• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Council Comments
  • Special Interests
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
    • What’s On
    • What’s Hot
  • Features
    • Women in Business
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Loving Local Living
    • Wellness Wise
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Classifieds
  • Competitions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Forbes Phoenix

Forbes Phoenix

Winners Of The 2016 Boscars Awards

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

dsc_0579

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2016 Boscars Awards:
Excellence in Business Ethics – Central West Glazing
Excellence in Innovation – HE Silos Forbes
Excellence in Small Business (under 20 employees) – John Davis Motors
Excellence in Business – HE Silos
Employer of Choice – News on Rankin
Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Dylan Hennock, Forbes Smash Pty Ltd
Employee of the Year – Amy Townsend Anytime Fitness Forbes
Young Entrepreneur (age 18-35) – Samantha Leonard, Forbes Smash Pty Ltd
Business Leader of the Year – Amy Shine, Forbes Preschool
People’s Choice – Tradie of the Year – John Burton D14U
People’s Choice – Business of the Year – News on Rankin and Forbes Medical Imaging

For the first time in the history of the Boscars, the People’s Choice was a tie with News on Rankin and Forbes Medical Imaging joint winners. Both Gabe Miller-McMillan and Jenny Webb thanked their staff for their support to make their businesses a great place to work at. Forbes Smash Repairs took out two awards, with Apprentice of the Year and Young Entrepreneur. Sam is to be acknowledged for her leading role in what is seen to be a man’s world in the field of smash repairs.

Three Cheers To Karen’s New Book

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

fullsizerender-2-211x300

Last week was very exciting as we launched my latest book, Home Sweet Home, at a gala party at the Parkes RSL club with over 150 people in attendance to support and cheer us on. This book is very special to me for two main reasons. Firstly after working with clients over the last few years I felt there was a real need for a handbook filled with simple to follow, step by step advice that would give you all the answers to the questions constantly asked of you while undertaking a renovating or decorating project. So hopefully with this handbook the next project you embark on won’t be nearly as scary or stressful.

And secondly, the book allowed me to collaborate with some amazing national brands, fantastic retail stores and a bevy of skilled tradesman and contractors from around the Parkes and Forbes region that are represented in the pages of the black book directory at the end of the book. Not only do you have the answers to many renovation questions, but you also have all the contact details of the people who can literally bring your building and renovating dreams to life. I think this is what is going to make this publication very helpful.

Home Sweet Home has pages for notes as you go through each step of your project. I would love to think that it would become your best friend throughout your next project. It is available at newsagencies around the region, from my own store in Parkes Furniture One and online at www.karencreith.com.au with free shipping available.

I hope you grab your copy today and enjoy reading it!
Love Karen x

Find it in Forbes this Christmas…

November 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

find-it

The Find it in Forbes Christmas promotion started on 31st October and ends on 22nd December. Everybody can be involved, simply by purchasing goods from any of the participating stores. Spending between $10 and $50 affords the purchaser one ticket; up to $99 secures two tickets and up to $149 three tickets. The more you spend, the more chances you have to win. The stores involved are named on the posters displayed around town. One of the main changes this year is that you don’t have to be present if your name is drawn as one of the winners. The Christmas Festival draw at the carnival will be to the value of $1,000, while the major prizes will be drawn on 22nd December at 6pm in the CBD.

The prizes are: gold prize $7,500; silver prize $5,000 and bronze prize $2,500. The prizes are all given in Why Leave Town Cards. With the recent floods, this is the perfect opportunity to show your support for Forbes. The Chamber is using the slogan: Shop Local, It’s the Perfect Place to Start.

So start your Christmas shopping early, support local business and be in the running for some fabulous prizes.

CanAssist Benefits From Dancing With Stars

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

dsc_0470

CanAssist received $18,100 from the Forbes Services Club on Wednesday from the ticket sales for the Dancing With The Stars charity night to be held on 5th November at the Club. The response to the ticket sales was fantastic with a sellout within seven hours. David Fitzgerald, General Manager of the Club said: “The Club is proud to be the host venue by way of providing assistance and support for the event, which is such a good cause and encourages the whole community to come together to support those suffering from the illness. This is another example of the way the whole of Forbes supports these charities.” Maureen Field, Treasurer of CanAssist said: “At the moment we have given $60,000 a year for patience assistance and this is all done through donations and events such as this, as we receive no Government grants. Special thanks should go to Therese Gunn and Cassandra Tyack, who along with all members of CanAssist have done such a fabulous job.”

On the night of Dancing with The Stars, with all contestants unknown, there will be an auction and raffle prizes to be won. These were sponsored by local businesses who made the event possible.

Somewhere Down The Lachlan Is Fantastic

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

img_8049

The fourth Somewhere down the Lachlan Sculpture competition received 23 entries with the $20,000 acquisition prize going to The Hunter by Damian Vick, and the $4,000 open prize won by by Brett Garling for The Mark Maker.
“What you have achieved here is quite fantastic,” said Clive Calder, the guest judge from Sydney at the announcement of the winners. “I commend you for your efforts. There are not many towns with a space like this.”

Clive said the composition of the bronze sculpture The Mark Maker was fantastic. “I like the way he sculpted the hands.” In the acquisition category three pieces stood out for Clive: The Hunter, A Farmers Draught and Balance. The Hunter will become the property of the Forbes Arts Society and will remain in Albion Park until the sculptures will be moved out around Lake Forbes and eventually all the way to Condobolin.

Damian told The Forbes Phoenix from Melbourne he was surprised and honoured to have won. “While it is a thrill to
be recognised at a competition of this calibre, the award is particularly significant because I feel The Hunter represents a key milestone in my career. I have been making sculptures for almost 10 years and this work is possibly the first sculpture that accurately displays the kind of dynamism and energy I have long sought to achieve. “I am truly grateful to the organisers and the people of Forbes, who have under trying circumstances made this event happen.

I am truly honoured that a work of mine will become part of your community.” Wayne Richards, President of the Forbes Services Memorial Club who established the annual competition, said entries came from all over Australia, even as far as Broome. Brett is from Wongarbon near Dubbo, while John Den, who sculpted Lachland Tower, is from Eugowra.

President of the Forbes Arts Society, Keith Mullete, said the Somewhere down the Lachlan trail had become a substantial project with the recent funding announcement for the first part of the trail to expand the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. With the Lachlan Council’s input the Utes in the Paddock will be moved to the end of the Lachland Valley at the end of the trail. “I hope the community gets behind the project and that you love it,” said Keith.

Ten sculptures are on exhibition in Albion Park, while a further 13 sculptures are on display in shop windows until the end of October.

Paper Party Celebrates Children’s Week

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

img_0006

Children’s Week celebrates the rights of children to enjoy childhood, and plenty of children were doing just that on Wednesday. Northside Chapel was a frenzy of happy faces, as local service providers joined forces to celebrate childhood. About 100 pre-schoolers and toddlers from playgroups, pre-schools and early childhood centres around Forbes brought their carers along for a morning of crafty activities and plenty of fun.

This year’s theme was “children have the right to reliable information from the media”, which is taken from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In keeping with the theme the craft play centred around paper – kids made their own newspaper pirate hats, got their fingers into some paper mache, made their own badges, or got busy colouring-in.

Dietician Catherine Forbes had some healthy choices games for the kids, while others got their faces painted or donned temporary tattoos. The jumping castle was another popular activity. The Children’s Week celebrations are an annual event in Forbes, and provide a great opportunity for the service providers to get together. Workers from SaCC, Centacare and Parkes Family Support Service joined the early childhood teachers to celebrate childhood with a lot of very happy kids.

Snippets…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

trevor-wren

Morning tea entertainment: Clients of the monthly social morning teas held at the Forbes Town Hall have been treated to quality musical talent over the past two months. In September, Trevor Wren sang classics such as Roll out the Barrel and Side by Side, while in October Ruth Elphick played familiar tunes on her piano accordion. The Forbes Neighbourhood Central office hosts the morning teas with the help of volunteers – Doreen Rogers, Lorraine Rue, Gillian Davis and Ruth Elphick. Anyone who would like to register for morning tea, or other social activities can call Monica Wren at the Forbes Office on 6851 4550. Morning tea is a free event for Neighbourhood Central clients and transport is available. It is an opportunity for senior citizens still living in their own home to stay socially active and engaged in the community.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic: If you go down to Victoria Park tomorrow, you’re sure of a big surprise! The inaugural Forbes Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be held from 9.30am to 1.30pm and everyone is invited to attend. Bring your favourite teddy and stand a chance to win a prize for the best dressed teddy. There will be games, activities, crafts,
face painting, a jumping castle, storytelling, nursery rhymes and a barbecue. There will also be prizes, performances
by Mainly Music and Kristen’s Dance Studio, a Forbes Toy Library display and a major raffle, sponsored by Bunnings. Contact organiser Fiona Blyth on 0405 411 355 or Council’s Youth Development Assistant Clarissa Stewart on 6850 2357.

Council Comments…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

council

On Monday, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and his wife, Linda Hurley travelled to Forbes to thank volunteers and emergency service personnel who assisted during the recent floods. He was also met with flood-affected farmers, key agencies involved in the flood operation and visited the students and staff at Bedgerabong School. His Excellency thoroughly enjoyed his time in Forbes and
everyone involved appreciated being able to talk to him about their experiences during the flood.

The Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Forbes $20,000 Acquisition Prize and Open $4000 Prize winners were announced at the official opening last Thursday night. It was nice to catch up with the judge Clive Calder from Manly and to see residents and visitors in attendance. The winner of the Acquisition Prize was The Hunter by Damian Vick and the Open Prize winner was The Mark Maker by Brett Garling.

If you haven’t had a chance to have a look at the sculptures in Albion Park or around town, they are definitely worth a look. The Forbes BOSCARS Business Awards Gala Dinner is tonight. It is a wonderful night to celebrate business excellence in our town and I congratulate all the businesses that have been nominated.

Tomorrow is the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which is an event Council is supporting for Children’s Week. It is from 9.30am to 1pm at Victoria Park and will be a great day out for the whole family.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Letter to the Editor…

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,
Thank you for providing such a valuable asset to our community. My clients are avid readers of the Forbes Phoenix; and as they are mostly on the aged pension, money is always an issue. They often tell me how much they love the Phoenix, because they can keep up to date with the community happenings without having to spend a cent.
Monica Wren, Administrator
Forbes Neighbourhood Central

Cuppa With A Copper

October 27, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

img_0016

Locals had the opportunity to have a Cuppa with a Copper at Victoria Park on Wednesday. It was the first such gathering in Forbes, but Superintendent Chris Taylor said these mornings have been held in villages around the Lachlan Area Command. It’s an opportunity to break down barriers between police and the public, and to chat
about anything or even raise a complaint. Senior Constable Wally Biles said that the ideal scenario would be for most people in town to know police by their first names. “Unless you’re in trouble or a crisis you’re not likely to talk to the police,” he said.

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 349
  • 350
  • 351
  • 352
  • 353
  • …
  • 405
  • Next Page »

Click here to download the recent issue (176) of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix (1.6MB PDF) – 13th February 2026

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

STAY CONNECTED

The Forbes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

Recent Articles

  • A $7.6 Million Boost For Forbes Future Water Security February 12, 2026
  • Mayoral Notes February 12, 2026
  • Snippets… February 12, 2026
  • Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship Returns February 12, 2026
  • Meet Indigenous Chef Mindy Woods At Forbes Crop Swap February 12, 2026

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

Editor 0432 337 278
editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Sales 0432 337 278
sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

View our Privacy Policy. View our Conflict Resolution Process. View our Ethics and Complaints Policy. Want to advertise with us? Information on our Community Promotions.

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in