Thank you everyone for your support and messages while I was in Sydney. It was a real boost so many people reached out while I recovered. 

As many of you saw, demolition began at Spotlight last week. Forbes Shire Council is assisting the insurer with the site. Once the building walls have been removed, the site will again be assessed by a structural engineer to see if the slab is safe to keep. 

The site will be a dangerous work site and will be signposted accordingly. There will be no interruption to services for businesses in and around the Homemaker Centre. 

We understand and appreciate the community’s concern around the loss of the Spotlight building and adjoining café, but we’ve built it all once before and we will do it again. Everyone at Council is working very hard with industry to secure tenants for the area. 

Another important step in our federally funded Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program is being undertaken next week to improve our CCTV coverage. Once complete the project will have over 30 cameras in place to capture footage of antisocial behaviour. 

If you get a chance please go out and see our newest addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail, Sonata – a life-sized bull statue at Warroo Reserve. 

It is a beautiful sculpture which connects

this amazing art program with our strong agricultural legacy. We have always been known as an agriculturally rich region and it is a great honour to be fostering an inclusive and culturally rich community with our world class permanent public art trail. 

Phyllis Miller 

The Forbes Golf Club saw 68 men play the Monthly Medal, sponsored by BWR Accountants & Advisors, last Saturday. 

The course had little run but the putts ran well, contributing to the low scores set by the medal winners.

Dan Bayley won the A-grade on count back from Neil McMillan, with both having finished on 72 nett. Dan was level with par after 12 holes, while Neil was only 3-over after nine holes.

Andy Cogswell claimed the B-grade with 67 nett. He had a handy lead over Richard Smith (69 nett). Both players put in a better round than they had managed over recent weeks.

The C-grade was won by a rising junior Reggie Murray. He had the best score of the day with a 66 nett, and well ahead of Nick Ryan on 69 nett. Both played steady golf with each only having one blemish on their cards.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Jordan Brett; 18th – Michael Spice. The 3rd hole super pin went to Mike Spice with a shot to 3.5 metres. He was in one of the last groups and just snuck inside Paul Kay.

The Ball Sweep went to 76 nett on count back, so check in the Pro Shop to see if you managed that. The visitors included Nadeem Ash (Duntryleague) and Stephen Edwards (Bogan Gate) who both struggled a bit.

Nominations are still open for the Can Assist Golf tomorrow. Contact the Pro Shop on 6851 1554 to get your name down and help determine catering numbers.

Across the long weekend there are Stableford Medley competitions on Sunday and Monday, so get out and enjoy some fresh air while having some good competition.

By Short Putt

 

The Forbes Netball Association will be represented at the Netball NSW Hart Senior State Titles over the June long weekend.

The 17U team will compete in Camden in Division 3 after being elevated from Division 4 last year in the same age group.

The players are Lily Boyd, Piper Hanrahan, Kaylar Emery, Laura Scott, Hannah Stanmore, Eb Colvin, Jane Davis, Hannah Williams, Sienna Marchant and Kiesha Rusten. Coach: Robyn Kenny, Manager: Lynda Scott, Primary Carer: Jacqui Stanmore, and Umpire: Libby Dallimore.

The team will play seven games on Saturday, and six games each on Sunday and Monday.

The Forbes girls have been training consistently since January and competed in the regional league competition with some of the Forbes senior players.

This team was runner-up in the Division 2 regional league, and was a great starting block for the team’s improvement.

They have also competed in regional carnivals in Young, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo to give the team match practise together in the same conditions as they will experience at the state titles.

A great deal of preparation has gone into the team to enable them to play to their best ability over the long weekend.

Thank you to all the parents who have helped in any way, and to manager Lynda Scott for all her organisation.

Thank you also to our two umpires, Libby Dallimore and Karen Hargraves, who have followed the team around the region.

The girls have a wonderful team culture of supporting each other both on and off the court, enjoying each other’s company, and playing great netball together.

Opposition umpires often comment about the great team attitude of the girls.

They are a pleasure to coach and be a part of, and all of the FNA committee and members wish them good luck this weekend.

By Robyn Kenny

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.

 

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.

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

 

 

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.

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

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.