Forbes Pharmacist Jack Buckley said, “This award was certainly a nice albeit, unexpected surprise.”

Forbes Pharmacist Jack Buckley has been named the Pharmacist of the Year at the Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA) annual Pharmacy Excellence Awards.

The part owner of Flannery’s Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy in Forbes received the accolade for his dedication to rural health­care. A trained pilot, Jack’s innovative ap­proach to healthcare delivery was first recognised during the NSW flood crisis in November 2022, when he utilised his fly­ing skills to transport medical supplies and pharmacy staff to towns along the Lachlan River.

By combining his professional expertise as a pharmacist, with his passion for fly­ing, Jack has revolutionised the delivery of essential medical services to remote com­munities.

Jack said “I think the key message is, don’t underestimate what community phar­macy can offer patients, particularly in re­gional centres. We are very service based and place a huge emphasis on patient management and, the great thing is, we are making a difference to the community.”

The award is one of Australia’s most prestigious and regarded pharmacy acco­lades, with LPG CEO, Michael Flannery saying “This award is a credit to Jack and all the work he puts into the Forbes stores and his local community. He has been a wonderful addition to LPG since joining us over 12 years ago”.

Jack has embraced the Forbes commu­nity, and is an excellent Pharmacist. The impact he has made in recent years, par­ticularly utilising his love of flying, highlights his dedication and commitment to commu­nity health.”

Graham and Sue Tait; and with their five children Bernadette, Jessica, Katherine, Alec and Felicity who are now in need of community support. If you would like to donate food or grocery items, there will be a basket in the foyer area of PECC.

The Pakes community is in shock, after learning local husband and wife Graeme and Sue Tait, both 57, were fatally injured in a tragic two car collision on the Newell Highway in Tomingley, just south of Dubbo around 9:20pm on Friday 30th September.

Graeme and Sue have left behind five children aged between 16 and 26. The cou­ple were well known and much loved local residents. Graham was an experienced, well respected coach driver and fundraiser, while Sue was a beloved teacher and as­sistant director of Parkes Early Childhood Centre, having worked there for 17 years.

A GoFundMe campaign has been organ­ised by Amii Marchant on behalf of Berna­dette Tait to support the children of Graham and Sue Tait. Please get behind this fun­draiser for the five Tait children who now require a large amount of support. You can show your support by making a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/graham-and-sue-tait

The two other fatalities from the horror crash were Lochie Jacobs 19 and Joey Urban 18. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this loss. Support the boys fam­ilies at https://www.gofundme.com/f/lochie-jacobs-and-joey-urban

The sole survivor was a 23 year old driv­er of one of the two vehicles involved in the crash. On Monday he was charged and granted bail, and will appear before Dubbo Local Court on 21st October.

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

You must vote at a venue in your enrolled council area (or ward if you live in a divided council area). You cannot vote at a venue in another area.

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.

Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott said “I want to take a moment to talk about voting in this year’s election. You will, for the first time, be offered the choice of placing a vote above the line for two groups of men or tak­ing an extra minute to number at least 1 to 5 – and preferably 1 to 10 – below the line for a diverse Council.

My hope is that the residents of Parkes Shire will recognise candidates on the Bal­lot paper who will give the next 4 years of their life to being a positive force on your behalf.

Parkes Shire right now needs stable and diverse leadership, I humbly ask that you keep Parkes Shire Independent and Com­munity Driven.”­­­Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said “I encourage you to find out about all the candidates before voting on election day. This is your opportunity to elect a Council that best represents you, our community. We are very lucky in Forbes as we only have ten excellent candidates, eight of whom were on the last Council and two new candidates.

I have full confidence the community will elect another great Council.”