Roxane Manley

Forbes High Students Discover Driving Under The Influence Is Not Only Illegal, It Is Hard

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Participant’s view of the simulator. The facilitator is Daniel Greef. Photo: Ken Engsmyr.

Senior students from Forbes High School spent time learning about the effects of alcohol, drugs, fatigue and distractions on driving. They have participated in an extremely important program provided by the Rotary Clubs of Parkes and Forbes, and Neighbourhood Central.

“Students experience two training modules on a driving simulator” said Ken Engsmyr of Parkes Rotary.

“The program is not about teaching driving skills. Rather, the program enables students to experience – in a safe way – the effects of impairment and distraction on driving ability.”

“With the ‘impaired driving’ module a participant first drives for about five minutes to practice on the simulator while experiencing normal driving conditions. Then they stop and we switch the simulator into impaired driving mode. The screens blur, the scenery wobbles, and delays are inserted into braking and steering controls. The participant drives again for about five minutes.

The difference between normal and impaired driving is compared by means of a statistical report. The experience provides a powerful demonstration of the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving ability. It’s an experience that participants cannot – at least should not – experience ‘for real’ with real drugs or real alcohol in a real vehicle on a real road.

The simulator used at Forbes High was acquired recently. Local member Phil Donato supported a grant application that in large part funded the equipment.

“The advantage of having a simulator located locally is we can provide a better response to local schools” said Ken.

After two years of trials there is little doubt now about the usefulness of simulator training to compliment other safe driving programs for learners and newly licenced drivers: the high rate of road fatalities for young drivers make it clear that still more needs to be done to improve the safety of young drivers on our roads.

Parkes And District Amatuer Soccer

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Growing Number Of Lachlan Utd Girls Playing For Canberra Croatia: Congratulations to Makalya Sloane who has been selected for Canberra Croatia U/17s to help bolster their squad. Lachlan Utd girls Josie Mckenzie and Ruby Schofield continued on there ways with the U/14s winning 8-0 v Tuggeranong Utd and then Josie subbing up into the U/15s winning 3-0. Gunghalin Utd this weekend.

School Holiday Camp: Coming up Monday 3rd July. Registrations are due by Saturday 24th June and payment of $10 can be made at the canteen. Assistant coaches include Country NSW TSP Program Goalkeeper Nick Zannes who will run special 1 hour goalkeeper sessions for our juniors, Canberra Croatia and NSW Country representative Josie Mckenzie and Lachlan Utd senior girls players – Katie Schulz and Lily Browne.

Congratulations: To the following Best and Fairest players as voted by referees for Round 6. Make sure you visit Pulse Coffee van this Saturday and we thank them for their sponsorship and support.

• U12s: Ryker Moore (Victory) Patere Mcintyre (Power) Lochie Jones (Olympic)

• Open Juniors: Nicole Ellis (Thunder) Riley McMaster (Rovers) Lachlan Kupkee (Spartans)

If anyone can help in canteen this weekend, please, as our Canteen Manager is unavailable.

Mayoral Notes

June 22, 2023 by Phyllis Miller, OAM

What can I say, how amazing was Frost and Fire on the weekend? There is just something special about live music, fires, food and drink, and great company. I really have to congratulate our team for putting on such a wonderful event for our community and its visitors. Gatherings like these are what I really treasure about Forbes.

I cannot wait to go to our next live music extravaganza – Sundown Sounds at Lions Park on the lake promises to be another great fun family event, and is free to attend. Keep your eye out on all forms of media in the coming weeks for more information on this. Details are already up on our website and you can buy tickets at 123tix.com.au

I had the pleasure of attending our welcome to Forbes and thank you evening earlier this week. It was wonderful to meet some of our new faces to town, and at the same time show our appreciation to the army of volunteers who all help out in some way or another. Volunteers are a vital part of the true fabric of Forbes, the tight knit that keeps our community what it is, supportive, encouraging, welcoming, nurturing. Now is the perfect time to think about how you can volunteer and get involved.

The end of the second school term is drawing near and while it may be cold outside, Council is hosting a number of activities to help keep the children entertained – movie night, craft sessions, AFL clinics, fishing workshops, and an excursion to Parkes PCYC. Contact our amazing Youth Action team for more information.

Till next week, God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

Parkes Dyagang Koori Dance Group Going From Strength To Strength

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The founding members of The Dyagang Koori Dance Group Keanau, Ashton, Tyrece and Abel Robinson, pictured with their mother Jade Alexander.

If you have been to any recent local events, it is highly likely you have seen The Dyagang Koori Dance Group perform. The group opened Frost and Fire in Forbes last weekend and they will once again be opening the Trundle Bush Tucker Day.

They are in high demand not just within the local area but for events further afield. Last year, the boys were invited to perform for the opening of the 47th parliament in Canberra with the Ngunnawal-Ngambri people, the traditional custodians of the Canberra area.

The founding members of The Dyagang Koori Dance Group, Tyrece, Keanau, Ashton and Abel Robinson, are four brothers from Parkes, who attend Middleton Public School. The group was formed when eldest brother, Tyrece started playing the didgeridoo.

“His dad taught him a couple of things and he was watching YouTube clips of other people playing Didgeridoo, and he taught himself. Then he taught his three younger brothers how to play,” said the boys mother, Jade Alexander.

Tyrece began dancing with another crew and really enjoyed it. The boys sometimes performed with their dad and his connections, and developed a passion for performance.

“It was NAIDOC week last year when the boys were asked to perform on their own, and we thought it would be a great way for the boys to share their culture with others,’’ said Jade.

Following this event, the group was officially formed, so that others could join in.

Brilliant Day For QuickShine Event

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

One of the latest drone shots from the course upgrade.

A brisk but brilliant winter’s day awaited the field as they teed it up for the QuickShine golf event on Saturday. The event is sponsored by Ben and Erica McNaughton annually and we thank them for their continued support of Parkes Golf. A total of 82 players played the 4BBB event with an individual in conjunction and which served as the Handiskins round two as well.

Ray Maxwell and Vince Kelly rattled up a 45 point haul but that was only good enough to get into a count back with the Davison’s as Lynn and Reg also played excellent golf to get to that total. Craig Dunn and Richard Hutchinson coming in next with Scott Winter and Rod Kiley and Peter Magill and David Stevenson also finding some form.

Rob Hey hit a 40 point score alongside club Captain Cath Kelly, Dave Stevenson hauled in 39 points, which is what he normally gets over two rounds, and Marg Hogan pulled in a 38 point round as well.

In the Handiskins event Captain Cath piled on the pressure with 40 points, Marg Hogan was consistent with 38 points.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were –The Idlerite 1st by Finne Latu at 85cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Garry Paddison at 126cm and the 18th by Finne Latu at 217cm. The lucrative 11th hole was won by Garry Paddison at 126cm this week.

Ball winners were Rob Hey 40, Dave Stevenson 39, Marg Hogan 38, Tim McCabe, John Pearce 37, Nym Dziuba, Brendan Simpson, Ian Phipps, James Ward, Dale Matthews 36.

In the Captain verse President this week, Cath again outgunned. Scores this week were Captain 184, President 176.

This coming Saturday is the 18 Hole 4BBB Medley Stableford sponsored by Anita Medcalf and it is also the third round of Handiskins.

Snippets…

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

This project will investigate the ways in which Council can contribute to making the Shire more liveable for our community and attract more skilled workers to the region.

Help Pave The Way For A More Liveable Future In The Parkes Shire: Parkes Shire Council invites members of the Parkes community to share their ideas to deliver liveability improvements across the Shire.

Parkes Shire Council has secured $186,562 in funding from the NSW Government under the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund to assist in developing the strategy.

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Planning and Community Services, Brendan Hayes, is eager to engage with the community and gain as much input as possible into developing the strategy.

“We are calling on all members of the community to participate in the survey to help us gather this essential information and work towards making the Parkes Shire a more attractive place to reside,” he said.

For information and to access the Liveable Neighbourhoods survey, visit www.yoursay.parkes.nsw.gov.au. A limited number of paper copies of the survey are available at Council’s Planning and Environment building on Cecile Street, Parkes. The survey is open from Tuesday 13th June – Sunday 9th July 2023.

EPA Requires Immediate Action By Newcrest To Comply: Newcrest Mining Ltd’s Cadia mine has been told it must comply immediately with the Protection of the Environment (Clean Air) Regulation 2022 (the Clean Air Regulation), the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, and its Environment Protection Licence (EPL) or face further regulatory action by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Test results provided in response to the EPA’s previous Prevention Notice, and issued to Newcrest subsidiary, Cadia Holdings Pty Ltd, show the mine’s main vent is releasing an unacceptable level of dust.

EPA Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel said Newcrest’s Cadia mine continues to fall well short of its legal obligations to meet clean air standards.

“If Newcrest cannot show its subsidiary is taking immediate action to comply, the EPA will take appropriate action which could include suspension of the licence, seeking court orders or issuing further directions.

Parenting Support – Happy Families: St Laurence’s is a member of Happy Families and this means that all parents have membership access to a website with a range of resources to support positive parenting. This is something that was raised at the recent St Laurence’s School Committee meeting and may be a jumping off point for parent education events.

Family Mass: On Sunday 25th June we will join with the Parish to celebrate the first family mass and it would be great to see lots of St Laurence’s families attend the 9:30am mass.

A Big Thank You, Forbes!

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Parkes Betta Home Living store will continue to service the local community.

After 21 years of serving the local community, Forbes Betta Home Living have closed their doors for the final time. We’d like to pay a special thank you to the entire Forbes community for all their love and support of the business. Owners, Ian and Mandy Westcott, are incredibly proud to have been a part of this vibrant and growing community and are so grateful for the friendships and memories they have made along the way.

Family owned and operated, Ian and Mandy Westcott are the second generation in their family to run the Forbes store. For the past 21 years, the Forbes store has been a one-stop shop, helping the local community find the right appliances and furniture for their home, with the store stocking a huge range of kitchen, laundry, small appliances, IT products and bedding.

Despite the closure of the Forbes store, Parkes Betta Home Living will continue to service the local community, which is only a 25-minute drive north of the Forbes location. Customers can still receive amazing service, deals, and exceptional local advice on all your fridge and freezer, kitchen and cooking appliances, air conditioning, furniture, bedding, TV and audio requirements.

This new location offers customers a great shopping experience and even expands upon the previous offerings of the Forbes store. At Parkes Betta Home Living, you’ll be able to shop from an even larger range of all your favourite brands – from Hisense, Fisher & Paykel, Westinghouse, LG, Beko, Samsung, Haier, Chiq, Electrolux, TCL, Kelvinator, Dyson, Miele, Sunbeam, Bissell, Smeg and more.

An IT, electrical appliance and premium cooking stockist all rolled into one, Parkes Betta Home Living is the answer to all your living space needs. Parkes is a one-stop shopping experience, with easy parking access, fully-airconditioned showrooms and a wide range of electrical, furniture and bedding items.

The team at Parkes Betta Home Living would like to offer the community mark-downs and reductions across a huge range of home appliances and consumer electrical goods in its End Of Financial Year Sale (EOFY). Make sure you take advantage of huge saving across all your favourite brands.

Offers end 30th of June, so hurry in-store for incredible deals while stocks last. Visit us in-store at Parkes Betta Home Living, 11 Saleyards Road Parkes. Opening hours may vary, please call or check the Betta website for more information.

Forbes Croquet News

June 22, 2023 by Pegging Out

On Saturday 10th June, 29 players managed to find their way through the fog to the croquet courts. Five players won three games: John Cole, Bruce Field, Kevin Rubie, Neville Spry and Peter West.The big winners on the day were:

• 14 – 7 Peter West and May Jones.

• 14 – 8 Peter West

• 14 – 9 Elvy Quirk and John Cole, John Browne and Ray Burridge, Cheryle Toohey and Bruce Field.

Close games on the day included:

• Ros Rennick 14 Russell Anderson 13

• Cheryle Toohey and John Cole 14 John Allegri and Phillip Moran 13

• Sandy Hepburn and Russel Anderson 14 Rex Toole and Loraine Todd 12

• John Cole and Peter West 14 Geoff Coles and Marie Spry 12

• Dorelle Scott and Neville Spry 14 Robin Pols and Cheryle Toohey 11

• John Browne and Bruce Field 14 Lorraine Todd and Vince Roberts 11

• Dorelle Scott 14 Vince Roberts and Sandy Hepburn 11

• Allan Jones and Ros Rennick 14 Bill Scott and Lorraine Todd 11

• Rex Toole14 Marie Spry 11

• Kevin Rubie and Robin Pols 14 John Browne and Alex Todd 11

• Doreen Rogers and May Jones 14 Rex Toole and Allan Jones 11

• Joan Littlejohn and Tony Thomson 14 Marie Spry and John Allegri 10

• Neville Spry and Alex Todd 14 Doreen Rogers and Fay Picker 10

• Neville Spry and May Jones 14 Allan Jones and Dorelle Scott 10

• Fay Picker and Phillip Moran 14 Doreen Rogers and Elvy Quirk 10

• John Allegri and Ray Burridge 14 Ros Rennick and Bill Scott 10

Also reporting a very pleasant sunny morning for golf croquet on June 13th, with 39 players in attendance

By Pegging Out

Parkes Boars Player Of The Week – Benjamin Ryan

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Benjamin Ryan

Known as: Ben or the Kiwis call me “Bin”.

Where were you born: Paddington Sydney

What year: 1988.

When did you start playing rugby: U15’s for Parkes 2003.

What position/s do you play: 8,7,6,5,4,3,1 (lock, break away, tighthead or loose head prop, second row).

Your go to food before a game: Steak sandwich with the lot.

Interests outside of rugby: Most sports – touch, cross fit @ Parkes Athletic, golf, music.

Where do you work: North Parkes Mines.

Married?: To Kimberley Ryan.

Kids?: Christopher “CJ” Ryan and baby brother due early August.

Rugby Player you look up to: Richie McCaw, Alun Win Jones and Dan Ryan.

What is it about the Parkes rugby that keeps you playing: The Parkes rugby community and family vibe. The friends we make in the greater rugby community.

“For Our Elders” NAIDOC Week At Forbes North

June 22, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Forbes North Students participate in a Yarning Circle in 2022 NAIDOC celebration.

Staff and students at Forbes North Public School will be recognising the role Aboriginal Elders play within our community through a range of activities planned for our School NAIDOC week which will run from June 26th to 30th. Across all generations Elders have played, and continue to play, important roles as they share knowledge, culture, singing and dancing, land management and politics to name a few.

The week of activities begins with a smoking ceremony on Monday. On Tuesday students will take part in a range of activities including art, storytelling, games, beading and weaving, and caring for land and water activities. Students will be wearing their sporting house colours and take part in creating an image of the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag.

Wednesday will see all students visiting the School Kitchen to make and sample Johnny Cakes. Thursday the Forbes North Wiradjuri Choir will perform at local schools. Friday will see Forbes High School and Forbes North come together to take part in Girri-Girri sports.

Families and communities are encouraged to keep an eye on the School newsletter for information about opportunities to visit their children and take part in NAIDOC activities during the week. The newsletter can be viewed on the Schools Facebook page, online on the School website or by contacting the School 6852 2187.

Subscribe