General Interest Archives - Page 80 of 311

One Library One Book Community Read

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Central West Libraries staff read the One Library One Book Community Read, The Wakes by Dianne Yarwood.

Central West Libraries has announced the chosen book for this year’s One Library One Book community read.

Dianne Yarwood’s bestselling novel The Wakes has been chosen for the innovative program in the Central West that takes the traditional book club concept to the next level. Named One Library One Book, the program aims to have everyone in the region read and discuss the same book.

“I’m thrilled that The Wakes has been chosen for the One Library One Book community read for 2023. What a wonderful program! Travelling through the Central West and talking to book-loving community members will be such a pleasure for me. I can’t wait,” Dianne Yarwood said.

Central West Libraries has distributed multiple copies of The Wakes across the Central West Libraries footprint – Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes and Orange. These copies have been added to the catalogues of the Library branches.

Author Dianne Yarwood will be touring the Central West in May to discuss the book with audiences. Dianne will be speaking at:

• Cowra Library on Monday 22 May at 10.30am

• Blayney Library on Monday 22 May at 2.30pm

• Forbes Library on Tuesday 23 May 11am

• Orange City Library on Tuesday 23 May at 5.30pm – 7pm

• Canowindra at Montrose House on Wednesday 24 May at 11am.

“The One Library, One Book program takes the idea of a book club and expands it to cover an entire region,” Central West Libraries Manager, Roslyn Cousins, said.

“The book is a heartfelt, funny and uplifting debut about two failing marriages, two strangers falling in love, two friends embarking on a catering business – and the four funerals that connect them all.”

“We are pleased to bring this book to readers of the Central West. It is already making a name for itself as a bestseller and will be filmed for TV, ” she said.

Supporting Small Businesses Across NSW To Prosper

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Service NSW Business Connect program, which provides small businesses with free, tailored business advice from independent advisors who have experience running their own business, is supporting the City of Sydney’s Reboot webinar series to help small businesses and people across NSW looking to learn, innovate and grow a business.

Leaders from some of Australia’s most successful companies will share their inspiring stories, valuable insights and practical tips across a range of business topics in free, weekly webinars from 2–30 May.

The free webinars will include The Man Cave and STUFF CEO Hunter Johnson on setting up a purpose-driven business and Snuggle Honey CEO Julie Mathers and Birdsnest founder Jane Cay on the secrets to rapid online growth. Other webinars in the Reboot series will focus on building a brand, engaging with audiences, storytelling, networking and growing a customer base.

For more information about Service NSW Business Connect, call 13 77 88 or go online at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/business/business-connect

“It’s Fun To Have Fun, But You Have To Know How”

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Few children’s books have stood the test of time quite like Dr Seuss’s 200 word masterpiece ‘The Cat in the Hat’ As the top selling children’s author of all time, the story is as popular now as it was in the 1950’s when Dr. Theodor ‘Seuss’ Geissel wrote the book.

Now both children and adults alike are sure to be left in raptures by this zany and imaginative stage show, that will bring the story to life on a 22 city, 45 show nationwide tour of Australian theatres.

The play was adapted for the stage in 2009 by the National Theatre of Great Britain and tells the story of a brother and sister, bored at home on a rainy day when they are visited by none other than ‘The Cat’ in his red and white striped hat. Their outspoken and outraged pet fish is astounded and concerned, but this cat will not be deterred. He will teach us all to make our own fun with nothing but a little imagination. “It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” Along with his friends, Thing One and Thing Two they turn the house upside down leaving mess everywhere but have no fear, The Cat brings in his red ‘Picker-Up Machine’ and all is back to normal before Mum walks back in the door.

So if you’re looking for ideas for your Thing 1 and 2 this coming school holidays, come and share in the magic and mystery of live theatre at the Dubbo Regional Theatre.

Spoiler alert: Things run amuck, and quickly!

For more information, please visit www.drtcc.com.au

Breakfast For Mum: Corn Fritter Stack

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

With Mother’s Day around the corner, what better way to spoil her than with this delicious breakfast to start the day.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 x 420g cans corn kernels, drained
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 100g fetta, crumbled
• 30g piece cold butter
• 1 small avocado, cut into wedges
• 30g baby rocket
• 2 tbsp Coles sweet chilli sauce, to serve

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Use a fork to whisk eggs and milk in a jug and pour gradually into the flour, stirring gently to combine. Fold in corn, chives and fetta. Don’t over-mix or the fritters will be tough.

2. Wrap butter in a piece of paper towel. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and wipe with the butter to grease. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of mixture into the pan (you’ll have to cook in batches). Cook for about 2-3 mins, until golden brown underneath, then turn and cook the other side. Repeat with the butter and fritter mixture.

3. Serve fritters with avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, rocket and sweet chilli sauce.

Doing It For Dolly

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Do it for Dolly Day encourages parents to strike up the conversation with their kids.

One in four Australian school students between years 4 and 9 are being bullied. One in seven of them won’t tell anyone. That’s over 340,000 young people staying silent.

Dolly Everett was one of those students being bullied. Tragically, she was only 14 when she took her life in January 2018, following relentless and sustained bullying and cyber bullying.

Determined that no other family would suffer from the same devastation, Dolly’s parents, Tick and Kate Everett, established the anti-bullying organisation, Dolly’s Dream. They are committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide, through awareness, education and direct support to young people and families.

This May on Do It For Dolly Day the Everett family are encouraging everyone to help break the silence around bullying.

Psychologist and Dolly’s Dream advisory board member, Dr Charlotte Keating agreed that “As parents, carers, educators or concerned family or friends, each one of us can choose to have the critical conversations that will help end the cycle of bullying.”

This is why resources such as the Dolly’s Dream Support Line are critical. This free, 24-hour telephone service provides a way for young people anywhere across Australia to connect with a trained counsellor who is ready to listen and help.

This invaluable support service was only made possible with the funds raised by our generous supporters and the wider community.

Every year in May we see thousands of wonderful communities come together to remember Dolly, participate in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, and share the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.

On Friday 12 May, Do It For Dolly and donate to help make Dolly’s own dream of a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities a reality.

For more information visit: www.doitfordollyday.org.au

New Fencing Has Tails Wagging

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Phil Donato MP, Member for Orange with Parkes District Kennel Club member Fiona Watts and Fiona’s dog Willow, in front of the newly erected fencing.

Earlier this week, Member for Orange Philip Donato MP caught up with Parkes District Kennel Club Inc to inspect their newly completed fencing, funded by a $24,910 grant under the 2022 NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership.

Funding was allocated for the removal of existing ring pipework, construction of new post and rail, chain, wire and mesh fencing and construction of entry and exit gates for competition rings. All works have now been completed.

Parkes District Kennel Club member Fiona Watts was on hand to show Phil the completed works, saying, “An enclosed fence was a pipe dream for us. We’ve received a few smaller grants from Council for equipment, as that can be expensive, but the cost of the enclosed fencing seemed unobtainable.”

The club applied for a grant and under the Community Partnership Program. Phil explained the process, “The applications come to my office, I asses them, score them and rank them, whhich accounts for 60% of the overall ratings of the scores. Applications then go to an independent review panel where they get scored again and the scores are collated before funding is allocated.”

The new fencing was erected by local contactor, Matt Clarke from Central West Fencing.

The Parkes District Kennel Club has been operating for 60 years, predominantly as a confirmation club for breeders. However, for the past six years, they have been focusing on sporting.

Successful Royce Simmons Big Walk Fundraiser For PMJRLC

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

PMJRLC Secretary Kate Thomas and Club President Andrew Thomas alongside the legend himself, Royce Simmons.

The Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Club (PMJRLC) are extremely grateful to everyone who attended, or in any way supported, the PMJRLC Sportsmans Dinner held in conjunction with Royce Simmons’s Big Walk for Dementia.

Planning for the event kicked into gear back in January and there was a lot of behind the scenes work that went into organising the event.

Club President Andrew Thomas was pleased to report, 210 people attended the night, reaching full capacity. “We try to do one major fundraiser throughout the year. Having Royce and the old footballers come and share their stories was great, it was really entertaining,” said Andrew.

The evening raised over $18,000, and feedback from Royce was that it was one of the more successful events he has attended along his walk.

A portion of the funds raised will go towards Royce’s cause, Dementia Australia and the remaining funds to the PMJRLC.

Andrew would like to thank everyone involved, fincluding those who purchased tickets, those who bid on items, businesses who donated items and people who donated time to organise and set up the event. Following are a few special mentions, but if your name has been missed please know your support was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Reece Plumbing, Power Tools Plus, Mortimer Wines, NSW Rugby League, Alliance Pharmacy, Southern Cross Village and honorable mentions to Royce and his entire committee, to Meg from the Parkes Services Club and last but most definitely not least, Kate Thomas.

Last year Royce raised over $1M to raise awareness of dementia and help fund much needed trials to help better understand the illness and its effects.

Mothers Day Cheesecake Recipe

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

INGREDIENTS

Crust Ingredients

1½ cups roughly chopped dates

½ cup roughly chopped almonds/cashews

½ cup shredded coconut

½ tsp vanilla essence (optional)

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

4 drops Young Living’s Lemon essential oil

Cheesecake Filling Ingredients

2 cups raw soaked cashews

½ cup coconut milk

½ cup maple syrup or honey (to taste)

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla essence

4 – 6 drops Young Living’s Lemon essential oil (to taste)

1 cup sliced strawberries

Strawberries for decorating (optional)

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend all the crust ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.

2. Press the crust into the bottom of silicone cupcake moulds, then place in the fridge to set while you make the cheesecake filling.

3. To make the filling, blend together all the filling ingredients except for the strawberries in a food processor or high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. You may add more sweetener and/or Lemon essential oil to taste and blend again.

4. Spoon half the mixture (leaving the rest to make the strawberry layer) into the cupcake moulds and smooth leaving room in each mold for the pink strawberry layer.

5. Add the sliced strawberries into the remaining filling mixture and blend until smooth. Spoon the strawberry layer on top of the first layer, smooth the top, add strawberry slices, if using and place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours to overnight.

6. When ready to serve, remove the cheesecakes from the moulds, let them thaw for 5 – 10 minutes and then enjoy!

A Great Time Had By All At The Show

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Milarni 8, Isabelle 6 and Khan 4 from Forbes, had a great time at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

We have received glowing reports from our Royal Easter Show competition winners.

Forbes winner, Joanne Holmes was excited to win and took her three grandchildren to the Show, saying “The grandkids and I had a great time, as you can see by the smiles on their faces.”

Parkes winner Theresa Byrnes was equally excited and took, daughter Rebecca Byrnes and two of her grandchildren along with her. “We had an absolute blast adventuring around the show,” said Theresa.

BreastScreen NSW Now Recruiting

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) is recruiting representatives for its Consumer Advisory Committee, including a primary care provider, and women aged 40 and above who are clients of the service.

Women who speak a language other than English at home, or who are Aboriginal, are encouraged to apply. Committee members need to live or work in areas covered by Western NSW and Far West Local Health Districts.

Ms Deon Adamson, Manager, BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) says the committee’s role is to provide consumer input, advice and feedback in order to enhance access, planning and development of screening and assessment services.

“Members of our Consumer Advisory Committee are our eyes and ears on the ground, providing us with valuable local insights that help us to continually monitor and improve our services,” Ms Adamson says.

“Breast screening saves lives, so please consider joining us, knowing you will make an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of your community, helping to shape the services we provide.”

Committee meetings are held twice yearly and it is possible to attend remotely.

For further information or to apply please email: kay.smith@health.nsw.gov.au

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