General Interest Archives - Page 27 of 311

Inland Rail Closing In On Stockinbingal To Parkes Completion

March 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Inland Rail project will move further towards completion thanks to the work taking place during the March 2025 possession.

Inland Rail will use the upcoming rail possession from 22 March 22 to 24 March to apply some of the finishing touches to the Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) section of the project, with Inland Rail on course to finish S2P on schedule in mid-2025.

The rail possession, where the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction is closed, will permit our contractor Martinus Rail to carry out works on sites in the S2P section which would be hazardous if trains were still running. At the Lachlan River Bridge, plant and equipment will be delivered using heavy vehicles, after which there will be paint stripping, drilling existing beams to enable the addition of new strengthening plates, as well as the installation of new strengthening plates on the underside of the bridge.

Further south at Wirrinya, plant and equipment will be delivered using heavy vehicles, after which there will be drainage works, track tamping and track alignment.

Other sites on S2P such as the Daroobalgie Crossing Loop and Wyndham Avenue track lower will continue to undergo finishing work to access roads, landscaping and drainage during normal hours, meaning there will be no night work.

The rail possession will start at 6am on Saturday, 22 March and finish 60 hours later at 6pm on Monday, 24 March.

Malcolm Clark, Inland Rail Project Director, Stockinbingal to Parkes, said “The tight teamwork and integration of Inland Rail and contractor Martinus Rail has enabled us to make great strides towards completion of the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail.

“The lion’s share of the work has been completed and the March 2025 possession will help us perform tasks which require closure of the rail line to carry out safely.

For more information on the works, you can visit our works notifications page at inlandrail.com.au/where-we-go/projects/stockinbingal-to-parkes/works-notifications/

Council Funding For Local Events

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Back L-R Jolie O’Shannessy (PSC Events Trainee), Fiona Glasheen (Parkes Picnic Races), Kelly Spedding (Parkes Picnic Races), Mayor Neil Westcott, Tricia Trim (Parkes Picnic Races), Rhonda Redenback (Australia Day Committee), Alex Prout (Parkes Jockey Club), Kellie Thomas (Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society). Front L-R Megan Morrison (PSC Events Officer), Harry Turner (NSW Corvette Club), Megan Mortimer (Tullamore P A & H Association)

Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce the recipients of Round 2 of the Events Financial Assistance Program (EFAP). Council has allocated $50,310 in funding to seven community events and one destination event throughout the shire.

The EFAP is designed to support both new and existing events that contribute positively to the Parkes community while striving for event sustainability.

The event funding was awarded to the following: Australia Day Committee 2025 Parkes Shire Australia Day Activities $10,000, Parkes Jockey Club Parkes Cup $9,100, Adavale Lane Community Centre Inc Bushdance and Dinner $1,110, Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc. Trundle Back in Time $8,600, Tullamore P&A Association Inc Tullamore Show Ball $6,880, Life Education NSW/ACT 2025 Healthy Harold Parkes Festival of Health $7,270, Parkes Coradgery & Diggers Amateur Race Club Inc. Parkes Picnic Races $2,350, NSW Corvette Club National Corvette Convention $5,000.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Neil Westcott, said: “The Events Financial Assistance Program continues to deliver important support to a diverse range of events that bring our community together and showcase the vibrancy of our region. From major sporting events to beloved local traditions, these initiatives enrich our social and cultural offerings while also providing economic benefits to businesses and tourism”.

Further details and application forms can be found on Parkes Shire Council’s website: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/Councils-Grants-Programs

2025/26 Regional Event Fund Now Open

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Event organisers from Parkes, Forbes and surrounds are invited to apply for funding to help stage events in regional NSW that enrich the state’s diverse calendar of event experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.

Managed by Destination NSW, the fund provides support to regional events via three streams: Incubator Event Stream, Flagship Event Stream and the Event Development Stream.

Applications to the 2025/26 Event Development stream will remain open until 31 December 2025, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. All applications must be for eligible events that will be staged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

For more information on the Regional Event Fund, you can visit the Destination NSW website or contact the Grants Administration team via email grants.admin@dnsw.com.au

Please note, Destination Central West cannot provide a letter of support for your application, however our team can provide advice on eligibility requirements and alignment with the Central West NSW Destination Management Plan.

Get in touch with your local Industry Development Manager Kate Catterson kate.catterson@dncw.com.au

Preparations Are In Full Swing For Annual FRUC Charity Golf Day

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Life Pharmacy Group CEO Michael Flannery with winners of the 2024 FRUC Charity Golf Day Troy Howe, Randall Grayson, Steve Betland, Charlie Dwyer, and Club President Tony Cogswell.

The annual Forbes Rugby Union Club (FRUC) Charity Golf Day is coming up on Friday 21 March, and the aim of the day is to raise money for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund (PMMF).

Peter Murphy was a lifelong supporter of the Forbes Platypi Rugby Union Club, a former player and club president. The PMMF was established following the passing of Peter Murphy, the popular high-school teacher, in 2017. The aim of the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund is to assist young people, with financial limitations, to pursue their dreams.

The concept behind the golf day was to capitalise on the influx of people travelling to Forbes for the annual FRUC Lunch, by hosting an event on the day prior, to raise money for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund.

The Forbes Rugby Union Club Golf Day is a four person Ambrose with registrations opening at 12.30pm on Friday 21 March.

There will be a briefing at 1pm and a shotgun start at 1.30pm. All proceeds from this year’s FRUC Charity Golf Day will go towards the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund, so register a team and help raise some money for a great cause.

Players of all abilities and experience are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Can Assist will be running a charity BBQ between 12pm – 1.15pm and all money raised from the BBQ sales will go towards Can Assist.

For further information about registering for the FRUC Charity Golf Day, contact Will Gunn on 0475 765 840 or the Forbes Golf Club and Pro Shop on 6851 1554. If you require a pull buggy or cart please make contact early as there is numbers limited available.i

Risk Factors For Dementia

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Dementia Australia has welcomed its newest Ambassador, Adam Harvey. A nine-time Golden Guitar Award winner, has a deeply personal connection to dementia. His mother’s diagnosis inspired him to write his heartfelt song, Remember Me.

New data released by Dementia Australia for Brain Health Week shows that Australians are largely unaware that common health issues such as hearing loss, depression and high cholesterol are risk factors for dementia.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said that dementia is the second leading cause of death for all Australians and there are currently 433,300 Australians living with the condition.

“Dementia is on track to become the country’s biggest cause of death within the next five years. While we cannot change getting older, genetics or family history, scientific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing or delaying the risk of developing dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.

Last year, the Lancet Commission identified 14 modifiable risk factors which, if addressed effectively, could reduce dementia incidence globally by 45 per cent.

The risk factors include smoking, obesity and physical inactivity as well as factors such as hearing loss, high cholesterol and depression.

“In fact, people with mild-severe hearing loss are two to five times as likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing,” Professor Buchanan said.

“It is never too early or too late to reduce your dementia risk. It’s a chronic condition which must be treated with the same health investment as other major chronic conditions, Professor Buchanan said.

Find out more about the modifiable risk factors that can make a big difference to your brain health: dementia.org.au/brainhealth/reducing-your-risk-dementia

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.

Forbes Women Gather To Celebrate

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller was one of the keynote speakers at the IWD event.

International Women’s Day was celebrated in Forbes on Saturday, 8 March at Lions Park, with 80 amazing guests who enjoyed breakfast and listened to the inspiring keynote speakers: Cr Phyllis Miller OAM, Belinda Mawhinney, and Kelly Foran.

Together, all the attendees explored the history of International Women’s Day, celebrated global progress in gender equality, and discovered their own leadership qualities and discussed how to set boundaries in all aspects of our lives and turn life’s lemons into lemonade.

A huge thank you to each of the wonderful keynote speakers and to the amazing women of Forbes for attending.

Mayhem Fight Series Presents: Boxing In Parkes

March 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Two of the fighters from Tommy Wards Backyard Boxing in Parkes, Riley Pizzi (left) and Xavier Ward (right).

Mayhem Fight Series is hosting Boxing In Parkes on Saturday 22 March at the Parkes Leagues Club. This amateur boxing event which will feature many local fighters from Parkes and the surrounding area.

The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix caught up with Tommy, and a couple of the fighters preparing for the upcoming fight night, at Tommy Wards Backyard Boxing Gym.

For Tommy Ward it is just another fight night, and with 40 years in the game, he expects the same work rate week in week out from his fighters. “I teach them how fit they have to be, how they have to perform and where their skill set is,” said Tommy.

“They have all been working hard, but it’s not about winning or losing, it is about competing at your best and walking out of the ring happy.”

Xavier Ward vs Brodie Brown

Fourteen year old Xavier Ward, training under Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing, will face off against Brodie Brown from Orange.

Xavier is actually Tommy Ward’s grandson and has been hitting the bag since he was just six years old. He has been patiently waiting to reach 14, which is the age you need to be to start fighting competitively.

Xavier has fought two exhibition matches before, but this will be his first real fight, and he says: “I am feeling confident, but also nervous to fight in front of my home crowd.” In the lead up to the fight Xavier has been working on a bit of fitness but mostly footwork.

Riley Pizzi vs Noah Savage

Fifteen year old Riley Pizzi, training under Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing has been matched up against 17 year old Noah Savage from Steel City Boxing, Newcastle.

This is a big fight for Riley who is fighting on the night for the NSW Junior Middleweight title against the current belt holder, Noah Savage.

Riley started boxing training in early 2023 and stepped into the ring for his first fight in September 2023. He has definitely progressed rapidly in the sport, recently attending the NSW League Boxing Amateur Boxing Titles held in Gosford in November 2024, where Riley came second and walked away with a silver medal.

At training in the lead up to the title fight, Riley has been working on fitness, throwing combos and trying to read the opponent. His strengths in the ring are his power and his work rate.

We asked Riley what it is like to compete as an individual sportsman but be able to train in the team environment at Tommy’s Gym, and he said “It’s a good environment and so welcoming, Tommy gives you opportunities and makes time for you. You’re in the ring by yourself but you’re a team outside of the ring, helping each other train.”

Don’t miss out on the action of Boxing in Parkes. Doors open at 4pm and the first fight is scheduled for 5pm, book your tickets now at: www.123tix.com.au/events/47343/mayhem-fight-series-presents-boxing-in-parkes

Pictured in the black headgear is Riley Pizzi, sparring one of his training partners.

Tracie Robertson Celebrates A Quarter Century With Ray White

March 6, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Tracie Robertson pictured with Ray White Rural CEO Stephen Nell who said that “Tracie is one of the most resilient people I have ever met. Her ability to never give up is something I deeply admire”.

Tracie Robertson has been part of the Ray White Rural business since 1999 and has grown the business to now have four agencies, over 30 staff and almost 1000 properties under management.

Tracie is being celebrated after 25 years with Ray White, from student to sales woman, from a pioneering young woman in a male-dominated industry to a respected leader and mentor.

“When I started, there were essentially no women in real estate sales in our area,” Tracie recalls. Studying real estate at TAFE by night, she was given an opportunity to help at the local Ray White agency in Parkes. “I filled in when a salesman went overseas, and I ended up selling 16 houses in my first month. It was a whirlwind start,” she said.

The early years were a steep learning curve and in 2006, Tracie took a bold step by purchasing Ray White Parkes. The road ahead was fraught with challenges. “After the GFC hit, I was juggling seven credit cards to pay my staff’s wages. I was close to selling our family home and moving into a flat above our office,” she said.

But Tracie’s grit and determination paid off. She expanded the business by venturing into rural markets and opening in 3 nearby towns, which propelled the business into new heights.

Ray White Rural CEO Stephen Nell said “You don’t stay in business for 25 years unless you possess something special, which Tracie does.”

Tender Submissions Open For Long Term Grazing Permits

March 6, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Livestock producers in NSW are invited to apply for long term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR). Tender submissions are now open for Long Term Grazing Permits, which are valid for up to five years from July 2025. Permits are allocated via a robust tender process led by Local Land Services. Submissions close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30 March 2025.

Program Lead TSR, Sam Hand, said strategic grazing played an essential role in effective TSR management. “Long Term Grazing Permits allow producers to make long-term business decisions and access TSR for extra fodder to support healthy livestock, particularly during times of drought, feed shortages and other emergencies.

Applicants are required to inspect the TSR before making a submission, to ensure it is fit for their intended grazing usage.

In NSW, there are more than 6,500 TSR on Crown land, covering an area of around two million hectares. Local Land Services manages about 30 per cent of the state’s TSR network, which is approximately 578,000 hectares.

All submissions must be lodged online at https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/primary-industries-nsw/travelling-stock-reserves/tsr-permits/long-term-grazing. Applicants can call on 1300 795 299 or visit the website for more information.

The Forbes Thai Massage Centre Reopens At 20 Spring Street

March 6, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Come and enjoy a rare and totally new unique massage experience with senior masseuse Honey.

The Forbes Thai Massage Centre has commenced trading and has employed an experienced Traditional Thai Masseuse with over eight years practising and honing her skills by not only working in leading International Resorts in Phuket but practising in a range of different massage outlets in Thailand. Places such as Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket. She has also worked internationally for one year in Korea.

Her name is Honey, and her skills are in all the Traditional Thai Massage as well as foot massage. We offer the full range of accepted Thai massage products including Herbal Ball heated treatments and few in Forbes have experienced this unique treatment. We note for your interest it is rare to find these as few in Australia have the skill of using Herbal Balls. Honey’s foot massage is normally done in a large comfortable chair, and I’m sure you will find this a unique experience.

The Forbes Thai Massage Centre was built as a complete Traditional Thai Massage experience, you will see and experience the attempts we have made to replicate this unique Thai Experience. Our goal here is to have you experience peace and serenity not only is this created by the masseuse but often it is the little things we do.

Such as the soft Thai massage music, the aromas, from the washing of your feet at the start, to warm tea or a simple piece of candy at the end. This is a unique Thai experience without going to Thailand .

Amongst our many features is we have the massage mat on the floor exactly how it is done throughout Thailand. Please note you’re more than welcome to have a massage on the table.

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