Articles Archives - Page 324 of 424

Six Young People Complete Army Of Green Projects

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The third and last Skillset Green Army team graduated at the beginning of this month after 20 weeks of valuable environmental work in the Forbes and Parkes Shire Council areas.

The team consisted of six participants between the ages of 17 and 24 years, overseen by team supervisor, Darrin Kopp.

The team did planting work at the Gum Swamp Painted Snipe Project site and at the Forbes National Tree Day site, Parkes National Tree Day site, Memorial Hill Parkes and Parkes Solar Farm. They also obtained work health safety, First Aid and other training, and assisted at Eco Day at the Central West Livestock Exchange.

“The team did well to make the most of the opportunities, and maintaining and improving biodiversity in our local area,” said Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) Co-ordinator, Marg Applebee. She thanked the Parkes and Forbes Shire Council staff for their support over the 18 months of the program.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Skillset to provide work opportunities for young people in our community.” Marg said she hoped it was the beginning of many great things for the participants and that they would be able to build on the skills they have obtained.

Darrin who worked very closely with the team every day, was rather overwhelmed when he thanked them. “Although you pushed me to the limit at times, I really enjoyed it. It was fantastic!”

The participants all agreed they had gained a lot of knowledge of and a much deeper appreciation for nature.

The focus was on increasing the biodiversity and connecting Grey Box Grassy Woodlands corridors to increase habitat for native species.

CWLL will be taking applications as part of the National Landcare Programme (NLP) initiative. Landholders are encouraged to contact Marg on 6862 4914 if there is a project

that would fit the NLP guidelines.

By Maggi Barnard

Want To Eat More Veggies?

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Scientists have come up with an innovative approach to tackling Australia’s poor vegetable intake, with the launch of a new app that challenges people to eat more veggies.

Using a gamified approach, CSIRO’s new VegEze app aims to motivate Australians to add extra vegetables to their daily diets and form long-term, healthier habits through a 21-day ‘Do 3 at Dinner’ challenge.

CSIRO nutritionists will also study how effective the app’s game-like nature is at helping transform people’s eating patterns, as part of a broader research study.

“We need a fresh approach to improve Australia’s vegetable consumption and overall diet quality,” CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Professor Manny Noakes said.

“Our research found two out of three Australian adults are not eating enough vegetables, especially as part of their evening meal. It’s time to find more engaging, effective

approaches to help break these entrenched diet habits.”

Challenging users to eat three different vegetables at dinner every day for 21 days, the VegEze app helps people track their intake and tally up vegetable serves, with daily reminders and rewards to help people stay motivated and on-track.

“Committing to eating more vegetables every day is one of the most important ways we can improve our health today. Boosting your intake can be as easy as having three types of vegetables taking up half of your dinner plate,” said Manny.

“After just a few weeks using the app every day, users should feel more confident in adding more vegetables to their menu and notice some positive changes to their health and wellbeing.

“The beneficial nutrients and fibre from vegetables can help improve digestion, and fill you up – which can help reduce eating too much unhealthy junk food.”

Since May 2015, CSIRO has studied the dietary habits of more than 191,000 adults for its Healthy Diet Score research.

Eating three types of vegetables as part of the evening meal was found to be a key marker in having a better diet, but further research of 1,068 adults showed some Australians were being held back from eating more vegetables by low awareness, lack of time and low confidence.

To help people overcome these barriers, the VegEze app features educational resources such as a visual guide to specific vegetable serve sizes, vegetable recipes, nutritional information and motivational rewards.

Information from app users will feed back into CSIRO’s study of Australians’ vegetable consumption, while helping to analyse the app’s effectiveness as an education initiative to improve Australia’s poor vegetable score card.

The technology was developed in Australia in collaboration with digital health solution provider SP Health.

To try the 21-day Do 3 at Dinner challenge and participate in the research study, download the free VegEze app via the Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/vegeze/id1268951104

Community Garden Open Day

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Riverside Community Garden will be hosting its Open Day this Saturday. The Open Day is an opportunity to showcase the Community Garden and to announce the winners of two competitions that they have been running.

The two competition categories to be judged are Best Scarecrow and Best Individual Vegetable Garden Bed.

Approximately 30 scarecrows have been entered into the competition. The judging will be done by popular vote and will take place at the Community Garden in Reymond Street (site of the old Forestry Nursery) between 9am and 1pm.

There are around 20 entries in the Best Individual Vegetable Garden Bed and these will be judged by Darren Kopp.

The presentation of awards will take place between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Prizes for the competition winners have been generously donated by local businesses.

Along with the competitions there will be plant sales, tours of the garden and a sausage sizzle. Entry is free. Sausage sandwiches are $2.00 and cold drinks are $1.00.

Enquiries regarding donating towards the Forbes Riverside Community Garden (a not for profit organisation) can be directed to Anne Hodges on the day.

Swimmer’s Shoulder Part 1

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With the weather finally warming up swimming is an ideal way to get a full body workout. Due to the repetitive nature of swimming, overuse injuries in the shoulder and neck are common.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a ring of cartilage around the socket to make the joint more stable. Around this is a loose joint capsule that is reinforced with ligaments and muscles. Because the shoulder is a very mobile joint it relies on the action of these muscles and ligaments to maintain stability. These muscles are called the rotator cuff and consist of four muscles that work together to keep your shoulder centred in its socket.

So if swimming strengthens the shoulder muscles why do so many swimmers have shoulder problems?

The simple answer is due to the repetitive nature of swimming. The more complex answer lies in the fact that many swimmers don’t have good stroke technique, while those that do, can still have problems because the swim stroke (in particular freestyle) mainly strengthens the shoulder internal rotators and adductors. This causes muscle imbalance, leaving the scapular stabilisers and external rotators relatively weak and joint laxity increases. The rotator cuff must work harder to keep the shoulder centred in the socket. When the already relatively weakened external rotators fatigue, the ball of the shoulder joint moves forward and the tendon of the rotator cuff muscles is pinched between the bones as the hand is raised above shoulder height.

Next column I will cover some practical ways to prevent this from happening and what to do if you already have problems. For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

SNIPPETS…

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Birthday celebrations… Michael Flannery, Debbie Prior and Sarah Hazel at the ribbon cutting of the diamond anniversary and opening of the new-look store of Flannery’s Pharmacy last Thursday.

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, but participants can hold their event at their local golf club anytime during December. Participants are challenged to play four rounds of golf in one day at their own club with their friends and fellow members. Anyone can register for The Longest Day and raise funds for Cancer Council NSW. A minimum of two players are needed to form a team. Choose a day and contact your club to book four tee times, then head to www.longestday.org.au to register and start fundraising.

Home Safety And Expo Raffles: Winners of the Home Safety and Expo held at Acheson’s Home Timber and Hardware are: 1st is Peter Bourke (TV); 2nd is Phyllis Miller (wheelbarrow and other garden goodies); 3rd is Jeff McRae ($100 gift voucher); 4th is Trevor Curry ($75 gift voucher); 5th is Jeanette Hodge ($50 gift voucher) and 6th is Nancy Parry (sensor light and keyless lock). Thank you to all who purchased a ticket from the volunteers. Thank you to Bernardi’s, Woolworths and News On Rankin for allowing to sell the tickets outside their shops.

Licensing Changes For Young Drivers: Changes to the state’s Graduated Licensing Scheme are set to ensure new drivers become safe drivers. Changes will come into effect from Monday, 20th November 2017. They are designed to improve the way the scheme prepares novice drivers – in particular young drivers – to be safe. The Graduated Licensing System takes drivers from their learner licence to full licence with restrictions and conditions that are designed to ensure they build their skills and knowledge so they understand risks and are safe on the roads. The three main changes include: Learner drivers will now be required to complete the Hazard Perception Test before undertaking the practical driving test; Provisional 1 drivers (red P Platers) no longer have to undertake the Hazard Perception Test to graduate to their provisional 2 licence (green P’s) and The Driver Qualification Test has been removed for P2 drivers to graduate to a full licence, though a six month extension will be imposed if a P2 driver receives a suspension for unsafe driving behaviour. To find out more visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/licence.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, can be contacted for further information about the licensing changes.

Sentencing Options Part 1

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

For the majority of people their first exposure to the criminal justice system occurs when they are charged with offences that are dealt with at the Local Court. It is important that defendants (i.e. those charged with an offence) understand the broad range of penalties available to Magistrates.

• Fines are the most common in addition to good behaviour bonds. A maximum of 28 days is given to pay the amount in full. If a defendant refuses to pay, it may possibly result in the seizure of assets, wage deductions, an order of community service, or for to traffic fines, suspension or cancellation of driver’s licence or vehicle registration.

• Good behaviour bonds obligate defendants to be of good behavior. The court may also impose further conditions including supervision of the defendant by an officer of the Community Corrections Office. Other conditions could include counselling to treat an alcohol or drug abuse problem.

There are a wide variety of bonds available, such as the bond in section 9 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), which allows Magistrates to direct offenders to enter into a good behaviour bond for less than five years, after convicting them of an offence. If the conditions of the section 9 bond are breached or the defendant commits another offence, the Magistrate may cancel the bond and impose a sentence.

Section 11 bonds, which allow Magistrates to find an offender guilty, but suspend the sentence for a period of 12 months to assess capacity and prospects for rehabilitation, to demonstrate that rehabilitation has taken place or for any other reason the court considers appropriate. If you have questions contact any of the Solicitors at Matthews Williams.

O Christmas Tree

November 16, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Christmas Tree Festival will once again bring joy and Christmas wonder for both the young and young at heart.

Rotary Ipomoea Club have fervently been running this annual event now for more than five years.

The Christmas Tree Festival welcomes everyone. Families, businesses and students can all get involved in designing and creating a Christmas tree of any shape or material that reflects their love of Christmas time.

Last year witnessed 91 marvellously designed and decorated trees. This year the Rotary Ipomoea Club are striving to have over 100 entries displayed.

The trees that fill the Forbes Town Hall bring appreciation and wonder at the entrants’ imaginative and intriguing ideas and use all sorts of materials.

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.

Enter a tree by phoning Helen on 68514930 or Sue-anne on 68515197, or send an email to sueanne.nixon@hotmail.com. Entry fee is $5. Anyone can enter any type of tree.

Entrants are encouraged to add a sign or message to the base of their tree wishing viewers of their tree a happy Christmas holiday.

SNIPPETS…

November 9, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

And the winner is… Louise Allen for her shot entitled “Spring Destruction – The Aftermath of a Spring Wind Storm”. Louise has won our Spring Photo Competition with this image and is the winner of a picture donated by Aerial Antix! Well done Louise, and thank you to everyone who entered!

Dancing Stars Success: Forbes Can Assist members are ecstatic over the incredible success of Dancing Stars which saw $61,000 being raised. Thank you to Terese, Cassandra and crew for their many hours of organisation, to the dancers for their absolutely brilliant performances and most importantly, the incredible generosity of the audience and the community of Forbes. A huge thank you must also go to the Forbes Services Club who did everything possible to ensure that the night was such an outstanding success. Thank you to everyone who helped, attended or assisted.

New General Manager Appointed: Forbes Shire Council announced the appointment of Steve Loane as the new General Manager. Steve comes to Forbes Shire Council after six years as the General Manager of Warrumbungle Shire Council. He has extensive experience in senior management with Naracoorte Lucindale Council. In addition he also spent years at the helm of the Australian Livestock Marketing Association and is the organisation’s first life member. He is a licensed stock and station agent, has a Diploma of Agriculture and spent years as the Director of his stock and station agency. Steve will commence duties on Monday, 13th November.

Forbes White Ribbon Day: Annual community march in support of Australia’s campaign to stop men’s violence against women. Meet at Cross Street in front of Carpet Court on 24th November at 10am and finish in Victoria Park. Youth will share their thoughts on why it is important to stand up and speak out against violence and how together we can make Forbes a safer community. All of Forbes community are invited.

Sweet Three Vintage Van: Friends and family can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere over weekends at the Lions Park. With a Sweet Three Vintage Van picnic rug or bean bag, enjoy one of their Belgium waffles, vintage milkshakes or soft drinks, while utilising the beautiful lake and park.

Keep An Eye Out: Police from the Lachlan Local Area Command are reminding people to take extra care of their personal possessions when out and about. Phones, wallets and handbags can be popular items targeted for theft due to their size and concealability, and often having value inside these items, such as cash or forms of identification. Everyone can take simple precautions to ensure their property isn’t targeted by criminals. For further information contact the Crime Prevention Officer, Lachlan Local Area Command on 6862 9999.

The Forbes High School show team have ended the season on a high. Kyle Bolam won first place in the experienced paraders class and Champion parade. He has qualified for the Sydney Royal Easter Show paraders competition in 2018

Menopause The Musical

November 9, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Inspired by a hot flush and a bottle of wine, Jeanie Linders created Menopause the Musical as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived ‘The Change’. Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a ‘grassroots’ movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges they conquer mentally, physically and spiritually.

Do you think that 500,000 Australian women could be wrong? We don’t think so. After all, that is how many have seen this hilarious show over the last two and a half years. And they love it! So much so, many of the audience members have come back time and time again to join with their sisters in this 90 minute, one act laugh-a-thon!

Maybe the attraction is the songs that everyone grew up with – The Great Pretender, Only You, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Stand by Your Man, I Will Survive and twenty more – all sung with gusto and all with their ‘new’ lyrics. Or maybe it is the realisation that there is a wonderful life waiting after ‘The Change.’

Come and see for yourself. We guarantee that you will leave the theatre uplifted and joyous.

Menopause the Musical will be showing at the Bathurst Panthers on Sunday, 19th November from 7pm with tickets for $45. It will also be showing at the Dubbo Regional Theatre on Wednesday, 29th November at 8pm for $65 per adult ticket and at the Forbes Services Memorial Club on Thursday, 30th November with tickets for sale at $40 each.

To book your tickets today for any of the three locations go to www.abstractentertainment.net.

FSMC Christmas Festival Find It In Forbes

November 9, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes central business district will once again come to life at this year’s annual Find it in Forbes Christmas Festival.

The Find it in Forbes promotion will be running from mid-November until 14th December, when it will be celebrated with a Christmas carnival from 4pm to 9pm in Templar and Rankin streets.

The Christmas carnival will include activities from schools, local artists and musicians, a visit from Santa as well as markets for food, and hand made and home-grown items.

The Forbes Business Chamber is aiming to reach many members of the community to make the celebrations even bigger and brighter.

Forbes Services Memorial Club is the naming rights sponsor after awarding a $3,000 community grant to the Find it in Forbes Christmas Festival Parade.

Forbes Services Memorial Club General Manager, David Fitzgerald said: “We are very appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the community. At the end of the day, we are a community club, owned by the community.”

Business Chamber President, Brett Rout said: “We would like to thank the RSL club for their very generous donation and sponsorship.”

Forbes Shire Council is the gold sponsor as they have supported the initiative by giving a $2,000 grant.

Silver sponsor, Terry Bros Carpet Court (Forbes) said they were very excited to be supporting the Christmas Festival.

Members of The Forbes Business Chamber who are not located in Templar and Rankin Streets are invited to have a free of charge market stall to bring a display or parts of their business.

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