General Interest Archives - Page 101 of 326

Do You Want To Join The Parkes Shire Concert Band?

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The story of Bogan Gate has been commemorated on a plaque.

The town of Bogan Gate celebrated its 125th anniversary on Tuesday, 11th March. The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) were invited to lead the vintage car parade. They marched, playing Colonel Bogey before setting up beside the ‘gate’ to entertain the crowd after the speeches and the unveiling of the plaque.

PSCB member Elly Tom said, “It was a privilege to be part of this historic occasion.”

PSCB is a committed community band, always ready to welcome new members. If you want to play music again, dust off that instrument, join in and give it a try. At present the band has two members who are new to Parkes and here for a work period, it’s a great way to make friends.

Don’t fret if you no longer have an instrument, the band have a range of instruments for hire and if you’re a beginner, don’t let that stop you, as PSCB offer group beginners lessons.

The PSCB rehearse every Tuesday during the school terms, above the Parkes Aquatic Centre. Head along to Homegrown this weekend between 10am – 11am to meet the members of the PSCB.

The PSCB leading the vintage car parade to the Bogan Gate 125th Anniversary.

The PSCB entertaining the crowd after the official unveiling of the plaque.

Tony Mileto – There For You

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Tony Mileto loves nothing more than delivering on promises for regional communities.

As someone who’s called the Central West home since I was 12, I want to ensure young people living in regional NSW can look to a future filled with endless opportunity. Not despite the fact they live in the regions, but because of it.

That’s why, four years ago, the NSW Nationals appointed a dedicated Minister for Regional Youth and set up a youth taskforce to inject young voices from the bush into government decision-making.

It’s why we asked 2,000 young people from the regions about what mattered to them and created a $40 million fund to invest in their ideas.

No young person in the regions should have to leave their home community because there are no high-tech or high-paying jobs there.

It’s why we’re helping regional businesses grow, and why we’re attracting interstate and international businesses to relocate to the bush.

We’re offering real help – like rebates for energy bills and tools to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, subsidised training to help you get the job you want, and vouchers for those with young families to help with extra costs like school and sport.

There is always more to do, but we have seen a 60 per-cent reduction in regional youth suicide from 2019 to 2022. As a former police officer who worked as a police/student liaison officer in Forbes and who continued that role with the PCYC in Orange, I know the importance of giving our young people a hand. It’s why I undertook community work in the fields of mental health and suicide prevention.

Only The Nationals are committed to putting regional people first – from their first steps to their first job and onwards.

Before you vote in the Central West on March 25, consider which party is there for you.

A Rural Medical Experience

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

School of Rural Health student Amy Malligan will complete her entire 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree in Dubbo.

Amy Malligan has recently started her journey to becoming a doctor, studying the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. Amy will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Amy studied an undergraduate degree in science in Sydney, unsure of what to do when she finished school. After living in Sydney for her degree she moved back home to Bathurst for her final year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It was a friend’s medical emergency and spending time in the hospital that inspired Amy to pursue a career in medicine. She began working in Bathurst Hospital as a Patient Experience Officer while applying to study medicine at rural clinical schools.

“My brother had a great experience studying medicine at a rural clinical school and training in a rural hospital, so I knew that I wanted that experience too. When I found out I could study the entire Doctor of Medicine in Dubbo, I knew that was where I wanted to be. I love living in the country and I love that I’m still so close to family in Bathurst,” she says.

Amy is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice.

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Bringing Regional Communities Closer To Specialist Care

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Regional patients will be able to access specialist follow-up care closer to home with a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government announcing more than $7 million to establish virtual consultation spaces in every Multipurpose Service (MPS) across the State.

You shouldn’t have to drive hundreds of kilometres for a follow-up specialist appointment if you can have it face–to-face but via video in your local community.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said setting up virtual consultation spaces in the MPS meant support was available for patients, both to assist with navigating the technology and to help them plan for further treatments.

“This is about providing choice to our rural and regional patients who may not want to travel outside their community and don’t have access to the necessary technology at home or feel at ease using Telehealth on their own,” Mrs Taylor said.

Mrs Taylor said the hubs will help our smaller health facilities access enhanced medical coverage and support staff through remote monitoring, specialist advice where needed, 24/7 General Practitioner care, and better access to patient records.

“Our rural virtual hubs will be based in regional locations and staffed with regionally-based clinicians who will bring with them a wealth of knowledge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“There is no one quick fix solution to Australia’s medical workforce shortage, but by building rural hubs with clinicians who live and breathe regional health care, we’re adding another layer of support in our rural and regional communities.

Help Support Pop-Up Op Shop This Weekend

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Craft and clothing being sorted for the Pop-Up Shop this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Fat Parcel in Eugowra received donations of barista Almond Milk from Islamic Council of Queensland.

The Forbes CWA Evening Branch has received a container full of donations for flood affected communities. The donations have been very generously collected by the Islamic Council of Queensland. Forbes Shire Council asked Forbes CWA Evening Branch to take on the job of distributing the items.

“We are ready to open our Pop-Up Op Shop this Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March at the Forbes Showground Commercial Pavilion,” said Ms Robyn Miller, President of Oxley CWA Group.

Doors will open on Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. If there are enough volunteers and items to sell, the Pop-Up Op Shop may run the same days next week as well. If you would like to assist, please head along.

Prices will range from $2, with designer clothing from $10. All proceeds of the Op-Shop will stay within the area. “It would be fantastic if we could sell all these donations and give those who are flood affected some vouchers to help them return to their homes,” said Ms Miller.

Local Fundraiser Planned For Royce Simmons “Big Walk” For Dementia

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

A sign that was made to encourage Royce on his “Big Walk” last year when he raised over $1M.

In 2022, at the age of just 61, Penrith Panthers’ rugby league legend Royce Simmons announced that he had been diagnosed with Dementia.

The diagnosis sent shock waves through the rugby league and broader community. However, Royce wasted no time at all, throwing himself behind the “Big Walk” to raise money for Dementia Australia to fund further research.

“I’ve got dementia, but not too bad at the moment, I’m just trying to make people aware of how bad dementia is,” said Royce.

“I don’t think people realise how bad it is, over 400,000 people are currently living with dementia in Australia and experts say that is expected to double in the next few years.”

Royce has gathered a huge amount of support from the rugby league community that he was a part of for decades and has many supporters on board sponsoring the walk.

Royces “Big Walk” kicks off on Tuesday, 18th April in Dubbo. He will travel through Parkes on Thursday, 20th April, and is scheduled to arrive in Bathurst on Saturday, 29th of April where the Panthers Vs Wests Tigers will be playing for the Royce Simmons Cup.

Royce has called upon fellow footy and sporting legends to join him on his walk through regional towns including Parkes and Eugowra. Part of Royces initiative is for the junior footy clubs in the towns they pass through to utilise the opportunity to raise funds for their own clubs, in addition to helping Royce raise money for Dementia Australia

Royce went on to explain, “We organise and supply a couple of guest speakers for the local fundraisers, we supply some memorabilia for the auctions and we are happy that it helps raise money for Dementia Australia and local junior footy.”

Local President of the Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Club, Andrew Thomas spoke to The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix about why this is such an important fundraising event for people to get behind. “Royce is so driven by junior league and grassroots football, they’ve asked the clubs to hold an event and we have decided to hold a fundraising dinner.”

Royce’s Big Walk, and the Fundraiser to coincide with his walk, will be on Thursday, 20th April. The Fundraiser will be held at the Parkes Services Club and tickets will be $35 each, which will include dinner. On the night there will be a number of guest speakers, an auction, raffle, and lucky door prizes.

The Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Club will put any funds that they receive from the “Big Walk” fundraising event towards upgrading the outdated facilities.

“We are pushing for a new grandstand, that’s the biggest ticket item that we are working towards. Parkes Council has been great, they funded a $76,000 Master Plan that was designed by an architect from Newcastle. He has submitted a design that has already been approved and its sitting there ready to go once we find enough funding. It’s up to us to be the driving force to make it happen,” said Andrew Thomas.

Skip The Que And Get Your Vote In Early

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The upcoming NSW State Election will be held on Saturday, 25th March. However, early voting will be taking place from this Saturday, 18 March to Friday, 24th March.

If you are in Parkes or Forbes, and would like to avoid the huge crowds and long lines on election day, then you are encouraged to get out and vote early.

Early voting in Forbes will be available at the Forbes Town Hall in Harold Street, Forbes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm

• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm

• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm

• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

Early voting in Parkes will be available at the Parkes Early Voting Centre, 30 Welcome Street, Parkes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm

• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm

• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm

• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to vote in federal, State and local government elections and by-elections. Ensure your voting registration details are correct.

A full list of local election cadidates will be available in next week’s edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.

Medal Recognition For Nine Forbes Community Corrections Officers

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Great day for Forbes Community Corrections with nine members of the local office receiving a Semper Deinceps Medal. The award recipients are picture with Forbes Mayor Phylis Miller and special guest Assistant Director Operations, West District Community Corrections, Craig Flanagan.

Semper Deinceps is Latin for Always Forward. This medal acknowledges the Corrective Services NSW staff that continued to persist and push through the pandemic despite the challenges it brought.

Mayor Phyllis Miller, this week presented Forbes Community Corrections Officers with their medals in front of family and friends.

Manager Kellie Becquet addressed the medal recipients with the following message: “Having worked for NSW Community Corrections for the past 20 years, it is an honor to be recognised by our organisation for the work we undertook during the COVID pandemic. It was for all an unsettling time. There were definitely concerns around the unknown and how that may have affected our family and loved ones.

During that pandemic, Community Corrections continued to focus on keeping our community safe and delivering a service to the people of NSW. I would like to extend this acknowledgement to all front-line workers, our health and law enforcement. I especially acknowledge all who keep our community going, our supermarkets, truck drivers and farmers. I also acknowledge those businesses in hospitality and retail that were brought to their knees. As a community we grow stronger together no matter what the battle.”

Craig Flanagan, Assistant Director Operations, West District Community Corrections also attended the ceremony and presented the Forbes Community Corrections with a Directors Commendation for Dedication and group effort during local flooding events throughout 2022, which impacted local teams, and offices. In recognition of the support, teamwork, resilience and the continued commitment to service that was displayed daily.

Kellie also thanked Lara Constable from Larz Coffee fix for donating the catering of a lovely morning tea for all in attendance at the award ceremony.

Medal recipient Anthony Towney, was born and raised in Gilgandra and went on to serve on the police force for 19 years, 16 years of those as a Community Liaison Officer. Anthony moved into working with Community Corrections and has been doing so now for almost 12 years. Anthony is currently working as an Aboriginal Community and Cultural Engagement Officer.

“You don’t look for accolades, but when you get recognised for the work you do, it is very rewarding,” said Anthony. All of the Forbes medal recipients were proud to be able to share their achievements with family and friends.

When COVID-19 first hit it was unknown and a scary time for all. Of his time working on the front-line during the initial stages of the pandemic, Anthony said, “You want to know that when you are going to work that you are protected, and it is a safe work environment. This is something that Community Corrections does really well.”

Save Power Kit Available At Forbes Library

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

If you’re like the rest of us, you’re keen to save money on your power bills! The Forbes Library have stepped in to help, partnering with Forbes Council and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Sustainable Council and Communities Program (SCC) to provide community access to the Save the Power Kit for loan from Forbes Library.

The Save Power Kit provides tools and useful information to help households measure how they use power at home. It also identifies simple actions that households can take to save money, power and reduce impacts on the environment.

The kit can help identify the biggest users of electricity in your home and describes many easy, low cost things we can do at home to use less power and save money on bills, without changing your lifestyle. The Save Power Kit contains: Power-Mate lite, stopwatch, infared thermometer, light meter and thermometer.

The kits come with full instructions, a power mate to test the power use of appliances on stand-by, thermometers to check for drafts and heating and cooling, stopwatch and light meter. Even when an appliance is on standby, it can draw power, adding unnecessary costs to your power bills.

A guide book is included, and there is an action plan to allow each borrower to record results and plan improvements and savings. Best of all, it can be borrowed for free from Forbes Library.

There are 37 Councils across NSW who are members of the program. Call Forbes Library on 6852 1463 to reserve the Save Power Kit.

Nats Invest In The Future Of Our Kids

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Every child in NSW will gain a financial head-start under a life-changing Liberal and Nationals plan to futureproof the finances of generations to come, giving them the best start to life.

This is the most significant financial security investment in NSW history. Under a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government, every child in the Orange Electorate aged 10 and under – and continuing each year with every newborn child – will be eligible for a Kids Future Fund account, which will receive a $400 starting payment from the Government.

Parents will be able to contribute to the fund, with payments matched by the Government up to $400 per year, with interest also earned over time.

Once the child turns 18 they will be able to withdraw from their fund – which could be worth between $28,000 and $49,000 per child.

Nationals candidate Tony Mileto for the Orange Electorate said this landmark initiative is the first of its kind in Australia and will help provide financial security to an entire generation in the Orange Electorate.

“This investment will change the lives of children in NSW in the Orange Electorate forever,” Tony Mileto said.

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