Articles Archives - Page 220 of 424

Forbes Celebrating NAIDOC

October 30, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

NAIDOC celebrations will go ahead in Forbes in November.

The Forbes Aboriginal community has come together once again to plan a COVID-safe celebration for NAIDOC this year. Committee members from Yoorana Gunya, Binaal Billa, Forbes Wiradjuri Rangers, Amaroo, CatholicCare and Council as well as community members and representatives from local schools have joined forces to design a family-friendly celebration to be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Friday, 13 November from 4.30pm – 8pm.

The event will feature a range of free activities including traditional art, dancing, storytelling, and language as well as art and craft activities, jumping castles and bungee trampolines plus the chance to win some amazing prizes. There will be a range of food options available including a free barbecue and a variety of food vans to choose from.

“We are really excited to still be able to hold this event,” said Committee Chairperson Debbie Gaudie. “When we first started planning, we weren’t sure what would be happening with restrictions, but we have worked hard to make sure the event is COVID-safe for everyone and can still go ahead.”

“There will be plenty of hand sanitiser available, and we will be fencing off the entire event area with only one entry and one exit with QR code or paper sign in on entry. This will make sure we can manage numbers and make sure we have details for contact tracing as required by the State Government,” Debbie said. “All our activities will be run in a COVID-safe way.”

Attendees will be invited to complete a NAIDOC Celebration passport by completing each of the activities available on the day. The first 50 children to complete the activities on the day will win a fishing rod, kindly donated by DPI Fisheries. In addition, all completed passports will be entered into the draw to win an amazing prize pack from Forbes Shire Council.

Samantha Wins Trainee Of The Year

October 30, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Samantha Street was nominated by Forbes Shire Council for the United Services Unions “Trainee of the Year”.

Each year the United Services Union seeks nominations for the prestigious award of Trainee of the Year. This year Council union members of Forbes Shire Council nominated Samantha Street, their Biosecurity Trainee, to recognise her enthusiasm and commitment to her Council sponsored traineeship.

Samantha Street joined Council in May 2019 and has embraced her role as Trainee Biosecurity Officer, studying Certificate III in Conservation and Management.

“It was a huge move for Sam to relocate from her home city of Newcastle to join our Council,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller, “but straight away she made herself known and began assisting community groups and volunteering her services. Sam’s sunny personality also makes her a popular work colleague and she puts 100% in all that she does.”

After finishing high school Sam worked in the retail sector while looking for a career to move into, then the opportunity arose at Forbes Shire Council for a Trainee Biosecurity Officer.

“It was such an exciting move for me,” said Samantha. “I wasn’t worried about leaving Newcastle and couldn’t wait for the chance to get my hands dirty!”

“I have been so fortunate to get loads of training whilst I have been here at Forbes Shire Council. I am completing a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.”

Sam regularly visits family back in Newcastle, and loves the simple pleasures of going camping with friends and playing local sport on the weekends.

Breast Cancer Won’t Wait For COVID

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Meg O’Brien, Manager BreastScreen NSW Western Region encourages women 50-74 to book their free mammogram this October.

BreastScreen NSW is encouraging women aged 50 to 74 to make their health a priority by booking a free life-saving mammogram this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Meg O’Brien of BreastScreen NSW Western Region said: “This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want women in Western NSW Local Health District to make booking a breast screen a priority.”

“BreastScreen NSW has implemented a range of hygiene and social-distancing measures to ensure clinics and mobile screening vans are COVID-19 safe, to protect women, staff and the wider community.”

Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow said early detection is key to giving women the best chance of survival and reduces the likelihood of needing invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy.

An appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes about 20 minutes in total and no doctor’s referral is needed. In addition to 46 BreastScreen NSW clinics, Breast-Screen NSW has 16 mobile vans that provide services to about 180 locations across NSW, including in rural and remote areas.

If you are aged 50 to 74 book your free mammogram today with BreastScreen NSW online at www.book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50.

Mayoral Notes

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Last week we had our October Council Meeting, and it was a very productive one. There was a lot of talk about solutions for our rubbish bins in our parks as well as the bins in Meaghers Lane.

The Ninja Park was discussed, we are looking into ensuring the equipment remains safe from flood waters. We know how excited everyone is for this to be built and we want to make sure it serves us for a long time.

Unfortunately, Australia Day 2021 will not be like previous years, but we will still celebrate. In the coming months we will be ask- ing you to nominate our amazing citizens. The fireworks will also go ahead, but from a different location, to ensure everyone can see it from their backyards.

You may have heard about the regional roads review the State Government is conducting. Council will not be handing back any of our regional roads to the State Government and we want you all to know we intend to keep these jobs in our community and keep our roads to a standard we need them to be.

Lastly, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to one of our local businesses, Woolerina, who have celebrated Ethical Clothing Australia Week this week. They have been accredited since 2013, meaning they ensure their workers receive fair pay, safe working conditions, and most of all, are appreciated. Well done Woolerina, we are very proud to have you in our Shire.

God Bless.
Your Mayor, Phyllis Miller

Be Harvest Ready

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The recent Be Road Ready For Harvest Virtual Field Day, held via Zoom, was a sellout. More than 90 people registered for the event with a further 20 people signing up to the waitlist.

Attendees were a mixture of farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations.

The event was supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, NSW Police, NSW Farmers, WFI and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils.

It provided information about the current regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles and combinations on the road.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said it was great to see strong numbers for the Virtual Field Day, especially as the region is expecting a good harvest for the first time in a number of years.

“Unfortunately due to the current COVID restrictions we weren’t able to hold our face to face event at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Forbes, but it was very pleasing to see many of the regulars join us for the online event. There were also a large number of first-time attendees from right across the Central West.”

“Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that during harvest all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.”

“Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period,” Melanie said.

The Virtual Field Day was recorded and can be accessed on the Forbes Shire Council’s YouTube channel.

Counting Glossies: Central West Volunteers Needed

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The NSW Saving our Species program is calling for community volunteers to become “cockatoo counters” and help be part of the Great Inland Glossy Count this November.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Senior Project Officer Adam Fawcett said anyone can be a part of it.

“Bird lovers, citizen scientists or anyone with an interest in this beautiful threatened species, are needed to survey Glossy Black Cockatoo populations at three key sites around inland NSW.

“Glossies are easily spotted with their distinctive red markings and this cockatoo count will help our scientists understand more about this threatened bird,” he said.

This is the second year the Great Inland Glossy Count has occurred. In 2019 seventy volunteers participated and counted over 700 Glossy Black Cockatoos across inland NSW.

On Saturday, 21 November, Goobang National Park, some 100km from Forbes, will be surveyed.

“What a great opportunity to get out to some of our amazing national parks and state forests, sit back and watch a threatened species in its natural habitat,” Adam said.

Volunteers will need to pre-register using the Department of Planning Industry and Environment’s website www.app.betterimpact.com/PublicEnterprise. COVID guidelines will be followed.

The project is funded by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program and the NSW Environmental Trust, and is led by Central West Local Land Services in partnership with NPWS, NSW Forest Corp, Dubbo Field Naturalists, Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the land owners and managers within these areas.

Teddy Bears Have Their Picnic

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Keep an eye out for the hidden teddy bears throughout the CBD.

The 2020 Children’s Week will be celebrated a little differently this year. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual Teddy Bears Picnic will be going virtual!

Forbes Shire Council has partnered with the Forbes Business Chamber for an amazing Teddy Bear Hunt, taking place in the Forbes CBD from Saturday, 24 October until Friday, 1 November. Find the bears hidden in shop windows throughout the CBD, then upload your photos to Instagram with the @forbesyouthactionteam and @forbesbc tag for your chance to win a $50 Why Leave Town card. Alternatively, post your photo to the Virtual Teddy Bears Picnic event page on Facebook for the chance to win. Council is also supporting Forbes preschools and day-care centres to carry out their in-centre celebrations and is looking forward to sharing all the fun and photos from these events. Parents and carers are encouraged to follow @ForbesYouthActionTeam on Instagram and Facebook and to like the Virtual Teddy Bears Picnic event to stay in the loop.

The Youth Action Team will also be sharing ways parents and carers can celebrate Children’s Week at home throughout the week, including recipes, DIYs, and fun activities.

Forbes Shire Council Wins Environmental Award

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Waste Wednesday Award: Senior Communications Officer Cassie Gates, Mayor Phyllis Miller and Waste and Environmental Specialist Hiral Patel.

Forbes Shire Council has been awarded the winner of Division A: Behaviour Change in Waste for their Waste Wednesday social media campaign.

“Through this campaign we engage with the community and spread awareness about the ongoing resource recovery facilities available in the Forbes Shire, as well as innovations and additions to the existing resource recovery programs,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“It is our commitment to continue this campaign on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future, providing high quality and valuable information to the community about improving resource recovery and waste issues.”

Council also received a Highly Commended in Division A: Sustainable Infrastructure for the solar lights around Lake Forbes walkway.

Forbes Shire Council installed five kilometres of solar lighting along the ten kilometres of walking track surrounding Lake Forbes.

“This is actually believed to be the longest installation of solar lighting in the world,” Phyllis continued, “The work so far has been undertaken by farmers and farm labourers affected by the 2018/19 drought in a special employment program created by Council to help support the local farming community during the drought.”

“The installation of the solar lights next to the walking tracks surrounding the Lake has proven to be highly popular with residents and visitors alike. We continued to use these lights in lower Templar Street as well due to their efficiency and the ambient light they project.”

Forbes Shire Council has also been nominated as one of three Councils within NSW by NSW EPA to be involved in a pilot education campaign in relation to Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) as a means to reduce the amount of organic waste going into landfill.

Another bin audit will take place in November to identify if waste behaviours have in fact changed due to the education program.

Local History; Charles West – Part Two

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Charles married 19-year-old Harriet Jane Ewer on 9 September 1848 at All Saints Church in Bathurst, NSW. Harriet was born on 7 April 1829 in Parramatta, NSW and died 27 June 1856 at just 27 years of age. Charles and Harriet had two children, Charles Edward West, born 20 July 1850, and Ann West, born 25 August 1852. Charles was married to Jane Macllveen at Goulburn in the year following Harriet’s death and together, they had one daughter.

Charles Edward West married Frances Rose Newnham on 9 September 1881 in Forbes. He worked as a horse-breaker at “Brumbion” on the Turon River near Tambaroora, NSW and afterwards worked for Keiran L.G. Cummings, a squatter, on “Grojary” near Forbes. Charles drowned in the Lachlan River at Jemalong near Forbes in May 1860, aged 40.

The Forbes Family History Group is open on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm and on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. The group is contactable by email at ffhg@westserv.net.au and the rooms are located behind the Library. Phone 6851 5096 for more information.

Snippets…

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

With increased road travel predicted for 2021, it is important for businesses to support the ‘Free Cuppa For The Driver’ scheme.

2021 ‘Free Cuppa For The Driver’ Business Registrations Open: Local businesses are invited to help tackle driver fatigue by registering to take part in next year’s ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme. The multi award-winning driver fatigue awareness campaign will run from 1 March to 31 May 2021.

The scheme encourages visiting drivers to stop at participating businesses for a free cuppa and to take a break from driving long distances. Entering its eleventh year, the scheme sees partnerships formed between participating Councils and local businesses. The Councils provide the marketing and administer the scheme whilst the participating businesses provide the free cuppas.

Since its inception the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme has given away more than 27,000 free cuppas in 265 participating businesses across 91 towns, and cities in regional NSW. Organisers are expecting to see a large increase in road travel in 2021 as domestic and international flights remain heavily reduced.

The closing date for phase eleven registrations is Friday, 30 October 2020. If your business would like to participate in the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme please contact Melanie Suitor on 6861 2364 or email Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Spring Photo Competition: It is that time of year again. The Forbes Phoenix is running its annual Spring Photo Competition, and we are looking for your best and brightest spring snaps taken in and around beautiful Forbes. This year, Sarah Hodge from Essjay Photography is sponsoring the competition. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au. Entries are being accepted until the end of October 2020.

COVID-19 Restrictions Eased: Gatherings in outdoor public spaces and group bookings at restaurants will be increased to 30 people under a relaxation of COVID-19 rules. From this Friday, 23 October, 30 people can gather outdoors in public spaces. Previously this was 20. The previous rule of a maximum of 10 customers per table and per booking in hospitality venues has now been extended to 30. Also, as of last Friday, 16 October, corporate functions of up to 300 people can now be held at any appropriate premises, including at restaurants, subject to a COVID-Safe plan.

From 1 December, the number of people who can attend weddings will be lifted to 300 people subject to the four-square metre rule indoors and two-square metre rule outdoors.

Time is running out to enter the Spring photo competition.

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