General Interest Archives - Page 133 of 326

Meet Our New Phoenix Team Member

May 20, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Brett Sale is the new cadet reporter at The Forbes Phoenix.

Brett Sale has joined The Forbes Phoenix as a cadet reporter to cover all the local news in and around Forbes.

Born and raised in Port Arthur in Tasmania, Brett is new to the Central West having only moved here in January this year from Sydney’s hustle and bustle. It was a move not only to be closer to family and friends, but also to buy a home and start a family.

Before taking on the challenges of journalism, he said his best job was being a butcher for four years. “I enjoyed this to no end. It taught me not only a trade but a fine culinary style of cooking, which is popular at home and amongst friends.”

The exciting aspects of being a journalist was what lured him into making a career change. “I have a thirst for information, and I’m able to strike up conversations with anyone. I also like to immerse myself in the details, I’m curious and know to ask the right questions to ensure accuracy in my stories.”

He sees his new role as a great opportunity to grow and develop relationships with the local community. “Finding a job you love is age-old advice. Confucius probably has the best long-standing quote: “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

When Brett is not occupying himself with journalism, he enjoys fly fishing and spending time in the outdoors. “I love to keep up with the local music scene and stay up to date with technology and world news.”

Over the past few months he has learned to love Forbes for its picturesque, clean image. “Whether it be our magnificent heritage, abundant birdlife, or the myriad of sculptures, there’s so much to see and do.” He enjoys taking the boat out at the ski dam, fishing on the Lachlan River, relaxing at Lake Forbes, or exploring the town centre and the new digital heritage trail.

Better Together

May 20, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Volunteering at St Vincent De Paul Op Shop this week were Anne Redfern and Val Maunder.

This week is National Volunteer Week and a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you.

Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.

There are plenty of volunteers helping the make the Forbes community better for everyone, and we would like to say thank you to all of them.

Volunteers at the Salvation Army in Forbes are (L-R) Joanne Sharrock, Mary Elliot and Ian Hacret.

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

‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon…’

May 13, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Yellow ribbons have become synonymous with National Road Safety Week which starts on Sunday with Forbes Town Hall lit in yellow for the week.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be getting behind this initiative with a range of activities to help raise awareness of road safety as they’ve done since 2017. This includes honouring the memory of the 1,200 lives lost and more than 44,000 seriously injured on Australian roads each year.

During the Week, road users are encouraged to take the pledge to Drive So Others Survive, including not being distracted while driving, not speeding and to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“During National Road Safety Week 2022, yellow ribbons will be displayed all across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

“Our fleet vehicles and staff will proudly display yellow ribbons. Members of the public are encouraged to pick up a vehicle sticker and/or lapel ribbon for free from our administration offices in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo.

“Our email signatures will display the National Road Safety Week artwork for the week. In Parkes the monument on Memorial Hill and the Sir Henry Parkes statue will also be lit in yellow.

“We are encouraging our staff and locals to sign the pledge to Drive So Others Survive www.roadsafetyweek.com.au,” Melanie said.

100 Variety NSW Bash Cars In Forbes

May 13, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Public School will be a hive of activity on Wednesday morning when they host the participants in the 30th Variety NSW Bash for breakfast before 100 cars will depart at 8am on the next leg of the rally to Ardlethan.

The Bash will visit rural and remote communities bringing much needed tourism revenue and equipment for schools. More than $45,000 worth of grants will be given to regional NSW schools, while more than $12,000 is spent at each lunch stop along the route and more than $70,000 at each overnight stop, including Forbes.

Variety Bash cars are renowned for bringing fun and excitement to the communities they visit with themed cars from Paw Patrol, Bob the Builder and Hot Wheels to Lightning McQueen, Scooby Doo and The Flintstones.

This year’s event starts on Sunday, 15th May at Foreshore Park Newcastle and will head to Spring Ridge, Dubbo, Ballimore, Quambone, Cobar, Condobolin, Forbes, Ardlethan, Wagga Wagga, Wyangala, Bathurst, Wattle Flat, Hunter Valley before finishing back for the Family Fun Day in Newcastle on Saturday, 21st May.

The breakfast at Forbes Public School will be open to the community who can come and view the cars.

CWA Tea Rooms Return For Centenary At Easter Show

May 13, 2022 by Sue Cunningham

Robyn Miller busy making scones at the Royal Easter Show. Karen Wright irons the many CWA aprons for volunteers working in the tea rooms.

Two Forbes CWA members worked at the ever-popular Tea Rooms at the Royal Easter Show this year for their fourth time after a COVID break of two years.

It is a major fundraising activity for the CWA, and after two years of no show, the CWA members were excited to be baking scones and selling produce again.

Forbes CWA Evening Branch President Robyn Miller and Vice-President Karen Wright worked the morning shifts on Saturday, 9th April and Sunday, 10th April.

“It was terrific to be able to get back to the show for a milestone year as the Royal Easter Show celebrated their 200th anniversary and CWA its 100th,” said Karen. Robyn said: “Our jobs in the tea rooms this year included ironing the CWA aprons worn by each volunteer (about 60 members per day are needed to staff the Tea Rooms), packing items into the inaugural CWA show bags, cutting of scones and putting them onto oven trays for baking and working on the promotions table selling raffle tickets, merchandise and homemade goodies.”

“The shifts each day were only four and a half hours long but were ‘jam packed’ as the Tea Rooms are so popular with show goers,” said Robyn.

“There were often long lines of people patiently waiting for the next hot fresh batch of scones to come out of the oven,” said Karen.

They were both were very excited and privileged to attend the official opening of the show by Princess Anne. “This was full of pomp and ceremony with her arriving in a horse drawn carriage, having groups of the defence forces marching and a flyover by the Air Force Roulettes,” said Karen.

Support the local CWA’s Open Garden at Helen and Kingsley Green’s property Booklyn on Victory Rd on Saturday, 21st May from 2-4pm. Entry is $10 including afternoon tea.

By Sue Cunningham

Forbes North Public School To Host Biggest Morning Tea

May 13, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Eleanor and Bethany Osborne attended the Biggest Morning Tea at Forbes North Public School in 2018. The school will once again host the event on Thursday, 19th May. (Photo credit: Lucy Cambourn Photography)

Next week Thursday, 19th May is a BIG day for the school community of Forbes North Public School.

There is great excitement to welcome parents and carers back on site as the school will once again host a Biggest Morning tea to raise funds for Cancer Council and people impacted by cancer. The return of the popular event to the school calendar is hoped to provide an opportunity for families to be welcomed on to school grounds and to raise much needed funds.

This will be the first Biggest Morning Tea at Forbes North for Principal David McGaw who is looking forward to meeting families on the day. “We are delighted to be able to open our school gates to our community for such a worthy cause,” said David.

“I look forward to sharing a cuppa with our visitors.” Students and visitors will join school staff in the school courtyard to share morning tea and make donations.

Around 150,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer every year, meaning there are many families impacted. Every single dollar raised makes such a life-changing difference in funding vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services for cancer patients and their families.

For more information about the Biggest Morning Tea at Forbes North find us on Facebook or contact the school on 6852 2187.

Dancing Shoes

May 13, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Eisteddfod season is in full ‘swing’ and Kristen’s Dance Studio’s 8 years Troupe were on stage for the very first time at the Cowra Eisteddfod on Saturday. Not only did they absolutely love it, but they received a Highly Commended. They are super keen to get on stage again. Congratulations and well done to Miss Lozzy and all the dancers! (Photo credit: Kristen’s Dance Studio Facebook page)

Riverina Campaign Launch In Parkes

May 13, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Mark Coulton and Michael McCormack at the Riverina Campaign Launch in Parkes on Tuesday.

The Riverina Electorate campaign launch for the National Party took place in Cooke Park on Tuesday with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Michael said he would prioritise the labour shortage and cost of living in Forbes and Parkes if he got re-elected. “These are the two major issues for this electorate, and I will be working on programs and projects for both of those.”

He said while there was a whole host of other issues, like action on climate and national security, he’d been talking to business people who just could not fill their positions, and families young and old who were worried about the cost of living.

Michael said the labour shortage was largely because of the 90,000 backpackers the country lost during COVID. “I don’t think people realise our reliance on overseas labour in hospitality, farming, agriculture, meat processing and other positions.”

He said even in the Central West hundreds of backpackers made a huge difference in the labour market. “Often these positions were word of mouth. One person would work on a farm near Forbes and go home and tell their friends about the great farmer where they could go and work. When the backpackers left and did not come back for two years, that word of mouth broke down. The backpackers came here in their droves and spent a lot of money.”

Michael said while the Australian Agriculture Visa (AAV) program introduced to address workforce shortages in the agriculture sector and backpackers were slowly coming back, the Pacific labour hire program still needed to be enhanced.

“The problem is we cannot invite people back to Australia who are not vaccinated and this is impacting the numbers.”

Ride-on Mower Racing Champs In Forbes

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes is hosting the All Australian Ride-on Mower Racing Championships this weekend at the Forbesauto Sportsclub with 82 competitors from four states taking part.

All the action and excitement will take place at 205 Hoopers Road, Forbes from 9am on Saturday with the finals on Sunday after lunch.

Two Forbes locals, Dave Teale and Craig Bratton, not only did all the hard work to get the event here, but will also be competing.

The competitors will be doing laps on a track in different categories depending on whether the mower is standard or was modified. Some competitors do a lot of work to make their mower look spectacular, while some of them have motorbike engines.

Don’t miss the action this weekend!

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