Over a decade ago some keen local gardeners, green thumbs and growers acquired a space once run by the Forestry Commission and so became the community gardens we see today.

For Heather Moore, who joined later, the gardens and the volunteers provide an outlet and a great chance to socialise and share a common passion – gardening. Whether it be spring flowers, veggies or fruit, there are a number of gardens run by volunteers with a plethora of produce.

“We have all types of plants and fruit and veg from she-oaks, tomatoes and beetroots to lemons and much more,” said Heather.

“Members can also adopt a plot and foster and nurture their own garden bed like the Thompson-Glasson family here today,” Heather said. “It is also a great way to get outside and get the family into gardening and growing their own food.”

For Brett Thompson, the gardens are a great escape for daughter Pip and partner Lisa. “It is a great way to do something together and get out and about.”

Membership is $10 and the gardens are open Saturday’s. AGM 16th October at 10am.

A week is a long time in politics and NSW has a new Premier in 39-year-old Dominic Perrottet since Gladys Berejiklian resigned from parliament last Friday after ICAC announced an investigation into her conduct. On Monday, Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro had followed suit citing exhaustion and other focuses for his decision to leave public life. Barilaro leaves a giant hole in the party having entered the parliament in 2011 winning the seat of Eden-Monaro. Regardless of your political persuasion, we should be proud of what they have achieved for NSW.

They worked tirelessly to get NSW operating at full capacity again sooner rather than later over the past 20 months and leave a strong legacy behind. In what has been a testing time for all, both have not backed away from the job and the roadmap to freedom is also still in full effect with reopening on October 11.

Whatever happens from here the next election in 18 months promises to be full of intrigue as Labor also has a new leader in Chris Minns. Perrottet is the youngest premier in NSW history at arguably the state’s most important time and he will need to hit the ground running as the state haemorrhages $1b a week. His first challenge will be working with a new senior ministry.

How Perrottet unites a factional party room battling with external distractions and ministerial reshuffles may well be his greatest achievement of all.

The Parkes Phoenix has a new Sales Manager who would love to be a strong advocate for the Parkes community.

Roxane Manley joined our ranks this week and she is looking forward to meeting with clients and establishing a great working relationship. “I think The Parkes Phoenix is a fantastic asset for our community.”

As a mother of five she does not have much spare time, but she enjoys creative writing. “I always thought I would write a novel one day but transitioned to screen-writing as I find the medium of film has the ability to really connect with people. I have been an extra in two feature films in an attempt to understand the film making process.”

Roxane was born in Parramatta (no she does not support the Eels!), and moved to Parkes because her grandparents, William and Veronica Melehan, lived here. She started school in Year 3 at Parkes Public.

She was in year 11 at Parkes High School when she started playing women’s rugby and went on to play for the Parkes Women’s Rugby club in its early years.

After school she trained as a surveyor’s assistant and a geologist assistant. “I enjoyed the outdoors and wanted to work at the mines, but I ended up working for a number of years in commercial kitchens around Parkes before moving into a sales role with Big W when they first came to Parkes. I was the Home Entertainment chick for three years.”

That was her first foray into sales and she really enjoyed the interaction with customers. Her most recent position was as a digital & print sales representative in a similar role to the one she has filled at the Parkes Phoenix.

Last week, Forbes Rotary’s immediate Past President, Garry Pymont, officiated in a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) presentation at the Jemalong Retirement Village. This year’s Forbes PHF is Eleanor Lewis.

Eleanor was president of the club in 2004/5 and was instrumental in a fundraising appeal for the Indonesian Tsunami victims during that year. Eleanor for a time in 2007, took leave from the Forbes RC and joined the Forbes Rotary morning club, Forbes Ipomoea, to fit in with an existing work schedule at the time but remain connected.

Returning in 2012 and she was one of very few Rotarians to be inducted by the then Rotary International President Kalyan Baner-jee from India during his visit through Parkes and Forbes. Eleanor has also been a member of the NSW Small Winemakers Show committee, Forbes Camel Races, the Forbes Jazz Convention and Tourist Centre.

Since 1948 when the Forbes Rotary Club was chartered, there have been only 33 PHFs awarded to the citizens of Forbes. Eleanor is the latest among an impressive list. Forbes Rotary Club was pleased to name Eleanor as the latest recipient.

Theme: Heal Country, Heal Our Nation

Each year the Forbes community celebrates NAIDOC Week. The purpose of NAIDOC Week is to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to foster greater understanding of Indigenous culture.

As part of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations Forbes Shire Council would like to recognise the outstanding contributions that our local Indigenous people make to improve our community or to promote Indigenous issues. Award categories include: Indigenous Young Achiever – Male (under 18), Indigenous Young Achiever – Female (under 18). Nominations are now open and will close at 5.00pm Friday 29 October. If you would like to nominate an Indigenous person for the above awards email at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

NAIDOC Design Competition

This competition is currently open and the prizes will be awarded during the NAIDOC celebration.

Primary and High School Students: Can create any artwork, from any medium that represents this year’s theme ‘heal country, heal our nation’

Infants and Preschool Students: Decorate Boomerangs (supplied by Forbes Shire Council). All artworks must be sent back to the Council office prior to October 30.

Call FSC on (02) 6850 2300 for any further queries.

Families across NSW are able to enjoy a new website – Family Project – that provides fun COVID safe ideas for families to connect during lockdown including rock art, backyard movies, building herb gardens, creating chalk art and meditation. The safe online portal will provide a new project daily to help support the mental and physical wellbeing of NSW families.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said COVID-19 is extremely challenging for both parents and children who may feel overwhelmed by the demands of remote learning, working from home and the juggling of competing expectations.

“Families are under pressure in lock-down, Family Project will be the place they can go to find simple COVID-safe ideas to do within their local area, practical tips to support emotional and physical wellbeing and advice on home schooling,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Family Project is designed to provide inspirational daily activities – everything from parents and kids meditation to creating a street library for the neighbourhood.”

A NSW Government initiative, the Family Project is a collaboration between Gidget Foundation Australia and parenting organisation Tresillian.

Examples of future Family Projects include: wellbeing tips for the family, how to create your own worm farm, Brickman’s school holiday Lego challenge, parents and kids meditation, building a simple herb garden, creating chalk art with kids to connect community and making a Street Library for your neighbourhood

For more information go to familyproject.org.au