Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, urges parents, carers and drivers to be mindful of safety and changes to traffic conditions as school commences.

The new school year resumed for thousands of local students this week and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably.” Melanie went on to remind drivers to slow down, pay attention and demonstrate patience when school resumes and there are more cars, buses and cyclists on our streets, as well as young pedestrians crossing the street.

It is important that drivers obey parking signs around schools, remembering that they cannot stop in a ‘No Stopping’ zone, however it is allowed for a driver to drop-off or pick-up passengers in a ‘No Parking’ zone as long as they are only there for two minutes and are no more than three meters away from the car. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns.

There are many crimes or offences. A lot are contained in the Crimes Act but many more are contained in other statutes both of the State and Federal Parliaments. The range of offences vary from murder down to parking.

Most criminal matters are commenced by the Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions by way of Court Attendance Notices (formerly known as Police Charges/ Summonses) and those charged with an offence will appear firstly before a magistrate sitting in a local court. In some cases, issues of bail may need to be considered.

Magistrates deal with over 90% of criminal matters summarily but the more serious offences are committed to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial before a judge and/or jury.

Unlike civil matters, criminal matters must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ having regard to the elements of the offence. This is when a solicitor’s professional knowledge becomes essential for the client (i.e. the person charged with an offence).

Police will normally have a fact sheet (which is not evidence but outlines the Police case) on the occasion of the first appearance before the court. With the fact sheet and instructions from the client, this will help the solicitor in deciding whether to advise the client to plead guilty or not guilty having regard to the elements of the offence. Sometimes an adjournment is necessary to obtain further information.

Once a plea is entered, the magistrate may adjourn the matter for hearing, sentence the client, commit the client for trial in a higher court or other options which may depend on the seriousness of the offence and the previous criminal history of the client.

Arts OutWest have granted a share of $19,000 in funding for arts projects across the Central West with Forbes receiving funding for two out of seven projects in the region. With an aim to provide arts activities to communities in regional NSW, the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) 2020 will support the implementation of screen printing and Wiradjuri language activities in Forbes, as well as drumming and music activities for children.

By encouraging communities to work together on cross cultural artistic projects, CASP supports cultural diversity within communities and ensures that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice.

Some of the projects receiving funding are fibre weaving and art installation workshops with young people in Spring Terrace, creative arts activities for LGBTQIA identifying women in Bathurst and skills workshops for visual artists in Canowindra.

Arts OutWest is a regional arts development organisation servicing Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin. Arts OutWest Executive Director Tracey Callinan said, “These seven projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They also provide employment opportunities to local artists.”

Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller, ARTC Chairman Warren Truss and ARTC Managing Director and CEO John Fullerton.

Nineteen initiatives were announced last week to improve the wellbeing of regional communities in which Inland Rail will operate. From new student laptops, events to break the cycle of isolation for farmers and bringing the magic of Dolly Parton to Narromine, Round three of the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program has seen more than $55,000 allocated to benefit schools, community groups and associations in regional communities across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Inland Rail Director of Engagement, Environment and Property Rebecca Pickering said the program’s success along the whole rail corridor had provided a well-deserved funding boost to worthy initiatives which build community prosperity.

“Delivering Inland Rail is only possible in partnership with the communities in which we operate and supporting our communities’ sustainability is paramount.” According to Rebecca, “A key commitment of Inland Rail

is to leave a positive legacy along the rail corridor and the Community Sponsorships and Donations program is just one example of how we seek to ensure regional communities benefit from this unique project.”

So far, more than $180,000 has been allocated to a range of events, projects and community activities in different communities. In the third round, Forbes Public School P&C Association Inc. have been successful in their application for a grant to purchase five laptops for student classroom use. Additionally, Eugowra Rugby League Club were successful in gaining funding for grandstand seating at their Rugby League Club.

Local business could be in for a boost by registering their interest in the Inland Rail project. A regional supplier briefing will be held for local businesses on Tuesday, 4 February from 6pm–8pm at Forbes Services Memorial Club. Local business owners can register online at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/S2P to attend the briefing and learn more about how to tender for work.

The 2020 Elvis Festival has a new event in Forbes next year with the addition of A Night on S.S. Mississippi Queen. Guests are asked to immerse themselves in the world of Frankie and Johnny, this year’s Elvis theme, and dine on the banks of the beautiful Lake Forbes on Saturday, 11th January.

“It will be an event like no other,” says Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “Dine under the stars, by our beautiful Lake with a sumptuous three course meal catered by Eat Your Greens, Pantry Cafe and Sweet Three Vintage Van. The entertainment will be amazing with the incredible Raechel Whitchurch and her Bolo Boys performing their Hillbilly Elvis show live. If you are feeling lucky try your luck at our simulated table games.”

The event will be fully licenced and tickets are $90 per person which includes dinner and the Hillbilly Elvis live show. These can be purchased through 123tix.com.au. “Table bookings are advised to ensure you are seated with those you would like to be seated with,” said Phyllis.

“They can be in groups of six or twelve. Please don’t be discouraged if you haven’t got a table full, it will be a wonderful atmosphere to mingle and meet new people. Forbes really knows how to throw an event like this. Good food, good company and of course a good time!”

For more information about A Night on the S.S. Mississippi, contact Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300.

It is possible to do your own divorce, property settlement, custody and maintenance matters. Remember that these areas are fraught with emotion and pit falls. Remember, too, the old axiom: “Any lawyer who acts for himself has a fool for a client.” This applies equally to lay people.

Lawyers can give you information and advice, prepare documents, assist in negotiations, counselling and mediations, and can represent you in court if your issues cannot be resolved beforehand.

The Family Law Act requires a lawyer to tell you about how you can settle your disputes by conciliation and the counselling services offered by the Family Court. You must also be given a copy of the information brochure “Marriage, Families and Separation”.

The reasons you should consider appointment of a legal representative are that you may want advice on multiple issues at the same time. A court will not grant final orders until it is satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for the children. There may also be tensions between the parties, which make it impossible for them to objectively deal with all issues.

Legal aid maybe available but you will need to complete and submit a legal aid application.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Rock up to some brand-new entertainment at Parkes Elvis Festival that will have you dancing in your seats! The Soul Movers, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows and a Comedy Hypnosis Show: Elvis Style, are just a few of the new and exciting performances the festival has in store for locals.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s birthday by watching one of Australia’s most iconic soul and blues band, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, at the Parkes Services Club on Wednesday, 8th January at 5:30pm. Joe is also the Wall of Fame inductee at the 2020 festival, which will take place at 2pm on the same day.

Tickets to this entertaining show performed by these Australian music legends would make the perfect Christmas gift.

The Soul Movers are a rockin’ pop and funky soul band fronted by Lizzie Mack and her brother in soul, guitarist and ex red Wiggle Murray Cooke, groove bass player Andy Newman (The Visitors), Marko Simec on keys (Waiting for Guinness) and drummer to the stars Lozz Benson.

This 60-minute show will be unforgettable as their sound is all about creating soul-moving music that will leave you bopping long after the last encore. The Soul Movers are performing at the Parkes Little Theatre on Friday, 10th January at 9pm.

Hypnotist Wayne Donnelly will be unleashing his hypnotic skills on willing volunteers and will make the world go away in a series of hysterical and hilarious Elvis Style hypnosis routines. It’s now or never, come and create memories that will last a lifetime at Parkes Little Theatre on Saturday, 11th January at 8pm.

For further information and tickets visit parkeselvisfestival.com.au.

• Special Elvis Issue: The next edition of The Forbes Phoenix will be a bumper Elvis edition on Thursday, 9th January filled with stories and information on the 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival.