The Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club presented its Carnival of Cups day on Anzac Day at the Forbes Showground on Monday with seven feature races. Don’t miss the next meeting on Sunday, 1st May.
Our Bloke – Adam McGregor
Adam McGregor
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have only been here full time for a few months. So far, I love the town, the people and the big lizard!
Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? Club Forbes, the different and seemingly never ending challenges and the people, both sides of the bar/bistro/office…
What was your first job? I was a bartender while at uni.
What do you do to unwind on weekends? Currently mostly work, but one day I will get back to watching sport with coffee in the morning and/or beer in the afternoon. I love watching my boys play rugby union and baseball.
If money was no object, what would you do with your time? Eat too much, drink too much and travel in style…
What are you really good at? My family likes my cooking. I have had a bit of practice with American barbeque. I love doing pulled pork, brisket and wings.
What makes you laugh the most? Comedians are fun. I love Carl Barron and Jimoien. Nina Conti and Michael McIntyre from the UK. Look up Michael McIntyre’s dentist clip, it is hilarious.
What’s on your bucket list? Base Camp Everest. Hike a glacier in NZ, Antarctic cruise and the Northern Lights. Drive Route 66 in the USA, eat barbeque in Texas, and drink a malt whiskey in Scotland
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…. I lived in China for the best part of eight years, working in Macau. Interesting and fun, but I don’t want to do it again.
COVID-Smart Plan To Open Schools Safely in 2022
COVID-SMART SCHOOL MEASURES: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet along with NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell, announced new COVID-Smart safety measures for the new school year.
Students will return to school under COVID-smart settings that will minimise the risk of the virus and allow teachers and pupils to return safely to the classroom.
As part of the new measures, every student and teacher in NSW government and non-government schools will be able to receive rapid antigen test (RAT) kits before school returns on February 1st.
The COVID-Smart Plan includes:
• Twice a week surveillance testing for primary and high school students, school staff and early childhood staff. Surveillance testing will be undertaken for the first four weeks of term, with two weeks of supply distributed before term starts;
• Mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools;
• Limiting interaction between year groups;
• Limiting visitors to those providing essential curriculum and wellbeing support;
• COVID-safe settings in place for music, sport and excursions;
• Maximising natural and mechanical ventilation, with air purifiers dispatched to where they are needed;
• Contingency plans in place to manage any disruptions to the workforce.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said supporting students to return safely to the classroom is vital.
“Some 12 million RATs will go to over 3,150 government, non-government schools and early childhood centres to assist with surveillance testing of staff and students,” he said.
“Families will be notified by their schools on how and when to collect the RAT kits for their children.”
In the 12 to 15-year-old age group, more than 80 per cent of children have had their
first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 78 per cent are double-dosed. In the 5 to 11-year-old age group, more than 24 per cent of children have had their first dose.
More information on the return to school settings for NSW public schools is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families
Be Seen
OCEANIA SELECTION: Forbes rider Sam Drane keeps going from strength to strength this time with selection in the Oceania Junior Cup Team for 2022. Well done!
90 YEARS AND COUNTING: The Bogan Gate CWA Branch recently celebrated 90 years with a special luncheon at the Bogan Gate Hotel. The CWA has been the backbone of many community driven projects and causes over the years and Bogan Gate Branch is among the most active. Pic courtesy of CWA Bogan Gate.
THEY’VE DONE IT AGAIN: Dominos Forbes have been at it again this week, this time donating to displaced families impacted by the recent floods – great stuff!
Aboriginal Leader To Help Transform Outcomes
IMAGE CREDIT: https://lsj.com.au/
Wiradjuri man and current Legal Aid chief executive Brendan Thomas will head up a new NSW Government division dedicated to improving Aboriginal outcomes in criminal justice, child protection and housing.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said Mr Thomas would commence on November 8 as Deputy Secretary Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes at the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
“Brendan’s appointment to this important new role will drive us in meeting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap targets across child protection, the criminal justice system, housing and the prevention of domestic violence.”
Mr Thomas said the first step in his new role was to improve the way DCJ engages with Aboriginal communities.
Shooters Fired Up For Big August
BUMPER AUGUST: Forbes shooters and their colleagues are gearing up for a big month of competition at Bedgerabong Road Range.
The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 cabilre and other rimfire rifle (.22 magnum or.17HMR) Sunday shoot will be held August 15 at 10am. The Wednesday shoot will be August 18 at 2pm. The Centre-fire rifle shoots start at 2pm after the Rimfire shoots on Sunday at the Bedgerebong Road Range. All target shooters are welcome to attend these shoots. Any person wishing to try can attend any of these shoots to take part after filling out a P650 form at the club. Junior shooters must be 12 years or over.
For .22 cabilre rimfire shooting contact: Wayne Facey (Mobile 0414524059), Norm Brook (Mobile 0458664541), Ben Smith (Mobile 0427524151) or David Coleman (Mobile 0427401263 After Work).
The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clays will be their two-day shoot tomorrow August 7 and Sunday August 8.
On Saturday a 75 target five stand will be held at 4pm. Sunday a 100-target field shoot will be held for the Tim Lynch Memorial Shield starting at 10am. If wet, a five stand will be held.
For all information on clay target shooting contact: Norm, Tony Bratton 02 6852 3349, Doug Davis 02 6852 3249 or Phil Picker 02 6851 6494. Anyone wishing to obtain a longarm firearm licence can contact Wayne, Norm or Tony to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course – a requirement for a firearm licence application. Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range.
Full results and draws on Facebook @forbessportingshooters
Forbes Sporting Shooters Ready For Tim Lynch
AIMING UP: Forbes Sporting Shooters are gearing up for a big few weeks of shooting including the prestigious Tim Lynch Memorial.
Results of the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 cabilre rimfire rifle shoot held on Wednesday 21st July 2021.
• 25 metre Buffalo – Bruce Runchel, 268/270; Dennis Christey, 266/270.
• 50 metre Crow – Dennis Christey, 242/250; Bruce Runchel, 238/250.
• The results of the 75 metre Feral Cat target shoot were – Dennis Christey, 114/120; John Dean, 112/120.
• 100 metre Bear target shoot were – John Dean,110/120; Bruce Runchel, 108/120.
The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 cabilre and other rimfire rifle (.22 magnum or.17HMR) shoot will be held this Sunday 1st August starting at 10am. Followed by a Centre-fire shoot starting at 2pm.The next Wednesday shoot will be held on Wednesday the 4th August. Any person wishing to attend any of these shoots and take part, must fill out a P650 form at the club if they haven’t already. Junior shooters must be 12yrs +.
.22 cabilre rimfire shooting contact: Wayne Facey (0414524059); Norm Brook (0458664541); Ben Smith (0427524151); David Coleman (0427401263 AH).
The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clays will be their two-day shoot on Saturday 7th August and Sunday 8th August. On Saturday a 75-target five-stand shoot will be held starting at 4pm while on Sunday a 100-target field shoot will be held for the Tim Lynch Memorial Shield starting at 10am.
Clay target shooting contact: Norm Brook mobile (0458664541); Tony Bratton (02) 68523349: Ben Smith (0427524151); Doug Davis (02) 68523249 & Phil Picker (02) 68516494
To obtain a long arm firearm licence contact Wayne Facey 0414 524 059; Norm Brook 0458 664 541; Tony Bratton (02) 68523349 to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course which is a requirement for a firearm licence application.
Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range.
Like us on Facebook @Forbes Sporting Shooters.
The Story Of Two Stars
UNITED IN MUSIC: Musicians from two town bands and several string players joined up last Tuesday to record a beautiful Indigenous song for this year’s AMEB Online Orchestra project. The song is called Morning Star, Evening Star and is a newly commissioned song that tells the story of two stars in the Australian sky.
Musicians from Forbes and further afield joined up last week for a nationwide initiative to record a beautiful Indigenous piece of music. Musicians and singers from all over Australia recorded ‘Morning Star, Evening Star’ as part of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Online Orchestra – the country’s largest virtual orchestra.
This year’s piece of music for this annual event, is a newly commissioned song written by Yugambeh songwoman and Indigenous Ethnomusicologist Candace Kruger, with co-writers Lann Levinge and Isobella Kruger. Morning Star, Evening Star is based on an Aboriginal lullaby sung by Lottie Eaton [nee Levigne] to Candace and Lann and tells the story of two stars seen in the Australian skies.
Members of the Forbes Shire Concert Band and Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB), as well as local string players from Trundle and Eugowra were delighted to be part of the initiative, with Parkes High School student Hannah Dun singing. PSCB’s Duncan Clement was conducting, and Darren Mann did the recording.
“All musicians involved have been greatly encouraged by the opportunity to play and sing such beautiful music together,” said organiser Pam Parkin.
“It is always a lot of fun to play music in a bigger group, and to be able to do so with a piece of music which describes the beauty of our Australian skies so well – it was a real treat.”
The group plan to perform Morning Star, Evening Star at the NAIDOC celebrations at the Wirdadjuri Amphitheatre in Parkes, tomorrow, Saturday July 10, depending on COVID restrictions on the day.
By Maggi Barnard Editor,
Parkes Phoenix
Bravo Charlie As Panthers Throttle Hapless Dogs
Charlie Staines aka the Forbes Ferrari and ladder-leading Penrith Panthers made it 12 on the bounce heading into Origin with a comprehensive 30-4 win over last-placed Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend.
Penrith must now get past a rejuvenated Wests Tigers side while missing up to seven players this week if they are to notch consecutive win number 13. The record to start a season is the 1995 Manly side.
Staines, who scored a double with plenty of time on the clock nearly sent the local Post Office Hotel broke having amassed a strike rate that includes as many tries as he has played first grade games for the mountain men. Local publican Matt Coleman may have to swap free schooners for handshakes if Staines continues in this vein.
Staines first appeared on the Panthers radar as part of the club’s junior development programs in Central West NSW and joined the club’s SG Ball squad in 2018. The following year he made his senior debut in the Canterbury Cup competition and was named NSWRL Jersey Flegg Player of the Year. In 2020 Staines scored four tries on NRL debut against the Sharks and signed a contract extension to commit to Panthers until the end of 2023.
The Forbes Ferrari has now scored 16 tries in just 14 appearances in the top grade for the Panthers and shows no signs of slowing down. Will it be lucky number 13 for Staines and the Panthers this weekend against the Tigers without seven Origin stars? So long as Penrith have the Forbes Ferrari of course they can!
Busy Easter Weekend Of Golf
FOLLOW THROUGH: Greg Webb follows through on his drive watching it intently as it flies down the fairway.
There was a wealthy of golf played over the Easter weekend, with Saturday’s comp an Individual Par, sponsored by the Forbes Tuesday Golfers, and contested by 76 players. The Division 1 was close, with Phil Duke winning with a score of +2 ahead of Brad Ashton on +1. Division 2 results saw Isaac Vale (+11) the winner ahead of Lachlan Higgins (Royal Sydney) on +7.
The NTP’s went to: 9th – D Kennedy, 18th – S Betland. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Steve Betland, making a good day for him.
The Sunday Stableford Medley had a small field. Ethel Coombs won the day with 32 points, on count back ahead of Greg Blackstock (West Wyalong). There were no NTP’s.
Monday’s Stableford Medley had quite a few more players, including some visitors. The winner was Brad Ashton (39 pts) from Max Haley (38 pts). The ball sweep went to 32 pts on count back. There were no NTP’s.
The Wallace Cup Match Play Championship Draw will be made soon, with games to commence in late April. Get your name in now if you want to play.
Head Pro Adam has organised a Taylor-Made equipment demo day on April 15, and a Mizuno equipment demo day for May 13. Contact Adam if interested – 0433 485 846.
A “Three Opens Champion”, will be played over the Forbes, West Wyalong and Condobolin Opens, with a handicap champion determined in each of three grades. Details are being circulated.
Saturday 10 April is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by ‘the Roadies’ group. Sunday has a Stableford Medley. Saturday, 17 April is the annual Kristie Carpenter Perpetual Trophy.
Happy Easter and great golfing!
By Short Putt
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