General Interest Archives - Page 207 of 326

Shave The Date

February 14, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Deb Hewitt and Indigo Kriedemann of Currajong with Fiona McGonigal practising for the World’s Greatest Shave.

Mark Thursday, 12th March down in your calendars because it’s World’s Greatest Shave time again.

This time last year Fiona McGonigal was battling kidney cancer and while most people would’ve taken time out to battle the disease, Fiona decided to raise awareness for cancer research by shaving her head to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

This year Fiona will again be participating in the World’s Greatest Shave and sadly, despite beating kidney cancer last year, she has received the unfortunate news that the disease has returned on the left side of her adrenal gland.

While Fiona has her ups and downs, she says nothing will stop her trying to beat last year’s fundraising effort of $1,000 which was her initial target. “The funds are vital, make no secret of it, but so too is awareness of cancer and different cancer types,” Fiona said. “Every day another 35 Australians are diagnosed with a blood cancer. That’s one Aussie every 41 minutes.”

According to the World’s Greatest Shave website – by signing up and raising money for World’s Greatest Shave, you’ll be part of an elite group of extraordinary people who are on a mission to reach the Leukaemia Foundation’s bold new goal: zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

If you want to support Fiona watch this space for more info, links and how to donate over the coming weeks otherwise contact Currajong Disability Services about how to get involved on 02 6863 4713.

Bedgerabong Races 2020

February 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Come out to Bedgerabong Races for a fun filled day of entertainment for all ages.

Bedgerabong Picnic Races will be held on Saturday, 15th February 2020 with the first race starting at 1.30pm. This year will see an increase in the total prizemoney from $25,000 to $30,000 which will be shared across the six-race program.

Western Tree Care are this year’s Bedgerabong Picnic Cup Major Sponsors, this is truly appreciated in such trying times.

Buses will run from Forbes to Bedgerabong, first departing at 12pm and will begin returning to Forbes from 7.45pm. The buses will run on a needs basis.

There will be an auction of special printed Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club shirts, footraces for children and adults alike and a jumping castle to keep the little ones entertained. The Melbourne band Trainwreck Trio will be providing live entertainment from 6.30pm.

This year onsite eftpos facilities will be available, not for cash withdrawals, but tap and go for bar tickets. The undercover bar area has mister fans to keep patrons cool and there is also an undercover bookmakers area with both local and metropolitan bookies onsite. Seating will be provided, and attendees can bring their own marquee provided they book in with the coordinator. Details are provided at bedgerabongraces.com.au. A satellite bar is also provided for the marquee patrons plus the on-course caterers Rob Speed and Smokin Croc available until end of service.

Fashions on the field will return this year and the details are on the website and will be in the race book. Great prizes to be won for the best on the field.

Currently, volunteers from the community are watering the track and grounds so it is green for race day. The grounds and track are looking amazing considering the harsh lead up to the races.

There is a lot of fun to be had so make it a date and head out for a great day of entertainment.

We’re Still Here Despite The Heat

February 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Tom Curtain and his crew visited Forbes on Saturday evening for his ‘We’re Still Here’ tour.

Forbes residents and visitors converged on the showground last Saturday evening for a night of family fun and entertainment. Tom Curtain visited Forbes for his ‘We’re Still Here’ tour which is raising money and morale in drought-stricken communities throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

There was an enthusiastic crowd that attended the event, despite the heat, to support the tour while watching interactive shows of horsemanship, music and dance. As the sun went down, so did the force of the heat, making the atmosphere even more cheerful. Children kicked off their shoes to run and dance in the field before the stage while adults mingled over food, drink and good music.

The crowd was captivated by the show.

Money raised on the night went to the CWA drought relief to assist local communities. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the tour and for simply having the opportunity to support drought relief by attending such an entertaining and engaging evening for all. Jodi Penfold of West Wyalong said the evening was “awesome, really great to have something like this on for families” and when asked if she would support a similar event in the future, Jodi responded “absolutely”. Jodi’s sister-in-law Ruth Penfold, also attended and added that “she would definitely come to something like this again”.

It was fantastic to see Forbes residents and visitors from neighbouring towns throw their enthusiastic support behind the tour and behind such an important cause.

Plans Unveiled For New Cultural And Arts Hub

February 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Arts Society (FAS) has revealed its vision for the former Forbes Ambulance Station building.

Located on the corner of Lachlan and Court Streets, the prominent building is set to house an expanded art gallery, meeting rooms, performance and workshop spaces as well as a cafe.

The $5.7 million Lachlan Valley Arts and Cultural Development aims to grow the Forbes and Lachlan Shire and the Lachlan Valley visitor economy and promote the region as a premier tourism destination.

In addition to the new Forbes Cultural Centre, the project also includes the commissioning of 15 new sculptures to extend the Sculpture down the Lachlan Trail and the redevelopment of the bird hides at the Gum Swamp wetlands.

Forbes Arts Society’s Dr Keith Mullette said: “While we are in the early design phase for the new Cultural Centre, preliminary work has already commenced on parts of the new bird hides, and there are three new sculptures ready for installation along the Lachlan Valley Way”.

“Over the next three years we will see our vision of developing Forbes as a cultural and arts hub come to fruition and hopefully incorporating the Shires of the valley. This certainly is an exciting game changer for tourism in our region,” said Keith.

Residents are invited to learn more about the project at a public meeting to be held next Wednesday, 12th February at the Forbes Services Club commencing at 5.30pm.

The Lachlan Valley Arts and Cultural Development is jointly funded by the NSW Government under the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, Evolution Mining, Forbes Shire Council and Lachlan Shire Council and the Forbes Arts Society.

Local Schools Continue To Promote Young Leadership

February 7, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

St Laurence’s Parish School Vice Captains Ruby Jones and Dempsey O’Connell with School Captains Gabriella Pereira and Charlie Bray.

On Monday St Laurence’s Parish School announced their 2020 School Captains, Sports Captains and Making Jesus Real (MJR) Team Leaders. The School Captains are Gabriella Pereira and Charlie Bray and the Vice Captains are Ruby Jones and Dempsey O’Connell. The MJR Team leaders are Elinor Turner, Logan Davies and Bridie O’Malley.

Sports Captains are as follows:

• Dalton Captains; Lucy Maslin and Tom Whitty.

• Dalton Vice Captains; Katie Schulz and Tom Glasson.

• Farrand Captains; Bridie O’Malley and Joe Smith.

• Farrand Vice Captains; Elizabeth Stewart and Isaac Page.

• Lachlan Captains; Jett Rudd and Holly Hope-Hodgetts.

• Lachlan Vice Captains; Hamish Nicholson and Amber White.

• Johnson Captains; Matilda Cronin and Lewis Nicholson.

• Johnson Vice Captains; Michael Price and Lilly Finn.

Sleeping Into A Successful School Year

January 31, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Now that it is the start of a new school year, parents are preparing themselves for the inevitable back-to-school rush. But amid the dash for backpacks, books and last-minute haircuts, children’s sleep routines must also be high on the agenda if parents want to start kids off on the right foot.

University of South Australia researcher and sleep expert Dr Alex Agostini, says a good sleep routine is important for children’s emotional, physical and mental health, especially after school holidays.

“There are lots of positives that come with the school holidays, there are fewer time pressures, kids get to have a well-earned break from school and families spend more time together, but hand-in-hand with the holidays also comes irregular sleep, which can have an impact on children’s behaviours and abilities to operate well at school,” Dr Agostini says.

“Staying up late, watching TV and playing on computers, iPads or phones, are all common holiday activities, but as we enter a new school term, it’s time to initiate better sleep routines.”

The light from the screens on electronic devices is not conducive to sleep and they don’t have a set “end time” like a typical television show would, which means that children are encouraged to keep playing games or messaging friends on them. Putting away these devices an hour or more before bed time is one way to encourage healthy sleep.

Changing behaviours can be hard however, persistence is key. Parents and carers should remember that by establishing positive sleep routines, they’re setting their kids up for success.

“Save The Date To Vaccinate” App Keeps Kids Safe

January 31, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

NSW Health is urging parents and carers to ensure children are vaccinated on time and has warned vaccinations shouldn’t be delayed even if a child has a minor illness.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director, Health Protection NSW encouraged parents and carers to download the Save the Date to Vaccinate app to ensure their children receive vital vaccinations in time for the start of school. “On-time vaccinations are the most effective way to protect children from life-threatening diseases,” Dr McAnulty said.

“The free Save the Date to Vaccinate app reminds parents and carers what vaccinations their child needs and when they’re due, in line with the NSW Immunisation Schedule. If a child has a runny nose or slight cold, they can still get vaccinated. Delaying vaccinations can leave children exposed to serious illnesses at a time when they’re most vulnerable.”

Mother of two Lisa Smith, from Sydney’s north, said the Save the Date to Vaccinate app is a helpful reminder in a hectic schedule. “The Save The Date to Vaccinate app sends automatic reminders to my phone, it’s made it so much easier to schedule immunisation appointments, not forget them and have a record to hand of all the vaccinations my children have received.”

On-time vaccination and overall participation in childhood immunisation programs continues to improve in NSW, with 94.5 per cent of children fully vaccinated by five years of age in the past 12 months compared with 90.8 per cent in 2012.

Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2019-20 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

Australia Day Picnic And Parade A Success

January 31, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Council Members, Mayor Phyllis Miller and Australia Day Ambassador Bob Fitzgerald congratulate the Forbes Citizens of the Year.

Last Sunday Forbes came to life in celebration of Australia Day. Families and friends, residents and visitors, young and old gathered in Lions Park for an evening of socialising, good food, great music, activities on the lake and recognising the contributions and achievements of the Forbes Citizens of the Year. Record numbers attended the event, with an estimated 700 attendees in the park.

Marshalling on the corner of Cross and Lachlan Street and travelling down through the town, the parade was a unique and diverse mix of various community floats, groups and individual participants. The Forbes Town and District Band led the colourful, and community-oriented parade, concluding in Lions Park where spectators lined the street to welcome the parade participants.

Winners of the ‘Why Leave Town’ prize cards went to the CWA evening branch who received 3rd place, 2nd place went to the Forbes Learning Ladder for their Bananas in Pyjamas and teddies float and the 1st prize of a $2,000 card to be spent at businesses within Forbes went to the Forbes Fire and Rescue for their historic entry.

Lions Park was a sea of picnic rugs and eskies, with picnic attendees delighting in the live entertainment and activities on the lake. People were given the opportunity to try out paddling on the dragon boat, thanks to the Forbes Dragon Boat Club while children enjoyed the paddleboats on the lake.

Chief Inspector Bob Fitzgerald was welcomed as the Forbes Australia Day Ambassador. Bob was named the 2019 Volunteer of the Year. The father of seven is described as a real man of the people having also used his time to support victims of family violence, drug addiction and homelessness and Forbes was honoured to host him on the day.

The Forbes Citizen of the Year included a new category this year for senior residents who have made a positive contribution to their community and the winners, husband and wife, Allan and Pamela Toole couldn’t have been more deserving of recognition for decades of volunteer work throughout the community.

Lilyanne Mason-Spice received the Junior Citizen of the Year award for her international sporting success. Lilyanne was praised for her dedication to the sport and for her contribution to women’s Rugby League in Forbes.

Kim and Wendy Muffet humbly accepted the Citizen of the Year award for their tireless work in the community in arts, sporting groups and events like Grazing Down the Lachlan which has put Forbes on the tourism map.

The evening was concluded with a spectacular firework display which delighted all. Click here for photos of the Citizen of the Year winners.

Do You Own A Property In Forbes And Looking To Renovate?

January 31, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Council’s Heritage Advisor is available to provide free architectural and design advice for landowners within the Forbes CBD or who own a heritage building anywhere in the Shire.

Council also have grants available to assist in the maintenance and restoration of heritage buildings. Appointments are available with Council’s Heritage Advisor on the 4th and 5th of February for no cost. To make a booking call (02) 6850 2300

My Family Pharmacy

January 31, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

To kick off the new year, Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies are hosting a fantastic promotion. If you join LifeClub, or for existing members if you use your LifeClub card in-store, you’ll enter the draw to WIN free fuel for a year (valued at $3,000) or one of 20 $100 fuel vouchers.

“Being a LifeClub member has some really fantastic benefits,” said Flannery’s Pharmacy Manager, Debbie Prior. “Not only do you earn dollars for every non-script purchase, you also enter our regular competitions and receive member-only rewards,” said Debbie.

“Many people save up the dollars on their LifeClub card and spend them on Christmas or birthday gifts but it’s up to the individual how and when they spend their reward dollars.” Unlike many other reward cards, the total of your dollars is printed on your receipt which means you know exactly how many dollars you have at any given point in time and you don’t have to wait to get a voucher… the dollars are available when you want to spend them.

“Customers can use the card anytime to purchase products or prescriptions,” said Debbie. “LifeClub members also receive lots of special offers and a special triple dollar reward on their birthday,” Debbie said.

So don’t miss out. Call in to Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and join up for your chance to win.

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