Kelsey Muller had no idea what the future would hold for her when she started taking her two beautiful miniature horses, Blondy and Jazzie to visit the residents of Jemalong Residential Village (JRV).

Now, 18 months later Kelsey has received the 2018 Young Citizen of the Year award at the Australia Day community celebrations held at Lion’s Park.

“Australia Day was truly something special! The activity was just an idea that came to mind and I worked towards making it happen in my own community. It’s simply just sharing what I get to enjoy every day. The minis enjoy the attention they get and are quite willing to pose with families for photos or walk in and around the rooms,” said Kelsey.

The idea came to Kelsey after watching a news item on television one day. The story showed someone taking a horse into a retirement village and spoke of the benefits people could experience from interacting with animals. That’s when Kelsey thought, “Why not?”

With this vision in mind, Kelsey set out to train the miniatures so that the horses were desensitized to every situation possible. For many months, she walked them along streets, over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces.

“To this day, residents still wait for Blondy and Jazzie to come up and say ‘hello’. Our JRV coordinator, Merryl Morris guides us around and has played such a huge part in helping and organising future visits,” marks Kelsey.

With university starting mid February, Kelsey is hoping that the monthly visits to the retirement village, will continue through her mum and dad or whenever she can come home from Armidale.

By Gizell van Wyk

The legendary Elvis Presley has been celebrated worldwide, and especially in Parkes every year! He was one of the biggest and most important stars of the 20th century pop culture.

A cultural icon who was often referred to as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ and now direct from the US comes the ultimate return Australian concert tour 2018 of ‘Elvis – An American Trilogy’ – the complete story that takes three of the world’s leading Elvis tribute artists starring in one of the most spectacular live concert productions that takes you on a journey through the music of ‘The King’ in the history of entertainment.

The three stages in the success of ‘Elvis – The King’ stars Vic Trevino Jnr, who embodies the rockabilly sound of the young Elvis; Gino Monopoli recreates the sophisticatedsound of the Elvis movie years with tracks from iconic films ‘GI Blues’, ‘Kid Gallahad’, ‘Speedway’ and many more. He is magnificent as he recreates the 1968 comeback TV special.

The third artist is Greg Miller who channels Elvis in the famous white eagle jumpsuit. He recreates the 70s with ‘An American Trilogy’ featuring the moves, the songs and the nuances that made Elvis the most recognisable figure in the history of world music.

‘Elvis – An American Trilogy’ is touring Australia by popular demand in February/ March 2018, proudly presented by Abstract Entertainment. (See details below.)

 

 

The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next 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 difficulty in judging speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably. “Drivers will need to pay extra attention and be patient with schools reopening as there are more cars, buses and cyclists on the roads and young pedestrians crossing the streets.

“It is important that drivers slow down in school zones so they are in a better position to react to the unpredictable behaviour of school children as well as the busy traffic environment,” said Melanie.

There are 40km/h school speed zones in existence around all schools in NSW. School zones are operational between 8 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4pm on school days.

Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns.

“Parents and carers can help students remain safe by regularly reinforcing important road safety behaviours with their children and following the below tips,” said Melanie.

Parents and carers should:

• Always make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint when travelling in a car.

• Always drop-off and pick-up your chil dren on the school side of the road.

• Make sure children use the footpathside door when getting in and out of a car.

• Never call your children across the road to you.

• Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted.

• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.

• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike.

• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.

For further information please contact Melanie

Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

The Home Building Act 1989 governs residential building work in NSW. A person doing residential building work must be licenced by the Department of Fair Trading, unless the cost of labour and materials is $5,000 or less.

A person doing residential building work, repairs, renovations or advertising must be licenced if:

• the total cost of labour and materials are more than $5,000;

• it is electrical wiring work;

• it is plumbing, draining and gas fitting work; or

• it is air conditioning and refrigeration work (except plug-in appliances).

Licensing helps stamp out illegitimate operators and creates a level playing field for all tradespeople. Licenced tradespersons have to pay annual fees and insurance premiums.

If the work is more than $20,000, the tradesperson is required to submit a written contract to the residential owner and provide for a cooling off period. In some instances for small jobs a much less onerous written contract is required for jobs over $5,000.

Owner builders require a permit from the Department of Fair Trading (with insurance) for residential building work with labour and material costs of more than $10,000, or you are required to get Council development consent for such work.

Large fines apply to first offenders and gaol is an option for second time offenders, who are unlicenced and/or uninsured.

In addition to criminal penalties, unlicensed tradesmen might even find they don’t get paid for the job done, are sued for recovery of monies paid or might have orders made by NCAT against them.

All home owners should be aware that they can demand evidence of licence and insurance from tradespeople. If you have any more queries please feel free to contact us.

Monday marks day 35 since the Queen’s Baton has arrived in Australia and started its epic journey to arrive at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in March 2018. To mark the occasion of the baton travelling through Forbes, the council has organised some unique ways to celebrate.

When the baton arrives in town it will be rowed along Lake Forbes in a dragon boat being carried by Forbes’ first baton bearer Wendy Green, alighting at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Centre, the baton will then begin its journey along Lachlan and Browne Streets to arrive at the Community Celebration to be held at Stephan Field (the skatepark). The crowds can enjoy a refreshing ice-cream, live entertainment and watch the skateboard demonstration.

At 2.53pm the baton will travel through Forbes, along Grenfell Street, Lachlan and Harold Streets before turning into Court Street and back onto Lachlan Street out to the Golf Club.

Baton bearers for the relay are: 2.07pm Wendy Green; 2.27pm Robyn Kenny; 2.30pm Paul Cameron; 2.33pm Ethan Markwort; Community celebration at Stephan Field (skatepark); 2.53pm Rob Willis; 2.56pm Lester Sheather; 2.58pm Peter Moore; 3.01pm Chris Roylance; 3.03pm Phil Adams; 3.06pm Denise Jelbart; 3.08pm Yvonne Shaw; 3.11pm Taylah Hemming; 3.13pm James Smart and 3.15pm Robin Lyell.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay presents our community with a unique opportunity to showcase our people, culture and environment to the rest of Australia and the world,” Mayor Graeme Miller said.

He added it was 60 years since a baton was used to carry the opening monarch’s message from Buckingham Palace to the games.

Graeme also encouraged people to show support for the baton bearers as it passes through town. “Please come out and cheer along the baton and its bearers, let’s show everyone what a supportive community we are,” he added.

Nominations for the Forbes Shire Council Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year close at 5pm today, Friday 19th January.

To be announced and officially presented at the 2018 Australia Day celebrations.

Mayor Graeme Miller encourages nominations for community members who deserve to be recognised.

Forbes Shire Council’s Australia Day awards reward and acknowledge community members who have achieved excellence or made a significant contribution to our community.

Forms can be collected from Council’s Administration Office or downloaded from Council’s website.

Forbes’ 2018 Australia Day celebrations feature an enormous three event program, beginning with the free Rotary Community Breakfast at Apex Park. This will be followed by the Diggers Family Swim at the Forbes Olympic Pool before the main celebration, Australia Day Party in the Park.

Australia Day Ambassador, endurance swimmer, James Pittar will be a special guest at the many water based activities this year. Australia Day Party on the Park will feature fireworks, live entertainment from Gabe Middleton and Cameron Sharpe, pedal boats, amusement rides, face painting, the traditional CWA Damper Cooking Competition and a range of exciting food.

There will also be displays by community groups including the SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and Forbes Dragon Boat Club.