Articles Archives - Page 96 of 424

Snippets…

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sharon Bevill of Currajong Disability Services.

Currajong Disability Services: Congratulations to Currajong’s Sharon Bevill on being nominated for the 2023 Condobolin Business Awards for outstanding employee. Sharon was a finalist for this award, with the event being held last Friday night.
Well done Sharon on this wonderful achievement, your care, support and dedication to participants does not go unnoticed, thank you.

Lifeline: In 2022, a total of 3,249 Australian lives were lost to suicide. Behind every statistic there is a person. We remember those who died by suicide in 2022, and those who attempted suicide. We acknowledge the many people left behind who are learning to live a life without their loved ones. Every life lost is a tragedy which beyond the individual person affects families, workplaces and communities. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed and needs support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days). We’re here to listen.

TAFE NSW Forbes: Enrol now 900-81908 Statement of Attainment in Introduction to Welding at Forbes Campus 3rd to 6th October 2023, 8.00am – 4.30pm each day. Fully subsidised course. Participants must be: 16 years or older, no longer be at school and live or work in NSW. Places are limited so get in quick. Enrol at: https://online-enrolments.oneebs.tafensw.edu.au/

If you are under 18 please contact 0438 565 918 during office hours for details of how to enrol. RTO 90003

Central West Farming Systems: Field walk with Wendy Gill from Achieve Ag Consultancy on Thursday, 5th October from 3-5pm at the producer demonstration site: “North Condobolin,” Boona Road, Condobolin (meet at the shearing shed)Book now at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1124035. For information, contact Diana Fear, CWFS CEO 0427 897 530.

Fire and Rescue NSW: With the weather warming up, it’s not uncommon for us to be called out to help with some reptilian guests. Just another day on the job for our firefighters, who regularly train to keep up their snake retrieval sssskills fresh to protect them and the community.

National BBQ Championships Forbes: We are excited to have Master Chef contestant and Taste of Australia foodie Hayden Quinn judging the 2023 National BBQ Championships on 28th October at Grinsted Oval. Come down and watch the cooking demonstration and get your team together and register today on the Fobes Council website.

Popular TV Chef Hayden Quinn will be Judging the 2023 National BBQ Championships.

One Of Australia’s Deadliest Cancers Has Doubled In The Last 20 Years

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Data just released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)i estimates that more Australians than ever before will be claimed by pancreatic cancer, a disease that is, for the first time, acknowledged to be a common cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has a devastatingly low five-year survival rate of only 12.5%. The disease is predicted to claim more lives than breast cancer this year (an estimated 3,669 people) and has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers. Over 4500 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and 80 per cent of patients will die within 12 months.

“Pancreatic cancer results in limited visibility and reduced public awareness, and consequently, many people are aware that pancreatic cancer is now a common cancer,” says Michelle Stewart, CEO of PanKind, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

“In contrast, more high-profile cancers experience survival rates of over 90% while for pancreatic cancer the survival rate is only 12.5%, which drops alarmingly to just 6.8% for people who live in regional Australia,” continued Ms Stewart. There has never been a more critical time to call for increased funding.”

Forbes Garden Club Meeting Report

September 21, 2023 by Green Thumb

Guest speaker Pol Cruz with his Bonsai display.

At the last meeting Elvy Quirk welcomed 36 members present and introduced Leonie Todd, thanking her for making her garden available for the meeting. Leonie then spoke about her garden which was only small when she moved there, but plants from family and friends have brought many lovely additions.

We were all happy to hear Gail Mendham is on the mend and doing well.

Arrangements are being made for the Open Garden’s weekend 14th and 15th October, with flyers sent to other clubs and local outlets. Members are needed to sell raffle tickets.

The guest speaker at the meeting was Pol Cruz, with his display of bonsai. He is an artist who also paints and works with clay Some of his bonsai included an olive tree found on a creek bank in South Australia reported to be 70 years old, a paper bark tree from the old Forestry 30 years old, an English Ash from Grenfell and a lichen covered rock all had a story connected in his display. He also gave tips on watering and pruning, as several members brought their own bonsai to show him. Janette Thomas moved a vote of thanks.

Raffle winners were first Jenny Dwyer and second Denise Thurston. Flower of the month winners were first Sylvia Glasson with an orchid, second Marg West with an orchid, and third Margo Rath with a camellia.

The next meeting will be at the home of Irene and Trevor Ford, 52 Calarie Road on Thursday 28th September at 2pm. Please bring a hat, chair and cup. Members are also asked to bring along $60 to pay for our 70th birthday celebrations on 11th November.

By Green Thumb

Snippets…

September 21, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Parkes Shire Library: Check out the Marramarra Makerspace school holiday program and come join us for some building fun as we make marble runs and build paper towers. Open to 6-12 year olds. Bookings essential on 6861 2309 or at the library.

Hearing Australia: Are excited to launch their new range of hearing devices which include options that are discreet, rechargeable, and feature auto adjust. For over 75 years, Hearing Australia has provided expert hearing care for all Australians, so whatever your lifestyle or budget, you can trust our audiologists to find the right hearing aid for you. Book an appointment at www.hearing.com.au

Parkes Elvis Festival: Book your tickets now for the 50’s Greatest Hits Concert with Aaron W Mansfield and Anthony Fenech with special guest Elvis tribute artists. The talented Aaron will have you singing laughing and dancing as he wears the hats of the most famous entertainers of our generation. Bushmans Motor Inn, Thursday 11th January at 7pm. Purchase tickets at 123tix.

If you need assistance call 123TIX on 02 6881 8632.

Trundle ABBA Festival: WiFi services will be stretched with the amount of attendees expected at this year’s Trundle ABBA Festival. Make sure to be prepared with cash before arriving in Trundle to avoid disappointment. Please do not expect to withdraw cash when you arrive in Trundle. We can’t wait to see you all there!

NSW Government Budget Update: Here’s how NSW is managing the 2023-24 State Budget. This budget aims to:

• Build more homes amidst the housing crisis

• Fund more essential workers for our public services

• Revitalise our schools, hospitals, transport and roads

• Find out what all this means for you https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/my-budget

Grazing Down The Lachlan: And that’s a wrap! Thank you so much for coming on the Grazing journey with us for 2023. This event couldn’t happen without the dedicated and passionate committee behind it – thank you so much to Kath Garland, Olivia Turner, Kylie Brockmann, Kim Muffet and (not pictured but equally as important!) Emily Wilson, Emma Ridley and Jill Morgan.

Grazing Down The Lachlan Committee members. Photo credit to Monique Lovick Photography.

Parkes Welcomes New Mayor Neil Westcott

September 21, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Newly elected Mayor Neil Westcott, new Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee and Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Parkes Shire has welcomed a new leadership team with Neil Westcott successfully elected as Mayor and Marg Applebee as Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Neil Westcott went on to say, “To the directors and staff at PSC, to my fellow councillors, to the people of Parkes and to my family present with me here today. I am truly honoured to stand here now as the newly elected mayor of Parkes Shire.

“A newly elected Mayor in this place doesn’t happen very often. In fact, before today it has only happened four times in the last 57 years.

“I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to our previous Mayor – Ken your leadership has taken Parkes Shire from good to great, your hard work and passion for our patch on this earth is an inspiration and I look forward to continuing and hopefully building on all you have initiated. Thanks most certainly also goes to your wife Sue for the huge role she has played in making your civil service possible. Enjoy the back benches – go easy on me.

“Congratulations Cr Appleby, Parkes has a wonderful new Deputy Mayor, one whom I already know will be a more than adequate spare to the mayor.

“My family bring me great joy, great support and they give me courage and strength. Thank you once again for this huge honour, I don’t take it lightly and look forward to building on your significant legacy Ken.”

Concerns NSW Budget Will Not Tackle Growing Disadvantage In NSW

September 21, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Peak social services body NCOSS welcomed some of the investments in the NSW Government’s 2023-24 Budget, but called for urgent support for those living in poverty.

NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty acknowledged the significant financial pressures on the Budget, but expressed concern for those doing it toughest in NSW right now.

“It’s great to see investment in schools and hospitals across Western and South Western Sydney. These are growth suburbs where families need ready access to these essential facilities,” Ms Quilty said.

“But they are also the suburbs where we see the highest concentrations of disadvantage, where disadvantage is deepening and where cost of living pressures are hitting hardest.

“As cost-of-living pressures ramp up and the affordable housing crisis grows, we need urgent, increased investment in front-line supports such as neighbourhood centres, tenants advice, domestic violence services, financial counselling and mental health supports.

“This Budget does not do enough to help those barely hanging on

Wiradjuri Cultural Tour For Inland Rail Staff

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Ahead of construction work starting on the Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) Inland Rail section in the next few weeks, the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre has led an immersive cultural tour for staff of Inland Rail and S2P major contractor Martinus Rail.

The tour included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, a lunch of native foods, and the Inland Rail and Martinus staff were hosted on a journey to see sites of cultural significance along Lake Forbes by the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre team.

Aunty Wendy, from the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, said “We welcomed the opportunity to host the Inland Rail and Martinus Rail teams on a tour of cultural sites in Forbes. Together we spent time at the yarning circle and visited the bronze “Family Matters” sculpture and totem poles which tell stories from our community.

Melvyn Maylin, Inland Rail Director of Program Delivery for Albury to Parkes, said “Inland Rail will be consulting with First Nations leaders at every opportunity to ensure progress on the program of works in southern New South Wales is carried out in cooperation with those First Nations communities.

“The cultural appreciation tour was a great opportunity to discuss the history of our first peoples, be more aware of our environment and make conscious decisions about preserving cultural heritage going forward.

“We would like to thank the team at the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for a meaningful and positive tour, and we look forward to continuing this relationship between the Wiradjuri people and Inland Rail.”

For more information on how Inland Rail is working with First Nations communities, head to https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/building-inland-rail/working-with-communities/working-with-first-nations-communities/.

Snippets…

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Early detection of Prostate Cancer is the key to survival.

Attention All Men: All men over 50 years, need regular testing for prostate cancer, and over 40 years if runs in family. The Parkes Prostate Cancer and Support Group have small information booklets available. It is extremely important to have regular PSA and physical testing as statistics show, if the cancer is diagnosed early the disease can be more effectively treated. Do not be turned away by your GP. Nearly 70 australian men are now diagnosed daily and more than 10 dying every day from Prostate Cancer. The number of deaths have increased by 5% this year primarily as a result of only 36% of Prostate Cancers detected at stage 1 when the disease can be more effectively treated.

Big News For The Eugowra Show: Thanks to very generous donors who support events through the GIVIT platform, The Eugowra Show committee have been given the funds to allow every resident of the Eugowra community free membership and entry to the Eugowra Show for 2023. Please book your membership tickets online or at the gate: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/40043/eugowra-show-2023

Rural Aid Offers Relief To Varroa-Affected Beekeepers: Australia’s most trusted rural charity has restated its support of commercial beekeepers as concern mounts over the continuing spread of the invasive varroa mite.

More than 260 outbreaks of varroa mite have now been detected since June 2022, when the alarm was first raised at the Port of Newcastle.

Rural Aid has provided more than $500,000 to beekeepers since 2015 and is ready to again provide a ‘hand up’ to producers when it was needed most. Rural Aid has experienced an increase in calls from distressed beekeepers who are understandably upset that their livelihoods and livestock are in jeopardy.

Varroa-mite affected beekeepers can apply for assistance at www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided. Donations are needed, so if you would like to help you can make a donation at https://varroamite.ruralaid.org.au/

Parkes Shire Libraries: Don’t forget, The Cardboard Show is now open in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Shire Library. Come and see these spectacular artworks made by our talented community!

Bookings are now open for Term 3 School Holiday Activities taking place across three of our Library branches in the holidays. Contact Parkes Library for more information on 02 6861 2309.

Visit The Cardboard Show at The Parkes Shire Library and register for school holiday events.

Dirty Gloves Nursery Open Day This Saturday

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Spring has sprung and what better place to celebrate than Parkes’ newest plant nursery, Dirty Gloves Nursery. Mitch and Casey Miles along with their three children, Finn (five), Noah (two) and Harper (9 months), seized the opportunity when news that the towns local nurseries were closing their gates permanently.

The family of five, at the time, struggled to find sufficient childcare to return to previous work and so they decided to take their already small hobby of growing vegetables, succulents and other garden ornamentals, and turn it into a small home nursery.

“I was already selling a few things from the front garden, so to erect a shade house in our paddock and expand what we had to offer was a very exciting opportunity” Miles said.

Boasting a variety of trees, flowers, grasses, bushes, natives, fruit and nut trees, roses and vegetables, Dirty Gloves Nursery has all you need to make your garden shine with colour, texture and fragrances.

There’s even a selection of garden art available from concrete statues to welded flowers and animals, even glass flowers made from recycled plates.

“We like fun and creative ways to spruce up the garden. There’s no shortage of creativity amongst our family members,” said Miles.

Although the nursery has been operating since January the urge to share some of the spring fever has prompted an open day event. Surrounding communities are encouraged to come and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and picnic on the grassed area at the front of the nursery to celebrate the new business’ first spring.

“We are very excited to share our love for gardening with the people of Parkes and surrounding communities,” Miles explained. “With the prices rising across all other living expenses we want to offer quality plants and garden art at an affordable price.”

Dirty Gloves Nursery open day will be this Saturday 16th September from 10am – 2pm at 54 Corcoran Road Parkes. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Grazing Down The Lachlan Celebrates Its Fifth Year

September 14, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Grazing Down the Lachlan returns to Forbes this Saturday 16th September, celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, culture, art, entertainment and history.

A total of 550 ‘Grazers’ (guests) are expected on site at Gum Swamp for an epic long lunch celebrating produce from Central West NSW, prepared by local restaurateurs and caterers.

This year the committee are thrilled to have Brendan Sheldrick onboard as Creative Director to inject a new and local perspective on Grazing 2023’s six course menu.

“In addition to a Greek-inspired menu, Grazers will also enjoy local wines, beer and non-alcoholic beverages at each station and be entertainment by musicians, dancers and interactive art on site.”

“Grazers can expect some beautiful, simple Greek flavours where the produce is the hero, as well as woodfire cooking, pastries and sweets – a bit of a nod to Australian / Greek cafe and takeaway culture,” Brendan said.

What makes this dining experience a truly unique is the underlying commitment to delivering a no-waste, environmentally responsible event. Every Grazer is supplied with an event bag made locally by Woolerina from recycled fabric, which contains an enamel plate, recycled cutlery, a lanyard, menu map, and a napkin made from donated linens.

Grazers are transported out to site by bus to minimise the impact on the natural environment and are then free to wander along the two-kilometre bush track between

six stations offering delicious food with a matched beverage. At the final station, Grazers are encouraged to donate these items back to Grazing to be used again.

Proceeds of Grazing Down the Lachlan support the Forbes Arts Society. Funds raised through the event to-date have facilitated the commissioning of 20 new sculptures to extend the Sculpture Down the Lachlan public art trail, the redevelopment of Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge and the development of Gallery Forbes. In 2022, $30,000 was raised for the Forbes Arts Society.

The event has significant economic benefits for the Forbes Shire, injecting over $400,000 into the local economy each year.

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