With the growing numbers of mental health issues in our communities we need to think of ways we can support each other. One simple way to do this is to provide oppor­tunities for social gatherings where people can connect with each other and reduce the feelings of isolation.

In fact, one of the important aims of the Country Women’s Association of NSW is to reduce the isolation of women in rural, re­gional and remote communities.

That’s exactly what happened on Sat­urday 27th July, when members from five local CWA branches met at Eugowra Bowl­ing Club for a social get together.

CWA members came from Parkes, Forbes, Forbes Evening Branches in the Oxley Group and from Canowindra and Eu­gowra in the Central Western CWA Group.

The lunch was organised in response to the success of last year’s morning tea generously sponsored by the Virtual CWA Branch as a thank you to Forbes, Forbes Evening and Eugowra CWA members for their efforts in supporting these commu­nities following the devastating floods of 2022.

This 2024 gathering was expanded to include Canowindra and Parkes, as they too, were adversely affected by the same flooding.

The day also provided a wonderful op­portunity to surprise Shirley Heinzel of Eugowra Branch with a Life Membership.

Jan Kerr, CWA State Vice President from Canowindra Branch presented Shirley with a certificate and badge to acknowledge the tireless work she has done for her com­munity and the CWA since joining in the 1950s.

The biggest roundabout in central west New South Wales will be built on Condobolin road as a key feature of the Parkes Bypass.

The Newell Highway bypass of Parkes has been in planning for decades to allevi­ate the constant flow of heavy freight vehi­cles and visitor traffic passing through the town.

The Australian Government is contribut­ing $229.7 million to the $287.2 million pro­ject, with the remaining contribution being made by the NSW Government.

The project is part of the $1.5 billion in­vestment from the Australian and NSW gov­ernments into the Newell Highway Corridor, with the Australian Government committing $1.1 billion.

State Member for Orange Phil Donato said “It’s fantastic to see this once in a gen­eration Parkes Bypass project progressing.

“Also importantly, this project is not only delivering road and transport benefits — it’s also supporting 350 jobs and injecting vital funds into small businesses in Parkes and the broader Central West region, which is bouncing back stronger than ever after un­precedented floods.”

Construction work to build the new 98-me­tre-diameter roundabout started during the July school holidays.

The large roundabout – which will allow motorists to travel at 80 km/h – will also fea­ture a large sculpture in its centre, which has been designed in collaboration with Parkes Shire Council.

Motorists will be detoured around the site during work. For further information on the Parkes Bypass you can visit www.trans­port.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/parkes-bypass

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show has entries rolling in for the 32nd annual event. Entries close next week, and the committee is expecting another great show with similar numbers of wines to be entered as last year.

President Mark Watts said there were also a number of wineries who hadn’t en­tered previously entering this year. “We are really looking forward to another successful event,” Mark said.

Mark Richardson is returning as chair of judges and judging will take place from Monday 19 August to Wednesday 21st Au­gust at the Forbes Town Hall.

The NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show finishes with the Public Tasting held on Fri­day 23 August from 6.30pm at the Forbes Town Hall.

All the wines entered in the show will be available for patrons to taste and finger food will be provided. Tickets are $30 per person.

The next event is the Gourmet Wine Din­ner, which will also be held at the Forbes Town Hall and celebrates the trophy win­ners of the show.

The dinner will be held Saturday 21st Sep­tember from 7pm with a four-course meal catered by Eat Your Greens featuring tro­phy winning wines to complement the meal.

Tickets for this event are $130 per person.

If you purchase your tickets to both events in the same transaction, you will receive a $10 discount, making attending both events $150 per person.

Tickets are available at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/44190/nsw-small-winemak­ers-wine-show

Member for Orange Phil Donato was pleased to announce Parkes psychologist Carly Fisher and Forbes Legacy’s Helen Westwood have been added to the NSW Government’s Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. A tribute to regional and rural women volunteering in their communities, the Hid­den Treasures 2023 list recognises the crit­ical role these outstanding individuals play in their communities.

Mr Donato said: “In the case of Carly and Helen, the support they give their commu­nities in the face of adversity is particularly noteworthy when viewed through the lens of the November 2022 flood event.

“A registered psychologist and business consultant, Carly logged hundreds of hours supporting traumatised flood victims and their families in Forbes and Eugowra, pay­ing particular attention to children. There are countless other ways that Carly has used her expertise to help her community, including mentoring, supporting and coach­ing through various organisations.”

“Forbes’ Helen Westwood is a stalwart of Lachlan Legacy and although she retired from the role of office manager in 2019 af­ter many years, she continues to volunteer, giving members access to her amazing bank of knowledge.

“Helen’s husband Maurie was a long standing Legatee and Chair of Forbes Divi­sion and she has continued his work since his sudden passing in 2023. A highlight was the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay on July 31st this year.”

Since its inception in 2010, Hidden Treas­ures has recognised over 1,200 women who volunteer in regional, rural and remote NSW. Congratulations Carly and Helen.

The powerful Wiradjuri word Yindyamarra, meaning deep respect, was chosen as title of a 30m wide x 4m high mural in the Philippines.

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines commissioned the Baguio City (Phil)-Australia Friendship Mural to celebrate the strong ties between the two countries and to highlight the culture of First Nations peoples. At the official opening of the mural was the original Ub Ubbo Exchange song Echoes, which was produced by Parkes man Jason Murchie.

Sean James Cassidy, Director of Ub Ubbo Exchange Australian Chapter, helped develop the connections for this project. In a letter to Cassidy, the Australian Ambassador HK Yu in the Philippines wrote, “I am pleased to have learnt about your continuing work with Lope Bosaing on Ub Ubbo Exchange. The Ambassador also extended her respect and special thanks to Wiradjuri Elders Robert Clegg and Geoff Anderson and indigenous artist and mentor Irene Ridgeway, for their invaluable contribution to this mural.”

Ub Ubbo Exchange has worked to promote indigenous and non-indigenous collaborations through the arts. Their philosophy of diverse cultural energies growing through mutual empowerment has been embodied in cultural exchanges, particularly between regional Australia and northern Philippines.

“It is great that we can work with people we might never meet for the benefit of people yet to be born,” said Geoff Anderson, president of the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group.

“Having this mural named Yindyamarra is a wonderful thing to happen for the Wiradjuri people.”

Former Parkes Spacemen and current South Sydney Rabbitohs player Ben Lovett has been nominated for the The Ken Ste­phen Medal – Man of the Year, which rec­ognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to community projects. A player is nominated by their NRL club for going above and beyond in their involvement in charity work, youth develop­ment or community support.

The 2024 Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year nominees form the NRL Commu­nity Team of the Year. Fans have the chance to vote for their favourite nominee and we are urging everyone to vote for former Parkes local Ben Lovett who was selected as a nominee from South Sydney Rabbi­tohs. Souths have won the award for the last two years, in 2023 with Latrell Mitchell and in 2022 with Cody Walker. Lets help Ben make it three in a row

Ben had this to say about being nomi­nated: “I’m honoured to be nominated for an award that represents something bigger than football. Giving back to the community and inspiring kids to achieve their dreams has always been my passion.

“I am grateful for Parkes, the Spacemen and the Rabbitohs for giving me the plat­form to make a difference, and for their sup­port throughout.”

To vote for Ben go to: www.nrl.com/com­munity/awards/ken-stephen-medal/

Motorists across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas are being reminded to drive safely over the King’s Birthday long weekend as double demerit points come into force.

Double demerits will be in operation from Friday 7th June until Monday 10th June (inclusive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

Parkes Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant, Joshua Tolley has indicated that Police will also be targeting the “four Ds” of road us­ers including drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.

“Around 95% of crashes in NSW are the result of behaviour – like driving too fast for the conditions, falling asleep behind the wheel or being impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.

“Too often we see the tragic aftermath of drivers making poor decisions. We want everyone to make it to and from their desti­nations safely this long weekend,” said Act­ ing Sergeant, Joshua Tolley Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said, “Drivers should make sure they are fit to drive before get­ ting behind the wheel, are focused on the driving task whilst on the road and that their vehicle is in good working condition.” Ensure you are well rested and not un­ der the influence of drugs or alcohol, focus on driving. Do not allow yourself to be dis­tracted by your mobile phone, follow the road rules and drive at a speed suitable to conditions. Please make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.

 

After a comprehensive strategic review, The Salvation Army Aged Care will divest its two residential aged care services in Central West. The Moyne Aged Care Centre in Canowindra and Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village in Parkes.

The Salvation Army Aged Care’s National Director, Stephen Macliver AM, said the decision to divest services in Central West NSW was very difficult.

“We are pleased to announce that Roshana Care Group will assume the ongoing operation of Moyne Aged Care Centre from 28 June 2024, Sadly, we were not able to secure a similar arrangement for Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village, it will close in the coming months ” Mr Macliver said.

Mr Macliver said a comprehensive assessment of the Parkes site found it no longer met the needs of residents and staff due to the age of the buildings and would require significant investment to bring them up to the high standards they deserved.

“We will be working closely with aged care providers in the local Parkes area to ensure continuity of care and support for residents,” Mr Macliver said.

“We understand this may be unsettling for some of our residents, their families and staff, but we will do everything we can to make the transition as seamless as possible.” “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our valued staff at both sites for their commitment to providing our residents with the very best care.”