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Forbes Phoenix

Recognising The Resilience Of Our Communities

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) has identified and responded to needs in central western NSW flood affected communities with the Wellbeing and Resilience grants.

In the recent Spring of 2022, communities in central western NSW were devastated with record breaking floods which resulted in destructive and damaging ongoing impacts to people, property, harvests, and the general mental health and wellbeing of communities. 

Residents of these communities have shown incredible and inspiring resilience as they continuously work to rebuild and manage the lasting affects of such an event. WNSW PHN has worked with these communities to undertake a needs assessment post the flooding event and determine where the greatest areas of need lie. 

WNSW PHN is pleased to offer Wellbeing and Resilience grants to flood affected 

communities in central western NSW. The grants will facilitate the delivery of community led and focused wellbeing initiatives. Funding of up to $20,000 is available per application. 

WNSW PHN welcomes initiatives that will help improve mental health and support community resilience and encourage local businesses and community groups to apply. Community initiatives should address the immediate needs of affected communities and focus on community health and wellbeing, resilience and/or build the capacity of volunteer and paid workforce. 

Our focus is patients who are at risk of poor health outcomes and working to improve the coordination of their care, so they receive the right care in the right place at the right time. 

We acknowledge that we work on the traditional lands of many Aboriginal clans, tribes, and nations. We are committed to working in collaboration with our region’s Aboriginal communities and peoples to improve their health, emotional and social well-being in the spirit of partnership. 

For further information, eligibility and the application pack, please visit https://wnswphn.org.au/tenders 

Clean Out The Fridge Pie

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 cups left over lamb, cut into small pieces

• 1 packet of thawed pastry, filo or puff

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 1 cup cooked or tinned chickpeas, this could also be left over rice or barley or lentils

• 400g can tomato, or this could be a cup of stock or wine

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 garlic, minced

• 1 tbs ginger, grated

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line pie dish with pastry (reserve enough for the top) and pre bake for 15 min.

Make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then sauté onion until soft and sweet. Add garlic cloves, ginger, ground cumin and paprika. Sauté for another minute or so, then add leftover lamb and 1 cup chickpeas or lentils or grain if you are using. Add tomatoes and lots of salt and pepper (or other liquid) and cook this down until the mixture thickens. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the flavours come together. Allow to cool before filling the pie.

Add pastry to make the pie top and bake for 30-40 minutes. 

Put One Foot Forward For The Black Dog Institute This October

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Walk in solidarity with the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing mental illness each year.

The Black Dog Institute is calling on Australians to take a stand in solidarity for the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illness each year by participating in One Foot Forward – a national virtual challenge taking place in October – Mental Health Month.

The challenge is to walk, run, or roll 40km, 60km, 100km, 150km, or a distance that suits them throughout October, to show people experiencing symptoms of mental illness that they are not alone and to raise funds for Black Dog Institute’s crucial mental health research and support services in Australia. One in five Australians experience a mental illness each year which means around 5 million people are personally affected.

One Foot Forward can be a great way to take a positive step forward for your own mental health and show Australians impacted by mental illness that they’re not alone. You can take part solo, with a team or with your colleagues.

With mental illness costing Australian businesses $39 billion in lost revenue each year, Black Dog Institute is calling on corporate groups and businesses to join in.

This national virtual event is a great team building exercise for colleagues, can increase staff morale and help promote mental wellbeing in the workplace.

In 2022, over 28,000 participants walked, ran and rolled over 2,286,105km during Mental Health Month and joined in on the fun, got active, and raised funds to help Black Dog Institute. 

Funds raised by One Foot Forward participants this year can assist in the research and development of digital mental health tools and apps for adults and children, support novel and innovative suicide prevention programs, and help community presenters reach school students to talk about mental health in schools and how to get support.

Register online today at www.onefootforward.org.au 

Big Plans For Forbes NAIDOC Week Celebrations

August 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

NAIDOC Week Celebration will be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Forbes.

Each year the Forbes Community marks NAIDOC Week and 2023 is gearing up to be an amazing celebration and display of culture. 

The NAIDOC Committee and Forbes Shire Council has organised a day of workshops, demonstrations, activities and more, all aimed at celebrating the local culture to be held on Thursday 7th September. 

The day will kick off with an official ceremony at 10am during which the 2023 NAIDOC Award winners will be announced, along with the winner of the NAIDOC design competition. 

Forbes Preschool will be performing, whilst Dinawan’s Connection will complete the smoking ceremony and opening dance. 

“Come and see the completion of the Yarning Circle mural, join in weaving, cultural dance and language workshops, make damper, see demonstrations for making clapsticks and hand carving,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said. 

There will also be tools and weapons, and reptile displays, amusement rides, and girri girri grown at Forbes High School, just to name a few. 

“Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about the Indigenous culture of this region. Forbes Shire Council would like to thank the NAIDOC Committee and the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for their organisation and support,” Mayor Miller said. 

NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect and celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and recognising them as ongoing custodians of the land. The theme for this year’s event is ‘For Our Elders’. 

It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nation cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures in the world. 

NAIDOC Celebrations will be held at Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre from 10am until 2pm. So save the date, 7th September in your calendar and make sure to come along and enjoy NAIDOC.

150th Anniversary Of Sir Henry Parkes Visit

August 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sir Henry Parkes made four visits to Parkes, the first in Au-gust 1873, then July 1887, June 1894 and October 1894.

Henry Parkes Museum will be holding an exhibition this Saturday, 19th August, to celebrate 150 years since Sir Henry Parkes first visited Bushmans, later to be rename Parkes. 

The Henry Parkes Museum is located next to the Parkes Visitors Centre. The display depicts the life of Sir Henry Parkes including his four visits to the Central West. 

Souvenirs for sale include local history books, mugs, can holders, key rings, fridge magnets, car stickers, hat pins and tea towels. Admission is free for members, adults $10, concession $7.50 and children $3. 

Forbes Garden Club Report

August 17, 2023 by Green Thumb

Elvy Quirk Helenie Carmody and Kaylene Bailey at the Garden Club meeting.

Thirty three members made their way out to Calarie Hall for our last Garden Club meeting.

Elvy Quirk presided over the business meeting, where volunteers for the Open Gardens in October listed their offers of help. The Mens Shed will be providing a barbecue lunch for both days and members are asked to provide slices that can be sold to support them.

The Orange Garden Club are organising a trip to Thailand to view gardens and anyone who may be interested is to let Secretary Robin know for details.

Helenie Carmody and Jan Richards were our guests from the Young Garden Club. Helenie is a zone Councillor and gave us an interesting talk on the history of Garden Clubs Australia, which started 73 years ago with a vision by Margaret Davis who visited the Chelsea Flower Show in England and then started in Sydney. There are now 718 affiliated Clubs. Kaylene Bailey moved a vote of thanks.

The three raffle prizes were won by Robyn Mattiske, Ann Nelson and Robin Pols.

prizes were donated by Acheson’s Mitre 10 and Helenie Carmody.

Flower of the month winners were: First place Margaret West with a Helebore , second to Meg Scholefield with a Begonia and third to John Browne with a Chrysantheum.

The next meeting will be held at David and Leonie Todd’s home 62 Union Street, Forbes on 24th August at 2pm please bring a chair and cup. See you there. The usual flower of the month and trading table and guest speaker.

Open Gardens are scheduled for 14th and 15th October with a line up of eight gardens that will be well worth a visit. On 11th November we are having a luncheon to celebrate 70 years of Forbes Garden Club. This will be held at the beautiful old historical Town Hall.

By Green Thumb

Nominate A Local Dad For “Community Sports Dad Of The Year” Ahead Of Father’s Day

August 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Bradley Benjamin from Lightning Ridge was Community Sport Dad of the Year 2022.

Nominations are now open for the tenth annual Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award, acknowledging the contributions and positive impact that Australian dads have made both on and off the sporting field. 

Celebrating ten years of this prestigious award, dads across Australia have been acknowledged for their commitment to community sport – from coaching duties, painting lines on the pitch to raising funds for new equipment. 

Damien Cook, Rabbitohs and NSW origin star who won the 2022 Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year award, knows first-hand the support he received from his own dad growing up and aspires to do the same with his kids, Willow and Jagger. 

“Speaking from experience with my own dad when I was younger, community dads are so important with the roles they cover – from being a coach, setting up fields, refereeing and driving us to and from training and on game days. 

“My dad did this all while working full time and then worked overtime just to earn the extra time off to be able to get me to and from my commitments and be there to support me.” 

Every athlete, no matter grassroots or professional, has their story of who has supported them over the years. 

Nominations are now open and close midnight AEST on 22 August 2023. To nominate a community sports dad, submit 100 words on why they should win via www.sportsdads.com.au/community. The winner will be notified prior to Father’s Day, Sunday, 3 September, with the prize pack including a Philips male grooming pack valued at over $1,000 RRP, as well as a $5,000 Rebel Sports voucher to purchase clothing or sporting equipment for the community sports club of choice. 

To submit a dad who deserves to be recognised, visit www.sportsdads.com.au

Growing Connections – Key To Tackling Bullying

August 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The nationwide movement ‘National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence’ is today, Friday 18th August. 

Chief Executive Officer of yourtown, Tracy Adams urges everyone to think about how we can develop stronger connections within our communities to foster positive, help-seeking behaviour, and stop bullying in its tracks. 

“Whether you are a parent, teacher, student or member of the broader community, everyone has a role to play in preventing the bullying of children,” said Ms Adams.

In 2022, one in 10 Kids Helpline @ School sessions delivered by counsellors to primary schools focused on bullying or cyberbullying.

When a young person reaches out to a trusted adult to tell them they are being bullied, they should be heard and taken seriously. Parents play a critical role in bullying prevention by role modelling positive behaviours and also providing the space for their children to connect and talk openly about this issue. 

“We encourage parents not only to lead by example by demonstrating respect, but to educate themselves about how and where bullying is conducted, including online, and to look out for the signs that something might be worrying their child. A really good way to ‘open the connection’ with children is to go through some of the tips and information on the Kids Helpline website.”

Kids Helpline is specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. www.kidshelpline.com.au or free call 1800 55 1800.

Swirl And Sip For A Good Cause

August 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Amy Millerd, Jenny Watts, Mark Watts (President), Pastor Julie Virtue, Alistair Lunn (Chief Steward), Judy Kerr and Paul Bennett (Secretary).

Each year, the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show donates $500 to Havannah House to assist with their Christmas Lunch, which they provide for the less fortunate people in our community. Last year, they provided 290 Christmas lunches.

Pastor Julie Virtue received the cheque this year and thanked the committee members in attendance for the continued support of this important event.

Organisers have received a great response to entries for the 31st Wine Show, with 589 wines entered from 103 wineries, which is the largest number of wineries exhibiting at the event in more than 10 years.

Judging will be taking place at the Forbes Town Hall from Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd August. This year will see three judging panels, and 13 judges representing most of the major wine regions in New South Wales. Of the 13 Judges, nine are first time judges at the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show and organisers look forward to their input.

The Wine Show week culminates at the Public Tasting being held on Friday 25th August from 6.30pm at The Forbes Town Hall. All the wines entered will be available for patrons to taste and finger food will be provided. Tickets are $30 per person.

The annual Gourmet Wine Dinner will be held on Saturday 9th September from 7pm at the Forbes Town Hall. Eat Your Greens will be preparing a four-course meal and 10 trophy winning wines will be served to complement the meal. Tickets are $130 per person.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show organisers are offering a ticket bundle with a ticket to the Public Tasting and a ticket to the Gourmet Wine Dinner for $150 per person. Tickets are available online at www.123tix.com.au/events/39343/nsw-small-winemakers-wine-show. Get in quick as tickets are limited. 

What’s On @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre

August 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

FRIDAY FLICKS

This 2022 rom-com follows the blossoming romance between two writers brought together in Mexico. With its beautiful scenery, this fish-out-of-water story where opposites attract, makes for a mini romantic getaway.

Friday 25 August, 6pm. Bookings essential.

JUNIOR BUILDERS

Bookings are now open for the Junior Builders workshop on Tuesday August 22 from 4-5pm. Students in Years 3-6 are invited tocome any enjoy a free after-school activitycreating and contributing to a communityart project. Spaces are strictly limited – call6861 2309 to book.

CURL UP THIS WINTER WITH ONLINE WINTER-READS

This winter join libraries throughout the state to read the gripping, fast-paced crime thriller The Other Side of Her by B.M. Carroll. Login to indyreads to start now! Need help accessing our online collections? Our staff are happy to help! Winter-Reads runs from Tuesday 1 August – Thursday 31 August

GET INVOLVED IN THE CARDBOARD SHOW

Got an empty box at your house? Across the month of September the Coventry Room will be hosting an ever-changing and expanding community exhibition of art work made from CARDBOARD. Get involved and enter a piece – build with it, paint on it, create a sculpture or piece of furniture from carboard. All entries to be delivered to the Coventry Room on 4th or 5th September.

Need some inspiration? Join one of the FREE cardboard workshops in the Marramarra Makerspace & Coventry Room:

• Friday 8th September @ 6pm: Workshopand wine (especially for adults)

• Saturday 9th September @ 10am: Cordialand cardboard (especially for kids andparents welcome)

• Saturday 16th September @ 10am: Continue with cardboard (everyone welcome)

Friday 29th September @ 6pm will be the celebration and grand finale event (a free event where artworks will be sold by donation). To book into any of the workshops or events contact Parkes Library 6861 2309.

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