General Interest Archives - Page 65 of 317

Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Come along to the Forbes Town Hall and get in the Christmas spirit.

Exhibits can be delivered any time from 8am Friday 1st Dec to the Forbes Town Hall. Public viewing is Friday 1st December from 1pm-5pm. Saturday 2nd Dec 9am -5pm, Sunday 3rd Dec from 9am to 2pm. Exhibitors can collect their entries at 2pm Sunday.

Entry to view the Christmas trees over the weekend is $5 an adult. Primary aged children are free. Judging is by Popular Vote. Throughout the weekend visitors can vote for their favourite exhibits.

Schools, childcare centres, families and community groups have entered this year.

There are so many community groups that have been enjoying working together to make their entries.

The Members of our Town’s Ambulance service have completed an entry, also the Xray Department from the hospital have an entry ready.

First time entrants this year are the members of the Men’s Shed.

They really should be able to nail up a tree! Pictured are a few entries from Forbes North School.

A great example of entries big and small, group and individual.

The tree made of loops of white paper has been made by the office ladies at Forbes North.

Each time they have spare printer paper they save it and instead of throwing it out they have created a recycled paper tree!

Year 2 have been collecting the school eggs and have kept tally of all eggs produced.

They are in the process of blowing some of the eggs and making Christmas baubles for their class tree .

Big or small we love them all. Rotary Ipomoea members encourage you to come along over the weekend to see the amazing creativity of the exhibitors.

Claude The Mowerman In Town

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Keep an eye out for Claud and his Mower.

Claude ‘The Mowerman’ Harvey OAM will be travelling through Forbes on or around the 9-11th of December 2023. Raising awareness and millions of dollars for Bravehearts, an organisation which campaigns for child sexual abuse prevention Claud was born in Kempsey, NSW in 1945, he became an active and dedicated Bravehearts volunteer after watching footage on the news of a paedophile being arrested for sexually assaulting a child. Having seen this he thought, “We all would like to hurt the perpetrator, but how many of us would think to help the victim?”.

Bravehearts is a great organisation and for more than a decade Claud has rolled his well-worn mower around the streets, pubs, beaches and tourist strips of the Gold Coast.

In 2008, I capitalised on growing popularity by completing a four week walk from the Gold Coast to Sydney, collecting donations along the way.

If you happen to see Claud on his travels in the area, be sure to stop and say hi and donate if you are able to.

Businesses In Forbes Are Gearing Up For Christmas

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

“The shops are certainly decked out for Christmas and are already welcoming many Christmas shoppers through their doors. The Christmas Promotion is running so please remember to click on the QR Code with every purchase and fill in your details to go into the weekly draw.” said Aaron Acheson.

Work continues towards the Find It In AMAZNG Forbes Christmas Carnival with festivities kicking off a 5pm. The street closure will take place on the 8 December from 12 noon in Rankin, Templar and Battye Streets. Please park all Vehicles off the street to allow for the rides to load into the area.

Market Stalls, rides, street games, art activities, face painting and lots more will see a very busy and fun area for the duration of the Carnival. Food stalls and trucks will be on site to feed Forbes residents and visitors.

Forbes Christmas Carnival will be held on the 8 December from 5 – 9pm.

Thank you to our sponsors Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Business Chamber Inc, WIN and PRIME TV. Other major sponsors are: Bernardis and Terry Bros Carpet Court, Forbes Phoenix, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Gunns Menswear and Embroidery, MD Steel and Walkers AgNVet.

Participating businesses have once again offered tremendous support for the Find It In AMAZING Forbes This Christmas. The businesses Acheson’s Mitre 10, AgriWest, Allure On Main, Bernardis, Blue Sky Outdoors, Blush Organic Beauty, Bowns Sports Power, Cahills Footwear Forbes, Chapter Two Boutique, C&D Floorcovering, Euphoria Road, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Forbes Automotive Services and ARB, Forbes Business Chamber Inc., Forbes Central Butchery, Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Small Engines, Graces Hair Studio, Gunns Menswear and Embroidery, HozPots Garden Centre, Isabel’s Café, Jessica’s Beauty, Life Pharmacy, Little Extras Lifestyle, Loomzys FishNFix, News On Rankin, MD Steel, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Robbs Jewellers, Steel Technology, Terry Bros Carpet Court, The Bakehouse, The Book Dispensary, Turners Furniture One, Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie and WA Knights Cranes, Walkers AgNVet.

Supporting businesses are MCC Chudleigh and Dobell, Forbes Livestock, Michael Robinson and Real Estate, Central West Diesel, Miller Whitty Lennon and McMillian Industries.

Planning A Great Night Out Means Planning A Safe Trip Home

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

If you are planning a night out, you also need to plan a safe trip home – and you could win a new swag just by sharing your Plan B.

Warmer weather and the end of the year mean it’s celebration time for many, and a Transport for NSW initiative is aimed at making this summer the safest ever on our roads.

Patrons at more than 336 pubs, clubs and bottle shops across western NSW will be able to enter a competition at each participating venue to win a swag valued at around $250.

Entrants at these participating venues can take part in the ‘Win a Swag’ initiative simply by telling us their Plan B for getting home safely.

Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said the message was simple for people heading out during the festive season: always have a Plan B to get back home safely” Mr Lunn said.Statistics show the devastating impact of alcohol on the state’s road toll, with drink driving playing a part in 17 per cent of all fatal crashes in NSW from 2018 to 2022 and seven per cent of serious crashes.

The impact is even greater in the bush, with a little over 50 per cent of all alcohol-related crashes between 2018 and 2022 occurring on country roads.

The Transport for NSW Win A Swag initiative will run throughout December and January, in partnership with local councils across the state.

Beyond Blue And Lifeline Link Up To Support More Australians

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Lifeline and Beyond Blue are linking up under a new partnership to make it easier and more efficient for people to find the support that best suits them.

Community demand for mental health and crisis support rises and resources become increasingly tight, Lifeline and Beyond Blue have designed their new strategic directions to be complementary.

Lifeline will continue to focus on supporting people in crisis and Beyond Blue will continue to focus on prevention and earlier intervention, supporting people at the first sign of struggle.

Together, the organisations support millions of people a year with information, advice, online self-help and referrals via telephone, text, webchat and digital platforms.

Beyond Blue Chair The Hon Julia Gillard AC said: “Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention systems are too often crisis-driven. People often only get support when they’re at breaking point. So Beyond Blue will continue its focus on supporting people early on – helping people to feel better sooner, to get well and to stay well.”

Lifeline Chair Jacinta Munro said: “Lifeline will continue to focus on crisis support and suicide prevention, supporting Australians in times of crisis and equipping individuals and communities to be suicide safe.”

“This partnership between Lifeline and Beyond Blue helps to deliver a more integrated system, with more clarity for help seekers, smoother transitions between services and a greater focus on holistic support.”

Earlier this year, the organisations formalised a three-year collaboration agreement that will build on their long record of working together in operations and advocacy. This year, the Victorian Government engaged Lifeline and Beyond Blue to lead the first stage of a sectorwide co-design to deliver on a Victorian Royal Commission recommendation to create better referral pathways across the state’s helplines.

Beyond Blue and Lifeline worked closely during the Black Saturday bushfires and the height of the pandemic, including by linking young people to Lifeline’s crisis text service from the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service delivered by Beyond Blue.

Now official, the partnership means Lifeline and Beyond Blue will be better placed to share resources and connect people with the information, advice and support that suits them best, regardless of where their journey begins.

In the past four years alone, more than 400,000 people have used the app with more than 150,000 safety plans made.

Local Leaders Welcome Additional Flood Recovery Support

November 30, 2023 by Roxane Manley

IMAGE: L to R: Mr Ken Harrison, Director Central West, NSW Reconstruction Authority, Deputy Mayor Councillor Marg Applebee, Ms Janelle Saffin MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Mayor Councillor Neil Westcott.

On Wednesday 15 November, Mayor of Parkes Shire, Councillor Neil Westcott, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Marg Applebee, welcomed a brief visit from Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Ms Janelle Saffin MP, and Mr Ken Harrison of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

Ms Saffin, visited the region in representation of the Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, attended flood-impacted areas in Parkes Shire and surrounds on the 12-month anniversary of the catastrophic flood events of 2022.

The visit follows recent commitments from the Federal and NSW governments, totalling $100 million, for flood recovery and resilience in the Central West.

This funding package includes support for the repair and replacement of critical community assets, improving the resilience of public infrastructure, assistance with housing programs, and legal aid assistance.

This funding is a significant step forward and will help to boost the community-led recovery of the Central West.

These important projects will be overseen by a forum of community leaders and representatives from both Commonwealth and State Governments, to ensure all levels of Government are committed to the long-term recovery of the Central West.

Over the coming months, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will work closely with local community leaders to prioritise the additional funding and determine potential future funding which may be required.

Cr Westcott raised the importance of an equitable approach to those residents affected by floods who have not been able to access insurance.

“Some residents have borrowed significantly to undertake the repairs to their homes as they were not insured for the flood, being in an area considered flood-free.”

“Other residents are still unable to inhabit their homes due to delays in repair, and some residents are in limbo as the unknown threat of future floods complicates the decision to reinvest,” he said.

The 8kms of water main from Lake Endeavour scoured from the ground was also raised as an urgent project, as was placing particular attention on all areas across the Shire which are repeatedly damaged in flood events.

This funding package is a significant step forward, with Council eager to be involved in the discussion on the mechanisms to best invest the money.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said “It’s critical that we continue to support communities who have borne the brunt of the 2022 floods.”

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is inviting community members to sign up to get the latest information on the recovery program. To be kept up to date, send your contact details – name, email address, phone number and/or postal address – to CentralWest.Recovery@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

Get Ready For The Christmas Carnival Fun Begin

November 23, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Shop at participating shops that feature the Find It In Forbes Christmas tree.

The Forbes Christmas Carnival is ready to roll and will open to the public at 5pm on Friday 8 December. Forbes Business Chamber is pleased to bring the carnival festivities to the community and hope that lots of people will join in and celebrate.

“There are market stalls, giant games, rock climbing wall, bungee trampolines,

jumping castles, Tea Cup merry-go-round and arts and craft activities. Food is provided by established Forbes businesses and food vans that will be dotted around the site” said Aaron Acheson, President, Forbes Business Chamber.

The Carnival will be located in the central business area of Templar Street, Rankin

and Battye Streets. The Committee ask that vehicles are removed from the site no later than 12 noon for the street closures to take place prior to set up beginning.

“Forbes and the surrounding villages are well and truly due for a fabulous Christmas celebration. There will be so much to see and do such as face painting, free balloon hand outs and even a visit from Mr and Mrs Claus.” said Aaron Acheson

Entertainment and music are on the stage located at the junction of the two streets.

Thank to many people who have offered to assist and a huge thank you to those

who are participating.

Many businesses have been very generous with time and funds and have worked tirelessly to get the Christmas spirt alive and well in Forbes.

Keep clicking on the QR every time you purchase at a participating business to be in the draw to win. The colourful Find It In Forbes Christmas tree will be displayed out the front of their store. Remember if you can not enter the draw digitally with the QR code then we can offer you a manual option for the draws if you need it.

School’s Out! Graduates Reminded ‘Don’t #uck With A Truck’ When Travelling To Schoolies Events Across Australia

November 23, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is reminding school leavers of the importance of sharing the road safely with trucks, ahead of graduation festivities over the coming weeks.

A recent study conducted by the NHVR, surveyed 1000 drivers aged 16-25 across Australia and highlighted the disconnect between young drivers’ self-assessed confidence and their actual comfort level sharing the road with heavy vehicles.

The survey revealed that just 29% felt very knowledgeable about the rules, bringing to light a real risk as an influx of school graduates prepare to travel to Schoolies events across the country.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said while heavy vehicle safety is not a usual topic of discussion amongst young people, the NHVR’s goal is to bring the conversation to life, and help teach inexperienced drivers how to safely share the road.

“This year alone, Australia has recorded 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles and 190 lives lost,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“Our studies show many young drivers experience anxiety or nervousness driving near heavy vehicles, and with our road toll only continuing to rise, this is a huge cause for concern.

“Typically, around 70 per cent of serious incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle, highlighting the need for greater education with our young drivers.

Don’t #uck With A Truck is a campaign created by the NHVR last year, to improve young drivers’ awareness and education of how to drive safely around trucks.

The campaign will also feature on social media (TikTok, Instagram), Spotify and outdoor billboards throughout the duration of Schoolies

For more information www.dontmuckwithatruck.com.au

Cancer Patients In Western NSW Benefit From State-Of-The- Art Treatment Closer To Home

November 23, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park.

Cancer care patients from across Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are benefitting from an enhancement to oncology services in the region, which has significantly increased access to a specialised treatment previously only available in metropolitan areas.

In collaboration with Central Coast and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts, WNSWLHD is the first Local Health District in regional NSW to implement the Varian HyperArc treatment delivery system.

This allows patients with selected small brain tumors to receive stereotactic radiosurgery treatment locally.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said nine patients have already received this vital, state-of-the-art treatment locally at Orange or Dubbo.

“This enhancement to the District’s cancer care network is already providing benefits for patients across the entire region of Western NSW, not just people in Orange and Dubbo,” Mr Park said.

“Patients from rural and remote areas like Cobar, Condobolin and Grenfell have already safely received treatment much closer to home, significantly reducing the time and cost required to travel outside the District for care.”

Dr Patrick Horsley, WNSWLHD Radiation Oncologist, said stereotactic radiosurgery is a very precise form of treatment which improves patient comfort and can result in fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy techniques.

“Stereotactic radiosurgery uses high doses of radiation through targeted beams, safely destroying small tumors in the brain with a level of precision that spares the surrounding, healthy brain tissue from any significant dose of radiation,” Dr Worsley said.

“The sophistication of this technology allows us to deliver treatment in just one session and with no surgical incisions which, importantly, means our patients can begin recovery sooner.

“Having this treatment available locally breaks down barriers like geographic isolation. It allows us to reach more patients across a broader area, which will help us significantly improve health outcomes across our District.”

John Adams, from Blayney, was one of the first patients to receive stereotactic surgery treatment at Orange and said he was thrilled to be able to receive treatment just 30 minutes from home.

“It is so much better to have this treatment locally. It saves the stress and cost of being away from home, and means I can have my family around to support me during my treatment, which is great,” Mr Adams said.

Chef’s Kiss: Brain-Friendly Cake Shines Light On Cognitive Decline

November 23, 2023 by Roxane Manley

When it comes to improving cognitive decline, it seems you can have your cake and eat it too.

It’s a no-brainer that food is very important for a person’s brain health.

UNSW’s food and health expert, Professor Johannes le Coutre, and Director of UNSW’s Ageing Futures Institute and Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA, Professor Kaarin Anstey, have helped develop a very special brain-friendly cake.

In collaboration with community care provider, Meals on Wheels NSW, the cake uses ingredients that have shown to be beneficial to the brain while highlighting the widespread issue of cognitive decline among senior Australians.

Using the currently available scientific evidence, we came up with a list of foods that are understood to provide quality nutrition – which is really important as we age – while still allowing for the nostalgic enjoyment of eating a slice of cake.

‘The Unforgettable Cake’ was developed by master pastry chef Christopher Thé, well-known as the founder of the famous ‘strawberry watermelon cake’ from Black Star Pastry, with advice from a group of experts.

The cake includes only natural ingredients that are widely believed to be beneficial to the brain, such as beetroot, spinach, turmeric, olive oil and blueberries.

For the cake itself, Chris Thé used a mixture of beetroot, spinach, turmeric, and olive oil.

Beetroot can improve blood flow through the brain, and consequently may improve cognitive function and cognition. Olive oil is famed for its Mediterranean diet qualities, which include the ability to protect the brain, support memory, and reduce Alzheimer’s biomarkers.

The cake also includes natural sweeteners like honey which has anti-inflammatory qualities and vanilla ermine frosting which is a universally loved cake flavour.

The cake was topped off with fresh blueberries which are loaded with essential nutrients which help to stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain.

The Unforgettable Cake will be delivered to select Meals on Wheels clients from Wednesday 22 November.

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