A total of 403 pairs of spectacles were collected in the Recycle for Sight program run by the Forbes and District Lions Club. The program was run in both the Forbes and Parkes communities. OPSM and Parkes Optical Services in Parkes, and Phillip Wells Optometrists and Eyeware Plus in Forbes acted as drop off points for the program.

It was the fourth time the Lions Club has successfully run the program for the collection of used spectacles and sunglasses. These spectacles will be forwarded to a centre in Brisbane where they will be cleaned, graded and forwarded for use in the Lions Eye Projects in developing nations. Lions would like to thank all those who contributed used spectacles and thank you to the local optometrists who acted as collection points for the project.

“I am very pleased to be here, people have been marvellous and the staff have been so welcoming.” This is what Danny Green, newly appointed General Manager at the Forbes Shire Council had to say on his second day in the office on Tuesday.

Danny said he was keen to make the move to Forbes from the Gloucester Shire Council where he has been General Manager since 2012. “I see this job as a new challenge as I will be working in a bigger and better resourced environment.”

For Danny, who strongly believes in the power of the community, the most rewarding part of his role would be to achieve something for the community. “That kind of achievement gives me a good vibe, and it brings immediate results for the Council.” That is why his immediate plans are to start meeting the staff, as well as key stakeholders in the community “to see how we can support what others do”.

With his experience at various Councils in NSW and Tasmania and qualifications, Danny brings a holistic management style to include financial and business skills, people relations and community involvement. “In my last few positions in a general manager role, one of my strengths has been working with people. I really enjoy it.”

With a strong background in doing volunteer work, Danny cannot stress enough the importance of supporting the community, as it is the backbone of any small town. Looking to the future Danny sees Forbes as a very sustainable community with good education levels that will continue to grow with lots of opportunities at its doorstep, such as the inland rail project, the livestock facility and its ideal location for new developments.

When he is not in the office, Danny looks forward to spending time with his wife Kerrie walking around the lake, playing tennis and reading. Kerrie is also an avid volunteer in the community and is looking forward to getting involved in new ventures in Forbes.

They have four adult children. Danny was appointed by unanimous decision after a comprehensive recruitment process. “We are very lucky to have appointed someone as experienced and well qualified as Danny,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller.

The Nationals’ Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, has thanked the people of the Riverina and Central West for endorsing him to serve as their representative in Canberra for a third term.

“I am humbled the people of the Riverina have placed their trust in me once more to be their strong advocate in Canberra,” Mr McCormack said.

“With the Riverina’s new boundaries, many people in the electorate have put their faith in me for the first time to deliver for them as their Federal Member. “I am delighted with the result in Riverina and I will continue to be a strong advocate for the region in the next Parliament.”

Mr McCormack also paid tribute to the hard-working volunteers who worked on his successful campaign, as well as the other candidates who stood for Riverina for a hard-fought and respectful contest. “I want to thank my volunteers who gave up countless hours of their time to stand out in the cold helping me at polling booths, both at pre-poll and on election day,” Mr McCormack said.

“The other candidates in the race for Riverina have generated a genuine contest of ideas during the eight-week election campaign and our communities are stronger for having such passionate people wanting to represent them.”

While it will still be a number of days before the nationwide result is finalised, Mr McCormack said earlier this week, the election had delivered a resounding result for The Nationals elsewhere in the country. “Though Capricornia and Flynn in Queensland are still too close to call, the people of regional Australia have overwhelmingly endorsed The Nationals as the party to represent the needs and interests of their communities,” Mr McCormack said.

“I want to congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, on a toughly fought and successful campaign in New England, as well as Damian Drum in Murray, who pulled off a spirited victory in a tight three-cornered contest.”

The MP was in Forbes during the election campaign to announce funding for the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre as part of the Safer Streets program. Two closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at the centre at a cost of $13,600.

The Aboriginal web resource of the NSW Cancer Council is celebrating its first birthday. Launched during NAIDOC Week 2015, the site is designed for Aboriginal people affected by cancer, their community and carers, and health professionals to access information and resources.

“A year after going live, trends for what type of content visitors find most useful have become apparent,” said Annemaree Binger, Regional Manager Cancer Council NSW Western Region. “Aboriginal people told us that they wanted stories about Aboriginal people’s experiences with cancer, particularly stories about people who have survived cancer.”

These stories are popular, as well as stories from the community. One story called Robin Payne’s journey was a particular favourite. Practical pages, such as accommodation information for patients and carers, were also popular, as were research results, according to Annemaree.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death for Aboriginal people, who are 60% more likely to die from cancer than non-Aboriginal people. Committed to reducing these inequalities, Cancer Council NSW investigated the reason behind the increased death rate and assessed the cancer experiences of Aboriginal people in NSW through the Aboriginal Patterns of Cancer Care project (APOCC). Insights from the project have informed the content and structure of the website.

Honorary Professor Dianne O’Connell, lead researcher on the project at Cancer Council NSW, says that the APOCC project has provided Cancer Council NSW with a detailed understanding of the gaps in cancer care for Aboriginal people, including the barriers that are likely to prevent access to appropriate and timely cancer care.

“The information on our website for the Aboriginal community is designed to target the gaps identified by the research in clear and culturally appropriate formats.” Visit Cancer Council NSW’s website for Aboriginal people at: http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/aboriginalcancer/

For almost 40 years, the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days has been putting people living on the land in touch with the latest information, best practices and hundreds of exhibitors. Small farms, hobby farms, tree changers and small family holdings have been a focus, as it is often these ‘new chums’ that need a ‘leg up’ in dealing with all those things that need doing on the land, be it fencing, rain water storage, choosing livestock, machinery and implements or a robot drone to go fetch the sheep.

Equestrian activities have been growing in popularity at the event, reflecting how horses are increasingly the focus of many small, rural holdings. Come to the new display areas and enjoy talks from presenters such as Mark Langley and Merje Summiloff who will talk about horse starting and equine psychology.

A healthy dose of retail therapy is provided, Fashion Parades run three times a day, and the Founders Pavilion is packed with gourmet treats, fashion exhibits, private schools, health and home wares to satisfy to neediest shopper.

Events this year include three times a day fashion parades, displays from craftsmen such as Roy Davi the Leura bodger and a new permanent feature, the Festival of Yesteryear, a celebration of how things were done in the good old days. See you at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days 15th & 16th July, for more information see www.mudgeefielddays.com.au

The team at News on Rankin are looking forward to be offering the same great, friendly service shoppers have enjoyed from long serving local newsagents Ken and Margaret Nock.

Following an announcement last week that the Nock’s would be closing their Lachlan Street store, the News on Rankin team will continue to service the distribution areas of South Forbes as well as their current North Forbes territory.

“We’re excited to be welcoming Kerry Stephenson, who has delivered the papers for the Nocks for close to a decade, to our team,” said Gabe McMillan, News on Rankin owner. “Kerry will be continuing the service to all South Forbes residents and sub agents.”

The team at News on Rankin are working hard to ensure a smooth transition for all customers as they embark on a new chapter for the Rankin Street business, as well as ensuring services continue as usual for the Forbes community.

“I would love to take this opportunity to thank Ken and Margaret for their contribution to our industry over the past 30 years as well as their commitment to the business community of Forbes for this time,” Gabe said. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be dealing over the years both as a customer as well as business associate.”

“Ken and Margaret have offered a wonderful service to their clients for a long time and I want to ensure that with my team we continue to offer excellent customer service,” said Gabe. “I encourage anyone with queries to contact myself or one of my team and we will be more than happy to answer any questions for customers.”