Special Interests Archives - Page 38 of 121

Mental Health Workforce Strategy

October 12, 2023 by Roxane Manley

As we shine a light on mental health issues during this Mental Health Week, the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) welcomes the launch of the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 by the Australian Government.

The Alliance is pleased to see that the issues of mental health workforce shortages in rural and remote locations and options to address the specific needs of communities to attract, retain, maximise, support and train a rural workforce are given due consideration in this Strategy.

“We know mental illness in rural and remote Australia is more prevalent than in major cities and tragically, rates of self-harm and suicide increase with remoteness.

“We are particularly pleased to see the reference to the need for home grown professionals as the Strategy notes that people originating from rural and remote areas often have a preference to undertake training and employment in their own or comparable communities. The Strategy rightly notes that there needs to be a focus on developing, growing and sustaining the regional, rural and remote mental health workforce through providing localised education, training and placement opportunities for students,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

Celebrating Regional Women

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Nominations are now open for this year’s NSW Regional Woman of the Year Award.The awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional women doing inspiring things in their communities.

The award is all about showcasing women who contribute to the fabric of their local area by making contributions that have a significant and positive impact on the lives of others.

There’s no denying that women who live and work in rural and regional areas face conditions that sometimes require that extra level of resilience and determination, so it’s fitting that there’s an award that specifically honours women in the regions.

If you know of an inspirational woman that is making an outstanding contribution, whether it be in education, health, agriculture, the arts, fundraising, volunteer work, or just generally within the community, please take the time to nominate them.

Nominations close Tuesday 24th October 2023, and can be made at: www.nsw.gov.au

Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

A previous Christmas Tree Festival. This years festival will run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd December.

The members of Rotary Ipomoea invite you to make and decorate a Christmas tree, a nativity, wreath or wall hanging, as long as the entry has a Christmas theme they will exhibit it at the 11th community Christmas Tree Festival.

Exhibits will need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall between 7am and 10am on Friday 1st December if possible. However, no exhibits will ever be late, they will glady be accepted right up until the opening time.

The exhibition of trees will be open to the public on Friday 1st December from 1pm-5pm and all day Saturday 2nd December, 9am-5pm and from 9am-2pm Sunday 3rd December.

Your entry can reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. There are no restrictions placed upon entires at all.

There are no size restrictions for trees, big or small Rotary love them all. Trees can be commercially bought, a tree in a pot, a branch in a bucket full of wet sand or a painted tree branch. Trees can be from recycled materials, welded, nailed, or glued.

Lights can be added but are not necessary. Entrants are aksed to place a Christmas greeting on or under their tree.

Please indicate your intention to take part in this the 11th Christmas Tree Festival by phoning Rotary Ipomoea members on 0439 708 456, 0427 201 445 or 0413 274 735.

There will be a $5 fee to enter your exhibit. This fee can be brought along with your entry on Friday 1st December. This fee will be used by Rotary Ipomoea to support local Rotary Ipomoea projects. Entry to the Christmas Tree Festival will be $5 per adult and free for primary school children.

The Push-Up Challenge Student Ambassador Program 2024

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Student Ambassadors will lead their school mates, teachers and school community in The Push-Up Challenge by cheering them on to get fit, have fun and learn about mental health.

Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, is calling on students passionate about mental health to apply for its 2024 Student Ambassador Program.

Students completing Year 10, 11 and Year 12 in 2024 anywhere in Australia can apply to be a Student Ambassador and make a difference to the mental health of their school community. They will be equipped with mental health awareness training, resources and leadership support to coordinate The Push-Up Challenge at their school.

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, says the Student Ambassador program is one of the team’s proudest achievements to date. “Watching students from around the country bring their communities together through fun and fitness is such a special thing” he commented.

Ambassadors benefit by gaining skills and experience in leading a community-based project, coordinating health promotion events and activities, and contributing to a good cause.

“When we think about mental health, we often think of mental illness. The Student Ambassador program aims to help students reframe this perception by providing tools to increase their mental health knowledge and build confidence in encouraging conversations about mental health with peers and community,” said Hudson.

The Push-Up Challenge will take place mid year in 2024, across three weeks. This year, 215,000 Australians took part in The Push-Up Challenge, collectively completing a staggering 315 million push-ups in 23 days and raising over $14.7 million for mental health charities Lifeline, Movember and Push for Better Foundation.

Learn about The Push-Up Challenge’s Student Ambassador program and apply to take part, visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pink Promise

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

October 1 marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) the theme is “Living Well, Your Way”. With 20,458 women and 217 men expected to receive a diagnosis in 2023, raising awareness around the different support and resources available to help people live well with or beyond breast cancer is essential.

The theme recognises that many people struggle to ‘live well’ following a diagnosis of breast cancer and that a quality lifestyle looks different for different people.

“Living well looks different for everyone, and it is likely that people affected by breast cancer will require different types of support at different times,” said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti. “It means seeing the whole person, rather than the disease.”

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCNA will share information about different resources available, across topics such as psychosocial support and exercise. They will also share personal stories from members about what helps them to live well.

BCNA offer trusted information and a variety of resources which can all be accessed via BCNA’s newly refreshed website at www.bcna.org.au.

Parkes IGA Supports Pink Up Parkes

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Parkes IGA Store Manager Steven Langlois, and popular employee Joyce Sefonte dressed in Pink to support Pink Up Parkes.

Businesses, schools and organisations across Parkes are showing their support, and getting involved in Pink Up Parkes for the month of October to help raise money for the McGrath Foundation who support Breast Care nurses across Australia.

At IGA in Parkes the Store Manager Steven Langlois is putting it all on the line to raise as much money as he can for the cause. Steven has set a fundraising target that they will donate to Pink Up Parkes, and once the target is raised he is committing to shave his head. So head on into IGA and support a great cause.

You Are Invited To QUE Open Gardens ‘n’ Markets

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Spring has sprung and QUE has organised five beautiful gardens for you to view

Parkes QUE members look forward to your company this Sunday, 8th October, 10am-4pm at the Parkes Racecourse and in the five open gardens. Money raised stays in our local community, supporting hearing, speech, and wellbeing.

291 Back Yamma Road

Two years ago this property was a cow paddock! Last November the nearby creek flooded the garden and the house, and during this last winter the garden has endured severe frosts! This garden was chosen for our Open Gardens event to show people how quickly a garden can be established, and what plants will survive the “sometimes

harsh” weather conditions. We anticipate opening this garden again in a year or two so that viewers can measure progress.

5 Arana Place

The drought-tolerant front garden is easy care and sustainable. The back garden provides the visitor with a totally different perspective and includes a Balinese hut, decorative items such as water fountains, plants, shade, and garden art – all providing a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

1 Jubilee Street

This is a plant lovers haven, especially under the back deck where the owner has a huge variety of very loved indoor and outdoor plants and hanging baskets. Screening trees surround the house and provide a wonderful forum for the collection of artworks, sculptures, mirrors etc.

35-37 Thomas Street

With over a hundred different species, these extensive surrounding gardens have been

through quite the makeover in the last two years! Featuring a broad range of unique Australian natives alongside a careful selection of exotic plants, this garden abounds with vibrancy and colour.

Cnr Reymond and Jones Street

This is a wanderer’s paradise with lavender, pink jade, a vibrant Loropetalum with its unique tussle flowers, and a wonderful Bohemia Butterfly Tree, all with a magnificent view to the east of Parkes. (best parking in Jones Street)

Forbes Learning Ladder And Forbes Community OSHC Fun Fair

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Some of the prizes on offer if you purchase tickets in the Christmas raffle. Tickets will be available on the day of the event.

We have some exciting news to share, after the disappointment of being postponed due to the flooding which affected the entire region in late 2022, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Forbes Community OSHC Fun Fair is finally set to go ahead, and we would love for the entire Forbes community to come along and join us in the fun.

A massive thank you to the generosity of Forbes North Public School, for allowing us the use of their school grounds, we will be holding the Fun Fair on Saturday 28th October, from 10am – 12.30pm, we will be utilising the hall and the surroundings, with entry from York Street.

There will be lots of fun and interactive activities the whole family can enjoy, including a jumping castle, crazy hair, face painting, tattoos, various games and more.

We will also be selling tickets on the day for our Christmas Raffle, which will be drawn in December. Prizes on offer include, a BBQ smoker and accessories, double hammock, Essjay Photography voucher, family pass to Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, and a gift pack from Little Extras. In addition to vouchers for the following stores and businesses: Kmart, Euphoria Road, Loomzy’s Fish N Fix, Gunns Menswear, Graces Hair Studio On Templar, Odeon 5, Ten Pin Bowling Orange.

There will be plenty of food options available on the day to cater for everyone, so bring your appetite and enjoy the many delights on offer including a cake stall, fairy floss, popcorn, BBQ and drinks.

Organise your friends and family and come along to a great event.

Can A Sports Injury Increase Your Risk Of Breast Cancer?

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Leading breast cancer surgeon, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier busts sporting injury myth.

If you had an active childhood spent playing sports afterschool or on the weekend you might have sustained the odd sports injury here and there in those rough and tumble days. Let’s face it, netball can get a bit rough and elbows tend to go flying at the best of times. Sometimes our old injuries can come back to haunt us as we age.

Some people believe that sports injuries can lead to breast cancer, however, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier assures everyone that this is not the case. There is no link between sports injuries and cancer, he clarified, however, an injury may draw attention to a previously formed lump, which is then how the cancer is detected.

Associate Professor Warrier is one of the world’s leading breast health and breast cancer surgeons who has built a highly respected practice in Sydney. The practice spans three locations with its main surgical centre located at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, and the other sites at BMA House, Macquarie Street, Sydney and Bondi Junction Medical, Oxford Street, Bondi Junction.

In addition to Associate Professor Warrier’s breast health and surgical work, he also dedicates considerable time to research exploring and developing advancements in breast cancer detection and treatments to improve outcomes for patients. He also developed the world’s first Master of Breast Surgery which is delivered through the University of Sydney.

Injuries cannot cause cancer

“Injuries cannot cause cancer, but an injury may lead to finding cancer in the injured area. For example, a bone that is weak from a cancerous tumour is more likely to break. So, if an accident occurs during a sporting event and the bone breaks, then during the course of treatment for the injury, the cancer is discovered,” Associate Professor Warrier explained.

“There is no data or indication that trauma of any kind to the breast is linked to breast cancer or can cause breast cancer. This is a myth that has circulated for many years without foundation.”

Breast trauma causes lumps

“People are understandably concerned that breast injury/trauma can cause cancer because the trauma can cause lumps to develop. These lumps, however, are not cancerous. Let me explain further: there are two types of lumps that can develop from trauma. The first is called hematoma and this is a deep bruise that will heal. The other is fat necrosis, which is scarred fatty tissue in the breast that results from injury,” Associate Professor Warrier said.

“If you have had some sports injury around the breast area, and you are concerned, the best thing to do is to book in for a mammogram. This will give you peace of mind about the risks.”

So what does cause breast cancer?

“Certain risk factors are, getting older, having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, previous treatment using radiation therapy, reproductive history and genetic mutations,” Associate Professor Warrier added.

Further information https://www.drsanjaywarrier.com.au.

Grazing At Gum Swamp Wetlands

September 29, 2023 by Roxane Manley

GDTL Committee: Kath Garland, Olivia Turner, Kylie Brockmann, Kim Muffet and (not pictured) Emily Wilson, Emma Ridley and Jill Morgan. This year’s Event injected over $400,000 into the local economy over the weekend and raised $45,000 for the Forbes Arts Society.

Grazing Down the Lachlan returned to Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge and Wetlands last Saturday, for what was a warm but very successful day for the committee and its volunteers. Grazers were bused out to site before making their way along the shady track to six food and beverage stations.

Curated by local chef Brendan Sheldrick, this year’s menu was inspired by the history of Greek cafes in regional NSW. So too were the various entertainment acts that were scattered along the track including a Greek musical trio, a participatory Greek motif painting activity run by members of Artsweb, and a Zorba dance performance by Aimee Woods and dancers from Kristen’s Dance Studio.

Grazers were also treated to a showcase of Wiradjuri culture through a powerful and informative performance by dancers from River Spirit Cultural Arts As in previous years, the zero-waste event aimed to respect and celebrate the natural environment. Grazers were encouraged to donate their reusable service items back to Grazing to be used again at future events.

“We are so proud to showcase our region -the stunning landscapes, the deliciousproduce, and our amazing local talent. Allin an effort to raise significant funds for theForbes Arts Society,” Olivia Turner, GDTLsecretary said.

“Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters, and our dedicated volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible.”

Follow Grazing Down the Lachlan on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know what’s in the planning for 2024 and keep up to date with all the latest Grazing news by subscribing to the newsletter via the website, www.grazingdownthelachlan.com.

Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge is a nationally significant site for ornithology and is now home to six installations as part of Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL). www.forbesartssociety.com/gum-swamp-wildlife-refuge

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