Roxane Manley

Snippets…

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

No cash, no worries. You can now tap and go to donate to The Salvation Army when stationed outside of Bernardi’s Supermarket in Forbes.

New Rules To Help Farmers Build Resilience: Farmers can now repair, restore, and rehydrate dry land without just relying on rainfall, thanks to changes to planning rules announced today by the Department of Planning and Environment. The Department’s Executive Director of Infrastructure Policy Jonathon Schipp said it is now easier for landowners to restore streams on their property through landscape rehydration techniques, without the need for development approval. A step-by-step guide will be released shortly, detailing what approvals farmers need to implement landscape rehydration techniques and rehabilitate eroded streams. For more information, visit www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/isepp-landscape

Get In Control Of Your Digital Health: The last few years most Australians have spent their holidays in the backyard or on a balcony due to the impact of COVID-19. As the world opens back up, tourism experts are forecasting a bumper holiday season – so if you’re planning on travelling, ensure your My Health Record is up to date. The team at the Australian Digital Health Agency can explain why. For more information go to www.digitalhealth.gov.au

Free Legal Diary And Calendar For Seniors: Avoiding scams, planning for retirement, making a will or getting financial help are just some of the topics included in the free 2023 Legal Topics for Seniors Diary, which is available for collection or ordering online. A free 2023 Legal Topics for Seniors wall calendar is available for seniors which includes important dates such as the NSW Seniors Festival, Grandparents Day and the school holidays. Seniors can collect the 2023 Seniors Diary from their local Legal Aid NSW office, local library, State Member of Parliament’s office, or order online at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/order-a-publication

Skate, Scooter And Bike Facilities For Parkes And Trundle: Parkes Shire Council has secured $500,000 from the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) and $300,000 from the Federal Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) Phase 3. The funding will be used for the development of the Trundle Skate Park, the Parkes Pump Track and to upgrade the Parkes Skate Park. Councillor Jacob Cass said, “Facilities like these are hugely popular amongst youth in the community and offer a space for them to learn new skills, build friendships.”

Life Pharmacy in Forbes has set up a small stand with FREE donations that are available for flood victims.

The Mighty Mound Of Euabalong

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

BYRNES FAMILY SACRIFICE HOME… Aerial view of the levy banks that were built around the town of Euabalong, saving the entire town except for one home that couldn’t be saved

We all know that country folk are some of the hardest working and resilient people on the planet, and the tiny town of Euabalong have proved that they breed them extra tough.

The residents of Euabalong knew that they faced an epic battle as the flood waters edged closer, but they rallied together to save their town.

Local residents Erin Dooley and her husband Patrick Byrnes lead efforts to build a levy bank to surround the town. Patrick put in a mammoth effort, working 14 hour days for 2 weeks, and at one point working 36 hours straight.

The original levy was breached on the Saturday. Erin and Michael had to make the heartbreaking decision to sacrifice their own home, to save the local hotel and the rest of the town. At midnight on Saturday, they started work and did not stop for 36 hours, building a levy bank that surrounded the town, and it worked, the levy held the flood waters at bay!

Erin recounted that 49 residents remained to fight the flood waters, while 18 residents were evacuated due to age and medical conditions. “It has been a full scale operation ever since, including cooking and cleaning rosters, levee bank patrol, ordering of supplies etc,” said Erin.

Erin and Patrick now face rebuilding everything that they have personally lost. The Byrnes family home was built 6 generations ago by Patrick’s grandfathers’ grandfather, and his family has lived in that house for 144 years. Along with his fully renovated home, Patrick also lost a week’s wages and everything in his shed, a tractor, two sentimental vehicles and a couple of sheep.

“I am so proud of my husband and the sacrifice he made. The way this community has come together is like nothing I have ever experienced in my lifetime,” said Erin.

ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO FLOOD WATER…The town was bracing for the worst but worked tirelessly to prevent it

Let’s Make It A Christmas Of Kindness

December 9, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Spread kindness this Christmas.

Just when we started thinking 2022 might get a better rating than the previous two years, the widespread flood disaster uprooted and traumatised so many people across our region.

The outpouring of support, kindness and generosity by community members has been phenomenal, but Christmas is still going to be very tough for so many.

There are lots of ways we can all do our little bit to make this festive season a bit more joyous for those have been affected by this catastrophe.

Here are some suggestions of where you can contribute. And remember to do all your Christmas shopping local to support our businesses.

• Forbes Shire Council has set up a GIVIT donation page to match you up with people who need help. There is a need for food vouchers at the moment. If you want to donate go to www.givit.org.au/donate-items. If you need help call 1300 585 054 or email givit@forbes.nsw.gov.au

• Eugowra GIVIT applications for help or to donate can be directed to www.visiteugowra.com.au/contact

• Forbes Central Butchery has a Christmas Wishing Tree, and Be Cafe in Parkes (formally Pink Orchid Cafe) is a drop off point for presents wrapped with an age and gender. The presents will be distributed to kids, big and small, from Eugowra, Forbes and Bedgerabong.

• Big W is bringing back the Giving Tree initiative at all its branches to support families in need and help spread joy this Christmas. Customers are invited to donate a gift until Christmas Eve. Unwrapped gifts including books, toys, stationery, puzzles or games, can be placed under the Giving Tree. The Parkes store will be matched with a local charity to ensure each donation is delivered to members of the community that need it most.

• Woolworths Parkes and Forbes in partnership with OzHarvest are joining branches across the country to help raise the equivalent of 7 million meals for those in need. Simply round up your supermarket shop to the nearest dollar while in store, or by adding a 50 cent token to your basket until 25th December.

By Maggi Barnard

Let The Festive Fun Begin

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Get ready to delight in the fun and entertainment tonight from 5pm in Templar and Rankin Streets.

The Forbes Business Chamber is pleased to bring some festive cheer to the community, with the annual Forbes Christmas Carnival being held from 5pm today, 9th December.

“There will be market stalls, giant games, rock climbing wall, bungee trampolines, jumping castles, merry-go-round and arts and craft activities. Food will be provided by lcal businesses and food vans that will be dotted around the site,” said Aaron Acheson, President, Forbes Business Chamber.

The carnival will be located in the central business area of Templar and in Rankin Streets. The Committee ask that vehicles are removed from the site no later than 12 noon for the street closures to take place prior to set up beginning.

“Forbes and the surrounding villages are well and truly due for a celebration after the serious weather that the district has experienced recently. There will be so much to see and do, such as face painting, free balloon hand outs and even a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus,” said Aaron.

Entertainment and music will be on the stage located at the junction of the two streets.

Thanks to the many people who have offered to assist and participate. Many businesses have been very generous with time and funds and have worked tirelessly to bring the Christmas spirt alive in Forbes.

Five $500 draws have already taken place, with three of the lucky winners being: Lisa Grayson, John Slessor and Susan Earl. People are encouraged to keep clicking on the QR code every time they purchase at a participating business to go in the draw to win. The colourful Find It In Forbes Christmas tree will be displayed outside participating businesses.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Rallies To Support Eugowra Residents

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Eugowra residents devastated by flash flooding can continue to call on CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) for financial counseling services.

It continues CCWF’s commitment to the town of about 700 people since disaster struck on November 14, tragically claiming two lives. More than 200 buildings at Eugowra were damaged or destroyed by the flash flooding, authorities report.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche visited Eugowra, and the organisation donated goods worth thousands of dollars to provide immediate relief.

“Members of our team at Forbes and Parkes did not hesitate, they wanted to be there for the people of Eugowra who have lost so much,” Ms Mioche said.

CCWF staff worked alongside defence force personnel going from house to house, and listened to people’s stories of survival, and provided information about CCWF services.

Eugowra sits outside the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, but has link with Forbes.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, Bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, travelled to Eugowra to support the neighboring community, where he said there were people who had “lost everything, in the true sense of the word”.

Bishop Columba, whose father’s family came from Eugowra, offered reassurance to the “strong and resilient” residents of the small town.

For more information on how CatholicCare can support you contact them for assistance on 1800 067 067

Croquet News

December 9, 2022 by Pegging Out

A wonderful day was had by all 28 players who attended Aussie Croquet on Saturday, 3rd December. Everyone agreed it was a warm and pleasant morning.

On this occasion, five players won three games and they were John Browne, Elvy Quirk, John Farah, Lyn Simmonds and guess who? Robin Pols. A big congratulations to these players.

Big winners for the day were 14-8 Sandy Hepburn and Tony Thomson, Robin Pols and Lyn Simmonds; 14-9 Lorraine Todd and Barry White, John Browne and Lyne Simmonds, John Browne and Robin Pols. Well done to these players.

The weather remained for another nice warm morning for Golf Croquet, with 29 players enjoying the day’s play.

On this occasion only two players managed three games, and they were May Jones and Sandy Hepburn.

Big winners for the day were: 11-2 Ray Burridge and Mal Smith and 10-3 Ray Burridge and Tony Thomson.

There were too many close games to mention them all.

By Pegging Out

Golf Course Rising

December 9, 2022 by Short Putt

Mowing the 8th hole and surrounds.

The golf course, along with many other of our community sporting facilities, is gradually drying out under this sunny weather.

On the golf course, drying of the fairways has enabled groundsmen to start mowing with the intent to reduce the rank grass growth before the fairway mowers can work effectively. The irrigation system still needs repair, but most greens can be watered manually.

A spraying program is in action to mitigate against fungal growth. There is still quite a bit of debris around the course and some greens will need repair.

In the near future we will ask for volunteers to assist with some of the repairs. If you think you can help please call the Course Supervisor, Jack Elliott on 0478 678 804 or Club President, Tony Cogswell on 0418 220 510.

The Pro Shop will be open shortened hours during this week, and then fully operational by the weekend. Please call ahead on 02 6851 1554 to check if it is open.

We expect to get a composite 9-hole layout operational for this weekend, 10th and 11th December. The success of that will determine when we can re-commence the Summer Sixes competition.

By Short Putt

How prepared are you for Christmas?

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Florence Samuels: I have finished all of our Christmas shopping so that we can celebrate an early Christmas here in Forbes before heading to the Central Coast to spend time with family over the holidays.

Debbie Prior: I have great intentions to be ready early but unfortunately life gets in the way! However, I have started my Christmas shopping and with such unique and beautiful stores in Forbes, it’s not hard to find something a bit different and out of the ordinary. The feeling at Christmas is always a positive and happy one and after the events of the last few weeks, it is good to have something special to look forward to.

Bri Cellendoni: I have all my parcels ready to post, I am stocked up with Christmas accessories to wear to work and help spread a bit of Christmas joy. I just really want to help spread a positive attitude and help make a few people smile.

Free Development Checks To Give NSW Kids The Best Start In Life

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Nine preschools across New South Wales, including Forbes Preschool, will take part in a new study providing free health and development tests for children before they start school.

The state-wide program is an Australian first, with checks assessing hearing, vision, physical and cognitive development, social and emotional development,communication and skills.

The study will help inform the state-wide rollout of the program and will include different types of tests in different locations.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was leading the nation with a $15.9 billion investment in early childhood commitments including health and development checks for children in preschools.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the study will run from late November 2022 until February 2023.Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the program aims to give more families the support they need if it is discovered their child is not on track to meet key milestones.

“A child’s health and development plays an important part in their school journey and these checks will identify issues early so that action plans and support measures can be put in place early,” said Mr Hazzard.

National Theatrical Release For Forbes Filmmaker

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Fresh off the back of winning Best Thriller at the Montreal Independent Film Festival in September, the new action, home invasion thriller called Avarice, is set for a nation-wide theatrical release on 8th December.

Co-written by Forbes local Dane Millerd (There’s Something In the Pilliga), former resident Adam Enslow, along with acclaimed screenwriter Andrew Slattery and film director John V. Soto (The Gateway), Avarice has been picked up in markets across the world and is currently number one in Austria and Germany.

For Dane Millerd, the journey as well as the reception to the film has been incredible. “When you see the film, it is easy to understand why the feedback has been so overwhelmingly positive,” Dane said.

Screening in Reading Cinemas across Australia, Avarice is a slick production filmed during the height of the pandemic in 2021 in Western Australia with a small but extremely capable cast and crew and was made for over $AU2 million. It was also an official selection at Western Australia’s CineFest Oz and the London Director Awards.

Starring Gillian Alexy (The Americans, Damages and McLeod’s Daughters) and old McLeod’s cast mate Luke Ford (Animal Kingdom, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Underbelly)

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