Special Interests Archives - Page 41 of 121

Can We Trust The Food We’re Eating?

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

When you think fake products, you’d be forgiven for not having food items like honey at the top of your list, from meat and seafood to dairy – not even herbs are safe.

There are six types of food fraud practices in the food industry: mislabelling, adulteration, substitution, counterfeiting, dilution and concealment. The goal is to deceive the consumer into paying a higher price for a product that is not what it claims to be.

What can we do about it? Government intervention can protect the industry. Policies around minimum prices for materials. Thankfully, now we have DNA technology which makes it easy to take a quick extract of tissue of meat to determine if it’s really what it’s labelled as. In some cases, we have low-tech options. For example, the freezing point is a very old test that industry can use. For example, the freezing point of milk can indicate if water has been added.

Recognising The Resilience Of Our Communities

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) has identified and responded to needs in central western NSW flood affected communities with the Wellbeing and Resilience grants.

In the recent Spring of 2022, communities in central western NSW were devastated with record breaking floods which resulted in destructive and damaging ongoing impacts to people, property, harvests, and the general mental health and wellbeing of communities.

Residents of these communities have shown incredible and inspiring resilience as they continuously work to rebuild and manage the lasting affects of such an event. WNSW PHN has worked with these communities to undertake a needs assessment post the flooding event and determine where the greatest areas of need lie.

WNSW PHN is pleased to offer Wellbeing and Resilience grants to flood affected

communities in central western NSW. The grants will facilitate the delivery of community led and focused wellbeing initiatives. Funding of up to $20,000 is available per application.

WNSW PHN welcomes initiatives that will help improve mental health and support community resilience and encourage local businesses and community groups to apply. Community initiatives should address the immediate needs of affected communities and focus on community health and wellbeing, resilience and/or build the capacity of volunteer and paid workforce.

Our focus is patients who are at risk of poor health outcomes and working to improve the coordination of their care, so they receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

We acknowledge that we work on the traditional lands of many Aboriginal clans, tribes, and nations. We are committed to working in collaboration with our region’s Aboriginal communities and peoples to improve their health, emotional and social well-being in the spirit of partnership.

For further information, eligibility and the application pack, please visit https://wnswphn.org.au/tenders

Clean Out The Fridge Pie

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 cups left over lamb, cut into small pieces

• 1 packet of thawed pastry, filo or puff

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 1 cup cooked or tinned chickpeas, this could also be left over rice or barley or lentils

• 400g can tomato, or this could be a cup of stock or wine

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 garlic, minced

• 1 tbs ginger, grated

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line pie dish with pastry (reserve enough for the top) and pre bake for 15 min.

Make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then sauté onion until soft and sweet. Add garlic cloves, ginger, ground cumin and paprika. Sauté for another minute or so, then add leftover lamb and 1 cup chickpeas or lentils or grain if you are using. Add tomatoes and lots of salt and pepper (or other liquid) and cook this down until the mixture thickens. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the flavours come together. Allow to cool before filling the pie.

Add pastry to make the pie top and bake for 30-40 minutes.

Put One Foot Forward For The Black Dog Institute This October

August 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Walk in solidarity with the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing mental illness each year.

The Black Dog Institute is calling on Australians to take a stand in solidarity for the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illness each year by participating in One Foot Forward – a national virtual challenge taking place in October – Mental Health Month.

The challenge is to walk, run, or roll 40km, 60km, 100km, 150km, or a distance that suits them throughout October, to show people experiencing symptoms of mental illness that they are not alone and to raise funds for Black Dog Institute’s crucial mental health research and support services in Australia. One in five Australians experience a mental illness each year which means around 5 million people are personally affected.

One Foot Forward can be a great way to take a positive step forward for your own mental health and show Australians impacted by mental illness that they’re not alone. You can take part solo, with a team or with your colleagues.

With mental illness costing Australian businesses $39 billion in lost revenue each year, Black Dog Institute is calling on corporate groups and businesses to join in.

This national virtual event is a great team building exercise for colleagues, can increase staff morale and help promote mental wellbeing in the workplace.

In 2022, over 28,000 participants walked, ran and rolled over 2,286,105km during Mental Health Month and joined in on the fun, got active, and raised funds to help Black Dog Institute.

Funds raised by One Foot Forward participants this year can assist in the research and development of digital mental health tools and apps for adults and children, support novel and innovative suicide prevention programs, and help community presenters reach school students to talk about mental health in schools and how to get support.

Farmers Urged To Have Say On Fresh Food Tax

August 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Federal Member Michael McCormack is urging farmers and families in the Central West to have their say on Labor’s fresh food tax. The new tax is set at a rate equivalent of 10 per cent of the 2020-21 industry-led levies. Consultation has now opened into the Sustainable Funding to Strengthen Biosecurity Budget measures.

Mr McCormack said “Farmers throughout the Central West will likely be slugged by this new tax, which comes into effect on July 1, 2024,” Mr McCormack said.

“The new tax on farmers will inevitably be passed on to consumers, meaning even higher grocery bills for Riverina and Central West residents already suffering from higher cost-of-living pressures.

“Those who are concerned about this potential impost on their livelihoods to register on the website and have your say.”

For more information go to http://www.haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-funding

Domestic And Stock Water Rights Review

August 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Department of Planning and Environment is launching its first survey on domestic and stock rights to get a clearer snapshot of how water extracted under these rights is being used, and whether any changes are needed to improve the way it’s regulated or managed.

“The more we know about how water is being taken and used under these rights, the better we can manage it, that’s why I encourage all water users to fill out this survey,” Executive Director Strategy and Policy Kaia Hodge said.

“Understanding how people use their basic water rights for domestic and stock purposes helps us to effectively manage water across NSW. This can have flow on benefits such as boosting drought resilience and creating healthier river systems.

“We want to hear about how landholders are using their domestic and stock rights and if they, or other people have any concerns around the current approach to regulation and management.”

In parallel with the survey, the Department is offering to hold meetings with stakeholder

groups and organisations to hear directly about the experiences of these water users. “We are using the current engagement with domestic and stock water users to remind them of the requirements under the Water Management Act 2000,” Ms Hodge said.

“When water users understand their rights, they can be confident they are taking water within the rules. That’s a win for everyone who relies on water from rivers and aquifers.”

People have until 21 November to complete the survey. To learn more about domestic and stock rights and complete the survey visit: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-trade/basic-landholder-rights/domestic-and-stock-rights

Big Plans For Forbes NAIDOC Week Celebrations

August 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

NAIDOC Week Celebration will be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Forbes.

Each year the Forbes Community marks NAIDOC Week and 2023 is gearing up to be an amazing celebration and display of culture.

The NAIDOC Committee and Forbes Shire Council has organised a day of workshops, demonstrations, activities and more, all aimed at celebrating the local culture to be held on Thursday 7th September.

The day will kick off with an official ceremony at 10am during which the 2023 NAIDOC Award winners will be announced, along with the winner of the NAIDOC design competition.

Forbes Preschool will be performing, whilst Dinawan’s Connection will complete the smoking ceremony and opening dance.

“Come and see the completion of the Yarning Circle mural, join in weaving, cultural dance and language workshops, make damper, see demonstrations for making clapsticks and hand carving,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said.

There will also be tools and weapons, and reptile displays, amusement rides, and girri girri grown at Forbes High School, just to name a few.

“Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about the Indigenous culture of this region. Forbes Shire Council would like to thank the NAIDOC Committee and the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for their organisation and support,” Mayor Miller said.

NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect and celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and recognising them as ongoing custodians of the land. The theme for this year’s event is ‘For Our Elders’.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nation cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures in the world.

NAIDOC Celebrations will be held at Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre from 10am until 2pm. So save the date, 7th September in your calendar and make sure to come along and enjoy NAIDOC.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets Stud Ram Sale

August 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Goonigal Poll Dorset owners Charles, Kylie, Maureen and Robbie Lawrence.

With a combined 48 years of farming experience behind them, Robbie and Maureen Lawrence purchased the established Goonigal Poll Dorset Stud in 2006. Since then, they have developed it into a major farming operation, with their son Charles and his wife Kylie also working on the property to make this family owned business complete.

Goonigal Poll Dorset Stud will be holding their annual Ram sale on Friday, 8th September, commencing at 1pm at the Canowindra Showground. The rams will be penned by 11:30am ready for inspection and the Lawrence’s welcome everybody to come have a look at their livestock and to have a bid.

A total of 100 top quality rams will be on offer, with the stud receiving fantastic feedback from clients regarding the quality of lambs these studs rams produce. Offspring go on to make impeccable export or sucker lambs, typically they are sold at 14-16 weeks and weighing 24kg which always impresses the studs clientele.

The family noted that the drop in the lamb market may affect the overall prices, however, they are hopeful that they will receive what the rams are valued for, leaving them with an impressive outcome.

All rams to be presented for sale on the day have been vet checked from a reputable vet and have been brucellosis accredited and are footrot free.

Stock scan figures will be available on the Goonigal Poll Dorsets Stud facebook on Monday 4th sept or by emailing a request to goonigal@bigpond.net.au.

For further information contact the selling agent, Rory Brien from Allan Gray & Co on 0423 212 529.

150th Anniversary Of Sir Henry Parkes Visit

August 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sir Henry Parkes made four visits to Parkes, the first in Au-gust 1873, then July 1887, June 1894 and October 1894.

Henry Parkes Museum will be holding an exhibition this Saturday, 19th August, to celebrate 150 years since Sir Henry Parkes first visited Bushmans, later to be rename Parkes.

The Henry Parkes Museum is located next to the Parkes Visitors Centre. The display depicts the life of Sir Henry Parkes including his four visits to the Central West.

Souvenirs for sale include local history books, mugs, can holders, key rings, fridge magnets, car stickers, hat pins and tea towels. Admission is free for members, adults $10, concession $7.50 and children $3.

Forbes Garden Club Report

August 17, 2023 by Green Thumb

Elvy Quirk Helenie Carmody and Kaylene Bailey at the Garden Club meeting.

Thirty three members made their way out to Calarie Hall for our last Garden Club meeting.

Elvy Quirk presided over the business meeting, where volunteers for the Open Gardens in October listed their offers of help. The Mens Shed will be providing a barbecue lunch for both days and members are asked to provide slices that can be sold to support them.

The Orange Garden Club are organising a trip to Thailand to view gardens and anyone who may be interested is to let Secretary Robin know for details.

Helenie Carmody and Jan Richards were our guests from the Young Garden Club. Helenie is a zone Councillor and gave us an interesting talk on the history of Garden Clubs Australia, which started 73 years ago with a vision by Margaret Davis who visited the Chelsea Flower Show in England and then started in Sydney. There are now 718 affiliated Clubs. Kaylene Bailey moved a vote of thanks.

The three raffle prizes were won by Robyn Mattiske, Ann Nelson and Robin Pols.

prizes were donated by Acheson’s Mitre 10 and Helenie Carmody.

Flower of the month winners were: First place Margaret West with a Helebore , second to Meg Scholefield with a Begonia and third to John Browne with a Chrysantheum.

The next meeting will be held at David and Leonie Todd’s home 62 Union Street, Forbes on 24th August at 2pm please bring a chair and cup. See you there. The usual flower of the month and trading table and guest speaker.

Open Gardens are scheduled for 14th and 15th October with a line up of eight gardens that will be well worth a visit. On 11th November we are having a luncheon to celebrate 70 years of Forbes Garden Club. This will be held at the beautiful old historical Town Hall.

By Green Thumb

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