Articles Archives - Page 205 of 412

Snippets…

November 27, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Templar Street is closed during the last major works of the upgrade.

Templar Street Receiving Finishing Touches: With much of the major structural work in Templar Street now complete, businesses, traffic and pedestrians can look forward to the CBD’s facelift being completed by February 2021, weather permitting. In the coming days and weeks there will be temporary closures for the installation of road surface borders and surface asphalt application between 25 and 30 November, and then again between 11 and 22 January 2021.

Tuesday next week will see the installation of the much-anticipated planter boxes. While there has been some disruption to business, Council has done their best to ensure pedestrian access is maintained during work on the upgrade.

The upgrade to the Forbes CBD further enhances its aesthetic and gives Forbes an advantage over its regional neighbours in terms of tourism and long-term economic growth. With many upgrades to Forbes that have taken place in recent years and months, including the Lake bridge, lights, sculptures and landscaping, and Gum Swamp upgrades, as well as plans for the new visitor information centre, Forbes continues to grow and offers more for residents and visitors alike.

Christmas Colour-In Competition: The Forbes Phoenix is running a Christmas Colour-In Competition from Friday, 27 November to Friday, 11 December 2020. The winner of the competition will win a special prize just in time for Christmas, with the winner to be announced in Phoenix’s last edition of 2020, on Friday, 18 December. To enter the competition, simply colour in the picture on page four, take a picture of the complete colour-in, and send it to us via the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page or email editor@forbesphoenix.com.au with the entrants name and age. We look forward to seeing the wonderful work from children in the Forbes Shire, so get colouring!

Funding Call For Heavy Vehicle Safety Programs: Australian heavy vehicle safety programs will receive another significant boost with the launch of Round 6 of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

If you have a project, program or campaign that will increase safety awareness and compliance that requires funding or support to make it happen, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi and view the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative 2021-22 Submission. Projects must be implementable, commence in the 2021-22 financial year and be completed by 30 June 2024.

Applications can now be submitted for Round 6 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

Festive Games For Hire

November 27, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Business Chamber has an amazing stock of items ready for hire. Over time the Chamber has collected giant games such as corn throw, naughts and crosses, and ball games. “Some time ago the Chamber was lucky enough to gain a grant to purchase 20 red pop-up marquees which are also available for hire. We have wine and water glasses, easels, and even a large supply of tablecloths,” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Marg Duggan.

Booking items is easy just email the Chamber at forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com. Alternatively, visit the Chamber website www.forbesbusinesschamber.com.au for an itemised list which includes photographs of what is on offer and the Business Chamber will send on a hire form. “We have taken a number of bookings for the Christmas and holiday period, so don’t miss out,” said Marg.

Forbes Families Warned Of Rise In Viral Gastroenteritis

November 27, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is urging parents and carers to keep young children at home if they are sick amid a rise in viral gastroenteritis cases in childcare centres.

WNSWLHD Director of Public Health, Priscilla Stanley, said gastroenteritis is highly infectious and may spread rapidly in childcare centres.

“The best defence is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds before handling and eating food, and always wash your hands after using the toilet, changing nappies or assisting someone who has diarrhoea or vomiting.”

“Infants or children in childcare or school who develop vomiting or diarrhoea should stay at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped, as should staff members and anyone whose work involves handling food or looking after children, the elderly or patients,” said Priscilla.

The Director of one Forbes Early Learning Care Service wanted to ensure families that they are taking appropriate measures given the heightened risk, “Our service has strict health and safety policy and procedures in place for illnesses like this, these policies and procedures keeps our children, families, and staff who utilise our service, safe. COVID-19 has brought about increased awareness, and this has led to families being advised to stay home if sick,” she said.

Anyone recovering from gastroenteritis should avoid visiting hospitals and aged care facilities to avoid spreading the infection to those most vulnerable. Any person living in a household affected by gastroenteritis should refrain from visiting these high-risk areas until at least 48 hours after the last person in the household has recovered.

NSW Health Excellent In Nursing And Midwifery Awards

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Image: shutterstock

All are invited to join in celebrating the achievements, commitment and skills of nurses and midwives at this year’s virtual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

This is the eighth Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards event, and the first time they have been presented virtually, allowing the community to take part in a COVID safe way.

NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross, said the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards will be a little different in 2020, but will still be an opportunity to acknowledge nurses and midwives for outstanding clinical practice, leadership, and dedication to their profession and the people they care for.

“Judging the finalists and winners of this key nursing and midwifery event is always a challenging task. There is so much to be proud of and celebrate and 2020 is no exception,” Jacqui said.

“This is the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. It has been a year like no other where the contribution of nurses and midwives has been highlighted during our response to COVID-19. If there was ever a time to pause and celebrate the 53,000 nurses and midwives of NSW, who make up more than 50 per cent of the State’s public health workforce, it is now.”

“We invite everyone to join the celebration and watch the show in recognition of the exceptional care of the nurses and midwives of NSW,” Western NSW Local Health District Executive Director Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, Adrian Fahy said.

The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards will be streamed at 2pm on 26 November 2020 on the NSW Health website www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/enma. To share photos and messages of congratulations and acknowledgment through the show, tweet or post using the hashtags #ExceptionalCare and #EINMA2020.

Diverting Valuable Resources Away From Landfill

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council is encouraging commercial and industrial businesses in the Shire to divert over 1,000 tonnes of food waste away from landfill each year and instead send organic food waste to Food Organics Garden Organics collections.

“We have some amazing businesses in Forbes, and we know how keen they are to ensure our environment is kept free of pollution,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Everyone has to be more environmentally aware these days and food organics really has no place in landfill when it can be used by being made into beautiful compostable soil for our farmers and for ourselves to use in our gardens.

“Council wants to provide businesses like cafes, butchers and supermarkets the recognition of taking part in FOGO by accrediting them. Businesses will have access to front and back of house signage, stickers and advertising material that shows their participation. We will also promote these businesses through our media channels.

“We really need to change the way we think about waste because if we don’t, our beautiful clean air will be no longer. The methane gases from decomposing food in our landfill is both toxic and can leach into our soils and groundwater. Given the waterways we have in and around Forbes this is definitely something we do not want to happen here!”

The FOGO business service is $123 per year for a 240-litre bin. Businesses can apply to have more than one bin and multiple pickups per week.

Call Council on 6850 2300 and ask to speak with the Waste and Environmental Specialist for more information.

Saving Dignity, One Handbag At A Time

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Get ready to put it in the bag with Ami Reynolds, Rochelle Courtenay, Katie Norbury and Nadia Chinn.

Share the Dignity, a charity helping women and girls in need, are asking for help to make this Christmas special for women in our community experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or living in poverty.

The charity is hosting their annual It’s in the Bag campaign and are asking the community to donate a bag and drop off at collection boxes at Bunnings stores between Friday, 20 November and Sunday, 29 November.

To take part simply donate a handbag in good, used, or new condition. Fill it with items that will make a difference to the daily life of a woman or girl in need. Include the essentials such as period products, roll-on deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner and soap. Little luxuries such as a new lipstick, a hairbrush, hair ties, a gift card or a notebook and pen can be added, along with a thoughtful note or Christmas card that shows someone cares. Bags can be dropped off to the collection box at Bunnings between Friday, 20 November and Sunday, 29 November.

Share the Dignity’s Founder, Rochelle Courtenay says, “We want to help women, and girls this Christmas that may be in a refuge, shelter, on the streets or experiencing poverty.”

Bunnings General Manager of Operations Ryan Baker said, “It’s been a tough year and we know the need for this support in the community is much greater than ever before, so we are proud to be able to play a part in helping Share the Dignity to continue the great work they do.”

Visit Share the Dignity’s website for more information www.sharethedignity.org.au.

Yellow Ribbons For National Road Safety Week

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor met with Mayor Phyllis Miller, Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance, Cr Steve Karaitiana, and local emergency service representatives in Lions Park in support of the National Road Safety Week.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be getting behind National Road Safety Week 2020 with a range of activities.

The Week runs from 15 to 22 November, and honours the memory of the 1,200 lives lost, and more than 44,000 seriously injured on Australia’s roads each year.

During the week, road users are being asked to think about how they can actively protect all those who are vulnerable on the road ahead and to sign an online pledge to not drive distracted, to not speed and to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says the Councils’ have been supporting the initiative since 2017.

“During National Road Safety Week, yellow ribbons will be displayed across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely.”

“The trauma caused by road crashes echoes through our community and is felt by so many others, family and friends, work colleagues, community groups, emergency service workers and local communities.”

The Forbes Town Hall will be lit yellow for the week and Forbes residents are being encouraged to sign the online pledge online at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au.

Sculpture Down The Lachlan Grows By Two

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Kim Muffet, Dr Karen Ritchie of the Forbes Arts Society Chair, Stephen King, Cr Keith Mullette, The Hon. Sam Farraway MLC, Warwick Rolfe, Phil Donato MP, Rosie Johnston, Joy Russell and Wendy Muffet, Grazing Down the Lachlan Chair.

There is double the excitement for the latest additions to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) public art trail.

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said: “Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the next instalment since the unveiling of Varanus in July, which has already clocked up over 15,000 visitors. So, we are delighted to continue the roll out of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan expansion with not one, but two new installations.”

Tower, by Walcha-based sculptor Stephen King was officially unveiled last week along Wilbertroy Lane, 33 kilometres from Forbes on the Lachlan Valley Way towards Condobolin. King is renowned for his distinctive timber structures and carvings and was recently awarded the Helen Lempriere Scholarship at the 2020 Sculpture by the Sea and first prize at the 2020 Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival.

“The tower represents our need to control our resources. The water tower has almost been made redundant,” Stephen said.

“Advances in technology continue to change the way we store and use water. The old water towers stand as sculptural relic and reminders of what we leave behind in our attempts to meet the challenges of life on earth.”

Arhab Bik Bialhabi, I Welcome You with Love, by Western Australian-Iraqi sculptor, Ayad Alqaragholli arrived in Forbes last month, finding its permanent home in Albion Park. The bronze couple symbolises loyalty, love, and a sense of belonging.

To appropriately accommodate the new addition, Forbes Arts Society have teamed up with Forbes Shire Council to give Albion Park a makeover, which includes an underground irrigation system, new bench seating and pathways, as well as upgrades to the toilet block and signage.

Albion Park will be home to three sculptures in total. Anta Omri has taken the place of The Hunter which will be relocated to Gum Swamp.

The SDL extension is part of the $7 million Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project, it includes the construction of a new cultural and arts centre on the corner of Lachlan and Church Street and the Gum Swamp redevelopment.

The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining. The project aims to promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

On Alert; South Australian Arrivals

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

NSW Health is contacting people who have recently arrived on flights from South Australia following the emergence of the Parafield COVID-19 cluster in Adelaide.

Passengers on recent flights to both Sydney and Broken Hill are being contacted with NSW Health advice and are being alerted to a number of venues of concern in Adelaide.

NSW Health is screening passengers arriving on flights and trains from South Australia, including asking if people have attended any of the venues of concern.

Anyone who is travelling to NSW from South Australia, or has recently done so, regardless of their mode of transport, is asked to check if they have attended any of the venues of concern.

The details of locations and times of concern, and associated health advice, are available from www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

Please contact NSW Health on 1300 066 055 if you have any queries or would like assistance in accessing testing if you have been at any venues or sites identified by SA Health.

All people travelling from South Australia, particularly Adelaide, to NSW, including recent arrivals, are asked to monitor for even the mildest of symptoms and get tested and isolate if they appear. They must remain in isolation until a negative result is received, in line with routine advice for all people in NSW.

November 20, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Rhyme Time has returned at Forbes North Public School.

Rhyme Time Returns: Rhyme Time is back in full swing with parents and young children embracing the weekly sessions now being held at Forbes North Public School. Previously held in the town library, the change of location was due to COVID restrictions not allowing voice projection in enclosed spaces. Rhyming helps babies and young children to learn about words, sounds and the formation of language. Hearing rhyme and rhythm helps children develop a strong foundation for early literacy skills and is important for early brain development. The new location of Rhyme Time at Forbes North Public School is accessible via Facey Street which allows for ample parking and a beautifully shaded area for families to enjoy. Organiser Maree Yapp said she was thrilled to have Rhyme Time back after a lengthy COVID hiatus. The group now meets weekly at 9.30am each Friday.

Christmas Hampers: Foodbank delivered a pallet load of 60 Christmas hampers to Forbes North Public School (FNPS) on Friday, 7 November, which are still being distributed to families throughout Forbes. The school and Foodbank have teamed up over this year, with volunteers from FNPS help- ing with Foodbanks July food drop at the Forbes showgrounds and Foodbank also running their School Breakfast Program at FNPS. While there has been a generous amount of rain this year, Foodbank recognises that families are still living under the strain of drought. To donate $35 for food hampers, follow the link of the Forbes North Public School Facebook page.

Veteran And Community Grants: Grants for activities and services which improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families in the Riverina and Central West are now available, with the latest round of Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program now open. The project aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, help veterans to live independently, reduce isolation, and to provide support to carers. The provision of these grants will enable communities to choose where funding is allocated, this is because it is the communities who know best which services will benefit individual veterans and their families the most. For information about how to apply visit the Community Grants Hub website www.communitygrants.gov.au. Assistance with grant application queries is also avail- able by phone on 1800 020 283 or by email support@communitygrants.gov.au. Grant applications will close 29 January 2021.

Maree Yapp and Annemarie Goodger have been distributing the Foodbank Christmas hampers to Forbes families.

https://www.forbesphoenix.com.au/14988-2/

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