Maggi Barnard

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

A Delicate Balance Between Humans And Nature

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

‘21st MOVEMENT…’ Sonata at Warroo Reserve, approximately 45km from Forbes, is the 21st artwork added to the popular Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail. It is one of two sculptures to be located within Warroo Reserve. The second will be unveiled later this year.

The 21st addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail depicts a child playing the violin while balancing on the back of a life-sized bull.

The Warroo Reserve, 45km from Forbes, is home to this new sculpture called Sonata by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend that is an exploration of the delicate relationships between humans and nature.

“The bull represents the powerful forces of nature in contrast to the fragility of the child and her violin. It is as if the bull is held under a spell by her music,” said Suzie.

“At the heart of it, Sonata expresses the need for an accord with nature. When properly appeased, the raging bull can become surprisingly tender. This sculpture is especially significant at this moment in human history. It explores our relationship with nature and of the delicate and careful balance required if we are to survive the challenges of climate change and the viral pandemic.”

Working with 3mm corten steel plate, the creative duo from the Sapphire Coast in NSW took seven months to design and create the 800kg piece.

“Our process begins with anatomical research and life-sized drawings. A friend’s enthusiastic daughter was our model for the child figure. She chose the outfit, gumboots and all!”

“The sculpture consists of hundreds of individual steel panels traced from cardboard patterns and then pressed, hammered and welded to assume the desired form,” said Suzie.

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick said the latest installation looked at home within the striking landscape of Warroo Reserve.

“Not only does Sonata continues the trail’s unofficial theme of environmental sustainability and preservation, the sculpture also commemorates a significant moment in history and will play an important role in our region’s post-pandemic recovery.”

Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said: “I think it is a beautiful piece which connects this amazing art program with our strong agricultural legacy. It is a great honour to be fostering an inclusive and culturally rich community with our world class permanent public art trail.”

She said the dynamic arts and events program made Forbes a regionally iconic tourist destination.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the unveiling of the new sculpture would provide onlookers with a unique experience, while adding to the region’s growing reputation as an arts and cultural destination.

“The Sonata sculpture is a fantastic addition to the Lachlan trail, providing visitors with a unique experience and a powerful and timely message. I urge locals and visitors alike to take a stroll along the trail to see this new addition for themselves.”

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.

Kardashian Famous Kate Kelly

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Rebecca Wilson with her favourite painting of Kate called Carte De Visite. Calling cards, or Carte De Visite, were all the rage from France from the 1860s. An original calling card of Kate’s was listed for auction for $5,000 – $8,000 in recent years, and showed Kate in her riding habit. (The Kate Kelly Exhibition is on at the Coventry Room until 6th August.)

Many people might only know her as the little sister of Australia’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, but Kate Kelly was incredibly famous in her day.

“Kate was absolutely Kardashian famous! Everybody knew who Kate Kelly was and by 1882 she had her own wax replica on display at the wax works that were quite popular in those days.”

Artist and former Forbes resident Rebecca Wilson entertained the audience with some incredible stories about Kate’s life at the opening of her exhibition in Parkes last Friday.

Rebecca spent ten years researching the life of Kate after a conversation over Christmas lunch. “I was thinking why don’t I know these stories, and that set me off on an investigation of over 10 years.”

As a painter, she was drawn to Kate’s story because of the Forbes connection, but also because it was such a visual story. “I wanted to paint her story, but first had to do research.”

Rebecca discovered a woman who was extremely loyal to her family and friends. “She was feisty, adventurous, brave, intelligent, and a highly skilled horse woman. It was important for me that more people learn about Kate’s story and how she was involved in a very important part of Australian history.”

Rebecca discovered so many impressive things about Kate and all the adversaries she had to deal with until the tragedy of her death in Forbes. She was only 14 or 15 when she was riding through the bush as a decoy for the Kelly gang, delivering messages, getting supplies and information to help the gang stay at large. She ended up witnessing the Glenrowan siege in 1880 when her brother and two friends were killed and Ned was captured.

She campaigned and raised 30,000 signatures to try and spare Ned’s life and even met with the Governor when she was only 17.It was a showman called Flashjack Donovan who contributed to her fame whenhe convinced Kate and her brother Jimto tour with him across regional Victoria,South Australia, and up to Sydney. Thousands attended their performances, but thepolice could not stand it so they shut themdown.

Eventually the fame and ridicule she received in the press, led to her wanting to escape Victoria, and she ended up in Forbes at age 22 under the alias of Ada Hennessey in 1885 and worked as a domestic servant. She married, had six children and was found dead in the lagoon on the outskirts of Forbes at the age of 35, perhaps suffering from peri-natal depression.

Rebecca not only created a beautiful cohesive body of work about Kate, but also wrote a book telling her story. “The incredible and amazing story of Kate Kelly is a story you can’t not know as it has a lot of relevance for us now.

“In a way our society has changed, but there are still many of those fundamental things that haven’t changed. We are still struggling for more rights and recognition for women, there’s still poverty, and a class structure.”

Rebecca said while she was doing the research she had a sense of real gratitude to all the women who have gone before us. “They’ve made my life a lot easier and we should not forget that as they worked really hard. And I hope our modern generation will be leaving some kind of legacy and be improving things for the next generation too.”

Snippets…

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The body of Kate Kelly, little sister of Ned Kelly, was discovered along this stretch of Lake Forbes eight days after she went missing. This plaque is on the walkway to
the ski dam near Chinaman’s Bridge.

Downloaded the iRecycle Forbes app: The app helps you keep track of which bin is collected on which day and has all the info for annual and special event collections in Forbes. The next Bulky Waste Collection is in the first week of August. Download the app to find out what can and can’t be collected. The app also has easy to read A to Z waste info, bin info and forms at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/irecycle-forbes-app

Does your organisation need funding? Time is running out to get your applications in for Forbes Shire Council’s Community Funding Program. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 31st July. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5,000 as cash or in-kind support (or a combo). For more information and the application form go to the SmartyGrants portal at https://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au/

Parkes Customer Request System Upgrade: Parkes Shire Council has upgraded the Customer Request Management (CRM) system to improve the customer service experience. Residents are now able to report issues and raise requests online at any time from any device. Customers can track their request and receive updates as they progress. To use the new customer request system, visit Council’s website.

Have you heard about Snap Send Solve? The free app allows customers to notify Parkes Shire Council of issues in the shire. Simply capture and send photos with a report via the app wherever you are, on the spot. The issue will be sent directly to Council and entered into the new CRM system. Visit www.snapsendsolve.com

Trundle ABBA Festival: Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Trundle ABBA Festival on 15th October for over nine hours of family-friendly entertainment headlined by Bjorn Again, the World’s No. 1 ABBA tribute band. Go to www.trundleabbafestival.com.au.

The CWAS Astrofest is back this weekend and this year’s keynote address will be presented by Dr John Reynolds at the Starlight Lounge, Parkes Services Club tomorrow at 4:30pm.

CDS Bowled Over By Donation

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Services Club President Dorothy Charlton and General Manager Mike Phillips with members of the Currajong Disability Services bowling team.

Playing ten pin bowling every month against several other regional towns means a lot to clients of Currajong Disability Services (CDS).

The Parkes Services Club has stepped up again for the sixth year running to sponsor the transport of about 30 players to get to Orange once per month to play in a post school options bowling league.

“The $5,000 donation enables the players from Parkes, Forbes, Peak Hill and Condobolin to all travel together in a bus,” said Doug Pout from CDS. “Competing and socialising with their peers in the region means the world to them.”

Parkes Service Club General Manager Mike Phillips said the board was very passionate about helping the team to go to Orange every month.

Henry Is Number One In Australia

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Henry Kross (middle) after his win at the NSW State Championships in Coffs Harbour. On his left is runner-up James Boswell (QLD) and Kieran Willathagamuwa (Sydney) in third place. (Photo: Coffs Harbour Squash)

Parkes squash player Henry Kross is number one in Australia after winning the NSW State Championships for boys under 13 in Coffs Harbour recently.

He was number 2 heading into the championships, but after a tough final against James Boswell from Queensland the new title pushed him into the number 1 spot. He came back from 2-1 down to win the title 3-2.

Henry was also number 1 in January for a short while, but each tournament is worth points and graded and weighted.

He has a busy time ahead of him as he is off to Daisy Hill, Queensland with the NSW CHS team in August, and a NSW State team camp in Sydney early in September before he flies to Perth with the NSW Bluetongues at the end of September for the Australian Junior Championships.

He also has to perform well at a few regional tournaments and camps as his aim is selection for the Australian under 13 team to compete against New Zealand in Sydney during December. Only two players per age group will be picked which makes it very tough with some very talented players vying for selection.

First Languages Talk In Parkes

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The launch of the Wiradjuri Ngurambang Exhibition at Parkes Library & Cultural Centre will include a talk by two prominent guests to make for a very interesting and informative event.

Beau Williams and Bruce Pascoe will be at the centre on Tuesday, 26th July from 6-7:30pm for the First Languages Australia talk. Beau Williams is the CEO of FirstLanguages Australia, an organisation that works to maintain and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages across Australia.

Bruce Pascoe will be discussing his award-winning book, Dark Emu, which offers an alternative perspective of Australia’s First Nations, a history that for many Australians has been largely silenced.

Over the past 250 years significant environmental and cultural knowledge of Australia’s First Nations people has been lost or has become fragmented, including many of the languages that were spoken across Australia. More recently, there has been lots of work undertaken to preserve and revive First Nations languages, knowledge and culture.

In the Parkes Shire many schools are teaching the Wiradjuri language to children.

“We are honoured to be hosting such esteemed guests as part of this First Languages Australia talk,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones said. “Both Beau and Bruce have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with the community.”

This is a free event, but bookings are required as places are limited. Visit Parkes Shire Council’s website or Facebook page, or contact the Parkes Library on 6861 2309. The Wiradjuri Ngurambang Exhibition is a permanent display, located in the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre.

Prostate Cancer Now Most Common Cancer In Australia

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Prostate cancer diagnosis has reached a crisis point. It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, overtaking breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer.

To make matters worse, testing guidelines are based on outdated data and are likely contributing to the deaths of an increasing number of men. New data by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates 24,217 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, compared to 20,640 women diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s a 34% increase on the previous year.

This news confirms that prostate cancer is among the most significant challenges facing men’s health in Australia, and simply cannot be ignored any longer by policy makers and practitioners who do not realise the significant toll the disease takes on our lives.

Prostate cancer accounts for more hospitalisations than any other type of cancer in the country. This data provides further justification for an urgent review of the nation’s Clinical Guidelines for PSA testing, which measures prostate-specific antigen levels in the bloodstream. Existing guidelines are now six years old and based on outdated data. We hold grave fears they are putting men’s lives at risk, with 66 men diagnosed every day and more than 3,500 men expected to die from prostate cancer this year – a toll we can avoid if the disease is diagnosed early.

Nationally, we have seen a fourfold increase in the proportion of men waiting for more than a year for a prostatectomy, with nearly 1 in 10 patients waiting 12 months or longer in areas where incidence and referrals are higher, as in NSW.

Investing now in the restoration of services and staff is urgently needed to ensure safe, timely, and effective care. Without immediate action Australia will be confronted by an increase in excess avoidable deaths from prostate cancer.

A review of the Clinical Guidelines for PSA testing is urgently needed to ensure we triage patients appropriately and diagnose prostate cancers before they spread outside the prostate. The consequences if we don’t could be catastrophic for thousands of men at risk of being bottlenecked in a health system that is not coping with the service pressures of the post-COVID period.

More broadly, this is a call to action for all Australians. Over the past 26 years the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has played an important role in vastly expanding our efforts on all fronts of research, awareness, and support. You can expect us to act on this news with great resolve, in concert with Prostate Cancer Support Groups Australia wide.

By Professor Jeff Dunn AO
(chief of mission and head of research at the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia)

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at Parkes Neighbourhood Central at 7pm. Contact Michael on 0408 975 643.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club

July 22, 2022 By Marty Tigh

Cherie Frame, Maureen Miller, Heather Harvey and Rosemary Mitchell are the new Club Fours Champions at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club.

CLUB FOURS CHAMPS

The match of the day on Tuesday saw Rose Mitchell, Heather Harvey, Maureen Miller and Cherie Frame emerge as the new Club Fours Champions for 2022. At the 21st end, scores were level, it was anyone’s game… Brenda Davies, Robyn Morgan, Rhona Went and Liz Byrne assessed the situation, but a win this time eluded them. Team Frame scored a double with a final score of 22-20. Thanks to Umpire Gwenda, and congratulations to the winners!

By Lea Orr

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

A much-anticipated Major Singles match between Mark Dwyer and Peter McPhee was going to script for Mark as he led Peter by 11 shots to 6 after 12 ends. Unfortunately, Mark was only able to score another three shots as Peter bowled exceptionally well to win eight consecutive ends to run away with a 25 to 14 win.

The Major Pairs match with Brian Townsend and John Wright playing Rob Irving and Darryl McKellar saw the older more experienced pairing of Irving and McKellar skipping to an early 7 to 3 lead. They surrendered this early advantage as team Townsend picked up 13 shots over just 5 ends to take the lead and storm to a convincing 24 to 12 win.

By Marty Tigh

Calling All Farmers – Unite In Forbes For Agribusiness Today Forum 2022

July 15, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

This year’s Agribusiness Today Forum on 4th August at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel is one Farmers in the Central West should not miss.

Members of the Central West agribusiness community are set to get together in Forbes for Agribusiness Today Forum 2022, with the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel set to host the major event on Thursday, 4th August.

The theme for the 2022 forum is ‘Mixed Farming Enterprises – Adapting to a Changing Climate’.

For more than 25 years the Agribusiness Today Forum has brought together expert speakers to give an insight into domestic and international market trends, the opportunities for improving productivity and sustainability, and increasing market growth.

The forum is expected to attract over 100 delegates to Forbes who will be addressed by high calibre speakers including representatives from Rabobank, Department of Primary Industries, Endeavour Meats, HE Silos, Lachlan Commodities, Select Carbon, Future Feed, Charles Sturt University, AgStar Projects, AWI Sheep Connect NSW, The University of Melbourne and NBN Co.

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) CEO, Wayne Sunderland said this year’s event is one not to miss.

“The Agribusiness Today Forum is a fantastic platform to highlight the agriculture sector and the developing research and new innovations driving the industry,” said Mr Sunderland.

“The industry is constantly evolving, especially regarding technology, sustainable farming practices and climate change adaptation. This year the forum will focus on adapting to the changes we are facing when it comes to climate and I’m looking forward to hearing the speakers discuss this important topic.

“It’s fantastic to see the Agribusiness Today Forum back for 2022 after two years of postponement due to Covid and we are also excited to announce the forum will be hosted by ABC Central West rural reporter, Hugh Hogan.”

To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the Agribusiness Today Forum website at www.agribusinesstodayforum.com. The $50 ticket price covers entry to hear from 13 expert speakers as well as morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

Masonic Lodge Helps Palliative Care Volunteers

July 15, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

At the handing over of the donation last week were (L-R) Eric Barras, Denise Field, Tim Keith, Ray Knights, Stephen Hall, Chris Duffy, Garry Phipps, Kaye Lindsay, Bob Steel, Maria Buchanan, Kim Sheridan and Dianne Scott.

The important work carried out by palliative care volunteers in Parkes will be amplified thanks to a generous donation made by members of the Goldfields Masonic Lodge.

The Neighbourhood Central Palliative Care Volunteer Service last week received a $4,490 donation from the Goldfields Lodge 40 raised from local fundraising and the Masonicare InterACTION Grants.

Masonicare is the charitable arm of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT, which is the governing body for Freemasonry in NSW and the ACT.

“We are very happy to be able to help the locals,” said Eric Barrass of the Goldfields Lodge. “That is what we are all about.”

Neighbourhood Central Executive Officer Dianne Scott said the Palliative Care Volunteer Service had been running for the past ten years and was a very valuable service for the community.

The competence of volunteers is extremely important. Training also aims to enhance access for volunteers to support palliative care patients and their carers and families in terms of physical, functional, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care in the end-of-life period.

“Our carefully selected palliative care volunteers are active and important members of our Parkes and Forbes Shire communities,” said Dianne. “They provide a range of support at no cost to help patients and their carers and families at a difficult time. This includes practical assistance and respite for carers, or companionship to support a person to pass away at home if that is their wish.”

Maggi Barnard

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