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Forbes Phoenix

Malaysian Dinner Concludes CWA Study

May 27, 2022 By Sue Cunningham

International Committee Carol Watling, Sue Cunningham and Heather Mackinnon in traditional Malaysian dress at Malaysian Dinner (left), and Karen Wright with mum Dianne at the dinner (right).

Food not only brings people together, but is also enriching as members of the Forbes CSW Evening Branch experienced at the conclusion of their international study of Malaysia with a traditional meal last week.

Each year the CWA of NSW nominates a country for all its members to focus on and learn about the environment, the people and their customs, the traditional food and clothing, social issues and its government.

Before and after dinner, guests perused a static display on Malaysia, as well as a display of some batik material, a red hibiscus, the Malaysian national flower, and products imported to Australia from Malaysia.

National issues were highlighted including the destruction of rainforests due to clearing for palm oil plantations that is threatening critically endangered species of animals like the orangutan, pygmy elephant and Malaysian tiger, as well as unique plants species such as the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Food and water security, climate change and the disposal of plastic waste, which has increased dramatically since Covid -19, are other issues.

“It was a very enjoyable and insightful night with very interesting information and an unusual way of presenting it. It was good to have people involved,” said President of Forbes CWA Elaine Bright.

Several of our members dressed up in traditional Malaysian costumes.

Oxley Group International Officer, Marilyn Pizarro said it was a very enjoyable evening and an impressive display of issues confronting Malaysia today. 

“The lucky dip idea for guests to choose a fact and read to guests was a great way to get people interacting with each other,” said vice president of the Forbes Evening Branch Karen Wright.

Forbes Evening Branch would like to thank Forbes Sport and Recreation Club for allowing us to host our evening at the club.

By Sue Cunningham

Get Your Flu Shot Now

May 27, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

NSW residents are being urged to book in for their flu vaccine without delay, with winter just a few days away and hospitals already seeing a surge in influenza cases.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW hospitals were facing a triple threat with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, a surge in flu cases and staff furloughing due to illness.

“With almost no exposure to flu these past two years, it is imperative we all get a flu jab to protect ourselves and the community.”

NSW’s Chief Paediatrician Dr Matt O’Meara said there was particular concern for children aged six months to five years old, as young children were particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of flu.

Those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine. This includes children from six months to under five years of age; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age; people with serious health conditions, pregnant women, and people aged 65 and over.

At the time of going to press, the minister was considering making the flu vaccine free for all NSW residents.

Giant Effort To Stage ‘Big The Musical’

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Drew Barter and Grace Powley from Forbes have semi-lead roles in the Parkes M & D production of Big the Musical. Grace plays Billie Kopecki, the main character, Josh Baskin’s best friend, and Drew plays Josh as a child.

Local theatre returned to Parkes in a ‘big’ way last weekend after another year of lockdowns, interruptions and postponements. 

With a cast and crew of 50 the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Big the Musical once again highlights the abundance of talent in the Central West community putting on a fun-filled musical for all the family full of high-energy songs and dancing. Forbes is well represented with two cast members in semi-lead roles and more in the ensemble. 

“It’s been such a long time coming, all of us so glad to be back in the theatre,” said Lisa Ramsay as director of her third musical with the M & D. 

The production required a good dose of perseverance from Lisa as it had to be postponed twice, there were long breaks between rehearsals over the festive period and the April holiday and Elvis Festival, while managing changes in roles, finding new supporting crew members for choreography and set construction and coping with cast members getting COVID during the concluding weeks of rehearsals. 

The final result sees the Overture star from Grenfell, Henry Best in a huge lead role as Josh Baskin. Based on the 1987 smash-hit film with Tom Hanks, Josh is a frustrated adolescent who magically becomes an adult, and discovers that life is not simply child’s play. 

The other lead roles are played by Jess Morgan as Susan, Kate Walsh and Hannah Connell, with new comer Blake Martin and Forbes locals Grace Powley and Drew Barter in semi-lead roles. Grace plays Billie Kopecki, the main character’s best friend, and Drew plays Josh as a child. 

The musical includes the iconic floor piano dancing scene from the movie, and thanks to the ingenuity of two locals, Steve McGrath and Dave McCrae, the Parkes production has a giant floor piano too. “Our piano has three octaves and all the keys light up when you stand on them,” said Lisa of one of the biggest challenges of the set production. 

Whether you want to support local talent, or see the floor piano, make sure to get your tickets online for the shows this weekend and next, or buy tickets at the box office at the Little Theatre on Sundays from 10am to 12pm. NSW Discovery and Family Vouchers are accepted. 

The iconic floor piano dancing scene in Big performed by Kate Walsh, owner of the toy store, and Henry Best in the lead role as Josh Baskin.

Better Together

May 20, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Volunteering at St Vincent De Paul Op Shop this week were Anne Redfern and Val Maunder.

This week is National Volunteer Week and a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you.

Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.

There are plenty of volunteers helping the make the Forbes community better for everyone, and we would like to say thank you to all of them.

Volunteers at the Salvation Army in Forbes are (L-R) Joanne Sharrock, Mary Elliot and Ian Hacret.

 

‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon…’

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Yellow ribbons have become synonymous with National Road Safety Week which starts on Sunday with Forbes Town Hall lit in yellow for the week.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be getting behind this initiative with a range of activities to help raise awareness of road safety as they’ve done since 2017. This includes honouring the memory of the 1,200 lives lost and more than 44,000 seriously injured on Australian roads each year.

During the Week, road users are encouraged to take the pledge to Drive So Others Survive, including not being distracted while driving, not speeding and to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“During National Road Safety Week 2022, yellow ribbons will be displayed all across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

“Our fleet vehicles and staff will proudly display yellow ribbons. Members of the public are encouraged to pick up a vehicle sticker and/or lapel ribbon for free from our administration offices in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo.

“Our email signatures will display the National Road Safety Week artwork for the week. In Parkes the monument on Memorial Hill and the Sir Henry Parkes statue will also be lit in yellow.

“We are encouraging our staff and locals to sign the pledge to Drive So Others Survive www.roadsafetyweek.com.au,” Melanie said.

100 Variety NSW Bash Cars In Forbes

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Public School will be a hive of activity on Wednesday morning when they host the participants in the 30th Variety NSW Bash for breakfast before 100 cars will depart at 8am on the next leg of the rally to Ardlethan.

The Bash will visit rural and remote communities bringing much needed tourism revenue and equipment for schools. More than $45,000 worth of grants will be given to regional NSW schools, while more than $12,000 is spent at each lunch stop along the route and more than $70,000 at each overnight stop, including Forbes.

Variety Bash cars are renowned for bringing fun and excitement to the communities they visit with themed cars from Paw Patrol, Bob the Builder and Hot Wheels to Lightning McQueen, Scooby Doo and The Flintstones.

This year’s event starts on Sunday, 15th May at Foreshore Park Newcastle and will head to Spring Ridge, Dubbo, Ballimore, Quambone, Cobar, Condobolin, Forbes, Ardlethan, Wagga Wagga, Wyangala, Bathurst, Wattle Flat, Hunter Valley before finishing back for the Family Fun Day in Newcastle on Saturday, 21st May.

The breakfast at Forbes Public School will be open to the community who can come and view the cars. 

CWA Tea Rooms Return For Centenary At Easter Show

May 13, 2022 By Sue Cunningham

Robyn Miller busy making scones at the Royal Easter Show. Karen Wright irons the many CWA aprons for volunteers working in the tea rooms.

Two Forbes CWA members worked at the ever-popular Tea Rooms at the Royal Easter Show this year for their fourth time after a COVID break of two years.

It is a major fundraising activity for the CWA, and after two years of no show, the CWA members were excited to be baking scones and selling produce again.

Forbes CWA Evening Branch President Robyn Miller and Vice-President Karen Wright worked the morning shifts on Saturday, 9th April and Sunday, 10th April. 

“It was terrific to be able to get back to the show for a milestone year as the Royal Easter Show celebrated their 200th anniversary and CWA its 100th,” said Karen. Robyn said: “Our jobs in the tea rooms this year included ironing the CWA aprons worn by each volunteer (about 60 members per day are needed to staff the Tea Rooms), packing items into the inaugural CWA show bags, cutting of scones and putting them onto oven trays for baking and working on the promotions table selling raffle tickets, merchandise and homemade goodies.”

“The shifts each day were only four and a half hours long but were ‘jam packed’ as the Tea Rooms are so popular with show goers,” said Robyn.

“There were often long lines of people patiently waiting for the next hot fresh batch of scones to come out of the oven,” said Karen.

They were both were very excited and privileged to attend the official opening of the show by Princess Anne. “This was full of pomp and ceremony with her arriving in a horse drawn carriage, having groups of the defence forces marching and a flyover by the Air Force Roulettes,” said Karen.

Support the local CWA’s Open Garden at Helen and Kingsley Green’s property Booklyn on Victory Rd on Saturday, 21st May from 2-4pm. Entry is $10 including afternoon tea. 

By Sue Cunningham

Dancing Shoes

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Eisteddfod season is in full ‘swing’ and Kristen’s Dance Studio’s 8 years Troupe were on stage for the very first time at the Cowra Eisteddfod on Saturday. Not only did they absolutely love it, but they received a Highly Commended. They are super keen to get on stage again. Congratulations and well done to Miss Lozzy and all the dancers! (Photo credit: Kristen’s Dance Studio Facebook page)

Forbes Welcomes Three New Citizens

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

A citizenship ceremony was held by the Forbes Shire Council last week for three new Aussies. Forbes Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed Rohitha Patabendige, Kamani Nammuni and their daughter Vindi (7) to the community. The couple’s 15-month-old Australian-born daughter, Sindi was also at the ceremony. Member for Orange Phil Dona-to (left) and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack (right) were also at the ceremony with Forbes Shire Councillors.

Enjoy the Space and Freedom Of Country

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Peter Giles, Project Manager & Sales, with his partner Nartayliah, who is the Director & Compliance Advisor of Giles
Land Development, and their two children Mila and River.

Old Pine Estate is a unique 105ha property located in the beautiful shallow rush area on the western limit of Parkes NSW that is being developed into a residential area for families looking for the beauty of country living. The locally owned and established subdivision is done by Giles Land Development and will comprise six lots of 1.3ha each and 23 lots of 4ha each. 

Peter Giles, Project Manager, said the development was named ‘Old Pine’ after the original farm. The development is located adjacent to Moulden Street, Cookapie Street, Back Trundle Road and Gold Rush Road. 

Peter said the large blocks were targeted at the family looking for the freedom and lifestyle of country living. “The joys of watching your kids grow up, riding horses or motorbikes, enjoying the outdoors or the older couple looking for a quiet community to retire into, with the added convenience of the town centre only minutes away.” 

With the current shortage of property available across the Parkes region and the Central West, Peter and Nartayliah decided it was the perfect time to release this subdivision to the public. “There is currently no other affordable 4ha or 1,3 ha lots available in the area,” said Peter. 

“We are very excited to present this affordable and desirable land to the Parkes community.” 

All the blocks will have power, sealed road access, new fencing and estate style entryways. There will be no house design or style restrictions, but the standard council regulations for the R5 Zoning code will apply. The 1.3ha lots have town water and street lighting, and all the lots can have a bore installed. 

Peter said the response had been great so far, and he and his family were also going to build and live on the estate. 

To register your expression of interest and to receive an information brochure scan the QR code in the below image. For up-to-date news, like and share their Facebook page @gileslanddevelopment. 

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