Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

Three Life Members For Croquet

November 4, 2022 by Pegging Out

We had 26 players for Aussie Croquet last Saturday. It was good to be back after all the rain and to see a nice sunny day. There were six players who won three games: Sandy Hepburn, John Browne, Merv Langfield, Elvy Quirk, Nevillle Spry and Bill Scott.

BIG WINNERS

14—8 Elvy Quirk and John Job; 14—9 Elvy Quirk and John Browne, Sandy Hepburn and Ray Burridge, John Browne and Alex Todd.

After our games we held our annual general meeting and election of office bearers: President – Elvy Quirk; Vice-President – Kevin Rubie, Secretary – Colleen Liebich; Treasurer – Elvy Quirk; Vice-Treasurer – May Jones; Committee – John Browne, Neville Spry, John Farah, Ray Burridge and Allan Jones; Publicity Officer – Tony Thomson.

Three members were made life members for their untiring work for the club. Congratulations to Elvy Quirk, Neville Spry and John Browne!

We had 28 keen players on Tuesday who dad to duck in and out of showers of rain. There were five players that managed three games: Ray Burridge, John Farah, Kevin Rubie Mal Smith and Peter West

BIG WINNERS

11-2 Peter West and Mal Smith; 10 – 3 John Browne and John Job, Colleen Liebich and John Farah, Peter West and John Job.

SOME CLOSE GAMES

Allan Jones and Neville Spry 7 Merv Langfield and Noel Jolliffe 6; Jill Rubie and Bruce Field 7 May Jones and Tony Thomson 6; Noel Jolliffe and Jenny Job 7 Bill Scott and Rex Toole 6; Ray Burridge and Peter West 7 John Job and Allan Jones 6; Noel Jolliffe 7 Fay Picker and Carolyn Neilsen 6; Kevin Rubie and Ray Burridge 8 Elvy Quirk and Bruce Field 5; Iren Ford and Bill Scott 8 John Job and Vince Roberts 5; Dorelle Scott and Mal Smith 8 Marie Spry and John Browne 5; Kevin Rubie and Alex Todd 8 Vince Roberts and Fay Picker 5; Elvy Quirk and Bill Scott 8 Neville Spry and Rex Toole 5; John Farah and Iren Ford 8 Colleen Liebich and Tony Thomson 5; Marie Spry and Jill Rubie 9 Sally Perry and Rex Toole 4

By Pegging Out

Parkes Golf Foursome Championship

November 4, 2022 by Peter Bristol

The Parkes Golf Club held its annual 27-hole Foursomes Championship on Saturday. The club also had a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Day, co-ordinated by Leonie Stevenson.

In the men’s division 1 Aaron Wilkie and Joe Van Opynen were the winners with a 113 only 6 over par for the day. In division 2 the pairing of Ross Smith and Wayne Parker won the event for this year.

In the men’s A grade nett Ian Hendry and Peter Bristol took out the event and Ross Smith and Wayne Parker were successful in the men’s B grade nett.

In the ladies A grade Anita Medcalf and Dale Matthews were winners in the scratch in front of Kathy Jeffress and Kristine Smith. Anita and Dale won the nett event 4 clear of Cathy Kelly and Colleen Staples. In the ladies B grade scratch Kaye Inglis and Jenny Hoy were successful. Kaye and Jenny also won the nett event.

The Nearest The Pins this week were: Idlerite Tyrepower 1st by M.Skene at 244cm, the Griffins Leading Edge 4th by Joe Van Opynen at 275cm, the Dirt Doctor Landscaping 6th Colleen Staples at 270cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Anthony Riach at 197cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Damien Noll at 93cm, the Westlime 15th by Steve Betland at 300cm and the Central West Glass 18th by John Betland at 45cm. The lucrative 6th hole was won by Colleen Staples at 270cm this week.

For the ladies Jenny Hoy won the B grade 4th, Colleen Staples won the 6th and Jacqie Charlton claimed the C grade 11th.

Ball winners were: Ron Hetherington and Trevor Chatman 108.5, Michael Thomas and Max Keith, Peter Magill and Brendon Simpson 109.5, Ben Howard and Anthony Riach 111.5, John Green and Luke Clarke 111.75, David Stevenson and Craig Matthews 112.

This weekend is the Telescope Tyres & Batteries/Hankook Masters Monthly Medal. Griffins Leading Edge Putting Competition in conjunction / Wally Norman Memorial Medal. Final of the Medal of Medals Sponsor – Parkes Betta Home Living; Final of the Putter of Putters Sponsor – Griffins Leading Edge.

By Peter Bristol

Women Trot Out For Bowls

November 4, 2022 by Lea Orr

Melbourne Cup morning dawned clear with a fantastic turnout of 33 keen bowlers in bright spring-time outfits (covered by warm jackets) who hoofed it out onto the turf to try their luck.

Twelve ends of blue-ribbon play saw Sue, Rosemary and Joe accept the laurel and cash for the first gallop.

Dazzling bowls in the Diamond League of Game 2 by Rhona, Fran and Darryl, out-classing the field to take the win and cheque.

Catering in the Birdcage was in full swing –many thanks to Sandy and Lea and allthe helpers who took a turn.

As Cup time drew closer, Gary conducted an entertaining auction of saddle cloth numbers, much to the amusement of punters and onlookers! Well done Merilyn, scoring the best result for a small outlay. Thanks to Rhona for the fabulous raffle prize. Lucky Bob Freeman tucked that in his saddle bags!

The best of luck to our triples team, Jan, Marja and Liz, contesting the playoffs of the District Triples in Forbes tomorrow.

The final of the club Minor Pairs will be played next Tuesday: K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker

By Lea Orr

Denise In Australian Hockey Team For Fifth Time

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Denise Gersbach and Maureen Massey, with Graeme Thompson on the right.

Parkes hockey player Denise Gersbach has been selected in the Australian Over 50s team to compete in the Trans-Tasman Challenge in Christchurch, New Zealand in May next year.

Denise will be representing Australia for the fifth time in New Zealand.

Two other Parkes players have been selected as shadow players for Australian teams.

Maureen Massey as a shadow goalkeeper for the Australian over 65s team, and Graeme Thompson as a shadow player for the Australian over 45’s team.

Unfortunately for Maureen, Australia could not select an over 70s team, which is Maureen’s age division, due to a lack of numbers on New Zealand’s part. This means Maureen had to compete with the 65-year-olds for a spot in the team.

If Maureen gets called up it would be her eighth time to represent in the green and gold.

The Trans-Tasman is a three match tournament between Australia and New Zealand for men and women’s teams from over 35s to over 65s every second year.

The men have an over 70s age division.

We keep our fingers crossed for Maureen and Graeme, and congratulations to Denise!

A Sunny Day For Bowls

October 28, 2022 by Lea Orr

Tuesday morning dawned bright and sunny and attracted 17 ladies to the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club for a social roll up.

We welcomed a couple of new belles to our very social group. Thanks to Joe D, Judy Chambers and Judy Nobes now know the basics of lawn bowls! Lynn Ryan and Lea Orr followed up the training, combining with the newbies in a friendly game of pairs. Hope you enjoyed yourselves, girls, despite the caffeine withdrawal at 11am!

The Grade 3 Pennants ladies teamed up for some extra practice in preparation for the State playoffs next month. Brenda Davies/Di Howell/Maureen Miller/Liz Byrne came away with the win against Marja Iffland/Heather Harvey/Rhona Went after playing some impressive close ends.

A well-matched game of triples resulted in Gwenda Carty/Maureen Baillie/Rosemary Mitchell just going down to Frances Charlton/Kay Craft/Joan Simpson on rink 2.

Maureen M, Marja and Judy C each pocketed cash in the 100’s club (that should entice Judy back to cover her next green fees)!

Next Tuesday, 1st November is our Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival for a 10am start. Mixed 2-bowl triples, 2 games of 13 ends. Teams will be drawn after this Saturday, so please put your names down at the bar! $20 covers lunch, green fees and bubbles. Non-players lunch $10. Wear Spring mufti and join in all the excitement of cup day. Sweeps are already available at the club.

Looking ahead, the final of the Minor Pairs Championship will be contested on 8th November, between K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker. Good luck to each of you. Social Roster: Rose Mitchell

By Lea Orr

Gary Wins Minor Singles

October 28, 2022 by Marthy Tighe

Gary McPhee is the 2022 Minor Singles champion.

The final of the 2022 Minor Singles was played on a heavy green at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Sunday.

Mick Simpson, who has taken the bowls scene by storm this year, played last year’s runner-up Gary McPhee. Gary has been in scintillating form of late and was the favourite for the title, which was played in front of 20 spectators under humid conditions.

The first 7 ends belonged to the underdog, as Mick didn’t hold back, leading by 10 shots to 5, helped by a classy 4 on the second end. Gary held his nerve, picking up a 4 on the ninth end to bring the match to level scores, as both bowlers delivered, and then defended draw shots and their shots near the jack.

Gary eventually regained the lead and was leading by 18 to 15, after which he was never headed, demonstrating his experience in the big moments, and won the title by 25 shots to 16.

Both Bowlers played great bowlers and it was unfortunate that there had to be a loser in the final. Congratulations Mick Simpson on a great singles campaign in majors and minors grade this year.

Last Thursday’s social bowls were washed out again, and on Saturday only 10 social bowlers took the punt on bowling a few ends and they managed to reach the jack occasionally, before the next rain event swept across the greens.

By Marthy Tighe

Melbourne Cup Has A Local Connection This Year

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The 1.65kg of gold for this year’s Melbourne Cup came from Evolution’s Cowal Mine 100km west of Forbes. The Melbourne Cup Tour included Forbes in September when residents could get a photo with the famous trophy.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous thoroughbred horse race held over a distance of 3,200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

With a total prize money of almost $8 million, it is the richest “two-mile” handicap in the world and one of the richest turf races.

It is held on the first Tuesday of November each year, and known as the ‘race that stops a nation’.

This year the Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday, 1st November at 3pm.

The Melbourne Cup has a long tradition, with the first race held in 1861 when the winner received a gold watch. The first Melbourne Cup trophy was awarded in 1865 and was an elaborate silver bowl on a stand that had been manufactured in England. This is currently owned by Australian wine personality Wolf Blass and is on display at the Wolf Blass Gallery & Museum/Adelaide Hills Wine Bar in Hahndorf, South Australia.

In 1876 Edward Fischer, an immigrant from Austria produced the first Australian-made trophy. In the Second World War years (1942, 1943 and 1944) the winning owner received war bonds valued at 200 pounds.

A new trophy is struck each year and becomes the property of the winning owner. In the event of a dead heat, a second cup is on hand. The present trophy is hand spun from 1.65 kg of 18-carat gold, and the gold for this year’s trophy came from Evolution’s Cowal Mine west of Forbes.

That is why Forbes was included in the annual Melbourne Cup Tour this year. Many residents lined up last month to get a photo of them holding the 18-carat trophy.

Phil Runs Again

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP officially announced his intent to contest the NSW State election for the seat of Orange on 25th March next year.

“I continue to be 100% committed to serving the people of our communities here in the Orange electorate, and greater regional NSW,” he said.

Phil was first elected in the 2016 by-election, triggered by the resignation of former sitting member Andrew Gee, when he was voted in by a margin of just 55 votes taking the seat from the National Party after 69 years.

“Since I’ve been elected, the Orange electorate has seen record funding and investment from the NSW Government for services and infrastructure, proving that a non-government representative has helped our community get the attention it deserves.

“Not having to toe a government or big party line, I’ve been able to strenuously advocate for the community, without fear or favour – which can only be achieved by not being a member of the government,” Phil said.

Jessica Wins Prestigious Award

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Jessica Ashcroft with her NRL Award.

“When they announced the award and the prize, I thought in my head ‘oh wow that would be nice, especially watching the NRL grand final’, and then next minute my name was called up!”

Jessica Ashcroft of the Forbes Magpies was named the 2022 Women in League Award winner recently.

She had no idea she was nominated for the NRL award, which is presented to someone who has acted as an exceptional advocate for the advancement and opportunity of women in rugby league.

“I had so many mixed emotions and was shocked and excited, but most of all proud. Everyone knew except me! When I was standing up there, I had to say a speech and to be quite honest I couldn’t say much as I was still speechless.”

Jessica has played rugby league for Forbes Magpies Junior Rugby League Club from a young age and is an exceptional player for the club’s senior competition. She always looks for opportunities to pass on her knowledge and skills to others.

She has been described as a wonderful role model for the youth of the club, girls, and boys. Coaching the under 8s, refereeing for the club and mentoring upcoming referees are just some of the ways Jessica makes a significant impact on youth at her club.

Going forward Jessica said: “My goal within the footy aspect would be to referee at an NRL game. This has been a goal of mine for a while and I’m slowly getting there refereeing different ages and events. I went to Tuggerah, Central Coast to referee the women’s state titles.”

She said the recognition of the award had inspired her to push harder and further as a referee and player.

Mix of Reactions To Federal Budget

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says while the first Labor budget contains promising announcements, rural communities will be “bitterly disappointed”.

“Critical drought-proofing efforts such as Dungowan and Wyangala dams have been ‘deferred’, and the likelihood of more water buybacks means there will be less water for agriculture once the rain stops.

“Rural communities are already looking at major economic losses as a result of this widespread flooding, the last thing they need is even less certainty into the future.”

Xavier said investments into research and development to help lower emissions from agriculture was a positive move, as were efforts to improve education and training amid a major worker shortage.

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, acknowledged the government’s commitment to delivering on its commitments and putting fiscal repair at the heart of a budget which forecasts a challenging outlook for businesses already grappling with labour shortages, higher prices and global disruption.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a projected deficit of $36.9 billion for the 2022/23 financial year, an improvement of $41.1 billion.

“In a challenging economic environment, there is no doubt this budget makes the hard decisions to kick off the process of getting us back in the black,” said Business NSW, Regional Director – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“With energy prices forecast to skyrocket next year, we welcome a $62.6 million boost for an energy efficiency grants program and a commitment to establish a $20 billion fund for energy transmission.

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Parkes Phoenix Editor

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