on Kayo Sports, with the broadcast commencing at 3:30pm. 

Parkes Hockey will also be hosting a junior clinic on Saturday morning free of charge run by Glenn Johnstone -Hockey NSW RPC.

A Celebration of Hockey dinner will also be held at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday evening with Jamie Dwyer as guest speaker. Jamie has won the World Hockey Player award six times was voted 5-time MVP. He will tell his hockey story and guests will be able to mingle with Jamie and a host of other Australian players. Tickets for the Clinics and Dinner can be found at the links below.

• Clinic: https://www.123tix.com.auevents/35611/hockey-coaching-clinic-with-nsw-pride-act-chill-players

• Dinner: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/35542/parkes-hockey-inc-presents-a-night-with-jamie-dwyer

• Tickets for the games are available via Ticketek at https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HOCKEYNS21

Mayoral Notes

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We have weathered floods before and I know that we will rise through this one again. Remember to stay in touch, listen to warnings, look out for your neighbours, family and friends and of course if it is flooded, forget it. 

Our town is again preparing for a major flood with predictions of a 10.8 peak predicted. As I write this, the flood situation is unfolding. Warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology have indicated we may see levels of 10.8m at the Iron Bridge, the same as that of June 1952. 

With this warning in mind, it is time to make sure you are ready – ensure you have stocked up on medicines, essential food items, pet care needs and the like. 

Know the capacity of your property – whether it be rural or in town and take the necessary actions, raise pumps, move stock, put important papers up high. Protect your property if you are in an area that is likely to get water – sandbags are available through the SES, and delivery can be arranged if you need it. 

It is likely that with an already saturated catchment, these waters may hang around for some time, so we may need to be patient. Until then, Forbes, stay safe and remember to call SES on 132 500 if you need assistance. In a life-threatening emergency ring 000. 

 

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

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editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

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