Warm weather forecasts over Easter and throughout April have prompted Forbes Shire Council and its pool contractor to extend the pool season until Saturday, 28th April.

“The Forbes pool has been such a popular place this season, it seems only logical to continue the season for swimmers,” Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane said.

“At present the pool is a balmy 26.6 to 28.6 degrees, so it is a perfect temperature and means the pool users can enjoy another month of swimming,” he added.

As well as extending the season, the very popular water aerobics class will also be extended and an additional class added. A regular class has been held every Monday from 9.30am to 10.30am and now a second class will be held every Thursday from 11am to noon until the pool closes at the end of April.

“The new pool inflatable has created a lot of interest and we are trying to extend the season for as long as possible for the heated pool users we are accommodating,” said Steve.

The pool will continue to operate from 6am to 7pm seven days a week.

Forbes Preschool was established after a public meeting at the Forbes Town Hall on 13th May, 1957. The meeting was called when Noelle Smith and Joan Todd wrote to the Chamber of Commerce expressing a need and an interest in the establishment of a preschool kindergarten.

At that meeting a committee was formed and the following officer bearers were elected, Dr J Dent (Chairman), Dr J Dyce (Vice Chairman), C Haslingden (Treasurer) and G Ford (Secretary). It was decided at the meeting the Mayor of Forbes would be requested to become the patron of the preschool kindergarten.

A house to house canvas was conducted to ascertain the number of children and interest in establishing a preschool. As a result of the preliminary figures, it was agreed at the June 1957 meeting, to plan for a building to accommodate 25 children, a space of about 4,000 square feet.

The Bogan Street Preschool was officially opened on 10th October 1958 by His Excellency, the Governor of NSW Lieutenant General, Sir Eric Woodward.

In 2012 the Forbes Preschool received $1.2 million from the NSW Government to build a new preschool. The new preschool was officially opened on 3rd June, 2016. The new purpose built centre allowed for a daily registration increase from 39 to 100 places per day.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine said the priority is to ensure all children have access to an affordable preschool program.

“This increase in places also enables the preschool to ensure children on the priority list, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse children can have ready access to vitally important preschool services,” said Amy.

The new preschool allows accessibility for all children aged 3 to 5 years in our community. In particular children the year prior to school,” she added.

Why preschool?

Preschool and early education has long been identified as fundamental to promoting equity and excellence in young learners all through their educational journey.

At Forbes Preschool we hope to expand access to preschool so that as many children as possible can participate in our quality preschool programs for two years before starting school. All children benefit from high quality early education, but it is particularly beneficial for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and for the one in
four children who are developmentally vulnerable.

Preschool education is one step that can be taken to improve a society economically and socially. It has been shown children should begin to receive education before school since children experience substantial brain development during these early years.

Scientific research has proven that learning and mental development begin immediately after birth. During the first three years of a child’s life, essential brain and neural development occurs. Therefore, children greatly benefit by receiving education before formal schooling commences.

The following key benefits exist for preschool students, socialisation, cooperation, holistic development, enthusiasm for lifelong learning, value of experience based education, respect, teamwork, resilience, teamwork, concentration, patience, confidence, self esteem and exposure to diversity.

The conclusions drawn from most research about early childhood education are that individuals and societies greatly benefit, in terms of social, economic and other benefits.

The announcement this week securing the Corridor connecting the M7 to the Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong has the Mayors of Central NSW jumping for joy. John Medcalf, Chair of Centroc and Mayor of Lachlan Shire and Ken Keith Portfolio Mayor for Transport for Centroc and Mayor of Parkes attended the announcement, representing Central NSW.

“This is so very welcomed in Central NSW. At last we see some real action. The securing of the Corridor is the essential first step for the future development of better transport links between Sydney and our communities,” said John.

“To stand next to the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight as she made this historic announcement was a great privilege,” he added.

“The communities of Central NSW and Western Sydney need certainty and to see direction, which is what the State Government has done,” said Keith.

John said transport constraints and connecting Central NSW communities to Sydney is their number one priority, especially for freight.

“It was also great to see recognition of the task ahead to build a safe swift link between Sydney and Central NSW, recognised in the recent publication of the Future Transport 2056 Plan. It’s all go in Central NSW where it is clear that our voices are being heard,” said John.

“Infrastructure Australia has identified that Central NSW will be in the top seven regions in Australia for Gross Regional Product in 2031, improving our transport links will be critical to ensuring our growing contribution to the State and National economies,” said Keith.

“I’m sure I speak for every Mayor of every community in our region when I say we are jumping for joy. Centroc’s next meet is in May at Parliament House in Sydney and we will be taking the opportunity to thank the NSW Government for investing in regional NSW,” said John.

Double demerit points will be in force again over the Easter holiday period to improve safety on roads across the state.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that the double demerit point period would commence on Thursday, 29th March and conclude on Monday, 2nd April (inclusive).

“Double demerit points will apply to all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences this Easter holiday period. NSW police will also be targeting dangerous driving behaviours such as drink driving and driver fatigue.

“Since the inception of demerit points in 1997, there have been significant reductions in fatal crashes over the holiday periods.

“Mobile phone offences were added to the list of double demerit point penalties in December 2015, with the aim of deterring this dangerous and distracting behaviour.

“I ask all drivers to remain vigilant over the Easter holiday period. We all have a part to play in reducing the amount of crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, limit distractions in the car, don’t drink and drive and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts,” said Melanie.

Lachlan Highway Patrol Sergeant, Dearne Jeffree is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time.

“Drivers should be warned that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this five day period. There will be more police on the roads and therefore more chance of getting caught,” said Dearne.

Netball is ranked as the leading women’s participation team sport in Australia for 15 to 24 year olds. It is a great sport to develop health and fitness in a team based environment regardless of the level of competition.

Like any sport there is an inherent risk of injury. National insurance data indicates that as high as 25% of all major injuries are attributed to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Furthermore ACL injury comes at high physical, emotional and financial cost to the athlete.

The ACL is the main stabilising ligament in the knee. Females are 4 to 6 times more likely than males to rupture this ligament. There is also further risk associated with athletes participating in sports involving deceleration, pivoting and twisting. This means that netballers have a high risk of injury to the ACL and lower limbs.

Research tells us that 50 to 70% of all ACL injuries can be prevented with neuromuscular training programmes. These types of programmes are basically designed to improve the strength, flexibility, control, balance and co ordination of the athlete. Not only can they decrease the incidence of lower limb injuries, they have the added benefit of enhancing performance.

With this in mind Netball Australia, along with the Institute of Sport has developed the KNEE programme to provide education to coaches, players and parents. The KNEE programme is a netball specific neuromuscular training programme and can be accessed at www.http//knee.netball.com.au.

Whether you are a coach to your child’s netball team, support staff, athlete or parent this programme is designed to keep players on the court for longer and moving more efficiently when there.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Kyle Bolam is off to represent our zone at the Royal Easter Show after winning first in the Experienced Parader’s class and winning Overall Champion Parader at the Eugowra Show last year.

“I feel very lucky to have been provided this opportunity and can’t wait to compete in Sydney,” said Kyle.

Opportunities like this can come once in a lifetime for some students, but with dedicated teachers such as Rachel Eagles and Damian Byrnes of Forbes High School leading the schools show team, it is evident that these opportunities are proving to lead to student success.

“We are so proud of Kyle and his achievement. He has a wonderfully calming manner with the cattle,” Rachel said.

Kyle has been with the school’s show team for a number of years and recently travelled during the January holidays with fellow student Jack Coles, to compete in the International Dairy Week in Tatura, Victoria.

Both boys paraded heifers and their team came in third overall.

Forbes Shire Council has secured major funding for local community infrastructure with more than $430,000 announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless last week.

Forbes Shire Mayor, Graeme Miller has warmly welcomed the funding announcement for the three major local projects in the Forbes Shire, each receiving $100,000 or more.

“Council’s Grants Officer, Andrew Rawsthorne has been working closely with several community groups to secure this funding for projects they have specifically designed. He has in fact been working with one group for more than two years to bring their project to fruition,” Graeme said.

Rick announced the funding as part of round one of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund with more than $2.6 million awarded to projects in the Orange electorate. Round two has now opened with applications closing 4th May.

As part of the major renovations and modernisation being undertaken at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC), a new bike riding track will be installed to allow young children to learn the road rules in a safe environment. Concepts for the improvement, new equipment and designs were developed in conjunction with Forbes Playgroup and Toy Library, who worked closely with Council to prepare the grant application.

Several improvements have already begun, including restoring the floorboards in the main hall, upgrading disabled access, power cleaning the bathrooms and a clean out of the current storeroom with unused goods being donated to the local organisations. Now with a further $100,000 larger scale improvements can be started to increase the YACC capacity, safety and appeal to many more community groups.

“While the Youth and Community Centre is a practical venue it has become somewhat dilapidated due to the high level of activity and use. This funding will see a modern new facility to support ongoing growth and will allow us to continue to support young families in Forbes,” Graeme said.

In the largest funding announcement for Forbes, $231,629.57 has been granted for an overall $400,000 project to build the new Forbes Men’s Shed.

“The Forbes Men’s Shed is vital in our community and these new funds will allow the group to greatly expand. Specialised skills based groups will be able to meet and the new facility will enable the group to work with younger and disadvantaged men,” Graeme said.

The final announcement for $102,092 is for the Bedgerabong Recreation Grounds upgrade. Two new pavilions funded through this project will be immediately utilised to support the Bedgerabong Picnic Races, the Bedgerabong Show, the Bedgerabong Country Music Muster, stud livestock sales as well as trade and market days.

As well as the pavilions, a telephone line will be connected at the hall and the kitchen will be upgraded. A 22,500 water tank and stand will also be erected on the grounds.

 

 

 

It all started in 2007 when Rev Lynn Bullard of the Anglican Church, while attending a conference in Sydney, mentioned that the church in Forbes had just started an outreach for children. Ray and Di Flint heard this and expressed an interest in assisting with the ministry.

After training with the Church Army, Captain Ray took on the leadership of Church in the Schoolyard in 2008. The outreach was grateful for the use of the Forbes North School grounds and the involvement of volunteer helpers from many of the churches in Forbes.

Students from the TAFE cooking class provided hot meals and the Uniting Church provided sandwiches for lunch for one Sunday per month. Weekly Wednesday night gatherings also commenced and were guided by Ray and Di.

In 2010, Forbes Shire Council offered the use of the disused Guide Hall in Johnson Street for the ministry at a nominal rent and provided fencing for the block. Local tradesmen and volunteers worked alongside Ray doing up the hall and fitting the kitchen and the old hall which is now very functional and well used each week.

The Church in the Schoolyard is now known as Northside Chapel and is jointly funded by the Anglican and Uniting Churches with donations from other churches and local people.

In 2015, Ray and Di retired and the Northside Chapel ministry was continued by Rex and Rachel Taylor.

The Northside Chapel brings games and Bible stories to young people in the area. Rex collects the young people each week from their homes by bus, every second Sunday in the month and every Wednesday, and they are returned home afterwards.

The gathering is growing and the aging bus, which is now too small and has outlived its usefulness, needs to be replaced with a bigger bus.

To raise funds for the bigger bus the Chapel committee have decided on a sheep drive and are asking producers to give a lamb or sheep on sale day, the 10th April. Contact Ian Thomas for further information on 6851 4350 or visit “Greenbank” 8461 Lachlan Valley Way, Forbes.

The Forbes Arts Society received some good news on Monday when Shooters Fishers and Farmers MP Philip Donato, announced their success in applying for a 2017 Community Building Partnership grant.

Philip presented members of the Forbes Arts Society with a cheque for $3,768, which is the amount they sought to build 15 demountable structures to provide shade and shelter for caterers at the ‘Grazing Down The Lachlan’ event which attracts visitors from a wide area.

“I am pleased to be visiting Forbes to make this announcement and that the Forbes Arts Society has received the full amount outlined in their grant application,” said Philip.

“Grazing Down the Lachlan’ has developed into a very successful event, thanks to the vision and hard work of Forbes residents and they are to be congratulated.”

Chair of ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’, Wendy Muffet said the organisation is delighted to hear the news that the shade structures will be funded with the assistance of the Community Building Partnership  grants program.

“This funding for the shade structures is such a boost for us and will ensure we can continue to add value to our event without us having to find the finance and we are looking forward to another successful event this year,” she said.

The event will be held on 22nd September at the 9 Mile Reserve on the banks of the Lachlan.

 

By the time the Easter holidays roll around, everyone is ready for a break, and even though it’s usually a four- or five-day break, it goes by fast. Here are some things to consider when planning your Easter holiday adventure.

ACCOMMODATION

Regardless of where you go on your Easter holidays, it’s going to be full of people, as this is the first chance most people have had for a decent break since Christmas. Book as early as you can especially if you’re travelling with a family or have any special needs.

TRANSPORT

Australian roads are notoriously deadly over Easter holidays, so make sure that your travel plans allow you plenty of time to get to and from wherever you plan to go. You don’t want to be rushing or driving without having had enough sleep, so rather than drive many hours straight after work, leave early the next morning instead. It’s far better to have a slightly shorter holiday and live to tell everyone all about it.

CHOCOLATE

If you and your friends or family are heading off on an Easter adventure, don’t forget the chocolate eggs! Especially if you’re heading off camping or somewhere else remote, you’ll want to have those chocolates in your pack come Easter Sunday, and having eggs for a hunt around your camp can be a fabulous way to have some Easter adventure fun.

Keep in mind that Easter isn’t all about the chocolate! Get your loved ones something that lasts this Easter. Come in and see Marg at Undercover Sleepwear and take a look at the great range of swimwear and sleepwear.