Forbes Phoenix

Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Garden Club Notes

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Our last meeting for the year was held at Northside Chapel with Denis Irvine as our guest speaker.

Denis held the audience captive for as long as he wished to speak. He talked about his method of growing plants from cuttings. He skilfully demonstrated how to take cuttings and brought a variety of cuttings with him. He focused on Azaleas, Camellias, tomatoes, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias and more. He mentioned not to cut cuttings on an angle, but to cut straight across.

Denis invited Garden Club members to bring cuttings to the community garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings where he will help cut them correctly and plant them. His motto is: “grow your own and save”.

Flower of the month was won by Meg Scholefield with a Peace Rose, second was Elvy Quirk with an Aqualina Peace Rose and third Pam Bass also with a Peace Rose. The raffle was won by Joyce Morrison.

Dates for your calendar:
• 6th November 2LVR radio Open Day and sausage sizzle, RSVP by 2nd November;
• 22nd November Christmas luncheon at Vandenberg Hotel $45 to Elvy or Meg by 10th November;
• 28th February 2023 AGM at 1:30 pm at Northside Chapel.

By Sweet Pea

Snippets…

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Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange had some unu-sual visitors last week. Around 100 Jerusalem Donkeys (named for the cross on their backs) stayed in the yards overnight enroute from the Northern Territory. (Photo: FCWLE)

June Public Holiday Renamed: In recognition of the reign of King Charles III, the NSW Government has amended the Public Holidays Act 2010 to rename the Queen’s Birthday public holiday the King’s Birthday public holiday. The amendment has been gazetted and will be effective from 13th January next year. The holiday remains the same, save for a change in name. This means the King’s Birthday public holiday will still be recognised on the second Monday in June. Although Queen Elizabeth II’s actual birth date was 21st April 1926, in keeping with Royal tradition, official celebrations in the UK were held in June when there was a greater likelihood of fine weather for the Birthday Parade or Trooping of the Colour. NSW followed in that tradition.

New Skills For School Leavers: The ‘Class of 2022’ will be given the opportunity to access fee-free training to help them rapidly gain new skills for summer jobs in industries experiencing labour shortages such as hospitality, construction and early childhood education. The Summer Skills program will deliver 4,000 fee-free courses, with a focus on school leavers. Summer Skills courses will be available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations for people between 16 and 24 who have left school. For more visit www.skills.education.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/summer-skills.

Real-Time Traffic Updates: The NSW Government announced the first regional expansion to its LiveTraffic system, with the status of roads across 22 local government areas now available for navigation software such as Google Maps and Apple Maps. NSW Farmers Business, Economics and Trade Committee chair John Lowe said the widespread heavy rain and flooding had caused major problems for many local roads, posing a safety risk. “There are potholes you could hide a cow in at some places, and getting them back up to standard quickly and efficiently will be a big problem for authorities. It’s great to see the first stage of the NSW Government’s LiveTraffic upgrade come online for some of these flood-impacted areas.” He said people in the Central West and Riverina would be very keen for their area to come online sooner than later. “In the meantime, everyone needs to drive to the conditions, take extra care and remember: if it’s flooded, forget it!

Parkes Christian School could not have asked for a better day of sunshine for their Spring Fair on Saturday to celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary. There was a huge turn out and great entertainment, with Emma Baker having a cuddle with this cutie. (Photo: PCS)

Impressive Results For Local Physie Girls At Zone Championships

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The Lachlan Valley United team are (L-R) Rachel Bilsoborough, Ana Phillips, Eleanor Osborne, Deniesse Donaire, Sarah Hayward, Emily Riches, Danielle Hornery, Willow Frost and Louise Donnelly.

More than 60 members of Lachlan Valley United (LVU) took part in the annual Physical Culture Zone Championships held in Parkes last month with great results. 

The dedication and hard work from our committed teaching team and members saw our little country club come away with some very impressive results, including six zone champions, 21 places, 17 finalists and two teams placed first. 

They competed with clubs from Wagga- Wagga, Orange, Pinnacle, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orana, Mudgee and Parkes. 

Our members should be extremely proud of their amazing club spirt and sportsmanship displayed over the two days. Our club received so many compliments on all levels from other teachers, sectors and competitors. Proud just doesn’t seem to express how impressed we are with everyone involved. 

Physie has been in Condo for over 40 years, yet it is still relatively new and misunderstood by so many. It’s an extremely technical dance sport including Jazz, Ballet, Pilates and contemporary dance. Competitors need flexibility, control, memory and stamina to be able to compete successfully. 

The LVU team was awarded first place in the 5-6 and 9-10 age division. In the individual champion girl age sections results were as follows: 

• 5 Years 1st Zone Champion Adella Sloane, 2nd Stephanie Hornery 

• 6 Years 1st Zone Champion Harper Taylor, 2nd Ava Charters, 3rd Annabelle Barras, 4th London Sloane, top 12 finalist Mahalia Larry 

• 7 Years 2nd Aleigha Hornery, 4th Molly Betland, Top 12 finalist Sienna Small 

• 8 Years top 12 finalist Anabel Allen, Lucy Miles 

• 9 Years 1st Zone Champion Georgie Stewart, 2nd Willow Frost, 4th Danielle Hornery, top 12 finalists, Eleanor Osborne, Stella Jarick, Harlow Smith 

• 10 Years 1st Zone Champion Emily Riches, 2nd Ana Phillips, 3rd Deniesse Donaire, top 12 finalists Ruby Howarth, Elise Milne, Rachel Bilsoborough, 

• 11 Years 1st Place Zone Champion Maddi Hornery, 2nd Grace McDonald 

• 12 Years 1st Place Former LVU Student Maya Doyle, 3rd Zoe Fraser 

• 13 Years 2nd Place Karla Osborne, 4th Lacey Osborne, 

• 14 Years 1st Zone Champion Caitlyn Milne, finalists top 12 Zoe Bilsoborough, Emily Miles, Tayla Venables, 

• Beginner Novice ladies: 5th Emma Buckland, Top 12 finalists Bri Reardon, Amy Milne, Kaycee Walsh, Lauren Fraser, 

• Intermediate Ladies: 3rd place Emma McGee, 5th Beth Betland, finalist top 12 Beth Osborne 

• Open Ladies finalist top 12 Nakeria Clark 

All our place winners will now progress to represent LVU and our Central west Zone at the Physie National Championships to be held at Olympic Park Sydney at the end of November. 

We wish our seniors and quaffing ladies the best as they travel to Homebush this weekend to compete in their individual age divisions. Our senior and ladies teams compete the following weekend at Olympic Park. This will be the first time LVU has presented ladies teams. We can’t wait to share their progress. 

By Louise Donnelly

At the back (L-R) are Lily Waller, Sarah Hayward, GraceAllen, Rubie Howarth, Elise Milne, Louise Donnelly and Hollie Miles. In front are Emily Riches, Ana Phillips, Deniesse Donaire and Rachel Bilsoborough.

Our Bloke – David Brennan

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David Brennan

Where were you born? At Shoalhaven Hospital in Nowra.

Were you named after anyone? Not that I am aware of.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Progressing my career in hospitality to club management roles in a relatively short amount of time in the industry. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The 2019 bush fires in NSW. I remember walking outside of work at the time, on a Saturday night with virtually no customers inside, and the sky was an eerie black colour, and oddly quiet.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t be disheartened by trying to change the world overnight, and not being able to. Make positive, small steps and you will look back in the future and see the success. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Leaving my previous club, and moving to Parkes, to be the General Manager of the Leagues Club.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A fishing rod, matches and a (full) water bottle!

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would book flights to see my best friend who moved to the USA two years ago.

When are you happiest? Relaxing on the outdoor lounge with a cold beer in hand. 

A Major Feat For Forbes Band

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A Major Concert presented by the Forbes Town and District Band on Sunday saw an appreciative crowd of 120 people attending despite the challenges of floods and road closures. It was a great day featuring bands from across the district.

Help Ease Local Food Insecurity This Festive Season

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Woolworths customers are encouraged to make a dry food donation to its Local Community Food Drive campaign that will help out local families in need.

The Local Community Food Drive organised by Woolworths in Forbes and Parkes will help deliver food relief to those experiencing hardship in the lead-up to Christmas. 

The initiative started on Wednesday, and Forbes and Parkes Shire customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items. A specially marked Local Community Food Drive trolley has been placed in each store, and donated items can include: breakfast cereals, pasta, rice and instant noodles, canned fish or meat, spreads (peanut butter, honey, jam); and baked beans and spaghetti. 

Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many Australians with more than half a million households struggling to meet food needs, and more than two million households having gone hungry in the last 12 months, according to the 2022 FoodBank Hunger Report. 

Within these households, the number of children affected has increased by 100,000, resulting in 1.3 million children grappling without having food on their plate. 

Woolworths stores are working closely with local food charities to ensure Forbes and Parkes Shire residents in need will receive the donated items, along with fresh food to the value of $250 in time for the upcoming festive season. 

The Food Drive is a frontline community effort to help provide a solution for hunger relief, which has been exacerbated by the rising cost of living and changes in household living arrangements. 

“We’re asking Forbes and Parkes Shire customers who are in a position to do so, to join us in donating to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive on their next grocery shop, by simply adding non-perishable items to our trolleys. By making a small donation, you will be helping the wellbeing of our local community, providing them with the essentials they need,” said the managers of the two stores. 

Customers can donate in-store until 15th November.

Forbes Celebrates CWA Centenary In Style

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The fashion show was a big hit and was organised by Barb Goodger, Robyn Miller and Gail McKay.

The crowd could not get enough of the historical fashion extravaganza in the Forbes Town Hall on Sunday for the celebration of the centenary of the CWA in NSW.

The Forbes Evening Branch pulled out all stops to make it a memorable event with an afternoon tea in true CWA style.

“It went beyond our expectations, the support was just phenomenal,” said president Robyn Miller.

The Forbes Evening Branch organised a fashion show with garments depicting all the decades from 1922 when the CWA was established. “We managed to get frocks and dresses from members and their contacts,” said Robyn.

They loaned two special gowns from the Forbes Historical Museum that were put on display and included a Melbourne Cup dress from the 1920s and a wedding dress from 1931, while the History Group put up a display of the CWA in Forbes.

The afternoon also included dance performances by four soloists of Kristen’s Dance Academy who ensured the show kept rolling while the models were changing their garments.

Ann Reade, the newest life member of the Oxley Group, had the honour of cutting the celebratory cake.

“I am so proud of our branch members who did so much work for this event,” said Robyn. “My phone rang hot on Monday from people saying how lovely and special the day was.

“The CWA is an extraordinary organisation to be part of, and we have so much fun working on projects in the community.”

Be Seen @ CWA Fashion Show

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Jan Martin on the catwalk with a dress for her 40th wedding anniversary.

 

Bridie O’Malley in a wedding dress.

 

Ann Reade, life member of the Oxley Group, with one of the fashion garments on display.

Two Trundle Champions Qualify For Nationals

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Toby Morgan (left) and Isabella Skipworth are both very excited to have qualified for Nationals in Brisbane.

Two Trundle para-athletes have qualified for nationals after competing at PSSA State Athletics Carnival at Olympic Park in Sydney recently.

Toby Morgan and Isabella Skipworth both qualified for NSW Athletics team to compete at the School Sport Australia Track & Field Championship in Brisbane later this month.

Toby, who is a Year 4 student at Parkes East Public School, not only came first in the junior boys multi class 800m event, but also broke the record in the T34 200m event. The NSW record was 1:28 and he ran it in 47 seconds!

Isabella is a student at St Patrick’s Primary School in Trundle and she became the champion in multi-class discuss with a distance of 12.80m.

Toby has spina bifida, a condition that affects the spine, and his parents were told he would be in a wheelchair all his life.

Toby’s mum Kelly said they were extremely proud of Toby’s achievement. “When Toby was born, he had surgery on day one to close the lesion on his back and have a shunt inserted in his brain for his hydrocephalus,” she said. “Following the surgery, the neurosurgeon advised us that Toby would be in a wheelchair, however he has proven him wrong.”

She said Toby started walking a bit before he was two with the aid of a walking frame. “At that time his feet were almost turned backwards. His walking improved and the physio told us he would likely use the walker until he started school.”

He only used it for about six months and started walking on his own.

Toby wears splints on his legs as he has absolutely no muscle in his legs below the knees and partial paralysis in his feet. This however doesn’t stop him from playing soccer, tennis, touch football and now athletics. He went to State earlier this year for Cross Country.

Spring Photo Competition Winners

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The Spring Photo Competition Winners are: (clockwise from top left) Winner Parkes – Elizabeth Drady, winner Forbes – Peta Allen, second Parkes – Wendy Baigent, second Forbes – Katie Drady, third Forbes – Anne McLennan and third Parkes – Casper Jones.

We received plenty of beautiful images of birds, flowers, landscapes, pets and more from our readers for the Spring Photo Competition. The judges had a tough task picking the winners. Bec Bennet from Hold Photography picked 15-year-old Peta Allen as the Forbes winner, while Marc Payne from March Payne Photography named Elizabeth Drady as the Parkes winner.

Bec’s comments on Peta’s winning entry was: “Lovely composition, perfect mirroring of the silo in the water, nice warm colours, soft afternoon sky. Depicts a lovely country scene.” Marc said of Elizabeth’s winning shot: “It has impact, it fills the frame and is nicely exposed.”

The judges also wanted to give a special mention to the second and third place winners.

• Forbes 2nd: Katie Drady: “Skiing in theflood waters. Great concept, great current scene for our region.”

• Forbes 3rd Anne McLennan: “Great composition, beautiful bright colours, goodfocus.”

• Parkes 2nd: Wendy Baigent “Image fillsthe frame and has nice colour, gives impact.”

• Parkes 3rd: Casper Jones “The use oflight is gorgeous in this image and thelight in the cat’s eyes draws you in.”

Peta and Elizabeth have each won a family photo session with Bec and Marc respectively.

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