Articles Archives - Page 152 of 424

22 Junior Platypi Players At State Championships

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

STRONG CLUB…The Forbes Rugby Union Club has 22 Central West representatives playing at 2022 NSW State Championships this weekend. They are at the back (L-R) Zac Fraser (15s), Patrick Ryan (15s), Oliver Walker (15s), Reece Matheson (14s), Harry Whitty (16s), Angus Irvine (14s) and Jack Smyth (14s). Middle (L-R) Thompson Hurford (13s), Ash Kennedy (13s), Mitch Stocks (12s), Snow Hodder (12s), Will Watson (12s) and Aurora Farrelly (14s girls). In front are (L-R) Teddy Mundy (13s), Bobby Mundy (13s), Mac Glasson (12s), Beau Wheeldon (12s) and Matthew Wallace (12s). (Absent: Geordie Duncan (16s), Beau Stocks (15s), Alice Mattiske (16s girls), Dempsey O’Connell (14s).

A large contingent of junior players of the Forbes Rugby Union Club will be flying the flag for our town this long weekend at the 2022 NSW State Championships held in several locations including Dubbo and Orange. No less than 22 junior Forbes Platypi players were selected in seven Central West Representative sides.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had so many representatives in the club’s history,” said Craig Bruem, Junior Club President.

“We have a lot of talent in our club, and having so many representatives come as a result of the club’s long history of a strong culture of representation.”

Craig attributed the success of the talented youngsters also to the club’s coaches and countless volunteers who helped out every weekend. “Representing the Central West is a huge achievement and a great honour as teams are formed from all over the region,” said Craig.

In the Boys 12s team are Matthew Wallace, Mac Glasson, Mitch Stocks, Snow Hodder and Will Watson; Boys 13s: Thompson Hurford, Ash Kennedy, Teddy Mundy and Bobby Mundy; Boys 14s: Reece Matheson, Angus Irvine, Jack Smyth and Dempsey O’Connell; Girls 14s: Aurora Farrelly; Boys 15s: Zac Fraser, Patrick Ryan, Oliver Walker and Beau Stocks; Boys 16s: Harry Whitty and Geordie Duncan; Girls 16s: Alice Mattiske.

They will be playing up to five games in the round robin tournament over the course of the weekend.

‘Brooklyn’ Garden Party A Success

June 10, 2022 by Sue Cunningham

Amy, who was in charge of selling raffle tickets, with the winner Ann Nixon.

We all know that plants are good for us. They help purify the air, boost our moods, and can even help us focus better.

Oftentimes, growing plants is a complicated process that discourages some of us to pursue the hobby.

On Saturday, 21st May, Helen and Kingsley Green threw open the gates of their property Brooklyn to allow lovers of nature, unsuccessful gardeners and green thumbs alike, to spend an afternoon walking, relaxing and socialising in their lovely expansive garden.

The event was a fundraiser for Forbes CWA Evening Branch to raise desperately needed funds for local projects which the branch supports and for the NSW CWA Flood Relief fund assisting those devastated by floods in northern NSW.

“It was a great opportunity for many to reconnect with friends, get out of the house or just look at a beautiful garden and amazing garden art created by Kingsley,” said vice-president of the CWA Evening Branch Karen Wright.

“We were lucky to have such a lovely afternoon. Guests were able to vote and then relax”, she said.

Branch members made cakes and slices for the afternoon tea provided for the garden lovers who attended to support our cause.

“It was fantastic to see so many visitors,” said Lesley Teale, CWA member. “It’s a tribute to the Greens and we want to thank them for their generosity in allowing us this opportunity.”

Thanks also to Inland Rail for providing some much-needed resources.

By Sue Cunningham

Off-Leash Dog Park At Lake

June 10, 2022 by Brett Sale

The site for the off-leash dog park is proposed to be situated next to Colin Mackenzie Park.

That pup of yours could soon score a whole bunch of new places to sniff, socialise and play with the Forbes Shire Council announcing plans to create an off-leash dog park.

The proposed site is located off Riley Street, corner of the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club, and next to Colin Mackenzie Park.

“I am really excited by the potential of this location for the dog park, it is a large, long space which is accessible from the walking track and close to Wheogo Park for campers,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “We are so pleased to be able to commence with this project as it is a community priority.”

The Mayor said a dedicated dog park was another valuable addition to our beautiful lake and recreation facilities in town. “To have this so close to our Lake Forbes precinct is a value add for the community and visitors alike.”

Forbes Shire Council’s Planning and Growth Department will develop a plan for the 22m x 44m location to include fencing, safe entrance points and dedicated areas for large and small dogs.

“This site can be fenced in, it is very accessible and suitably sized. I think dog owners will welcome this excellent space with plenty of trees and shade,” Phyllis said.

Council will be talking to key stakeholders, user groups and neighbours to ensure the design and use of the park is compatible with how this part of the lake is used currently.

By Brett Sale

Sydney’s Hottest Men Live On Stage!

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

IMAGE CREDIT: https://sydneyhotshots.com/

The hunks from Sydney Hotshots will be in Forbes to sizzle and seduce for one night with a brand-new killer show at the Forbes Services Club on Thursday, 23rd June!

The two-hour production is a visual feast, choreographed and developed by Australia’s leading professionals. The hand-picked selection of dreamy guys will have the ladies up from their chairs, screaming for more.

A high energy production, the show boasts the perfect mix of killer dance routines, eye-catching costumes, acrobatics and jaw dropping athletic male physiques. The smorgasbord of sexy guys were selected from hundreds of men nationwide and put though an intensive “Hotshots Bootcamp”, all graduating with an A+ in hip thrusting! The fellas come from various backgrounds from tradies, cops, farmers and even fireman to tour Australia and entertain the ladies!

Hosted by seasoned professional Paul Reynolds (original cast member of Manpower Australia and Las Vegas headliner), his showmanship and cheeky banter with audiences makes for an extra entertaining evening.

You can win a VIP double pass to see The Sydney Hotshots Live by entering the competition on this page.

Author Talk At Library

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Author Justin Smith will be at the Forbes Library on 21st June at 1pm to talk about his book Cooper Not Out.

Forbes bookworms have something to look forward to when author Justin Smith will be in town to talk about his book Cooper Not Out on 21st June at 1pm.

The book is a heart-warming tale about an unlikely hero and is part of the One Library One Book innovative community reading program that encourages everyone in the region to read and discuss the same book at the same time. Books have been distributed across the Central West Libraries network including Forbes.

Pick up a copy at Forbes Library, read it and join in the conversation. There’s no better time to curl up and read a good book now that winter is upon us.

Cooper Not Out is a funny, heart-warming novel set against a backdrop of real events in the summer of 1984 when the West Indian cricket team was touring Australia. It is moving and highly original tale about friendship and belief, and the joy of being true to yourself and discovering your greatest potential.

“I’m thrilled Cooper Not Out has been chosen for the One Library, One Book initiative,” Justin said.

Please call Forbes Library on 6852 1463 or book online via Eventbrite.com.au.

Who Is Your Favourite Tradie?

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

We all need a tradie in our lives at some stage, and the time has come to acknowledge the work they do and how important they are in our daily lives. The Forbes Phoenix and Gunn’s Menswear are collaborating to shine the light on the tradies in Forbes.

The Forbes Phoenix is starting an exciting competition sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear in Forbes. Our readers are invited to nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw for the Tradie of the Month. The winner each month will win a prize from Gunn’s Menswear.

Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street to nominate a tradie, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page with your nomination, the tradie’s workplace and contact number. The closing date for this month’s nominations is Monday, 27th June.

Snippets…

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

In reaction to Linda Clark’s letter last week about the word ‘Eternity’ appearing at random places around Forbes lately, Leo Butler sent us this image taken in August last year about 200m north of the Camp Street bridge towards the Dreaming Centre. “I can remember in the 1950s and 1960s the word ‘Eternity’ chalked on a rock near Maimuru between Grenfell and Young, maybe the work of Arthur Stace,” Leo said.

New Number For Women’s Health: The Western NSW Local Health District Women’s Health Service has a new 1800 number. You can reach the service by calling 1800 008 422 between Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm to get in contact with your local women’s health nurse, and to book appointments directly. A referral is not required.

Real-Time Weather Forecast For Farmers: Farmers and regional communities in the Central West can now access detailed, real-time weather observations received by the new Doppler radar at Yeoval. The radar’s information will revolutionise how weather-dependent decisions are made, and will enhance the productivity of rural communities. The new radar enables the Bureau of Meteorology to provide accurate, real-time data, determining rain and wind velocity, raindrop and hail size, and the height of bushfire plumes up to 200km from the radar site. The addition of Yeoval to the radars at Brewarrina and Hillston-Ivanhoe means an area covering approximately 30% of NSW now has access to real-time weather warnings and forecasts. Data from the Yeoval Doppler radar is available on the Bureau of Meteorology weather app or at www.bom.gov.au.

New Wyangala Water Treatment Plant: Work to deliver up to 800,000 litres of clean drinking water every day has started at the new $5.1 million Wyangala Water Treatment Plant. The plant will be owned and operated by Cowra Shire Council when work is finished in early 2023. The project’s principal contractor, Enviropacific Services, aim to employ one-third of its workforce locally.

Testing And Research City at Cudal: The NSW Government has unveiled its vision for regional NSW to become the Southern Hemisphere hub of cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology, with a testing and research ‘city’ to be built at Cudal, near Orange. The government announced a $9.5 million upgrade to the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre – once the local airstrip – which opened in 2019. The goal is to develop Australia’s first certification site for driverless vehicles.

More Return And Earn Points: More return points are being added to the NSW Government’s popular Return and Earn scheme after a new contract was signed with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. The container deposit scheme has seen more than 7.4 billion containers returned since it began in 2017, and more than $30 million raised for charities and community groups. This resulted in a 52% reduction in the volume of drink container litter and recycling more than 672,000 tonnes in materials.

Dine and Discover

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

We are all trying to catch up on two years of sitting at home and no events to go to. The Dine & Discover NSW vouchers implemented by the NSW Government to encourage consumer spending and support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, will expire on Thursday, 30th June. There are some great events and entertainment venues in our region where you can use your vouchers. So, get in quick and redeem your vouchers at the following regional venues…

Orange Tenpin Bowling

Located at 315 Byng Street, Orange Tenpin Bowling has a great friendly and fun atmosphere with 16 lanes, computer scoring, lightweight bowling balls, ramps and bumper lanes, incredible disco bowling, pool tables, amusement games and café facilities. A great place for a birthday party or group functions. Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 9:30pm, Sunday 9am to 6pm.

Parkes M and D Society

The Little Theatre in Parkes is excited to present the original musical, written by Lyn Townsend, Turning Tables including well-known hits such as Stronger, Just The Way You Are, I’ll Never Love Again, Born This Way, My Immortal, Holding Out For A Hero, Because Of You, Girls Just Wannna Have Fun and more. The show opens 2nd July. Tickets are available online at www.parkesmandd.com.au or at the Theatre box office every Sunday 10am-12pm.

Forbes Frost and Fire

Frost and Fire at the Lake Forbes Ski Dam on 18th June from 4-10pm celebrates the winter solstice. A great opportunity to spend time with friends in the great outdoors by a fire, with an entertainment that line up including local acts Bob Evans, The Fog Pilots, Grace Jones, and more. Tickets are available at 123tix.com.au.

Club Forbes

Club Forbes is a welcoming, modern space for members from all walks of life with great entertainment and dining options. Wednesday night raffles include 15 prizes to be won, and Bingaroo Bingo every Wednesday from 10:45am with 300 prizes to be won. Enjoy Templar’s Bar & Bistro for dining or takeaway options!

Old Dubbo Gaol

Explore the gaol in your own time or catch (literally!) the characters in costume as they dare to outsmart the Gaol Warden. For some tall tales and performances by animated wardens and prisoners check out the tours and performance schedule for entertaining stories on prison life and their attempts to break out. Book your tickets at www.olddubbogaol.com.au

Forbes Show

The Forbes Show is set to take place this year on 9th and 10th September. The good news is that tickets for this year’s show are now available online. Make sure not to miss out on this year’s show by buying your tickets early using your vouchers to make a fun and enjoyable outing for the family after two years. Buy your tickets here: www.123tix.com.au

Call For 24/7 Nursing Care In Homes

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP with the bill calling for registered nurses to be available 24/7 at nursing homes.

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP will once again introduce a bill to the NSW Legislative Assembly seeking to mandate a registered nurse be available around the clock in NSW nursing homes.

“Tragically, the pandemic had a devastating impact on the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes, which exposed the severe lack of medically trained staff to care for those afflicted with Covid-19,” said Phil.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care revealed an insufficient staffing of registered nurses in nursing homes, and one of the commissioner’s recommendations is the introduction of a minimum staff standard across the board – including registered nurses.”

The second iteration of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party’s bill, titled the Public Health Amendment (Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes) Bill 2020, was brought before the NSW Legislative Council for debate in May by Phil’s colleague, Mark Banasiak MLC, and passed the Upper House on 11th May.

“I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many personal care workers looking after the residents in the nursing homes, but they do not have the level of training or clinical expertise a registered nurse has, such as administering medications, assessing and managing medical conditions, and time-critical referrals for escalation of patient care.

“This bill, if passed into legislation, would require nursing homes to staff, at a minimum, the regulatory prescribed number of registered nurses at all times. Nursing homes would no longer be without a registered nurse to deliver care – day or night.

“We want the best possible nursing care for those precious seniors in our lives, our grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts – and that care shouldn’t be restricted to business hours, it should be 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Phil.

Mayoral Notes

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

I met with the mayors of the Central NSW last week and we discussed the federal election result including its implications and opportunities.

Across the nation voters called for a more locally responsive Federal Government. The community is clearly calling for a reset of leadership.

This is where the mayors of our region will become even more important with their deep knowledge of local issues and opportunities. The Central NSWJO Board advocated in support of the National Farmers Federation policy for regional precincts including in our area. Now we must work with the government to ensure every community gets the benefit.

Along with my fellow mayors I will be going to Canberra in June and will be seeking meetings to progress this and other initiatives including aged care and telecommunications.

It is Reconciliation Week and I urge everyone to Be Brave and Make Change, and to invite you to be part of our joint event to celebrate at Nelson Park today, from 3pm to 6pm.

This will be a fun family event with a range of activities. It is free and transport is available courtesy of Yoorana Gunya.

A reminder to all of our amazing community groups that Council’s Community Funding program is open for applications of up to $5,000 until 31st July for events or projects until April 2023. Submit your application through the smarty grants portal, or come to our Community Funding Workshops on 24th and 27th June, or call our team at Council for assistance.

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