Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Around The Grounds

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Regos Open: Registrations are now open for Junior Rugby League and interested parties are asked to register soon. See the link below and get registered online with Red Bend Junior Rugby League for 2022! www.playrugbyleague.com/

Eugowra Pony Club Formal Gymkhana: Eugowra Formal Gymkhana – Sunday March 20, 2022. Gear check from 8:30am. Rings start at 9am. $25 per rider or $60 family of 3 or more. Entries close March 13. Camping available. Eugowra Pony Club, Noble Street, Eugowra. Find @eugowraponyclub on Facebook.

Lachlan PSSA Touch Trials: The Lachlan PSSA Touch Trials for Boys and Girls are on in Parkes on Monday February 14 from 9am-12noon. Specific information available from School Sports Co-ordinators and nominations are to be approved by your school principal.

Netfit Netball: How cool does this look! Origin Neon NetFit Netball Forbes – Tuesday February 22nd. $50 ticket includes a membership pack. 7:30pm – Body paint and Braid bar; 8pm – 9pm – Neon Workout. Ages 12+. For more information or to book go to: netfitnetball.com/neon-netfit/

Active Kids Sports Vouchers Available: Active Kids is a NSW Government initiative to help families get their kids enrolled in sports and physical recreation! Each child enrolled in school from Kindergarten to Year 12 for 2022, is eligible for 2 x $100 ($200 total) Active Kids Vouchers, with the intention to cover coaching and competition fees in different terms. For more info – www.tennis.com.au/nsw/our-work/active-kids

IDPwD February 7

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The popular and important International Day of People with Disability Pool Party celebration will take place at Forbes Olympic Pool on Monday February 7th from 10am-2pm. Entry to the pool is free and includes a BBQ lunch, games, music, workshops and a chance to catch up and socialise! The day also consists of info for carers and families from a raft of providers. More information can be obtained at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Driver Site Revived

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Work will begin on the new Driver Reviver site this week. Investigations have identified the old bird aviary in Victoria Park does in fact contain asbestos. Forbes Shire Council will ensure the safe removal of this product and have engaged Central West Asbestos Removal to conduct the work from Wednesday 2nd February. The site will be securely fenced off whilst the work is being completed, please take care when in the area.

Golfers Tame Course As Thomas And Bernardi Get The Chocolates

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

FAMILIAR SIGHT: Saturday’s 4BBB Runners-up Bede Tooth and Matt Duff were on-fire at Forbes Golf Course.

Last Saturday the Men’s golf competition was a 4BBB Par event, sponsored by Cahill Footwear. The field of 95 players included both men and ladies, all of whom were keen to get a good score before any storms hit.

The overall winners were Dave Bernardi and Stuart Thomas who relished the conditions and ravaged the course with a score of 12-up. David played well below his 24 handicap but was glad when Stuart was able to chime in as needed.

Runners-up were Bede Tooth and Matt Duff, both of whom also enjoyed the conditions to score 10-up. Tooth has been in strong form lately and scored well in another good start.

There was no Sunday Stableford Medley as the field was too small. Unfortunately for those that played they did score well and would easily have won.

On Australia Day, a Stableford Medley was held. A healthy field of 24 players found the conditions very comfortable, which helped the scoring.

The winner was Jake Shaw with 43 points, just ahead of Jarrod Hall (Trundle) on 42 points. Jarrod likes our course as he always seems to do well when he plays here. The ball sweep went to 37 points.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Mitch Bayley; 18th – Andrew Saar. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Caleb Hanrahan, with a shot of 3.8 metres.

This Sunday the Forbes Golf Club hosts the CWDGA Men’s Pennants. The course will be closed for the morning.

The Junior Coaching classes commenced this week. Contact Head Pro Adam for details – 6851 1554 – if you want to get involved. The Callaway Fitting day scheduled for Thursday 24th February is still on. Times are available from 8:30 am to 1pm, so get in quick by contacting the Pro Shop.

By Short Putt

New Competition As Old Faces Return

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

First it was former Premiership Captain Jake Grace and now former Magpies enforcer, Ben Robinson has returned to the fold for a crack at the new competition in 2022 with Forbes. From all reports, the Magpies signing spree isn’t finished just yet either as excitement builds for the new season!

Last March, after consultation, the NSWRL announced its plans to provide new opportunities for clubs in Groups 10 and 11 which would set Western NSW up for success for generations to come. The new competition will also provide weekly acid tests for Forbes footballers.

Group 10 includes clubs from Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee and Orange, while Group 11 includes clubs from Dubbo, Forbes, Narromine, Nyngan, Parkes and Wellington. Whereas previously neighbours like Forbes and Cowra or Mudgee and Wellington only played once a year, this is all about to change.

The revamped format includes:

• A first-past-the-post system and silverware for both the top clubs from Group 10 and Group 11 to preserve history and uphold traditional conferences;

• a minimum of four crossover games between Group 10 against Group 11 teams with travel to be minimised;

• the top four teams from Group 10 and Group 11 to advance to a play-off series involving eight teams who will all vie for the Western Premiership;

• the Western Premiership winner to take part in the end-of-season two-week Presidents Cup competition to determine the State Champion for 2022.

• The new competition in 2022 will run from April to September. If the Magpies continue on this trajectory with key signings, they may well be swooping at the start of Spring.

Forbes Pony Club Rally Feb 6

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

IMAGE CREDIT: Forbes Pony Club Facebook

Forbes Pony Club’s recent AGM has seen Gary Tomlinson take over the president’s role from Laurie Norris. Other roles include Club Captain Rachael Morgan, Secretary Juliet Hodder and Treasurer Felicity Worland. In a first for the club, junior members Freya Hooper as Junior club Captain and Jake Tomlinson as Junior Zone Representative with President Gary Tomlinson will also represent the club at Zone meetings.

Tomlinson paid tribute to outgoing President Laurie Norris – “Laurie will remain as chief instructor and we are grateful for his support and all he has done.”

The Forbes Pony Club will host its first rally day Sunday 6th February starting at 10am and encourages anyone who is interested in joining to either show up on the day or contact the club Secretary Juliet Hodder via email on forbesponyclub@gmail.com

Forbes SSAA Building Towards Promising 2022

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

All Forbes SSAA members are invited to the working bee that will be held this Saturday 5th February starting at 7:30am to avoid the heat.

Members should note a bi-monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th February at the Forbes Sport & Rec Club starting at 7:30pm.

The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clay’s will be their monthly shoot on Sunday 13th February starting at 10am at the Bedgerebong Road Range.

For all information on clay target shooting contact Norm Brook 0458 6645 41.

Any person wishing to obtain a long arm firearm licence contact Wayne Facey on 0414 524 059.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range. Like us on Facebook @ForbesSportingShooters for updates.

Vaccination Still Best Defence Against COVID-19

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack

It has been a tough few years and all Riverina and Central West residents have been affected in some way.

Whether it be our primary producers recovering from the effects of drought, to floods and storms threatening homes and farmland and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced significant adversity and, in a show of typical regional Australian community spirit, we have stood tall to be our best selves against these challenges.

Australia can be proud that it is one of the most vaccinated countries when it comes to COVID-19. The fact remains, despite new variants, vaccination remains our best defence against this virus.

We need to continue doing the right things to keep safe our more vulnerable in our community – practising social distancing, wearing masks when appropriate and getting the COVID-19 jab.

Whether you have rolled up your sleeve twice or you have become eligible recently, such as those in the five- to 11-year-old age category, your efforts to continue to protect your community through getting the booster or getting your first jab are to be commended – you are saving lives and protecting livelihoods in your local community. Thank you.

We all want to get back as quickly as we can to the way our lifestyles were before the pandemic – the vaccine is helping us do just that.

You can go to www.health.gov.au to find the nearest available COVID-19 vaccine clinic and to book your vaccination.

Michael McCormack MP
Member For Riverina

Staged Return For Non-Elective Surgery

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

From Monday 7th February non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay will return to 75 per cent capacity in private hospitals, and up to 75 percent of pre pandemic activity levels at public hospitals in regional and rural NSW where they are able to do so.

The temporary suspension of non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay in both public and private hospitals from 10th January was necessary to ensure there was sufficient staffing and hospital bed capacity in NSW to meet the extra demands caused by the Omicron wave of COVID-19.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said people in regional NSW will be pleased to see a resumption in non-urgent elective surgery as we return to a normal operating environment.

“It’s been a challenging time, but our doctors and nurses and support staff have worked tirelessly in our regional hospitals to support people in need of urgent care,” Mrs Taylor said.

The NSW Government provided an extra $80 million as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.

The NSW Government has committed more than $4 billion to the NSW health system since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020.

Important 2022 Info For Forbes SSAA Members

January 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Members should note a bi-monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th February at the Forbes Sport & Rec. club starting at 7:30pm. Forbes SSAA members should check the Facebook page for info about the meeting as well as shoot details for dates and times.

The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 calibre and other rimfire rifle (.22 magnum or.17HMR) will be held this Sunday 30th January starting at 10am. The next Wednesday shoot will be held 2nd February starting at 2pm. The Centre-fire rifle shoots start at 2pm after the Rim-fire shoots on Sunday.

All target shooters are welcome to attend these shoots and take part after filling out a P650 form at the club. Junior shooters must be 12 years and over.

For all information on .22 calibre rimfire shooting contact Wayne Facey 0414 5240 59 or Norm Brook 0458 664 541.

The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clay’s will be their monthly shoot on Sunday 13th February, this will be a 100-target field or five-stand shoot startingat 10am.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range.

Like us on Facebook @ForbesSportingShooters.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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