Rochelle Bright moved to Forbes from Canberra just six weeks ago. She has spent the past several years working in communications in government, and for organisations like the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Headspace.

A writer all her life, Rochelle is involved in the Central West Skywriters Project, and is about to embark on her first novel. She is thrilled to have the chance to get to know members of the local community and share their stories. She would love you to contact her with your good news, your heart-warming news, your record-breaking stories, your unique stories, your events, your news tips and your photos, whether social, funny or just of interest.

You can contact Rochelle on 0419 017 762 or reporter@forbesphoenix.com.au

Are you happy with your online profile as a small business operator? Set next week Tuesday aside as there will be a free workshop in Forbes that is all about boosting your internet profile in the online map services of Google, Apple and Microsoft.

“It is all about claiming your placemark on online maps,” said Geomancia’s Managing Director, Angela McCauley, who is presenting the Building the Digital Economy work- shops in Forbes and Dubbo.

She said not many business owners realised they could claim the placemark which pops up when you do a Google search for a business. “By claiming the placemark you can add more information, such as business hours and upload photos. This would give you much better search results.”

The workshop is for two hours and during the first hour Angela will focus on changes in consumer behavior and the transformation to the digital world for businesses. The second hour will be a hands-on session where participants will start building a web presence. If you are already on the web, you will get tips on how to lift your search results.

If you cannot make the workshop in Forbes, the Dubbo workshops are on 30th and 31th May.

Google “Geomancia Digital Economy” for more information or see page 2 advertisement.

If you have ever been hit hard in the thigh with someone’s knee or shoulder, you most likely know how painful and debilitating a corked thigh can be. A cork, or a muscle contusion as was more formerly known, is a common occurrence in contact sports, as well as sports like cricket and hockey when a player is hit by the ball. Contusions result from blunt trauma to a muscle such as when two players collide and one is hit in the thigh by the knee of the other. The underlying muscle and connective tissue are crushed without breaking the skin. This causes bleeding within or between muscles resulting in a haematoma.

A cork may result in immediate pain, weakness, muscle spasm and stiffness. Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, however if you lose joint range or power in the leg, have trouble with explosive bursts or kicking, it is time to come off the ground and not return to play.

It is important that treatment of a muscle contusion starts immediately, with the first 48 hours post injury the most important. Immediate treatment for a corked muscle should include ceasing activity, icepacks applied every two hours for 15 minutes, bandage the corked muscle with an elasticized bandage, elevate the injured limb above heart height whenever possible and avoid exercise, heat, alcohol and massage in the first 48 hours.

Range of motion is a good indicator as to the severity of the injury. Difficulty flexing the knee past 90 degrees may suggest a more severe injury that requires physiotherapy assessment.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

The final event of Forbes Heritage 2017 last Wednesday was a celebration of the rich and diverse history of the town with the Forbes Medical Centre receiving the Forbes Medal.

A very surprised and delighted Dr Neal Somes accepted the medal for the Centre’s, ‘Discovering our Doctors’ project, which he said had been “very much a team effort”. “History is very important,” he said. “The project is for the patients as they make the practice. It will also help our new doctors to reflect on how their forbears dedicated their careers to assisting the Forbes community.”

Other nominees for the Forbes Medal were the Forbes and District Historical Society, Forbes Railway Arts and Information Centre and Two Tone Films.

The Heritage Volunteer Award went to Don Rath, who has been a volunteer at the Forbes Museum since 1973. The other two nomi- nees were Yvonne Collits and Pamela Thomson. All three nominees have been involved in various community organisations willingly volunteering their time, energy and expertise with a commitment to heritage conservation.Cr Phyllis Miller said it warmed her heart to see so many people attending the ceremony. She con- gratulated all the students who entered the Art Awards. Sampa Bhakta won the Art Acquisition Award.

By Dianne Collie

The Forbes Sports and Recreation Club came alive with fun and laughter on Wednesday when the Women’s Bowling Club hosted its biggest ever Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council with more than 50 people attending.

This year the event incorporated fundraising for breast cancer, as well as a celebration of Mother’s Day. The Biggest Morning Tea, and Wednesday morning bowls, is usually a ladies-only event, but this year the men were invited. “The men love coming and playing with us,” said Ann Mackay, President of the Women’s Bowling Club.

“We’re very happy with the roll-up. It’s amazing the amount of people who are willing to support the cause.” Fellow event organiser and club Secretary, Sandra Priest, agreed. “We’ve never run an event as big as this,” she said. “The Bowling Club is donating the fees for the green today, and all fundraising proceeds will go to the Cancer Council.”

Amy Shine, director of Forbes Preschool has won the Business Leader Award at the 2017 Western Regional Awards. Amy is now a finalist in the 2017 State Awards.

“This was totally unexpected, I didn’t have one thought of winning,” said Amy. “Unfortu- nately, I did not attend the presentation held at Taronga Western Plains Zoo last Friday due to other commitments, but I will most definitely be heading to Sydney in Novem- ber for the state award presentation.”

The Business Leader award recognises the positive contribution made to business by those who demonstrate outstanding en- trepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, whilst providing inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders.

Forbes Preschool is a community-based service, which ensures all children aged three to five years of age have access to affordable, high quality, early childhood education.

Amy’s goal is to inspire others to see the importance of early childhood education and realise the impact it will have on the com- munity for years to come. The preschool also provides pre-kindy children access to an occupational therapist and speech thera- pist free of charge. All this has been made possible through Amy’s vision, lobbying to secure around $1.5 million in funding an development of partnerships within the community.

Beck Cheney, Simone Newell, Carly Keane and Sally Male, four of the 17 em- ployees at Forbes Preschool were unani- mous in describing Amy as being “very approachable, an inclusive leader and outstanding communicator”. They also said that Amy was “very passionate about providing free flow indoor/outdoor play, and through her coaching and encouragement to attend professional development, we support her to achieve this vision for all Forbes children”.

“It’s about thinking outside the square, constant reflection and continuous improvement but most of all loving your work,” said Amy.

By Dianne Collie