Forbes Phoenix

LETTER to the Editor

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I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Tamworth Hall Of Fame committee and Lorraine Pfitzner for their time and support.

Also, a big thank you to the following people. My sisters, Sissie Jelbart and Marlene Harold and my brother in-laws, Barry Jelbart and Greg Harold. My cousin Denyse Roff and her husband Bruce.

My friends Brenda Taylor, Bob Gregory and Kate Daneil and the Gorton family. There are so many more to list…

Also, a big thank you to my Facebook friends for all their wishes and support. I feel very grateful and humble. Last but not least, The Forbes Phoenix for the interest and support.

Your friend,

Nev Molloy

Letter to the Editor

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Neighbourhood Central would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2018 brings peace, health and happiness. We would like to thank everyone that has supported our social groups in 2017, our excellent guest speakers, our marvellous volunteers and of course, Forbes Shire Council for allowing us to meet at our beautiful Town Hall. Stay safe and well hydrated over summer, as we are looking forward to doing it all again come February. We would also like to thank the Forbes Library staff and our Housebound Library volunteers for the outstanding effort you demonstrate every month while delivering reading material. Our deep thanks also to the Community Visitor volunteers. Both services provide vital social contact and inclusion for many in the Forbes community. Last thanks go to our exceptional team of Community Transport Drivers and Driver Supports, allowing an ease of access to medical appointments in Orange and Dubbo. All our volunteers are truly the heart-beat of the Forbes community and our heart beats strong! Merry Christmas everyone.

Regards, Monica Wren.

LETTER TO The Editor

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Six months ago, I made a passing remark about shaving my hair for leukaemia. This week, that remark has become a reality as I come to the end of my fundraising efforts for the World’s Greatest Shave. Initially my goal was $2,000 but now that figure stands at over $7,400 and is still rising. From barbeques to raffles, cooking parties and morning teas, there has been a mountain of support at every event.

In the beginning I was inspired by the beautiful Garland family, banding together when their youngest, Ava was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. To see her now, she looks a picture of health, bouncing about like any four year old.

But their journey has been a long one, and it’s still not done. It has involved countless days, weeks and months away from home and family. And unfortunately, the Garlands aren’t alone.

This community continues to be impacted by leukaemia, and to think that I could make a difference to the families who need to be with their children, has been empowering. This is where the Leukaemia Foundation comes in, providing emotional support, accommodation and transport, as well as research and laboratory funding.

I would like to thank the outstanding support of this incredible community of Forbes. I would especially like to make mention of the students, staff and parent community of my school, St Laurence’s who have helped me along the way.

Every donation, every sponsorship, every raffle ticket purchased, is making a real difference to the lives of these families. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you Forbes.

Regards,

Carmen Spry

TO THE EDITOR…

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I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate Mr Murray White for all the years and hard work that he has put into taking care of our pool.

I have had a number of medical issues over the last few years and the pool is vital to me to get my mobility back to a reasonable level. We are so lucky to have this wonderful warm pool. The water is kept at an amazing level and it never stings our eyes. Thank you Mr Murray White your effort for more than 40 years is very much appreciated.

Dianne Decker AM JP

LETTER TO THE EDITOR…

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Same sex marriage: the call for human beings to be able to commit to a life together with the legal union called marriage. Many would say that’s not such a big ask.

You might be surprised that before this debate began, a group of Christians decided it was time to band together in support of LGBTIQ fellow Christians, and a national movement was born: Equal Voices.

A branch has started up in the Central West, based in Parkes. Our focus is on giving opportunity for those who have been hurt by comments and attitudes, to find their voice, and be heard.

We invite LGBTIQ people to tell their stories, in the hope that attitudes will change and people will become more loving and affirming in their interactions.

We have an open invitation to sign a national apology via our website: https://equalvoices.org.au/apologise/

Our sincere hope is that the present gulf will narrow into the future.

If you would like further information, or are keen to be involved, connect with us on Facebook at ‘Equal Voices Central West NSW’, or email us at centralwestev@gmail.com

Rebecca Baxter

(For Equal Voices Central West Branch)

Editor’s Note

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Hello cold days, and hot chocolate, fuzzy socks, warm fires, frosty mornings, hot soup, good books and warm friendship….! Yes it’s time to keep calm and welcome winter.

I am sure you can all add at least one favourite thing about winter to this list. Most of all, winter is a time to enjoy the comforts of your home, your family and friends and good food. With the long weekend ahead of us, we have brought you a decent read with a variety of stories in Issue 97.

Over the past two weeks we have been getting a lot of stories about young people doing well, putting their stamp on life and looking at the future with hope and optimism.

May you feel inspired by them and have a week filled with optimism!

Enjoy Issue 97!

Maggi Barnard Editor

Letters

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Dear Editor,
We would like to thank Olya and Rob Wil- lis for hosting the most magnificent Musical Mystery Mausoleum Meander at the Forbes Cemetery on Sunday morning. Olya and Rob paid a wonderful tribute to Ebb Wren, and a handful of other musical talents. We were touched by not only the stories told, but also by the music and songs performed at the gravesites. I’m sure these men and women would have been humbled by the tributes given to them. Reliving the memo- ries of Ebb, and his wife Win, gave us so much enjoyment and pride. Knowing their songs and stories have been preserved at The National Library in the Oral History and Folklore section is a treasured thought; but having them sung and enjoyed on a crisp morning in Forbes is something entirely different. We can’t thank Olya and Rob enough for keeping Ebb and Win’s spirit alive in us all.

Monica and Ken Wren

Letters…

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Dear Editor,

I am writing on behalf of headspace to ad- dress growing concerns raised by schools, parents and young people across Australia about some content featured in US Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.

The series – which debuted in Australia in late March and is currently streaming on Netflix – depicts a young woman who sui- cides. It presents the viewer with very con- fronting and graphic messaging and image- ry inclusive of suicide method and means.

Since its debut both the national head- space School Support Program, which sup- ports school communities in the aftermath of a suicide, and eheadspace, the national online and over-the-phone counselling ser- vice has received a growing number of calls and emails directly related to the program.

The show exposes viewers to risky sui- cide content and may lead to a distressing reaction by the viewer particularly if the au- dience is children and young people.

National and international research clearly indicates the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure, leading to increased risk and possible suicide conta- gion.

Clinicians working for eheadspace have been dealing with a steady stream of con- cerned parents and young people since the show first aired.

There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and on a young audience in particular.

headspace School Support and ehead- space is urging school communities, par- ents, and mental health services to be aware of the dangers and risks associated for children and young people who have been exposed to this content.

The national suicide media initiative, Mindframe, also has significant concerns and warnings related to this content.

Please see the following links for help- ful information for schools, mental health services, and parents if they are aware that children or young people have been ex- posed to the content and have expressed concerns around their own mental health, distress, or suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Kristen Douglas National Manager headspace School Support headspace

Managing social media following a suicide: https://headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/ Corporate/Managing-social-media-follow- ing-a-suicide-web.pdf

Grief – How a young person might re- spond to a suicide: https://headspace. org.au/assets/Uploads/Corporate/Grief- How-young-people-might-respond-to-a- suicide-web.pdf

Editors Note…

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Dear Easter Bunny,
Could you please fill my eggs with health and happiness and deliver them to everyone that I love?

Easter is not only a symbol of hope, renewal and new life, but also an opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and sharing lots of chocolate of course! If you are going camping, take time to really look at the sky and tell your sky stories to each other. You might even be inspired to join the Skywriters project – see our story on page 4.

Or you might think of the wonderful community you live in. When we ask people why they like living in Forbes, so many say it is because of the supportive community. This is once again demonstrated in the story on page 4 about the Forbes Rugby Club giving generously to community groups, and on page 5 the wonderful opera organised to help Ava Garland and her family.

Wishing you all a happy and safe Easter!

Maggi Barnard Editor

Editor’s Note

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We have another bumper edition of 16 pages this week celebrating amazing women, a silver anniversary, new technology and life in Forbes.

Seniors Week starts today and we were very fortunate to meet an extraordinary woman. Please read our Reporter, Dianne Collie’s story about Rene Francis on our front page and feel inspired. There is also a full program of events for the Forbes Seniors Festival on page 11.

The inspiring woman who took the brave step to start the Phoe- nix Group of Newspapers (including the Forbes Phoenix), Cheryl Newsom, has decided it was time to hand over the reins. Read her story on page 4.

Midpro, an independent Forbes business, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Read about they joy Bart and his team find in technol- ogy on page 8 to 10.

The Forbes barefooters did the town proud at last weekend’s big event, while the Forbes Aquatic Centre impressed many visitors.

With the cooler weather taking some pressure off us, we can make time this weekend to be thankful for the many blessing we have. Let’s be grateful for grandparents and what we can learn from them.

Enjoy Issue 83! Maggi Barnard, Editor

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