Forbes Phoenix

Northparkes Mines 30 Year Celebrations

by

Cake cutting (L to R): Tony Melhuish, Brad Mill, Ian Cowle, Hon. Courtney Houssos, Rob Cunningham, Ian Rowe.

This year Northparkes celebrates 30 years of operations. To mark the special occa­sion an official ceremony was held onsite on 21st August, gathering special guests and employees together.

NSW Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC, Member for Orange Phil Donato and Parkes Shire Council Mayor joined representatives from Evolution Mining and Sumitomo to help employees celebrate. Two of Northparkes’ employees who will also 30 years of ser­vice Tony Melhuish and Ian Rowe also shared memories of their time onsite over the years. To finish the event there was a cake cutting and a plaque was unveiled.

But the celebrations aren’t over yet! Be sure to come along to Northparkes’ free community event, Cheers to 30 Years Fes­tival, headlined by Daryl Braithwaite. This event is to thank everyone in the communi­ty for your support over the years. Scan the QR code on page 8 to secure your ticket, bring your picnic rug, esky, and enjoy a funfilled evening with family and friends.

Get ready to enjoy the sweet sounds of Isaac Compton, get up and dance with Foxy Cleopatra, and laugh out loud with MC Tristian MacManus. The event is BYO and there will be plenty of food and activi­ties for the whole family to enjoy including an inflatable obstacle course, jumping cas­tles and a special visit from everyone’s fa­vourite blue cartoon dog…

Northparkes can not wait to celebrate with you all.

Rob Cunningham and Bogan Bila Cultural Dance Group.

‘Use It Or Lose It’

by

My grandfather was the founder of a poultry farm. He loved chickens, the way they moved around, walking with a swagger, their jerky, almost nervous movements. I remember collecting the eggs with him as a child, watching his hands move quickly, with almost a flare of artistry, placing eggs gently but firmly into cartons as he pushed the trolley along through the sea of chickens.

In the last 10 years of his life, he battled Parkinson’s Disease. I once helped him from his car to the egg packing shed, a painstakingly slow process, every movement a neurological battle for his brain to connect with his muscles. His feet barely cleared the ground with short, shuffling motions, his hands shaking and his voice a whisper.

Twenty minutes into the 15 metre journey from car to shed door, I offered to get the wheelchair. He looked at me, smiled and said “My girl. If I don’t use it. I… lose .. it.” He was, of course, right.

A study about patients who are critically ill and find themselves in an ICU bed found that they lose nearly 2% of skeletal muscle per day during the first week of admission. A week in bed, motionless, well that’s almost 14% of your muscle lost. Yet we know on the flip side, it can take 6-8 weeks to build muscle up and build strength. Hardly seems fair does it?!

There are so many benefits to keeping active, across all stages of the life span, but especially as we age.

Interested in keeping strong & active? We have a new seniors exercise class at Kerin Health, run by our Physiotherapists. Find out more or secure your place in this program (places are limited) by calling us on 0437 749 746

Free Online Child Car Seat Safety Workshops

by

Register today for one of the freee online workshops.

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held to provide im­portant safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and La­chlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW West Region. The workshops will be held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 10th September at 10am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Mela­nie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjust­ment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for sec­ond-hand car seats and much more. It is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

The online workshops were the first of their kind in NSW when they were trialed in May 2023.

“Over 30 local families have attended the online workshops since their inception. Participants rated the workshop 4.8 out of 5, said they would be very likely to recommend it to a friend or family member and were glad they had attended,” Ms Suitor said.

To book your place, visit the Councils’ Facebook pages, use this link: bit.ly/WorkshopRegoSept24 or call Ms Suitor on 6861 2364.

Vital Flood Mitigation Program Extended

by

A program designed to reduce the risk and impact of flood events across towns in inland NSW has been extended thanks to a $3 mil­lion Australian Government grant. The Improving Floodplain Con­nections – Urban Protection Program is a risk-reduction program that targets existing flood works. Since 2022, it has been working to restore hydrological connectivity across northern basin flood­plains of inland NSW.

The expansion will:

• Help determine a remediation pathway to modify and approve flood works, working closely with landholders.

• Raise awareness and help communities better understand the rules around Floodplain Management Plans, which will improve compliance culture.

• Continue meaningful engagement and collaboration with First Nations communities, landholders and other key stakeholders.

• Build on the Improving Floodplain Connections Program work to date and will help mitigate against flooding to towns in highrisk locations, including in Moree, Bourke, Forbes, Moama, Nar­romine, Walgett, Hay, Condobolin and in other inland towns and communities.

NSW DCCEEW Director Healthy Floodplains Project Delivery Alastair McKenzie-McHarg said “We have identified 14 Local Gov­ernment Areas across inland NSW where flood works pose known risks, and have received strong support for the program.

“Expanding the Improving Floodplain Connections Program will build on the critical work done to date, and deliver a coordinated approach for these high-risk locations to mitigate against flooding to towns across our state’s west.

“Flooding remains one of the biggest natural disaster threats to the people of NSW. This program takes another vital step towards remediating the most high-risk flood works.”

Apply Now For The 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge

by

Enter your submission for the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge now.

Western NSW Local Health District (WN­SWLHD) is encouraging people who are passionate about improving their com­munity’s health to apply to take part in the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Chal­lenge.

The WNSWLHD Building Healthy Com­munities Challenge was established this year by the District’s Health Promotion team to help smaller communities take control of improving their overall health, by providing up to $12,000 in funding and in­tensive support to deliver a community-led health initiative.

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Coordina­tor Hayley Vaughan said applications are open to any community group in a town or community with less than 5,000 peo­ple who has an idea for an initiative which could improve people’s health.

“We encourage communities to apply if they have an idea which could increase physical activity or healthy eating in their community, reduce smoking and vaping rates or establishing infrastructure which promotes healthy living,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Any idea is a good idea, big or small, and they could be as simple as implement­ing a regular walking group or setting up community gardens to grow healthy food.”

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Officer Kelly Cook said an independent panel will assess applications and select two towns to compete in the friendly competition.

“The two chosen towns will each receive $8,000 in funding assistance and intensive support from the Health Promotion team to establish and implement their initiative, and we will also provide additional resourc­es and assistance with promotion too,” Ms Cook said.

Applications are open from Monday 2nd September to Friday 11th October 2024.

For more information contact the WNSWL­HD Health Promotion Team on WNSWL­HD-HealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au.

Your Essential Guide For The Nsw Local Government Elections

by

Local Government Elections scheduled for Saturday, 14th September 2024. Following is listed some of the important information you need to know.

HOW TO VOTE

Whether you’re a returning voter or its your first time, head over to the NSW Electoral Commission website to find out more.

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES

Parkes has two groups and 18 Individual Candidates running for election:

• Group A: Matthew SCHERER, Andrew WILKINSON, Benjamin DRABSCH, Jef­fery POWELL, Michael WHITE, Michael RAMSAY

• Group B: Glenn WILSON, Daniel WE­BER, Cornelius SNYMAN, Robert BRADLEY, Timothy HALL-MATTHEWS, Raymond JOHNSON, Nicholas LEES, Justin HILL

Individual Candidates:

• Margaret APPLEBEE

• Neil HAMILTON

• Douglas POUT

• Samuel JORDAN

• Alan FLAVEL

• Kenneth KEITH

• Kenneth MCGRATH

• Graeme HUNTER

• Louise O’LEARY

• Darren STEVENSON

• Hamish RITCHIE

• Irene RIDGEWAY

• Anthony BARROTT

• Joy PADDISON

• Jacob CASS

• William JAYET

• Neil WESTCOTT

• George PRATT

Forbes have 10 Individual Candidates run­ning for election:

• Aidan CLARKE

• Phyllis MILLER

• Jennifer WEBB

• Margaret DUGGAN

• Christopher ROYLANCE

• James WHALAN

• Steven KARAITIANA

• Michele HERBERT

• Sarahlee SWEENEY

• Brian MATTISKE

WHEN TO VOTE

• 7th September: Pre-polling voting periodopens

• 7thSeptember: Telephone voting appli­cation and voting opens

• 9th September: Postal vote applicationsclose 5.00pm

• 13th September: Pre poll voting closes(dates/times to be advised). Telephonevoting application closes.

• 14th September: Election day 8am 6pm. Telephone voting closes 1.00pm­­­

WHERE TO VOTE?

Postal vote applications are now open for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections. Applications close at 5pm Monday 9th September 2024. For more information on postal voting, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website at https://elections.nsw.gov.au

Pre-polling voting in Parkes will be available at The Coventry Room, Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre, 25 Bogan Street, Parkes NSW 2870.

Pre-polling voting in Forbes will be available from Saturday 7th September 2024 to Friday 13th September 2024 at the Forbes Town Hall, Harold Street, Forbes.

Pre-poll voting will be open:

• Monday to Wednesday 8.30am – 5.30pm

• Thursday 8.30am to 8.00pm

• Friday 8.30am – 6pm

• Saturday 9am – 6pm

To find out more information on early voting and pre-polling, postal voting or to find a polling place near you, visit the NSW Elec­toral Commission website at https://elec­tions.nsw.gov.au

Your Vote Matters – Make It Count On 14th September

by

You must vote at a venue in your enrolled council area (or ward if you live in a divided council area). You cannot vote at a venue in another area.

The NSW Electoral Commission will be conducting local council elections on Sat­urday, 14th of September 2024, for the election of Councillors. If you are an Aus­tralian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to enrol and vote. If you do not vote, you may receive a penalty notice.

Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott said “I want to take a moment to talk about voting in this year’s election. You will, for the first time, be offered the choice of placing a vote above the line for two groups of men or tak­ing an extra minute to number at least 1 to 5 – and preferably 1 to 10 – below the line for a diverse Council.

My hope is that the residents of Parkes Shire will recognise candidates on the Bal­lot paper who will give the next 4 years of their life to being a positive force on your behalf.

Parkes Shire right now needs stable and diverse leadership, I humbly ask that you keep Parkes Shire Independent and Com­munity Driven.”­­­Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said “I encourage you to find out about all the candidates before voting on election day. This is your opportunity to elect a Council that best represents you, our community. We are very lucky in Forbes as we only have ten excellent candidates, eight of whom were on the last Council and two new candidates.

I have full confidence the community will elect another great Council.”

Parkes Naidoc Family Fun Day

by

Last years award winners with Member for Orange Phil Donato and Councillor Niel Westcott.

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peo­ples in Australia. NAIDOC stands for Na­tional Aborigines and Islanders Day Ob­servance Committee. This year the Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday 7th September, at the Wiradjuri Amphitheatre at Bushman Hill.

This is a free, vibrant event and is open to people of all ages, and from all back­grounds. This year’s NAIDOC celebration promises a day full of culture. The event is based on this year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”, which celebrates the enduring strength of Indig­enous culture and unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.

The day will feature many local perfor­mances, a smoking ceremony and Wir­adjuri artifacts Will also be on display. An awards ceremony will be held to recognise the contributions of local community mem­bers towards the Wiradjuri culture and her­itage.

The day will also include other activities such as a free sausage sizzle, service in­formation stalls, traditional weaving, emer­gency services vehicles, and children’s activities such as a jumping castle, face painting and temporary tattoos.

The Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day of­fers a heartfelt invitation and a wonderful opportunity for all the community to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Tor­res Strait Islander identity while having a great time with family and friends.

It’s about enjoyment, cultural exchange, and community – it’s genuinely a lot of fun for everyone involved, so come along with your friends and family on the day.

Forbes Cwa Members Advocate For Ongoing Action Around Violence Against Women

by

In the wake of the unfathomable spike in the deaths of Australian women this year at the hands of their intimate partners, community outrage around the issue is increasing.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW will use its annual Aware­ness Week campaign to highlight the need for ongoing action around reducing rates of gender-based violence across NSW and the ACT.

CWA of NSW Awareness Week runs from September 1 to 7, this year highlighting the continuing crisis around gender-based vio­lence – including domestic and family vio­lence, and also including violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners.

It’s the second time in five years the asso­ciation has focused its attention for Aware­ness Week on violence against women, with domestic and family violence chosen as the theme for the 2020 campaign.

Robyn Miller, President of Forbes Even­ing Branch of the CWA of NSW, said it was clearly an enormous issue that was not go­ing away and needed to be brought to the forefront again during Awareness Week.

“This is an issue Forbes community has experienced firsthand with the death of Molly Ticehurst earlier this year”, Robyn commented. “We need to push for more support for women confronted by gender-based violence and make our communities safe for all”.

During this year’s Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is calling for: Further changes to bail laws to better protect victims, particu­larly in rural and regional areas; Prioritisa­tion of sustainable funding models for front­line victim support services – and services that target perpetrator risk factors; The ex­pediting of the establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share informa­tion on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions; and additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities where isolation and lack of services can make it even harder.

Join Our Farmer’s In Canberra On 10th September

by

As a farmer, and head of the National Farmers’ Federation, I’m alarmed by the growing number of decisions being made in Canberra that aren’t about what’s best for farming.

It feels like we’re being drowned out by interest groups who want to tell a negative story about who we are and what we do.

Whether it’s banning live sheep exports, water buybacks, new taxes and red tape, or destroying productive agricultural land, these policies are being driven by people who don’t understand what we do.

On 10th September, farmers from across Australia will meet outside Parliament House in Canberra to send a united mes­sage. We want to tell all parliamentarians ahead of the next election that they should listen to farmers, not anti-farming activists, when it comes to what’s best for our indus­try.

It’s our chance to come together and send a clear and positive message that we deserve a seat at the table, and we de­serve a fair go.

Join me as we come together as an in­dustry to celebrate the positive story of Aussie farming in the heart of Canberra.

David Jochinke,
President National Farmers’ Federation

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

Editor 0432 337 278
editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Sales 0432 337 278
sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

View our Privacy Policy. View our Conflict Resolution Process. View our Ethics and Complaints Policy. Want to advertise with us? Information on our Community Promotions.

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Subscribe

* indicates required