Special Interests Archives - Page 68 of 118

Hundreds Of Rally Cars In Forbes Tomorrow

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

A total of 250 cars worth less than $1,000 will take part in this year’s Shitbox Rally covering 3,600km and passing through Forbes tomorrow afternoon.

The Central West will see the 250 cars taking part in this year’s Shitbox Rally when the 500 participants will pass through Forbes tomorrow afternoon on their way to Trundle where they will overnight.

The teams of two will leave Wollongong on Saturday, 7th May in cars worth less than $1,000 (aka shitboxes) and travel 3,600km to cross the finish line seven days later in Mackay, Queensland. The rally is the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council with over $30 million raised since the rallies began. The $2 million target for this rally is well in sight with current fundraising totals at over $1.7 million.

James Freeman who founded Box Rallies (Shitbox and Mystery Box Rally) after losing both of his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other said: “Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a reward for fundraising efforts. This is a chance to explore Australia, drawing teams from around the country to help achieve the extraordinary. This year will be another incredible rally starting for the first time in Wollongong and finishing in Mackay. As with all rallies though, the route will be on the roads less travelled as we make our way into the Outback.”

The impact of COVID in 2020 and 2021 has made it particularly difficult for teams to fundraise and Box Rallies has seen its expected fundraising total for the period cut by as much as $7.2 million. Rallies are the reward for raising vital funds for cancer research but when the reward is unable to take place, the fundraising slows considerably.

The rally cars are expected to go through Forbes from around 4pm and can be spread out over two to three hours. Arrival time in Trundle is from 5pm.

Forbes Midwife Nominated For Award

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Judi Driscoll.

Forbes midwife Judi Driscoll has been announced as one of nine nominees for the Midwife of the Year Award by the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).

Winners of the WNSWLHD Nurse, Midwife and Team of the Year Awards are nominated to represent the District in the NSW Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards. The awards acknowledge the significant skill, passion, and contributions of nurses and midwives from across the District.

Judi is described as extremely caring and a deeply passionate midwife. Her team speaks very highly of Judi and thoroughly enjoy working with her. She goes above and beyond, not only for her patients but for colleagues as well.

People describe Judi as highly conscientious and diligent in her practice. Judi always follows policy and best practice methods. She provides an outstanding level of care, ensures patients are safe, and advocates for all patient needs.

Judi is the heart of the maternity unit. She is kind, and her calming nature centres the team during challenging and at times difficult cases, which truly makes her a delight to work with.

Congratulations to Judi on her nomination and good luck!

CWA Celebrates Centenary

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

President CWA Oxley Group and Forbes CWA Evening Branch Robyn Miller with Governor of NSW Hon Margaret Bea-zley AC QC at the 100th anniversary morning tea of the NSW CWA.

It is a special year for NSW Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrating its 100th anniversary.

A celebratory birthday morning tea was held at Government House in March and attended by President of CWA Oxley Group and Forbes CWA Evening Branch, Robyn Miller. She was invited by the Governor of NSW the Hon Margaret Beazley AC QC to join other dignitaries and representatives of the CWA from across the state for this momentous occasion.

“It was a beautiful event, and a perfect backdrop of a sparkling Sydney Harbour to celebrate our centenary,” said Robyn. “It was fantastic to catch up with other CWA members from across the state and discuss the history of the CWA in assisting in local communities and disaster relief fundraising.”

Robyn said she felt privileged to be representing not only Oxley CWA Group but also Forbes Evening Branch.” She also represented the Oxley Group and Forbes Evening Branch by volunteering at the Royal Easter Show Tea Rooms (with Karen Wright and Amanda Dunn) and attended the 100 Year Annual General Meeting and Conference held at Royal Randwick in Sydney last week.

There are other celebrations occurring across the state to celebrate 100 years of CWA and its work to support rural, regional and remote women, children, families and communities in NSW.

Little did the small group of women, who met in 1922 to do something about the plight of rural women isolated by distance and lack of services, know that one hundred years on members of their organisation would be celebrating a birthday at Government House.

The CWA was focused on fighting isolation and a lack of health facilities, members immediately started work on setting up baby health care centres, funding more bush nurses, and building and staffing the likes of maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes, and holiday getaways for rural and remote families.

Fill Up Your Passport

April 20, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Business Chamber is pleased to support the Parkes Elvis Festival and the Tourism and Events team of the Forbes Shire Council by introducing a Shopping Passport. One thousand copies of the Passport have been put into the Elvis promotional bags and handed out to participating businesses. The passport is to encourage visitors to explore the CBD and businesses. The Elvis Festival is one of the larger events which Forbes is lucky to be able to piggy-back on by offering accommodation, events and activities that encourage visitors to stay longer and enjoy our beautiful town,” said Marg Duggan, President of the Forbes Business Chamber.

Four Generations At Royal Easter Show

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Janeen Coles and her daughter Libby with the photo of Janeen’s mother (crouching) that is part of the Western District Exhibit at the Royal Easter Show.

The Royal Easter Show has inspired a very special tradition for a local family and this year they reached the milestone of four generations’ involvement.

Janeen Coles from Forbes was joined by her daughter Libby last week to work on the Western District Exhibit at the show. The western district is one of five districts that make up the exhibit in the big dome and this year they’ve all combined in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS).

It all started with Janeen’s grandparents Charlie and Cis Frecklington from Peak Hill when they got involved in the 1940s, and then Janeen’s mother Elaine carried on with the tradition.

Janeen and Libby were also helping out with the judging of jams, pickles and preserves and this year the Western District won the perpetual trophy, the Dreves Memorial Shield.

“The people the trophy is named after worked with my grandparents on the exhibit, and lots of their family members are still involved,” said Janeen.

“I enjoy going back every year as we are like one big family and it is great catching up with everyone and working as a team.”

As Libby stepped in this year to keep the family tradition going, Janeen’s mother was also there to keep an eye on everything. “My mother’s photo is part of the RAS archive and this year they used it to print some bunting used at the exhibit.”

By Maggi Barnard

711 Days Of Work In Forbes District By BlazeAid Volunteers

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller (second left) thanks BlazeAid volunteers May Andrew (Bendigo), Alicia Westcott (Parkes), Darryl Guymer (Wollongong), Paul Dunham (Coolah Camp) and Mark Bayliss (Queensland).

BlazeAid volunteers concluded three months of assistance in the Forbes district and the last five volunteers packed up their base and accommodation last week.

“These volunteers worked tirelessly alongside the rural families to rebuild and reclaim fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller.

Since arriving in Forbes on 4th January, BlazeAid volunteers have cleaned 41.2km of fences and built over 16km of new fencing. At times they had up to 46 volunteers helping out, who worked for 711 days, six days a week.

“These amazing people have worked hard in the summer heat and in very difficult circumstances to assist families and farmers after the substantial flood damage sustained in the most recent floods,” Phyllis said.

Catering officer and Parkes volunteer Alicia Westcott said being a part of BlazeAid was about working towards making life better for each other.

BlazeAid volunteers assisted people in the Bedgerbong, Grenfell, Garema and Wirrinya areas.

Phyllis thanked BlazeAid and its many selfless volunteers who helped out in Forbes and acknowledged that not only did many of these volunteers stay in our town but contributed to our local economy by purchasing thousands of dollars worth of groceries, fuel and supplies.

“We wish you well as you move on to support other communities,” she said.

Many of the BlazeAid volunteers will be heading to the next disaster zone to assist after the floods in the north of the state.

BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are often facing their second or third flood event after years of drought, or devastating losses through bushfires.

Lachlan’s Hidden Gem For Sale

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Carranor, one of the Lachlan River’s hidden gems, is on the market with Forbes-based rural property specialists Johnston Rural Group.

Carranor is a unique and highly productive mixed irrigation farm which also provides a wonderful place to live. Ideally located upstream of Jemalong Weir, Carranor enjoys a convenient yet private location under 15 minutes’ drive west of Forbes.

Surrounded by a scenic 270° and 8.25km water frontage, the property comprises approximately 225.91 hectares (558.23 acres) of mostly alluvial river and creek flats of which 60 hectares (150 acres) is developed for border check surface irrigation.

Owned and operated by the same family for over 70 years, the property has a deep and fascinating history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was part of the 16,000 acre Carrawobitty Estate owned by James Collits. In 1948, after World War II, roughly 5,800 acres of the Carrawobitty Estate was resumed for soldier settlement into 17 separate parcels including those that now make up Carranor.

Today, the property is well known locally for its prime lamb and lucerne hay production, high performance pastures and yielding crops, as well as its livestock breeding and fattening capacity.

Awaken The Dragon

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Venerable Rabdrol dots the eyes of the ten-seater dragon boat at Lake Forbes.

The Forbes Dragon Boat Club turned 10 last year but COVID lockdowns meant the club could only conclude its planned anniversary celebrations on Sunday with a special ceremony.

Member of the Sydney Buddhist community, the Venerable Rabdrol conducted a Dotting of the Eye ceremony for the club’s new ten-seater boat. The ceremony is for the awakening of the dragon in keeping with the strong traditions of dragon boating.

The special guest read out a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh before using red paint to dot the two eyes of the dragon head on the boat.

The club’s paddlers took the boat on the lake and ‘charged’ the bank three times to awaken the dragon.

The ceremony was followed with morning tea attended by members past and present at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club. President Cathryn Sweeney gave an overview of the past ten years of the club that was started on 11th September 2011 with 38 members currently.

“Since the founding members saw the potential benefits of putting the beautiful Lake Forbes to use, many members have enjoyed the rewards of being part of a social group and sporting team training up to three times per week and participating in many regattas around Australia, and even overseas.”

Cathryn also presented founding member and first president Wendy Green with her life member pin. Wendy was named the club’s first life member earlier this year and the ten-seater boat was named after her.

Forbes Welcomes Amazing Women With Vision

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Gathering Committee members with Melinda Schneider, Jean Kittson and Kia Handley.

Women from across the state converged on Forbes last weekend for a very successful NSW Rural Women’s Gathering, after a long and challenging three years since Forbes applied to host the event,

After a beautiful Welcome to Country from Yarrangirri Holmes and Elder Aileen Allen, Forbes Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed everyone to Forbes, followed by Local State Member Phil Donato MP who welcomed the group to the Central West.

Guest speaker Cressida Cains of Pecora Dairy, and 2020 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Woman of the Year, was the first speaker on Saturday, followed by local real estate agent Tara Kelly of Century 21 Central West.

Special guest, Melinda Schneider then spoke of her life growing up as a performer from a very young age and the life twists and turns that brought her to be in the role of a Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Ambassador. There was not a dry eye in the house during Melinda’s session.

Participants then heard from NSW Farmers’ Young farmer Council Representative Charlotte Groves. Followed by a panel discussion led by MC Kia Handley around Mental Health.

A variety of workshops and tours were held on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, which was by far the highlight of the Gathering. Guest speaker, Jean Kittson, had the crowd in stitches!

On Sunday morning, participants enjoyed a Sculpture Down the Lachlan Guided Tour around the Lake and Forbes Dragon Boat Club demonstration. Followed by the opportunity to hear from four local speakers providing inspirational stories, leaving everyone walking away inspired, encouraged and ready to take on a new challenge. Dr Karen Ritchie spoke about the Boosting the Lachlan Valley Art Project, Wendy Muffet spoke about Grazing Down the Lachlan, Fiona Aveyard of Outback Lamb and Rose Philipzen of Moxey Farms.

Stephanie Stanhope from NSW Country Women’s Association spoke about the history of the CWA in NSW as they celebrate 100 years!

For further information please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare

‘We Are Done’

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Nurses at the Forbes Hospital who took part in the nation-wide strike action last Thursday.

Nurses at the Forbes Hospital joined the state-wide strike action last Thursday fighting for safe staffing levels across the public health system.

“The need is urgent, staffing is in crisis and the health system is not coping,” said Chloe Scheul, assistant secretary of the Forbes Hospital Branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.

“Every shift, NSW nurses are confronted with short staffing, excessive workloads and are stretched beyond what is reasonable or safe to keep our health system functioning.”

She said the changes they were asking for to staffing ratios were not unreasonable or exorbitant. “We need a guaranteed number of nurses and midwives on every shift, so we can provide safe patient care.

“We will continue to fight for our patients and our community.” said Chloe of the second strike by nurses in as many months as union members claim their demands are being ignored by the government.

The ABC reported there were 4,296 NSW Health staff in isolation on 28th March due to being infected with COVID-19 or exposed to the virus, according to government data.

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