Participant’s view of the simulator. The facilitator is Daniel Greef. Photo: Ken Engsmyr.

Senior students from Forbes High School spent time learning about the effects of alcohol, drugs, fatigue and distractions on driving. They have participated in an extremely important program provided by the Rotary Clubs of Parkes and Forbes, and Neighbourhood Central.

“Students experience two training modules on a driving simulator” said Ken Engsmyr of Parkes Rotary.

“The program is not about teaching driving skills. Rather, the program enables students to experience – in a safe way – the effects of impairment and distraction on driving ability.”

“With the ‘impaired driving’ module a participant first drives for about five minutes to practice on the simulator while experiencing normal driving conditions. Then they stop and we switch the simulator into impaired driving mode. The screens blur, the scenery wobbles, and delays are inserted into braking and steering controls. The participant drives again for about five minutes.

The difference between normal and impaired driving is compared by means of a statistical report. The experience provides a powerful demonstration of the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving ability. It’s an experience that participants cannot – at least should not – experience ‘for real’ with real drugs or real alcohol in a real vehicle on a real road.

The simulator used at Forbes High was acquired recently. Local member Phil Donato supported a grant application that in large part funded the equipment.

“The advantage of having a simulator located locally is we can provide a better response to local schools” said Ken.

After two years of trials there is little doubt now about the usefulness of simulator training to compliment other safe driving programs for learners and newly licenced drivers: the high rate of road fatalities for young drivers make it clear that still more needs to be done to improve the safety of young drivers on our roads.

The Parkes Betta Home Living store will continue to service the local community.

After 21 years of serving the local community, Forbes Betta Home Living have closed their doors for the final time. We’d like to pay a special thank you to the entire Forbes community for all their love and support of the business. Owners, Ian and Mandy Westcott, are incredibly proud to have been a part of this vibrant and growing community and are so grateful for the friendships and memories they have made along the way. 

Family owned and operated, Ian and Mandy Westcott are the second generation in their family to run the Forbes store. For the past 21 years, the Forbes store has been a one-stop shop, helping the local community find the right appliances and furniture for their home, with the store stocking a huge range of kitchen, laundry, small appliances, IT products and bedding. 

Despite the closure of the Forbes store, Parkes Betta Home Living will continue to service the local community, which is only a 25-minute drive north of the Forbes location. Customers can still receive amazing service, deals, and exceptional local advice on all your fridge and freezer, kitchen and cooking appliances, air conditioning, furniture, bedding, TV and audio requirements.

This new location offers customers a great shopping experience and even expands upon the previous offerings of the Forbes store. At Parkes Betta Home Living, you’ll be able to shop from an even larger range of all your favourite brands – from Hisense, Fisher & Paykel, Westinghouse, LG, Beko, Samsung, Haier, Chiq, Electrolux, TCL, Kelvinator, Dyson, Miele, Sunbeam, Bissell, Smeg and more. 

An IT, electrical appliance and premium cooking stockist all rolled into one, Parkes Betta Home Living is the answer to all your living space needs. Parkes is a one-stop shopping experience, with easy parking access, fully-airconditioned showrooms and a wide range of electrical, furniture and bedding items. 

The team at Parkes Betta Home Living would like to offer the community mark-downs and reductions across a huge range of home appliances and consumer electrical goods in its End Of Financial Year Sale (EOFY). Make sure you take advantage of huge saving across all your favourite brands. 

Offers end 30th of June, so hurry in-store for incredible deals while stocks last. Visit us in-store at Parkes Betta Home Living, 11 Saleyards Road Parkes. Opening hours may vary, please call or check the Betta website for more information. 

Tuppy Drabsch and Pam Baass at the recent Forbes Garden Club meeting.

The May meeting of the Forbes Garden Club was well attended by 24 members at the home of Trudy and Mark Mallick. A country home, situated in a lovely setting with many large trees to wander around. Guest speaker, Dennis Irvine provided tips on pruning of hydrangeas and roses and demonstrated how to take cuttings and grow your own plants. 

A report was given on our recent trip to Dubbo Gardens which was enjoyed by all. A donation of $100 is to be given to the PA&H Society towards the Flower Show. There will be eight gardens to be viewed for the Open Gardens weekend in October, so many volunteers will be needed. 

A special thankyou by Denise Thurston was extended to Mark Mallick for hosting our meeting. The raffle was won by Margaret West, 2nd prize went to Sylvia Glasson. 

Flower of the month winners were 1st Denise Thurston a chrysanthemum, 2nd John Browne a chrysanthemum and 3rd Dorelle Scott a bird of paradise, Sylvia Glasson a rose and Annette Thornton a camellia. 

The next meeting will be held at the Forbes Mens Shed on Thursday, 22nd June at 2pm with a speaker from Bunnings. No need to bring chairs, hoping to see you all there. 

By Green Thumb 

Enjoying The Biggest Morning Tea celebrations at Forbes North Public School on Friday were Hayley Crump (Office of Regional Youth), school captains Benji Hodges and Ruby Dumbrell and Schools Community Centre coordinator Maree Yapp.

Through the simple act of sharing morning tea, 240 Forbes North Public School students and their families have raised over $1,000 for the Australian Cancer Council. Inclement weather didn’t deter students, staff and their families from gathering to taste sweet success with their Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser. 

Schools as Community Centre coordinator, Maree Yapp praised the Forbes North community for their efforts in the Cancer Council’s 30th year of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. 

“People are so generous,” Maree said. “The floods come and go, and the mice come and go, but cancer is always there.” 

According to the Australian Cancer Council, one in every two people are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. This year’s effort follows on from the school’s outstanding result last year, which saw $1,300 raised by the school community. 

The biggest morning tea cakes and slices were donated by staff, parents and the school canteen. Ten raffle prizes – also donated by staff – were up for grabs during the fundraiser, and ranged from chinaware to assorted comfort foods. Students brought a small plate of morning tea to share with their classmates and friends. 

This year marks the second consecutive year of Forbes North Public School being recognised as a Royal Tea Club member with the Australian Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.