General Interest Archives - Page 197 of 326

The Difference That Lasts A Lifetime

June 12, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School has been operating for 38 years and has over 235 students. The year 2020 will see its sixth HSC cohort and with excellent facilities, an extensive curriculum and well-trained, enthusiastic teaching staff PCS helps to create an exciting journey of learning throughout all aspects of School life from Kindergarten through to Year 12.

Students travelling from Forbes also have access to travel by our private charter bus supplied by the school. This picks up from several locations around Forbes and travels directly to the school.

Enrolments are now open for 2021, with limited spaces available. If you would like to enrol your child, book a school tour, trial day or have an enrolment pack sent to you, please contact the school office on 6862 4164. Secure your position today!

Newell Highway Progress Continues

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Newell Highway.

Councils along the 1,700km highway recently met over video conference for the quarterly Newell Highway Task Force Committee (NHTF) meeting, hearing from transport industry representatives and the relevant government departments.

Chair of the Newell Highway Task Force Committee, Cr Ken Keith OAM said, “despite the unprecedented times our organisations are currently navigating, it is positive to hear that progress continues to be made on a number of significant projects along the Newell.”

Director Western Transport for NSW, Alistair Lunn provided an update on the construction of 30 overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway.

Tenders have been closed for flood studies to occur between Forbes and West Wyalong. A detailed study of that area has been done and planning is now underway to engage with councils and landowners over the coming months.

Despite a push from the NHTF for a grade separation off state highways with the Inland Rail for safety reasons, ARTC recently declined to fund such upgrades at the Tichborne level crossing between Parkes and Forbes.

NHTF resolved to continue to lobby the Federal Government and will write to the The Hon. Michael McCormack MP and the Department of Infrastructure.

Deep Breaths And Tall Talent

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes’ own Brad Holmes and Adam Enslow filming the Deep Breaths music video.

Forbes artist Brad Holmes has teamed up with local producer Adam Enslow for the recording and filming of his stunning new track, Deep Breaths, which is set to be released in early July. The song combines thought provoking lyrics with an irresistible beat that is set to put Brad’s name in the spotlight.

Forbes is incredibly fortunate to have a local production company and recording studio. Not only can recording artists in the Forbes Shire area record locally, but they can create videos, songs and more in a premium facility from start to finish. Having high quality production facilities in Forbes means that local artists do not need to travel into larger cities to record, nor do they need to deal with the plethora of obstacles involved in such a project, including travel costs and timing constraints.

Although Brad has been writing for many years, Deep Breaths is his first professionally recorded song thanks to Forbes producer and owner of StartFast Productions, Adam Enslow. What began as a voice recording on Facebook Messenger from Brad to Adam has kicked off an exciting journey which is sure to pave the way for more local talent to take the initiative that Brad has, by recording and releasing their own music.

While Forbes is bursting with an array of incredibly gifted artists and musicians, the prospect of seeking a producer and releasing their music can be confusing and expensive.

Brad hopes that his initiative will encourage other artists to follow their dreams. “Recording and filming has been very exciting and I am learning so much. I hope what we have achieved can inspire other people to take deep breaths and reach their own goals ” Brad said.

Deep Breaths by Brad Holmes will be released on all major platforms including iTunes, Spotify and GooglePlay in the coming weeks.

Reconciliation; In This Together 2020

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Fletcher Morrison and Max Davies delighted in the cultural celebration of National Reconciliation Week.

National Reconciliation Week has been celebrated differently this year in Forbes. National Reconciliation Week is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June each year with these dates commemorating the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision. The week-long celebration calls for Australians to explore and engage in the conversation of reconciliation.

While Forbes Preschool would normally invite families and partners from the community into the preschool for a BBQ and activities, this year has seen a focus on discussion and understanding.

Forbes Preschool won the 2019 Narragunnawali for their implementation of the principles of reconciliation. These principles aim to foster pride and knowledge in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Preschool Director Amy Shine said that this year, in the yarning circle, children and educators discussed “who we are and where we belong.” Amy added that the preschool has been utilising social media to connect to and engage with the community.

Forbes is fortunate to have Wiradjuri elders who bring so much cultural enrichment and historical insight into the area, with many having witnessed tremendous change in their lifetimes.

While the usual Reconciliation Week celebrations couldn’t go ahead this year due to restrictions and Dreaming Centre upgrades, “It’s still important for non-Aboriginal Australians to learn about the history of this ancient land,” said Wiradjuri elder Aileen Allen.

“To me, reconciliation is about closing the gap together and we are making steady progress,” adding “respect and understanding go hand in hand.”

Forbes Preschool is celebrating National Reconciliation Week in small groups this year.

Applications Open For Community Funding

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council’s annual Community Funding Program is now open for applications from community organisations, sporting groups and not-for-profit organisations within the Shire. Applications in Round 1 will be accepted until Monday, 31 August.

The program, which is only accepting online applications through the new Forbes Shire Council SmartyGrants portal, offers an opportunity for groups to access funding to support events, activities and infrastructure. Up to $5,000 is available per applicant with a total of $100,000 available in two rounds across the financial year.

“We are offering two rounds of Community Funding to give groups in the Shire more opportunity to plan for their activities,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller. “The first round has just opened and funding for successful projects will be available from October 2020. The next round will be assessed in March 2021 with funding available in April.”

“As always, our amazing Grants Officers will be available to assist groups with completing and submitting applications to ensure applicants have the best chance of success,” Phyllis said.

Funding Guidelines are available on Council’s website or can be downloaded from the SmartyGrants portal at http://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au. Call 02 6850 2300 for more information.

Fruits Of Labour Set For Harvest

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Bruce Adams, Peter Apps, Rex Barton, and Mark Lyell have been hard at work preparing exhibition space at the Museum.

It has been a labour of love for the small group of volunteers working hard to prepare four new exhibition spaces at the Forbes and District Historical Museum. The upstairs space was originally hotel accommodation for the hotel which stood next door. With its beautiful timber ceilings and indoor toilet facilities, it really was a modern and luxurious space for guests in the early 1900s. For visitors in 2020, it is a building that one can feel fully immersed in the history of.

President of the Forbes and District Historical Society for three years, and member for eight, Bruce Adams, hopes to have the space ready in the next three weeks or so. With a small group of five hard working and passionate volunteers, Bruce has been seeing to the renovations of the enormous space. The upstairs exhibition rooms will be accessible via elevator and looks to make the Museum bigger and better than ever. Bruce and the team of volunteers are encouraging high school students to get involved, a plan that has seen some interruptions due to COVID-19.

The men working upstairs have really had their work cut out for them in transforming what was a flat into a clean and elegant space, worthy of exhibiting the incredible collection that is guaranteed to whisk visitors back in time, to the Forbes of the Gold Rush era and beyond.

The former Osborn Hall, built in 1878 was the main hall and place of entertainment for 12 years, before the Forbes Town Hall was erected in 1890. Throughout its existence the building has been utilised for a range of activities and purposes from dancing, to shooting, to a motor garage, and in 1970 it was opened as a Museum by the Forbes and District Historical Society and remains so to this day.

Double Demerits This Long Weekend

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Sergeant Martin Ling from the Parkes Highway Patrol.

Forbes residents and holidaymakers planning a long weekend getaway are being reminded that double demerit points will be enforced.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said: “For many, this long weekend will be the first opportunity to travel further afield since the COVID-19 travel restrictions were eased. I want to remind all drivers, that the road safety risks are still the same.”

“The double demerit point period will be in place for four days, commencing on Friday, 5 June and ending on Monday, 8 June,” Melanie said.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling says Operation Stay Alert will run over the June long weekend.

“Highway Patrol will have a strong presence across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas this long weekend. We will be paying more attention to drink drivers and ask those intending to consume alcohol to take advantage of the local taxi service or use a designated driver,” Martin said.

With the cold weather predicted over the long weekend, driving conditions have changed with wet, slippery roads and increased traffic expected. Police are urging drivers to exercise extra caution.

Nourish Baby Now Available For Free

May 29, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Flannery’s Pharmacy offers support and information through pregnancy, labour, birth preparation and more.

Flannery’s Pharmacy is excited to be able to provide a new online program for parents of children aged 0-3 years. “Nourish Baby offers a fully customised program designed to complement existing parenting services and programs,” said Debbie Prior, Business Manager at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

“The Nourish Baby online courses cover the full journey through pregnancy, labour, birth preparation and early parenting, including breastfeeding, sleep and settling your little one,” said Debbie. “Parents can join the online course at any stage, however, the earlier they start the greater the benefit and value of the Nourish Baby Course.”

“COVID-19 has been a difficult time, leaving many of our expectant and new parents no doubt feeling anxious and overwhelmed. With hospital antenatal classes no longer running due to social distancing and with parents of young children finding themselves much more isolated than normal, we thought this would be an ideal time to offer young parents the Nourish Baby modules free of charge.” The Nourish Baby program would normally cost the participant $195 but is currently free if you join up at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

To sign up, parents need to call the pharmacy on 6852 1111 for more information.

School Is In

May 29, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes students Jamal and Zara Alghamdi were overjoyed to see their friends at school again.

It was a sight for sore eyes for parents to wave their children off on Monday morning as Forbes students joined thousands across NSW in returning to school full time for face-to-face learning.

In a move towards easing restrictions and slowly returning to life as we knew it, school students will not need to follow the strict distancing guidelines however, good hygiene practices such as regularly washing hands, not sharing food and drinks, and sneezing into a tissue have been implemented.

Teachers were relieved to have their students back and spent the week easing their students back into a regular routine, with the exception of some activities like drinking from the bubbler and attending assemblies and excursions. School libraries and non-contact sport, however, has been enthusiastically resumed with many students ecstatic to catch up with and to play with their friends after nearly two months spent learning from home.

Schools across the Forbes Shire are set to receive additional cleaning supplies to meet with the guidelines and advice from NSW Health. Door handles, handrails, hard surfaces, light switches, and other frequently handled areas will be targeted for regular cleaning.

Targeted For Closure

May 29, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Target is set to close by mid-2021.

The recent announcement by Westfarmers that Forbes Target, alongside 159 other mostly regional stores, is to be closed or converted into Kmart has been met with unanimous expressions of disappointment throughout the Forbes Shire.

While Target has said they would focus on increasing awareness of their online business for regional communities, as well as broaden their online capabilities, Forbes Business Chamber’s Marg Duggan has warned that this would only further damage the local economy. “It’s really disappointing, closures by corporate business have a bigger impact here than in cities,” said Marg.

Both the Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes Business Chamber are going to approach Westfarmers to urge them to reconsider the closure of Forbes Target, which currently services over 65,000 people in the Forbes Shire and surrounds.

“The size of the store, should it remain empty, will have a tremendous impact on our beautiful CBD and the reduction in traffic will have devastating consequences for smaller businesses in town.” Marg went on to say that the closure is “a tough reminder of the consequences of online shopping and the changing global economy,” urging consumers to “reconsider their shopping habits and shop locally before going out of town.”

While many Forbes small businesses have an online presence, the sustainability of the CBD relies on foot traffic coming into the bricks and mortar stores, with the Forbes Business Chamber reminding shop owners that they have the responsibility to provide a good shopping experience for their customers.

A Forbes retail veteran and store owner, Stewart Robb said: “We think it’s terrible. We have been here for 40 years, before there was a department store there and it was pretty dire then. This closure will drive locals out of town for basics,” adding, “Grenfell and Condobolin and all the other towns in between will be going to Parkes,” a move that will have a devastating impact on the local economy.

One Forbes saleswoman believes that the Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council’s energy is better spent in finding a replacement, such as Best&Less, to occupy the space. “Everyone else will be chasing up Target,” a company many retailers expressed have “made their decision based on numbers, so there is no way to change their mind.” Forbes Target is set to close mid-next year, and while the predicted impact of the closure is daunting, the ingenuity and resilience of the Forbes community is sure to find a solution.

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