Roxane Manley

Roxane is a true local to the Forbes and Parkes areas. Having been with the Phoenix for a number of years, she is passionate about her region and loves being involved with the local community.

Spaceman’s First Trial Match For 2023

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Spacemen players are ready for the 2023 season.

Rugby League fans should head to Pioneer Oval in Parkes, this Saturday, 18th February, to get behind the Parkes Spaceman in their first trial match of the season. The Parkes Spaceman will take on the Thilmere Tahmoor Roosters.

Players and coaches are excited to for the 2023 season with home games always a big draw card for local footy fans.

The coaches for this years season are:

• League Tag: Michael Dumesny
• U18s: Will Wardle,
• Reserve Grade: Jimmy Clyburn
• First Grade: Chad Porter

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we get to know the Parkes Spaceman coaching team in the lead up to the start of the season.

President of The Parkes Spaceman, Tony Dwyer said of the upcoming 2023 season, “There is a great vibe around the club. The boys have been in full training since the middle of January and with the addition of a couple of front rowers everyone is excited for the season ahead.”

NSW Sports High Schools Going For Gold With New Partnership

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

New South Wales has scored an Australian-first with the State’s seven Sports High Schools officially becoming ‘Australian Olympic Pathway Schools’ from today.

“Our seven Sports High Schools in NSW are the only secondary schools in Australia to have this prestigious recognition.

The seven Sports High Schools in NSW receiving this recognition are Endeavour Sports High School, The Hills Sports High School, Hunter Sports High School, Illawarra Sports High School, Matraville Sports High School, Narrabeen Sports High School and Westfields Sports High School.

“Sporting heroes are made in our public schools and particularly our amazing sport high schools, so it is incredibly exciting to recognise their role in Australian sporting excellence by acknowledging them as ‘Australian Olympic Pathway Schools’.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is supporting the State’s seven sports high schools in their endeavour to develop future Australian Olympians.

“The students at our sports high schools today will be our heroes standing on the podium at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and this partnership will strengthen their opportunity for international success,” Mr Henskens said.

Today’s announcement builds on the signing of an MOU between the sports high schools and the NSW Institute of Sport, which strengthened the pathway for talented athletes with a specific focus on Olympic sports.

“We have seen Olympic Training Centres recognised around Australia and overseas, but never at the school level.

“The AOC is also thrilled by the extension of the Olympics Unleashed program. Our Olympic athletes can deliver these sessions across the state, including regional areas and Indigenous communities. We will reach 1,800 schools across the three years.”

Parkes Golf February Monthly Medal

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The picturesque Parkes Golf Course.

Saturday greeted the February Monthly Medal golfers in their second medal round for 2023.

The major sponsor was again Telescope Tyres and Batteries / Hankook Masters with the day sponsors being the golfing buddies Ben Howard, Brendan Chambers, Fine Latu and Anthony Riach. There were 78 golfers.

In A Grade Rob Hey stepped up with a 75 off the stick to take the scratch event for the month. Rob was chased in by Ron Hetherington, Brendan Chambers and Peter Bristol all recording 77’s. In the nett event Peter Bristol claimed his first A grade medal prize with 66 nett the best in the grade, followed by Ron Hetherington on 67 and Andrew Bourke and Wayne Powter on 68.

In B grade Mick Jeffress was unstoppable with 83 off the stick beating home visitor Garry Napier on 84, followed in by Wayne Tucker and Lindsay Elliott on 85. Mick then turned his excellent scratch score into a 65 to scoop the double for the day. Wayne Tucker had a 68 and Simon Hogan a 69.

In C grade Tony ‘Scrubba’ Evans was on fire with an 85 off the stick to beat home David Harwood on 88 with Michael Bond and Usman Cheema on 90. In the C grade nett Tony proved too strong with a 64, followed in by Rod Luyt and Chris Luke on 68 and David Harwood on 69.

The sought after Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by the score of 26 putts by Luke Clarke. The Wally Norman Vets Medal was taken out by Ron Hetherington with his 67.

There were some good scores handed in by the lady golfers with newcomer to town Catherine Coates hitting a fine 77 off the stick, Dale Matthews had a 69 nett score and Cath Kelly a 70 nett.

Farms Of The Future To Take Ag To $30 Billion By 2030

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole makes the announcement.

Farmers could get a boost of up to $35,000 to invest in the ag tech and connectivity solutions they need to drive increased productivity and position their business for the future thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government was backing the industry with $20 million in grants as part of the Farms of the Future program to support investment in everything from soil moisture sensors to dashboards to help monitor the farm from your mobile.

“The ag sector is always innovating and this fund will help producers tap into the latest technology to drive productivity in the paddock and allow them to work smarter, not harder,” Mr Toole said.

“A grant of up to $35,000 could put some of these technologies in reach for hundreds of farm businesses and unlock multiple times that in cost savings and boosted productivity.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said embracing on-farm technology will help take agriculture in NSW to the next level.

“Despite the challenges over the last few years, our primary industries continue to break records and is currently valued at a whopping $23.1 billion, and we’re confident we can boost this to $30 billion by 2030,” Mr Saunders said.

“Encouraging farmers to engage in widespread use of agricultural technology and digital connectivity will help drive substantial growth now and into the future.”

Farmers can use their grant to select from 50 suppliers who were selected through an Expression of Interest held in 2022.

Details of the grant funding opportunity are available on the NSW Government’s grants and funding finder website at www.nsw.gov.au/fotfgrant. Applications close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 31st August 2023.

Our Bloke – Lorne “Bams” Cassidy

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Where were you born? Gods country, Penrith…raised out west here in Eugowra.

Were you named after anyone? Nah, mum just liked the name but a lot of people think it was after Lorne Greene from bonanza. Bams started as Bambi and that one is a long story!

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Probably making it this far alive or sharing the floor and stage with some of the country’s best barbers and hair dressers over my career.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Probably 9/11, I was young and that was the first really big tradgedy that I remember, it changed the world…and there were no cartoons that morning either.

Whats the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The three P’s, practice practice practice!

Whats the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Wayyyy too many to even choose!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A dog, a knife and a beer…or maybe just three dogs.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Tattoos, shoes, Zappos and Korean BBQ.

When are you happiest? On the floor behind the chair sharing a laugh!

“Sincere Thanks And Gratitude” From Forbes Public School

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Getting things back up and running on the temporary site at Forbes Public School are Site Manager Peter Zylstra, Princi-pal Megan Staples and Matt Cheney from Cheney’s Electrical.

After a complete refurbishment of Forbes Public School in 2022, including new paint and new carpet, the school was faced with not one, but two flooding events. The floods hit just three weeks before the end of the 2022 school year.

Following the floods, Forbes High School generously offered up space for the remaining three weeks of the school year for all of the Forbes Public School students from kindergarten to year six.

“That three weeks gave us time to unpack with the kids about what was happening. During the last week of school, the students were permitted to return to the school site, to allow them to have some closure,” said Megan Staples, Principal of Forbes Public School.

“Students were allowed to walk around the school, they also assembled on the oval and all pretended to imagine what their new temporary site might look like upon their return to school in 2023.”

During the school holiday period, Forbes Public School students and parents were kept updated about the build for the temporary site. Regular updates were provided about the return to school for 2023, including a virtual tour of the school the day before school returned for 2023 to show parents and students what to do.

“The goal was all about returning students to school on day one of term one and an all important return to a focus on teaching and learning,” said Megan.

Questions have been raised as to why the effort was put into building the temporary demountable site in favor of immediately getting on with refurbishing the original, existing site?

Forbes Public School Principal Megan Staples explains, “After two years of COVID interruptions, the last thing we wanted in the new year was the shuffling of students or distractions from trade and construction work.”

Megan is grateful that the school was involved in two weeks of intense planning and design for the new temporary site, to ensure it would really work for the staff and students who may be using the temporary site for the next 12 months or more.

The refurbishment of the original, existing site is under discussion and planning is well under way. “The gyprock has been ordered, the carpet has been ordered and tradies are on standby,” said Megan.

Once the temporary demountable site is fully signed off, then tools can be picked up and work can begin on the refurbishment.

As with any experience you go through as a team, the staff at Forbes Public School, along with the wider school community of parents and students, have all been brought closer together and Megan is exceptionally proud of how everyone has banded together.

“The students have had a great return to school year and are looking forward to all of the exciting aspects that come along with everyday learning. Including excursions, sports carnivals, visiting shows, Healthy Harold, Aurora program, sporting and creative arts opportunities and just being able to provide students the chance to reconnect with school and be a part of activities that make them happy and help them thrive and succeed,” said Megan.

Megan wanted to send out a message to all of those involved with supporting Forbes Public School. She went on to say, “In the summer of 2022, in our Forbes community, we had tradies, school teachers and community members all band together to enable the establishment of a school for day one, of term one, over a period of two to three weeks. That is something we can all share in and be proud of.”

“Thanks and praise are also extended to everyone who helped with the flood preparations, which was so important and helped redirect water. A big thanks to SES, Forbes Shire Council, Royal Defence Force and all of the community members who helped.”

The view looking down at the new temporary, demountable classrooms from the school hall.

Inside of the school hall, which was saved by a lot of sandbagging preparation.

Students lining up outside the temporary, demountable classrooms.

How is this for a classroom with a view!

Students learning comfortably from inside their temporary, demountable classroom.

Part of the original site which is all set for refurbishment once the temporary site is completed.

Be Seen in Parkes

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Paige Duncan spotted providing stellar service as always at Parkes McDonalds drive through window.

Daniel Rockwell and son Levi Rockwell were seen enjoy-ing themselves on a bike ride around Parkes CBD.

Owner of Inkredible Experience Trevor Smith relaxing in the barbers chair while he is being looked after by barber Lorne “BAMS” Cassidy.

Get Involved In Seniors Festival Week At The Parkes Shire Library

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Margaret Dwyer’s Author talk held at the Parkes Shire Library.

The Festival of Seniors at Parkes Shire Library was in full swing last week with seniors from throughout Parkes Shire popping in to get involved.

Margaret Dwyer’s Author Talk on Friday was the perfect main event of the first week, highlighting the talents of seniors in the region and inspiring attendees. Margaret’s talk covered everything from what encouraged her to write, her family and how she got published. Margaret’s four books are available at the Parkes Shire Library for borrowing.

The fun continues in the library this week, so head along to check out your friends in the 70s on the photo board and listen to the best tunes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Finish it all off in spectacular fashion by attending the Seniors Library Lock In on Friday 10th February, beginning at 6pm. There will be games, snacks and plenty of time to chew the fat about the ‘good old days’. This is a booked event so please give the Library a call on 6861 2309 if you would like to attend. It is guaranteed to be a hoot!

Forbes Croquet News

February 10, 2023 By Pegging Out

The new covered area looks amazing and provides much sought after shade on hot days.

What a great time was had by all when we had 33 players come along to enjoy our Aussie Croquet on a nice chilly morning on Saturday, 4th February.

There were only two players who managed three games, John Browne and Kevin Rubie. Big winners on the day were 14 – 9 Kevin Rubie and Tony Thomson, Jeff Liebich and Allan Jones, 14 – 10 John Browne and Doreen Rogers, Robin Pols and Noel Jolliffe, John Allegri and Allan Jones, Harley Stewart and Ray Burridge, Peter West and Robin Pols, Kevin Rubie and John Cole, Colleen Liebich and Neville Spry, Marie Spry and Bill Scott, Elvy Quirk and Cheryl Toohey.

Another fun filled day of competition was had by all on Tuesday, 7th February where we had 32 players for Golf Croquet. It was also part of Seniors week activities. We would like to send a massive thank you to the Forbes Shire Council for their part in supplying us a very good spread for morning tea, two plates of mixed sandwiches, a variety of slices and plate of different fruits, all went down very well, so again a very big thank you.

There were four players that managed three games John Cole, Kevin Rubie, Neville Spry and another new player, only had a hand full of games Ray Martin – well done.

Big winners were 10 – 3 John Cole and Rex Toole, 9 – 4 Neville Spry and Bruce Field, Dorelle Scott and John Browne, Kevin Rubie and Ray Burridge, Marie Spry and Evelyn Mahlo , Kevin Rubie and Mal Smith.

After the game we had our monthly luncheon at the Forbes Golf Club Restaurant, where a delicious, well cooked meal was served. What a great way to enjoy the Seniors Festival week.

That’s it until next week

By Pegging Out