Articles Archives - Page 227 of 412

Snippets…

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Expect to be checked. Nurses will check your temperature before entering Forbes Hospital.

Temperature Screening: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is implementing screening and temperature testing for all people coming into health services as part of the state-wide response to COVID-19. Health services will primarily be using thermal thermometers. This means that no contact is required to test the temperature of everyone entering a health facility. The testing will apply to all visitors, staff, and contractors.

These measures are being implemented in all NSW health facilities. The screening questions to all people coming to local health facilities will be:
1. Have you returned from overseas travel (or a cruise ship) in the last 14 days?
2. Have you had any close contact with a COVID-19 positive case?
3. Do you have any flu-like symptoms?

The WNSWLHD has previously introduced restrictions on visitors in all its facilities, with one visitor per patient in larger facilities, and no visitors in MPS facilities, where aged care residents may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. These are challenging measures for everyone to adapt to, but at the heart of WNSWLHD response measures is the need to do everything pos- sible to protect the most vulnerable people in the community. For more information on COVID-19 follow the WNSWLHD on Facebook, contact the Public Health Helpline on 1300 066 055 or contact healthdirect online or on 1800 022 222.

Blood Is Still Essential: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is calling on people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. We need donors now more than ever. The government has made blood donation one of the 16 reasons you can leave your home.

WNSWLHD, Haemovigilance Clinical Nurse Consultant, Karen Beattie said, “There are 800 blood donation cancellations per day, nationally, and blood products shortages are potentially going to be a reality.”

“The need for blood never stops. Blood is needed every day by Australian patients including road trauma patients, surgical patients, medical and orthopaedic patients, pregnant women and cancer patients,” Karen said.

The WSNWLHD is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to make and honour their appointments to prevent a potential shortage of blood supplies. You can make an appointment online or call 13 14 95. Remember the mobile van also visits Forbes from 4th – 6th May and is open from 9.30am-2.30pm.

The mobile blood donor van will be visiting Forbes early in May.

COVID-19 Local Assistance Line For Forbes

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire residents and businesses are now able to access a COVID-19 Local Assistance hotline through Forbes Shire Council by calling 02 6850 2393. The hotline number is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm.

The service will provide answers to queries about services and advice available to residents during this pandemic.

“This is the biggest health challenge Forbes has ever endured and it isn’t just impacting individuals, but businesses as well,” says Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “We want to help all residents to ensure they are led to the correct information regarding their situation. With so many sources available for people it is hard to know what services are available to whom.”

“The Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) has met twice already to work through the future challenges the local community shall endure in the coming months. They identified that there are vulnerable members of the community in our area and LEMC wishes to support them and their challenges. This may include but not limited to food, medical supplies and essentials.”

A customer service officer will lead callers to the relevant government departments or charity service groups that are providing assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The services available include;
• Groceries
• Prescription medical supplies
• Prepared meals
• Financial counselling
• Parenting services
• Men’s support
• Accommodation/Homelessness and domestic violence
• Men’s Health Early Intervention
• Financial assistance available from the State and Federal Government

“A lot of people feel they have lost trust in the Internet and random phone calls promising to help,” says Mayor Miller. “Residents know they can trust Forbes Shire Council; they have the best interests of residents at heart.”

Connection Through Commemoration, Lest We Forget

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Anzac Day this year is set to be like no other. With public services cancelled Australia wide, grassroots movements are in motion to make Saturday 25 April, as significant as it has been in previous years, despite the lockdown.

Forbes residents are being encouraged to stand at the end of their driveways, front gates, balconies or verandas with a candle, or any suitable light, and observe one minute of silence at 6am, in commemoration of our ANZACs. The nation-wide gesture has been unanimously endorsed by RSL branches in every state of Australia.

Whether Forbes residents choose to do this or not, the silence of dawn will be broken by the playing of the Last Post by members of the Forbes Town and District Band, who will be playing from home.

President of the Forbes Town and District Band, Sue-Anne Nixon is encouraging all Forbes musicians to give it a try, saying, “any instrument can play the Last Post, not just the bugle or trumpet. You may just hear the sombre tribute being played from a neighbour’s driveway in your own street.”

Alternatively, ABC Radio Australia will be broadcasting from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra beginning at 5am, the service will conclude with the observing of a minute’s silence followed by the playing of the Last Post at 6am.

While this year has thrown many challenges our way, the optimism, determination, and spirit of the Forbes community is the vehicle that unifies, despite the distance. While we cannot physically stand together on this day, we will stand together in spirit to remember the service and sacrifice for this nation.

The atmosphere of this Anzac Day provides a chance to reflect on something bigger than ourselves. Perhaps more than ever, many Australians will have a better capacity to understand the sacrifices of our ANZACs.

Can Our Nurses’ Waive Fees Goodbye?

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Philip Donato is calling for the government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses’ and healthcare professionals.

Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP has called on the Government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses and other essential registered healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our nurses and other healthcare professionals are working around the clock while under constant threat of the deadly Coronavirus,” said Phil.

“We value and appreciate what our nurses do to care for the sick and injured, even in ordinary times. But we now find ourselves in extraordinary times. In these extraordinary times our nurses continue to front for work despite the risks they now face with the potential for infection of COVID-19.”

Phil applauded nurses’ dedication to their profession and to the unyielding number of patients for whom they care, adding “It should be of no surprise that because of their tremendous work ethic and mantra of putting their patients first and foremost that nurses are considered the most trusted profession in Australia.”

“In light of the increased risks our registered nurses and healthcare professionals now face, and as a gesture of our sincere appreciation for what they do, their annual registration fees should be immediately waived.”

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works with 15 National Boards to help protect the public by regulating registered health practitioners across Australia. The registration of Nurses and Midwives is managed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), through which an annual $175 registration fee is paid by nurses and midwives.

“We have all stood and clapped to applaud nurses and health care professionals for their brave and tireless work in caring for the COVID-19 patients and other sick or injured patients, so now let’s give them a well earned waive on their annual registration fees too,” Phil said.

Forbes Remains Free Of COVID-19

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

As of 10.00am Tuesday 21 April, the Western NSW Local Health District remains at 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this 45, there are currently five active cases of COVID-19 across the region.

It is critical that everyone in all our local communities continue to practice social distancing to minimise the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.

This is important for everyone, but particularly for older people and people with health conditions that make them more vulnerable. It is also important that we protect our health care workers who we need to stay well to provide care to people who become sick with COVID-19.

Local Government Area	No. Cases
Bathurst Regional	9
Blayney Shire	3
Cabonne Shire	5
Coonamble Shire	1
Dubbo Regional	6
Mid-Western Region	6
Narromine Shire	1
Orange City	10
Warren Shire	1
Warrumbungle Shire	1
Weddin Shire	1

ANZAC Treat

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Caramel ANZAC Slice

SLICE
• 2 Cups Plain Flour
• 2 Cups Brown Sugar
• 2 Cups Rolled Oats
• 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut • 250G Butter, Diced
• 4 Tbsp Golden Syrup
• 2 Tbsp Water
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

CARAMEL FILLING
• 400g Sweetened Condensed Milk • 2 Tbsp Golden Syrup
• 60g Butter

TOPPING
• 1⁄2 Cup Melting Chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat Oven to 170C and prepare a 25cm spring form tin with cooking spray
2. Combine flour, brown sugar, rolled oats and coconut.
3. Heat the butter until melted, add the golden syrup and the water and whisk until blended.
4. Add the baking soda to the butter mixture and whisk until all dissolved.
5. Pour in the melted butter mixture to dry ingredients.
6. Place 2/3rds of the mixture into the prepared tin.

CARAMEL FILLING
1. Add condensed milk, butter and golden syrup in a saucepan, stir over a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until mixture boils and thickens.
2. Pour the caramel filling over the slice.
3. Sprinkle the remaining slice crumbs over the top of the caramel.
4. Bake the slice for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

TOPPING
1. Melt the chocolate in a small microwave proof bowl, 20-30 seconds at a time.
2. Flick the melted chocolate over the slice off the end of spoon.

Letter from the publisher

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Dear readers,

I would like to write to you personally and on behalf of the entire Phoenix Group of Newspapers to thank you for your continued support of our publications over the last few weeks during the Coronavirus crisis.

This is a stressful period for many, and will no doubt continue to be over the next few weeks, at least. While we have done it tough here at the Phoenix, there are many other local businesses doing it much tougher, and I would like to let them all know that our thoughts and best wishes are with them. We will continue to support our local community as best as we can by providing all the up to date local news, as well as continuing to offer our publishing space to all our advertisers, past, present, and future.

With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm to our readers and advertisers that we will continue to publish our weekly newspaper as we normally would. I understand that there is currently much uncertainty around community media, but we are here to stay. We have plans in place to ensure our future viability, and while our staff are all working remotely from home at the moment, they are all still contactable by phone, email and social media, and are still responding to all enquiries that come their way.

While there are challenges, we will still be the local voice of our community, as we have been over the last few years. Our newspapers will continue to be free of charge, and while there are some outlets that we cannot distribute from at the moment, our newspapers will still be available from all others, and we will still be distributing our rural copies through Australia Post.

Please let it be known that we are with everyone through this tough time and will always be available to support our community wherever we can.

Kind regards,
Joshua Matic
Publisher
The Phoenix Group of Newspapers

Crime

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

What is a crime? There are many crimes or offences. A lot are contained in the Crimes Act but many more are contained in other statutes both of the State and Federal Parliaments. The range of offences vary from murder down to parking.

Most criminal matters are commenced by the Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions by way of court attendance notices (formerly known as Police charges/summonses). Those charged with an offence will appear firstly before a magistrate in a local court. In some cases, issues of bail may need to be considered.

Magistrates deal with over 90% of criminal matters summarily, but the more serious offences are committed to the district court or supreme court for trial before a judge and/or jury.

Unlike civil matters, criminal matters must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ having regard to the elements of the offence. This is when a solicitor’s professional knowledge becomes essential for the client (ie the person charged with an offence).

It should be noted that in civil matters the standard of proof is much less in that the plaintiff usually has to prove their case ‘on the balance of probabilities’.

Police will have a fact sheet (which is not evidence but outlines the Police case) on the first appearance before the court. The fact sheet and instructions from the client will help the solicitor in deciding whether to advise the client to plead guilty or not guilty. Sometimes an adjournment is necessary to obtain further information.

Once a plea is entered, the magistrate may adjourn the matter for hearing, sentence the client, commit the client for trial in a higher court or other options, depending on the seriousness of the offence, and the previous criminal history of the client. For further information contact us.

Pushing Through A Pandemic

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The lockdown and social distancing rules have changed the way we go about our day to day business, but for a demographic of women in our community, this time can induce more fear and uncertainty than most will experience. Pregnancy and childbirth in Forbes can be uncertain on an average day, with resources, staff and facilities stretched to accommodate women in Forbes and surrounding towns. It is not uncommon for women with high-risk pregnancies to be sent to Dubbo and Orange to give birth.

Now women face the additional challenges of giving birth during a pandemic. Birthing in lockdown has been met with both confusion and praise. Praise for the exceptional work that the midwives, staff and Obstetricians at Forbes Hospital do, and the care they provide to women during their most vulnerable time. There is also confusion surrounding the rules once women return home. While in hospital, the rules are clear, no visitors except for one support person. However, upon returning home, one Forbes mother of two found herself stuck.

Recovering from a Caesarean delivery with a one-year-old at home and a partner who works away for days at a time, Forbes woman Umima Austral found herself confused and concerned. Relying on family for care and assistance meant she needed visitors in her home, “Are they (the police) going to come and knock on my door be- cause there are four cars parked at my house?” she wondered.

Many have criticised both a lack of transparency and enforcement around lockdown rules and as it stands, seems to be a learning experience for both the public and law enforcement. In the coming weeks and months, we should see a rhythm take place and a sense of normality gained as the Forbes community adjusts to life in lockdown.

Coiffeur Confusion

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes hairdresser Eliza Acret is confident in following government guidelines for the hairdressing industry.

An open letter has been penned by the Australian Hairdressing Council to the State Premiers and members of the National Cabinet. The letter voices heartfelt and genuine concern for the safety of those workers in the hairdressing industry who feel at risk working in such close proximity to their clients. Half of Australia’s 15,000 salons have voluntarily closed, salons that employ 40,000 hairdressers and barbers. Because no salons have specific training in infection control, it is up to individual businesses to read and implement safety measures put into place by the government. Forbes hairdressers have mirrored the sense of confusion in the lack of clarity around rules, experienced by themselves and their clients.

Safety measures like ensuring adequate distance between clients and maintaining a strict limit to the amount of people allowed in the shop at a time reduces the risk of infection spreading however, with the work itself requiring close proximity between hairdressers and their clients, the Australian Hairdressing Council states that they are “a risk to and at risk from our clients.”

The letter further poses the question as to whether the government is prepared to be accountable for death and illness should their “lack of leadership” and lack of clear guidance prove to be inadequate.

For Forbes hairdresser Bronwyn of Metro Hair, the confusion is the result of the changing rules and regulations regarding the hairdressing industry. While Bronwyn has implemented strict guidelines and rules around social distancing in the salon, as well as undertaking a vigorous disinfection routine between clients and says: “I can only do my best, I don’t know what to think, It’s impossible to completely obey social distancing when you are cutting hair.”

Eliza from Hair With Style also confirmed that the salon has implemented a strict dis- infection and social distancing routine, as well as not accepting any clients from out of town.

“As hairdressers, we only know what the government tells us, so we are just taking it day by day, apart from new regulations, it is business as usual,” said Eliza, who also stated that much confusion around the hairdressing industry came about when the government closed the beauty industry, leaving clients and hairdressers confused.

Forbes is yet to have any COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, 15th April. While hairdressers in Forbes understand the Australian Hairdressing Council’s concern for the health and safety of hairdressers in cities and urban areas with high rates of COVID-19, and understands their calls for the government to shut the industry down, Forbes still maintains a sense of security. For the most part, residents and businesses are doing the best that they can with the information they have. Until further notice, Forbes hair salons are still open for business.

Caramel ANZAC Slice

Subscribe