Roxane Manley

Snippets…

March 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Southern Cross Village Fete is the place to be on Saturday 13th May, from 10am – 2pm in the Village grounds.

Southern Cross Village Fete: Will be held on Saturday, 13th May, featuring a variety of stalls and entertainment. Highlights will include performances by Parkes School of Dance, Parkes Town Band, Parkes Community Choir and Peter Guppy with his Trishaw. Enjoy a BBQ lunch, coffee van, raffles, chocolate wheel, jumping castle, cake, produce and plant stalls. Funds raised at the fete will be used to enhance the life style of the Village residents. Be sure to head along for a great day.

Forbes To Host The 2023 Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW Branch Conference: From Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th April, Forbes will play host to representatives from Councils across NSW for the 2023 Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW Branch Conference.

The program will focus on many aspects of disaster management with perspectives from government agency and not-for-profit support programs. Optional events on Thursday, 27th April include tours to Central West Livestock Exchange or an AMAZING Arts Tour, morning tai chi, lake walks and yoga.

In conjunction with the Forbes Business Chamber, a garden welcome reception will be held at the Forbes Anglican Church on Thursday evening. The conference will cilminate in a gala dinner to remember on the Staurday night. Registrations open from 1pm on Thursday 27th April at Forbes Town Hall.

Help When Disaster Strikes: Learn how to help your local community in times of disaster, such as floods, bushfire or storm events by heading along to a free, one-day training course on Saturday, 15th April from 9.30am – 4.30pm at the Red Cross Team Rooms, Church Street, Parkes. The course will cover topics such as:

• Advocate for preparedness
• RediPlan
• Pillowcase Program
• Preparedness Workshops
• Evacuation Centre registration of affected people and provide personal support
• Psychological First Aid (PFA) during emergencies
• Provide outreach services and support people during recovery

Register before Thursday, 13th April by emailing kaedwards@redcross.org.au. For further information please call Greater Western Emergency Services Officer, Kerrie Edwards on 0417 216 617.

Support your community by becoming a Red Cross volun-teer. During and long after an event has happened, Red Cross is there supporting the community.

Our Young Bloke – Benjamin Hodges

March 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Benjamin Hodges

How old are you? 11.

What School do you attend and what year are you in? Forbes North Public School, year 6.

Were you named after anyone? No.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? Dominos pizza, Coke and chocolate.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? Carpenter.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Lots of devices and a park for my back yard.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Snorkelling with sharks.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Nathan Cleary.

What makes you feel like dancing? Hip Hop music.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? I would write all my wishes on a piece of paper and then wish that every wish would come true. To be Captain at High School and to become famous in some way.

Spiralling Business Costs Lead To Job Cuts

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

One in five businesses are looking to cut staff because of the spiraling cost of doing business.

The survey of more than 1,200 businesses has revealed 59% of owners will maintain the same headcount while only 19% are looking to bring people on.

The remaining 22% of business owners intend to cut staff, with the highly casualised workforces of arts and recreation, accommodation and food services and retail most likely to be the sectors hardest hit by job cuts.

Business NSW, Regional Director – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe said enterprises are feeling the pinch.

“It’s worrying to see staff cuts emerge as a response to the cost increases.

“Locally, Western NSW businesses are showing similar results to the overall state results, with 24% of businesses advising they are planning to cut staff.

“At the moment, 26% of Western NSW businesses consider themselves to not have enough business activity to survive 2023 and the rising cost of business is regarded as the biggest barrier to operating at full potential, said Ms Seccombe.

Housing shortages continue to impact business, more than one in three (35%) of business owners refer to affordability of housing for workers as the biggest barrier to hiring new employees.

Forbes Croquet News

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

May Jones is set up to receive the takings from the mornings players

There were 30 players for Aussie Croquet on Saturday, 18th March. Four players won three games: Noel Jolliffe, John Cole, Kevin Rubie and Peter West.

The big winners on the day were 14 – 8 John Browne, 14 – 9 John Cole and Ros Rennick, 14 – 10 Elvy Quirk and John Cole, Noel Jolliffe.

There were 36 players for Golf Croquet on Tuesday, 21st March.Two players managed to win three games: John Cole and Noel Jolliffe. The big winners were 10 – 3 Elvy Quirk and John Browne, Sue and Noel Jolliffe, 9 -4 John Farah and Vince Roberts, John Farah and Allan Jones.

By Pegging Out

More BreastScreen Vans To Save Lives In Regional Areas

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Four new lifesaving BreastScreen NSW vans will roll into regional and remote communities under a $21.7 million investment by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government to make breast cancer screening more accessible.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to improving health services for women, with re-election announcements of $16.3 million for new endometriosis and pelvic pain services, $7 million in research grants for gynaecological cancers, a $4 million expansion of the $80 million Affordable IVF Initiative, $2 million to help women suffering miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth and a $95 million infrastructure overhaul for The Royal Hospital for Women’s Newborn Care Centre and Birthing Unit at Randwick.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government have also committed $40 million as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget to establish four Menopause Hubs and 12 specialised services across the state.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new BreastScreen NSW vans will visit up to 50 more communities for the first time, including in Northern and Western NSW, saving women significant travel time. “Making sure that every woman in NSW has the opportunity to detect breast cancer early,” Mr Hazzard said.

What is the best birthday present you have ever received and who gave it to you?

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sonya Merrit: Last year at my 40th birthday party my partner proposed to me, so that would be the best gift I ever received.

Bradley Sharkey: Best present ever was a gold necklace received from my mum and dad which they saved up for years.

David Todd: My favorite gift ever was probably my first mountain bike that I was gifted by my dad when I was 12.

$1 Billion To Support Farm Innovation, Resilience And Sustainability

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will double the amount farmers can access under a $1 billion expansion of the successful Farm Innovation Fund.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said farmers will now be able to borrow up to $2 million to identify and address risks to their businesses, improve on-farm infrastructure and ensure long-term productivity and sustainable land use.

“For almost a decade, the Farm Innovation Fund has given farmers access to long-term, low-interest loans of up to $1 million to finance projects that contribute to productivity and resilience – now we are doubling that,” said Mr Toole.

“To date, more than $840 million in loans under the Farm Innovation Fund, Seafood Innovation Fund and Drought Assistance Fund have been approved, assisting more than 8,600 NSW farmers to help launch crucial innovation and infrastructure.”

“Not only are we planning to increase the maximum loan amount from $1 million to $2 million, we also want to expand the program so the loan can be accessed for the adoption of new technologies, usage of automation and robotics to address labour shortages and carbon farming infrastructure.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said farm productivity will always be a priority for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

“The fund will no longer be limited to on farm infrastructure but rather the imagination of farmers who want to future proof their land, their operations and their businesses.

“Through this boost, farmers will be able to invest in a range of initiatives to become more profitable, resilient and sustainable such as new energy generation, automation, boosting soil carbon, reducing emissions and increasing vegetation.”

Chief Winemaker at Robert Stein Winery Jacob Stein said he’s excited for what this support will mean for the future of his business.

“I have always been keen to look at opportunities for automation within our winery and our vineyard but haven’t had the cash flow to do so,” Mr Stein said.

The Masters Of The Mandagery Put On A Show For Forbes

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

In excess of 1,000 people flowed through the gates on game day last Saturday in Forbes.

This year saw the fifth annual Masters of the Mandagery, however due to the devastaing flood last year, it was forced to move from its usual homeground in Eugowra to Forbes, where the event was warmly received.

Event organiser, Andrew Barnes said the day was a massive success despite a few of the regular teams from Woolongong and Cootamundra unable to attend. A total of 15 teams registered to play in the event and over 1,000 people went through the gates.

“Teams travelled from far and wide to enjoy some good old fashioned footy, and that’s what it is all about. It’s a massive social event,” said Andrew.

Andrew set the goal of raising $500,000 and so far the total has reached $102,880, including proceeds from Saturday. If you would like to support Andrews efforts then you still have time to jump online and purchase some raffle tickets.

A massive thank you goes out to Forbes for hosting The Masters of the Mandagery event, to all of the players and officials involved in the event and to the supporters who came along on the day and made it such a great event.

Be Seen @ The Masters of Mandagery

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Mayoral Notes

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Did you know that your Council hosts, or is involved in, putting on over 250 events a year? You cannot count the economic, social, emotional benefits of the visitors that are drawn to our region by these and other privately staged events.

Take this weekend for example – the town will be well and truly alive with people for the Forbes Auto Sports event, the annual Rugby Club’s President’s lunch, even a deb ball. It is the 10th and last year for the Stubby Collitts rugby league match between the Magpies and Bathurst’s St Pats.

It is also NSW State Election, the time where you get to have a say in who makes the decisions on running our state. Don’t forget to vote, there are polling centres around town if you are unsure head to the website, elections.nsw.gov.au

If you are organising an event and would like Council’s assistance in promoting it on our what’s on mailout please do not hesitate to get in touch with our wonderful events team on 6850 2300 or email events@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Another way in which Council is working to make this region even greater for those who live in it is the launch next week of a survey to update Forbes’ Disability Inclusion Action Plan. The survey has been designed to gain input into making Forbes’ a more ‘liveable’ place for those who have a disability, care for someone with a disability or provide services to this sector of our population. We will provide information on how you can access this on our website, Facebook page and through the media.

Enjoy your week, and God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM

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