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Forbes Phoenix

Australian Summer

October 17, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Little bodies sprinting through sprinklers on the lawn. Shady swimming holes in the local creek. A bag of mixed lollies from the pool canteen, the smell of chlorine and hot chips wafting through the hot afternoon air. The heat is fast approaching us and so much of our lives revolve around water.

Last year, in a neighbour’s pool, my son swam for the first time. He kicked his little legs and managed, somehow, to get across the pool unaided. For the first time in what felt like his lifetime, I breathed deeply.

He had learnt how to move through the water and get to the edge independently.

The very infancy of a lifetime of being able to swim. His little face was radiant. The red circle google marks only accentuating his beaming smile.

I want my son to thrive in an Australian summer. To jump with glee into the shady creek hole with his friends. To swim across the local pool with pace when he sees the hot chips arrive. To feel the thrill of moving through the water to play ‘classic catch’. To burn some teenage energy by following the black line up and down during swim training.

To learn to swim: for safety, for confidence, for exercise and most importantly – for fun.

We are excited to offer our community swimming lessons with our fully qualified swimming teachers this summer com­mencing 4th November 2024 in Forbes and Parkes. You can book your child’s place by phoning our reception on 0437 749 746.

Head to our website for more information.

2024 Forbes Spring Races

October 10, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Spring is a great time to go racing and Forbes Jockey Club has a host of enter­tainment planned for this Saturday, 12th October at the TAB race meeting.

Local racing has certainly been a part of many conversations over the past week following the win by rank outsider Sneak Preview in the $150,000 Dubbo Gold Cup.

The veteran galloper trained at Dubbo by Peter Nestor and ridden by his nephew Kody Nestor, is part owned by Peter Maher and Matt Coady from Forbes.

Sneak Preview was backed by numer­ous supporters at odds of $100 and cel­ebrations will likely continue on Saturday at Forbes Spring races.

Leading trainers from a wide area are bringing starters to Forbes and the action on the track will be backed up by other highlights including the Fashions In The Field offering big prizes for several catego­ries.

There is entertainment planned for all the family and the Yabby races with an auction for the chance to have a starter will be a lot of fun.

Gates will open at 11.30am and music throughout the afternoon will add to a great day out at Forbes races.

Celebrate Spring In Canowindra With Spring Fling Fling

September 26, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Spring is a particularly beautiful time of the year in Canowindra, so let’s celebrate it. IMAGE: FARMPIX

Get ready to embrace the vibrant colors and rejuvenating spirit of spring at Canow­indra’s much-anticipated Spring Fling. From 25th – 27th October, Canowindra will play host to a delightful array of activities and events designed to celebrate the season and showcase the best of our community.

Stargazing with Donna The Astronomer

As a special highlight of the weekend, pre­pare for an extraordinary stargazing experi­ence with renowned science boffin, Donna The Astronomer. Donna will lead an insight­ful and awe-inspiring session under the stars, providing fascinating insights into the night sky. It’s a rare chance to deepen your understanding of the cosmos and marvel at the celestial wonders above. To book your tickets to the Stargazing experience, go to www.123tix.com.au

Accommodation Packages at Eddy’s Of Canowindra

Eddy’s Of Canowindra is rolling out the red carpet for Spring Fling with special accom­modation packages. Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of their charming rooms and take advantage of their exclusive Spring Fling rates. Perfectly located, Eddy’s offers easy access to all the activities organised in Canowindra while providing a cozy retreat after a day of exploring.

Edellen Flowers Workshop

Immerse yourself in the floral beauty of spring with Edellen Flowers. Join their flower workshop to learn how to create stunning floral arrangements that capture the essence of the season. This hands-on experience is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their floral skills or simply enjoy the art of flower arranging.

Finns Store Pop-Up Market

On Saturday, Finns Store will host their popular Pop-Up Market, featuring a fan­tastic selection of local products, artisanal goods, and unique finds. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support local artisans and discover one-of-a-kind items. Don’t miss out on the chance to shop and explore the pop up market and the vibrant offerings.

Garden Club Plant Stall

Spring is synonymous with blooming flow­ers and thriving plants, and the Canowindra Garden Club is here to help you green up your space. Visit their plant stall, outside IGA, to pick up a variety of spring plants, seedlings, flowers and gardening tips. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a budding enthusiast, this stall is sure to inspire your green thumb.

Free Child Restraint Checks

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Have you had your child restraints checked to see if they are fitted correctly?

Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils are en­suring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles, by offering free child restraint checks by Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Forbes on Wednesday 18 September and in Parkes on Friday 20 September 2024.

The Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that these free child restraint checking days are held bi-annually, are well patronised and are important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not be­ing used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we have checked at previous events have had minor prob­lems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child – such as tightening and untwist­ing straps, fitting gated buckles and correct­ing the seatbelt’s path through the restraint.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe” Ms Suitor said.

The upcoming child restraint checking days will be held in Forbes on Wednesday 18th September from 11am – 3pm and in the carpark at Lions Park, and in Parkes on Friday 20th September from 11am – 3pm in the carpark at Kelly Reserve. Bookings are essential, simply phone 6861 2364 to se­cure your place.

Information about the child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on mov­ing children from one restraint type to the next will also be available.

For further information about the free child restraint checking days or to book in, please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, Road Safety and Injury Pre­vention Officer, Melanie Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

Fire Up Forbes

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Grab your mates and fire up for an unfor­gettable night of tasty food, ice cold bever­ages, live music and plenty of dancing – all in the name of charity.

The Nedd Brockmann Gala Ball, which is being held at the historic Forbes Town Hall on Friday 4th October, is set to be an event not to be missed.

The aim of the black-tie charity ball is to support Bedgerabong born and bred Nedd Brockmann’s past achievements whilst also getting right behind him and his next big challenge: which is to run 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) in 10 days!All proceeds from the ticket and bar sales plus the fundraiser auction will be donat­ed to the charity: “We Are Mobilise” which aims at combating homelessness within Australia.

Sam Mackay, who is one of several young locals organising the event, said “We hope everyone gets around this event and supports the Brockmann Gala Ball.

There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to make it a really special evening”.

Head to the Forbes Gala Ball pages on either Facebook or Instagram or to 123tix.com.au get your ticket.

Your Vote Matters This Saturday

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Voters acoss the state will head to the polls this weekend for the 2024 NSW Local Government Elections.

The NSW Electoral Commission will be conducting local council elections on Sat­urday, 14th of September 2024, for the election of Councillors. If you are an Aus­tralian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to enrol and vote. If you do not vote, you may receive a penalty notice.

The NSW Local Government Elections are held every four years. Voting in this election is an opportunity to determine nine representatives who form the elected body In this election there are 10 individual can­diates running for the nine available posi­tions on Forbes Shire Council. The election in Parkes will be hotly contested with a mas­sive line up of two groups and 18 individual candidates running for election.

If you can’t make it to a polling place on Election Day due to other commitments, pre-polling is open until 6pm Friday, 13th September at Forbes Town Hall, Harold Street, Forbes or The Coventry Room, Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre, 25 Bogan Street, Parkes. .

Whether you’re a returning voter or its your first time, head over to the NSW Elec­toral Commission website to find out more ­information: https://elections.nsw.gov.au

We Will Remember Them, We Will Honour Them, We Will Fight For Them

September 5, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Mandy kicked off her Remember September PanKind Walk in Mudgee on Sunday and walked 6kms

This September, local Parkes woman Mandy Tulloch is walking 100km for the 71 Australians who die from pancreatic cancer each week and in memory of her brother Michael (Dick) who lost his short battle with this hideous illness earlier this year.

Mandy will be joined by her husband Si­mon , her sister Maree , and her late broth­ers children Hayden and Deanna (who reside in Sydney) to walk together when they can and also virtually as a team. The team name being, Rider in the Dust from Fernhill.

As a family, Mandy explained “We have personally been touched, with three gen­erations being affected by this disease.

Mandy’s grandfather Edward Welsh who died in 1978, her late brother Michael, and her father, Graham Welsh, who has recent­ly been diagnosed.

Pancreatic cancer is now the fourth big­gest cancer killer in Australia, and because early-stage pancreatic cancer rarely caus­es symptoms, the survival rates are dev­astating.

If you are diagnosed with pancreatic can­cer tomorrow, there is only a 12.5% chance you’ll be alive in 5 years. But research can change this. Your support will fund lifesaving pancreatic cancer research and im­prove survival rates.

Mandy has challenged herself with a per­sonal goal to get up, get moving and walk 100km to fight this terrible disease. You can follow the link for more information about Remember September or to make a dona­tion in support of Mandy https://www.re­memberseptember.org.au/s/13197/15107

Snippets…

September 5, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Trundle Bush Tucker Day is a family friendly festival. There is something for everyone! Come along on Satur­day the 7th September

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Trundle Rural Fire Brigade volunteers will have a BBQ Breakfast the morning after Bush Tucker Day on Sunday 8th September at the Trun­dle Showground. Bacon and eggs rolls, big breakfast and BBQ. They will have Eftpos available too. Come along and help us say a big thank you Trundle Rural Fire Brigade.

Forbes Town & District Tennis Club: On Sunday 22nd September bring the fam­ily along for a fun day, win some prizes, spread awareness for Leo Doyle and help raise some funds. To nominate for the pair’s competition or for further information about the day please contact Peter Clifton on 0403 335 205. If you would like to know a little bit more about Leo’s journey so far, visit https://rarevoices.org.au/personal-sto­ry/leos-story/ For more information on the the support Little Wings provide our com­munity go to https://www.littlewings.org.au/

Lifeline: If you have ever experienced thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. In fact, 1 in every 6 Australians has thought seriously about taking their own life on at least one occasion. No matter how hope­less you might feel, help is available. You

can learn about suicide and where to find support for you and the people you care about in our Support Toolkit: ll.org.au/sui­cide. If you are in crisis and want to speak with a Crisis Supporter, you can call 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114 or chat to Lifeline on­line at www.lifeline.org.au 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Exciting News Elvis Fans! We have lis­tened to your feedback, and we’re shaking things up. Tickets for the 2025 Parkes Elvis Festival will now go on sale:

• Monday, 23 September 2024, 10am: Parkes Leagues Club shows

• Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 10am: Parkes Services Club shows

• Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 2pm: Ex­ternal festival event tickets

Women’s Health Week: This week is Women’s Health Week, and it is more im­portant than ever to shine a light on the vital importance of prioritising women’s health and wellbeing. Did you know that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable can­cers and having a Cervical Screening Test every five years is the best way to prevent it? Find the one that is right for you: https://bit.ly/4dV7gXk

The Cervical Screening Test is available through your regular doctor or nurse, but it can also be done at many other locations across NSW.

See Ewe Next Tuesday, Albo

September 5, 2024 by Roxane Manley

With momentum growing for the national agriculture rally to be held in Canberra next Tuesday 10th of Sept, co-organisers, Keep the Sheep, are encouraging as many peo­ple as possible to attend to give the Govern­ment a clear message: support agriculture or face the ramifications at the ballot box.

Coinciding with news that the new Agri­culture Minister’s Department advised her that, “the policy is now settled and will not be revisited”, spokesperson Ben Sutherland said that the choice was now clear, and that farmers, agricultural workers, truckies and regional people were now only left with a single choice, to campaign against bad pol­icy at election time.

“This policy is far from settled. If the Gov­ernment thinks it can dispose of our liveli­hoods and then declare it all done and dusted, they are very wrong,”“If the Government prefers to listen to activists or bureaucrats instead of the real people that their policy will hurt, then they will see us and hear us next week,” he said.

The national agriculture rally will be held on the lawns at Parliament House on Tues­day 10 September from 11:00 and partici­pants can register online.

Catholiccare Wilcannia-forbes To Host Free Movie Nights For Families

September 5, 2024 by Roxane Manley

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes team member Dylan Biles is encouraging families to come along to the organi­sation’s free Forbes Community Movie Night on Friday.

Families at Forbes and Trundle can enjoy a film event for free this month, thanks to CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes.

The organisation’s Family and Relation­ship Services team is hosting a movie night at Forbes on Friday 6th September, and at Trundle on Friday 20th September.

The events will feature a screening of the film, The Wolf and the Lion, as well as a free barbecue sausage sizzle and other activities for children, all at no charge to at­tendees.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’s Family and Relationship Services team organised these events to bring families together and add to the social experience for community members in these towns.

Forbes Community Movie Night, Friday 6th September, 5pm-9pm, to be held at Forbes Public School. Bring chairs and rugs and dress warmly. Children are to be supervised by parents. No staff supervision available for children. This is a drug-free and alcohol-free event.

Trundle Community Movie Night, Friday 20th September, 5pm-9pm, to be held at St Patrick’s Catholic School. Bring chairs and rugs and dress warmly. Children are to be supervised by parents. No staff supervision available for children. This is a drug-free and alcohol-free event.

“Our community movie nights are an en­joyable night of entertainment for families that don’t break budgets,” Family and Rela­tionship Services delivery leader Rebecca Lee said.

“They are a chance for children to make memories and they encourage strong posi­tive bonds between family members, and between families in the community.”

Serving western NSW, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes understands the needs of smaller rural communities.

“With time pressures, many families can’t take a day to travel to a bigger city for en­tertainment,” Ms Lee said.

“Furthermore, owing to inflation, many families may not be able to afford the fuel to travel away.”

All are welcome to attend.

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