General Interest Archives - Page 128 of 326

Marc’s Images Among Top 101 In The World!

July 15, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT… Two portrait studies of Parkes photographer Marc Payne have made it into the top 101 photo-graphs in the world. The photos are of Parkes local Bill Bourke (left) and the Peak Hill artist Scott ‘Sauce’ Towney.

A Parkes photographer is one of only a handful of Australians to be named finalists in the prestigious International Portrait Photographer of the Year competition.

Of the 618 entries received, two photos of Marc Payne made it to the top 101 portrait photographs in the world, while a third image missed it by one per cent of getting through.

The two images were of Parkes local Bill Bourke and the artist Scott ‘Sauce’ Towney from Peak Hill.

“It is a privilege to know my work can match the best in the world,” said Marc.

His two images will be published with all the other finalists in the International Portrait Photographer of The Year annual book. The highly respected Australian Photography Magazine and the top selling Capture Magazine also published Marc’s photos with the other Australian finalists. They are Mariana Zilbershteyn, Mark Chamberlain and Kris Anderson. Karen Waller won the Portrait Story category.

Marc entered the same competition last year with the purpose of getting feedback on his work and never expected to make it to the top 101 photographs in the world. He was named a finalist for his image of Dustin Howarth, a friend and artist.

“Photography is like a drug to me,” said Marc. “I’m addicted to it, and take photos every day. I’m now on the hunt for five subjects for next year’s competition.”

Marc has also entered the international landscape photography competition Epson Panorama Awards and the David Malin Awards, Australia’s most prestigious astrophotography competition.

By Maggi Barnard

‘It All Adds Up’ To Be An ‘Amazing’ New Publication!

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

MORE TO LOVE, SUPPORT AND READ… The merger of The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix into one publication will mean more local news, events and opportunities for our readers every week.

Today is the beginning of a new era as we bring you the very first edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.

As the two shires share so many interests, including some ‘sibling rivalry’, with hundreds, if not thousands of residents travelling for work, sport and leisure up and down the highway every day, it makes sense to open up the news landscape between the two communities.

“Regional print media is doing it tough at the moment, and is not showing any signs of changing,” said Phoenix Group of Newspapers owner Joshua Matic. “As such, we needed to adapt to ensure our local publications in Forbes and Parkes can continue to deliver news absolutely free to read each week.

“We decided to combine our printed product for both towns into one as many news stories relate to both shires.”

Josh said the merger would not affect the digital publications and the websites and social media pages would remain independent as The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix.

More exciting news for our readers is that the Phoenix Group is boosting its digital platform and has started to release mobile apps. The Parkes Phoenix app is now live and ready to download from the app store for free, while The Forbes Phoenix app is in production.

“While other regional media are now hiding most of their stories behind digital paywalls, and continue to charge readers for a printed newspaper, we continue to ensure our news content is completely free to read both in print and online,” said Josh.

By Maggi Barnard

You Can Help To Improve Quality Of Life In Forbes

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

While NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia this week, the Forbes community will again be celebrating in September with a series of community events, including a marngrook game, which influenced AFL.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch has been helping the community for 20 years, but now needs a boost of new members to keep going.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch is a community-based crime prevention program which aims to improve the quality of life within a neighbourhood by minimising preventable crime and promoting closer community ties. The program relies on the community and the police working together in a partnership to achieve these aims.

“Joining Neighbourhood Watch will not only help prevent crime, but it’s also a great social environment,” said Neighbourhood Watch member Lyn Ward.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at the Forbes Bowling Club to discuss any concerns the local residents may be experiencing.

Membership of Neighbourhood Watch includes a wide range of benefits including home security tips, sourcing home security alarms and devices, and the use of engraving pens to etch driver’s licence numbers into furniture, jewellery and more.

“If we cannot find new members, the program is going to wither away, and this would be very sad for our town,” said Lyn.

If you would like to become a member of Forbes Neighbourhood Watch, contact Lyn Ward on 0417 536 619 or simply visit your local police station to discuss this in person. Alternativelyy visit Neighbourhood Watch NSW (nhwnsw.org.au).

Toby Is The First Winner

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Toby Hurford as the first winner of the Tradie of the Month competition in Forbes! Toby is from McMahons Kitchens and has won an FXD backpack from Gunn’s Menswear, sponsor of the competition. Carmen Duffy from Gunn’s Menswear handed Toby his prize.

Please keep on nominating your favourite tradie for the July competition simply by dropping into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Friday, 29th July.

Keeping It Clean At Kustom Autospa!

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

PARTNERSHIP… Jason Kennedy and his partner Kate Bush are offering a prep service to new customers at Kustom Autospa to help them choose the best option for their car. Easy payment options are available at all the machines offering a choice between eftpos, tap and go or cash.

The hottest must do activity in Parkes these days is taking your car for a wash! Yes, that once mundane slog has been turned into an exciting experience at Kustom Autospa where the latest technology in the industry coupled with a racing theme have customers lining up from all over the region.

“We have brought a new concept to Parkes giving customers a unique experience they won’t easily find anywhere else in Australia,” said owner Jason Kennedy.

He has done extensive research and visited many carwash businesses to come up with his concept that is quite new for Australia. He incorporated his love of racing cars and worked with a designer and architect from Sydney to run the Ford GT40 racing theme throughout the design from the colours to the art work and signage. The washing bays feature famous race courses from around the world, and Formula One racing driver Jim Clark’s car to make it all more inviting.

“Everyone knows me for my cars,” said Jason, who has a Ford GT40 in his collection.

Apart from televisions in every wash bay, and a full sound system throughout the complex, the soft cloth and touch free machines bring a new concept to washing cars.

“The soft cloth machines, which takes about 12 minutes, comes from Europe and is one of the best on the market.” The touch free machine, taking about eight minutes, is a market leader from America and best suited for tradie vehicles, four-wheel drive and larger cars. Both machines have driers that ensures a shining clean vehicle at the end of the cycle.

Another big attraction is the caravan and boat bay that is also RV friendly, while dog owners have the option of getting their pets clean at the double heated dog wash.

A commercial kitchen will be installed this weekend to add a drive through take away service for a complete experience.

Three Forbes Finalists For Business Awards

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The business community in Forbes has been recognised in the region with three finalists being named in the 10th Western NSW Business Awards announced last week.

The Forbes Automative Group features strongly with Cody Banks named a finalist in the Outstanding Employee category, and the business a contender for the Excellence in Innovation category. The third finalist is Topsoil Organics named in the Excellence in Small Business category.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner and award celebration on Friday, 22nd July in Dubbo at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

“This year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across the region,” said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager – Western NSW, at Business NSW.

“It’s been an incredibly challenging number of years for many businesses and continues to be so, but these awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase the ingenuity, strength and resilience of Western NSW businesses,” she said.

Winners of the 2022 Western NSW Business Awards, will represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in November.

Thumbs Up… Thumbs Down

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

THUMBS UP

To Parkes Paragon Cafe – top food, top place!

THUMBS UP

To the nurses Georgia and Sue at Parkes Hospital for the care and comfort they gave to my little boy and I. Also, a shout out to Herbie and Ashley from Forbes Ambulance for taking us to Orange. You all made such a stressful time seem easy and under control. I can’t thank you enough!

THUMBS UP

To the Vandenberg Hotel on their extensive renovations, we can’t wait to see the finished product.

NSW Faces Another COVID-19 Wave

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The current wave of COVID-19 infections continues to grow and all NSW residents are urged to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and to practise COVID-safe behaviours.

There are fears the number of serious illnesses and death toll will increase significantly as the latest wave is driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said figures showed 56% (or 1,232 cases) of COVID-related deaths this year were in people who have had two or fewer doses.

“We are at the beginning of the third wave of Omicron which is likely to peak in late July or early August. This increase in community transmission brings with it greatly increased risks for those not up to date with their vaccines,” he said.

“The best way you can protect yourself from serious illness or worse is to get every vaccination that is available to you.”

If you are fully vaccinated you have a 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses alone affords, according to data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said in addition to booking in for a booster, people should exercise common sense and wear a face mask in public indoor spaces, where physical distancing cannot be maintained. “Face masks, hand hygiene, staying home when ill, testing yourself when symptoms present, physically distancing, all these measures are not new to us,” Kerry said.

Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are reminded to speak to their GP or health professional about antiviral medications if they contract COVID-19. Antivirals work best when taken within five days from when symptoms onset.

COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for anyone 16 years and older who had their last dose of a primary course at least three months ago. To find your nearest vaccination clinic, visit nsw.gov.au.

Multi-Purpose Equestrian Arena For Forbes

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

At the funding announcement last week were (L-R) Forbes Shire Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance, Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller, Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane and NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway.

The Forbes Racecourse precinct is going to be turned into a multi-purpose equestrian arena thanks to a $3.5 million grant.

“This new multi-purpose equestrian arena will cater for all equestrian sports, including ranch sorting, camp drafting, show jumping, dressage, pony club, riding for the disabled and rodeo,” said NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway last week.

“The new facility will also be capable of supporting sports education, training and skill development events.

“This Government is investing in facilities that will provide our local communities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation and building what matters to the people of NSW,” said Sam.

Forbes Shire Council received the grant from the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said council was excited to have this opportunity to build the new facility.

“Forbes has a long and distinguished equestrian history and this will give us the opportunity to continue to grow with a state-of-the art facility for sports education, training, skill development and as a venue for major competitions.

“We are also excited about the potential this support will mean for our very active Riding for the Disabled members as this facility will be an inclusive and all abilities accessible space for riders, competitors, spectators and organisers.

“The arena also has potential to expand its offerings to community groups and functions requiring a large outdoor space,” said the Mayor.

Almost $100 million was awarded to 38 clubs, associations, sporting organisations and councils across NSW in Round 1 of the fund, which invests in new or upgraded multi-sport facilities to provide more opportunities for people to play sport and be active.

VANFEST Move Big Shock For Forbes

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The announcement by VANFEST organisers early this week of the relocation of the event to Bathurst came as a huge shock to Forbes.

“After making Forbes its home for eight wonderful years, VANFEST is relocating and set to make its mark on the iconic location of Mount Panorama in Bathurst,” the organisers said.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller said Forbes Shire Council was extremely disappointed the decision had to be made for the music festival to move from Forbes.

Organiser Matt Clifton acknowledged and thanked the Forbes community and Forbes Shire Council for its support over the past eight years. “Forbes Shire Council has been a pillar of support from the very beginning for VANFEST and I am incredibly grateful for those partnerships.” He said the community support from Forbes had been massive. “It was a really tough decision to make but one we needed to for the future of the festival,” said Matt.

“We are proud of the economic stimulus the festival brought to Forbes – it is our place of origin, our hometown. However, we need to stay sustainable and the move to Bathurst means we can expand, it means we can re-energise and support the broader region’s music and tourism sector which were severely impacted by COVID.”

Subscribe