Special Interests Archives - Page 77 of 118

Forbes Celebrating NAIDOC

October 30, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

NAIDOC celebrations will go ahead in Forbes in November.

The Forbes Aboriginal community has come together once again to plan a COVID-safe celebration for NAIDOC this year. Committee members from Yoorana Gunya, Binaal Billa, Forbes Wiradjuri Rangers, Amaroo, CatholicCare and Council as well as community members and representatives from local schools have joined forces to design a family-friendly celebration to be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Friday, 13 November from 4.30pm – 8pm.

The event will feature a range of free activities including traditional art, dancing, storytelling, and language as well as art and craft activities, jumping castles and bungee trampolines plus the chance to win some amazing prizes. There will be a range of food options available including a free barbecue and a variety of food vans to choose from.

“We are really excited to still be able to hold this event,” said Committee Chairperson Debbie Gaudie. “When we first started planning, we weren’t sure what would be happening with restrictions, but we have worked hard to make sure the event is COVID-safe for everyone and can still go ahead.”

“There will be plenty of hand sanitiser available, and we will be fencing off the entire event area with only one entry and one exit with QR code or paper sign in on entry. This will make sure we can manage numbers and make sure we have details for contact tracing as required by the State Government,” Debbie said. “All our activities will be run in a COVID-safe way.”

Attendees will be invited to complete a NAIDOC Celebration passport by completing each of the activities available on the day. The first 50 children to complete the activities on the day will win a fishing rod, kindly donated by DPI Fisheries. In addition, all completed passports will be entered into the draw to win an amazing prize pack from Forbes Shire Council.

Breast Cancer Won’t Wait For COVID

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Meg O’Brien, Manager BreastScreen NSW Western Region encourages women 50-74 to book their free mammogram this October.

BreastScreen NSW is encouraging women aged 50 to 74 to make their health a priority by booking a free life-saving mammogram this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Meg O’Brien of BreastScreen NSW Western Region said: “This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want women in Western NSW Local Health District to make booking a breast screen a priority.”

“BreastScreen NSW has implemented a range of hygiene and social-distancing measures to ensure clinics and mobile screening vans are COVID-19 safe, to protect women, staff and the wider community.”

Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow said early detection is key to giving women the best chance of survival and reduces the likelihood of needing invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy.

An appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes about 20 minutes in total and no doctor’s referral is needed. In addition to 46 BreastScreen NSW clinics, Breast-Screen NSW has 16 mobile vans that provide services to about 180 locations across NSW, including in rural and remote areas.

If you are aged 50 to 74 book your free mammogram today with BreastScreen NSW online at www.book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50.

Be Harvest Ready

October 23, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The recent Be Road Ready For Harvest Virtual Field Day, held via Zoom, was a sellout. More than 90 people registered for the event with a further 20 people signing up to the waitlist.

Attendees were a mixture of farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations.

The event was supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, NSW Police, NSW Farmers, WFI and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils.

It provided information about the current regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles and combinations on the road.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said it was great to see strong numbers for the Virtual Field Day, especially as the region is expecting a good harvest for the first time in a number of years.

“Unfortunately due to the current COVID restrictions we weren’t able to hold our face to face event at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Forbes, but it was very pleasing to see many of the regulars join us for the online event. There were also a large number of first-time attendees from right across the Central West.”

“Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that during harvest all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.”

“Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period,” Melanie said.

The Virtual Field Day was recorded and can be accessed on the Forbes Shire Council’s YouTube channel.

Farmers Urged To Vaccinate Against Q Fever

October 16, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

There have already been 51 confirmed cases of Q Fever in the Central West in 2020. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/ Shutterstock

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), Manager Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Susan Turcato, is strongly urging farmers and people who work with livestock to get vaccinated against Q Fever to guard against being unable to work due to prolonged illness.

Q Fever is a bacterial infection carried by livestock that can lead to chronic lethargy that may last for several months. Susan said a single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high-risk occupations, as well as for people aged 15 years and over who could be exposed to Q Fever.

There have been an alarming 51 confirmed cases of Q Fever reported in WNSWLHD so far this year, the symptoms of which, mainly chronic fatigue, can affect individuals and families, as well as impact their ability to work.

“With all the pressure on farmers and livestock handlers with the recent drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing we want is for them to be needlessly drained of energy for months on end after being struck down by Q Fever,” Susan said.

People become infected when they breathe in dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions, which can lead to high fevers and chills, sweating, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and extreme fatigue.

Susan is urging anyone who might be at risk to consult a GP who can screen for Q Fever and vaccinate them, if needed. “We want people to proactively talk to their doctor about Q Fever,” she said.

The NSW Government is investing around $1 million between 2018 and 2022 to help protect farmers and other people in rural areas who work with animals from Q Fever.

NSW Health is currently delivering an education campaign targeting people in occupations and locations at higher risk of Q Fever.

Celebrating Mental Health Month

October 9, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

It has been a most challenging year, with bushfires and a pandemic topping off years of extreme drought and financial hardship for many across Central Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).

WNSWLHD Director of Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Jason Crisp said, “Now more than ever it is extremely important to be talking and thinking about our mental health.”

“For the first time the WNSWLHD Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services team have developed a calendar full of activities to celebrate Mental Health Month, during the month of October, the calendar has been especially put together for both carers and consumers,” Jason said.

“This awareness month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not.” Jason urges everyone to seek support early for their mental health and hopes that these programs are able to increase awareness about mental health and how to best obtain support.

Because of the current Public Health Orders, and government restrictions the activities will be offered through virtual services, including video conferences and teleconferences.

“Some of the events include hearing about the peer workforce, being a young carer, older people’s mental health, and yarning with aboriginal carers just to name a few.”

“We hope you enjoy what is on offer for the month, it is an excellent line up of educational opportunities with some great presenters who are experts in their fields and very interesting guest speakers.”

“I encourage everyone to join us and share with your family and friends,” Jason said.

COVID-19 Safety; It’s Up To All Of Us

October 2, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has urged organisers of community events to be aware of their COVID-19 responsibilities and to have comprehensive COVID-19 plans in place.

Director of Public Health, Priscilla Stanley said, “We have been so fortunate in our region to have not had a lot of confirmed COVID cases. Despite several months where we had no active cases, the threat of a confirmed case is ever present. There may be people in our communities or visiting our communities that have returned from areas where confirmed cases are present.”

“We need to continue to protect our communities, and I am urging hosts of sporting, cultural and entertainment events, as well as private gatherings, to be aware of their responsibilities.”

“While health officials may be able to provide some advice, complying with the Public Health Orders is up to each individual, business and event organiser,” Priscilla said.

Guidelines are designed to encourage people to go about their business in ways that are as safe as possible, and fines may be issues if they are not adhered to. Be sure to check guidelines at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 and have a plan in place.

Diabetes: Early Birds Beat The Night Owls

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Early to bed, early to rise, while the old saying promises health, wealth and wisdom, new research confirms part of the adage holds true, as a world first study shows that people who go to bed early are more likely to be in better health and more physically active compared to night owls.

Conducted by the University of Leicester and the University of South Australia, the study assessed the bedtime preferences of people with Type Two Diabetes, identifying a connection between bedtimes and healthy, active lifestyles.

It found that night owls have an excessively sedentary lifestyle, characterised by low levels and low intensities of physical activity which puts their health at greater risk.

Lead researcher, Dr Joseph Henson from the University of Leicester, says understanding how people’s sleep time preferences can impact their level of physical activity, could help people with Type Two Diabetes better manage their health.

“There is a massive need for large-scale interventions to help people with diabetes initiate, maintain and achieve the benefits of an active lifestyle,” Joseph says. “For people who prefer to go to bed later and get up later, this is even more important, with our research showing that night owls exercise 56% less than their early bird counterparts.”

The University of South Australia’s Dr Alex Rowlands says the study provides a unique insight into behaviours of people with Type Two Diabetes. “The links between later sleep times and physical activity is clear: go to bed late and you’re less likely to be active,” Alex says. “For someone with diabetes, this is valuable information that could help get them back on a path to good health.”

Make A Difference When You Share The Dignity

September 25, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Share the Dignity, a charity helping women and girls access sanitary items, needs volunteers to help collect, count and distribute items for their upcoming ‘It’s In The Bag’ 2020 Christmas appeal.

2020 has been tough. Challenging circumstances are pushing women and girls fleeing from domestic violence and homelessness, at risk of period poverty, into a more terrifying world. Tough economic conditions and the coronavirus pandemic mean the charity needs to rally closer together to make the appeal a success.

Share the Dignity’s Founder, Rochelle Courtney says, “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organisation. They volunteer their time to help women and girls dealing with period poverty in their local communities, and deliver products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups to local charities. Together, they are leaving a positive mark on the lives of women. Without them, we simply couldn’t reach as many women as we do.”

Go to https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/volunteer for more information on how you can help.

Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day

September 18, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Updated information for harvesters, farmers, machinery retailers and transporters will ensure all are road ready for harvest.

Farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies and agricultural machinery retailers are invited to attend the Be Road Ready For Harvest Virtual Field Day via Zoom on Thursday, 24 September from 8am.

Forbes, Parkes, and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that while the usual face to face Field Day at the Central West Livestock Exchange wasn’t possible due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the online delivery will hopefully make it more easily accessible for participants to attend.

“For the first time in about three years it is looking like we are going to have a good harvest. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the organising committee realise it is important to refresh people’s knowledge about the new and current rules and regulations for legally and safely moving harvest equipment on the road.”

“Safety during harvest is very important, meaning operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that during harvest all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to,” Melanie said.

Regulations have changed since last harvest and access arrangements have been replaced and it is important to understand these changes.

Topics which will be discussed include how to apply for permits, the new National Agricultural Machinery Notice, load restraint, pilots, the Grain Harvest Management Scheme, COVID-19 Safety Plan for silos, border restrictions and much more.

“The first 20 people to register will receive a free cuppa! And by taking part in a short road safety quiz you could win one of threeEngel car fridges valued at $190,” Melanie said.

Registration is free and can be completed via the Parkes, Forbes, or Lachlan Shire Councils’ Facebook pages.

Attendees will all receive a Moving Harvest Machinery 2020 USB, which contains most of the relevant notices and information about moving agricultural machinery on the road.

The Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day has been running since 2010 and usually attracts about 60 attendees. Organisers are hoping for similar numbers to this year’s virtual event.

Return Of A Beautiful Curse

September 11, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Beautiful but deadly Paterson’s Curse has exploded around the Ski Dam in Forbes.

Residents and regular Ski Dam walkers in Forbes will have no doubt noticed the beautiful sprawling weed around the Ski Dam and around paddocks in the Shire, the beautiful purple hue reminiscent of the picturesque lavender fields of Provence, France. However, this local version must not be mistaken for such.

Echium Plantagineum, more commonly known as Paterson’s Curse, Riverina Bluebell and Purple Viper’s-Bugloss is an invasive weed which is extremely harmful to livestock. Rumoured to have been named after the Paterson family of Cumberoona, NSW who planted it in their garden in the 1880’s, only to watch in horror as it spread across pastoral and agricultural land. Paterson’s Curse’s poisoning symptoms range from loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, and sleepiness, to more severe symptoms that can result in death due to liver damage.

While livestock tend to ignore Paterson’s Curse, contaminated hay bales or feed is more often to blame for the consumption of this toxic weed. In 1988 and 1994, the CSIRO released moth, root weevils, flea beetles and two more types of beetles in South Australia which is said to have significantly contributed to the decline in the abundance of the weed as both the moth and beetle species can kill the plant before it flowers. In human’s the plant can cause skin irritation so please give this smiling assassin a wide-berth if and when you might come across it.

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