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Forbes Phoenix

The New Parkes Elvis Festival Team Are Out Of This World!

July 20, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Pictured left to right is Events and Festival’s Specialist, Rochelle, Festival Producer Julian and Event Sponsorship and Attraction Officer Charlotte. Missing from the photo is the Brand and Marketing Coordinator, Bec.

There will be no more “Suspicious Minds”, as the new Parkes Elvis Festival Team have been announced and they “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with Parkes.

Festival Director Julien Poluson was joined this week in Parkes by colleagues Rochelle Livingstone, Festivals and Events Manager and Charlotte Lepriere, Sponsorship and Marketing to discuss everything Elvis. Julian will be residing in Parkes, whilst Rochelle and Charlotte will be working remotely and returning to Parkes as needed. 

Julian’s background is in arts, music production and public arts events. His career started at the Hobart Mercury Newspaper, in the 90’s he worked in the Australian Music Industry, before moving to East Timor and then Cambodia where he went working for three months and stayed for 12 years.

Julian went on to say that as a team they are all “Very much part of a transition, an evolution of the festival. It’s gone from being a conversation around a bar in a hotel, to a community committee run festival, to a semi council run, to now fully run within the corporate framework, and the framework is good, it secures it and means the investment of everyone’s time, sponsorship money, talent, patience and enthusiasm, it all pays off over the long term and way into the future”.

The team are busy collaborating with each other and Julian said they are excited to bring “More colour, more diversity, more youth, more culture, the Wall of Fame story, developing Theatre.” 

Sounds Of Country On Lake Forbes At Sundown

July 13, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Rising stars of Australian country music, and the new backing band for Lee Kernaghan, Hurricane Fall will headline Sundown Sounds.

Rising stars of Austraslian country music, Hurricane Fall will be the headlining act at Forbes’ inaugural Sundown Sounds on Lake Forbes. The event will take place at Lions Park on 5th August, with music starting at 5:45pm.

This high energy country rock band will be joined by Katie Jayne and band, and our very own Gracey Denham-Jones.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the inaugural Sundown Sounds event is a definite nod to our country roots.

“I am looking forward to pulling on the boots for an evening of good food, good music and great times with old and new friends” Mayor Miller said.

You can check out Council’s Facebook event to listen to the Sundown Sounds Spotify Playlist. Sundown Sounds is a free event funded by the NSW Government.

“Grab your mates, grab your esky and join us by the lake for what is sure to be an epic evening of live music.”

Sundown Sounds is a BYO event. Food vans and a bucking mechanical bull will be available. All ages are welcome.

Tickets are free, but essential and are available to online at www.123tix.com.au/events/37984/forbes-sundown-sounds

Putting The Heart In Your Business

July 13, 2023 by Roxane Manley

 

Actor Samuel Johnson with his sister Connie, who lost her battle with cancer.

The Forbes Business Chamber will be hosting special guest, actor Samuel Johnson, for breakfast on the 20th July at Club Forbes. 

Samuel Johnson has long been advocating for Precision Medicine as a standard of care for all Australian cancer patients. Access to clinical trials and the latest technologies is currently not available outside major population centres. Love Your Sister has initiated a multi-partner, multi-million-dollar expansion to correct the inequity.

Love Your Sister has partnered with Macquarie University, and selected the Dubbo region to be the first trial. 

Love Your Sister has committed $1.2M to a world-first, co-designed sustainable model for clinical trials that draws on local resources and expertise as well as those of the government, university and pharmaceutical sectors. 

Most importantly, the patient wins. This impactful initiative will help patients stay close to home and their support networks rather than being required to travel long distances to receive the latest treatments. 

Love Your Sister has already funded half and is relying on businesses and community leaders from Dubbo and other communities to help meet our commitment.

“This world-first model only works if everyone gets on board, including individuals, local community groups and businesses, not only from Dubbo but the surrounding towns as well,” said Samuel Johnson.

All eyes will be on Dubbo and surrounds as Love Your Sister, the Oncology Department at Dubbo Hospital, the Western NSW Clinical Trial Support Unit, NSW Health and Macquarie University initiate a model for bringing international standard clinical trials to regional, rural and remote locations.

Chamber members are entitled to one free ticket, please email the chamber to register your business delgate. Additional tickets are available at www.123tix.com.au/events/39534/putting-the-heart-in-your-business-breakfast-with-samuel-johnson 

This Is One Production Not To Be Missed

July 13, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Cast and crew are excited for the opening night, Saturday the 15th. Get your tickets and come along and support local theatre.

Not Now Darling is a British farcical comedy featuring minks, mistresses, mobsters and mistaken identities, including scantily clad women hiding in cupboards! This production is the directorial debut for Parkes M&D member Hannah Symonds, who has over 20 years of theatrical experience and graced the Parkes M&D stage as Elphaba in the 2021 production of Wicked.

Not Now Darling follows the flamboyant Gilbert Bodley (Aaron Kingham) as he schemes to seduce the beautiful stripper Janie McMichael (Lisa Ramsay) by offering her an exquisite £5,000 mink coat.

Unfortunately, Janie’s husband, Harry McMichael (Benson O’Donnell), mustn’t know about the affair so the coat is offered to Harry at an excellent price of £500, with Gilbert paying the remainder.

Harry realises the bargain and instead buys the coat for his curvaceous secretary Sue Lawson (Hannah Symonds). Gilbert is shocked by this turn in events and both he and his nervous assistant Arnold Crouch (Russell Tanswell) are further embarrassed when Janie refuses to leave the salon by stripping down. Their frenzied attempts to retrieve the coat from Sue and hide the naked Janie are further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Gilbert’s wife Maude Bodley (Lyn Townsend).

Meanwhile, Arnold’s method of hiding any discarded ladies underwear is to throw them out the window, leaving the salon’s spinster secretary Miss Tipdale (Jessica Morgan) to retrieve the garments and any other items tossed from the window. The hilarious events at the salon are interrupted by the elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. Frencham (Steve McGrath and Ruth Barnes) as they navigate the law, as well as the beautiful fur model Miss Whittington (Gyhaan Edwards).

Opening 15th July to the 30 th July 2023. A group ticket discount of buy five get one free will apply. Head to the website for more details. www.parkesmandd.com.au

It’s The Little Things That Make A Big Difference

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Grant Acheson from Kitson solutions is pictured with Aruma Disability clients after the installation of the new guardrail.

As a free communtiy newspaper, the team at The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix, love nothing more that bringing our readers good-news stories about locals doing their bit to make our community a better place to live.

Every weekday from 9:30am – 3:30pm, Aruma Disability Servivces in Forbes run a local day program assisting a range of disability supported customers to reach their short and long term goals. These goals may include cooking skills, community access, dancing, money, and budgeting skills, food preparation, cleaning, shopping, fishing, gardening and sensory skills.

The outdoor area at the centre is used for most of these activities and provides an alternate space for all-purpose needs as the indoor activities often get very noisy and crowded. 

Amy Mongan from Aruma Disability Services identified the need for a permanent guardrail to be installed around the outdoor space to make the area safer for customers and clients.

She reached out to Kitson Solutions to see if they would be willing to donate any time or materials to assist in the completion of this project. 

“I explained that our outdoor area is very unsafe due to the lack of railing around the concrete slab, which poses a fall risk to both staff and customers,” said Amy.

Grant Acheson of Kitson Solutions didn’t hesitate to offer their assistace in any way needed to get the job done. After generously donating their free time and materials, the guard rails were completed. 

“Our outdoor area looks amazing andcustomers and staff could not be happier. We are now able to use this space as required on a regular basis safely. Thank you Kitson Solutions,” said Amy. 

Colour Wheel Art Exhibition

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

An original Karen Ritchie artwork will be raffled off, raising funds for FAS. Raffle tickets are $2 each and can be purchased at the door throughout the weekend.

From bright and bold tones to moody and muted hues, colour is key in the latest art exhibition by the Forbes Arts Society (FAS).

The Colour Wheel exhibition will showcase a collection of mixed media work by Forbes Arts Society members that celebrates the history of colour and explores colour psychology.

“Like art, colour is undeniably emotive. This exhibition will highlight how different colours can evoke different emotional and behavioural responses,” said Dr Karen Ritchie, Forbes Arts Society.

“We are delighted to exhibit such a diverse offering of local artwork that will uplift, inspire, surprise and comfort, as well as stimulate a range of other thoughts and feelings,” Karen added.

An exhibition opening will be held on Friday 7th July, from 6pm until 8pm at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 11 Harold Street in Forbes. Tickets are $10 for Forbes Arts Society members and $20 for non-members and can be pre-purchased through the Forbes Arts Society website or at the door.

The exhibition will then be on public display St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July, from 10am until 2pm both days. 

For more information about the Colour Wheel exhibition and to purchase tickets to the exhibition opening, head to www.forbesartssociety.com or follow the Forbes Arts Society on Facebook and Instagram. This exhibition is supported by ArtsWeb volunteers, a committee of the Forbes Arts Society.

Entries Open For 2023 Aboriginal Art Prize

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

2021 competition judges Wilcannia-Forbes Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche and artist Raymond Thorpe with the winning painting ‘Mirri’ by Robert Sloane of Condobolin.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is excited to launch its 2023 Aboriginal Art Competition to discover talented Aboriginal artists in western NSW.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche encouraged Aboriginal artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where its services are available, to enter.

“At CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes we are passionate about creating opportunities for Aboriginal people and empowering all to succeed and this competition will generate opportunities and recognition for three aspiring artists,” Ms Mioche said.

“We know there is a lot of unrecognised talent in this region and we hope this competition will showcase these artists.

“This is the third time we have run the competition and this year we hope to attract even more talent from our communities.”

Raymond Thorpe of Forbes won the inaugural CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Art Competition in 2019 with his painting, Platypus Waterholes.

In 2021 Robert Sloane of Condobolin claimed top honours with his artwork, Mirri (dragonfly).

The competition offers a total prize pool of $4,000 to encourage emerging Aboriginal artists to create and share meaningful artwork that shows the rich Aboriginal culture and artistry in our diocese.

First prize for the winner is $2,000, second prize is $1,500 and third prize is $500.

Artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes offers services, including from Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Nyngan, Warren, Narromine, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin or elsewhere within the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes are encouraged to submit an artwork.

The closing date for entries is Monday 28th August, so get your entries in now.

Restraint Checks Securing Child Safety In Forbes

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Research shows children who are not restrained correctly are seven times more likely to
sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured.

The recent, free child restraint checking event held by Forbes Shire Council, has revealed all of the child restraints checked on the day were incorrectly fitted. Six child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking – a combination of baby capsules along with rearward/forward facing convertible seats.

Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said this bi-annual event continues to be popular. “All of the child restraints that were checked had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, Ms Suitor said.

While this was a free bi-annual event, local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters can install and check child restraints every day for a small fee. The local fitter in Forbes is Jelbart Dawson. Local fitters in Parkes include Col Fletcher Ford and Kia and Parkes Tyrepower.

National child restraints laws have been in effect since 2010. All children must be safely fastened into the correct child restraint for their age and size. Children need to be at least 145cm or taller to use an adult lap sash seatbelt.

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

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE VOICE REFERENDUM 

Australia is having a conversation about the Voice referendum being held later this year. It’s about whether we should change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Parkes Shire Library has information booklets available that have been issued by the Australian Government providing information on how a referendum works; the referendum question and constitutional amendment; what the Voice is and what would it do?

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Board Games Day Friday: Families are invited to drop into Parkes Library to enjoy playing a board game with friends and family. Friday 7 July during library opening hours. FREE event. 

Kids Flicks @ Parkes Library: For students in Kindergarten to Year 6. Come and enjoy a junior movie and popcorn! Wednesday 12 July, 10:30am – 12pm. FREE event in person bookings essential. 

Picasso Faces: Learn about Picasso and play a game to create an art-work in his style. Tullamore Library Wednesday 12 July, 11:30am – 1pm. $2pp, bookings essential on 6861 2309.

Paint Like A Pro: Learn about Pro Hart and create an artwork using his methods. Peak Hill Library Thursday 13 July. $2pp, bookings essential on 6861 2309.

LITTLE BANG DISCOVERY CLUB RETURNS TO PARKES LIBRARY

Young scientists and their lab assistants gathered in Parkes Library during June for the Little Bang Discovery Club. The children made amazing discoveries by predicting, testing, conducting experiments and more! Stay tuned for information on future sessions of Little Bang Discovery Club.

YOUTH LIBRARY LOCK-IN

Young people aged 12-18 years are invited to come to our popular Library Lock-In event. Enjoy games, a free dinner and exclusive use of the Parkes Library. Monday 31 July, 5:30-8pm. Bookings open 17 July at events.humanitix.com/July23youthlockin

Tiny Home Co. Open Day Big Success

July 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Nearly 300 people attended the open day last weekend.

Last Saturday, 1st July, The Modular and Tiny Home Co. held its first ever Open Day in Parkes. Business owner, Daniel Relyea was happy to report the day was a smash thanks to the support of the community who helped him promote the event and the people who came along on the day. 

The flow was non-stop with many great enquiries. The mood was relaxed with many positive comments. People were excited that there was a local manufacturer of Modular and Tiny Homes. It was encouraging for us to be able to engage with so many locals who are looking for accommodation alternatives. 

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