Special Interests Archives - Page 81 of 121

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.

Want To Know The Value Of Your Home?

September 11, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Our local property market is certainly very interesting at the moment. We are experiencing low stock levels and good demand from buyers, especially first home buyers and investors.

With spring in the air, now is traditionally the time people think about selling, whether it is your own home or investment, it is easier to move around and get things done when we have pleasant weather conditions.

Recently my phone has been ringing, with out of town investors looking at our region, as our home prices are low and rental returns high. I have also had more mature people considering a quieter life and looking to move west to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Obtaining a current market appraisal on your home may help you make important decisions about whether to stay or go, or should you borrow money to renovate, or find out how much equity you have for investing purposes.

At the appraisal appointment, I do a walk- through of your home, have a chat to you about the property, and can usually give you a price estimate on the spot, followed by a written report if needed. The process takes around 20 minutes with the aim to give you a price range of your current market value and offer any advice that may help with your decision making.

To book your property appraisal please contact Tara Kelly at Century 21 Central West 0418 465 407. Servicing Forbes, Parkes and Eugowra.

My COVID Test

September 11, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The drive-through testing clinic is the quickest and most convenient means of being tested.

It was 10:02am as I pulled up behind a line of 14 cars in front of the Vandenberg Hotel, and within a few minutes there were more cars in line behind me. I felt a wave of relief wash over me to see so many others waiting to be tested for COVID-19, although this was not my first test.

Two months earlier I presented myself at Forbes Hospital with what I knew to be an all too familiar case of tonsillitis, I was given a mask and told very assertively by the receptionist to “step back!” from the marked line I was already standing behind. When the only other patient in the waiting room saw me, she slouched back and used her collar to cover her mouth. Thankfully, the nurse who took the swab was friendly and patient with my dramatic display of discomfort during that infamous nasopharyngeal swab which has since been replaced by a much gentler nasal swab.

The first time I was tested I was sure that I did not have COVID-19. However, this time upon hearing about last week’s case in Parkes, I wondered if this cough of mine was due to a change in season or a mild case of COVID. If it was the dreaded COVID, how many of my friends, contacts and family members would be forced to self-isolate? How many people did I, at best, inconvenience greatly or, at worst, put at risk? Would I be lynched? Word spreads quickly in small towns and it would not take long before I became the hottest topic in town.

These fears of mine were eased in seeing so many others in line to be tested on Monday, and while it meant that I had to wait over half an hour to be tested it will be a relief to have a negative result back.

The drive-through process was easy enough, firstly a man came to hand out information about registering to receive a text message for a negative result. Secondly, a woman came to take my details before placing the paperwork on my windscreen for the nurses in the final pathology gazebo. Finally, the nurses took my temperature, swabbed my mouth; so far so good, and took a nasal swab, which was thoroughly unpleasant but over in just a few seconds.

By Alexandria Irvine

Lachlan Health Council Seeking Members From Forbes

September 11, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

The Lachlan Health Council, which represents both the Forbes and Parkes communities, is looking to fill a vacancy and is seeking community members from all ages and backgrounds who are not only passionate about health and wellbeing, but also willing to speak on behalf of their community when it comes to health issues.

Lachlan Health Council Chair Carolyn Rice said, “The Health Council provides an opportunity to bring health issues from both the Parkes and Forbes communities to the attention of Lachlan Health Service and to Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).”

“Health Council members are committed to giving both Forbes and Parkes communities a voice on health issues.”

“Our local knowledge and experience is valued by the Health Service when we work with managers and clinical staff in the planning and delivering of services for our community.”

“The Health Council has a strong community voice and we are encouraging people from all backgrounds to nominate so we can continue to represent everyone’s interests. We would like to particularly encourage young people and Aboriginal community members to apply,” said Carolyn.

At a minimum, membership requires attendance at monthly meetings of the Health Council, but there are also opportunities for wider participation on committees and workshops in areas of personal interest. The Health Council meetings alternate between Forbes and Parkes locations and there is the option to phone or video call into meetings if you are not able to attend in person.

Application kits can be obtained by contacting Kylie Higgins, Senior Admin Support on (02) 6850 7103 or via email Kylie. Higgins@health.nsw.gov.au. Applications close on Friday, 25 September so be sure to get in quickly for the chance to give the community a voice where it counts.

Are You A Good Tenant?

September 4, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

If you are searching for a rental property to move into, the question ‘Am I a desirable renter?’ might not have even crossed your mind, but it should. A good landlord will go out of their way to find desirable tenants.

A desirable tenant is someone who has a proven record that they are financially responsible and can take care of the property and follow the rules of the lease agreement.

Remember, if you are a tenant and are searching for a rental property and it sparks your interest, then it is likely that other people will feel the same about it. Make yourself stand out from the competition by going through this checklist below:

• Consistently paying your rent on time and having a good rental payment history.
• Adhering to the terms and conditions of your lease agreement.
• Treat the home as your own, with respect and care for the property.
• Maintaining the property, keeping it clean and tidy.
• Communicate with your landlord and report any issues promptly.
• Have good quality references – previous rental history is best.

A glowing rental history will make you stand out against other applicants and will have landlords keen to have you as a tenant. Quite often, great tenants are rewarded in small ways by their landlords as they are keen to keep you in their property.

For more information regarding becoming a tenant, or completing rental applications, please contact the Property Management team at Century 21 Central West. Servicing Forbes, Parkes and Eugowra.

Sixty-Five Thousand Dollar Donation

September 4, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Tenders are out for the refurbishment of the Forbes indoor heated pool which serves the Forbes community, young and old.

Forbes Aged People’s Association disbanded last year, and the committee has generously donated $250,000 to the Jemalong Retirement Village Stage 2 independent living precinct, which will include a heated pool for the proposed community centre.

A further $65,000 has been donated to the existing Forbes Heated Pool for its soon to be refurbished facility.

“It was very important that this community money goes back to the community,” says Alister Lockhart OAM, former Chairman. “We are pleased to be able to help not only the Jemalong Retirement Village but another important facility in Forbes, the Heated Pool.”

“The committee’s intentions all along have been to give the community something they can be proud of, and the Independent Living Village is a much-needed facility to have in our town. We are glad to be able to help the facility to include a heated pool as part of the complex.”

“To have additional funds available to give to the public Heated Pool is an enormous benefit to people living in Forbes and this wonderful facility which is about to embark on a transformation.”

The $65,000 will be held in trust by Forbes Shire Council until the work begins later this year. “I want to extend a huge congratulations to the Aged People’ Association for all that they have done for our community,” says Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Thank you for this amazing contribution to the Forbes Heated Pool, which will no doubt be used by many in our community.”

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