The Forbes Aquatic area was a buzz with activity this weekend when more than thirty competitors took to the water to test their skills in the NSW Barefoot Skiing Club sanctioned event. Marcus Morrison, event committee member, said competitor numbers were similar to that of the inaugural event last year. He was also very pleased with the number of spectators who lined the foreshores over the two days of competition to watch these talented athletes tear up the water.

The competition consisted of two parts – each part judged and scored by three judges who ride in the boat. The skiers are also recorded on video, which can be viewed in the event that judges or competitors need clarification on the points awarded. The Slalom is the first part and skiers must cross the wake created by the boat as many times as possible in 15 seconds on two feet, one foot, forward or backward.

They are given two runs and are penalised if they complete both runs in the forward position. The second part is the Trick Run and competitors must perform a start trick and perform as many tricks as they can during the 15 second trick pass area. Tricks that are repeated in the second run do not receive a point.

Competitors hailed from all over the state and organisers were pleased that about half of them were from the local area. The Forbes event attracted some excellent junior competitors including Connor Rogers and Teejay Russo who are the current NSW Leaders in the sub junior class and who are ranked 3 and 4 respectively in the World rankings. Local boy, Tom Morrison is ranked 28 which is a fantastic effort considering the short time he has been barefooting. Tom attributes his success to the encouragement and support of Jim Cronin who has been the driving force behind the barefoot competition being held in Forbes.

Two of our young hopefuls, Jenna Redfern and Lockie Miller, were thrilled when Elaina McClung from Branxton had her photo taken with them. Elaina is the current Australian U/14 Girls Champion and is ranked 7th in the World Under 18 Juniors. She will be travelling to America in August to represent Australia in the World Titles. Both Jenna
and Lockie attended the coaching clinic on Friday which was very well attended to the delight of Jim Cronin and his committee.

Jim was grateful for the experienced coaches who attended the sessions and volunteer their time to promote the sport and encourage more participation by people of all ages but in particular the juniors. Sue Russo, from the NSW Barefoot Club and Chief Judge for the weekend, was amazed by the number of spectators who came to watch the competition. “Forbes’ one day competition attracted a larger crowd than the National Titles held in Liverpool,” she said. The barefoot season runs from September through to April and skiers have the opportunity to compete in eight competitions including the State and National Titles held at Liverpool. Even though the Forbes course is just over 600m in length in comparison to the normal length of 800m, it is a great course, Sue added.

Member for Orange, Andrew Gee visited Forbes on Tuesday to officially seal a time capsule at Forbes Hospital to celebrate the new building as part of the $113.7 million Lachlan Health Service project.

The creation of the time capsule follows the official opening ceremony that was attended by Mr Gee, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier, Troy Grant and Minister for Health Jillian Skinner on Tuesday 19 January 2016.
The time capsule, which will be buried near the main entry of the new building, provides a unique opportunity to preserve a significant period of time in Forbes Hospital’s history for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

The items selected for the time capsule depicting what Forbes Hospital is like today, including items relating to the planning and construction process, were selected by the Lachlan Culture and Arts Working Group in consultation with Mr Gee.

The items chosen for the time capsule were:
• Lachlan Health Service 2013/ 2014 Annual Report.
• A bound document featuring:
• Photos of the new hospital building and the different stages of the redevelopment
• Project newsletters
• Copies of the sketches made by local Wiradjuri artist, Stephen Ferguson–the guga design features on the
main entry doors.
• News articles relating to the construction of the new hospital
• List of project team members
• Signatures of attendees at the official opening ceremony.
• Overview of the Lachlan Health Council.
• Construction plans of the new building at Forbes Hospital.
• Hard drive with videos and photos of the redevelopment.
The new building at Forbes Hospital is part of the $113.7M Lachlan Health Service project which included the construction of the new Parkes Hospital (completed in October 2015).

Now that the new building at Forbes Hospital is complete, work has commenced on the refurbishment of the Renal and Ambulatory Care units and work is scheduled to be completed in mid 2016.

Former Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles and NSW State of Origin representative Josh Perry says he is looking forward to supporting regional NSW on the Hogs for the Homeless tour next week.

Along with other retired rugby league greats including Matt Cooper, Brad Fittler, Steve Menzies and Nathan Hindmarsh, Perry will be in town for the event next Tuesday. This will be the fourth year the tour has been run, which supports Father Chris Riley’s campaign ‘Youth Off The Streets’, and raises funds to help homeless people in regional areas get their lives back on track.

This year’s tour will see the former rugby league players visit towns in between Byron Bay and Forbes. While in Forbes the players will visit local schools, as well as run a coaching clinic for the public at Spooner Oval. Perry said he and the other players were greatly looking forward to hitting the highways, in which they will do so on Harley Davidson motorbikes, and travelling to Forbes. “We’re always looking forward to the Hogs for the Homeless. It’s a good way to raise youth awareness and get kids off the streets,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to do clinics for kids that don’t normally see NRL stars, or former NRL stars as well.” “At about 11am in Forbes we’re going out to the livestock exchange and auction the sheep. We’ll do that a few times and raise some money for Youth off the Streets.” Perry recognised Forbes as a mostly dry area where periods of drought are not unusual, and said from past experiences it was always rewarding being able to go out to regional areas.

“People out there do it tough at times. It puts smiles on peoples faces, and it’s a good will thing and we all really enjoy it,” he said. The public clinic at Spooner Oval starts at 4.30pm.

Forbes Shire Council mayor Phyllis Miller says an increase to the GST would be the fairest way to reform tax.
Her comments come after NSW premier Mike Baird revealed recently he would like to see the federal government raise the GST from 10% to 15% at the same time as lowering personal income tax and company tax.

In his opinion this would raise revenue for state governments across the nation with funding voids in key areas such as education and health. Such changes to the tax system would likely not arrive until next year, but Cr Miller said a raise of the GST at the same time as a lowering in income tax would be the fairest reform for the people of Forbes Shire.

“GST is across the board- everyone pays it,” she said. “Income tax and company tax are all over the shot, depending on how good your accountant is to how much you pay.” “There would be some people affected with an increase in GST, especially pensioners and people on Centrelink payments, but at the same time I think it’s the fairest tax because everyone pays it. Everyone’s contributing.”

She added health and education were two of the most important areas in government, and sources of extra funding for these areas needed to be looked at. “I think education and health are two critical areas to having healthy and vibrant communities,” she said. “I don’t think there’s a lot of choice (about how to fund these areas). It’s (GST rise)
the fairest way.”

Ethics classes have been available to students at Forbes North Public School for three years now. The program has been a great success with over 70 students enrolled in the program and more expected in 2016.

“At this stage Forbes North Public School is the only school in Forbes offering ethics classes and we are hoping other schools in the area will consider providing families, who do not do scripture, with a meaningful alternative,” says Tricia Greenhill, Forbes Primary Ethics Coordinator.

Since 2011, children who do not attend Special Religious Education (SRE/scripture) classes in NSW public primary
schools have had the option to go to philosophical ethics classes run by the charity, Primary Ethics.

Ethics classes are gradually making its way into the Central West with schools in Orange, Molong, Bletchington, Bathurst and Canowindra already offering ethics classes to families and their children.

The Department of Education approved ethics curriculum is available for children from kindergarten to year 6.
“In ethics classes students learn how to think logically and discuss ethical issues respectfully. Students discuss a range of topics with their peers such as homelessness, keeping promises and the treatment of living things, not to mention respect and the importance of listening to others,” says Ms Greenhill.

Ms Greenhill said Primary Ethics relies 100% on volunteers and as more families choose ethics classes for their children the need for volunteer Ethics Teachers and Coordinators increases. “You don’t need teaching experience, but you must be interested in engaging children in ethical discussion and keeping your personal opinion out of the room,” she says.

Volunteer Ethics Teachers are provided with excellent training and support, including a professional two-day course and online courses and resources. “Teaching ethics at Forbes North has been such a great opportunity for me – I feel I am making a valuable contribution to the children and the school,” says Ms Barter, one of the current ethics teachers at Forbes North Public School.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Tricia Greenhill at forbesprimaryethics@gmail.com.au and visit www.primaryethics.com.au.

Preparations are well underway for the Bedgerabong Picnic Races on Saturday 13th February, which will this year commemorate the late Stuart Brown, who was Australia’s tallest jockey. There will again be a six race program,
with the feature race being race five- the “2016 The Stuart Brown Memorial Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Cup”.

While weighing just 62 kilograms, Brown stood a whopping 187cm tall. Brown tragically lost his seven month battle with lung cancer in November last year aged 43, but not without making his native community in Bedgerabong proud.

He won more than 200 races in a 20- year career and his biggest thrill came in winning his first Bedgerabong Cup in 2004 on horse ‘Thuntastique’. He would collect two more. The gates will open at 11am on February 13 with the first race to commence at approximately 1pm, and the feature race taking place later in the day.

If you are heading out this way, there are buses being provided from Forbes leaving the Forbes Town Hall from 11.30 am to 3.00 pm and returning back into Forbes from 7 pm to 10.30 pm. Should you wish to drive, you head out the North Condobolin Road for 32 kms. Entry: $15 per person (kids under 15 free) with race books at $5 each.

There are a lot of facilities located on course, and with the entry fee set at just $14.00 per person, this is a great and affordable day out for the family. The children can enjoy a free jumping castle, footraces on the straight after the last race, raffles and a live band – House of Tribes – after the races finish. The public bar will sell a range of beers,
wines, cider, spirits and mixed drinks from 11.30am to 10.30pm. A TAB Van and Bookmakers (Local & Metropolitan) will be on course, as well as various caterers including takeaways, BBQ, coffee & ice cream. Make sure you bring cash with you if you want a bet as there are no ATM facilities on course.

During the day, Fashions on the Field will be judged after Race 5 so if you are interested in participating listen to the announcements on the day to find out how you can be involved. This caters for every age group and every type of fashion. In addition there will be local Bedgerabong hats, caps, stubby holders and bar mats available on the day with an Auction of “Bedgerabong Race Day” merchandise after the footraces.

Rainfall in the last two weeks has seen Forbes record three times its normal rainfall for January, while the month as a whole recorded average temperatures, the Bureau of Meteorology has said. Forbes Airport, where official weather recordings are taken for the town, received 81.4mm of rain, with the average over the last 20 years since the Airport readings were first launched being just 29.2mm.

The month started with two heat waves within the first two weeks, but ended with wetter and cooler conditions in the last fortnight. BOM climatologist Aga Turkey said while the month’s weather was variable it was not unusual.
“It was quite variable. Some of these events were quite significant, but when we compare it to the climate record, it’s not particularly record breaking.” Forbes had a daily average temperature of around 33 degrees, just short of the historical average of around 34 degrees, with the hottest day being 43 degrees on January 13.

Overnight lows stayed right on average at 18 degrees, while the wettest day in town was January 23 when 31.4mm fell. The current El Nino weather pattern, which normally brings warmer and drier conditions but can still cause rain events, is expected to persist through February before declining in early autumn, Ms Turkey said.

She added we could see more rain events as El Nino begins to decline, with neutral weather patterns expected to follow for the rest of the year, bringing good news to local farmers.

“When we have a break down of an El Nino, it’s not unusual for parts of Australia to get some good falls,” she said.
“Our climate outlook for the next three months is for wetter conditions for Central West NSW.”

Work started on the project in 2012 and Mayor Miller said the opening of the new building in January was an exciting milestone for the community. “The refurbishment of Forbes Hospital has been a long time coming and we are very lucky because as much as it has been called a refurbishment, the Forbes community has a brand new hospital,” Mayor Miller said.

“The redevelopment of the ambulatory services is still underway and is expected to be completed in the coming months. “As part of the work, it was also terribly important for the community to keep the facade of the previous hospital. “I can only congratulate the architects on the way they have incorporated it into the new facility.”

Included in the $40.9 million development was a new emergency department, patient unit, birthing suites for maternity services, clinical support services including advanced medical imaging technology, an upgraded ambulatory care unit and expanded renal facilities.

Refurbishments of the ambulatory care unit and renal services are still ongoing, with completion of this expected in the coming months. The new building began use at the end of last year, but was officially opened on January 19 by Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier Troy Grant, Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Member for Orange Andrew Gee.

“With the hard work and dedication of not only our medical providers and doctors, but also through the support of the community, we have been able to maintain our services and have a wonderful new facility,” Mayor Miller said.
“The Councillors and I could not be happier. “We have worked very hard to attract doctors and health professionals to town through the building of the Apex Medical Centre, providing subsidised accommodation at the Jemalong Regional Education Centre and supporting Yoorana Gunya. “The number of doctors in Forbes is growing, which is the reverse trend in other rural communities, and it is because of the hardwork and dedication of everyone involved.

“Our new hospital is second to none and it was a very proud moment to be at the opening to see NSW Premier Mike Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner officially open the hospital along with NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Orange MP Andrew Gee.” Across the entire Lachlan Health Service, which includes the Forbes and Parkes hospitals, $113.7 million of hospital improvements funding has been spent.

Manager Liz Mitchell has overseen this New Forbes Hospital  “Our ultimate goal is to improve the health
outcomes for our patients,” she said. “We can achieve this with better integration between Parkes and Forbes hospitals using our new and improved facilities and sharing of services.”

“This includes the hospital’s Inpatient and Ambulatory Care services (Ambulatory Care includes Community Health, Physiotherapy, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, Renal and Dental Services) and the hospital and other community health providers such as General Practitioners and non-government organisations.”

Ms Mitchell said the people of Forbes could now access the highest level of care, whereas in the past this was not always guaranteed. She added the new facilities and technology would provide an improved patient flow, and more open and brighter spaces. “Now that the new building at Forbes is complete, work has commenced on the refurbishment of our Renal and Ambulatory Care units,” she said.

“With new and improved Ambulatory Care facilities at Forbes, we hope patients will see Forbes Hospital as a place that can help them stay healthy and live well, not just a place to visit when you are sick.”

Red Bend Catholic College principal Br Michael Flanagan says the implementation of a number of programs this year should see his school succeed academically once again.

His school achieved great results in last year’s HSC, with 12 students picking up 22 band sixes (a mark of above 90) across 14 separate courses, while 52 students collected 150 band fives (a mark between 80 and 90) in 27 courses.

While Br Michael said the programs he would implement this year aimed at maintaining high results, he stressed the most important aspect was each student getting the best out of themselves. “Our normal goal is to offer an environment here where kids can learn, to be challenged to learn more, and each is encouraged to do their best,” he said.

“They don’t have to get extraordinary results, but they have to get results that are good for them. That’s what we want.” Programs in use at Red Bend this year include teacher educator, blocking students in ability groups, FastforWord, and the parent French course.

The blocking students in ability groups system brings students of similar ability into one class, which Br Michael said
would create extra but smaller classes for his school. He believes the blocking students in ability groups system will bring the best out of students who are excelling and those who are developing.

“We believe if we can put kids of similar ability together they’ll learn better and people can focus their education of strategies more at one group of kids rather than trying to find a middle all the time when you’ve got a big range of kids,” he said. “It’s particularly important for those who are really bright, but for those who really struggle it’s also important.”

“They can move up and down classes as well. They’re not stuck where they are forever.” The FastforWord program, based on neurological science, is computer based, and targets particular areas in students that need intense development. For the first time a teacher educator has been appointed at Red Bend College, a move Br Michael said will improve teacher performance, and as a consequence, student performance.

It’s a continual professional development if you like,” he said.