Roxane Manley

MLA Seeks Cattle Producer Representative

September 7, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is looking to elect three producer representatives; one cattle, one sheep and one lot feeder; to its Board Selection Committee for a three-year term.

Producer members wishing to nominate a person or to nominate themselves for election to the MLA Board Selection Committee at the 2023 MLA AGM must give written notice to MLA by 18th September.

The role of the Selection Committee is to call for applications, review, interview and then report to members on the suitability of candidates for election or re‑election to the MLA Board of Directors.

The Selection Committee has nine members. The cattle, lot feeder and sheepmeat peak councils each appoint one member, two non‑voting members are MLA directors, and the remaining four members are producer representatives elected at the MLA AGM for a period of three years.

At the 2021 AGM, MLA cattle producer members voted to elect Julie McDonald to the Selection Committee, and she is completing year two of her three-year term.

Producer representatives on the Selection Committee are paid a sitting fee in accordance with MLA policy and expenses are covered for travel to attend meetings.

Pillowcase Workshops Helping Aussie Kids Learn About Disaster Preparedness

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes Shires have been listed as at high risk in NSW.

Australia Post will lend a helping hand to high-risk communities across Australia by supporting Australian Red Cross deliver Pillowcase workshops, an initiative aiming to help kids in schools across the nation understand the importance of being prepared for a disaster. Since 2019, Australia Post has raised more than $1.8 million for Australian Red Cross and contributed towards supporting 470,000 people across 133 emergency events.

Over the next three years, Australia Post is expanding on its support to include the Pillowcase workshops, a disaster preparedness education program for 8 to 10 year-old students living in areas at high risk of disaster, like bushfires and flooding. The workshops teach kids practical skills like what to pack for an emergency and how to prepare their minds for the thoughts and feelings that may arise before, during and after an emergency.

Australia Post will support Australian Red Cross to provide Pillowcase workshops and resources – including supplying the emergency kit pillowcases.

Australia Post Executive General Manager of Community, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement, Tanny Mangos, said that Australia Post’s unique presence in regional and remote Australian communities meant it was important to contribute to, and support, disaster resilience.

“Working in every community across Australia, our team members are often at the frontline of disaster. We see firsthand how a disaster can affect a community.

“Ahead of what is already being predicted as a hot, dry summer, our work with Australian Red Cross on Pillowcase is especially critical. The workshops and resources will arm children in high-risk areas with practical skills in the event of extreme weather like bushfires.

“As disasters increase across Australia so does the impact on our communities and wellbeing. Evidence and research continue to show that preparing both psychologically and practically for an emergency improves people’s ability to cope with their impacts.”

Visionary Support For Aspiring Regional Students

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Country Education Foundation has provided Forbes and Parkes aspiring university students a chance to tour Charles Sturt University campus open days.

The Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has made it possible for dozens of aspiring country university students to see a university campus, with fully subsidised trips to three of Charles Sturt University’s campuses for their open days in August.

Thirty-four students took advantage of this amazing opportunity provided by the CEF, which covered their costs for transport, accommodation, and meals in partnership with Charles Sturt University.

The opportunity allowed students to visit Charles Sturt’s Wagga Wagga, Albury and Bathurst campuses, with 16 students checking out Wagga Wagga, eight students seeing Albury, and 10 students experiencing Bathurst.

CEF transported students from many different towns, including Forbes and Parkes, to attend the open days, to experience what university life is like at Charles Sturt.

Kelsey Mann and Cameron Frogley from Parkes High School, Clarissa Azzopardi, Hunter Kriedemann and Laura Jones from Red Bend Catholic College, and Grace Barbary and Czarah Saladino from Forbes High School, took part in the Wagga Wagga trip.

Students took the opportunity to learn about each campus, the courses they offer, and all other benefits of studying there.

CEF Manager of Partnerships Hilary Matchett, who organised the trip, said, “CEF are excited to partner with Australia’s leading regional university, Charles Sturt University, to give the opportunity to regional students to access their Open Days across three of their campuses.

“Students made the most of experiencing all that Charles Sturt can offer, from hands on learning in their state-of-the-art labs and facilities, to chatting to academic staff about course options, and accessing affordable and vibrant on-campus accommodation options”.

These experience camps offer more than a chance to see a university campus; they give regional students the chance to connect with like-minded peers, hopefully to then become friends for life.

In a separate program through its department ‘Three Rivers Department of Rural Health’, Charles Sturt has partnered with CEF for the last five years to offer scholarships to students studying a health-related degree at Charles Sturt. Students awarded grants by their local CEF foundation, from 18 local CEF foundations across the west are eligible to apply.

The CEF is a national for-purpose organisation that helps rural and regional youth aged between 16 and 25 access post-school education, training and employment through grants, scholarships, support services and resources.

Since 1993 CEF has awarded over 7000 individual grants and scholarships totalling over $15 million, with over 400 volunteers across its network of local foundations working hard to provide local students the support they need.

For more information on the CEF please visit www.cef.org.au or phone 1300 652 144.

Be Seen @ 97.9 Valley FM

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Tom, Georgie, and Grace from St Lawrence’s Parish School rocked the airwaves like seasoned pros on their DJ shift at 97.9 Valley FM radio station.

Tom had the beats dropping like it’s hot, Georgie had everyone grooving in their living rooms, and Grace… well, let’s just say she single-handedly brought the party vibes to your earbuds.

Who knew our friends had such hidden DJ talents? Tune in next time and keep dancing, Valley FM fans

Mayoral Notes

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

By now most of you will have noticed there has been activity around our beloved Vampire jet on Lake Forbes. Council has taken steps to ensure that this much-loved icon remains at its post, a permanent testament to the courage and sacrifice during years of war. Local tradespeople have been involved in this lengthy restoration of a jet that was essentially originally built to last between five and 10 years! And so Aeroplane Park gets to keep its aeroplane!

Resilience is a word we hear so much of nowadays, and I fully believe it is not just the latest buzz word. Resilience can mean so many things to so many people, and in these times we all need whatever resilience we can muster. Everyone has their own story, will at some stage face their own battles and we need to learn how as individuals, communities, parents and friends, how we support those we know and love.

Most people have heard of the Resilience Project and its approach to mental health and building resilience and happiness. Former Aussie Rules player, Martin Heppell will be in Forbes delivering his key messages to school students of all ages, and to the community. Definitely worth checking out – tickets are available at ticketbo.com.au

Take the time out this week to enjoy the arrival of spring, and the beauty that it brings. Our phenomenal staff have been working hard to put on our best face for travellers and locals, including the installation last weekend of a shelter and bike rack at the BMX track down near the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre!

Until next week, God Bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

Grand Final Footy Fever In Parkes This Saturday

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Clockwise from top left are the four Parkes teams that have made their way into the grand final this weekend, U11 girls Tag, U14 girls Tag, U16 Boys League, U17 Girls Tag

This Saturday, Parkes will play host to a jam packed day of Junior Rugby League with fourteen finals being played across Pioneer and North Parkes Ovals. The Parkes Marist Rugby League Club will have four teams playing on the day, including U11 league tag, U14 league tag, U16 boys league and U17 league tag.

The following 14 games are scheduled to be played:

North Parkes Oval

• 10’s Forbes v Condobolin

• 10’s Grenfell v West Wyalong

• 11’s tag Red Bend v Parkes White

• 11’s West Wyalong v Grenfell

Pioneer Oval

• 12’s Canowindra v Cabonne

• 12’s Forbes Black v Forbes White

• 14’s tag West Wyalong v Canowindra

• 14’s tag Red Bend Sky v Parkes Blue

• 14’s West Wyalong v Canowindra

• 14’s Forbes v Condobolin

• 17’s tag Canowindra v Grenfell

• 17’s tag Parkes White v Forbes Black

• 16’s West Wyalong v Cabonne

• 16’s Parkes White v Red Bend

Under 17s League Tag

The Parkes U17s League Tag girls did not play last week as they had already earned their place in the grand final and will go up against Forbes White this weekend.

Coach Deanne Hanson said, “I could not be any prouder of the girls and hope they are proud of themselves. The team have showed so much commitment all year.”

Star player, Elizabeth Macgregor said, “I feel like we have good players across the whole field, there’s not really anyone who lets us down, everyone’s tagging is strong and has definitely improved throughout the year.

“I feel like we are definitely the stronger team in the comp, we’ve won every game and averaged 40 points a game, our for and against is crazy, we scored 390 points this year and have only had 28 points scored against us.”

Grace Milne, who won a premiership last year with the U14 girls said that she will be focusing on, “Getting myself involved in defense, holding a strong defensive line, just doing what I do every week, setting up plays.”

Under 16s League Tackle

The under 16’s boys have been training hard this week ahead of Sunday’s big clash against Red Bend 16’s boys. Under 16’s coach, Jason O’Bryan was coach of the under 14’s boys last year, and when half of them moved up to Under 16’s this year Jason also made the move up as coach.

At training on Tuesday night, Jason said, “Our game plan from last year is very similar to this year, so with half of them already knowing it, it has made it a lot easier to bring the other guys in to the same pattern of play.” Jason went on to say, the boys are busting to get out on the paddock, “We are doing it as a team, but also we want to send off Captain Jack Milne with a grand final win, he has led by example all year.”

MLA Raises A Fork To Celebrate The Value Of Red Meat

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

As the world celebrates World Iron Awareness Week, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) proudly joins the global effort to raise awareness about the pivotal role that red meat plays in a healthy diet.

This annual campaign, taking place this week from 28 August to 3 September, aims to highlight the importance of adequate iron intake and its impact on global health.

According to the latest Consumer Sentiment research from MLA, 73% of Australians see red meat as an important source of nutrition, with 58% noting it being a rich source of iron as the main health reason for consuming beef and lamb.

Managing Director for MLA, Jason Strong, said it was no secret that red meat is an essential source of iron, but many people do not currently get enough iron in their diet.

“Red meat is a crucial component of a balanced diet, especially for individuals with higher dietary iron needs. Its heme iron content allows for more efficient absorption, helping to reduce risk of iron deficiency and other associated health issues,” Mr Strong said.

Iron deficiency remains one of the most prevalent and critical nutritional challenges worldwide, affecting millions of people, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Red meat, such as beef, lamb, and goatmeat, is an excellent source of heme iron, which is the most easily absorbed form of iron by the human body.

Within Australia, MLA has launched a website all about the importance of iron in a healthy diet. Australian Good Meat will also feature a series of informative content across its website and social media channels.

Croquet News

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Beautiful weather to be playing Aussie Croquet on Saturday 22nd August, 26 players enjoyed themselves. There were two players to win three games, John Farah and Bill Scott. The big winners were:

• 14 – 8 John Farah and Bill Scott, Lyn Simmonds and Peter West

• 14 – 9 Alex Todd and Tony Thomson

• 14 – 10 John Farah and Barry White, Alex Todd and Barry White

Close games were:

• John Allegri and Allan Jones 14 Kevin Rubie and Barry White 13

• Colleen Liebich and Bruce Field 14 John Browne and Joan Littlejohn 13

• Bill Scott 14 Colleen Liebich 13

• Cheryle Toohey and Neville Spry 14 Marie Spry and Bruce Field 13

• John Allegri and Lorraine Todd 14 Rex Toole13

• John Browne and Tony Thomson 14 Allen Jones and Collen Liebich 13

• Cheryle Toohey 14 Lorrian Todd and Kevin Rubie 13

• Peter West and Bill Scot 14 May Jones and Neville Spry 13

• Geoff Coles 14 Neville Spry 12

• John Farah 14 Phillip Moran 12

• Bruce Field and John Cole 14 John Allegri and John Job 12

• May Jones and Michelle Mahlo 14 John Cole and Phillip Moran 11

• Kevin Rubie and Lyn Simmonds 14 Allan Jones and Elvy Quirk 11

Forbes Rugby Union Club

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Congratulations to the U12’s and U16’s for winning their preliminary matches – such a great effort. The U12’s, U14’s and U16’s are all in the grand final this weekend for the first time in FRUC Junior history! Games will be in Parkes this Saturday, U12’s will play Mudgee, and the U14’s & U16’s will play Dubbo Roos.

Labor Makes More Cuts To The National Soil Strategy

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Federal Labor Government has scrapped the National Soils Advocate and cut funding to programs that previously had bipartisan support.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has said that the decision was disappointing and it showed Labor was turning its back on agriculture, with National Soils Advocate, the Hon Penelope Wensley AC, having now finished her term.

“Once again, Labor is cutting corners and costs when it comes to soils. There is no detail on who or what will replace the National Soils Advocate, even though the Government has had nearly 18 months to plan and this is a crucial position.”

The former Coalition Government set up the National Soil Strategy back in May 2021 and committed $196.9 million.

“We invested in soils because we know soils are imperative for the environment, the economy and our food security and costs. The strategy was to prioritise soil health, empower soil innovation and stewards, and strengthen soil knowledge and capability.”

Under 17s League Tag

Under 16s League Tackle

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