Special Interests Archives - Page 53 of 121

Do You Want To Join The Parkes Shire Concert Band?

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The story of Bogan Gate has been commemorated on a plaque.

The town of Bogan Gate celebrated its 125th anniversary on Tuesday, 11th March. The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) were invited to lead the vintage car parade. They marched, playing Colonel Bogey before setting up beside the ‘gate’ to entertain the crowd after the speeches and the unveiling of the plaque.

PSCB member Elly Tom said, “It was a privilege to be part of this historic occasion.”

PSCB is a committed community band, always ready to welcome new members. If you want to play music again, dust off that instrument, join in and give it a try. At present the band has two members who are new to Parkes and here for a work period, it’s a great way to make friends.

Don’t fret if you no longer have an instrument, the band have a range of instruments for hire and if you’re a beginner, don’t let that stop you, as PSCB offer group beginners lessons.

The PSCB rehearse every Tuesday during the school terms, above the Parkes Aquatic Centre. Head along to Homegrown this weekend between 10am – 11am to meet the members of the PSCB.

The PSCB leading the vintage car parade to the Bogan Gate 125th Anniversary.

The PSCB entertaining the crowd after the official unveiling of the plaque.

A Rural Medical Experience

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

School of Rural Health student Amy Malligan will complete her entire 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree in Dubbo.

Amy Malligan has recently started her journey to becoming a doctor, studying the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. Amy will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Amy studied an undergraduate degree in science in Sydney, unsure of what to do when she finished school. After living in Sydney for her degree she moved back home to Bathurst for her final year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It was a friend’s medical emergency and spending time in the hospital that inspired Amy to pursue a career in medicine. She began working in Bathurst Hospital as a Patient Experience Officer while applying to study medicine at rural clinical schools.

“My brother had a great experience studying medicine at a rural clinical school and training in a rural hospital, so I knew that I wanted that experience too. When I found out I could study the entire Doctor of Medicine in Dubbo, I knew that was where I wanted to be. I love living in the country and I love that I’m still so close to family in Bathurst,” she says.

Amy is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice.

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Bringing Regional Communities Closer To Specialist Care

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Regional patients will be able to access specialist follow-up care closer to home with a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government announcing more than $7 million to establish virtual consultation spaces in every Multipurpose Service (MPS) across the State.

You shouldn’t have to drive hundreds of kilometres for a follow-up specialist appointment if you can have it face–to-face but via video in your local community.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said setting up virtual consultation spaces in the MPS meant support was available for patients, both to assist with navigating the technology and to help them plan for further treatments.

“This is about providing choice to our rural and regional patients who may not want to travel outside their community and don’t have access to the necessary technology at home or feel at ease using Telehealth on their own,” Mrs Taylor said.

Mrs Taylor said the hubs will help our smaller health facilities access enhanced medical coverage and support staff through remote monitoring, specialist advice where needed, 24/7 General Practitioner care, and better access to patient records.

“Our rural virtual hubs will be based in regional locations and staffed with regionally-based clinicians who will bring with them a wealth of knowledge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“There is no one quick fix solution to Australia’s medical workforce shortage, but by building rural hubs with clinicians who live and breathe regional health care, we’re adding another layer of support in our rural and regional communities.

Help Support Pop-Up Op Shop This Weekend

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Craft and clothing being sorted for the Pop-Up Shop this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Fat Parcel in Eugowra received donations of barista Almond Milk from Islamic Council of Queensland.

The Forbes CWA Evening Branch has received a container full of donations for flood affected communities. The donations have been very generously collected by the Islamic Council of Queensland. Forbes Shire Council asked Forbes CWA Evening Branch to take on the job of distributing the items.

“We are ready to open our Pop-Up Op Shop this Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March at the Forbes Showground Commercial Pavilion,” said Ms Robyn Miller, President of Oxley CWA Group.

Doors will open on Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. If there are enough volunteers and items to sell, the Pop-Up Op Shop may run the same days next week as well. If you would like to assist, please head along.

Prices will range from $2, with designer clothing from $10. All proceeds of the Op-Shop will stay within the area. “It would be fantastic if we could sell all these donations and give those who are flood affected some vouchers to help them return to their homes,” said Ms Miller.

Skip The Que And Get Your Vote In Early

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The upcoming NSW State Election will be held on Saturday, 25th March. However, early voting will be taking place from this Saturday, 18 March to Friday, 24th March.

If you are in Parkes or Forbes, and would like to avoid the huge crowds and long lines on election day, then you are encouraged to get out and vote early.

Early voting in Forbes will be available at the Forbes Town Hall in Harold Street, Forbes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm

• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm

• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm

• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

Early voting in Parkes will be available at the Parkes Early Voting Centre, 30 Welcome Street, Parkes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm

• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm

• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm

• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to vote in federal, State and local government elections and by-elections. Ensure your voting registration details are correct.

A full list of local election cadidates will be available in next week’s edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.

Save Power Kit Available At Forbes Library

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

If you’re like the rest of us, you’re keen to save money on your power bills! The Forbes Library have stepped in to help, partnering with Forbes Council and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Sustainable Council and Communities Program (SCC) to provide community access to the Save the Power Kit for loan from Forbes Library.

The Save Power Kit provides tools and useful information to help households measure how they use power at home. It also identifies simple actions that households can take to save money, power and reduce impacts on the environment.

The kit can help identify the biggest users of electricity in your home and describes many easy, low cost things we can do at home to use less power and save money on bills, without changing your lifestyle. The Save Power Kit contains: Power-Mate lite, stopwatch, infared thermometer, light meter and thermometer.

The kits come with full instructions, a power mate to test the power use of appliances on stand-by, thermometers to check for drafts and heating and cooling, stopwatch and light meter. Even when an appliance is on standby, it can draw power, adding unnecessary costs to your power bills.

A guide book is included, and there is an action plan to allow each borrower to record results and plan improvements and savings. Best of all, it can be borrowed for free from Forbes Library.

There are 37 Councils across NSW who are members of the program. Call Forbes Library on 6852 1463 to reserve the Save Power Kit.

Nats Invest In The Future Of Our Kids

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Every child in NSW will gain a financial head-start under a life-changing Liberal and Nationals plan to futureproof the finances of generations to come, giving them the best start to life.

This is the most significant financial security investment in NSW history. Under a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government, every child in the Orange Electorate aged 10 and under – and continuing each year with every newborn child – will be eligible for a Kids Future Fund account, which will receive a $400 starting payment from the Government.

Parents will be able to contribute to the fund, with payments matched by the Government up to $400 per year, with interest also earned over time.

Once the child turns 18 they will be able to withdraw from their fund – which could be worth between $28,000 and $49,000 per child.

Nationals candidate Tony Mileto for the Orange Electorate said this landmark initiative is the first of its kind in Australia and will help provide financial security to an entire generation in the Orange Electorate.

“This investment will change the lives of children in NSW in the Orange Electorate forever,” Tony Mileto said.

Embracing Equity

March 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Women of all ages, from across Forbes came together to celebrate International Women’s Day this week.

The sun rose on another annual International Women’ Day in Forbes’ Lions Park, setting the scene for soothing yoga, a hearty breakfast and a soul-warming address from guest speaker, communications guru, Dr Neryl East.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed the wisdom and advice from Dr East on removing barriers to embracing equity in business, in the community and everyday life.

“Forbes has such a wealth of knowledge, capabilities and strength in our women and so often we can unknowingly limit our presence by not having that belief in ourselves, that confidence. Dr East spoke of some simple ways in which that can be addressed,” Phyllis said.

“She provided practical tips on how to communicate in business settings, for example just through the language you use. Simple things like using the phrases; ‘in my view’ or ‘in my opinion’ to give weight to your learnedness.”

Dr East also highlighted the importance of personal (internal) communication, through which negative self-talk is the most significant way to erode confidence.

Positive affirmations, such as those used by Olympic swimmers (of which she had some great anecdotes), remove negativity and set the focus of what you are setting out to achieve.

The IWD breakfast was hosted by Forbes Shire Council with funding assistance from the NSW Government.

The event is held each year to embrace the vital role women play in our community, whether it be in the workforce, the community or at home.

Dr East also addressed a number of business representatives on Tuesday night, providing insight into online reputations and business reputations.

“We thank Dr East for her time in Forbes, and look forward to seeing her advice come into play,” said Phyllis.

Putting The ‘She’ In Sheep Sustainability

March 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Embrace Equity’ – an ethos the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF) lives every day. Image supplied by Sheep Sustainability Framework. Image supplied by Sheep Sustainability Framework.

With a Board comprising 57% women and a Steering Group with strong female representation, the SSF is leading the charge to educate and raise awareness of women’s equality in the sheep industry.

“The Sheep Sustainability Framework has benefitted from female leadership, reflecting our participation and collaboration throughout the sheep meat and wool value chains,” SSF Board Chair, Lucinda Corrigan, said.

Established early 2021, the SSF helps industry better understand its opportunities, challenges and impacts in key areas such as environmental health, economic resilience, animal care, and people and community. It presents evidence to stakeholders that Australian sheep meat and wool is produced responsibly, and demonstrates the industry has a clear path towards continuous improvement, where needed.

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) and WoolProducers Australia (WPA) lead the Framework, with Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) providing funding, strategic advice and secretariat support.

SSF Sustainability Steering Group Chair, Dr Scott Williams, said having more women in leadership positions has helped foster a more inclusive culture within the SSF.

“Sustainability affects all of us – so ‘all of us’ need to be involved in conversations about sustainability,” Dr Williams said.

Marked annually on 8th March, International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and campaigns for accelerated gender parity.

No-Grounds Eviction Ban A Win For Renters, But More Is Required

March 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

A long awaited decision announced, as the NSW Coalition commits to reform no-grounds evictions, but warns that further steps are required.

An end to no-grounds evictions has long been championed by a range of advocacy groups and NGOs including the Tenants Union of NSW, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Shelter NSW and NCOSS.

All major parties have now committed to some form of no-grounds evictions policy.

As the peak social services body, NCOSS said that the ban on no-grounds evictions for periodic leases could make a difference to the lives of people in NSW, but more safeguards are needed.

“These changes have the potential to make a difference to those renters in NSW who are on periodic leases,” said NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty.

“This is a positive step to help some renters improve their access to safe and secure housing.

“However, our main concern is that this announcement does not go far enough. The commitment does not include fixed-term leases, which is a critical piece of the puzzle if renters are to be given the housing security they so desperately need.

The NCOSS Policy Platform called for an end of no-grounds evictions and other stronger protections for NSW renters.

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