Regional Health Advisory Panel: Mayor of Parkes Cr Ken Keith is one of the local leaders appointed to the new Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel. The panel forms part of the NSW Government’s response to the Rural Health Inquiry with support in principle for 41 of the 44 recommendations. Other local leaders included are Orange GP Dr Anna Windsor and Broken Hill Midwife Meg Austin. The government will be recruiting 10,148 full-time equivalent staff to hospitals and health services across the state over four years – the nation’s largest-ever health workforce boost. 

Rural Crime: A new Rural Crime Investigator position in Orange has been created for two specialist investigators backed in by the existing two specialist investigators in Parkes. Rural crime specialist investigators focus on a range of crimes from theft of stock, grain or wool, rural arson and fraud, firearm offences, to cruelty to animals or trespassing. The new position has boosted the total number of Rural Crime Investigators in the NSW Police Force to 53. 

Nominate A Tradie: Our Tradie of the Month competitions in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively, continues this month. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear with your nomination, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. 

Central West Photography Competition: ‘Central West Unmasked’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s (RDA Central West) annual photography competition. Entrants are encouraged to capture the true essence and hidden gems of their hometowns. Entry is free and open to all ages. The closing date is 5pm on Friday, 30th September. Entrants can submit up to four photographs. More information at www.rdacentralwest.org.au 

It’s Magpie Season! Magpies usually breed between August and October and will beak clap, whoosh above your head and screech to warn other birds, animals and humans to stay away from their eggs or newly hatched chicks. Forbes Shire Council will be placing warning signs in areas where there are swooping birds. Magpies tend to only swoop within 100 metres of their nest. Stay calm if you are swooped, and don’t run or wave your arms. Magpies are protected. If the attacks continue or are extremely aggressive contact NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

Leads Please: Forbes Shire Council has received numerous complaints about dog owners not using leads around Lake Forbes. Remember that responsible dog ownership is important, and that dogs in public places must always be on a lead or leash unless they are in a specified off-leash area. Always keep your dog on a lead in public places. 

Bust Your Energy Bills: Applications for the NSW Government’s Energy Bill Buster program to help households slash their power bills by up to $600 a year are now open. Eligible households include pensioners and Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders receiving the Low Income Household Rebate. Households can check their Bill Buster eligibility and apply at www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/rebate-swap. 

Free RATs: Pensioners and other concession card holders can now get up to 10 free rapid antigen tests (RATs) from any Service NSW Service Centre, Mobile Service Centre or Disaster Recovery Centre until the end of October. Eligible Commonwealth Concession Card holders in NSW include: Pensioner Concession card; Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card; Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care card); Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards. For more information visit Free rapid antigen tests to support vulnerable communities | NSW Government or any Service NSW Service Centre. 

Unclaimed Money: Older people are encouraged to check if they have money owing to them with more than half a billion dollars currently sitting with Revenue NSW. Anyone can use the free service on the Revenue NSW website to search for unclaimed money. The unclaimed funding includes share dividends, trust accounts, refunds, commissions, deceased estates and money from a range of other sources. Go to https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/ unclaimed-money 

Free Food Organics Workshop: Parkes Shire Council is hosting a free food organics workshop on Tuesday, 27th September from 5:30pm – 7pm at the Marramarra Makerspace Studio. Food and garden waste accounts for almost half of waste materials, takes up limited landfill space and creates harmful greenhouse gases when it breaks down. Bookings are necessary for catering purposes. To reserve your spot, visit: https://bit.ly/3cjLqTd 

Bulky Waste Collection: Parks Shire Council will be providing a bulky waste kerb-side collection from Monday, 5th to Friday, 16th September for larger items. It will also help to divert items suitable for recycling from landfill. Items are to be placed neatly next to the edge of the kerb and secured to avoid windblown littering. The total volume of waste must not exceed two cubic meters. Mattresses will be collected via a separate service during this time, and green waste will not be accepted during this round.

Get Skilled For Free: NSW residents who want to get skilled for a first job, a new job or a better job will have more opportunities to access fee-free training. The joint NSW/Federal Government funded JobTrainer program provides fee-free training in response to the impact of COVID-19. For more information on eligibility and locations of the fee-free training courses across NSW including online, visit https://education.nsw. gov.au/skills-nsw.

Safer Havens For DV Victims: The NSW Government is investing over $500,000 for security upgrades at more than 80 women’s refuges across NSW to protect women and children leaving domestic violence. The security upgrades will include replacing external fluorescent emergency lighting with energy-efficient vandal-proof lights and the installation of additional external illumination in poorly lit areas, including front and back yards, pathways, garages and other outdoor structures.

Flood Risk Managerment: Forbes Shire Council is seeking input from the community to help revise its Flood Risk Management Study and Plan. Council is looking for information, anecdotes, stories and images from the 2016 and 2021 floods to help inform the revised plan. Council is providing a variety of opportunities for the community to have input into this survey: Complete the survey online at YourSay Forbes: https://yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au/forbes-floodplain-risk-management-study-and-plan-consultation, complete a paper form, or email flood@forbes.nsw.gov.au. There will be a drop-in session on Friday, 2nd September from 9am-5pm at the Council Office.

Farm Financial Skills Workshop: On Thursday, 1st September farmers can attend a free workshop in Forbes from 8:30am to 3:30pm on the financial skills essential to managing an agricultural operation. The practical Financial Skills Workshops is offered by Rabobank’s Client Council, and will provide practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explore topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile. Make sure complete your registration to ensure a spot at https://rabobankaunz.eventsair.com/financial-skills-workshops/registration/Site/Register 

Trash Into Treasure: Households are encouraged to step up their recycling efforts to help contribute to a cleaner environment and transition to a circular economy in NSW. Minister for Environment James Griffin said: “Two thirds of all waste in NSW is already being recycled, and we want to do even better to boost the circular economy.” Use the Recycle Mate app to tell you exactly what can and can’t be recycled in your local government area. Sixty-four per cent of all waste generated in NSW is recycled, being remade into new items such as building materials, packaging, and new food and drink containers.

Spring Bee Swarming: New measures have been put in place as part of the Varroa mite emergency response to help deal with an expected increase in bee activity as the weather heats up. “Bees typically swarm during warmer months as a way of establishing new colonies, so we’re reminding people to be aware that these swarms can become feral or unmanaged,” said NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders. “Reporting these swarms and colonies is really important so we’re asking members of the public to exercise caution and contact the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), so they can take targeted action to remove them. If you come across a feral bee colony, contact DPI’s Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 (9am to 5pm, seven days a week). For more information on the Varroa mite emergency response, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa 

Reading Day: The annual PAINT THE TOWN REaD day in Parkes is back next Friday, 26th August and this year’s theme is Paint Parkes REaD, Rhymingly. The theme is focusing on traditional nursery rhymes, contemporary rhymes, ditties and made-up rhymes – basically all things rhyming. Primary school students and pre-school kids can look forward to a fantastic day filled with many different shows and activities, including a graffiti wall, photo booth and lots more, from 9:30am in Cooke Park and the CBD.

Trishaw Open Day: The Parkes Trishaw Committee is inviting the community to come for a ride on the trishaw at Lions Park on Saturday, 17th September from 10am. This is a great day for those who have not yet given it a try to spend time in the fresh air and to feel the wind in your hair. Trained riders pilot the electrically assisted trishaw to give passengers a 20-minute ride. Go to the Cycling Without Age Parkes facebook page to find out more about this great initiative to get people who are less mobile outside in the sunshine. Bring down your parents, friends or children for a ride. For more information call 0448 166 016. 

Elvis Photo Comp: Did you snap a great photo at the Parkes Elvis Festival? Entries are open for the Elvis Photography Competition and Exhibition. Categories include: best smartphone image (all ages); best digital camera image (all ages); overall champion and overall highly commended. Entries close at 5pm on 2nd September 2022. Online entries at https://bit.ly/23photo 

New RFS Helicopter For Central West: A new multi-purpose NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) helicopter was launched at Dubbo recently at the Royal Flying Doctor Service base. The $6 million helicopter is the first one for the RFS to be permanently based at Dubbo, which will significantly boost emergency response capabilities across the Central West. 

Job Opportunities For Biosecurity Detector Dog Handlers: The biosecurity detector dog program is recruiting new dog handlers for Australia’s world class detector dog program at airports, seaports and mail pathways. Being a detector dog handler and working with dogs daily is a fun job that also plays an important role in Australia’s biosecurity system. Candidates need to be engaging, resilient and results driven. The new recruitment round is open to the general public and anyone interested is encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will receive biosecurity foundation training as well as detector dog handler training. For more information visit agriculture.gov.au/detector-dogs 

Outdoor Gym: Forbes Shire Council is installing new outdoor gym equipment after receiving funding from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Fund for the Lake Forbes Activation Plan. There will be two stations at Lake Forbes. One behind Forbes Public School and another on the other side of the lake at Lions Park with five pieces of equipment at a station. The installation will take approximately two weeks to complete. The area will be fenced off but will not disrupt walking around the lake.

Faulty Streetlights: You can now report a faulty streetlight and receive updates through Essential Energy’s website. With the new easy-to-use reporting tool, you can help make your streets safer by letting them know when there’s a streetlight that needs to be repaired. Seen a flickering light? Click this link to report it: www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages/streetlight

Nominate A Tradie: Our Tradie of the Month competitions in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively, continues this month. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear with your nomination, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

Digital Seniors Card: Seniors in NSW are continuing to embrace the digital card with more than 100,000 people now taking advantage of the digital Seniors Card. While there would always be a non-digital version, many seniors are taking advantage of the digital option to access discounts and benefits on dining out, entertainment and travel. The Seniors Card has become the largest program of its kind in Australia since it was first introduced in 1992. To learn more visit service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/nsw-seniors-card-program

Mullets for Mental Health: Serious warning! Mullets are set to take over local communities in an 80s influx you won’t be able to resist! The Black Dog Institute’s Mullets for Mental Health campaign is officially back for 2022 and Aussies are encouraged to start growing those luscious locks for the month of September to raise much needed funds for mental health research. Almost 80% of Australians claimed their mental health had worsened due to the pandemic.

Nominate A Tradie Today: Today, 29th July, is the closing date for this month’s Tradie of the Month competitions in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear to nominate a tradie, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. 

Community Funding: Not-for-profit organisation in the Parkes Shire can apply for funding. Round 1 for the 2022/23 Community Financial Assistance program is now open! The Parkes Shire Council is encouraging groups and organisations to apply for a donation, a waiving of fees and charges, seed or growth funding. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 13th August. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3yIjI9W 

Charity Ball: Northparkes Mines will be hosting a Frontline Charity Ball at the Parkes Leagues Club on Saturday, 20th August to raise funds and celebrate the emergency services within our local communities. The evening will consist of a sit down dinner, live music by Gabemusic and auctions. It will also feature special guest hosts The Eighth Mile Consultancy Pty Ltd. Tickets available via: https://bit.ly/3uTGIlh 

Aboriginal Language For Personal Use: TAFE NSW Forbes is taking Expressions of Interest in Certificate I in Fundamental Aboriginal Languages for Personal Use. TAFE is looking at starting a part time course on a Wednesday night that would run for 17 weeks at the Forbes campus. This would be a fully subsidised course and is open to all students. Learn the foundations to reading and writing in your local language and join your community in protecting and promoting traditional languages for generations to come. Register your expression of at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage 

AFL Trees: Fans of AFL and the environment will be pleased to hear that Planet Ark and National Tree Day major sponsor Toyota Australia are teaming up with the AFL to plant trees around Australia. During rounds 17-19, the AFL’s sustainability rounds, a native Australian seedling will be planted for every point scored across all games! 

Downloaded the iRecycle Forbes app: The app helps you keep track of which bin is collected on which day and has all the info for annual and special event collections in Forbes. The next Bulky Waste Collection is in the first week of August. Download the app to find out what can and can’t be collected. The app also has easy to read A to Z waste info, bin info and forms at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/irecycle-forbes-app

Does your organisation need funding? Time is running out to get your applications in for Forbes Shire Council’s Community Funding Program. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 31st July. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5,000 as cash or in-kind support (or a combo). For more information and the application form go to the SmartyGrants portal at https://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au/ 

Parkes Customer Request System Upgrade: Parkes Shire Council has upgraded the Customer Request Management (CRM) system to improve the customer service experience. Residents are now able to report issues and raise requests online at any time from any device. Customers can track their request and receive updates as they progress. To use the new customer request system, visit Council’s website. 

Have you heard about Snap Send Solve? The free app allows customers to notify Parkes Shire Council of issues in the shire. Simply capture and send photos with a report via the app wherever you are, on the spot. The issue will be sent directly to Council and entered into the new CRM system. Visit www.snapsendsolve.com 

Trundle ABBA Festival: Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Trundle ABBA Festival on 15th October for over nine hours of family-friendly entertainment headlined by Bjorn Again, the World’s No. 1 ABBA tribute band. Go to www.trundleabbafestival.com.au. 

New Venue For Parkes Community Choir: The Parkes Community Choir is changing its practice venue to the Parkes Public School Hall. Access is via Hill Street. The Parkes Community Choir will begin Term 3 on Thursday, 21st July from 7pm until 8:30pm. Term 3 will run for eight weeks. This is a free, fun activity and everyone is welcome. You do not need to be able to sing, you just need to love to sing. 

Does your organisation need funding? Forbes Shire Council’s Community Funding Program is open for applications until midnight on Sunday, 31st July. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5,000 as cash or in-kind support (or a combo). For more information and to view and complete the application form head to the SmartyGrants portal at https://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au/ 

Nominate A Tradie – Forbes & Parkes: Remember to nominate your favourite tradie in our exciting Tradie of the Month competitions running in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear to nominate a tradie, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Friday, 29th July. 

Record Apprentice Intake: A record number of new apprenticeships and trainees will be hired to work on vital road and transport infrastructure in the regions. Applications are now open for 135 placements – an 80% increase on last year. Opportunities will be available across 10 disciplines, including civil construction, bridge construction, painting and blasting, electrical, heavy diesel mechanic, business administration, project management and three new programs in marketing and communications, finance and safety, environment and quality. Applications close midnight 7th August. For more information: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/apprentice-trainees 

RSPCA Cupcake Day: RSPCA NSW is encouraging supporters to sign up and host a Cupcake Day event at home, school, or work, on any day in August. Over 100,000 animals turn to the RSPCA looking for help, every year. RSPCA Cupcake Day is the chance raise funds to fight animal cruelty. Signing up is a piece of cake, head to www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au and start baking for a pawsome cause. 

Free Flu Shots Extended To 17th July: There is still time to get your free flu shots available to all NSW residents until 17th July. According to Health Minister Brad Hazzard only one in four children aged under five had a flu shot, while the figures are even lower for kids aged five to 15. He urged families to use the school holidays to book in for a free flu shot. The low uptake in the Central West has been of concern to health authorities. 

NSW Seniors Festival Grants: Local councils, not-for-profit organisations and community groups can apply for grant funding to host events and activities as part of the 65th annual NSW Seniors Festival. Grants up to $10,000 are available to ensure older people remain active and connected within their communities no matter where they live, the language they speak and irrespective of their abilities. The Seniors Festival will run from 1 to 12 February 2023. Applications for grants are open to 1st August. To apply and for more information about the grants, visit www.nsw.gov.au/seniors-festival 

Stop It And Swap It This Plastic Free July: To mark the beginning of Plastic Free July, the NSW Government is partnering with 17 organisations to help communities stop using single-use plastic. NSW EPA and the Great Plastic Rescue will support businesses with excess lightweight single-use plastic bags by offering a service for collection and reprocessing of that stock. OzGreen and Green Music Australia will work with music festivals and food vendors to introduce more sustainable ways of doing business, and education campaigns will be launched through Girl Guides and Men’s Sheds across the state. From 1 June, lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned in NSW. From November, the NSW Government is banning additional single-use items, including plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds, expanded polystyrene food ware and cups, and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60% of all litter in NSW. The ban will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in NSW over the next 20 years. For more information about the NSW plastics ban, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban For ideas on how to stop it and swap it this Plastic Free July, visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/environment-heritage/plastics-action-plan/stop-it-swap-it