This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nurse Practitioner Day, on Saturday, 12 December.

Western NSW LHD (WNSWLHD) Executive Director Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, Adrian Fahy, said, “It is so important to celebrate and acknowledge the Nurse Practitioners (NP’s) who work across our district.”

“Our NP’s are highly skilled, advanced practice registered nurses who are trained to independently assess patients, order diagnostic tests, interpret the results of these tests, from working patient diagnoses and prescribe certain medications to treat illness.”

This year there were 10 finalists for the Western NSW Local Health District Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award. “It was a difficult choice only selecting one winner,” Adrian said. The 2020 WNSWLHD Nurse Practitioner of the Year is Linda Doherty.

Linda is a Nurse Practitioner who works within Alcohol and other Drug Services to support people manage their addictions across the local health district.

Director of Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Jason Crisp, said, “Linda is extremely deserving of this award. She is an innovator who is always looking to improve the health outcomes for people within the community. Linda is a great mentor to staff, an educator, compassionate, caring nurse and professional.”

Adrian went on to express gratitude for all of the NP’s working across the Western NSW Health District and hopes that the award not only highlights the fantastic work they do, but also recognises the significant contribution they bring to health services and communities.

The team opened the doors of the new local bookstore on Friday morning last week and were thrilled to see so many people pop in to show their support and to peruse the wide selection of books, games and gifts. The feedback from many has been how wonderful it is to finally have a book shop in Forbes.

Nothing beats entering a cosy store to the smell of new books, surveying titles, browsing synopsis and taking on a recommendation from a friendly staff member. The team at The Book Dispensary are very thankful for all of the community’s input, ideas and support.

Business Manager, Debbie Prior, and her team of recruits, have been working around the clock to get the shelves stocked ahead of Christmas and have lots more in store for 2021. “The Book Dispensary will launch a Community Give Back program in the New Year, with a percentage of sales going to a chosen local charity. A loyalty program will also be available so the avid readers of Forbes and the surrounding areas can benefit from buying local. We also plan to set up a book group and host evening events around specific topics or themes,” aid Debbie Prior, “This is just the beginning.”

While Debbie has done her best to provide a range of all of the books the Forbes community would like to read, she appreciates that there will be lots of titles and authors that will need to be ordered in. So, do not hesitate to ask Debbie and her team in-store or via orders@thebookdispensary.com.au.

“This is just phase one of our bookstore business plan, so if you have any ideas to suggest for us to incorporate in the store, drop by and let us know, or email us at info@thebookdispensary.com.au. Thanks so much for your support.”

In the lead up to Christmas, Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to keep farmers in need in their thoughts by hosting Christmas parties with a cause or buying a gift card for a primary producer family as a gift.

CEO of Rural Aid John Warlters says it has been a particularly challenging year for the farming sector and a small gesture at Christmas time can have a major impact on rural families.

“Drought, bushfire and flood are regular and devastating realities for Australian farmers. These challenges create financial, emotional and practical hurdles for this crucial sector of our community and economy,” John said.

“This year has featured all of these challenges. Vast swathes of farmland are still in drought and COVID created new pressures for farmers this year. Domestic border closures impacted the supply chain, and international border closures impacted the workforce of shearers and fruit pickers.”

But this festive season, Australians can make a difference in many ways. Gift cards can be purchased on behalf of a friend or family member that will make a difference in the life of a farming family, see www.ruralaid.org.au/christmas for more information.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils in conjunction with NSW Police are reminding motorists to drive safely and to remember that double demerits are in place for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Double demerits start on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and run through to Sunday, 3 January 2021 and apply for all speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be hit with a $457 fine and 10 demerits.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, we all have a part to play in driving down the road toll.”

“Too often, people think it is ok for them to quickly check a text or drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road, or they get behind the wheel when they are tired or have had a few drinks.”

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe Christmas with their families, please obey the road rules and drive safely,” Melanie said.

With state borders now open and COVID restrictions further eased in NSW, authorities are expecting traffic to increase over the holiday period as people drive to see their loved ones and have a break. With that increase in traffic, comes increased risk of a crash.

NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said, “Statistics show that there’s a 30% reduction in casualty crashes when double demerit points are in play.”

“The road toll usually makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons at this time of year. Let’s get it in print for the right reason this year by recording a fatality-free holiday period,” Martin said.