General Interest Archives - Page 267 of 317

Cheers To 200 Years

March 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Westpac, Australia’s first and oldest bank, is celebrating 200 years in business on 8th April. Every branch in the country will be celebrating. In Forbes, where Westpac has been open for 146 years, the celebrations will take place on Thursday, 6th and Friday, 7th April. “We will be celebrating this milestone with prizes, giveaways of Westpac promotional items, such as pens, umbrellas, key rings, stubby holders, beach towels, lollies and many more,” said Forbes Bank Manager, Shannon Crowley.

The celebrations on Thursday will be a birthday party complete with balloons, coffee and a massive cake cut at 10:30am. “All customers and the wider community are invited to attend,” said Shannon. Westpac was established in 1817 as the Bank of New South Wales.

Planting Peas For Peace Of Mind, Heart And Soul

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Among the many friends of the Forbes Riverside Community Garden are two families spanning three generations with grandparents, daughter and partner and grandsons actively.

Meeting with some of the founding members, The Forbes Phoenix wanted to learn what attracted people to join. “It’s so peaceful here, and sheltered from the wind and weather,” said Leo Curran. Anne Hodges agreed adding: “We are just so blessed to have this space.”

According to Denis Irvine, friends can choose what they would like to grow, “however we do encourage the growing of clean, organic food.”

The community garden is a picture of perfect health with an array of raised garden beds bursting with fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers. There is a passionfruit vine, citrus and mulberry trees as well as mounds where pumpkins, rockmelons and asparagus grow.

“We cater for people of all abilities, ages and walks of life, and love to share our gardening knowledge. Mind you there is never a day where we don’t learn something new,” said Leo.

The community garden falls under the auspices of the Forbes Shire Council, and has been successful in attaining two grants. However nowadays they supplement the grant money with the sale of sea- sonal fruit, vegetables, potted vegetable and herb seedlings and dried herbs. “We have also received excellent support from many Forbes businesses, farmers and producers, we are very grateful to,” said Denis.

The Community Garden is always looking for new friends and open to anyone wanting buy fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs. The gardens are located within the former State Forest Nursery in Reymond Street and are open from 9 to 11am Monday to Saturday.

Visiting the garden you will easily understand the friendly volunteers’ motto: Plant three rows of peas; peace of mind, peace of heart and peace of soul.

By Dianne Collie

President’s Lunch A Celebration Of Community

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Stand-up comedian Vince Sorrenti was taken aback last Saturday that a small country town like Forbes could organise such an outstanding event.

The sixth Forbes Rugby Union Club President’s Lunch has been described as the best ever with 820 guests joining in a spirit of friend- liness, politeness and generosity. “The food was magnificent, the crowd unbelievable and the weather was great,” said Chris Sweeney, chairman of the organising committee.

The Eat Your Greens Gourmet Dinner for 10 went for $10,000, a surprise Dinner with Vince for 10 at Ester in Sydney went for $9,500, the Wallaby jersey reached $2,000, a painting $6,000, a red gum mirror $2,200 and the winners of the $1,000 Platypus Charity Draw opted to donate the funds to the Garland Family.

“The support for auction items was just amazing and we are able to donate $10,000 to Batyr, far exceeding our expectations,” said Chris. While Vince’s entertainment was rated by many as the funniest they had ever seen, the comedian was equally impressed by the way the Forbes community look out for each other.

“I am extremely proud and happy to lead such a tremendous committee who can put together such a great event. All the happy, smiling faces at the event made me very happy,” said Chris

Barry Tells You How to Travel And Work

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Image sourced from World Travel Guide

Barry Brebner had a lot of time to think and reflect whilst recovering from cancer in hospital. Reminiscing about the eight editions of Workabout Australia he wrote until 2011, Barry was motivated to start writing again. “During those years I met so many people who told me the most amazing travel stories,” said Barry. “So I set to work and here is the result,” he said proudly holding a copy of Workers on the Wallaby.

Barry was in Forbes last Thursday with his latest book meeting people at News on Rankin. He was happy to sell a book to a reader from his hometown of Dubbo, an- swered questions from the public and chatted to Forbes local, William Hodson who told him about his time working as a trailer driver in Cape York.

Workers on the Wallaby is a collection of 11 factual and very personal stories of people’s adventures whilst travelling Australia. Barry tells of how one traveller who felt God’s presence at Devil’s Marbles, and of a couple who raised and educated their children on the road and how important their journey was to their childrens’ education.

“Workabout Australia, is a book that every person thinking of travelling and or working around Australia should have,” said Barry.

By Dianne Collie

A Pulled Calf Is A Muscle Tear

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The calf muscles are commonly injured in sports that involve quick acceleration, de- celeration or sudden changes in direction.

Many people describe a sudden sensation of being struck on the back of the leg. A calf muscle tear is often referred to as a strain or a pulled muscle.

The calf comprises of two large muscles, gastrocnemius and soleus. They both join to form the Achilles tendon, which inserts into the heel bone. The gastrocnemius also helps to bend the knee and together they contract to point the toes.

Tears to the calf muscle can range from a small partial tear with little pain and minimal loss of function to a complete rupture, which may require surgery. Recovery time and re- turn to sport depends upon the severity of the injury.

The immediate treatment for all calf inju- ries consists of the RICE protocol – rest, ice compression and elevation.

The No HARM protocol should also be applied – no heat, no alcohol, no running and no massage. This is aimed at reduc- ing bleeding and secondary tissue dam- age within the muscle. If you are unable to walk without a limp, the use of a heel raise or wearing shoes with a small heel will de- crease pain without further stressing the muscle. A compression bandage or wear- ing SKINS over the injured area helps limit bleeding and swelling.

As pain decreases gentle exercise and stretching can begin in addition to treatment recommended by your friendly sports phys- io. It is important not to ignore a calf strain as return to activity too soon could make the injury worse.

For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

Thumbs Up Thumbs Down

March 23, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

THUMBS UP To the management and staff of Betland’s Orchard Forbes for another great season of beautiful produce and excellent customer service. Well done!

THUMBS UP To Council, all the participants and publicity officer for organising the great concert for our senior community at the Town Hall recently.

THUMBS DOWN To people leaving bags and boxes overnight and on weekends outside the Sunshine Op Shop. Other people rummage through the stuff and leave a big mess. Only drop off donations during opening hours.

Scarlett Lets Her Hair Down For Ava

March 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Two days before her 14th birthday Scarlett Garland divided her thick long blonde hair into four ponytails so each of her sisters could cut one off. Trish Craft of Hair with Style finished the job giving Scarlett a number 3 haircut. “I’m proud to have raised more than $10,600 to fund research and support other families just like us,” said Scarlett. “Imagine if this money was enough to help them find a cure and end people being diagnosed with leukaemia forever. That would be amazing!”

Scarlett is the eldest daughter of Andrew and Kathy Garland of Wirrinya’s five daughters. Second oldest is Olivia (11), Polly (9), Willa (7) and Ava (3). Ava was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June last year. “She was diagnosed within 12 hours of seeing a doctor in Forbes,” said Kathy and “commenced treatment within 36 hours.”

During Ava’s intense treatment, Scarlett boarded at Red Bend and Olivia, Polly and Willa lived with their aunt in Orange. Ava is now home whilst undergoing oral chemotherapy. “Things that may have annoyed me nine months ago, don’t even phase me anymore, it is just so nice to have the gang back together,” said Kathy. Scarlett made the decision to participate in the Leukaemia Foundation’s 2017 World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure to support her younger sister through two years of treatment.

“It was a long way out when Scarlett made her decision to shave her hair off, but she never changed her mind. She wasn’t even nervous on the day,” said Kathy. “It will be fun to grow my hair back at the same time as Ava does,” said Scarlett. “Thank you so much to everyone that
has left nice messages and donations, you have all helped me become the 14th highest fundraiser in Australia,” said Scarlett.

Tom Maslin, school captain at St Lawrence’s also participated in the World’s Greatest Shave as did Graeme (Dorsey) Uphill their bus driver. He had his eyebrows and moustache shaved off. In all, a total of nearly $13,000 has been raised. “We are truly overwhelmed by the support
the community of Forbes has shown us. Some parents at the Oncology Department at Westmead Hospital in Sydney do not even know their neighbours. I just don’t know how they would get through something like this without support,” said Kathy.

Having A Laugh With Vince For A Good Cause

March 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Stand-up comedian Vince Sorrenti will be entertaining more than 800 guests at the sell out Forbes Rugby Union Club President’s Lunch tomorrow. In its sixth year, the lunch has become a social tradition to not only raise funds for the club but also for local charities and organisations. “We also love to get people together to celebrate our club’s achievements, especially this year as we go into our 50th season,” said Tracey Prior, Club President.

The unique purpose and simple concept of the lunch has proved to be hugely successful with long waiting lists every year of people wanting to attend. “It has just grown so much with 820 people attending this year,” said Chris Sweeney, chairman of the President’s Lunch. The proceeds of this year’s lunch will go to the Forbes Badminton Club, Forbes Toy Library, Forbes Running and Triathlon Club and Ava Garland & Family.

Additional funds will be raised with the gourmet dinner auction courtesy of Eat Your Greens (for ten people plus a champagne, wine and beer hamper) and in support of Batyr. It is a purposeful organisation that aims to engage, educate and empower young people to have positive conversations about mental health. Chris said by supporting Batyr, the club would like to bring the organisation to Forbes to run its programs for young people in the town. There will also be $1,000 prize money for a winning table in the Platypus charity draw. The tables are run by a table captain who sells nine tickets to friends. “This concept is very simple and easy to run, and it also makes the event very social and community orientated,” said Chris. “That is what rugby is all about: community, friendship and mateship.”

If you would like to be a captain at next year’s lunch, contact the committee on rugbylunchforbes@gmail.com.

The Tribe Is Back In The House

March 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What a journey it has been since 2013 when local band House of Tribes first performed at the Calarie River Arts talent quest. The band originally had three members, siblings Paige and Jake Ellison and Greg Prow. “Greg was asked to play guitar with us so Jake and I wouldn’t fight, but we are older now so everything is different,” said Paige laughing. Stuart Maclean joined the band in the summer of 2014, and completing the current lineup is bassist Jasio Rimene who joined last year.

Paige remembers naming the band. “We were using a band name generator which came up with weird names, when I looked up and on our shelf was the book ‘House of Tribes’ by Garry Kilworth. It is a pretty cool name and the band is our second family made up of people from other families (tribes).”

Their debut album, Paint it Red was recorded in 2015 after ranking third in the People’s Choice Award at the Battle of the Bands in Orange. “The prize was 10 per cent off on our first recording so we thought we may as well. On hearing the recording, we thought it sounded good,” said Greg. “So we wrote more songs to record the EP,” said Paige.

Their second album, We Still Have Hearts was launched last Friday at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. Jake and Paige wrote all the songs. “I wrote my first song when I was 14, called Nightmares,” said Paige. “I can’t believe how much I have matured since then. The new album channels originality and explores alternative thinking to take you on a journey. According to Paige one track came about when she could see Winnie the Pooh in the one-hundred-acre forest listening to Jake’s music. “I started wondering if I would ever forget about Pooh bear, my favourite, and then I started thinking what if Christopher Robin ever forgot about Pooh…” The song will tell you the rest of
the story.

Jake took up guitar in kindergarten, Paige has always loved dance and music, while Greg always wanted to play in a band but as a father of four thought his opportunities had passed. “This is the first band I have ever played in and I love it. Don’t let age stop you,” said Greg. Jake is studying audio engineering in Queensland, Jasio lives in Bathurst and Stuart in Orange, but distance will not stop the House of Tribes. There is going to be a third album. “Jake will produce the third album on completion of his studies, so we are going to take our time with this one,” said Greg.

By Dianne Collie

Glittering History Secures Future For Many

March 9, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Gold has played a significant role in the history of Australia starting in 1851 with the Bathurst gold rush.

More than 150 years later, the Cowal gold mine near West Wyalong announced a modern day “gold rush” last month with its board approving an investment of approximately $270 million to increase production and extend the life of mine by eight years to 2032. Rated among the top five biggest gold mines in Australia, total production is set to increase to 1.2 million ounces.

Just as all the discoveries of gold all over Australia has boosted the economy, an immediate benefit of the Cowal mine expansion is an increase in employees with 48 new operators in the open pit and the plant.

Community Relations Officer at the mine, Tony Glasgow said interviews for the new positions had already started this week.

The mine currently employs about 400 staff and contractors from the Forbes, Bland and Lachlan Shires, with 64 residents catching the bus from Forbes.

The new investment will deliver two major projects over the next four years: the E42 stage H cutback and the dual leach pro- ject. The E42 stage H cutback will widen and deepen the existing open pit by at least 80m. The pit is currently 340m deep. This has been made possible by a 145% or 2.28 million gold ounces increase in Cowal’s ore reserves since Evolution acquired the op- eration in 2015.

The Dual Leach project will add an additional leaching circuit to the processing plant to target a four to six per cent increase in gold recoveries.

Situated on the banks of the largest inland lake in NSW, Lake Cowal, the mine site has natural beauty not easily found at mines. Hundreds of emus, locally known as bush chooks, roam freely, as well as wallabies, kangaroos, 277 bird species and the dealy tiger and brown snakes.

The environmental sensitivity of the mine site has not been without controversy, but according to Tony the mine operates to very high environmental standards to ensure the least possible impact. Cowal has received ISO14001 certification for mining and ore processing operations and support services for gold and silver production.

Evolution Mining bought the Cowal gold mine from Barrick Gold in 2015 and described it as one of the most attractive gold assets in Australia. Cowal is the biggest of the six mines in the group.

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