The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is reminding school leavers of the importance of sharing the road safely with trucks, ahead of graduation festivities over the coming weeks. 

A recent study conducted by the NHVR, surveyed 1000 drivers aged 16-25 across Australia and highlighted the disconnect between young drivers’ self-assessed confidence and their actual comfort level sharing the road with heavy vehicles. 

The survey revealed that just 29% felt very knowledgeable about the rules, bringing to light a real risk as an influx of school graduates prepare to travel to Schoolies events across the country. 

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said while heavy vehicle safety is not a usual topic of discussion amongst young people, the NHVR’s goal is to bring the conversation to life, and help teach inexperienced drivers how to safely share the road. 

“This year alone, Australia has recorded 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles and 190 lives lost,” Mr Petroccitto said. 

“Our studies show many young drivers experience anxiety or nervousness driving near heavy vehicles, and with our road toll only continuing to rise, this is a huge cause for concern. 

“Typically, around 70 per cent of serious incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle, highlighting the need for greater education with our young drivers. 

Don’t #uck With A Truck is a campaign created by the NHVR last year, to improve young drivers’ awareness and education of how to drive safely around trucks. 

The campaign will also feature on social media (TikTok, Instagram), Spotify and outdoor billboards throughout the duration of Schoolies 

For more information www.dontmuckwithatruck.com.au

It’s a no-brainer that food is very important for a person’s brain health. 

UNSW’s food and health expert, Professor Johannes le Coutre, and Director of UNSW’s Ageing Futures Institute and Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA, Professor Kaarin Anstey, have helped develop a very special brain-friendly cake. 

In collaboration with community care provider, Meals on Wheels NSW, the cake uses ingredients that have shown to be beneficial to the brain while highlighting the widespread issue of cognitive decline among senior Australians. 

Using the currently available scientific evidence, we came up with a list of foods that are understood to provide quality nutrition – which is really important as we age – while still allowing for the nostalgic enjoyment of eating a slice of cake. 

‘The Unforgettable Cake’ was developed by master pastry chef Christopher Thé, well-known as the founder of the famous ‘strawberry watermelon cake’ from Black Star Pastry, with advice from a group of experts. 

The cake includes only natural ingredients that are widely believed to be beneficial to the brain, such as beetroot, spinach, turmeric, olive oil and blueberries. 

For the cake itself, Chris Thé used a mixture of beetroot, spinach, turmeric, and olive oil. 

Beetroot can improve blood flow through the brain, and consequently may improve cognitive function and cognition. Olive oil is famed for its Mediterranean diet qualities, which include the ability to protect the brain, support memory, and reduce Alzheimer’s biomarkers. 

The cake also includes natural sweeteners like honey which has anti-inflammatory qualities and vanilla ermine frosting which is a universally loved cake flavour. 

The cake was topped off with fresh blueberries which are loaded with essential nutrients which help to stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain. 

The Unforgettable Cake will be delivered to select Meals on Wheels clients from Wednesday 22 November.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is calling on Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to investigate supermarket meat sale prices. 

Mr Littleproud said Treasurer Chalmers and Minister Watt must urgently direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to hold a price inquiry. 

“According to Meat and Livestock Australia, some sheep and lamb categories have fallen by up to 70 per cent in the saleyards in the last 12 months,” Mr Littleproud said. 

“Lamb prices have drastically reduced and cattle prices have fallen by about 60 per cent. Yet families at the supermarkets have barely noticed a difference in prices.” 

While a farmer’s payment for cattle (eastern young cattle indicator) has fallen from $10.21 per kilo to just $3.65 per kilo over the past 12 months, at the supermarket it still costs around $36 per kilo for grass-fed rump steak, $25 per kilo for beef rump roast and $19 for a kilo of grass-fed beef mince. 

A farmer’s payment for lamb (national trade price) has fallen from $8.39 per kilo to $4.82 per kilo, yet families at the supermarket are paying $27 for a kilo of grass-fed graze lamb boneless shoulder roast, $18 for one kilo of lamb loin chops and $8 per kilo of lamb leg roast. 

A competition task force recently established by Labor, to conduct a review of competition policy settings over a two-year period, failed to provide the urgent response that families and farmers required. 

“This is impacting family budgets right now. It needs an urgent response because families and farmers can’t afford to wait potentially two years for answers. 

“Many families are struggling to afford their grocery bill each week so it’s important the government acts swiftly to ensure there’s transparency in meat prices.” 

Our final Garden Club meeting for the year was held in the garden at the home of Kingsley and Helen Green. A beautiful garden of trees shrubs and more recently sculptures made by Kingsley Helen gave us an outline of years spent experimenting with different gardens and plants to suit the climate and over the years have seen many changes President Elvy welcomed 23 members to the meeting as well as visitors Angela Dent and Lorraine Everest Therese Davis read the minutes of the previous meeting Correspondence was a thank you from the Arts Society.

Annie Mooy gave us a comprehensive treasurers report announcing she will not be nominating for the position next year. Elvy said she was “delighted with the two day open gardens recently held with eight gardens open for inspection”. There were many visitors who came from local and regional towns and enjoyed the opportunity to wander around. Each raising money for their designated charity. 

Our members were encouraged to vote for a charity. as it was decided to donate the $3000 to different charities following such a successful year. 

This Saturday November 11th at 12pm we will be celebrating 70 years of the Forbes Garden Club at the Town Hall Members will be enjoying a 2 course dinner with a special guest Sue Mowle from Gardening Australia catered for by Eat Your Greens We hope you have all bought your tickets for this special event 

Green Thumb 

George Barnes has been named the number one worker who has organised and run the greatest number craft groups in Australia. Working locally to implement the Bunnings Community Involvement Program, George has been guiding, instructing and entertaining multiple craft groups from Forbes, Parkes, Eugowra, West Wyalong, Peak Hill and Lake Cargelligo. He visits these groups once a month bringing with him all the tools and equipment necessary to make a crafty project. 

Mr Barnes commented that “over the last year I have instructed thirteen groups per month”. This number, approximately 3 groups per week, makes him number one in the country for providing the most activities and inspiring community groups to get busy. 

Groups at the local HAC centres, CWA and numerous other community groups in these communities have benefitted greatly from his commitment and passion He has provided the opportunity for members to experience the making of different craft projects such as making teddy bears, wooden toy trucks and cars, designing art and drawings, wooden jewellery boxes, tips on planting and how to looking after various flowers and herbs, dot art and much more. His enthusiasm for this type of community involvement makes the learning experience and social outings for many people an event to look forward to. 

George said, “It is a privilege to run these groups as I not only get to meet different people, but I also gets to do something fun and rewarding.” 

Sustainability groups at the local Pre-schools and Public Schools, where students learn about the environment and how to look after it, is also part of the Community Involvement Program which George implements.