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Forbes Phoenix

Men’s Shed Breaks Barriers And Builds Friendships

June 3, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Men’s Shed is continuing to prove its value to the community, and is encouraging more members to join and partake in its outstanding work and reputation.

The organisation is one of hundreds nation-wide that provide a facility for over 930 members in NSW to engage themselves in projects and socialise with other members.

Not all Men’s Sheds look the same, but simply take a step inside the Forbes Men’s Shed on Union Street, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

The shed is a modern take on the iconic shed in the backyard that has long been a proud part of our Australian culture, and is recognised as one of the most powerful men’s groups, addressing health concerns and assisting men to ask for help.

 Forbes Men’s Shed member Don Archer said it was a great place to engage with other men and learn something new every time.

“I love the knowledge and experiences of the other blokes here, I always go home having learnt something new,” he said.

He said the Forbes Men’s Shed had a great management committee that focused on providing a safe and busy environment for men who can work on community projects, specific men’s shed projects, or something of their own choice in their own time.

The Fobes Men’s Shed is looking forward to inducting two students from Forbes High School to assist with its projects alongside its support works from early July.

Memberships forms are available at the Forbes Men’s shed on Union street or from www.mensshed.org/application-form.

Forbes Men’s Shed member Don Archer said it was a great place to engage with 

Small Charity Doing Big Things For Forbes

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

COMMUNITY CHARITY… Community donations, like this load of firewood donated by Chris Lavender (right) as a raffle prize for a Can Assist Golf Day, are vital to the charity to enable them to continue to provide assistance to people undergoing treatment for cancer. Chris is with Forbes Can Assist President John Schrader.

Each year, scores of cancer patients from Forbes and surrounding townships receive support from the amazing volunteers at Can Assist Forbes, the cancer support network that does incredible things. 

Can Assist Forbes recently became the 39th branch to receive vital funds to help keep local cancer patients’ cars on the road since the partnership between Can Assist and greenslips.com.au was established three years ago. The donation comes at a critical time after fundraising was stymied by the pandemic. 

This means Can Assist will expand its practical and financial support to cancer patients from fuel vouchers, pharmaceuticals, medical expenses, food vouchers, accommodation to now include CTP green slips insurance. President John Schrader, a cancer survivor, said the donation would be well used. “The only way to get to treatment is by vehicle as we don’t have public transport. Most cancer treatment is in Orange, Parkes or further afield, while PET scans must be done in Sydney.” 

Can Assist Forbes Treasurer Maureen Field said: “People rely on their cars to travel to and from treatment. Using your own car gives you freedom of movement for the many and various medical appointments. We estimate we’ll spend around $11,000 on clients’ travel expenses this year.” 

The greenslips.com.au donation comes at a time when Can Assist Forbes is helping an increasing number of cancer patients after a lull during the pandemic. “We help up to 70 clients, some need a lot of assistance, while others don’t need as much. And we have some clients we’ve been helping for many years,” said Maureen.

The support goes beyond financial help. “We have delivered firewood, moved furniture, and helped with patient transport. We are open to whatever assistance the patient needs and wants – but mostly it’s financial assistance,” said John.

What sets Can Assist apart from other charities is that all money raised locally stays local to help local cancer patients. The branch is funded entirely by local donations, local fundraising events, and corporate support such as greenslips.com.au, a CTP green slip insurance price comparison and information website that does not sell green slips. “We don’t cut people off, we help them. It gets really tough, especially if you’re not working or have large medical costs,” said Maureen. “You can see the relief on people’s faces when they know their bill will be paid, and $300-$400 on a green slip is a lot of money.”

GREATER AWARENESS AND SUPPORT NEEDED

John feels it’s vital that more people know about Can Assist and the support it provides. “Prior to my cancer treatment I had no awareness of Can Assist, but during my treatment I met other cancer patients and became aware of Can Assist’s great work.”

He urges local cancer patients to get in touch if they need financial support. “We are always encouraging people that if they have a cancer diagnosis to please contact us. Due to privacy laws, we need them to come to us. We need everyone to be aware of Can Assist so we can help more people in our community.”

Can Assist Forbes welcome new members and volunteers to help with the crucial work it does. 

Forbes Can Assist’s John Schrader with members of the Elliot family who presented a donation to the charity. New members and volunteers are always welcome to join.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Lifts Spirits Sky High

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

FLIGHT OF JOY…Tuesday, 17th May will forever remain in the memories of five Jemalong Residential Village residents and three staff members after their exceptional experience of flying in a hot air balloon over Canowindra. The group dressed in matching Hawaiian shirts are (L-R) Dianne Golding, Nancy Dixon, Sharyl Welsh, Cathy Slessor, Helen Brown, Judy Prior, Eleanor Lewin and Sally Spence.

Fantabulous, amazing, surreal, marvellous, awesome, beautiful… 

The excitement was palpable as five Jemalong Residential Village residents and three staff members landed back on Mother earth after a 50-minute hot air balloon flight over Canowindra on Tuesday morning. 

Their smiles stretched from ear to ear and words of wonder and amazement flowed freely after this once-in-a lifetime experience literally lifted their spirits after many months of COVID lockdowns and loneliness. 

“It was such a positive experience for our residents and it was so peaceful and quiet up there,” said Cathy Slessor, Lifestyle Coordinator at Jemalong Residential Village, and one of the three staff members who went on the flight. 

“Although it was a very early start for the group leaving Forbes at 4:30am, they were all very excited dressed in matching green Hawaiian shirts to raise awareness for mental health,” said Cathy. 

“It was a perfect morning with clear skies and we saw so many kangaroos. The pilot even landed on a tree and picked a gum leaf for us. It was really special.” 

The opportunity came about through Catholic Healthcare’s MyWish program which grants residents their special wish. “We asked the residents what they wanted to do, and one suggested a hot air balloon ride.” The five residents who put up their hands ranged in age from 78 to 82. 

 “The MyWish program is about promoting and valuing life at any age and providing residents with the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional experience,” said Daniel Stanton, Senior Communications Specialist, Catholic Healthcare. 

Cathy said it was just wonderful to have been able to offer such a positive experience to residents. 

The day ended on a perfect note with a champagne breakfast at Montrose House before they returned to Forbes where many recollections are sure to be told for a while to come. 

Forbes Lawn Mower Racing Event A Cut Above The Rest

May 13, 2022 By Brett Sale

MOWER MAN… Davide Teale from Forbes raced at the 2022 All Australian Ride-on Mower Racing Championship in Forbes on the weekend and claimed third place.(Photo credit: Nic Pic NSW)

The world of ride-on lawn mower racing zoomed in on Forbes last weekend for the largest event in the sports history when close to 100 drivers competed in the 2022 All Australian Ride-on Mower Racing Championship. 

Forbes local David Teale kept the home crowd happy at the Forbes Autosports Club claiming third spot in the A class category. 

Two other Forbes locals competed with Clint McDonald qualifying in 9th place for the B Class finals, while Craig Bratton unfortunately had some mechanical issues missing a few heats but still managed to qualify 11th for the A Class. 

Australia’s best riders came from 11 clubs in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia to compete in seven classes from A to E and the Outlaws, the top grade. Each of the grades had eight rounds with the final races on Sunday afternoon with competitors aged from nine to 72 years. 

Australian Ride-on Lawn Mower Association president Dianne Milsteed said the sport had come a long way and there was a sense of family that came with the sport as it was somewhat of a “niche event at the moment”. 

“In reality when people can see what these somewhat simple machines can do they are blown away.” Some racing track designs limit the drivers to 50kph, but at the Forbes race track the souped-up modified mowers were able to go over 100kph making the event a cut above the rest. 

Dianne credited David Teale and Craig Bratton for their hard work leading up to the event in Forbes and for the success it’s been. 

By Brett Sale

Forbes Historical Museum Wins Medal

May 6, 2022 By Brett Sale

WONDERFUL HERITAGE… The winner of this year’s Forbes Heritage Medal was announced at a ceremony on Tuesday night and it went to the Forbes Historical Museum. At the event were (L-R) Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance, MC Cr Jenny Webb, Forbes Historical Museum representative Bruce Adams, Mayor Phyllis Miller, Cr Brian Mattiske and historical architect Graham Hall.

The Forbes Heritage Medal was awarded to the Forbes Historical Museum on Tuesday night in the newly renovated town hall.

Bruce Adams, who represented the Forbes Historical Museum, thanked the community for recognising the museum and its volunteers for their continuous hard work. “The Forbes Historical Museum continues to be one of the best volunteer run museums in NSW.”

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said she was very proud of the local community. “I think it is important to remember the people and places every year so we do not lose sight of the wonderful heritage we do have in Forbes.”

The Forbes Heritage Medal has a long and proud history of recognising the people who are working hard to ensure the preservation of the town. The medal is presented to a person or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the community and its heritage.

The three nominees were presented by local heritage advisor and historical architect Graham Hall. The other two deserving nominations were for the Forbes Tennis club and the Forbes Bandstand Rotunda in Victoria Park.

Several guest speakers spoke at the occasion, including local MC Jenny Webb and Sheryl Barton from the Forbes Family Historical group.

The Heritage Festival, cancelled last week because of the rain, will continue tomorrow in Victoria Park. The day will include heritage displays, bush poetry, damper cooking display and competition, historical vehicles and more. Make it a family outing and be prepared to have your curiosity provoked.

By Brett Sale 

$5 Million Boost For Forbes

April 29, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

NEW ERA… Member for Riverina Michael McCormack (left) with Southern Cross Nutrients Operations Manager Ian Collier (right) and representatives of Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd and Forbes Shire Council at the site of the new development in the industrial park in Forbes.

An organic fertiliser producer has received a $5 million Federal Government grant to become the first industry to set up business in the new industrial park in Forbes.

Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd received the grant through the Securing Raw Materials Program, which is supporting businesses move to or expand into regional areas to research and develop innovative and locally sourced raw material supplies.

Southern Cross Nutrients will produce organic fertilisers for farmers from recycled natural nutrients at Forbes. The project will create 15 full-time and four part-time ongoing jobs and a further 25 jobs during two construction stages. It is expected production will start late this year.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack welcomed the grant last Thursday in Forbes, saying it was another shot in the arm for the Forbes economy and an exciting development in the drive to make agriculture a $100 billion a year industry by 2030.

The Securing Raw Materials Program has a range of benefits, including establishing, securing and strengthening the supply of raw materials to Australian industry, and supporting partnerships between industry and regional universities. Michael said Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd was collaborating with Southern Cross University at Lismore to use organic waste to produce quality compost.

Southern Cross Nutrients will use compost and microbes manufactured in Forbes to produce nutrient and microbe-rich fertiliser to improve soil health, water retention, pest resistance and support increases in crop yields.

More information on the Securing Raw Materials Program can be found at: https://business.gov.au/srmp2.

Parkes Elvis Festival Celebrates ‘Speedway’ With Unique Car Exhibition

April 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

There is a lot to get revved up about over the return of the Parkes Elvis Festival, but an exclusive and unique exhibition to celebrate this year’s theme will be a chequered flag experience for many.

The Speedway Car Exhibition will run for five days only and will feature vehicles on display for the first time.

So, get your motor running and head to the corner of Clarinda and Mitchell where you will be greeted by a special Holden Dealer Team (HDT) showroom with a collection of modern and period cars, and road and race cars.

The collection of cars had the full HDT treatment, including the 2015 VF ‘Blue Meanie’ collection in sedan, wagon and ute configuration. It is the first time that the anniversary edition Commodores will be on display together. The VE-VC, VF-VK group A and VF-VL Group A that will excite Holden lovers and motor heads alike.

A crowd favourite is sure to be the 1980 Marlboro Holden Dealer Team 05 VC Commodore built by Peter Brock, which brings the King of the Mountain to the King of Rock and Roll in Parkes.

Also included will be a VK Group A, VE Interceptor and VF Champion Series Commodore. The Holden theme continues with a Walkinshaw Commodore and a HK Bathurst Monaro. Fans of the blue oval will also be pleased with the inclusion of such cars as a Moffatt Tribute Mustang along with a 1965 Shelby Cobra and MK 1 GT40 that appeared in Matt Damon’s Ford vs Ferrari movie. (Read more about this amazing exhibition on page 8.)

Entry is free and the display is open from 9am to 5pm from today to Sunday. The official opening is at 11am today and Peter Champion from HDT Special Vehicles will be sharing his wealth of experience, as well as his friendship with Peter Brock.

The Perfect Challenge

April 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

ICONIC TRANSFORMATION… View of the new Forbes Cultural Centre and Art Gallery in the making from the rear courtyard. The development is part of the $7.2 million Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project, funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program. For more information visit www.forbesartssociet.com.

The former Forbes Ambulance Station is undergoing a transformation and the company responsible for the work considers the Forbes Cultural and Art Centre project “the perfect challenge”.

“This project offers us a blend of old and new. An opportunity to restore a building with a lot of history, that has substantial damage, was too good to turn down,” said RWC Construction Manager Christian Gladdish.

“As a regional company, a project like this doesn’t come around too often. RWC are excited to give this building everything it needs for it to be around for the next 100 years.”

The Bathurst-based construction company has experience in working on heritage projects and where possible back that up with trades that understand the nature of the work.

With the preliminary works now complete, the next phase of the build is to install the new framing, structural walls and floors in line with the new centre’s dynamic layout.

A key milestone of the build will be the delivery and installation of the feature spiral staircase which will be craned into the foyer via an opening in the roof.

“This is an exciting time, not only for the Forbes Arts Society but the whole community, to witness one of the town’s most iconic buildings being transformed,” said Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick.

“What has been an eyesore for over two decades, will soon become a vibrant and welcoming space for locals and visitors to gather, connect and create.”

‘Beau’-tiful Race For The Australian Title

April 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

SPEED KING… Beau Bailey became king of the speedway in South Australia last week when he won an Australian title in the 125cc class. Beau and his family used to live in Forbes, but moved to Grenfell where he has a track in the back-yard for training. (Photo: Terry Scriven of TPS Photography)

He’s been riding bikes since he was three years old and last week Beau Bailey won his first ever Australian title.

The twelve-year-old only switched to Speedway two years ago, and last week he became the Australian Champion in the 125cc class at the Sidewinders Junior Speedway Club in South Australia.

“There were 16 competitors from all over the country in that race, and they were all there to win,” said his mum Jade Bailey.

The race itself is an adrenaline rush only lasting between 30 to 40 seconds with four bikes on the track at a time doing laps. “When Beau gets in front he normally stays there,” said Jade, but he was still shocked when he walked off as the winner.

The Australian title comes after a string of other wins over the past two years including NSW title holder, two Victorian title wins and South Australian title winner.

Beau also decided to pick up a normal dirt bike again last month after 12 months of only doing speedway to enter the Bathurst long track in 85cc class and added another title to his collection.

Beau, who trains every week on the track in his backyard, seems to be on a good trajectory to realising his dream of racing for a living in Europe one day.

With the support of his extremely proud family and generous sponsors, he has a clear path set out for him.

By Maggi Barnard

Opportunity Of A Lifetime For Young Soloists

April 1, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

BIG NIGHT… Overture’s two junior soloists Lexi Herden from Forbes and Aimee Ross from Parkes are ready to share the stage with Australia’s biggest stars in Overture tomorrow night.

It promises to be a night to be remembered and a young Forbes student has been hand-picked to share the stage with Australia’s celebrity artists as a soloist in Overture tomorrow night at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes.

Lexi Herden from Forbes is one of only two school-aged soloists chosen after she auditioned for the role with students from all over NSW. The Parkes Christian School student will be joined by fellow student Aimee Ross from Parkes as the other junior soloist.

Lexi will be singing ‘When I grow up’ from the musical Matilda. “I will sing two verses and then the choir will join in,” said the young star who played Scuttle in her school’s production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ last year. Aimee is singing ‘I know it’s today’ from Shrek with Lucy Durack and Holly Hare from Bathurst.

Lexi said she did not really understand how big a deal it was until her mum explained it to her. “I got really excited, but I’m also feeling a bit nervous about performing in front of such a big audience.”

Lexi’s favourite subject is drama and she would love to become a professional in musical theatre one day. “I can’t wait to meet Lucy Durack and talk to her about what it takes to get to the top.”

The two soloists concluded their preparation with a singing lesson from Overture star, Josh Piterman. The 12 and 13-year-old are ready for the big night and would like to see their communities come out and support them.

By Maggi Barnard

 

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