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Horses Leap Into JRV Residents’ Hearts And Home

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Residents of Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) have been looking forward to their monthly visits from two very special guests.

For the past 18 months, Blondy and Jazzie, two beautiful miniature horses have been visiting the residents.

The residents always await the visiting horses with eager anticipation and have grown so fond of these two charming animals that they frequently have their visits from grandchildren and great grandchildren coincide with that of the horses.

All residents are offered a visit from Blondy and Jazzie, including those residents who are in their rooms or in bed.

When visiting residents in their rooms, one horse is led in and the other one patiently waits outside the room for her turn, usually with an entourage of residents and staff. Blondy and Jazzie are always showered with lots of smiles, pats, hugs and kisses.

Owner of these two beauts, Year 12 student Kelsey Muller has done an amazing job training the quiet and well-mannered horses. She has even managed that they walk in reverse in confined spaces to exit the resident’s rooms.

“I became interested in this activity when I saw on the news one day someone taking a horse into a retirement village. The story spoke of the benefits to people interacting with animals and I thought why not?” explained Kelsey.

“My miniatures were quiet enough to be able to do something like this. I just had to make sure that the horses were desensitized to every situation possible. So for many months, I would walk the two minis along streets, over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces. When they got to the point where they weren’t reacting to their environment, then I thought they were ready,” said Kelsey.

Kelsey remarks that Jazzie immediately took to the visits really well but that Blondie was a bit nervous to start off with. However, throughout the visits they have both improved.

The visiting horses often evoke reminiscence from the residents. Many recalling having ridden horses to school or ploughing paddocks with horse teams on family farms.

By Gizell van Wyk

FSMC Christmas Festival Find It In Forbes

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Have you noticed the Christmas trees located around town? Gorgeous pallet Christmas trees, some painted, some decorated with baubles and others with lights. Each tree indicates a participating business in the Find It In Forbes promotion.

In store there are specials, surprises and of course the Find It In Forbes tickets. For every purchase over $10 you will receive a ticket to enter the draw.

Also underway are the Forbes Memorial Services Club Christmas Festival Markets. The festival activities and markets will be located in Templar and Rankin Streets from 4pm to 9pm on the 14th December. To date there are food stalls, craft and other stalls.

For an application form please email forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com.

The Find It In Forbes Committee members would like to thank the major sponsor, Forbes Memorial Services Club, Gold Sponsor Forbes Shire Council and Silver Sponsor Terry Bros Carpet Court.

Good Support For Free Cuppa

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Ninety-five businesses across Western and Southwestern NSW have signed up to participate in next year’s ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme from 1st March to 31st May.

The scheme offers drivers who have travelled more than one hundred kilometres from the address on their drivers licence a free cup of tea or coffee at any participating business.

“If it wasn’t for participating businesses supplying the ‘free cuppa’, this scheme would not be possible, said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. A total of 17 businesses in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council have signed up.

Mobile Phones Still A Driver Distraction Across The Region

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding drivers to put their mobile phones down, after the latest observation survey recorded 29 motorists using their phones while driving.

The survey conducted in Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin, showed that there was no improvement to the mobile phone usage rate compared to an earlier survey conducted in April.

The survey also showed a 0.2% decrease in the combined seatbelt wearing rate in comparison to the April survey.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that this equated to 70 people not wearing a seatbelt.

“Whilst our combined seatbelt wearing rate of 98.9% is better than the state average (98%), it is disappointing to report that 11 more people were observed not wearing a seatbelt in comparison to the April survey.

“In a crash a person who is not restrained with a seatbelt will continue to travel forward at the speed the vehicle was travelling until something stops them. This could be the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen. Seatbelts save lives and prevent injuries,” said Melanie.

The observations surveys are conducted bi-annually in Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin and aim to measure, monitor and improve local seatbelt wearing rates and the number of drivers complying with mobile phone legislation.

There is an urban and highway location in each town with survey staff conducting the observations for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon at both locations.

The survey shows that the group most at risk were males. There were 14 male drivers observed using their mobile phone.

The next observation survey will be conducted in April 2018.

For further information, please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

Swimmer’s Shoulder Part 2

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Shoulder impingement during swimming is largely due to dynamic muscle imbalance and biomechanical faults.

Dynamic muscle imbalances can be addressed by strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers together with stretches for the muscles at the back of the shoulder. One good exercise is to stand facing a wall with your arm raised to shoulder height and elbow straight. Hold a tennis ball to the wall by leaning through your shoulder and pinch your shoulder blades together. Roll the ball in small circles for 15 seconds first clockwise then counter clockwise until you become fatigued or for two minutes.

Biomechanical faults can be addressed by correcting your swim technique. Achieving good symmetrical body rotation through an efficient bilateral breathing pattern helps to avoid shoulder impingement during the catch and pull through phase of the freestyle stroke.

Instead of entering thumb first change your technique to enter with a flat hand or fingertip first. This is made easier by avoiding reaching across your midline. A thumb first entry works the shoulder internal rotators excessively and when multiplied by approximately 3,200 strokes per hour contributes heavily to the muscle imbalance of strong internal rotators and weak external rotators causing shoulder impingement.

Most swimmers pull through with a straight arm or dropped elbow. This loads the shoulder muscles excessively rather than utilising the larger and stronger muscles of the chest and upper back.

Making these simple changes can help you achieve many hours of pain free swimming.

For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

Market Day Postponed To February 2018

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

This weekend’s severe storm and flash flood warnings have forced the organisers of the highly anticipated Forbes Market Day hosted by Forbes Public School to postpone the event to 24 February 2018.

With over 70 high quality market stalls from across the central west region and a jam-packed agenda full of entertainment and fun, the community will have to wait a little longer to attend this fabulous occasion.

The focus of the day will be on family participation and ample amounts of fun and the committee is confident they will meet the brief. “We want to provide an atmosphere where families can come and enjoy a fun morning together. Music from local talent will also look to draw a crowd and add to the festivities on the picturesque lakeside oval,” said spokesperson Linda Van Coller.

“Next year will be our third year running the market and it’s going to be massive. There will also be an even bigger Game Zone for the kids to enjoy,” said Linda. Game Zone tickets will be available for $1 each. This includes a 9-meter water slide (bring a towel), jumping castle, coin toss, dunking machine, pony rides and many more. An animal nursery will also be on the oval all day. Children will have the chance to pat an impressive range of baby animals. Also keep an eye out for the Minions that will be taking over Forbes.

The committee is very appreciative of the community support that they have received. “Forbes is such a fantastic community. The school’s families and local businesses have been overwhelming in their support and we would like to thank every business and individual who has donated their time or goods and services to support our wonderful school,” said School Principal Dafydd Thomas.

Hawaii And USA Sale

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

True Hawaiian hospitality will land you in paradise!

Fly Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu, Maui or Kona or mainland USA today!

Flights from Sydney to Honolulu start from $970.00 per person return for travel 10th January 2018 to 26th June 2018.

Call in today and talk to our Hawaii specialist about great accommodation deals to package with our great flight offers.

Offer ends 7th December 2017, unless sold out prior.

Stuck with a gift idea for that hard to buy for person? Why not give them the gift of travel this Christmas with a helloworld Travel gift card! Available in store.

Inland Rail Section Design Work Starts

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail continues to progress, with survey work and inspections under way as part of the feasibility design work.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said residents and local businesses would soon be able to see the benefits of Inland Rail, including more jobs and new investment opportunities.

“Inland Rail is the largest freight rail infrastructure project in the nation and will be the catalyst for new manufacturing and production opportunities throughout regional Australia,” said Darren.

Federal Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack joined representatives from the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Lycopodium – the company carrying out the feasibility design work – as well as cultural heritage, environmental, structural and technical experts in Forbes on Wednesday.

“This work involves environmental, technical and engineering studies that will provide input into the Australian Government’s work to get Inland Rail construction-ready.

This design work will also form the basis for environmental approvals and submissions process,” said Michael.

“Studies that begin today include air quality and vibrations surveys; investigations into existing structures; ecological surveys to identify any flora and fauna; and cultural heritage surveys.

“Inland Rail is good for business and will deliver immense opportunities for our rural and regional communities. I am delighted to see this work get under way and am looking forward to seeing construction start in 2018.”

The Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail consists of 169 kilometres of enhancement work to the existing rail corridor, including upgrades to existing structures and height clearance increases.

SNIPPETS…

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

White Ribbon Day: The White Ribbon March held to combat violence against women saw many school students, members of the public and staff of North Parkes Mine in attendance.

Calling All Golfers: Golfers are encouraged to sign up for The Longest Day, a 72-hole golf marathon, to raise funds for Cancer Council NSW. The Longest Day will officially take place on Monday 18th December. Choose a day and contact your club to book four tee times, then head to www.longestday.org.au to register and start fundraising.

Get It Sorted Winners: The three lucky winners of the Woolworths gift vouchers in the Get It Sorted competition are: 1st prize Anne McLennan – $100; 2nd prize Melissa Gafney – $70 and 3rd prize Dorothea Croker – $30. Congratulations and happy

Christmas shopping with your vouchers! Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival: Members of the community are invited to the official opening of the festival on 1st December at 6pm, which will see the trees light up.

Market Day Postponed: Due to severe storm and flash flood warnings issued for Forbes for the weekend the Forbes Market Day hosted by Forbes Public School has been postponed to 24 February 2018. Save the date in your diary

Share the Dignity: There are 85,000 homeless women who need your help this Christmas. You can help. It’s simple. Give a handbag full of personal hygiene products to a homeless woman in need this Christmas. Go to https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/.

Changes To Payment Policy: Small businesses in the Riverina and Central West will benefit from changes to Government’s payment policy. Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has lauded the change saying Government will now be required to pay invoices for contracts worth up to $1million within 20 calendar days, instead of the current benchmark of 30 days. “This is good news for small business. Cash flow is crucial in allowing small businesses to thrive. Government is leading the way and big business should do the same.” By July 2019, all non-corporate Commonwealth entities are to pay invoices for contracts up to $1 million within 20 calendar days on receipt of a correctly rendered invoice.

Kick-Off For Forbes Soccer Club: Forbes District Soccer Club received a cheque of $146,236.00 on Monday, following their successful grant application to the NSW Asian Cup Legacy Fund. The funding will go towards building their planned new amenities, change room and meeting room at the Botanical Gardens. The new building will be multipurpose and used by other sporting organisations that also use these grounds.

Eugowra CWA members Margaret Swift, Dorothy Jones and Shirley Heinzel with their orchards at the last meeting for the year. The orchid is CWA of NSW’s plant of the year.

Christmas Tree Festival Shining Brighter Each Year

November 30, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes North Public School Kindergarten students (L-R) Sarah Haywood, Tyler O’Malley, Lucia Bilsborough and Isaac Knight, doing their part for the class Christmas tree entry.

The 6th spectacular Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival will be held in the Forbes Town Hall and will open its doors today at 6pm.

Thereafter the wondrous Christmas trees can also be viewed all day on Saturday, 2nd December from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday, 3rd December from 9am to 1pm.

The Forbes Shire Council has kindly waived the hire cost of the Town Hall for this family event and Mayor Graeme Miller will also be attending the opening of the event.

Last year Rotary members were proud to display 91 beautifully creative entries from community clubs, businesses, churches, families and schools. This year an ecstatic Rotary Ipomoea team already have an astounding 111 entries booked in for the weekend’s event.

Classes and individuals from St Laurence’s School, Forbes Public School, Forbes North School, Forbes High School, Eugowra Public School, Bedgerabong Public School as well as many other entries from preschools and childcare centres will provide the base for this wonderful family Christmas event.

Tree entries can still be dropped off at the Town Hall from 8am today.

Entry to the event is free for children accompanied by an adult and only $2 for adults to see the display.

The community is encouraged to come and see this wonderful Christmas wonderland.

By Gizell van Wyk

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