Parkes Phoenix Editor

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

$1.5 Million To Enhance Youth Mental Health Services

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: The Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform will be embedded in eight eligible youth mental health services across NSW between now and 30 June 2022. Pic courtesy of FSC.

Young people across NSW will have access to expanded digital mental health support thanks to a $1.5m investment from the NSW Government. The Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform, designed by youth mental health organisation Orygen, will be embedded in eight eligible youth mental health services across NSW between now and 30 June 2022.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the evidence-based digital intervention was designed to provide instant access to specialist support for people during a challenging time.

“This is all about connecting young people with online resources that they can use to improve their mental health and wellbeing as well as connecting them with a network of peers and mental health clinicians,” said Mrs Taylor.

“For those who need more intensive support, the platform will also help young people engage with clinical services face-to-face for immediate and ongoing mental health support.”

Mrs Taylor said the application would also lighten the load for clinical services which have been inundated by increased demand.

“We know that services are under pressure, young people will currently wait between six to eight weeks for a psychologist appointment at headspace, so it’s vital we continue to connect young people to a range of help.”

The most platform can be accessed 24/7 from a range of devices including mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services: · Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Mayoral Notes

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

It’s the question on everyone’s lips at the moment, how is the COVID situation in Forbes? We haven’t had any new cases this past week which is really good news. The Australian Defence Force is back in Forbes this weekend to administer the second doses to those who took part a few weeks ago. You will be contacted by West-ern NSW Local Health District by either text or telephone to confirm. Make sure you bring your Medicare card.

There has been some concerns about the pool not opening the beginning of October and we are working with NSW Health to see if we can rectify this. We will keep you updated.

Our wonderful Works team along with Darren Cowan Welding and Knights Cranes have been very busy during this lockdown. We are planning to party when the rules change and this is the location we want to hold that party!

Some of you may have seen the visuals of the future furniture work to be done in Templar Street on social media. It is so exciting, I cannot wait to see this street come together. This work has been funded by Stronger Country Communities and Building Better Regions and we cannot be more thankful to the State and Federal Government’s for this amazing contribution.

Fingers crossed we will be out of lock-down very soon, say a prayer we can open up to our new normal life.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Be Seen

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

FULL: Forbes shire is experiencing mild/ moderate flooding after more rain and water released from Wyangala recently. Photo by Sarah Williams.

CURRENT NSW LOCKDOWN Shaded areas such as Forbes remain in lockdown for now while others such as Cowra have enjoyed more freedoms since last weekend.

DONATION: Forbes Domino’s strike again this time donating pizzas to Forbes SES volunteers for all their tireless efforts the past few weeks as Forbes braces itself for flooding.

Full HSC To Go Ahead

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

HSC GREEN LIGHT: HSC exams will go ahead from November 9, 2021. Students from Forbes High and Red Bend will be able to sit their HSC exams and receive their results in time for university offers to be made.

All HSC students will get the opportunity to complete their studies in 2021, with the full complement of HSC exams to go ahead from November 9, 2021. Students will be able to sit their HSC exams and receive their results in time for university offers to be made.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on December 3.

Students will receive their ATARs on January 20, 2022, with their HSC results released on January 24.

Strict COVID safe protocols supported by NSW Health will be in place to protect students, exam supervisors and school staff when HSC exams commence.

The protocols for a COVID-safe HSC require exam supervisors to be fully vaccinated and strongly encourage eligible HSC students to receive two vaccine doses before exams start.
68,710 students are on track to receive the HSC in 2021, according to the HSC Enrolment Snapshot which was released on Monday by NESA.

View the 2021 HSC exam timetable: https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables/hsc-written-exam-timetable
View COVID-safe exam protocols: educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-19-advice

Panthers v Eels In Western Sydney Finals Derby

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Having beaten South Sydney the last five times they played, it was always going to be a matter of time before the Rabbitohs bumped into Penrith again and jagged a win. Both teams have been among the top three all year and any Wayne Bennett lead side is too good to not fight back. With Souths it was their defence that needed fixing and that is what won them a classic qualifying final against the Panthers 16-10 on Saturday night.

Playing for the first time in a month, Forbes Ferrari Charlie Staines had an indifferent night for Penrith with a bad defensive read (that led to a try), a tough dropped ball and rustiness due to lack of game time. It also didn’t help that Dylan Edwards and Moses Leota were both scratched at kick-off. Staines will now sit out this week and hope for a start should they win and play Melbourne.

Penrith must beat arch-rivals Parramatta for the right to play Melbourne the following week in a grand final qualifier. Whatever happens it makes for intriguing viewing. Both Penrith and Parramatta have beaten Melbourne this year.

Tip: Panthers 1-12

Classrooms Preparing For Students Return

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

As students and staff are preparing for a return to face-to-face learning, NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the state government is carrying out a systematic review of all learning spaces to ensure all schools continue to operate in the safest ways possible.

The review will focus on ventilation in classrooms and also provide support to schools to adapt lessons to make full use of school facilities including outdoor learning areas.

“This is a mammoth task, as we have 2,200 schools in the public system with more than 50,000 learning spaces. The health of students and staff has always been our priority,” Ms Mitchell said.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Ms Mitchell said they have made “significant increases in hygiene practices”.

“Advice and supplies will continue to be provided to principals to ensure they can operate their school in a COVID safe way”.

Schools will be communicating how they are implementing the Level 3 restrictions in their own settings. Parents are encouraged to look online or in newsletters to learn about new procedures that have been introduced.

For updated information on the return to school and restrictions, visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families.

Ongoing wellbeing support: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/wellbeing-for-students-and-families.

Snippets

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

CENTRAL WEST VACCINATION RATES

As of last Monday, 8 of the 11 local government areas (LGAs) are now above 80% vaccination for 1st dose and the remaining three LGA’s are now over 70% heading towards 80% quickly. Following the successful ADF vaccination walk-in clinics across the region, the rollout of the clinics 2nd Pfizer dose starts across the region this week. So, please book your vaccination tomorrow, if you’ve not done so already. You can check your eligibility and book a vaccine online here: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines. Importantly, NSW Health has announced that the interval between doses for AZ has now been reduced to a minimum of 4 weeks (down from 12 weeks), for everyone across NSW.

FORBES SHOW DEADLINE 20TH SEPTEMBER

After such a wonderful response to the pavilion online competition we are pleased to announce the Forbes Online Show Livestock and Pet section entries are open from now until the 20/9/21. Please send entries to our Facebook page or email forbesshow@gmail.com

INSURANCE REMINDER

Message to all Home and Caravan Owners! It’s important to always be prepared for floods if you live in the Lachlan River area. Now’s the time to get prepared. Make sure your insurance is adequate to your situation and risk and up to date. Visit the Insurance Council of Australia website.

CENTRAL WEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

‘There’s no place like home’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s (RDA Central West) annual photography competition. Applicants are encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown. Entry is free and open to all ages and photographic abilities. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 24th September. More information is available at www.rdacentralwest.org.au

MICE SET TO RETURN

As we head into spring, landholders are encouraged to control mice at the first sign of crop damage to reduce numbers prior to harvest. To help cover the cost of baiting, eligible primary producers can apply for a rebate of 50% on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000. To find out more visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/ NSW Farmers NSW Rural Assistance Authority NSW Department of Primary Indus-tries. And remember lots of mice means more snakes like the 2m Brown (pictured) our out-of-retirement Forbes Snake-catcher caught this week in Parkes!

SNAKE ALERT: Snakes are out and about across the Forbes and Parkes Shire now that spring has arrived. There have been numerous reports forcing our resident snake-catcher to come out of retirement.

2nd Dose ADF Vax Clinics Commence From This Weekend

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

ADF VAX CLINIC THIS WEEKEND: ADF run 2nd dose vax clinics will be back operating from Forbes Town Hall this weekend Sept 18-20.

Supported by Western NSW Local Health District, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will begin administering second doses of COVID-19 vaccines this weekend in Forbes and other centres as the next phase of a region-wide vaccination blitz starts.

The ADF will return to more than 30 communities across the district in the next three weeks to hold second-dose clinics, which will result in thousands of residents being fully vaccinated.

The clinics over the next three weeks are only for second doses, the ADF will not deliver first doses, and they are not walk-in clinics.

The people who received the Pfizer vaccine will be contacted with advice on when they can return to their relevant clinic to receive their second dose.

Those who received AstraZeneca will be contacted with advice on how to receive their second dose of the vaccine, in line with the recommended interval between first and second doses. Locations and dates below for our region are as follows:

• Parkes: Northparkes Oval 14 September – 16 September
• Forbes: Council Town Hall 18 September – 20 September

Donato Unhappy With State Road Map

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

ROADMAP TO NOWHERE: NSW Shooters Party MP Phil Donato has questioned the NSW Liberal Berejiklian Government over the Roadmap to Freedom.

NSW Shooters Party MP and Member for Orange, Philip Donato, has criticised the NSW Government for their Roadmap to Freedom. Donato believes what we currently have are merely a new set of conditions without any defined point at which we can reclaim a life of real freedom and without health order restrictions.

“On September 9th the Premier and her Deputy released their document titled “Roadmap to Freedom” www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/roadmap-to-freedom-unveiled-for-fully-vaccinated
“This isn’t a map at all, it’s yet another mishmash variety of the Government’s health order restrictions which are confusing to community and business,” he said. “Freedom doesn’t come with T’s & C’s or strings attached. We need a solid plan with a realistic vaccination goal of the willing, at which our lives are no longer controlled by health order restrictions.”

Donato also said he believed that the impacts had driven many to breaking point as businesses close, mortgages default and relationships and mental health become strained.

“The NSW Government has subscribed to the Doherty Institute’s modelling, which is centred on 50, 60, 70 and 80% vaccination targets. The modelling shows substantial COVID transmission reduction by 70 and 80% targets. Given this is the accepted measure, 80% vaccination is the official high target and therefore the point at which society should resume normality, free of health order restrictions,” Donato said. “I’m calling on the Premier to give us a defined benchmark for the return of our pre-COVID freedom.”

Miss Ezmae Primed For Sydney Cup After Big Richmond Win

September 17, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

SYDNEY CUP BOUND: Raymond Smith trained Miss Ezmae is all primed for the Sydney Cup after a sensational track-record breaking run over 717m at Richmond last Sunday night. Photo courtesy of Adam Dobbin and The Greyhound Recorder. INSET: Photo finish of Miss Ezmae gets home by a length after a neck-and-neck battle with Super Estrella.

Miss Ezmae claimed her tenth win from only 16 starts on Sunday night at the Richmond track shaving two-tenths of the record in the process with an impressive 41.42 over the 717 metre carry. Even second placed Super Estrella took two lengths off the previous mark held by Blue Lorian back in 2011.

With Jungle Deuce iced for three weeks now with split webbing after Friday night’s track record breaking run in Temora, all eyes were on Miss Ezmae to see how she would fair in one of her biggest tests yet.

The Raymond Smith charger never had it all her own way, as she duelled with Super Estrella on a perfect night for racing. The daughter of Barcia Bale finally broke free from Super Estrella to score by a length in a dogged affair that seemed more like a war of attrition.

“When she was chasing Super Estrella I was just hoping she’d hang in there in the hope she might be close enough to get her late,” trainer Raymond Smith said after the win to The Greyhound Recorder’s Adam Dobbin.

“My bitch had a great preparation going into the race and it was a beautiful night for racing so it wasn’t a total surprise she broke the track record,” said Smith. “But to break it by so much was – she’s just got so much ability, which her record shows.”

Miss Ezmae secured her third track record in Sunday’s Richmond romp, her previous records established at Dubbo (605m) and Bathurst (618m).

Smith will now focus on the COVID-19 rescheduled ($100,000) Sydney Cup at Wentworth Park with heats slated for Wednesday, October 6 before the final on Saturday, October 15. No doubt we will be hearing a lot more.

Parkes Phoenix Editor

CENTRAL WEST VACCINATION RATES

FORBES SHOW DEADLINE 20TH SEPTEMBER

INSURANCE REMINDER

CENTRAL WEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

MICE SET TO RETURN

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