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Jessica’s Passion For Agriculture Reaps Rewards

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes local Jessica Zieltjes has been awarded a 2017 Horizon Scholarship to support her studies in Agriculture at the University of New England (UNE).

Jessica was one of 15 students to be granted a scholarship from a pool of over 150 applicants. She will receive $5,000 each year while she completes a Bachelor of Rural Science at UNE, with the aim of becoming one of Australia’s future agricultural leaders.

Jessica and her family moved from dairy farming in New Zealand to a cropping farm outside Forbes about ten years ago. She has always had a passion for agriculture, and is interested in the increasing variety of industries within Australia and internationally. Jessica is particularly interested in Australia’s relations with neighbouring countries.

“New and emerging industries pose great potential for the future of agriculture,” she said.

“I hope to be among the future agricultural leaders conducive to the growth and improvement of agriculture in Australia and internationally, applying my knowledge and skills to aid this industry which is core to society,” Jessica said.

Jessica described the Horizon scholarship as offering an invaluable path to networking and learning new skills and said she was immensely grateful to have received the opportunity.

“These scholars are tipped as our brightest young leaders and are the ones to watch when it comes to shaping the future of Australian agriculture,” he said.

The Horizon Scholarship is an initiative of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), and recognizes students for their leadership and commitment to the future of Australian ag- riculture.

It is open to first-year undergraduate students studying an agriculture-related degree, and recipients are selected based on their commitment to a career in agriculture, along with their leadership potential and high school academic record.

Being Green Is Rewarding

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

At the graduation ceremony were Graham Stirling, Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller, Bradley Dunn, Sebastian Berry, Kyasha Palmer, Troy Gibson, Laura Harvey, Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, Marg Applebee and Guy Bennett

According to Kermit the frog it’s not easy being green, but for the participants of the Green Army it certainly is rewarding.

The latest Green Army crew had a graduation ceremony at the Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) office in Parkes on Tuesday. The hardworking participants have spent the last 20 weeks working on biodiversity projects in the Parkes and Forbes Shires, including the Gum Swamp Painted Snipe Project and the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Green Army graduate Kyasha Palmer loved the experience. “I really liked the team environment, and also getting out there and helping the actual environment.”

Green Army Supervisor Guy Bennet said the participants had developed some valuable skills during the program. “We do a lot for the environment, but it’s more about what they get out of it, where they improve and what they’ve come from,” he said.

Mayor Graeme Miller congratulated the graduates for their efforts. “It’s great to see young people being given this opportunity. I wish them all well in their endeavours in the workforce.”

The CWLL team are looking for local land-holders who have projects that would be suitable for the next Green Army program. Contact Marg Applebee on 68624914 for more information.

By Raen Fraser

Snippets…

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Year 12 students from Forbes High School at CSU. They are (L-R) CSU rep, Maddi Collits, Finnlay Bennet, Jack Hodges-Lockwood and Mitchell Ashcroft.

Planning A New Life: Life after school can be a confusing time for students, however at Forbes High School senior students are offered many opportunities, support and advice to help them. Careers advisor Daniel West ensures all students have access to the right information, while a variety of experiences are also on offer. So far this year many of our senior students have participated in the annual tertiary excursion to various universities, the defence force, CSU, Sydney University Roadshow and attended the Tertiary Awareness Day.

Capture Life In Australia: Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit images that depict their interpretation of life in Australia for one of the country’s most prestigious photography exhibitions and prizes.

Snappers across the country can enter the City of Sydney’s Australian Life photography competition for the chance to win $10,000 and have their work showcased in an outdoor exhibition.

scale portraits for the exhibition from 14th September to 8th October. Entries open today and close on 28th July. Read more about the competition at artandabout.com. au

Healing Music: Arts OutWest is looking for six experienced musicians in the Central West to work in hospitals and aged care. This is a paid opportunity and applications close 13th June with training in Parkes at the end of the month.

You don’t need to be a professional musician or have music qualifications but must be able to demonstrate accomplishment. It is open to musicians of all styles and genres – although a versatile and wide repertoire is an advantage, as well as instruments that are portable and not extremely loud. The program calls on musicians to work in flexible, fluid, responsive and dynamic ways in hospitals.

The two-day training program includes sessions with UK-based leaders in this field, Opus and with trained music therapist Kerrie Davies. The training includes practical experience in Parkes Hospital with follow up supervised sessions in other local hospitals or aged care facilities. Download the selection criteria from www.artsoutwest.org.au. Contact Arts Out- West executive director Tracey Callinan on 6338 4657 or artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Kerrie Davies performed for patents at both Parkes and Forbes Hospital. Photo by Jay-Lee Zagroviv

Bush Telegraph

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Ladies Day Out In Trundle

Trundle was the place to be last Saturday when many visitors and stall holders from the district took part in the Ladies Day Out of the Trundle Branch of The Royal Far West Sunshine Club.

The day included a fashion parade, courtesy of Dolly’s Fashions in Trundle, wine tasting by Robert Oatley Wines and afternoon tea with cheeses, dips and other tasty morsels.

The fashion show, featuring mostly models who are members of the Trundle Sunshine Club, ranged from younger and trendy tastes to mature women and all shapes in between.

The Trundle branch would like to thank Dolly for all the time and energy she spent setting up and for the wonderful variety of high class fashions. Thank you also to Stephanie and Tamilla for doing the make-up of the models.

Thank you to all the stall holders for coming to Trundle to showcase your goods. We would love to see you again in two years’ time. We appreciated the effort you made to come and set up your stalls, and thank you for supporting the great work of the Royal Far West.

By Robyn Whitson

Have Your Say On Long-Term Plan

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The community’s long-term plan is on public exhibition for feedback until 25th June. Forbes Shire Council adopted the Forbes Shire Our Community Strategic Plan 2017- 2027 at its May meeting, and the support- ing Draft 2017-18 Operational Plan was endorsed for public exhibition at an extraor- dinary meeting.

The Operational Plan also incorporates a Statement of Revenue Policy outlin- ing Council’s financial information includ- ing a summary of the 2017/18 budget, the 2017/18 detailed capital budget and the 2017/18 Schedule of Fees and Charges to be implemented from 1st July. The plan outlines the programs and projects Council will undertake both operational and capital together with the funding sources and expenditure for the financial year.

General Manager Danny Green said: “This is your chance to have your say on Council’s planning and process for operationally achieving the targets and strategies as identified in the long-term plan.”

In 2017/18 the budget for capital works across its general, and water and sewer operations is $14.9 million. “This includes $3.8 million on roads, $1.6 million on water, $2.2 million on sewer and $1 million on recreational and community facilities, funded through grants and reserves,” Danny said. “The budget also includes a total rate in- crease of 1.5%, however individual charges will reflect the latest land valuations.” “Overall operational expenditure has been maintained below $28 million.”

In the 2017/18 Fees and Charges Schedule, Danny said most fees and charges have been increased by CPI although Council is moving to full service recovery where pos- sible. Please send your comments via email to mail@forbes.nsw.gov.au or by post to Forbes Shire Council, 2 Court Street, Forbes NSW 2871. For more information contact Community Development Manager Nina Hooper on 6850 2358.

Award-Winning Kacie Forges Her Own Path

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

At 23 years of age former local Kacie Anderson is making waves in a male-dominated trade in the Northern Territory.

Last week she was awarded the Advanced Training International Overall Trade Appren- tice prize at the School of Trades annual presentation in Darwin.

The only female apprentice in her trade, Kacie was described as “an outstanding choice, having excelled academically and as a practitioner of her craft,” by Roy Brandner, Head of School of Trades at Charles Darwin University.

Working as a boilermaker in Australia’s tropical top end hardly sounds like anyone’s dream job, but for Kacie, something she hadn’t imagined doing has become a passion.

“My whole life I wanted to be a vet,” said Kacie. “And now I want to get into welding inspection x-rays and ultrasounds, and focus on the quality and safety of welds and products.”

Since leaving home, Kacie has travelled as far afield as Western Australia and north Queensland working in a range of jobs.

She has been a Jillaroo on a remote cattle station, a counter hand in a butcher shop and considered becoming a diesel mechanic.

But it was an offer to take up an apprenticeship with Jake’s Steel and Welding that now has her calling the Northern Territory home.

So, what is it like being the only female in the workshop? “Being a female in a male dominant industry has its challenges. When I started I had to prove to the boys that I was capable of doing things myself. I knew I could work as hard as them.”

She faced the challenges at trade school with the same attitude.

“I knew what was expected of me so I gave that, and more. I proved to the boys in my class that women can do this by re- ceiving high grades and paying attention to what was required.”

Kacie’s lecturers nominated her for the award after she wrote a letter to apply for a National Association of Women in Construction scholarship.

When Kacie received the email telling her she’d won, she couldn’t believe it.

“When I got back to work everyone was waiting for me and someone had written ‘Congratulations, Kacie’ on the whiteboard in the smoko room. They just treat me like one of the boys.”

Kacie’s message for anyone not sure what to do when they finish school is: “Take every opportunity that comes your way because you will always learn from them whether they work out or not. It’s all life experience, and it becomes a part of who you are as a person.”

“Never give up. The tough times make you stronger and you will get a great sense of accomplishment when you do get through

them.” By Rochelle Bright

Baker’s Cyst

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

A Baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a swelling at the back of the knee joint. Baker’s cysts are fairly common and are associated with chronic swelling within the knee joint. They occur most frequently, secondary to degenerative disease within the knee joint such as osteoarthritis or meniscal degeneration. The main sign that a Baker’s cyst is present will be a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind the knee. This may be tender to touch with pain and stiffness, often worsening as the knee is straightened after activity or when squat- ting or kneeling.

Just as a door hinge requires oil to reduce friction and allow smooth movement, similarly, the cartilage and tendons in the knee joint rely on a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid circulates around the knee joint and in and out of various fluid sacs called bursae, that com- municate with the knee joint. Sometimes when a structure within the knee joint is damaged or inflamed too much fluid is produced. If this fluid gets trapped in the popliteal bursae it is called a Baker’s cyst.

If a Baker’s cyst is suspected, the whole knee joint should be assessed thoroughly as treatment involves treatment of the un- derlying cause. Once the cause has been addressed the swelling generally settles down. Sometimes the bursae might be drained or surgically removed but if the underlying cause of the swelling is not corrected the swelling will just return. Strengthening exercises for the lower limb can help to improve joint biomechanics and to decrease the load on the knee.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

Westpac Opens Purse For Second Year

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Westpac turned 200 on 8th April and as part of celebrations local branches are inviting not-for-profit organisations to apply for a $500 funding boost to help them sup- port their community.

The funding boost was also offered last year in the lead-up to the birthday mile- stone, and Forbes Westpac branch received 15 applications.

Local Westpac branch manager, Shannon Crowley said: “Any local charity or non- profit group in the Forbes area can enter giving details about the group and how they will spend the money.”

“It’s all managed locally. Forbes Westpac staff will read every application and have the tough job of deciding where the money will go.”

Shannon encourages applicants to be specific in their application about how the funding boost will help them. There are no other conditions associated with the funding. Organisations don’t need to have a Westpac account to apply, and don’t need to open one.

Submissions can be emailed directly to Shannon Crowley at shcrowley@westpac. com.au by 23rd June and a winner will be announced on 26th June.

In addition the branch has also opened applications for the annual Westpac Foundation Community Grant, with a possible $10,000 funding boost for eligible organisations. Interested organisations can contact Shannon on 6850 1554.

By Rochelle Bright

Caravan Club Puts The Fun In Fundraising

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Every year in May, the Lachlan Valley Caravan Club holds its annual week-long bush rally. The camping grounds at Kiacatoo have played host to this event, and the club’s annual Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser, for the past few years.

This year local residents were invited to join around 40 club members last Thurs- day afternoon for homemade treats, raffles, door prizes, competitions and musical entertainment.

Those who came along enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of club members as they put on quite a show in the camping ground’s enormous tin shed.

Former school teachers Helen Pitt and Ruth Armstrong delighted the audience with a brilliant comedy skit about playing bowls.

In full costume, and with a bag of props that included a giant bunch of spinach, a bottle of wine, and a lump of wood, they delivered a performance worthy of a larger stage.

Between activities, Rob Armstrong (bass guitar), Rod Maxey (banjo), Jim Blacker (keyboard), and Bill Dolle (vocals), kept everyone’s toes tapping with their easy listening tunes.

The event raised over $900 for cancer research. The week-long bush rally is one of the most popular for members. Between fishing in the Lachlan river, bushwalking and camp oven cooking, there’s plenty to do.

And for anyone looking to escape life’s modern distractions, there’s no mobile phone or internet coverage.
The Lachlan Valley Caravan Club is the fourth largest van club in NSW, with 70 vans (around 140 people) registered as members. Their members come from right across the Central West and as far away as South Coast NSW.

They hold 10 to 12 rallies each year and for the remainder of this year plan to visit places like Tea Gardens, the Boomi Artesian Pool and Bendigo.

For more information visit www.lachlanvalleycaravanclub.org.au, or call secretary Gail Blacker on 0400 320 407.

By Rochelle Bright

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Free Breakfast: A free forum will be held at the Forbes Inn on Thursday, 8th June to explore the current road safety and freight issues affecting the local heavy vehicle in- dustry.

For the fifth year, the Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum, attracts almost 300 attendees and is part of the annual road safety calendar for Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils. The forum will include a workshop about the new safety rules coming into effect next year with regards to chain of responsibility.

There will also be presentations about compliance and enforcement, a proposed low volume gate access scheme and the councils’ achievements in the past 12 months in improving access and educa- tion. For catering purposes registration is required – contact 6861 2364 or Melanie. Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au .

Arts Funding: Local groups with arts pro- jects in mind can apply for the 2018 round of Country Arts Support Program funding.

The annual program of State Government provides small grants up to $3,000 to arts and community organisations in regional NSW to run their own local arts projects. Applications close Thursday, 27th July.

Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan said: “This long-running funding program is about giving regional people access to a diverse range of arts programs – activities that are made for and by the local community.”

In 2018 it’s expected there will be around $18,000 to distribute in the Central West region. Priority areas are arts and health, Aboriginal arts, and cultural tourism and lifelong learning (education or training projects for any age). The funding is open to all incorporated associations, not just those focused on the arts. Groups wishing to apply must discuss their project with Arts OutWest before submitting an online application.

To apply, read the funding criteria at http:// regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/casp/ and contact Arts OutWest on 02 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Wonderful Concert: Forbes Town and District Band invite you to attend a con- cert showcasing the talents of the young musicians of the Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) on Saturday. Forbes Town band members will join with the SYO for two items at the Forbes Town Hall at 7pm. Tickets are available at the door.

SYO has a long history of delivering ac- tivities across regional NSW through its outreach project to increase participation and engagement in orchestral music.

https://www.forbesphoenix.com.au/5923-2/

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