General Interest Archives - Page 25 of 311

Heavy Long Weekend Traffic Expected On The Great Western Highway

April 16, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Motorists travelling on the Great Western Highway over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends are urged to plan their trips and allow extra travel time, with high traffic volumes and delays expected.

The Great Western Highway has several known pinch points for travel connecting the Greater Sydney area with the Central West.

Historical traffic data shows the busiest day for westbound travel towards Lithgow will be Friday 18 April and Saturday 19 April, and for those heading east towards Greater Sydney the busiest day will be at the end of the long weekend on Monday 21 April.

Delays are also expected on Friday 25 April (Anzac Day) for motorists travelling across the Blue Mountains, with significant traffic volumes also anticipated eastbound on Sunday 27 April as holiday makers return to Sydney.

The Govetts Leap Road intersection at Blackheath can be a pinch point where there are often queues for motorists heading east. Traffic queueing also often extends west from Blackheath to Hartley and beyond.

When queueing begins eastbound at Mount Victoria, a traffic management plan is put in place with motorists held at Hartley to prevent further congestion and a start/stop movement up Victoria Pass. Vehicles are then released in small groups, allowing them to travel up the Pass to prevent further delays in the event of breakdowns and to avoid nose-to-tail crashes.

For more details about predicted delays on the Great Western Highway see the NSW Holiday and Journey planning website. For information, visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/230828, or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

World-class Performers In The Heart Of Canowindra

April 16, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Canowindra International Balloon Festival is renowned for its stunning hot air balloons and community spirit, but this year, the festival promises to soar even higher with the Home Ground Sounds Concert. Taking place on Friday, 2 May, at the Canowindra Oval, this electrifying event will feature some of Australia’s top musical talent, ensuring an unforgettable night for concert-goers.

Headlining the concert is Casey Barnes, a multi-award-winning Australian country music artist. With his impressive vocal range and captivating performances, Casey has earned his place as one of the country’s most respected talents. His chart-topping hits and energetic stage presence will undoubtedly light up the evening.

Joining Casey on stage are Furnace and the Fundamentals, the ultimate party band known for their high-octane performances.

Fresh from their UK tour, Furnace and the Fundamentals have played some of the world’s largest music festivals, and now they’re bringing their signature blend of funk, soul, and rock to Canowindra. Get ready for a show filled with infectious energy and non-stop dancing.

Also featured is Nathan Lamont, an up-and-coming star in the Australian country music scene. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and powerful performances, Nathan is making waves across the industry and will bring a fresh, exciting sound to the concert.

Bring your chairs, picnic rugs, organise a Grazing Box from IGA and come along for a great night out. There is a licensed bar on site and there is strictly no BYO or glass permitted into the concert.

Gates open at 5pm with the concert kicking off at 6:30pm. Hosted by Roundbox Group, this is a must-attend event for anyone looking to enjoy world-class music in the heart of Canowindra.

Forbes Rallies For A 24-hour Police Presence

April 10, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Members of the Forbes Neighborhood Watch Committee met with Member for Orange Phil Donato MP at his Forbes office, on Thursday 3 April, to hand over a petition filled with 2,760 handwritten signatures asking for a 24-hour Police Station and extra police for Forbes.

Mr Donato was grateful for the hard work put in by the committee to collect the signatures, unfortunately a petition needs 10,000 signatures in order to be debated in Parliament. However, the fact that this petition has over 500 signatures, means it will cause a written response from the Police Minister.

Mr Donato said, “Forbes is a considerable sized regional town which deserves to have a 24-hour police presence to ensure community safety.”

Neighbourhood Watch relies entirely on volunteers working together with the aim of minimising preventable crime, improving security and reporting crime activity. The Forbes Branch had been holding regular committee meetings and had been in operation in excess of 30 years.

President of the Forbes Branch, Lyn Ward has sadly announced, “Forbes Neighbourhood Watch has folded due to a lack of members. Forbes residents have been rightly concerned about the rate of crime and the lack of police presence in the evenings, but after being unsuccessful in attracting new members, the previous committee consisted of a handful of members, the eldest being 96 years and the youngest in their late 60’s.

Both Lyn Ward and Phil Donato want the Forbes community to stay vigilant and keep reporting crime and any suspicious activity.

Parkes Energy Recovery Drop In Sessions Have Begun

April 10, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Locals from Parkes and Forbes and the surrounds, are invited to a Drop in Sessions being run by Parkes Energy Recovery, a consortium led by Tribe Infrastructure Group, to discuss their proposed Parkes Energy Recovery facility in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (Parkes Precinct). The drop in sessions began at The Cooke Park Pavillion on Thursday 10 April and will continue on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 from 8am – 5pm.

The proposed facility will divert an estimated 600,000 tonnes of waste per annum from landfill and generate at least 60 megawatts of energy – enough to power 80,000 homes per year.

The consortium will now begin the process of wide community engagement and the planning and environmental approvals process for the facility that it will design, fund, own and operate on land leased from RGDC (Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation). If you have questions, concerns or are interested in knowing more information, then Council encourages residents to participate in the community engagement opportunities led by Parkes Energy Recovery. For information on the proposed facility, visit www.parkesenergy.com.au info@parkesenergy.com.au or call 02 8405 7915.

Frost And Fire Artist Line Up To Heat Up Forbes

April 10, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Supporting acts on the night will be Foxxy Cleopatra, Baker Boys (pictured) and EasyGoin.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see an up and coming Brisbane singer-songwriter in the making, Ripley Alexander, right here in the Central West at Frost and Fire in Forbes on Saturday 21June. Ripley describes his music as “a modern spin on a classic sound”. Ripley’s standout Australian Idol performance went viral around the world, racking up more than 100 million views on TikTok.

There’s no one like the Wolfe Brothers to warm up a crowd with their high energy performance of iconic truly Australian anthems.

The most awarded country rock duo ever, the brothers took away three Golden Guitars at the 2024 Country Music Awards bringing their total to 9 Golden Guitars to date.

Buy Your Frost & Fire Tickets: Tickets are essential. No ticket – no entry! Under 18’s are free entry. Over 18’s are $30 per person. Tickets are available via 123tix.

Book Your Accommodation: Plan your stay in Amazing Forbes with some great accommodation options.

Book Your Bus Transfer Tickets To The Event: Don’t forget to pre-purchase bus tickets before the event. Tickets are exclusively available via 123tix.

BYO Chair and Warm Winter Clothes: Keep nice and toasty with warm clothes. Enjoy the entertainment in comfort by bringing your own chair.

Plan The Rest of your Weekend: Amazing Forbes has an abundance of exciting attractions and activities to see and do. Come for the night – stay for a weekend.

Getting to the Event: Frost & Fire is held at the Forbes Ski Dam. During our event there is no public parking onsite, so we have a variety of public transport options to get you and your family and friends here safely.

By Bus: There is a free shuttle bus service running to and from the event on the day, operating on a continuous loop.

Free Screenings Of Avarice And Q&A Session

April 10, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Galari-River Arts Forbes Inc and Club Forbes are excited to bring free screenings of Avarice with Q&A Session Featuring Forbes Filmmaker Dane Millerd.

Fans of action thrillers are in for a treat as two special free screenings of Avarice will take place on Sunday, 13 April at Club Forbes. The screenings, at 4pm and 6pm, will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s writer, local journalist, filmmaker, and screenwriter, Dane Millerd.

Forbes’ local talent behind the film, Dane Millerd, who wrote and developed the screenplay, will be available for a post-screening Q&A, providing insight into the creative process and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film – suitable for anyone wanting an insight into a film making career.

About Avarice

Avarice is an action-packed thriller. Shot in stunning Australian locations, the film combines heart-pounding action with an intricate, suspenseful storyline, starring the talented Luke Ford in a role that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dane Millerd is an Australian journalist, filmmaker, and screenwriter with a passion for storytelling. Known for his unique perspective and powerful narratives, Millerd’s work on Avarice brings to life a gripping tale of ambition, danger, and human nature.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience Avarice on the big screen. Admission is free, but seats will be limited. To reserve your spot, please visit https://events.humanitix.com/avarice-q-and-a

1,000 Bikes Ride Against Domestic Violence

April 3, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Organiser of the 1,000 Bikes Against Domestic Violence Ride, Grant Nicholson pictured with Tony Ticehurst, father of the late Molly Ticehurst.

A group of Central West Riders will soon be departing Forbes on a very special ride – 1,000 Bikes Against DV. The ride organised by Forbes local Grant Nicholson, was inspired by the tragic loss of beloved local woman Molly Ticehurst to domestic violence. The bikes will depart Forbes on Friday 11 April at 8:30am from Bunnings.

The group will be riding from Forbes to Parliament House in Canberra, and have been granted permission to hold a rally from 1pm – 2pm. All riders are welcome to join and riders are invited to wear a white ribbon in support of ending domestic violence.

When speaking of the ride, Grant Nichlson, said: “We want to show our disgust in the lack of action by our leaders in combating domestic violence in our communities all over Australia. We’re going to be peaceful, but loud, to show society that we cannot tolerate this any longer.”

On the day, 117 red hearts will be laid on the lawn of Parliament House to represent the 117 women lost in the last 12 months to domestic violence. Members of the crowd will be asked to take one of 117 white carnations and stand behind a red heart, the last carnation being carried by Nate who is Molly’s young son. Nate will carry Molly’s heart with her flower, during 117 seconds of silence.

Riders will meet at the general assembly point at the front of Parliament House Canberra. Please head along and show your support against domestic violence. For more infomration follow the Facebook link: www.facebook.com/share/1BZRmk3RM7

Calls For Rural And Remote Healthcare To Be Prioritised

April 3, 2025 by Roxane Manley

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin.

With the federal election now set for 3 May, healthcare is a key issue for voters, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is urging all political parties to prioritise the needs of rural, remote, and First Nations communities.

More than seven million people living in rural and remote areas face significant barriers to healthcare, including geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and the higher costs of delivering services in these regions.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin asserts that every community, no matter how remote, has an undeniable right to access high-quality healthcare without the barrier of cost.

“There is a $6.5 billion annual underspend on healthcare in rural and remote communities, and that’s unacceptable. This chronic underfunding directly impacts the health and wellbeing of people outside major cities, but there are solutions available.”

Dr Martin says ACRRM has welcomed major parties’ commitments to bulk billing and medical training but is calling for further detail and a stronger focus on rural, remote and First Nations healthcare.

“Without targeted investment, rural, remote, and First Nations communities will continue to experience critical healthcare shortages.

For more information: accrm.org.au

A ‘Wheelie’ Big Ride For A Great Cause

April 3, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Did you see large groups of Cyclists coming through Parkes and Forbes on Sunday 30 March?

National Construction and Fitout business, FDC hosted its annual charity bike ride at the weekend. The big 500km Ride to Give journey started in Dubbo on Sunday, with 70 riders making their way to Forbes, then Temora and finishing in Leeton on Tuesday.

The event has already raised more than $473,000 for two incredible charities supporting regional youth – Boys to the Bush and BackTrack Youth Works, with some employees even participating in the ride. Both charities are making a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged and disconnected youth across NSW.

Boys to the Bush was established in Albury in 2017 by three school teachers who were noticing common issues in youth men with similar backgrounds – disconnected, vulnerable and often from a home without the presence of good male role models.

Boys to the Bush has positively impacted more than 7,000 lives through a range of programs, including one-on-one mentoring, camps and school programs. The charity focuses on prevention and early intervention strategies for boys between eight and 20 years old, on a mission to assist boys to become good men.

In 2022, Boys to the Bush were recognised with “The Most Outstanding Community Organisation” award by Business NSW.

The organisation supports every aspect of a young person’s life – from helping them connect with the community and supporting individual wellbeing to helping their personal development and providing learning and employment opportunities.

Donations for the ride are still welcome and every dollar – big or small – makes a real difference and goes directly to improving the lives of at risk youths in regional communities.

To donate, visit www.fdcridetogive.com.au/event/rtg/donate and help us continue making a difference.

Not All Multifocal Lenses Are Created Equal

April 3, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Multifocal lenses are a game-changer for those needing vision correction at multiple distances, but not all multifocal lenses are the same. Many people assume that any multifocal lens they purchase will provide clear, comfortable vision, yet there can be vast differences in design, quality, and lens technology that can have a huge impact for the wearer.

Off-the-shelf or budget multifocal lenses often use outdated technology, leading to smaller reading zones, more distortion, and difficulty adapting. High-quality, modern multifocal lenses—especially when selected and fitted by an experienced optometrist and optical dispenser team, offer a much smoother transition between distances, wider vision zones, and more comfortable viewing experience overall.

This is where choosing an independent optometrist, like Hansen Eyecare Plus Parkes makes all the difference. Unlike chain stores that may offer a limited selection and only use one brand of lenses which is the best one for their bottom line, we have access to a wide range of premium multifocal designs from many different lens manufacturers that can be tailored to your lifestyle. We take the time to understand your unique vision needs, ensuring you get lenses that provide the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.

We also offer a 3 month non adaptation warranty on your new multifocal, so if you’re one of the small number of people that can’t adjust to a multifocal lens, then we will happily exchange them for something else. If you’re sick of taking glasses on and off or have been waiting to take the plunge and try multifocal lenses then what better time than now?

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