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Spring Walks For The NPA Lachlan Valley

September 26, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The National Parks Association of NSW Lachlan Valley Branch have released their walks calendar for spring 2024.

• Sunday 15th September: SWWNR Cookamidgera. Meet at gate on Coonambro Way at 9am. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586. Medium 6kms.

• Wednesday 9th October: Back Yamma SF. Meet at gate on Forest East Rd off Parkes-Eugowra Rd at 9.30am. Contact Liz MacRaild 0455 915 989. Easy 7kms.

• Wednesday 13th November: “Kokoda” Northparkes Mines Offset Block. Meet at Lions Park, Molong Road, Parkes at 9am. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586. Medium 6kms.

• Wednesday 4th December: Christmas Party Bumberry Dam. Meet at 5pm for walk then picnic. BYO everything including chair, food either to be shared or eat your own as people prefer.

Please contact the listed walk leader the night before the walk if you intend to come.

A $2 donation for each walker is appreciated. New walkers are always welcome.

Walkers are reminded to bring along enough food and water for the entire day as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hat and sunscreen. A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair for the post- walk cuppa is recommended.

Easy: (5 to 10 kilometres) Mostly flat to slightly undulating topography. Walks are mostly on tracks or fire trails and of moderate distance. Suitable for those with a minimum level of fitness.

Medium: (5 to 8 kilometres) May be over moderate hills or rough terrain. May involve some off track walking. Walk may involve shorter distance overall due to rougher conditions. Suitable for an average fitness level.

Hard: (5 or more kilometres) Walk may involve hilly or mountainous terrain, rough tracks, a trackless route or an extended distance. Walk suitable for above average fitness level.

Danielle Mcdonald: Australian Off Road Champion

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Danielle McDonald (centre) celebrating with her team after being named AORC EW Champion for 2024.

Parkes local Danielle McDonald just keeps going from strength to strength. She stepped up this year from dominating in the Junior class and has just been named the EW Champion for 2024 in her first year racing in the Women’s division.

The EW championship is the Endruo Women’s class in the Australian Off Road Championship. The competition took place across four states, over six massive weekends. Danielle said, “This Championship means everything. I’ve been wanting this for years and to get it in my rookie year is unbelievable. I can’t believe we’re here!

“I raced 12 rounds of the AORC throughout this year, battling it out in the woman’s class against previous Australian Champion and my teammate Jess Gardiner, it was a super tight battle at the start of the year with Jess leading the championship by a few points. I managed to put my head down at rounds 5 and 6 and got a double win, which made me the new points leader I then went on to win all the rounds after that, I even won all my Tests (races) on Saturday for round 11.

“Thanks to my team the Yamaha JGR Ballards off road team and all the team’s sponsors big thanks to Yamaha Australia for all the support this year in the motocross scene and off roads. Big thanks to my mechanic at home Foodge Burrell and my trainer Aaron Rankmore for all the training.”

From The Mayor’s Desk

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Thank you to all the voters who turned out on Saturday – it is really very important to have your say in who represents you in the Local Government, the most visible sector of government and I personally believe the most ‘can do’ tier of government.

Our new council will not be declared until after September 27 when the postal votes officially close and can be counted. From there preferences will be distributed. It is unlikely that we will have a new council declared until early October. The regular monthly Council meeting will be held on Thursday 17 October with the new council.

Congratulations to the Forbes Foxes who won the men’s soccer Grand Final on the weekend, how fantastic to get a victory after nine years – especially on our beautiful home grounds. I loved seeing our town touched by Orange to support you all. I hope you all did too.

The NSW Government has opened the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy2041 with Litter Prevention Grants open for community groups. Funding is available for small scale on the ground projects litter prevention projects to larger strategy and implementation programs. EOIs close on 18 October. Do you have a great waste idea or solution? I am looking forward to meeting with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park next week to continue the discussion around the need for a new operating suite at Forbes District Hospital. We will be updating the Minister on the substantially increased surgical load at our hospital. This increase in surgical procedures in Forbes is reducing the waiting list for our larger regional base hospitals.

I will also be detailing for Minister Park the significant stimulus and economic incentives Forbes Shire Council has had in place to attract and retain medical health professionals, such as housing support and operational on costs to secure a stable medical workforce for our community.

Hoping to be able to get a commitment and an update from the Minister.

Until next week
Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

Snippets…

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The club is incredibly proud of Summers achievements and can’t wait to see her continue to grow, coach, and inspire students.

PCYC Parkes: A big congratulations to Summer Hurford for being nominated, and winning Sportsperson of the Year by the NAIDOC Advisory Group. Summer was an invaluable member of the recent Nations of Origin trip, where she contributed by fundraising for the event and offering her support in both the footy and senior leadership in our gymnastics events. She’s a true ray of sunshine in the gymnastics program and is proving to be a fantastic up-and-coming senior coach on the team.

Office Of Sport: The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program is now open! The grant program is aimed at providing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and associated equipment to NSW sport and recreation facilities and clubs. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to sporting and recreational organisations. Find out more here www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants

Forbes Youth Action Team: The September/October School Holiday Program is almost here and there are so many fun events taking place over the spring holiday break! Be sure to secure your spot in these events by registering online at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

1800RESPECT: Whether it’s you, a family member, a friend or a colleague experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, 1800RESPECT provides confidential counselling, information and support. Counsellors can be contacted through call, text, online chat or video call. Available 24/7. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or online chat – Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (except public holidays) Video call (no appointment needed).

Kerin Health: We’re pleased to announce that we will be holding two free information sessions in the next few weeks for Parents and Educators. Join us at Kerin Health to learn how to support children with their emotional, behavioural and sensory needs during these free Education Sessions with our experienced Occupational Therapist, Emilie. To learn more, or register for a session contact 0437 749 746.

Forbes Town And District Tennis Club: Bring the family this Sunday and have a fun day, win some prizes, spread awareness for Leo Doyle and help us raise some funds. To nominate for the pair’s competition please contact Peter Clifton on 0403 335 205. If you would like to know more about Leo’s journey so far, visit: https://rarevoices.org.au/personal-story/leos-story/

Follow this link to see the support Little Wings provide our community https://www.littlewings.org.au/

Arts Outwest: Dream Up Arts Activities For 2025

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The Country Arts Support Program of annual small grants is now open, but you only have a month left to apply. Funding the payment of artists and arts workers to undertake or manage arts activities in local communities across the NSW Central West.

What could you apply for? Examples of eligible activities include (but are not limited to): Arts or heritage based workshops, classes, performances, installations, exhibitions, screen/film making, writing or composition, development of new work, tours or talks, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, community seminars and forums, recordings or podcasts, new arts activities attached to festivals or events – as long as they have some element of public outcome.

Grants are available up to the amount of $3,000. Applications close: 5pm Thursday 17 October 2024. Guidelines here: https://artsoutwest.org.au/pf/casp/ You can call or email Arts OutWest to discuss your application: 02 6338 4657 artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

CASP is devolved funding from the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Inland Rail Major Works Are Underway

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Heavy machinery in the rail corridor safely carry out excavation work to lower the track under the Wyndham Avenue bridge during this week’s rail possession.

Major construction works on Inland Rail’s Stockinbingal to Parkes section are progressing on schedule. The works were carried out during a 100-hour shut down which closed the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction.

Workers across sites in and around Forbes have been working round the clock to progress major construction and return the line to operation. Work got under way last Friday 13 September, at 6pm, ahead of the shutdown and finished after the shut down, at 7am on Thursday 19 September.

Inland Rail has spent more than $6.5 million with 85 local businesses on the project between Albury and Parkes since July last year.

Since 2018, the Inland Rail project has spent more than $470 million with local businesses, with 676 local firms supplying the project and 744 tradies providing their skills.

James Kennedy, Delivery Director, Albury to Parkes (A2P), Inland Rail, said “The work being carried out takes a great deal of preparation behind the scenes so that we can achieve as much as possible during this period.

“Teams from Inland Rail and Martinus have been collaborating to achieve all of these goals as we progress toward delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by the end of 2027.

“I would like to thank community members for their patience and understanding while we have been carrying out construction on this major nation-building project.”

Treaven Martinus, Martinus Rail CEO and founder, said “We deeply appreciate the community’s understanding during this critical phase, as our teams work tirelessly to bring the Inland Rail project closer to completion, ensuring we deliver lasting benefits to the region.”

For information on the works, visit https://inlandrail.com.au/where-we-go/projects/stockinbingal-to-parkes/works-notifications/

Forbes Garden Club Notes

September 19, 2024 by Elvy Quirk

Marion Murray’s garden at Coonamble.

Forbes Garden Club held their monthly meeting on 27th of August at the home of Colleen Liebich, 22 Koala Place, where 38 members were in attendance.

The Friendship day luncheon at Young was the topic of discussion. The day is being held on the 13th October at Clifton Gardens and a cost of $60 includes the luncheon and a tour of the gardens. Members who are wishing to attend please bring your money along to the September meeting.

Colleen gave a brief talk on how she and her late husband Jeff started with a bare block of land, building the house and in the development application they had to include a layout of their planned garden. The garden is an easy care garden.Marlene Huff thanked Colleen for having members to her home for the monthly meeting.

Our special speaker was Marion Murray, our very own member who earlier this year retired to live in Forbes coming from Coonamble. Marion gave a vast talk on her life on the land, her childhood days, moving from place to place and establishing gardens. Marion has purchased a little home near our beautiful Lake and is enjoying meeting new people, forming friendships and once again establishing a garden.

Our Forbes show has once again concluded with a good display of flowers. To the members who took time to make an entry, well done.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday 24th September, 2pm at 16 Reymond Street. A trading table will once again be in operation, and don’t forget to bring your entries for flower of the month.

By Elvy Quirk

Prime Minister Ignores Farmers At National Farmer Rally

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to attend the National Farmer Rally outside Parliament House, instead, ignoring hundreds of farmers who travelled from all over Australia to plead with the Government to stop its anti-farming agenda.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said “For the Prime Minister to ignore hundreds of farmers, many who have spent days on end driving to Canberra from other states, shows that Labor doesn’t care about our agriculture industry.”

“Our Prime Minister isn’t interested in helping or even listening to those who produce our nation’s food and fibre. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins didn’t attend the rally either, which is incredibly disappointing given she has only just been appointed as Agriculture Minister.”

The National Farmer Rally organisers were calling for sensible changes including scrapping the truckie tax, scrapping new taxes for biosecurity and superannuation, scrapping water buybacks in the MurrayDarling Basin and protecting the Great Artesian Basin, scrapping unnecessary red tape from emissions reporting, known as Scope 3, and scrapping reckless renewables which will rip up prime agricultural land, protecting the 88-day backpacker visa, as well as overturning the decision to ban live sheep exports by sea.

“These requests are common sense solutions and without changes, farming will become unviable. The National Farmer Rally is the biggest in a generation – it has been more than 40 years since farmers have had to march on Parliament House because a federal government has made them feel so aggrieved.”

Snippets…

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Forbes Shire Council Works team members Lee and Blake.

Forbes Shire Council: Access to the Forbes Croquet Club at Lawler Street is now much easier and safer thanks to the work of Council’s Works team. Works completed include:
• Kerb cutting to create a new pathway.
• Installation of a ramp wide enough for prams.
• Digging out and installing wings.
• Installing fibre mesh.
• Concrete pouring.
• New topsoil to make the sides of the path neat and tidy.

R U OK? #RUOKDay2024 was on Thursday September 12th. But any day is the day to check in with those we care about and ask, ‘are you OK?’. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, try these four steps. 1) Ask R U OK?, 2) Listen, 3) Encourage action, 4) Check in. You can find conversation tips and download social tiles and posters of the four steps at www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

Parkes Shire Council: Are you ready to kickstart your career in business? Looking for a role that offers hands-on experience and growth? Applications for the 2025 Traineeship Program are open now. Applications close 22nd September 2024 and successful applicants will begin their career with Parkes Shire Council in February 2025. Apply now bit.ly/PSCcareers

National BBQ Championships Forbes: Sponsorship opportunities are available. Join us in hosting the 2024 National BBQ Championships. Contact events@forbes.nsw.gov.au to be a part of this amazing event showcasing the fabulous produce of the central west. Team nominations are now also open at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events/events-2024/november-2024/2024-national-bbq-championships. Enter early for your chance to compete in the 2024 National BBQ Championships.

business.gov.au: You don’t need to be an adult to run a business in Australia. If you’re a young person with a great idea, you can go ahead and start your own business. You can follow the main steps to start a business, but there are some extra things to consider when you’re starting a business under 18 years old: http://spklr.io/6187tZcv

Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society: A massive thank you to Ellice, Bianca and the whole team at Worklocker Parkes. The Cinderella and the Crystal Slippers cast look amazing in their beautiful production jackets. Tickets for Cinderella & The Crystal Slipper are on sale now at www.parkesmandd.com.au

Worklocker did an amazing job on the cast jackets.

Free Child Restraint Checks

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Have you had your child restraints checked to see if they are fitted correctly?

Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles, by offering free child restraint checks by Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Forbes on Wednesday 18 September and in Parkes on Friday 20 September 2024.

The Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that these free child restraint checking days are held bi-annually, are well patronised and are important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we have checked at previous events have had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child – such as tightening and untwisting straps, fitting gated buckles and correcting the seatbelt’s path through the restraint.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe” Ms Suitor said.

The upcoming child restraint checking days will be held in Forbes on Wednesday 18th September from 11am – 3pm and in the carpark at Lions Park, and in Parkes on Friday 20th September from 11am – 3pm in the carpark at Kelly Reserve. Bookings are essential, simply phone 6861 2364 to secure your place.

Information about the child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will also be available.

For further information about the free child restraint checking days or to book in, please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

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