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Forbes Phoenix

Happy Holidays From The Forbes Croquet Club

December 20, 2024 by By Elvy Quirk

On Tuesday 17th December Forbes Croquet Club held their annual Christmas Luncheon at the Vandenberg Hotel where
54 members were in attendance. Pictured receiving encouragement awards May Whiley-Jones, Bill Scott, Rex Toole,
Frank Donohoe, Russell Anderson, Lyn Simmonds, Evelyn Mahlo Absent Geoff Coles.

On Saturday 14 December, it was a very warm morning and Aussie Croquet was played with 27 in attendance. All three games were won by May Jones, Elvy Quirk, Kevin Rubie and David West whilst two games were won by John Allegri, Geoff Coles, Ray Burridge and Kevin Wenning. Kevin is already showing his style as he is relatively new to the game.

Scores recorded as follows for 14/13, Geoff Coles and Ray Burridge def Joan Littlejohn and Cheryl Toohey, John Allegri and Allan Jones def Fay Picker and Russell Anderson, Barry White and Geoff Coles def John Cole and Bill Scott, John Farah and John Cole def Bill Scott and Kevin Wenning, Lyn Simmonds and John Browne def Allan Jones and Fay Picker.

14/12 scores as follows, Elvy Quirk (solo) def John Browne and Noel Jolliffe, Elvy Quirk and Carolyn Neilsen def Phillip Moran and Lyn Simmonds, Phillip Moran and John Allegri def Noel Jolliffe (solo) May Jones and Kevin Wenning def Ray Burridge and Peter West.

14/11 scores recorded by Fay Picker and Marie Spry def John Browne and Russell Anderson, Elvy Quirk and Kevin Rubie def John Farah and Marie Spry, May Jones and David West def Joan Littlejohn and Peter West.

14/10 scoring was by Kevin Wenning and Kevin Rubie def Colleen Liebich and Lyn Simmonds, May Jones and David West def Marie Spry and Harley Stewart, David West (solo) def Robin Pols and John Cole.

14/9 scoring as follows, Frank Donohoe and Peter West def Carolyn Neilsen and Robin Pols, Kevin Rubie and Noel Jolliffe def Geoff Coles and Allan Jones.

Forbes Croquet Club members would like to extend their best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the Forbes community. Take care and stay safe over the holiday period.

By Elvy Quirk

Eugowra Flood Recovery Team Named Nsw Volunteer Team Of The Year

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Eugowra Flood Recovery Committee – The 2024 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year: David Herbert, Janet Moxey, Liz Mitchell, Sean Haynes.

The Eugowra Flood Recovery team were named the 2024 NSW Volunteer Team of the year at a special ceremony that was held in Sydney. The announcement was made at a Gala Ceremony in Sydney, at­tended by more than 300 community, busi­ness and political leaders.

The work of the volunteer team has be­come folklore, not just locally, but right across NSW and the entire country.

The Eugowra Flood Recovery Committee was established in 2022 to lead the com­munity recovery in response to the devas­tating flash flood that hit in November 2022.

The seven member committee – working closely with the entire town, council and state recovery agencies – set about the task of rebuilding the town and supporting its people.

Almost one million dollars was raised, volunteers recruited, and so many items and support were donated. It’s two years on, and so much has been achieved – but the work still goes on.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gem­ma Rygate “Few communities have been hit with something so devastating and un­expected as the people of Eugowra after the 2022 floods. Lives were lost, homes and property completely destroyed, and people faced a long and hard path to recovery.

“The flood recovery committee did an in­credible job helping to raise money, coordi­nate donations and support, and liaise with agencies on how to rebuild the town. They provided a human connection with people in the town. They gave them hope and sup­port and were an inspiration”.

Snippets…

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Jorja Banett from St Paul’s College, Freya Hooper from Red Bend Catholic College, Poppy Starr from Scots All Saints College and Josephine Galcsik from St Philip’s Christian College. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

2024 HSC Success For Red Bend Cath­olic College Student: RBCC want to congratulate Freya Hooper, who was an­nounced as being one of 4 students to top the state in Primary Industries in the 2024 HSC exam. Congratulations also to the three other country girls who came equal first in the course, which covers everything from fencing to driving a tractor and drench­ing sheep; Jorja Banett from St Paul’s Col­lege Walla Walla, Poppy Starr from Scots All Saints College and Josephine Galcsik from St Philip’s Christian Education Foun­dation.

R U OK? Not everyone has the same thoughts, feelings and experiences over the holiday period. Someone you know might find it a really tough time of year.

Keep an eye out for the signs a mate is struggling, and take the time to check in.

Double Demerits In Force From Today: Philip Donato MP is reminding everyone that double demerits are in place for 13 consecutive days in NSW over the festive season, from Friday, 20 December 2024 until the end of Wednesday, 1 January 2025 inclusive. “A timely reminder to be ex­tra safe out there on the roads this festive season – arrive alive!” Take care, Phil.

Parkes Shire Libraries: Everyone is in­vited to visit the annual Elvis Photography Competition running from 8 – 31 January in the Coventry Room, at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre. The announcement of winners will take place on Friday 10 Janu­ary at 4pm. Everyone is welcome. Light re­freshments will be available.

Forbes Veterinary Clinic: Are you going Fishing over the Holidays? Fishing related litter and debris can have a big impact on wildlife that interact with it. Birds, turtles, platypus and other aquatic animals can be accidentally injured by discarded fish­ing tackle, including fishing line, hooks and sinkers, lures, traps and nets. At some pop­ular fishing sites, it can also impact visitors and their dogs.

Central West Police District: A reminder as we get into the holidays and people are travelling. Driving fatigued is one of the three biggest killers on NSW Roads. htt­ps://testyourtiredself.com.au/

Parkes Public School: We wish Mrs Whit­ty all the best in her retirement! Thank you Mrs Whitchurch for 31 years of service at Parkes Public School and over 40 years of service to the Department of Education.

You have made such a wonderful impact on the PPS school community

Thank you Mrs Whitty for your 30+ years of dedication, you will be greatly missed.

Mayoral Notes

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

It feels like another year has slipped by far too quickly. So I am really looking forward to stopping and savouring every single minute we have with our family and friends over this holiday break.

I think it is easy to get caught up in how hectic the year has been in the lead up to Christmas but I will making a big effort to really enjoy the precious time we all have together and look back over the many, many things we have achieved in the year.

Here at Council we have commenced and finalised several major projects, main­tained and improved a lot of infrastructure and continued to drive the culture of growth and development we are well known for here at Forbes Shire Council.

From a community perspective, it has been a tough year, we have had some tragic losses and we have all rallied to sup­port each other, not overcoming them but getting through these times together.

It was pleasing to see our Council re­main largely the same in the September election. The minimal change reflecting the community’s confidence in our leadership and direction we are taking the Council in.

Politically, it has been a busy year of ad­vocating and working with the State and Federal Governments and as always mak­ing sure Forbes and regional LGAs have been represented and heard.

I am pleased to say we have further ce­mented our working relationships with our local members and a number of ministers we have welcomed to Forbes throughout the year.

We have continued to work with develop­ers to maintain momentum and investment in our community, I am excited about the new opportunities for the Forbes commu­nity next year and beyond.

I wish all of our community and safe and happy holiday – we hope you all have an amazing Christmas and enjoy a well earned break. It is an opportunity to regroup and rest before we face another busy and achievement filled 2025.

God Bless – looking forward to working with and for you all in 2025.

Phyllis Miller OAM
Forbes Mayor

Be Seen @ Forbes Carols By Candlelight

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The Forbes community got into the Christmas spirit at Carols by Candlelight in Victoria Park on Saturday 14 December.


The community came together to sing along to the carols and enjoy music from the Forbes Town & District Band and enjoy a great night with their families and friends.


The Forbes heat did not stop Santa from making a special visit from the North Pole and bringing joy to the children.

Strategy To Secure Lachlan’s Water Future

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The NSW Government has launched the Lachlan Regional Water Strategy, a longterm plan to meet the water needs of the re­gion and support water security for Parkes, Cowra, Forbes, and other communities across the Lachlan for the next 20 years and beyond.

The strategy provides a clearer pathway for a more resilient and sustainable water future, progressing a range of solutions to shore up water for residents, farmers, busi­nesses, Aboriginal people and the environ­ment.

We have consulted widely with the com­munity throughout the plan’s development, and we’ve received significant input which informed the final strategy and its actions.

The strategy is also underpinned by new, groundbreaking climate data and state-of-the-art modelling, allowing us to better un­derstand and plan for future water security risks.

New environmental data for the Lachlan Valley is now available on our online portal, showing modelled streamflow and storage volume data under different climate sce­narios, including long-term projections. This will help local water utilities, industry, and community groups better plan for their wa­ter futures.

Further information is available at: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/plans-and-strategies/regional-water-strategies/final/lachlan-regional-water-strategy

Recycle Your Textiles And Blister Packs In Forbes

December 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Left: Flannerys Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy owner, Jack Eastment, recycles some blister packs with Forbes Shire Council Waste and Environment Officer Olivia Robinson. Right: Forbes local David Kennedy recycles some old clothes at the new textile recycling bin at the Forbes Recycling and Waste Depot.

Unwanted textiles will be saved from land­fill thanks to a recycling initiative Forbes Shire Council has started. Forbes Shire Council has partnered with Reuse Repur­pose Recycle Australia in a 12-month trial to provide recycling bins for textiles at the Forbes Recycling and Waste Depot.

While residents are still encouraged to donate textiles to local op shops, the new bins at the waste depot/landfill will mean items not suitable for an op shop, such as damaged clothes can be recycled.

RRR Australia runs a program that keeps textiles out of landfill and will collect items placed in the textile recycling bins and re­use, recycle or repurpose them.

Good quality items are donated to chari­ties, op shops and shelters to be reused, while items that cannot be reused are recy­cled and made into items such as blankets, throws, caravan and outdoor mats.

Poor quality items are repurposed and donated to the RSPCA, arts and crafts stores for off-cut material to be used, while damaged items are made into industrial rags.

All clothing, shoes and boots, blankets, towels, backpacks, handbags and material offcuts can be placed in the textile recycling bins. Items that can­not be recycled include sheets, pillowcases, doonas, pillows and cushions, wet or soiled items and industrially stained items.

The average Australian disposes of 23kg of textiles per year to landfill, Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM, said “Forbes Shire Council is committed to sustainability and this pro­gram will help preserve our landfills and ensure textiles stay in the circular economy”.

Textiles can be recycled at the Forbes Recycling and Waste De­pot during its trading hours, 8:30am – 5pm seven days.

More medicinal blister packs will be kept out of landfill thanks to a recycling initiative between Forbes Shire Council, Flannery’s Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy.

Forbes Shire Council has partnered with both pharmacies to have Pharmacycle recycling bins at both locations, and residents are being asked to keep their blister packs and recycle them in these bins instead of placing them in their normal rubbish bins.

Blister packs are the packaging most medicinal tablets and cap­sules come in and cannot be recycled in the yellow lid bin due to the aluminum and plastic in them being bound together. This means many end up wasting landfill space.

Pharmacycle separates these two materials and recycles them to make a range of products such as fences, building and construc­tion materials. Since Pharmacycle began in 2022 it has saved 8 million blister packs from landfill.

Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM, said “This initia­tive is another great step Forbes Shire Council is taking to reduce waste in our landfills and I encourage everyone to place their blis­ter packs in the blue bins provided at both pharmacies,” she said.

“Forbes Shire Council is committed to sustainability and I’d like to thank Flannery’s Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy for partnering with us.”

The Pharmacycle bins can be used during the opening hours of both pharmacies.

13 Days Of Double Demerits For The Christmas Holidays

December 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Sergeant Mitchell Gage said: “We want everyone to make it to and from their holiday destinations safely this Christmas.”

Double demerit points will be in force for 13 days over the Christmas and New Year period. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Preven­tion Officer, MelanieSuitor said that double demerit points would run from Friday 20 December 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025 inclusive for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone of­fences.

Ms Suitor said double demerit points have proven to be an effective road safety initiative to make holiday travel safer for everyone on New South Wales’ roads.

“Traffic on roads to popular holiday desti­nations, increases by up to 50% during the Christmas and the New Year holiday pe­riod, so it is important to obey all the road rules and drive safely.

“While driving, focus on driving. Don’t al­low yourself to be distracted by your mobile phone, follow the road rules and drive to suit the conditions. Please make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitch­ell Gage is warning drivers that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this period.

“There will be more Police on the roads which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing.

“So, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to travel, don’t speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid dis­tractions, make sure you’re well rested and if you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs – don’t drive.

Snippets…

December 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Representing Parkes Shire Council at the 2024 Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards, Michael and Hannah from the Environment and Sustain­ability team were honoured to accept the award and are pictured with Costa Georgiadis.

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council is thrilled to announce their suc­cess at the 2024 Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards, where they took home: Division A (popu­lation < 30,000) and Overall Winner of the Natural Environment Protection & En­hancement: On-Ground Works Award for the Parkes Wetlands Development. These awards recognise the outstanding achieve­ments of councils across NSW in protect­ing and enhancing our environment.

Forbes Shire Council: Recycle your blister packs for free right here in Forbes. Forbes Shire Council has partnered with Life Pharmacy Forbes, Flannery’s Phar­macy and Pharmacycle to make it possi­ble for residents to recycle their medicinal blister packs. Blister packs are the pack­aging most medicinal tablets and capsules come in and they cannot be recycled in the yellow lid curbside bin, meaning they often end up in landfill. This is because the aluminum and plastic in them are bound together. Pharmacycle separates these two materials and recycles them to make a range of products such as fences, building and construction materials. Recycle your blister packs by using the blue Pharmacy­cle bins located at both pharmacies instead of placing them in your red lid bin.

Parkes Elvis Festival: Ready to roll? Ap­plications for the Northparkes Mines Street Parade are open! The Northparkes Mines Street Parade is a Festival-fan favourite. Kicking off 10am Saturday, 13 January along Festival Boulevard. Sign up to walk, ride, drive or float at: bit.ly/ElvisParade

1800RESPECT: Violence of any form is never okay. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, support services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Na­tional services include: 1800RESPECT and www.1800respect.org.au. You can also contact the Men’s Referral Service at https://ntv.org.au/mrs/. Always remember, that you are not alone and that there is sup­port available.

Forbes Little Athletics: In partnership with Coles, Little Athletics NSW gave away eight $500 vouchers during Coles Com­munity Round. To enter, you had to post a photo on either Facebook or Instagram in your best Coles Community Round outfit.

Well done to the Forbes Athletics club who pulled together, got dressed in their best in the Coles Community Round outfits and were one of the eight winners announced.

Thank you to Little Athletics NSW and Coles for allowing great opportunities for our communities.

Forbes Little Athletics winning competition photograph. The social media posts were judged on creativity, fun and of course a splash of Coles.

Be Seen @ Generocity Church Parkes

December 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Generocity Church held a lovely service on Sunday, as we move towards Christmas.

 


Everyone got into the spirit, singing some classic Christ­mas carols.

 


Everyone is looking forward to the thankfulness service and nativity play this Sunday.

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