Forbes Phoenix

Mayoral Notes

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Hasn’t this short week gone quickly after the long weekend on Monday. The whole town was buzzing with visitors over the weekend – like many, I had my family home and we enjoyed a lovely lunch out at the refurbished Forbes Inn – it was packed. 

Talking local businesses, congratulations to Turner’s Furniture One’s move to larger premises in Lachlan Street. Watch this space as there is more exciting CBD business news coming up. We are very lucky in Forbes to have so many exceptional small businesses. 

October is Small Business Month, so please go out and support all our amazing small businesses in town. We are also in the enviable position of having large major retailers in town and interest from more. 

I think the ‘Bunnings is moving’ rumour is swirling again, so just to reassure everyone, Council is its landlord and we have not heard anything about it closing or moving. 

Forbes has now had visits from major portfolio ministers such as Planning and Emergency Services, Roads and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, who after discussions with our Council has extended the completion date for further local and regional road funding. 

Minister Aitchison has announced a further $4.6million to improve the local and regional roads network for road repairs to local and regional roads. We are extremely grateful for this money with the extended deadline for all works to be concluded by June 2027. This extension represents a realistic and fair opportunity for natural disaster impacted communities to complete permanent road repairs. 

Our roads and works crews working really hard at the minute, so please bear with us while we continue this mammoth task to repair and rebuild our local roads. Please continue to contact Council to report any serious and dangerous road issues. Council is working hard to keep up the short term fixes until more permanent and extensive road repairs can be undertaken on our local roads. Thank you for being our eyes and ears while our teams are busy. 

Medal Winners Score Well

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George Falvey watches his tee shot intently.

On Saturday 30th September, the Mens golf competition was the October Monthly Medal, sponsored by Forbes Concrete. This event was played this weekend because of the Club Champs starting next week. The field of 63 enjoyed the conditions.

The A-Grade Winner was Chharlws Dwyer with a 69 nett. He played very well alongside Head Pro Will, finishing with a ‘2’. Runner-up was Brad Ashton with 71 nett. His overall good game was not rewarded.

The B-Grade went to Fons Melisi returning a 68 nett, despite three double-bogeys along the way. Runner-up was Jeff House (69 nett) who lost concentration on the back-9 and also lost the Keno.

The C-Grade provided the lowest score with Lachlan Alley carding 66 nett, and this after recovering from a broken arm. Runner-up was Frank Hanns with 71 nett, who beat off Ross Williams on count back.

The NTP’s went to: 9th John Betland; 18th Harry Callaghan. The Pro Shop Super-pin went to Niel Duncan with a shot to 1.0 metres, and he got his ‘2’. The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back.

The visitors included Steven Neal and Ed Cummins (Wentworth GC), and Scott Galloway (Trentham GC) from Victoria, here to meet his mates.

The Sunday Stableford 9-Hole Medley, played on the front-9, had 6 starters. They were all out early to beat the heat. The best score came from Mike Livingston with 22 points, and breaking a drought to be in the winner’s circle. Runner up was Brianna Duncan with 21 pts.

Monday had an 18-hole Individual Stableford Medley. There were 12 starters with Peter Dawson winning (38 pts). The ball sweep went to 35 pts on c/b. NTP’s went to Brett Thomas and Scott Galloway

This weekend we have the start of the Club Individual Championships.

By Short Putt

Parkes Turns Pink To Support The McGrath Foundation

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Members of the Pink Up Parkes Committee L-R Kerryn Jones, Carolyn Ricr, Marg Applebee, Margot Jolly, Vee Vian Higgins, Ken Kieth and Hannah Farrant-Jayet.

The Pink Up Parkes (PUP) Committee welcomes support from community members to join their fundraising efforts during the month of October to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses. 

In Australia, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Australia.

There are currently 200 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia, who have supported over 123,000 families since 2005. It costs around $140,000 to fund a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for a year including training and development.

You can help support the Pink Up Parkes campaign in so many ways: pink up your business, pink up your school, hold a pink up event, fundraise, attend a pink up parkes event, donate and support the pink up parkes campaign on social media.

PUP Chairperson Carolyn Rice said, “The Committee is still encouraging organisations and businesses to register to be a contributor to Pink Up Parkes. It isn’t too late to be involved. Just go to our webpage at www.pinkupparkesnsw.wordpress.com and all of the information on how to be involved or donate is in one place.” 

“We want to support the McGrath Foundation to raise funds and awareness for our Breast Care Nurses, of whom we are fortunate to have one working to support patients and their families in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham and Peak Hill,” said Carolyn.

Snippets

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Did you know you can attend a free mens BBQ every second Sunday at Parkes Memorial Hill.

MR PERFECT more than a BBQ: Parkes men are invited to a free BBQ for men. Enjoy some snags, chat and great company every second Sunday at Parkes Memorial Hill from 10.30am-1.30pm. On arrival you will head to the public BBQ spot in the park and there will usually be a Mr Perfect banner attached to a fence, between trees or across the pillars of the covered area. The BBQ Host cooks up the food and warmly greets everyone, attempting to introduce people to each other.

Foodwise, most of the BBQ locations cook up the basics, sausages and onions served up on bread (however, there are a couple of Mr Perfect BBQ hosts that bring along their own professional BBQs and go all out! We try to cater for most but if you have particular preferences, bring your own food or ask in the Facebook Event Chat what is likely to be cooked up. We are here for support, community and connection, for the betterment of mental health.

Do You Believe In Magic: The 2023 Forbes Magic Festival includes a sensory friendly session with no bangs or loud music – just quiet, close up magic on Friday 6th October. Bookings for this session must be made with the Events Officer on 6850 2300 or events@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Register Now For RDA Central West AI Workshop: Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) are inviting Central West businesses of all sizes, and other interested parties, to come along to their Small Business Month event in Bathurst on 19th October and learn how to utilise the power of artificial intelligence (AI). To find out more and register, visit www.rdacentralwest.org.au. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased via Humanitix.

Check Your Smoke Alarms: A we transition to daylight saving, now is the time to take proactive steps to protect your home by completing a thorough check of all smoke alarms. Linking the task of changing your clocks with checking smoke alarms is the best way to keep on top of the vital task.

National BBQ Championships Forbes: There’s more on the menu for the 2023 National BBQ Championships with live performances from local talent Georgia Sideris + Em, Cler & Jo! Enjoy a fun family day out, proudly supported by NSW Government via the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program. To register visit https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/news/july-2023/get-fired-up-for-bbq-championships. Come and join us for what is sure to be a fun filled day! Tix available from 123tix.com.au. Free for spectators.

National BBQ Championships Forbes 28th October 12-8pm at Grinsted Oval Forbes.

The Push-Up Challenge Student Ambassador Program 2024

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Student Ambassadors will lead their school mates, teachers and school community in The Push-Up Challenge by cheering them on to get fit, have fun and learn about mental health.

Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, is calling on students passionate about mental health to apply for its 2024 Student Ambassador Program. 

Students completing Year 10, 11 and Year 12 in 2024 anywhere in Australia can apply to be a Student Ambassador and make a difference to the mental health of their school community. They will be equipped with mental health awareness training, resources and leadership support to coordinate The Push-Up Challenge at their school.

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, says the Student Ambassador program is one of the team’s proudest achievements to date. “Watching students from around the country bring their communities together through fun and fitness is such a special thing” he commented.

Ambassadors benefit by gaining skills and experience in leading a community-based project, coordinating health promotion events and activities, and contributing to a good cause.

“When we think about mental health, we often think of mental illness. The Student Ambassador program aims to help students reframe this perception by providing tools to increase their mental health knowledge and build confidence in encouraging conversations about mental health with peers and community,” said Hudson.

The Push-Up Challenge will take place mid year in 2024, across three weeks. This year, 215,000 Australians took part in The Push-Up Challenge, collectively completing a staggering 315 million push-ups in 23 days and raising over $14.7 million for mental health charities Lifeline, Movember and Push for Better Foundation.

Learn about The Push-Up Challenge’s Student Ambassador program and apply to take part, visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au

Our Bloke – Steven Langlois

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Steven Langlois

Where were you born? Wollongong.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Stepping up to retail management after many years as a number two.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? St George Illawarra winning the 2010 grand final.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Never let people know how smart you really are.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Parkes to manage Cunningham’s IGA.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Beer, books, music.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would put it towards a new car. 

When are you happiest? Sitting back with friends and family, having a couple of refreshments and talking rubbish. 

2023 RDA Central West Photography Competition Now Open

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The winning photo of the 2022 Junior Category ‘Into the Light” was take by Poppy Starr from Cowra.

‘This is Central West’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s (RDA Central West) annual photography competition.

Entrants are encouraged to submit photos that showcase the magic of our region as a destination to live, work and visit – whether that is a place, scene, person or event. Director of RDA Central West, Steven Bowman, said the competition is a wonderful platform to highlight everything that is special about our region and showcase it to other Australians, putting Central NSW on the map for tourism and investment. 

“The Central West has so much to offer and the ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition is a great way to capture what you love most about where you live,” said Mr Bowman. 

Mr Bowman said that entrants should not be deterred by their level of photographic ability.

“You must be in it to win it. We are encouraging locals from all levels of ability to submit photographs and we also have a junior category for the under 18’s.” 

“The competition is judged externally and this year we welcome 2022 winner Craig Murphy, who sits as major sponsor Charles Sturt University’s Digital Innovation Project Officer, as one of the judges.” 

“Thanks to the generosity of sponsors Charles Sturt University and Camera House Orange, the prize pool has increased this year and we are so excited to see 2023 submissions from around the region.” 

Entry into the 2023 ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition is free and open to all ages. Entries close 5pm AEST Friday, 27th October. Entrants can submit up to four photographs. More information, including how to enter, can be found on the RDA Central West website at www.rdacentralwest.org.au 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pink Promise

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October 1 marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) the theme is “Living Well, Your Way”. With 20,458 women and 217 men expected to receive a diagnosis in 2023, raising awareness around the different support and resources available to help people live well with or beyond breast cancer is essential.

The theme recognises that many people struggle to ‘live well’ following a diagnosis of breast cancer and that a quality lifestyle looks different for different people.

“Living well looks different for everyone, and it is likely that people affected by breast cancer will require different types of support at different times,” said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti. “It means seeing the whole person, rather than the disease.”

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCNA will share information about different resources available, across topics such as psychosocial support and exercise. They will also share personal stories from members about what helps them to live well.

BCNA offer trusted information and a variety of resources which can all be accessed via BCNA’s newly refreshed website at www.bcna.org.au.

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