The Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grants are back again for 2023, with local netball clubs and associations across Australia who have a Woolworths NetSetGO centre able to win a share of $100K.

Open to the 1,782 Netball clubs and associations with a Woolworths NetSetGO centre across the country is a share of $100k to be awarded, with a $20,000 People’s Choice grant for the first time.

Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grants support local clubs and associations to provide young netballers with improved facilities and encourage healthy habits.

It is more important than ever to ensure that kids are not only living active lifestyles, but also accessing healthy food options to fuel their activity. New research from Woolworths has revealed that 93% of parents understand the importance of their children eating a variety of fruits or vegetables for their overall health.

The Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grants have been designed to help young Aussie netballers eat healthier and be more active by providing clubs and associations with a Woolworths NetSetGO centre important funds to run programs and improve facilities and equipment. 

Since 2019, Woolworths has shown ongoing support for grassroots netball in conjunction with Netball Australia, having donated over $1.2 million to over 300 clubs.

“Woolworths’ partnership with Netball Australia highlights their incredible commitment and ongoing support to local communities by teaching kids the importance of healthy food choices and leading active lives.”

Clubs and associations with a Woolworths NetSetGO centre across the country are encouraged to apply via the website, pickfreshplayfresh.com.au, with applications now open until 18th June 2023.

International Women’s Day is on Tuesday, 7th March and I am looking forward to hosting an amazing celebration in conjunction with the NSW Government. 

Our guest this year has already caught the attention of so many, and I look forward to introducing Dr Neryl East to our town. 

Dr East is a professionally acclaimed public speaker, published author, has worked in the media in the past including as an announcer at the Sydney Olympics. She herself has thrived in a once male-dominated industry. She will share her learned wisdom with us on how to communicate effectively – not just at work but at home and in our personal lives. 

I encourage all our women to join with us on the luscious shores of Lake Forbes for an early morning session of yoga and meditation, followed by breakfast, music and Dr East’s address. 

We are making full use of Dr East’s specialised skills, and are excited to be able to offer our businesses the chance to share in Dr East’s knowledge and guidance at a free event at Club Forbes on 7th March. 

As Dr East points out, you can’t control your reputation by you are influencing it every moment. We want to help you learn the tools for reacting to negative comments online, to learn the keys to getting your message across in order to make your customers sit up and take notice – and take notice for the right reasons. Continue building your best business reputation. 

Make sure you book your spot for the IWD breakfast or the business event at 123tix.com.au 

Enjoy your week, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM 

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.