It’s important to socialise puppies, as it helps them grow into well adjusted adults and in general reduces aggressive behavior. This results in a more rewarding, relationship between owner and dog.

When we refer to socialisation we mean exposing your dog to new and different environments, developing new relationships with different people and other animals. Owners may find it more beneficial to take their dogs to different parks, introduce different toys, walk different routes, visit friends in their own homes and expose their dog to different animals, different people,
different noises and different smells, after the puppy is covered by their vaccinations.

With dogs it is believed that the critical time for socialisation is between 3-16
weeks of age. A good breeder will initially start the socialisation process very early on by handling the puppies and providing a stimulating, fun environment. Puppies that lack socialisation may be slower learners, less able to socialise and have increased anxiety when they are moved to their new
homes and forever family at around 8 weeks of age.

It’s important to continue the socialisation process after this move to the new
family. However, your puppies vaccination does not cover them until they are at least 14 weeks of age, you should not let your puppy roam outside your own yard.

Forbes Vet Clinic offers puppy preschool, for puppies between the ages of 8-16
weeks, providing a safe controlled environment for puppies, where they can socialise with other puppies and people. Puppy preschool runs on Sunday evenings and consists of a four week program. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Please phone Forbes Vet Clinic on 6852 1775.

Sorting it Out With Psychology Experts
It is natural to experience high points and low points throughout life but when there is a build-up of anxiety, stress, depression and otherwise, it is important to seek support. Dr Jamie Cox has worked as a consulting Psychologist
in a private Parkes practise for more than 10 years. His academic career in psychological research and university teaching lends confidence and comfort towards his skills and experience.

He also has expertise regarding accurate diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of personal issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, mood and motivation difficulties, stress management, loss and grief, phobias, behavioural health management and ADHD. Dr Cox can also offer assistance to school students suffering performance anxiety prior to exam periods like the HSC. To make an appointment or find out more information about the services Dr Cox provides, phone 6863 5013.

New Face at Western NSW Primary Health Network
Dr Tim Smyth, MBBS, LLB, MBA has been appointed to the position of Independent Chair of the Company Western NSW Primary Health Network (WPHN). With a deep understanding of government, public administration and compliance, and degrees in medicine, law and business administration, Dr Smyth is a widely experienced Board Director with extensive strategic and operational experience across all levels of the health system.

“Tim has a strong understanding of the Australian health care system and its structures, funding and relationships, and has a keen interest in Aboriginal Health throughout his career,” said Interim WPHN Chair Saranne Cooke.
“I am excited by the opportunity to work with a great team at Western NSW PGN and with GPs, allied health and Aboriginal health workers, health service and community partners to strengthen primary health care services
in Western NSW,” Dr Smyth said.

Donating Life
If you know anyone who has needed an organ transplant or replacement tissue, you will recognise the importance of raising awareness to promote organ and tissue donation. There is never a better time than right now to have the conversation that could possible save somebody’s life. “Family discussion around donation decisions is vital,” says Donation Specialist Sonia Braithwaite. “The majority of families say that having discussed and knowing the donation
decision of their loved one made it much easier to support donation proceeding if that is their wish.”

Only around 1% of people die in hospital in the specific circumstances where organ donation is possible. However, many more people can become eye and tissue donors as tissues can be donated up to 24 hours after death regardless of where the death occurred. “While the possibility of organ donation is quite small, one organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people,” Ms Braithwaite said. People can register their decision on the Australian Organ Donor Registry. For more information visit www.donatelife.gov.au

Looking for that city escape without leaving the comfort of the country? Dubbo has everything you need for any kind of trip – a business event, a family holiday or a romantic escape. Dubbo is known as the “City of Smiles” and has a refreshing blend of urban and rural cultures. For the history buffs, Dubbo is built on rich cultural heritage and interesting experiences are on offer for visitors and locals to explore the past.

This thriving inland city is home to more than 40,000 people, and claims to be the envy of other regional cities due to its breadth of diversity in health, education, retail and professional services, as well as a quality lifestyle, job opportunities and affordable housing. Situated opposite the picturesque Victoria Park, Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre is Dubbo’s premier event venue.

It is located in the heart of the city, just a short stroll to the central business district, restaurants, shops and the Macquarie River. The DRTCC houses the 750-seat Macquarie Auditorium which is the perfect venue for hosting business events, conferences and trade expos. The auditorium also has a retracting wall that divides the floor area of the auditorium into halves. It is framed by a foyer space which is ideal for sponsor and trade displays.

The 500-seat Joyce Schneider tiered theatre boasts modern facilities including a comprehensive, computerised sound and lighting control room, box office, acoustically designed auditorium, hydraulic orchestra pit, fly tower, dressing rooms, ‘green room’, refreshment bar and designated seating for people with disabilities.
Visit the DRTCC to enjoy a variety of shows from concerts, plays, musicals, opera, family shows, dance and comedy.
Call 6801 4378 or go online at www.drtcc.com.au for tickets and more information. When booking tickets, don’t forget to mention that you read about the shows through the Forbes Phoenix!

Another little gem you will find in the heart of Dubbo Street is The Book Connection, an independent family bookstore with over 50,000 new and used titles in stock. There are books in a diverse range of categories from Aboriginal Studies to Cooking books with a myriad of fiction and children’s books in between. If you love browsing through books you will probably need a few hours to peruse the shelves at The Book Connection. There are also many contemporary Australian titles to choose from and a range of beautiful photography collections showcasing different Australian themes.

Dubbo is built on land traditionally owned by the Tubbagah People of the Wiradjuri Nation. Ambition and spirit became the driving forces that transformed a village into a vibrant city hub. The community is bubbling with character, personality, potential and hundreds of interesting stories to tell. To celebrate and honour the past you can walk the footsteps of Dubbo’s pioneers into the city’s intriguing past. Dubbo is steeped in the history of bushrangers,
underworld figures and renowned architects which you can learn all about on the Heritage Walk, starting at the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre.

Orana Mall is Dubbo’s shopping hotspot with a massive range of stores and services. All of your favourite fashion, gaming, homeware and footwear retailers can be found here, as well as a food court full of the tastiest flavours. Orana Mall is on track to complete their $30+million redevelopment over the next few months and there are a whole bunch of new shopfronts opening during August and September. This will include Jeanswest, The Coffee Club, Factorie, Cotton On Body and Cotton On Kids.

The Western Plains Cultural Centre is an $8.2 million facility operated and managed by Dubbo City Council. Located at the site of the old Dubbo High School which closed its doors in 2000, Western Plains Cultural Centre features an art gallery, a museum, a community arts centre and a café. The Cultural Centre was the 2009 winner of the Education and Public Engagement Award and has full amenities including wheelchair access and baby changing facilities.

The Outlook Café is open from Wednesday to Monday between 8am and 5pm, and open late on Fridays for dinner; the perfect way to top off an afternoon wandering through the permanent displays at Dubbo Regional Museum or an hour of art appreciation at Dubbo Regional Gallery. There’s no better way to shop! Save with amazing specials throughout the centre. Be early… only while stocks last!

At this time of year, the town of Canowindra is enjoying Christmas in July, a celebration intending to mimic the northern hemisphere’s white wintery Christmases. Many events are organised as part of the celebrations including
the Christmas in July Window Competition which inspires local businesses to get into the spirit of Christmas by decorating their shop windows.

The old Hardware Shop on Gaskill Street has become a showcase for elaborate window displays that change regularly to reflect either the time of year or a special celebration. The windows are a project of Tommy Jeffs’ from Deli Lama across the road and have become an attraction for visitors to the town. Stop in for a coffee and admire the display from across the street.

Canowindra is a historic village nestled among the rolling hills and spectacular landscapes of Cabonne. The town has a reputation of being a friendly and inviting community with warm and helpful locals. The quirky, curvy main street of Canowindra is lined with heritage listed buildings adding to a strong tourism culture built around history, art, food and of course wine. Canowindra is also Australia’s premier balloon flying region– the ultimate way to get a spectacular view of the flawless landscape.

The town boasts a thriving restaurant and café culture as well as several incredible vineyards producing some of the best wines in the region. It’s been five years since Jackie and Geoff Yeo restored the iconic building in Canowindra known to locals as “Finns Store”. Together they transformed the desolate, silent shop into a vibrant centre of social activity. The mix of coffee, food, clothing, jewellery, and furniture gives the shop a sense of old world
charm merged with modern expectations.

To complement the wonderful food served and the functions being held, the store has recently become fully licensed! Customers have an amazing choice of local and imported beers and local wines. Since it opened, Finns Store has gained the reputation of being one of the regions must visit experiences. Geoff and Jackie believe that the central location of the store gives people an opportunity to make an escape for the day to a venue and town that feels like another world, without needing to travel long distances.

Finns Store is a venue where locals can mix with visitors; a venue that promotes wonderful wines, food and art; a venue that has an array of clothing, jewellery and furniture; truly a ‘licensed cafe emporium’ which can make you feel you have entered another world.

Check out the Age of Fishes Museum to discover the 360 million year old history of this land.

Schools Celebrate Local Heroes

Between Monday 27 and Friday 31 July, Education Week is a major event on the NSW public schools calendar and this year the theme is ‘Celebrating Local Heroes’. During Education Week, schools and learning facilities across the state organise and take part in a range of activities including performances, exhibitions, competitions and sports events.

“Education Week is a time to celebrate the achievements and successes of our students, teachers and support staff across all NSW public schools,” says NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli. Several special events have been planned in conjunction with Education Week to highlight the quality programs available at Forbes North Public School.

Forbes North are inviting all parents, carers and family members to visit the classrooms on Tuesday 28 July to see first-hand the quality learning undertaken each and every day. Classrooms will be open from 11:50am until
12:30pm. Afterwards, a special Education Week assembly will be held in the school hall which will include performances by the school choir and the presentation of Bronze I-Con Certificates to the children who have
earned these this year.

Everyone is then invited to enjoy a community sausage sizzle lunch prepared by staff from Forbes North’s Community Business Partners Ray White Rural. Traditional Education Week church services will be held on Wednesday at Northside Chapel and on Thursday there will be a disco in the school hall for Forbes North students from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Also as part of the Education Week activities, students from Forbes High School’s Creative and Performing Arts classes will visit Forbes North on Friday July 31 to present a concert to all students from K-6. At Forbes Public School, students learn in a stimulating and challenging environment with a 21st century approach to schooling.

To celebrate Education Week, the school has organised many activities including an Open Day at Forbes Public School on Monday July 27 between 10:15 and 11am, as well as a Book Fair in the school library from 8:30am to 3:30pm. A community morning tea will be served in the nature area from 11am to 11:30am.

The Forbes Preschool Kindergarten welcome everyone for their individuality, for their ideas and their contributions, believing that for children, Preschool is about fun, love, laughter, friends, learning, exploring and excitement. Every child deserves a beautiful start to a life of education and the staff at Forbes Preschool are proud of what they do showing pride in their roles. For parents and families the Preschool is a comfortable place that they can visit anytime and feel a sense of belonging and pride. They offer a range of resources including traditional, symbolic and
sensory play.