Special Interests Archives - Page 27 of 121

Apply Now For The 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge

September 5, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Enter your submission for the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge now.

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is encouraging people who are passionate about improving their community’s health to apply to take part in the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge.

The WNSWLHD Building Healthy Communities Challenge was established this year by the District’s Health Promotion team to help smaller communities take control of improving their overall health, by providing up to $12,000 in funding and intensive support to deliver a community-led health initiative.

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Coordinator Hayley Vaughan said applications are open to any community group in a town or community with less than 5,000 people who has an idea for an initiative which could improve people’s health.

“We encourage communities to apply if they have an idea which could increase physical activity or healthy eating in their community, reduce smoking and vaping rates or establishing infrastructure which promotes healthy living,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Any idea is a good idea, big or small, and they could be as simple as implementing a regular walking group or setting up community gardens to grow healthy food.”

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Officer Kelly Cook said an independent panel will assess applications and select two towns to compete in the friendly competition.

“The two chosen towns will each receive $8,000 in funding assistance and intensive support from the Health Promotion team to establish and implement their initiative, and we will also provide additional resources and assistance with promotion too,” Ms Cook said.

Applications are open from Monday 2nd September to Friday 11th October 2024.

For more information contact the WNSWLHD Health Promotion Team on WNSWLHD-HealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au.

Parkes Naidoc Family Fun Day

August 29, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Last years award winners with Member for Orange Phil Donato and Councillor Niel Westcott.

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This year the Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday 7th September, at the Wiradjuri Amphitheatre at Bushman Hill.

This is a free, vibrant event and is open to people of all ages, and from all backgrounds. This year’s NAIDOC celebration promises a day full of culture. The event is based on this year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”, which celebrates the enduring strength of Indigenous culture and unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.

The day will feature many local performances, a smoking ceremony and Wiradjuri artifacts Will also be on display. An awards ceremony will be held to recognise the contributions of local community members towards the Wiradjuri culture and heritage.

The day will also include other activities such as a free sausage sizzle, service information stalls, traditional weaving, emergency services vehicles, and children’s activities such as a jumping castle, face painting and temporary tattoos.

The Parkes NAIDOC Family Fun Day offers a heartfelt invitation and a wonderful opportunity for all the community to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity while having a great time with family and friends.

It’s about enjoyment, cultural exchange, and community – it’s genuinely a lot of fun for everyone involved, so come along with your friends and family on the day.

Forbes Cwa Members Advocate For Ongoing Action Around Violence Against Women

August 29, 2024 by Roxane Manley

In the wake of the unfathomable spike in the deaths of Australian women this year at the hands of their intimate partners, community outrage around the issue is increasing.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW will use its annual Awareness Week campaign to highlight the need for ongoing action around reducing rates of gender-based violence across NSW and the ACT.

CWA of NSW Awareness Week runs from September 1 to 7, this year highlighting the continuing crisis around gender-based violence – including domestic and family violence, and also including violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners.

It’s the second time in five years the association has focused its attention for Awareness Week on violence against women, with domestic and family violence chosen as the theme for the 2020 campaign.

Robyn Miller, President of Forbes Evening Branch of the CWA of NSW, said it was clearly an enormous issue that was not going away and needed to be brought to the forefront again during Awareness Week.

“This is an issue Forbes community has experienced firsthand with the death of Molly Ticehurst earlier this year”, Robyn commented. “We need to push for more support for women confronted by gender-based violence and make our communities safe for all”.

During this year’s Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is calling for: Further changes to bail laws to better protect victims, particularly in rural and regional areas; Prioritisation of sustainable funding models for frontline victim support services – and services that target perpetrator risk factors; The expediting of the establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share information on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions; and additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities where isolation and lack of services can make it even harder.

Join Our Farmer’s In Canberra On 10th September

August 29, 2024 by David Jochinke

As a farmer, and head of the National Farmers’ Federation, I’m alarmed by the growing number of decisions being made in Canberra that aren’t about what’s best for farming.

It feels like we’re being drowned out by interest groups who want to tell a negative story about who we are and what we do.

Whether it’s banning live sheep exports, water buybacks, new taxes and red tape, or destroying productive agricultural land, these policies are being driven by people who don’t understand what we do.

On 10th September, farmers from across Australia will meet outside Parliament House in Canberra to send a united message. We want to tell all parliamentarians ahead of the next election that they should listen to farmers, not anti-farming activists, when it comes to what’s best for our industry.

It’s our chance to come together and send a clear and positive message that we deserve a seat at the table, and we deserve a fair go.

Join me as we come together as an industry to celebrate the positive story of Aussie farming in the heart of Canberra.

David Jochinke,
President National Farmers’ Federation

Rural Schools Encouraged To Apply

August 29, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Youth Group are calling for applications for the 2025 All Roads to the Royal program, offering one lucky school a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain practical skills and knowledge through an all-expenses-paid, three-day excursion to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Open to students from years 7-12, the program will run from Monday 14th to Thursday 17th April 2025, and provides return transport, accommodation and meals for up to forty people, including students, teachers and guardians.

Heather Earney, Agriculture and Science teacher at Trundle Central School in Central West, NSW, and RAS’ 2024 All Roads to the Royal recipient, said the excursion was a highlight of the year for both students and teachers alike.

“All Roads to the Royal was an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing the students to broaden their horizons and create lasting memories and networks”, Earney said.

“The students are so thankful to have been given this amazing opportunity. They have gained experience and knowledge about the various aspects of the Show. Along with this, students gained an appreciation for the industry and the work that goes into putting such a large-scale event together”.

The All Roads to the Royal program was designed by the RAS Youth Group, with the aim to break down the financial and accessibility barriers that prevent many rural students from attending the Show. The 2025 program will be supported by the RAS Foundation, who will contribute up to $25,000 towards bus travel, food and expenses.

For further information about the program criteria or to apply, please visit www.rasnsw.com.au/AgriLink/all-roads-to-the-royal/

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show Judging Wraps For 2024

August 22, 2024 by Roxane Manley

It’s been another successful year for wineries across the state, with 585 entries from 99 wineries swirled, sniffed and sipped during judging for the 2024 NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show.

The show wrapped up on Wednesday with the final medal count; 50 gold, 74 silver and 202 bronze, with 23 trophies awarded.

Chair of judges, Mark Richardson said the overall quality of wines entered into the 2024 show was impressive.

“It was a strong year, especially for the classics including the chardonnay, shiraz and semillon classes,” Mark said.

“The alternate varieties are also getting better every year and to see such quality in the show is a good thing for the future of NSW winemakers.”

NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show president Mark Watts said it was a very successful show.

“All of the judges commented on the quality of the wines and the efficiency of the show.”

The Public Tasting is on tonight, however the event has sold out and there are no tickets available at the door.

Tickets are still available for the Gourmet Wine Dinner, which will be held at the Forbes Town Hall to celebrate the trophy winners of the show. The dinner will be held on Saturday 21st September from 7pm with a four-course meal catered by Eat Your Greens featuring trophy winning wines to complement the meal.

Tickets for the event are $130 per person and are available at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/44190/nsw-small-winemakers-wine-show or by calling 0418 237 051.

Forbes Garden Club News

August 22, 2024 by By Elvy Quirk

A magnificent Azalea at 4 Grenfell Street, Forbes.

On 23rd July our Forbes Garden Club held their social meeting at the Forbes Mens Shed with 34 in attendance. The Garden Club has been invited to a Friendship day by the Young Garden Club on 13th October and if you wish to go you should put your name down at the next meeting. Cost of lunch is $60 and it is being held at Clifton Gardens. The cost includes entry to the Gardens. An invitation has also been received from Hartley Garden Club who are showcasing an Open Garden and Plant Fair weekend on the 19th and 20th October.

Therese Davis was our guest speaker on the day and gave a very comprehensive report on her life growing up, becoming a teacher, rearing a family and living in circumstances which were a far cry from the standard of living today. Therese has a wide circle of friends having lived in a number of places before retiring in Forbes. Therese is the daughter of a well known family in Forbes – the Cannon family.

The trading table proved popular with oranges, lemons, plants and books for sale. Flower of the month was well patronised, with first prize going to Joyce Morrison with an orchid, second rpize to Max Swift with a pink camellia and third prize to Marie Langfield with a rose. The raffle was won by Joyce Morrison, and second prize went to Margaret Dent.

Our next meeting will be at 22 Koala Place on Tuesday 27th August, 1.45pm arrival for a 2pm start. Bring a chair, hat and mug and also a flower to participate in Flower of the Month. In the event of inclement weather the venue will change to the Mens shed.

Our guest speaker for August will be Marian Murray, a new member, who has retired to Forbes from Coonamble.

By Elvy Quirk

Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day

August 22, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The recent “Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day” held at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange was a success with approximately 60 people attending.

Attendees were a mixture of farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations. The event was supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, the Grain Transport Safety Network, NSW Police, SafeWork NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Farmers and the Australian Custom Harvesters Association.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said anecdotal feedback from attendees on the day was very positive.

“Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period. Thanks to Forbes Machinery Centre, Hutcheon and Pearce, O’Connors, Bob Wythes, Luke Magill and Nina Hooper who were very generous in loaning equipment for the display.”

If you missed the field day, there will be free satellite events:

• Tuesday 27 August: Tottenham War Memorial Hall 7.30am – 10.15am

• Wednesday 28 August: Parkes Show Farmer’s Day 1.30pm – 3.45pm (please note: you will be required to pay the gate admission)

• Thursday 29 August: Wirrinya Community Hall 7.30am – 10.15am

• Friday 30 August: Bogan Gate Memorial Hall 7.30am – 10.15am

Time Is Running Out To Complete Your Farm Census

August 15, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Time is running out for NSW farmers to report their livestock numbers and agricultural land use before the annual land and stock return portal closes on 31 August.

Local Land Services Executive Director Regional Delivery Rob Kelly said around 170,000 land managers were taking part in the 2024 farm census.

“This is the last chance farmers have to lodge returns before the reporting portal closes,” Mr Kelly said.

“Understanding what landholders use their land for also plays a role influencing the fit-for-purpose services we deliver to our NSW farming customers.”

Completing returns is an easy process, with two options available, you can submit returns online via www.lls.nsw.gov.au/aslr or return the paper form via mail or to a Local Land Services office.

Mr Kelly said it was important all landholders completed their annual land and stock return even if they carried no livestock.

“The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to their next rates notice if they fail to complete their return.”

For information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/aslr or phone a Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299.

Donation To Havannah House

August 15, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Jenny Watts, Mark Watts, Julie Virtue from Havannah House, Alistair Lunn and Amy Slessor.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show has donated $1,000 to Havannah House in Forbes to assist with their 2024 Christmas Lunch, which they provide for the less fortunate people that live in our community.

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

Organisers have received a great response to entries for this year’s show, with 585 wines entered from 99 wineries. Judging taking place from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st August.

The Public Tasting is on Friday 23rd 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 21 September from 7pm at the Forbes Town Hall.Tickets are $130 per person. If you buy both tickets in one transaction, the bundle is $150 per person. Tickets are available online at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/44190/nsw-small-winemakers-wineshow but get in quick as they are limited.

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