Articles Archives - Page 149 of 412

Lots On For Youth

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Students can look forward to a full program of activities during Youth Week and over the school holidays starting today. It’s best to register as soon as possible as activities are being book extremely fast.The program includes a wide range of events ranging from movie screenings, pedal boats and laser tag to obstacool, a fishing workshop, DIY clay workshop, cultural art creations – terracotta pots and table top games.

There will also be a Safer Drivers Course to provide learner drivers with the knowledge they need to reduce road risks and prevent accidents by becoming a safe driver. A booking is required for this course. Go to https://www.pcycdrivereducationprograms-sdc.org.au/book-a-course

Forbes Shire Council is partnering with Yoorana Gunya for the Cultural Art Creations – Terracotta Pots. You will learn about dot painting and complete your very own terracotta pot dot painting to take home. This workshop takes place on 14th April at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre.

For the full program and registration go to the Forbes Shire Council website www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs. For more information contact Council’s Youth Officer at 6850 2300 or youth@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Mini VanFest Teaser

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The hall at Forbes High School turned into a ‘rock stadium’ for a while on Wednesday when Sydney’s alt pop act Loretta gave the students a taste of what they can expect to see at the mini VanFest on 9th April in Forbes. The students could not believe their luck and many of them wanted to meet the band members afterwards. Students from Forbes North Primary School were also invited to attend.

Free Mental Health First Aid Courses

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

A free Mental Health First Aid Course will be presented at the CWA Rooms in Forbes on 7th and 8th May sponsored by the Parkes Rotary Club.

The course teaches people simple, practical first aid skills for helping someone who is experiencing mental health problems, and will be presented by Phil Worrad, Rural Mental Health Coordinator for the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health issues in adults, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. It will cover topics such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, psychosis and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

“Drought, floods, mice plagues, bushfires and now the rising cost of living are having a severe impact on the mental health of rural communities,” said Robert Shore, President of Parkes Rotary. “There is a need for courses like these so people can continue helping each other.

“People who have done this course previously all said it was excellent. One teacher said it was the best, most useful professional development she has ever done.”

The course is educational in learning how to assist others as a first responder, and not a therapeutic or support group.

The course will run from 9am to 4pm over the two days, and is open to community members over 18 years of age.

To register ring Robert on 0427 627244.

Maz To Play Forbes Town Hall Organ At NSW Rural Women’s Gathering

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Maz Rees is excited to be playing the Forbes Town Hall pipe organ at the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering on 3rd April.

The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is all about women in our community and Forbes resident Maz Rees has been added to the program to welcome attendees with a rousing performance on the beautiful Town Hall pipe organ.

Maz will be playing the organ on Sunday morning, 3rd April, and if you’ve never heard this organ being played, and love the sound of a pipe organ, this will be the perfect opportunity to experience this special instrument in all of its glory.

The organ was built in 1981 by Brown & Arkley in Northmead and was commissioned by former Forbes Shire Councillor and local business owner, Paul Coles. Paul provided a number of parts from his collection, including some of the metal pipes that were made in Germany.

The organ was constructed using mechanical action parts mostly made of wool. The casework was built from Amora, a South East Asian mahogany-like hardwood.

After its initial installation, the organ has moved location twice, with its final home now at Forbes Town Hall. The organ is located on a small raised platform allowing it to be moved within the Town Hall for special events.

There is still time to register for the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering until Monday, 28th March. The registration fee has been discounted and includes the Saturday Gathering, workshop options, gala dinner and Sunday Gathering. Alternatively, each event can also be booked separately if you can’t join for the whole weekend. Go to https://forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

Load Restraint Project Wins Award

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

At the award ceremony were (L-R) Francine Binns (Chief Executive Officer, IPWEA NSW & ACT), Ben Howard (Director Operations, Parkes Shire Council), Melanie Suitor (Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils) and Grant Baker (President, IPWEA NSW & ACT).

The successful Load Restraint Education Project of the Forbes, Parkes and LachlanShire Councils Load Restraint Education Project has won the Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Award at a gala dinner at Parliament House in Canberra last week.

This year there were more than 100 nominations across the eight categories of the awards presented by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia to endorse and recognise excellence of Local Government and public works projects.

The Load Restraint Project was spearheaded by the three Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor, who accepted the award on behalf of the project team.

“The project saw an increase in load restraint knowledge, breaches decreased by almost 70% and there were no load restraint incidents recorded on our local roads during 2021.

“We worked collaboratively with NSW Police, NSW Farmers and Transport for NSW to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the project,” she said.

The project involved a pre and post online awareness quiz, how to videos and accompanying fact sheets, local case studies and the Load Restraint Village Tour. It focused on the safe transportation of hay bales, machinery and general freight.

NSW Farmers Regional Services Manager Catriona McAuliffe said: “We were able to show how vital good quality restraints and their appropriate use are for the safety of our produce and equipment, the drivers of the vehicles, and the road users that we share the roads with.”

For Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling being on the road everyday meant they were able to see the improvements in compliance with load restraints on heavy vehicles and the reduction in incidents caused by insufficiently restrained loads. “Also, to know that we were able to educate a large number of people on safe and proper load restraints meant they had less chance of being fined or having to go to court.”

Let The Earthworks Begin!

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

NEW ARENA FOR RDA… The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is very excited about its plans to build a new arena at Forbes Livestock Exchange. At the ground breaking ceremony were (L-R) Lisa Loane, Steve Loane
(FSC General Manager), Helen Dumbrell (RDA committee), Mayor Phyllis Miller, Deb Roylance (RDA committee), Laurie Norris (Forbes Citizen of the Year and RDA committee), Chelsie Farmer, John Zannes (RDA secretary and vice presi-dent) and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance (President RDA).

The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has some great news as it comes out of its recess with plans for a brand-new arena.

The Forbes Shire Council has provided land for the new RDA centre at the Forbes Livestock Exchange, and earthworks will start this week to clear and level the land, and prepare the base for the arena. The arena will be fenced and there will be a paddock for the horses.

“We are very fortunate to have Tommy Boyle as project officer,” said Deb Roylance of Forbes RDA. “If all goes to plan, we hope to start up the centre during Term 2 or beginning of Term 3.”

Deb said with more than 30 children from schools in and around Forbes already interested in the RDA’s services, they required a volunteer co-ordinator, horse manager and volunteers. Volunteers will help out with activities like care of horses, leading horses or assisting riders in the program, helping with activities for unmounted riders, training horses and ponies, assisting the coach and more.

She said riding helped to develop so many abilities in children with disabilities, such as improving balance and posture, promoting decision making and thinking ahead, encouraging reading and speech, and developing eye-hand co-ordination.

If anyone can volunteer their services with the new centre or on RDA days, on Wednesday afternoons, email forbes@ rdansw.org.au or ring 0438 514 472. Everyone is also invited to the AGM on Monday, 28th March at the Forbes Council Chambers at 7:30 pm. All committee positions are vacant.

Snippets…

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP visited Gum Swamp this week to look at the new multi-level bird hides that have become a big attraction for visitors. Forbes Shire Council received a Highly Commended in the Habitat and Wildlife Conservation category at the annual NSW Sustainable Communities Awards for creating 20 new nesting hollows in existing dead trees at Gum Swamp

Correction: The Rotary project number for flood donations is Project 47-2021-22 and not Project 48-2021-22 as was reported in last week’s story. Club president Chris Finkel requested that donors look for Project 47 by going to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) website, click-on “Projects” and enter 47-2021-22 to donate to the flood recovery.

Can you play an instrument? The Forbes Town and District Band is doing a membership drive and would love to hear from you. “We are searching in earnest for rusty, lapsed or budding musicians to join our community band,” said Sue-anne Nixon, publicity officer. The band meets on Monday nights from 6pm-7pm for learners, and 7pm -9pm for main band members. The band hall is at 165 Rankin Street- opposite Bernardi’s. We welcome experienced, lapsed or learners. Contact the band leader Hannah, on 0402 039 785 for more information.

Child Protection Framework: Weaving the Net is a community development project which works with the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers, government, and non-government organisations to develop a local child protection framework. Agencies in the local area are also invited to participate so that they can assist in providing services. The involvement of community members and service providers is integral to the success of the program. Join the Opening Forum on 22nd and 23rd March from 10am to 3pm at the Uniting Church Hall, 27 Browne Street in Forbes. Contact Debbie Gaudie on 6850 1234 for more information.

Buckle Up In School Bus: Students in regional communities can now buckle up and ride to and from school more safely with seatbelts installed in every dedicated school bus in rural and regional NSW. Under the $237 million seatbelt program more than 2,500 buses were fitted with seatbelts. For more information on the program, visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/buses-and-coaches/rural-and-regional-seatbelt-program-taskforce

Country Arts Support: Arts OutWest is calling for people with exciting small local arts projects in mind to apply for the Country Arts Support Program (CASP). The CASP 2022 round is focused on community-based, locally developed arts and heritage activities to benefit people in the Central West. Applications can be for $500 up to $3,000 for projects happening between 1st June and 31st December. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 21st April. To apply check the guidelines at artsoutwest. org.au and call Arts OutWest to discuss your proposal on 6338 4657.

Boosting Teacher Numbers: More teachers are on their way to public school classrooms across NSW with the opening of the next round of applications for two NSW Government teaching programs. The Mid- Career Transition to Teaching program attracts mid-career professionals into a Masters of Teaching to become a high school Mathematics, Science or Technology or Applied Studies teacher, working part-time in a school after six months, with intensive wraparound support to make the shift to teaching. The FASTstream targets teaching graduates and experienced teachers with leadership ambition and talent to accelerate their career journey.

Volunteer At Elvis Festival

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Elvis Festival is back and on the lookout for volunteers to help make this year’s event a success.

Volunteering at the festival is open to people from all walks of life, and with different skills and experiences. There are many ways to volunteer, including setting up event spaces and signage, ushering guests, assisting with a multitude of events both inside and outdoors and transporting VIPs.

“The change of date along with impacts of Covid-19 have resulted in a need for new volunteers,” said Festival Director, Tiffany Steel. “We have more than 100 volunteer roles to fill. If you have specific interests, we can place you in a role where you can learn and get on-the-job experience whilst helping on one of the most popular festivals in Australia.” said Tiffany.

Employee volunteering programs are a great way for businesses to show their corporate social responsibility and provide employees with the opportunity to contribute to the community.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with the sponsorship of the festival’s volunteer program,” said General Manager of Central West Credit Union Brett Hartin. “Volunteers are the life blood of regional areas, and this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community.”

In the spirit of Elvis, each volunteer will receive a t-shirt, hat, water bottle, bag and will get to have a whole lotta rockin’ and rollin’ fun. To apply visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au. Volunteer induction will be on Monday, 21st March from 6 to 7:30pm at the Cooke Park Pavilion.

Forbes Shire Council Wins Two Awards

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council’s innovation and efforts in sustainability have been recognised with two awards at the 2021 NSW Sustainable Communities Awards held in Albury recently.

The council won awards in the Litter Prevention and Recycled Organics categories, and received a Highly Commended in the Habitat and Conservation category, accepted by Forbes Shire Council’s Waste & Environmental Specialist Hiral Patel.

“We have been a long-time competitor and it is an absolute credit to the partnership between council and our community that we are still being recognised for our commitment and innovation,” said Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

The EPA Litter Prevention Award (population category C: 5,000-12,000) went to council’s Solar Smart Bins Around Lake Forbes. The bins operate on solar power and have smart sensors inside which activates the compactor mechanism to make more room for more waste. This increases the holding capacity of the bin five times. The bins were installed at Apex Park, Lions Park and the Forbes Aquatic Centre in June 2021.

The Recycled Organics Award (population category C) went to council’s Food Organics and Garden Organics Deep Dive Education Project. FSC was one of only three councils to trial the FOGO Project – to ensure the whole community is aware and able to participate in sustainable food waste reduction. Since its introduction food waste reduced by 15% with an added 4% increase in food waste recovery. Overall contamination in the FOGO bin is down to 1.4%.

Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Award, Highly Commended (population Category C) – Forbes Shire Council created 20 new nesting hollows in existing dead trees as homes for the increasing birdlife in the Gum Swamp area. The hollows project coincided with the refurbishment of the existing bird hide and the addition of several two-storey bird hides.

A Night Of Unforgettable Entertainment

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Music Director Nicholas Gentile and UpStage Australia Director Jessica Westcott (at piano) at Sunday’s choir rehearsal for Overture. Nicholas will be conducting a 40-piece orchestra made up of professional and student musicians, as well as a massed choir of 150 choristers, featuring children and adults from across the Central West. Ticket are available at www.123tix.com.au

It is almost time for the curtain to rise for the majestic Overture event on 2nd April at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes when Australia’s top performers will be on stage with regional talent for a night of unforgettable entertainment.

“We are catering for all music tastes,” said producer Harriet Snaith. “The program includes one aria and the rest ranges from modern pop to musical theatre, and includes songs from Frozen, Shrek, Phantom of the Opera, a Mama Mia medley, The Sound of Music, Wicked and more.”

Harriet said the rehearsals and preparation work were going really well, despite all the challenges of organising Zoom sessions and working with so many people spread out from Sydney to the Central West.

Overture is also the perfect opportunity to use your Dine & Discover vouchers for a night out to celebrate the other side of the pandemic in a COVID-safe environment.

“We would like to make it our ‘Day on the Green’ event”, said Parkes Shire Councillor Neil Westcott. “Bring your picnic rug, food and drink and enjoy an amazing evening with the family.”

The headline stars Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman will be joined by local talent in leading roles from Grenfell, Bathurst and Parkes.

Next weekend UpStage Australia is presenting a series of free dance and acting workshops in Parkes in the lead up to the big night. Top tutors and professionals will be presenting about eight different workshops. For more information and registration go to https://upstageaustralia.com.au/workshop/

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