Maggi Barnard

Maggi Barnard has been with the Parkes Phoenix since it was established in March 2016 and loves writing about her community.

Weather Favours Tuesday’s Croquet

October 14, 2022 By Pegging Out

Saturday washed out, but Tuesday was sunny and we had a big turn up of 39, including two new payers Richard and Ann Parker, and a visitor Wayne Smith.

There were four players who managed three games: Robin Pols, Carolyn Neilsen, John Cole and Neville Spry.

BIG WINNERS

10 – 3 Carolyn Neilsen and Robin Pols, Neville Spry and Bill Scott, Bob Murray and John Cole; 9 – 4 Geoff Coles and John Job,

Kevin Rubie and Rex Toole (twice), John Farah, Neville Spry and Lorraine Todd, Geoff Coles and John Farah.

SOME CLOSE GAMES

Allan Jones and Alex Todd 7 Elvy Quirk and John Job 6; Jeff Liebich and Sally Perry 7 Noel Jolliffe and Ann Parker 6; Robin Pols and Joan Littlejohn 7 Fay Picker and Allan Jones 6; Bill Scott 7 Rex Toole 6; Alex Todd and Jenny Job 7 Ray Martin and Ann Parker 6; Carolyn Neilsen and Allan Jones 7 Geoff Coles and Marie Spry 6; Iren Ford and Colleen Liebich 7 Bill Scott and John Farah 6; Ray Burridge and Wayne Smith 7 John Browne and Ray Martin 6; May Jones and Jill Rubie 8 Noel Jolliffe and Ann Parker 5.

By Pegging Out

Golfers Splash Around

October 14, 2022 By Short Putt

Barry Parker managed to enjoy his golf in the rain last Saturday.

The Forbes golfers once again donned their wet weather gear in order to battle the course and somehow produce a good score.

Saturday was changed to a Stableford Medley due to a very wet course. Thirty golfers were keen to post a score, although nine players did not finish.

It was still very competitive with a count back required for the winner and runner-up. Neil McMillan was the first in with 38 points, having set the pace on the back-9 with 22 points. A little later James Earl (Shortland Waters) carded 38 points but his back-9 was less fruitful, handing the winner prize to Neil.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Bede Tooth; 18th – Nil. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Jacob Bernardi who was ‘eagle-eyed’ and put his ball to 1.34metres, the best shot for a few weeks.

The Ball Sweep went to 32 points, with a big gap between the prize winners and the remainder of the field. The lucky ones were: P Cowhan, R Webb, J Coulthurst, K Herbert, B Tooth, J Bernardi, B Parker and A Alley. The lone, but successful, visitor was James Earl who wandered around in shorts and rain jacket.

There was no Stableford Medley on Sunday due to very wet conditions.

Players please note that with more inclement weather forecast and expected overland water flow a decision on the golf for this weekend to be made and players notified. The club championships will be postponed until early December. Please keep in touch with the Pro Shop.

By Short Putt

Bali Bombings Display At Australian War Memorial

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

People attending the memorial service held in Forbes on Wednesday. (All photos on this page taken by Kate Howarth.)

A new photographic display detailing the Australian response to the Bali terrorist attack will be on show at the Australian War Memorial.

“The Bali bombings will be remembered as the date that terrorism hit home,” Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said.

The Royal Australian Air Force evacuated critically injured people out of Indonesia as part of Operation Bali Assist – the largest Australian aeromedical evacuation since the Vietnam War.

The Australian Federal Police were invited to assist the Indonesian National Police and played a key role in investigation breakthroughs that led to the arrest, trial and execution of some of the perpetrators.

A display detailing the aftermath, co-curated with the Australian Federal Police Museum, is dedicated to the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings and the government agencies, including the Australian Defence Force and Consular Officers who put themselves in harm’s way in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, and the Australian Federal Police, who sought justice for victims and their families.

The exhibition includes images taken by AFP members in the aftermath of the attack, including a photograph of former Prime Minister John Howard inspecting the site of the bombing.

Images taken inside Paddy’s Bar show where Australian Federal Police investigators were able to source several pieces of tartan fabric and other matter that made up the explosive vest used in the first detonation.

Visitors will need a free ticket to the Australian War Memorial to see this display, which will be on show until 20 November 2022.

Forbes Remembers Tragic Event 20 Years Ago

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The memorial service on Wednesday was attended by 19 of the survivors, whose names are also on a plaque at the club. Mathew Dent, Mathew Grant and Anthony Wallace were not able to make it.

The 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings was commemorated on Wednesday in Bali, Australia and in Forbes.

The Forbes Rugby Club organised a memorial service to remember the three members who did not return and to stand with the survivors, their families and friends.

The service, lead by Chris Sweeney, was held at the Bali Memorial Stone erected at the club to commemorate the three players, Paul Cronin, Greg Sanderson and Brad Ridley, who tragically lost their lives in the 2002 Bali bombings, and for the survivors of the club.

Three bouquets were laid at the memorial stone as people gathered for the service. The service was attended by 19 of the survivors, whose names are also on a plaque at the club. Mathew Dent, Mathew Grant and Anthony Wallace were not able to attend the memorial service in Forbes.

They were all part of the 25-member team of the Forbes Platypi who travelled to Bali after winning their first premiership for an end-of-season celebration. They were at a club in Bali’s Kuta district when the bombs went off.

The event hit the close community of Forbes very hard. The memorial was erected to serve as a place where people can reflect and pray for the families of Paul Cronin, Greg Sanderson and Brad Ridley, and other victims of the bombing, and also for the surviving boys of the tragic event.

The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002. The attack killed 202 people (including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 27 Britons, 7 Americans, 6 Swedes and 3 Danes). A further 209 people were injured.

Various members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a violent Islamist group, were convicted in relation to the bombings, including three individuals who were sentenced to death.

The names of the victims and survivors of the Forbes Rugby Club.

FAMILIAR FACES

We are told never to lose sight of where we are going
At the expense of where we’ve been,
Then another senseless tragedy appears on our TV screens.

But this time the names are familiar,
With faces that we’ve known.
And that small town on the Lachlan
Once again becomes our home.

We may not be there to give comfort or reminisce over a beer,
But we have to tell you our hearts do ache,
And our eyes have shed a tear.

The boys will know you’ve rallied around,
As you do in time of strife,
And they’ll know today you’ll mourn their death,
But tomorrow celebrate their life.

Coz that’s the strength of our little town,
Give support to one and all
And combine our courage to fight the pain,
To emerge walking proud and tall.

Our names may now only ring a bell.
All of us who still call you home,
But I hope you’ll find some solace in the fact,
You’ll never mourn alone.

Phillip Parsons

(Phillip, who grew up in Forbes, wrote this poem 20 years ago as a reflection on the Bali tragedy.)

Social Bowls

October 14, 2022 By Marty Tighe

The rains stayed away long enough to allow 14 social bowlers to enjoy two games of pairs and a triples game last Thursday.

On paper, the triples gun combination of Eddie McPhee, John Niddrie and Geoff Freeman were unbackable favourites over John Carr, Bob Freeman and Rob Irving. However, the under-dogs proved that the odds, and age are irrelevant and after 21 ends, team Irving won 23 shots to 21.

Ray Jones and President Col Miller started slowly against Mike Valentine and Chris Harrison, to trail by 6 shots after 4 ends.

Scoring a 5 and three 4s opened up the game for Jones and Miller and they didn’t back off winning by a big margin.

The combination of Mal Porter and John Ward proved too consistent against Ron Hornery and Marty Tighe in a tight game winning 24 shots to 19.

Saturday Bowls were washed out.

By Marty Tighe

Elvis Movie Sets On Exhibit At 30th Anniversary Festival

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

This year’s winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition Paul Fenech performed at the official launch of the 30th anniversary festival in 2023. He had three young supporters Reginald (8), Lottie (7) and Alfred (5) Dixon from Parkes.

It might be a good idea to get to see Baz Luhrman’s Elvis movie before the 30th anniversary of the Parkes Elvis Festival next year from 4th to 8th January.

The exciting news announced at the official launch of the festival last Wednesday was that the new exhibition at next year’s festival will feature a number of the movie sets, including the famous jungle room.

“Every year we try and get something new, and thanks to Warner Brothers and Baz Luhrman we’ve been gifted some of the movie sets,” said Festival Director Tiffany Steel. “You will actually get to see the full movie set of the jungle room, as well as the carnival house of mirrors, the world’s largest hound dog and some neon signs.

“We also have a number of items from the Bendigo Art Gallery Elvis exhibition.” These include the giant Elvis letters, the Elvis portico, and the giant neon sign that was at the front. “These items will all be on display with some of our own memorabilia of previous Elvis festivals.”

The other great announcement was the special concert to kick off the 30th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, 4th January. The Elvis Wall of Fame event will take place at 10am with Ross Wilson as inductee. Ross will then join three previous inductees, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilleri and Russel Morris at 12:30pm for a fantastic opening concert.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith thanked all the volunteers who have been involved over the past 30 years for their hard work and contribution to the event. Also attending was Deputy Premier Paul Tool who said the festival had become a regional product and was a showcase for people to see what is great about living in regional NSW.

The festival has more than 350 events and tickets are available to purchase online at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au. The festival also has a new website to make navigation of the five-day event easier.

The partnership between the Parkes Elvis Festival and the Forbes Shire Council is growing with another event put on in Forbes for next year, the Lakeside Luau: Hawaiian Fest with the Australian Beach Boys Show. The launch was attended by Forbes Mayor and Deputy Mayor last week. Also at the launch were (L-R) Al(vis) Gersbach, Anthony McGrath, Tiffany Steel, Paul Tool, Phyllis Miller, Ken Keith and Paul Fenech.

Capture Spring And Win A Family Session!

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Our Spring Photo Competition is in full swing and we’ve received some wonderful entries so far.

You have until the end of the month, Sunday, 30th October to enter and stand a chance to win a fantastic prize.

The Forbes winner will receive a family session with Hold Photography with the owner Bec Bennett also judging the entries.

In Parkes the winner will receive a family session (up to six people) with Marc Payne Photography. He will also be judging all the Parkes entries.

It is very easy to enter. Readers from Forbes can send your photos to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au, and Parkes readers can send their entries to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

These are some of the entries received so far. Nature has lots of beauty to offer us this spring after all the rain, so get out and get snapping.

Mock Crash Video Targets Young Drivers

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor (middle) with this year’s youth actors in the Mock Crash Video. They are (L-R) Amelia Barwick, Kaitlyn Stevenson, Shaylee Edwards and Zak Chatman.

The official screening of this year’s Mock Crash Video took place at the Parkes Pavilion on Tuesday. The NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Program was filmed this year, instead of the live demonstration to high school students as was the practise in previous years.

Ten high schools will take part in this year’s program starting next week, which includes a pre-lesson, the video and a follow-up lesson. The youth actors involved in this year’s program, local emergency services, councillors, council staff and invited guests attended the screening on Monday. The video will also be used to train new actors.

Premium Pet Food ‘Made In Parkes’

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PROUD PARKES PRODUCT… Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith and Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott hold a bag of Black Hawk kibble showing off the ‘Made in Parkes’ label printed on every bag at the state-of-the-art Petcare Kitchen facility in Parkes.

Pet owners in Australia and across the world now have the opportunity to buy premium pet food made in Parkes at the very first business to open its doors in the Special Activation Precinct (SAP).

The $82 million state-of-the-art Pet Care Kitchen manufacturing facility, officially opened last Wednesday, uses the latest technology and up to 50% locally sourced ingredients within a 200km radius to produce premium Black Hawk kibble.

“Partnerships with local farmers will ensure crops are grown to the company’s exacting specifications and provide primary producers a guaranteed market for their product,” said EBOS Group Chief Executive Officer John Cullity.

The pet food bags, ranging from 400g to 25kg, all bear the inscription “Proudly made in Parkes, NSW Australia” in the top right hand corner. “These bags are incredible, and it means wherever the pet food is sold a bit of Parkes is going right across the country and the world,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole, at the opening.

The very large and complex project, measuring 12,800 square metres, took over four years to build with all the challenges of the COVID pandemic, and employs 60 people from Parkes and the region and is in production 24 hours per day, five days per week.

“We will take thousands of trucks off the roads as we leverage the benefits of Parkes and its rail hub to move our pet food to all parts of Australia and other parts of the world,” said John.

For the Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM the opening of the pet food facility is a significant milestone for the Parkes SAP and a very exciting time for Parkes.

“This is the start of a new era for the region. The SAP will ensure that Parkes continues to boast a strong diverse economy and will create jobs and opportunities for the whole region when completed, particularly efficiently linking agricultural value-added products to world markets.”

Inside the $82 million state-of-the-art Pet Care Kitchen manufacturing facility are (L-R) General Manager Parkes Shire Council Kent Boyd, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM, CEO EBOS Animal Care Julie Dillon, Deputy Premier Paul Tool and CEO EBOS Group Ltd John Cullity.

NORTHERN GATEWAY PRECINCT

Work on the game changing Northern Gateway Precinct is also kicking off, which will connect the Parkes SAP to the town centre and the Newell Highway. The Stevens Group will invest $18 million to develop the project that will create hundreds of jobs during construction. “The 20-hectare Northern Gateway will include a new highway service centre, as well as a future commercial and business park,” said Paul Toole.

Parkes Mayor said the connecting road from the bypass to the CBD presented an opportunity for Parkes to tempt them to turn at the large round-about and spend time and money in town.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club Results

October 7, 2022 By Karma Chameleon

The second semi-final of the Minor Singles was played last Tuesday between Gary McPhee and Greg Townsend. The scores were tight over the first 7 ends, only 2 shots the difference in favour of Gary. Playing good draw bowls enabled Gary to maintain, and steadily increase the margin over Greg, to eventually win the match 25 shots to 13. Gary will now play Mick Simpson in the minor singles final.

A high standard semi-final of Major Singles between Mick Simpson and Mick Went was played on Saturday in front of a large group of supporters. The defending champion Mick Went dominated early, leading 8 shots to 2.

However, the very determined Mick Simpson gradually reduced the margin and briefly took the lead, 14 shots to 13. As the thunder and light rain added to the tension on the green, the defending title holder Mick Went outclassed Mick Simpson in the end, winning 25 shots to 16.

Mick Went plays Peter McPhee in the Final, while Mick Simpson has a great opportunity to advance to the Major ranks as he plays Gary McPhee in final of the Minor Singles.

By Karma Chameleon

Maggi Barnard

BIG WINNERS

SOME CLOSE GAMES

FAMILIAR FACES

NORTHERN GATEWAY PRECINCT

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