Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

FASC Massive Weekend Of Racing To Finish 2021

November 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

OFF AND RACING: The last round of the MX series was held on the weekend at Forbes Autosports Club with huge numbers turning out for the event. Photo courtesy of FASC and PeeWee Photography.

There were smiles from ear-to-ear as competitors from across the region turned out for the Forbes Autosports Club last round of MX and second last round for DT.

With perfect conditions for the first ride for many in months, the day wasn’t so much about the racing but the comrade-ship and getting back on the bike!

“Massive thankyou to our flag marshall, parents, riders and most of all the hard working committee for getting today up and going and making everything run so smoothly,” a statement from the FASC said.

“Today was a phenomenal day and it was great to see so many new faces. This was the last round of MX for the year due to COVID, congratulations to all our podium winners and competitors.”

The collection bucket for ‘Chelsie Farmer Fundraiser’ also raised over $260, in a great showing of generosity by those who attended and it will be money well used for the Farmer family.

“We hope you all enjoyed today as much as we did and we can’t wait to see all you MX riders back in 2022!”

The last event (Round 3) DT will be held in a few weeks so watch this space!

Mayoral Notes

November 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Wow, wasn’t Taste on Templar spectacular last weekend! I want to congratulate the Forbes Business Chamber on this wonderful event, I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from everyone. This event space will see many events over the coming years and I can’t wait to share the next installment of improvements in the coming months when pergolas will be installed at all corners of the street.

This week will be our last Council Meeting for this Council term. It has been a long term, that is for sure, but I would like to thank my fellow Councillors’ in achieving as much as we have over the last five and a bit years. We truly have the community’s best interest at heart when we are making decisions in the Chamber.

We have had our challenges during this time; drought, Covid-19 and a record capital program to deliver on. We are all very proud to have the largest residential estate in Forbes’ history on the market and new developments around our beautiful Lake. This coupled with the developments at the Central West Livestock Exchange and our Industrial Estates sees a very bright future for our manufacturing, agriculture and industries in the Shire. We are also very proud to do all of this and not be in the red!

This column will be handed over to our General Manager, Steve Loane, for the next 6-8 weeks while the Local Government elections take place.

Take care and God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Be Seen

November 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

DOG DAY AFTERNOON: With a record harvest on the horizon, every man, woman and his dog were on hand on the farm on the weekend.

HALLOWEEN FUN: Lindy Colvin and Kerry Locke at the Commercial Hotel enjoying Halloween shenanigans and holding the fort for Chris Hodge behind the bar.

FAIR-LY GOOD DAY: Paige Nicholson with son Miles Wren at the Forbes Fair last weekend. From all reports the little man had a great time and shoots better than dad!

SCHOOLS OUT, YOUR SHOUT: Even some of our favourite teachers and childcare educators turned out for Taste On Templar last Saturday night.

ACHO’S DOING IT RIGHT: Acheson’s Mitre 10 held
a BBQ last Saturday along with Forbes Lions to raise funds for the global charity in another positive initiative by Acheson’s who have also opened a new garden centre and are offering a variety of amazing shopping experiences for locals.

PERFECT DAY FOR IT: There were plenty of boats and kayaks on the lake over the weekend as well as plenty of fishing. Pic by @nautiquesport_200.

NO CLOWNING AROUND: Ruben and Luke Molloy couldn’t wait to have a crack at the clowns at the Forbes Fair last weekend.

TASTE BUDS READY: Mayor Phyllis Miller with patrons at the Hazell and Field Accountants and Advisors Taste On Templar event last Saturday night to raise vital funds for the Forbes CanAssist Branch.

New Board For Croquet Club As Newcomers Flock To Sport

November 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Croquet Club has a new board with some familiar faces also returning to the popular social sporting group as well as new officer bearers yet it is the plethora of new players that would surely have the committee smiling. If it wasn’t before it is now cool to play croquet!

With 31 players in attendance last Saturday in balmy conditions, there were many new faces including families playing for the first time together and visitors from out of town. The general consensus being this won’t be the first or the last time they play the game of royals.

The Forbes Croquet Club new committee is as follows. Office bearers were President Elvy Quirk, Vice-President Kevin Rubie, Secretary Colleen Liebich, Treasurer Elvy Quirk along with her assistant Marie Spry. Committee members are John Browne, Ray Burridge, John Farah, Neville Spry and John Allegri. Publicity Officer is Tony Thomson again while the Public Officer John Browne.

At the weekend Sandy Hepburn’s wife Wilma passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to Sandy and family.

By Pegging Out

Pfizer ADRF Clinic Returns Tomorrow

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Western NSW Local Health District are returning with the Australian Defence Force to deliver second doses of Pfizer and will be standing up clinic in Forbes tomorrow Saturday 30th October by invitation only. People who received their first vaccine doses at our previous Forbes ADF walk-in clinics will be contacted by Western NSW Local Health District by either text or telephone to confirm their second dose, as well as date, time and location of clinic.

Consistent Scores In Sunshine

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

SOLID: Stephen Uphill times his drive perfectly during last Saturday’s Individual Stableford at Forbes Golf Club for the Peter Dawson sponsored golf day.

The Saturday Men’s golf competition was a Stableford event, sponsored by Peter Dawson. 87 players turned out in idyllic conditions.

Division 1 winner was Paul Pymont on a count back from Jono Morell, with both finishing on 38 points while in Division 2 a count back was needed to separate Max Haley from Wayne O’Neill after both had scored 39 points. Max’s 21 points on the back-9 however proved the difference.

The ball sweep went to 34 points, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s were – 9th Paul Kay, 18th George Falvey and the 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Peter Dawson.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had a solid field, all who were keen to enjoy the sun once again.The winner was Matt Roylance with 42 points from Ben Robinson on 36 points. The ball sweep went to 35 points with Nick Greenhalgh snapping that up.

On Saturday 30 October, the Men’s event is the November Monthly Medal, sponsored by Jelbarts Tyrepower. Sunday has a Stableford Medley.

Do not forget the NSW Country Championships on November 6 and 7, followed by the Forbes Nissan Classic weekend.

By Short Putt

Applications Open For 2022 Regional Youth Taskforce

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Young people in regional NSW looking to make a difference in their community are encouraged to apply to be a part of next year’s Regional Youth Taskforce, a Ministerial advisory group with a strong voice into government.

Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said “The Regional Taskforce will comprise 18 members, with two members representing each of NSW’s nine regions, and will meet four times throughout the year.”

Travel and accommodation will be covered for RYT members. Applications close Friday 19 November 2021 at www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/regional-youth-taskforce/regional-youth-taskforce-recruitment-2022.

Snippets…

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

35 YEARS: Brett Clarke has been at Aussie Biscuits for 35 years and seen more biscuits than a High Tea Party. He credits his love of the job to the people he works with and his fur babies at home. Well done mate! Pic courtesy of Aussie Biscuits/ Aruma.

Brett’s As Aussie As The Biscuit

Recently, Brett Clarke, one of the workers at Aussie Biscuits, celebrated his 35th year at the not-for-profit, and says the camaraderie is what makes his job so awesome. “The feeling that I get when I walk into work, it always makes me feel good,” he said. “Oh, and all the talking we do is good exercise – works the jaw bones!” Outside of work, Brett’s big loves are his dogs (Suzie, Sparky, The Big Oof, Molly, Wolly, and Peaches) and his pet python George, who’s only given him a ‘love bite’ once! www.aussiebiscuits.com.au

Old Abbies Site Sold

It’s been sitting there since 2003 but now the site of the former abattoir on the northern side of town has been sold, and developers have a big vision for the near half a million-acre property to the delight of Mayor Phyllis Miller. In an online social media post, the Mayor announced the sale and touched on the fact developers had already “put out feelers.”

“They hope to re-purpose the old abattoir site and they’ve got some great ideas meaning this is going to be another amazing development in Forbes.”

Paul Johnston is based in Forbes and involved in the redevelopment of the property with Rob Britt from Brisull Investments who is based in Sydney.

$250 Thank You Vouchers

If you’re Forbes resident with school-aged children in 2021 then the good news is you are due to receive a $250 “thank you” from the State Government as part of the NSW Government’s Economic Recovery Strategy released last week. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers are to stimulate economic activity in cities and regions with a strong focus on rebuilding and supporting businesses and communities. Only families who had a school-aged child in 2021 will receive the bonus which will be available in the form of vouchers from Service NSW in March.

RDA Appoints New CEO

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) has welcomed Mr. Wayne Sunderland as CEO. Mr. Sunderland, who has a strong background in business and leadership, said he is dedicated to continuing the work of his predecessor Mr. Sam Harma. “I look forward to working with the team at RDA Central West and forming new connections across all levels of government, the private sector and our local community organisations.”

PROMISING OUTLOOK: New RDA CEO Wayne Sutherland has some grand plans for the region and acknowledges there will be some work to do to lead the region through the post COVID economic recovery period in the next few years. Pic courtesy of FSC.

$500M For Events And Tourism

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

REGIONAL FUNDING: NSW Regional Tourism and Events have received a massive $500m injection from the State Government to restart industry in rural NSW after nearly two years of COVID enforced lockdowns. Pic courtesy of FSC and Amazing Forbes.

A $500 million support package to revive the events and tourism industry across NSW will be a game changer that will turbo charge a post COVID economic recovery, according to the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW. Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced the package, which includes each adult being provided a $50 voucher to spend on accommodation anywhere in the State.

“Business NSW has been telling Government since the start of the pandemic that different industries were being impacted in different ways, but the tourism, hospitality and events sector has been the hardest hit,” said Business NSW Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“What is particularly pleasing is this is not a Sydney centric package but recognises that all of NSW has a part to play in the economic recovery through regional events and tourism. We recently hosted an online roundtable with the Premier and a number of Western NSW businesses to discuss how best to assist our recovery, so it’s so pleasing to see a number of the suggestions from our members coming to fruition, including the accommodation vouchers and the support for cancelled events,” Ms Seccombe said.

Mayoral Notes

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

We are so excited to see Templar Street host the first event since the refurbishment of this wonderful space. Taste on Templar tickets have sold out and the Business Chamber is expecting over 300 people to attend the event. I would like to congratulate the team for pulling this event together through such a tumultuous time.

Council is aware of the local snake handler planning to retire. Whilst snake catching isn’t part of Council’s core community function we can announce that two staff are being trained to help with snake catching duties around town. Council will provide snake catching services on an ‘as available basis’ between the hours of 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday during the seasons of high snake activity. Council has approached the retiring Forbes’ local reptile handler to provide mentoring and support to our Council Rangers throughout the cur-rent snake season.

Take care and God Bless.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Brett’s As Aussie As The Biscuit

Old Abbies Site Sold

$250 Thank You Vouchers

RDA Appoints New CEO

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