Special Interests Archives - Page 69 of 118

Speedway Exhibit A Car Lover’s Dream

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles owner Peter Champion with the VE-VC 30th anniversary vehicle that will be on show at the Speedway Exhibition. He will be at the exhibition to talk about the launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

Car enthusiasts cannot afford to miss this year’s Speedway Exhibition at the Parkes Elvis Festival featuring 40 iconic and prestigious cars at the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street.

Inspired by this year’s Speedway theme, a diverse blend of unique cars have been brought together for the first time ever. Sharing the showroom floor will be a rare collection of Holden Dealer Team (HDT) special vehicles, special Commodore builds, the Anniversary Edition Commodores together with group A cars and a 1980 Peter Brock Marlborough Holden Dealer Team race car.

The exhibition will also see the official unveiling of the 2015VF “Blue Meanies” in sedan, wagon and ute configuration based on the 1985 HDT VK Commodore SS Group A ‘Blue Meanie’ released by Peter Brock and the HDT.

The range racing cars will include the 1977 Brian Burt and 1978 Everlast Ford XC Coupes, an Alan Moffat Tribute Ford Mustang and Peter O Donnell’s BMW 335i which has completed more laps of the famous Bathurst track than any other car.

The list also includes a Porsche 911 GT3, MK1 Ford GT40 and 1965 Shelby Cobra along with NASCARs and a range of speedway cars. As if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the feast of horsepower continues with a 327 HK Bathurst Monaro, a VL Walkenshaw Commodore and other powerful cars to get your motor revving.

To further enhance the racing experience, a state-of-the-art virtual reality racing car simulator, as used by professional drivers around the world, will get your adrenaline pumping as you try to be the King of the track.

The display will also include racing memorabilia such as bonnets from various racing cars, racing suits and a diverse selection of intriguing and fascinating collectables.

The Speedway Exhibition official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April is open to everybody where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion who will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

The HDT VC race car will also be on display at the Speedway Exhibition at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival. The exhibition, to be held in the former Broderick’s car yard in Clarinda Street, is sponsored by the Bogan Gate Pub, and funded by the NSW Government. The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20th April to Sunday, 24th April from 9am to 5pm with free entry. Everyone is invited to attend the official launch at 11am on Wednesday, 20th April where you’ll hear from owner of Holden Driving Team Special Vehicles, Peter Champion. He will share some thoughts on the cars and launch of the Blue Meanie Trilogy.

Weaving Culture And Tradition Into Modern Day Life

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Three generations learn together. Kiesha Bowden with her mum Kelly and grandmother Cathy at the basket weaving workshop.

A basket weaving workshop was but one of the many activities on offer during Seniors Week that is still in full swing in Forbes with more events to follow next week.

A small group of women gathered at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Monday to learn the traditional craft of weaving baskets from Condobolin’s expert teacher Bev Coe.

“I learned to weave baskets years ago at Camp Coorong, and wanted to pass on the skill to other people,” said Bev. When she is not teaching workshops all over the Central West, you will find her in her workshop in Condobolin called Sista Shed.

Bev has expanded her skill to make grass sculptures, and before COVID-19 she used to go to the markets in Sydney where her creations were in high demand.

The Forbes women were very happy and felt very privileged that Bev could fit in a workshop for them and offered them the opportunity to learn from her.

“We think she’s brilliant,” said Aileen Allen. “She teaches us our culture, which we should’ve learned when we were young.

She has been very patient with us. It is great that she can keep our culture alive and pass it on to the next generation.”

Part of the group included three family members from three generations. Cathy Bowden came with her daughter Kelly Bowden, and her granddaughter Kiesha Bowden.

“I wanted to learn more about traditional stuff. It is very important for us young people to learn about our culture,” said Kiesha. She was very excited about learning the skill of basket weaving and planned to keep doing it.

Although the group used raffia to weave their baskets at the workshop, Bev said traditionally you would use native spiny flat sedge for weaving, but during drought times it was hard to get hold of.

She said baskets made from natural materials lasted much longer than those made from plastic. “I made a basket from sisal for my clothes pegs and I always left it at the washing line. It lasted for years, much longer than anything plastic.”

Bev Coe (standing) from Condobolin presented the workshop. She is with (L-R) Aileen Allen, Wendy Hughes and Margaret Eldrige.

Free Mental Health First Aid Courses

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

A free Mental Health First Aid Course will be presented at the CWA Rooms in Forbes on 7th and 8th May sponsored by the Parkes Rotary Club.

The course teaches people simple, practical first aid skills for helping someone who is experiencing mental health problems, and will be presented by Phil Worrad, Rural Mental Health Coordinator for the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health issues in adults, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. It will cover topics such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, psychosis and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

“Drought, floods, mice plagues, bushfires and now the rising cost of living are having a severe impact on the mental health of rural communities,” said Robert Shore, President of Parkes Rotary. “There is a need for courses like these so people can continue helping each other.

“People who have done this course previously all said it was excellent. One teacher said it was the best, most useful professional development she has ever done.”

The course is educational in learning how to assist others as a first responder, and not a therapeutic or support group.

The course will run from 9am to 4pm over the two days, and is open to community members over 18 years of age.

To register ring Robert on 0427 627244.

Maz To Play Forbes Town Hall Organ At NSW Rural Women’s Gathering

March 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Maz Rees is excited to be playing the Forbes Town Hall pipe organ at the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering on 3rd April.

The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is all about women in our community and Forbes resident Maz Rees has been added to the program to welcome attendees with a rousing performance on the beautiful Town Hall pipe organ.

Maz will be playing the organ on Sunday morning, 3rd April, and if you’ve never heard this organ being played, and love the sound of a pipe organ, this will be the perfect opportunity to experience this special instrument in all of its glory.

The organ was built in 1981 by Brown & Arkley in Northmead and was commissioned by former Forbes Shire Councillor and local business owner, Paul Coles. Paul provided a number of parts from his collection, including some of the metal pipes that were made in Germany.

The organ was constructed using mechanical action parts mostly made of wool. The casework was built from Amora, a South East Asian mahogany-like hardwood.

After its initial installation, the organ has moved location twice, with its final home now at Forbes Town Hall. The organ is located on a small raised platform allowing it to be moved within the Town Hall for special events.

There is still time to register for the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering until Monday, 28th March. The registration fee has been discounted and includes the Saturday Gathering, workshop options, gala dinner and Sunday Gathering. Alternatively, each event can also be booked separately if you can’t join for the whole weekend. Go to https://forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

Volunteer At Elvis Festival

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Elvis Festival is back and on the lookout for volunteers to help make this year’s event a success.

Volunteering at the festival is open to people from all walks of life, and with different skills and experiences. There are many ways to volunteer, including setting up event spaces and signage, ushering guests, assisting with a multitude of events both inside and outdoors and transporting VIPs.

“The change of date along with impacts of Covid-19 have resulted in a need for new volunteers,” said Festival Director, Tiffany Steel. “We have more than 100 volunteer roles to fill. If you have specific interests, we can place you in a role where you can learn and get on-the-job experience whilst helping on one of the most popular festivals in Australia.” said Tiffany.

Employee volunteering programs are a great way for businesses to show their corporate social responsibility and provide employees with the opportunity to contribute to the community.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved with the sponsorship of the festival’s volunteer program,” said General Manager of Central West Credit Union Brett Hartin. “Volunteers are the life blood of regional areas, and this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community.”

In the spirit of Elvis, each volunteer will receive a t-shirt, hat, water bottle, bag and will get to have a whole lotta rockin’ and rollin’ fun. To apply visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au. Volunteer induction will be on Monday, 21st March from 6 to 7:30pm at the Cooke Park Pavilion.

A Night Of Unforgettable Entertainment

March 18, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Music Director Nicholas Gentile and UpStage Australia Director Jessica Westcott (at piano) at Sunday’s choir rehearsal for Overture. Nicholas will be conducting a 40-piece orchestra made up of professional and student musicians, as well as a massed choir of 150 choristers, featuring children and adults from across the Central West. Ticket are available at www.123tix.com.au

It is almost time for the curtain to rise for the majestic Overture event on 2nd April at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes when Australia’s top performers will be on stage with regional talent for a night of unforgettable entertainment.

“We are catering for all music tastes,” said producer Harriet Snaith. “The program includes one aria and the rest ranges from modern pop to musical theatre, and includes songs from Frozen, Shrek, Phantom of the Opera, a Mama Mia medley, The Sound of Music, Wicked and more.”

Harriet said the rehearsals and preparation work were going really well, despite all the challenges of organising Zoom sessions and working with so many people spread out from Sydney to the Central West.

Overture is also the perfect opportunity to use your Dine & Discover vouchers for a night out to celebrate the other side of the pandemic in a COVID-safe environment.

“We would like to make it our ‘Day on the Green’ event”, said Parkes Shire Councillor Neil Westcott. “Bring your picnic rug, food and drink and enjoy an amazing evening with the family.”

The headline stars Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman will be joined by local talent in leading roles from Grenfell, Bathurst and Parkes.

Next weekend UpStage Australia is presenting a series of free dance and acting workshops in Parkes in the lead up to the big night. Top tutors and professionals will be presenting about eight different workshops. For more information and registration go to https://upstageaustralia.com.au/workshop/

Lachlan Valley Community Primary Health Service Survey

March 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Residents from Condobolin, Forbes, and Parkes can now share their experiences of primary health care services through a community survey.

The Lachlan Valley Community Primary Health Service Survey asks community members about their experiences when accessing primary health care. Primary health care is the care delivered outside a hospital by a range of health professionals. It includes general practitioners, allied health professionals, primary care and community nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

The survey is open to all members of the community 15 years of age and above. It takes around 10 minutes to complete. The initiative is part of the Collaborative Care Program in the Lachlan Valley.

Wellington Digwa is the community contact for the Primary Health Service Survey. He says every community member’s feedback is important.

“Your responses will help local health care providers understand the needs of your community and how these might be addressed,” said Wellington.

“By understanding your experiences, we can develop models of service provision which will meet the needs in our communities.”

The Primary Health Service Survey closes on Friday, 1 April. Community members can access the online survey at https://nswrdn.engagementhub.com.au/lachlan

Paper copies of the survey will be made available to community members who have difficulty accessing the internet. For a paper copy, please contact Wellington at Wellington.Digwa@health.nsw.gov.au or 0438 210 323.

Rubie Ready For National Young Judges Championship In April

March 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Australia’s best young sheep judges have been announced including 18-year-old Campbell Rubie of Forbes by Agricultural Shows Of Australia as eligible to compete in the prestigious national young judges championship in April.

The competition brings together the best young judges aged 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification occurs through success in competitive regional and state competitions with only one per state making the national championship.

The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, in its bicentenary year, will host the 2022 championships including the 2021 finalists who were unable to compete at EKKA due to COVID cancellations.

Rubie will represent the state in the Merino sheep young judges competition.

“I’ve grown up on a family farm, which is a mixed farming enterprise, with the major focus on our Merino and Poll Merino Stud. I am actively involved in all farming activities, including sheep work, machinery work and many other activities,” Campbell said.

The 2022 cohort of delegates for New South Wales will be determined at the Sydney Royal ahead of the national competition.

Mask Hurrah As Normality Returns

February 25, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

From the beginning of today Friday, 25 February, close to the last of a long line of significant COVID-19 restrictions will be finally lifted when mask wearing will no longer be mandated in most public spaces and venues.

In a real win, especially for local Forbes businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sector, who like many, have felt the brunt of changing regulations, as of now, no longer have the added challenge of policing compliance after the following adjustments have been made to the settings:

• Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;

• Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance;

• Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary; and

• The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

With hospitalisation and ICU rates easing and booster uptake now above 50 per cent, a staged return of non-urgent elective surgery across all NSW public hospitals has commenced and will be increased through February to March.

Vaccination Still Best Defence Against COVID-19

February 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack

It has been a tough few years and all Riverina and Central West residents have been affected in some way.

Whether it be our primary producers recovering from the effects of drought, to floods and storms threatening homes and farmland and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced significant adversity and, in a show of typical regional Australian community spirit, we have stood tall to be our best selves against these challenges.

Australia can be proud that it is one of the most vaccinated countries when it comes to COVID-19. The fact remains, despite new variants, vaccination remains our best defence against this virus.

We need to continue doing the right things to keep safe our more vulnerable in our community – practising social distancing, wearing masks when appropriate and getting the COVID-19 jab.

Whether you have rolled up your sleeve twice or you have become eligible recently, such as those in the five- to 11-year-old age category, your efforts to continue to protect your community through getting the booster or getting your first jab are to be commended – you are saving lives and protecting livelihoods in your local community. Thank you.

We all want to get back as quickly as we can to the way our lifestyles were before the pandemic – the vaccine is helping us do just that.

You can go to www.health.gov.au to find the nearest available COVID-19 vaccine clinic and to book your vaccination.

Michael McCormack MP
Member For Riverina

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