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Forbes Phoenix

Success At The Land Cookery And Handicraft Day

March 27, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Left: The Handicraft Judge, Ruth Hando, was kept busy for much of the day stating, All entries were of a high standard. Right: Pat Hurley with her Champion sultana cake.

Oxley Group CWA held their annual ‘The Land’ Cookery and Handicraft Day on Tuesday 11 March in Condobolin. The Land Cookery Judge, Ann McIntyre, and Handi­craft Judge, Ruth Hando, found many im­pressive items presented for judging from our local community.

For the cooking section there were en­tries in 10 sections ranging from boiled fruit cakes, butter, sultana and chocolate cakes, slices, biscuits, apricot rolls, sponges, rel­ishes, marmalade and jams.

This year entries were submitted from Forbes CWA and Forbes Evening CWA Branches, Condobolin, Myamley, Parkes, Tullamore and Kiacatoo. The Cooking Of­ficer for Oxley Group CWA, Linda Brang­win commented, “It was wonderful to see all branches in Oxley Group represented.”

The competitor to gain the most points was Ruth Worthington from Kiacatoo and Champion Cake was a sultana cake en­tered by Pat Hurley from Myamley.

In the Handicraft section, entries were received from Forbes, Tullamore and My­amley. The Eight Item Group Competition was won by Tullamore Branch with Emily Hunt of Forbes Branch taking out the high­est score in this section.

Myamley won the Branch Challenge and Myamley Branch member, Janette Man­waring, won ‘The Land’ Champion Article Natural fibres Section 8 with a white child’s dress with navy smocking and trim. Janette also won the Over 80’s section with her smocking. Other successful entrants were Dawn Ible (Forbes) for her Assisi work win­ning the Chairperson’s Award, Zita Carey (Tullamore) taking away the Handicraft Of­ficer’s Award for her striking black, white and red quilt and Marian Gutherie (Myam­ley) for her knitted garment.

Winning entries in Handicraft progress to State and be judged at the CWA State Conference held at Wagga Wagga in May.

Contact your local CWA branch to enter in 2026.

Be Seen @ Red Bend Catholic College Assembly

March 27, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Term 1, Week 8 Assembly. Acknowledgment of Country by Stella Neville.

 


The entrance of the cross, candles and Brass Heart by Clare Gorton, Holly Purcival, Immy Ousby, and Cooper Holloway (pictured).

 


College Captains Ruby Arnott and Lachlan Kupkee congratulated our students on their strong commitment to our community.

Forbes Netball 2025 Representative Season

March 27, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Forbes Netball Open Representative team. Front: Abbey Kelly, Jordi Petty, Matiese Byrnes, Kate Payne, Phoebe Thomas. Back: Robyn Kenny (coach), Nat Hall, Kate French, Rel White, Emily Wilson, Tori Petty, Iesha Sinclair, Alice Lind (Primary Carer), Lisa Thomas (Manager).

Forbes Netball Association’s 2025 representative season will kick-off this weekend, when the FNA Open Representative team compete in the West/Central West Regional League competition.

The Forbes team includes; Matiese Byrnes, Kate French, Nat Hall, Phoebe Thomas, Kate Payne, Abbey Kelly, Iesha Sinclair, Emily Wilson, Tori-Leigh Petty, Jordi Petty, Alice Lind (withdrawn), Aurella White. Coach Robyn Kenny, Manager Lisa Thomas, Primary Carer Alice Lind.

The Regional League competition will be held at Orange PCYC over two days of 29 – 30 March. A West/Central West Regional League team will be selected from players aged 16-22, and will play in the Regional State Cup later in the year.

The Forbes team have been training since last year, working on their individual overall fitness, to ensure they are ready for the huge weekend of netball. The team started training together in February and have been meeting regularly each week, to bring together their teamwork and balls skills in high intensity training sessions.

This competition is the highest level of competition open ladies teams can compete in within the region, and the Forbes team is looking forward to playing extremely competitive games of netball over the two days All games will be 12 minute halves. The games start at 9am on Saturday, when Forbes will play Parkes, then Blayney 1, Dubbo 2, Blayney 2 and Mudgee 2. This will complete round one.

Round two will start on Saturday with return games against Parkes and Blayney 1. Sunday will kick off with games against Dubbo 2, Blayney 2 and Mudgee 2. A six team semi final series will be held on Sunday after the rounds, starting at 12:30 and the finals at 1:30. Goodluck to all players!

Parkes M&D Society Presents Mamma Mia

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The majority of the Mamma Mia cast at a recent rehearsal.

Tickets have gone on sale for the eagerly anticipated production of Mamma Mia and by all accounts, this is going to be another hit for Parkes M&D Society.

The show is led by two powerhouse voices, Kimberley Ryan playing Donna and Maddi Collits in the role of Sophie, but that’s not the only talent on stage.

Cue Shev Brown as the irrepressible Tan­ya, Cath Welsh as the zany Rosie, Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott playing Architect Sam, Greg Ballantyne as the intrepid traveller, Bill, Aaron Kingham as Headbanger Harry and Matt Prow returns to the Parkes stage to play Sophie’s love interest, Sky.

Supporting the lead cast is Gracie Townsend playing Ali and newcomers, Thomas Glastonbury as Pepper, Loki Ramsay as Eddie, and Annabella Brown as Lisa.

Backed by an immensely talented band led by Anthony Leonard and an all singing and dancing ensemble second to none, Mamma Mia promises to be something very special.

Many have seen Mamma Mia in pro­fessional theatres, but this production will have a few surprises in store for audiences – a point of difference for the Parkes pro­duction. Audiences will feel like they are right there on the Greek island of Kalokairi.

Mamma Mia opens on 3 May and runs until 25 May. Tickets can be purchased on­line at www.parkesmandd.com.au or you can purchase them from box office at the theatre on any Sunday between 10.30am – 12pm. Don’t miss out – tickets are selling fast!

Mayoral Notes

March 20, 2025 by Phyllis Miller OAM

After consulting with all 537 Local Govern­ment Areas, the Australian Local Govern­ment Association (ALGA) has developed a framework for a national advocacy cam­paign for Local Government to be run in the lead up to the Federal Election. The elec­tion must be held by 17 May 2025.

The “Put Our Communities First” cam­paign is to secure additional federal fund­ing needed by Australian LGAs to support our growing role delivering local solutions to national priorities.

The campaign will advocate for new fed­eral funding to be distributed to all councils on a formula-basis, similar to the Common­wealth’s Roads to Recovery Program, or the previous Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

This will ensure that every council and community benefits and supports local de­cision making based on local needs.

The five national funding priorities are:

1. Enabling infrastructure to unlock hous­ing supply; 2. Community infrastructure; 3. Safer local roads; 4. Increased local government emergency management capability and capacity; 5. Climate change adaption to help meet Federal targets.

A reminder for all to have your say for our Active Transport Plan and naming the Spooner Oval Grandstand. There has been a lot of interest and suggestions for this new sporting landmark, consultation will close on Friday 18 April so make sure you have your say. Council will consider all the submissions at its May meeting.

It’s been a big week at the saleyards this week with around 40,000 sheep up for sale on Tuesday. It was a mixed yarding with plenty of trade lambs and some heavy­weights, there were around 11,000 mutton and a large number of exotic lambs which sold for up to $217 a head.

Over 2,126 cattle were sold on Monday.

We still have plenty of buyers from away providing a competitive market for the in­creased numbers being sold until we get some rain.

God Bless,
Phyllis Miller OAM

Snippets…

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The new faces of the 2025 Parkes Picnic Races.

Parkes Picnic Races: Introducing the 2025 Parkes Picnic Races Committee:

President Tim Keith, Vice Presidents Ann Olson and Ian Brown, Secretary Tricia Trim, Treasurer Robyn Hawke, Executive Members Christine Somers, Stafford Or­ange, Mark Olson, Kelly Spedding, Kath­ryn Blackstock, Fiona Glasheen, Sommer Bishop, Elissa Amor, Gai Smith. Absent from photo, Tiffany Steel, Ian Brown.

Forbes Shire Council: We need your help to choose a name for the new Spooner Oval Grandstand, expected to be complet­ed by September 2025. Jump onto the link below to add your suggestions, photos or comments to the idea board. You can also vote on other suggestions. https://yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au/spooner-oval-grand­stand-naming

Cancer Council NSW: Could you host a morning tea to support Aussies with can­cer? Register now to host and event and you’ll receive a free host kit to help make your morning tea amazing. Your host kit comes packed full of goodies including: beautiful decorations, games and activi­ties, and a delicious recipe to try. You can register today and join the fun: www.big­gestmorningtea.com.au

NSW Farmers: NSW Farmers is proud to join rural leaders in launching a new appeal for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in Australian agriculture. We are calling on the Australian Government to invest in $50 million over five years to address the rural mental health crisis. View our statement: https://bit.ly/4iyLqeP Read more about the coalition: https://bit.ly/43P22KQ If you or anyone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access other services for mental health support at https://nff.org.au/mental-health-resources/

Parkes Shire Council: Only two weeks left to share your thoughts on the Draft Parkes Airport Masterplan! We want to hear from you, so check out the plan and let us know what you think. Your feedback matters! Submit your comments by 5pm on Tues­day, 1 April 2025. Together, we can shape the future. Find out more at: bit.ly/3QJDdrY

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes: Time is running out to enter the 2025 Cathol­icCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Art Competition. The competition offers a total prize pool of $4,000 to encourage emerg­ing Aboriginal artists to create and share meaningful artwork that shows the rich Aboriginal culture and artistry in our dio­cese. Paintings are invited from people 15 years and over. Entries close on Monday, 31 March. For more details: https://tinyurl.com/mrck53an

There is just two weeks left to enter the CCWF Aboriginal Art Competition.

Be Seen @ Red Bend Catholic College

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Assembly: The entrance of the cross, candles and Brass Heart by Cooper Holloway, Blake Reeves, Clare Gorton and Camille Murru.

 


Girls age swimming champions: 12/13 years Zoe Field, 14 years Amelia Grayson, 15 years Rosie Hurford, 16 years Jessie Tyack, 17+ years Ruby Jones.

 


Boys age swimming champions: 12/13 years Ollie Keane, 14 years Charlie Smith, 15 years Jedd Smith, 16 years Oscar McGill, 17+ years Max Reid.

Don’t Miss Homegrown Parkes Next Saturday

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Parkes Potters at the last Homegrown Parkes event.

Homegrown Parkes is back for 2025, pro­viding an opportunity for visitors and locals to fill their Saturday in Parkes with plenty of good food and local produce next Sat­urday, 29 March between 9am and 2pm in Cooke Park.

Homegrown Parkes provides an oppor­tunity for local and regional businesses who are processing, repurposing, sewing, propagating or producing fabulous local products to share their skill and products with the community.

Demonstrations will again be one of the highlights of the 2025 events, highlighting processes for using locally produced food and products, with the aim of encouraging locals to grow produce in their own back­yard.

The Homegrown Parkes Committee con­sists of members of Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Community Arts and Parkes Shire Council.

If you are interested in joining the Home­grown Parkes events, make sure you fol­low their social media, check out their website: centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/get-involved/homegrown-parkes/ or con­tact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053 or via email homegrownparkes@gmail.com The Homegrown Parkes spring event will be held on Saturday, 11 October.

Forbes Cyclists Pedalling For A Purpose

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Royal Far West Op Shop in Forbes will be the starting point of the two-day charity ride.

On 4 – 5 April, a dedicated group of cyclists from Forbes: Stuart Thomas, Luke Ran­dall, Marco Carelli, and Terry Cuskelly will embark on a nearly 400km journey to the Centre for Country Kids in Manly to raise funds for Royal Far West.

Inspired by Stuart’s daughter, Megan, who is a speech pathologist with Royal Far West, the ride will be held over two days, beginning early on Friday 4 April at the Royal Far West Op Shop in Forbes and fin­ishing at the Royal Far West headquarters in Manly on Saturday night 5 April.

The team is ready to pedal the 400km through various locations, including Mount Canobolas, Bathurst, and Lithgow, before reaching their final destination at Manly. It will be a huge two days of riding with valua­ble support provided by fellow members of the Forbes Road and Mountain Bike Clubs.

Cheered on by volunteers, and support­ed by Alison Lynch and Terry Hodges in the support vehicle, the team aims to high­light the work of Royal Far West and raise much-needed funds.

Stuart Thomas said “I have always want­ed to do a bike ride to Sydney given I have driven it so many times. So, why not raise some money and awareness, as well and ride some hilly backroads? “I would love it if you could support me to raise money for a great cause, and as many of you know I love a physical chal­lenge!” concluded Thomas.

If you are able to donate please, go to https://give.royalfarwest.org.au/fundrais­ers/stuartthomas/forbes-to-manly-royalfar-west-ride. Let’s all rally behind the rid­ers and help make a difference in the lives of country kids.

First Of Its Kind Birth Control Pill

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Australian women are set to enjoy greater contraceptive choice than ever before, with a first of its kind pill to be reimbursed by the Federal Government. From 1 May, the progestogen-only oral contraceptive Slinda® (drospirenone 4mg) will become available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for pregnancy prevention.

Under the PBS, Slinda will cost just $7.70 (for concession card holders) or $31.60 (for general patients) for four months’ supply, saving women several hundred dollars per year. Women previ­ously paid around $80 for three months’ supply. Currently, around 80,000 Australian women are paying privately for Slinda.

Women’s health experts and advocates, including Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician, are welcoming the new funding decision.

“Access to a wide range of contraceptive options is a fundamental reproductive right,” said Dr Foran.

Dr Foran went on to explain that Slinda contains only a progesto­gen hormone. It is not combined with an Estrogen. “Progestogenonly pills are especially suitable for older women, women at in­creased risk of blood clots, those who suffer migraine attacks, breast-feeding mothers, those who smoke, are overweight, or have high blood pressure,” she said.

“With greater education about contraceptive options and the risks and benefits associated with each, we are seeing increasing use of both progestogen-only birth control methods and the longeracting methods in this country,” she said.

It is estimated that around two-thirds of Australian women be­tween the ages of 18 and 44 years currently use some form of contraception, with 83 per cent having used contraception at some point in their lives.

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