Roxane Manley

Don’t Be Bored These School Holidays

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

With the sun setting on Term three, Forbes Shire Council has been busy planning to ensure a variety of free activities are available these school holidays.

This school holiday program features fishing workshops, an outdoor movie, a theatre performance, the opening of Forbes Town Pool on 1st October, craft workshops, Creative Community Concepts will host a footy for fun event and a magic festival – wow!!!!

First off the rank are the popular fishing workshops, with two sessions to choose from on Monday 25th September. Set on the banks of the beautiful Lake Forbes, these free workshops fill up quickly so make sure you book in early. If you don’t have a rod don’t worry – there are enough available for you to borrow.

Head to Lions Park on Saturday 7th October for the Magic Festival, the first of its kind in Forbes. Be amazed by roving magicians and enchanted by a stage show finale, feast on the offerings of food vendors and relax in the company of friends. Tickets to the show are free, but essential, head to 123tix.com.au

For more information on the Forbes Shire Council youth programs head to https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

Parkes Railway Bowling Club

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Representing Parkes Railway Bowling Club at the Zone 4 reserve 4 section final held in Orange Ex-Services Country Club Bowls00

Sixteen Bowlers enjoyed a hailstorm break between ends at Social Bowls on Wednesday 30th August. Winners were Michael Hackett and Wally Grant winning 18+16. Runners Up were Paul Kirwan and Helen Clark winning 17+9. Marble 4 came out and the Margins were 5, 8, 9 and 16.

Sixteen bowlers also turned up on Saturday 2nd September. Winners were Alan Affleck and Pig Phillips winning 14+5. Runners Up were Robert Lacey and Pauline Currey winning 13+8.

Head to the Club on Friday 8th September for happy hour 5-7pm, meat tray raffles, badge draw, joker draw and bistro meals avaliable.

Saturdays Parkes Golf Results

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Some of the Parkes Golf August winners.

Last Saturday we contested an 18 Individual Stableford, sponsored by MRK Development run by Matthew Knighton, a great supporter of our club and one who is fast becoming another golfing tragic. It was a great day to be out amongst nature for a walk, a talk and some challenges with the little white ball, with 76 golfers enjoying the beautiful weather.

Leading the list this week was Graham Cooke who has been in consistent form of late but dug deeper to come out on top beating home probably the clubs most consistent and better performed golfers this year in Wayne Parker on a countback with his score of 39. Graham is a very dangerous contender in the Veterans competition week in and week out and he managed to change his emphasis to Saturday after missing out in his regular Thursday competition. And Wayne Parker, what a year he is having, the swing has returned to his halcyon younger days when he reigned supreme over the PGC. He will be a good one to put into the black book for the net event at the upcoming Parkes Open.

Five golfers chased home the leaders falling short by one stroke. Peter Boschman is also looking in peak condition and starting to hit the ball reasonably well, Ross Smith, who has to get his name in the paper to give himself something to read, Lindsay Elliott, who is just getting pipped each week and is ready to win a big one, Rob Lea who just returned from an extended Qld adventure and is revving up for a strong performance in the Open and Steve Edmonds who has been trying to keep a low profile as he hones up for a crack at the big contenders.

This week sees the culmination of an extended period of revamping of the course undertaken in combination with the highway bypass running on the western side of the course. Locals will get to play their September Monthly Medal on the new holes which will no doubt challenge but also amaze them as we get the opportunity to play a continuous 18 holes of golf. The Board is most appreciative of the patience and support of members and also the work undertaken by members to get the course in play. We will get a taste on Saturday to feel what challenges lie for the Parkes Open on Sunday 17th September when players from all over the state will converge on Parkes to test themselves against the great layout.

Come and get involved this week for the Telescope Tyres And Batteries/Hankook Monthly Medal with day sponsor, Matthews Mediation. It will incorporate the Griffins Leading Edge Putting Competition in conjunction which will blow out on the new greens you’d expect, Wally Norman Memorial Veterans Medal, and also this year the Bob Smith Memorial Day – 18 hole and 9 hole medley stableford competition sponsored by the Smith family.

Do You Believe In Magic?

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Come along for a first of its kind, magical evening for Forbes.

Lions Park will set the stage for an evening of pure magic next month, hosted by Forbes Shire Council. Roving magicians will weave their way through the crowd, entertaining with their sleight of hand and their mysterious ways.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM urged residents and visitors to bring their chairs and rugs for sunset on Lake Forbes, free of charge.

Food vendors will be on site, and after the four roving magicians have cast their spell, a stage spectacular will take place from 7pm to 8pm.

A sensory friendly session has been scheduled for Friday October 6th from 1pm –3pm. “We recognise that some peoplehave differing needs that might not suit alarge event such as the one at Lake Forbeson Saturday evening,” Mayor Miller said.

“We are offering an up close and personal magic show at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon – it will not have the big bangs and loud music! It is free of charge, but please RSVP to events@forbes.nsw.gov.au as numbers are limited.

“It is exciting to welcome magic back to Forbes after an extremely successful magic show last year – the magicians had so much fun and loved the interaction with the community and are looking forward to their return!,” Mayor Miller said.

“Lions Park is fast becoming a hub for exceptional social gatherings, with the area perfectly framed works completed under the Lake Forbes Activation Project funded by the NSW Government. It is the perfect place for the community to connect and enjoy the outdoor space,” Mayor Miller said.

What magical event will Council pull out if its hat next?

The Forbes Magic Festival is on Saturday 7th October from 5pm until 8pm. Tickets are free but essential, so head to: Forbes Magic Festival Tickets (123tix.com.au)

Parkes Tennis

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Our friends out west at Condobolin are hosting a Tennis Australia Community Coaching Course in December. They’ve had their courts resurfaced and are keen to get some interest in tennis again. This will be a great opportunity for all players. You don’t have to be a great tennis player; just 16yrs+, enthusiastic, keen to learn and be involved at your local Tennis Club.

Parkes Little Athletics Club

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Registrations are officially open and cost $60 for tots and $100 for U6 and over. You can use kids active vouchers when registering.

Biggest Firework Display Ever At Forbes Show

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

School work hung for judging and display. Come have a look.

It’s one of the most exciting times of the year, the Forbes Show. Come along and enjoy the fireworks, sideshow alley, pavilions, dog high jump, ring events, shearing, young woman, rural ambassadors, dog trials and so much more.

The CMOC Northparkes Mines firework display will be at 8pm on Friday 8th September. Head to the Forbes Show to get the best view in town. A big thank you to Northparkes Mines for their continued support of the Forbes Show.

Remember pre-purchase your tickets and save yourself time at the gate. https://www.123tix.com.au/events/39629/forbes-show

Pension Boosted But More Needed For Those In Need

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Results from the 11th Seniors Social Survey.

From 20th September, the Age Pension, the Veteran Payment, the Disability Support Pension and the Carer Payment will receive an increase because of indexation.

The maximum rate of the single Age Pension will rise by $32.70 per fortnight, taking it from $1,064 to $1,096.70. For couples, it will increase by $49.40 per fortnight, taking their combined payment from $1,604 to $1,653.40.

Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said while people who rely on the Age Pension will welcome the increase, under the current system pensioners are still behind, especially when inflation is unusually high.

Several other government payments will also be increased on 20th September in line with announcements made in the May Budget.

A welcome change is the 15% increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The maximum rate for an eligible single renter will rise by $27.60 to $184.80 per fortnight, for a couple by $26 to $174.

“It’s a good start but more needs to be done to help” Mr Henschke said.

“More can be done to support older people doing it tough. As recent National Seniors research showed, a greater proportion of people with low incomes and those who are renting are suffering from cost-of-living pressures,” Mr Henschke said.

“For example, 39% of older renters told us they were experiencing severe cost-of-living impacts compared to only 11 % of older homeowners.

“What we need is additional targeted support for people with limited means and to stop punishing those who need to work.

“We want a change to income test rules for pensioners who want to work and work more. We will continue to fight for a system that improves people’s lives.”

Parkes Arbour Shopping Centre Sells For $8.9M

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

JLL sells Parkes Arbour Shopping Centre with a significant vacancy from Target’s 2021 national store closure.

Parkes Arbour Shopping Centre has sold for $8.9 million to a Sydney-based private investor, as demand for neighbourhood centres with value-add opportunities continues to outstrip supply.

JLL’s Sebastian Fahey, Dylan McEvoy, Nick Willis and David Mahood sold the shopping centre via an Expressions-of-Interest campaign on behalf of a Brisbane-based private investor.

In 2021, parent company Wesfarmers announced the closure or rebranding of more than 160 sites with many of the locations being rebranded to Kmart/K-Hub. The increasingly competitive market was too much for the Target business with landlords scrambling to backfill the vacancies.

Parkes Arbour is anchored by a Coles supermarket and supported by a Liquorland and two speciality retailers. The asset included a 4,019sqm vacant ex-Target space, allowing an opportunity to reposition and or redevelop the centre.

“Parkes Arbour Shopping Centre offered the purchaser an attractive repositioning play with the potential to significantly increase the centre’s income by splitting the major vacancy into smaller offerings. This resulted in the campaign attracting unprecedented demand for a regional neighbourhood centre with over 200 groups and 10 offers being received at the close of the campaign.”

Colleague David Mahood added “Parkes Arbour reaffirms the increase in demand for retail assets with value-add initiatives. Investors are continuing to seek these opportunities as they provide a secure holding income with significant upside through a repositioning.”

Western NSW Football

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Want to make a lasting impact on young regional football talent? Our SAP (U9 – U12) and AYL (U13 – U18) programs are gearing up for an incredible 2024 and are looking for expressions of interest for coaches. To be part of the football journey for youth in the Western Region, the EOI closes on Sunday, 10th September. If you have questions email wnswfconvenor@outlook.com.

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