Special Interests Archives - Page 46 of 118

One Library One Book Community Read

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Central West Libraries staff read the One Library One Book Community Read, The Wakes by Dianne Yarwood.

Central West Libraries has announced the chosen book for this year’s One Library One Book community read.

Dianne Yarwood’s bestselling novel The Wakes has been chosen for the innovative program in the Central West that takes the traditional book club concept to the next level. Named One Library One Book, the program aims to have everyone in the region read and discuss the same book.

“I’m thrilled that The Wakes has been chosen for the One Library One Book community read for 2023. What a wonderful program! Travelling through the Central West and talking to book-loving community members will be such a pleasure for me. I can’t wait,” Dianne Yarwood said.

Central West Libraries has distributed multiple copies of The Wakes across the Central West Libraries footprint – Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes and Orange. These copies have been added to the catalogues of the Library branches.

Author Dianne Yarwood will be touring the Central West in May to discuss the book with audiences. Dianne will be speaking at:

• Cowra Library on Monday 22 May at 10.30am

• Blayney Library on Monday 22 May at 2.30pm

• Forbes Library on Tuesday 23 May 11am

• Orange City Library on Tuesday 23 May at 5.30pm – 7pm

• Canowindra at Montrose House on Wednesday 24 May at 11am.

“The One Library, One Book program takes the idea of a book club and expands it to cover an entire region,” Central West Libraries Manager, Roslyn Cousins, said.

“The book is a heartfelt, funny and uplifting debut about two failing marriages, two strangers falling in love, two friends embarking on a catering business – and the four funerals that connect them all.”

“We are pleased to bring this book to readers of the Central West. It is already making a name for itself as a bestseller and will be filmed for TV, ” she said.

Supporting Small Businesses Across NSW To Prosper

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Service NSW Business Connect program, which provides small businesses with free, tailored business advice from independent advisors who have experience running their own business, is supporting the City of Sydney’s Reboot webinar series to help small businesses and people across NSW looking to learn, innovate and grow a business.

Leaders from some of Australia’s most successful companies will share their inspiring stories, valuable insights and practical tips across a range of business topics in free, weekly webinars from 2–30 May.

The free webinars will include The Man Cave and STUFF CEO Hunter Johnson on setting up a purpose-driven business and Snuggle Honey CEO Julie Mathers and Birdsnest founder Jane Cay on the secrets to rapid online growth. Other webinars in the Reboot series will focus on building a brand, engaging with audiences, storytelling, networking and growing a customer base.

For more information about Service NSW Business Connect, call 13 77 88 or go online at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/business/business-connect

“It’s Fun To Have Fun, But You Have To Know How”

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Few children’s books have stood the test of time quite like Dr Seuss’s 200 word masterpiece ‘The Cat in the Hat’ As the top selling children’s author of all time, the story is as popular now as it was in the 1950’s when Dr. Theodor ‘Seuss’ Geissel wrote the book.

Now both children and adults alike are sure to be left in raptures by this zany and imaginative stage show, that will bring the story to life on a 22 city, 45 show nationwide tour of Australian theatres.

The play was adapted for the stage in 2009 by the National Theatre of Great Britain and tells the story of a brother and sister, bored at home on a rainy day when they are visited by none other than ‘The Cat’ in his red and white striped hat. Their outspoken and outraged pet fish is astounded and concerned, but this cat will not be deterred. He will teach us all to make our own fun with nothing but a little imagination. “It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” Along with his friends, Thing One and Thing Two they turn the house upside down leaving mess everywhere but have no fear, The Cat brings in his red ‘Picker-Up Machine’ and all is back to normal before Mum walks back in the door.

So if you’re looking for ideas for your Thing 1 and 2 this coming school holidays, come and share in the magic and mystery of live theatre at the Dubbo Regional Theatre.

Spoiler alert: Things run amuck, and quickly!

For more information, please visit www.drtcc.com.au

Breakfast For Mum: Corn Fritter Stack

May 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

With Mother’s Day around the corner, what better way to spoil her than with this delicious breakfast to start the day.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 x 420g cans corn kernels, drained
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 100g fetta, crumbled
• 30g piece cold butter
• 1 small avocado, cut into wedges
• 30g baby rocket
• 2 tbsp Coles sweet chilli sauce, to serve

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Use a fork to whisk eggs and milk in a jug and pour gradually into the flour, stirring gently to combine. Fold in corn, chives and fetta. Don’t over-mix or the fritters will be tough.

2. Wrap butter in a piece of paper towel. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and wipe with the butter to grease. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of mixture into the pan (you’ll have to cook in batches). Cook for about 2-3 mins, until golden brown underneath, then turn and cook the other side. Repeat with the butter and fritter mixture.

3. Serve fritters with avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, rocket and sweet chilli sauce.

Mothers Day Cheesecake Recipe

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

INGREDIENTS

Crust Ingredients

1½ cups roughly chopped dates

½ cup roughly chopped almonds/cashews

½ cup shredded coconut

½ tsp vanilla essence (optional)

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

4 drops Young Living’s Lemon essential oil

Cheesecake Filling Ingredients

2 cups raw soaked cashews

½ cup coconut milk

½ cup maple syrup or honey (to taste)

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla essence

4 – 6 drops Young Living’s Lemon essential oil (to taste)

1 cup sliced strawberries

Strawberries for decorating (optional)

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend all the crust ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.

2. Press the crust into the bottom of silicone cupcake moulds, then place in the fridge to set while you make the cheesecake filling.

3. To make the filling, blend together all the filling ingredients except for the strawberries in a food processor or high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. You may add more sweetener and/or Lemon essential oil to taste and blend again.

4. Spoon half the mixture (leaving the rest to make the strawberry layer) into the cupcake moulds and smooth leaving room in each mold for the pink strawberry layer.

5. Add the sliced strawberries into the remaining filling mixture and blend until smooth. Spoon the strawberry layer on top of the first layer, smooth the top, add strawberry slices, if using and place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours to overnight.

6. When ready to serve, remove the cheesecakes from the moulds, let them thaw for 5 – 10 minutes and then enjoy!

A Great Time Had By All At The Show

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Milarni 8, Isabelle 6 and Khan 4 from Forbes, had a great time at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

We have received glowing reports from our Royal Easter Show competition winners.

Forbes winner, Joanne Holmes was excited to win and took her three grandchildren to the Show, saying “The grandkids and I had a great time, as you can see by the smiles on their faces.”

Parkes winner Theresa Byrnes was equally excited and took, daughter Rebecca Byrnes and two of her grandchildren along with her. “We had an absolute blast adventuring around the show,” said Theresa.

BreastScreen NSW Now Recruiting

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) is recruiting representatives for its Consumer Advisory Committee, including a primary care provider, and women aged 40 and above who are clients of the service.

Women who speak a language other than English at home, or who are Aboriginal, are encouraged to apply. Committee members need to live or work in areas covered by Western NSW and Far West Local Health Districts.

Ms Deon Adamson, Manager, BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) says the committee’s role is to provide consumer input, advice and feedback in order to enhance access, planning and development of screening and assessment services.

“Members of our Consumer Advisory Committee are our eyes and ears on the ground, providing us with valuable local insights that help us to continually monitor and improve our services,” Ms Adamson says.

“Breast screening saves lives, so please consider joining us, knowing you will make an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of your community, helping to shape the services we provide.”

Committee meetings are held twice yearly and it is possible to attend remotely.

For further information or to apply please email: kay.smith@health.nsw.gov.au

Solution To Keep Aged Care Homes Open

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Chief Advocate Ian Henschke.

Aged care homes are closing as they struggle to meet new standards. From 1st July they need a registered nurse 24/7 and more workers to give more care minutes per resident.

National Seniors has put forward a solution in its budget submission to help retain and attract staff.

Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said that pensioners are discouraged from staying in the work force, working more, or returning to work because they lose 50c in the dollar on income earned above the $11,800 work bonus limit.

“Our research shows almost 20% of pensioners are considering returning to work but under current rules after about one day’s work they’re losing 50c in the dollar from their pension, reporting to Centrelink and paying tax on top,” Mr Henschke said.

“Many older workers walk away because it’s too complicated trying to understand what you can earn before your pension takes a hit. We propose care sector workers be exempt from the harsh pension income test. Then you can work as much as you want and simply pay tax.”

The skills and labour shortage casts a shadow over more than aged care. It’s a growing problem in health care, disability care, and childcare. All are desperate for workers. A year ago there were 60,200 vacancies across the wider care sector. The latest ABS figures show this has blown out to 72,400.

Heritage Week Sharing Our Stories

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Forbes celebrated 150 years of history during Forbes Heritage Week Festival on 1st May 2021.

‘Sharing our stories. Revealing the layers of our history.’ is the theme for Heritage Week 2023 and Forbes Shire Council’s amazing events team has put together an itinerary that ensures more of our local stories are uncovered and remembered.

The celebrations will kick-off on Tuesday 2nd May, with the The Forbes Heritage Awards evening and presentation of the Forbes Medal, recognising the conservation and promotion of the stories within our community. Two community groups have been nominated for their dedicated compassion in preserving these stories and artifacts of days gone by.

The following evening, Forbes Town Hall will again come to historical life, as the Convict Footprint Knees Up takes to the stage. This will be a night of historical music-hall entertainment, a light-hearted look at the history of this town. Be ready from 6.30pm

For those feeling brave, sign up to join the Forbes Heritage Cemetery Ghost Tour.

The tour will start at the Book Dispensary before embarking on a Cenwest bus for the Ghost Tour with the famous ‘Blind Freddy’s bushranger’. The bus tour starts at 5.30pm on Friday 5th May.

Heritage Week will conclude on Saturday 6th May with the Forbes Rotary Ipomoea Vintage and Collectables Fair.

Step back in time with displays and sales of items of yesteryear – dolls, bears, crockery, giftware. Will you pick the use, and/or origins of mystery items? Enjoy all-day tea and scones at the Town Hall from 9am to 5pm. Entry is via gold coin donation.

St John’s Anglican Church will be open for tours of the historical church in addition to a cake and garage sale on Saturday 6th May from 9am to 5pm.

Bookings are essential for the awards evening, theatre show and cemetery ghost tour. Please email events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or phone Council on 6850 2300.

World Premier Of Cracks In The Mirror A Cracking Success

April 28, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Cracks in the Mirror tackles some very topical subjects in a respectful and authentic manner through five very talented actresses; Kimberley Ryan, Jade McGovern, Maddison Collits, Ruth Barnes and Amelia Regnier.

By all accounts, the Parkes M&D Society’s newest production, Cracks in the Mirror, which opened on the weekend is a hit!

Comments left by the audience were gushing in their praise including: “Absolutely brilliant, could not have been better. Loved. Loved Loved!”; “Beautiful story, beautiful voices and awesome acting”; “Love it! The girls are amazing!”

The production is an original musical with script and Lyrics by Lyn Townsend, and musical composition by Gail Smith. The musical arrangements were handled by Anthony Leonard and Gail Smith.

There are a few ‘cheeky’ moments in the play, hence the recommendation for people 14 and over.

Writer Lyn Townsend said, “We have been overwhelmed with the response. We had a good feeling when we wrote a few of the songs and felt pretty good about the finished product. But really, the strength of this production is the cast and band. We were so lucky they came on board and took this journey with us!”

Cracks in the Mirror also received a glowing review in Stage Whispers, the national theatre magazine, with reviewer, Robert Cocks noting the production has “Clever, topical storylines, powerful ballads, catchy, toe-tapping tunes, and music that crosses multiple genres and would sit nicely on any Spotify playlist.” Read more of the wonderful review at www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/cracks-mirror.

Cracks in the Mirror runs for two more weekends, closing 7th May. Tickets are available at www.parkesmandd.com.au or you can email ticket requests to parkesmandd2870@gmail.com

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