General Interest Archives - Page 81 of 342

Tiny Home Co. Open Day Big Success

July 6, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Nearly 300 people attended the open day last weekend.

Last Saturday, 1st July, The Modular and Tiny Home Co. held its first ever Open Day in Parkes. Business owner, Daniel Relyea was happy to report the day was a smash thanks to the support of the community who helped him promote the event and the people who came along on the day.

The flow was non-stop with many great enquiries. The mood was relaxed with many positive comments. People were excited that there was a local manufacturer of Modular and Tiny Homes. It was encouraging for us to be able to engage with so many locals who are looking for accommodation alternatives.

A Great Weekend Of Yard Dog Trials

June 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Lilly and Lachlan Cox in action with Shadow. Inset: Dustin and Adam Tanswell with Tess.

Parkes Yard Dog Trials were held on 18th and 19th June at the Parkes Showground. Over the two days, thirty-two competitors ran one hundred runs. The Maiden, Novice, Encourage and Local were given eight minutes to move twelve sheep through a series of yard configurations. The Juniors had no time limit and the Open were given ten minutes to move twenty sheep through a harder course.

Saturday saw the running of the Maiden, Novice, and Juniors. Gary White from Nyngan first place in both divisions with White’s Pint, second with White’s Albert in the Novice. William Cox from Young was second and third in the Maiden with Sam and Maverick and third in the Novice with Sam.

Sunday, we ran the Encourage, Local and Open. First in the Encourage was Teagan Cox, Young with Sam, second Karren Higgins, Terrey Hills and Rouge, third Sharron Steer and George from Billimari.

The local was hotly contested with Donna Lindley, Cowra and Jet winning, Lachlan Cox, Alectown second and equal third with Shadow and Lieu, Bernard Dwyer, Alectown equal third with Annie.

Sunday was the Open. First and third were won by Dean Incher, Cooma with Hulk and Raffa second Gary White, Nyngan, and White’s Benny. Hulk scoring one hundred and ninety-seven from a possible two hundred.

Our highlight for the weekend were our juniors. They were Dustin Tanswell and Tess, Lilly Cox and Shadow and Kinsley Unger and Annie. Each child had an adult with them in the yard. The three entrants were under five. Special thanks to the judge Greg Walton for all his encouragement. Also, thanks to Robert Cox for judging on Saturday and Ollie Hanson on Sunday.

Thank you to our sponsors Inland Petroleum, Westonfence, Quality Wool, Wakely Shearing, Tanswell Transport, Nick Williams Livestock Pregnancy Scanning, Agriwest, Agboss, AA Blatch, Nutrien Ag, Dwyer Contracting, Timtrac Industries, Parkes Central Butchery, Gundarimbah Merino Stud and CopRice, and all our helpers.

Tiny Homes Open Day In Parkes

June 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Owner of The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. Daniel Relyea, standing inside one of his Tiny Homes. Come along to the Tiny Homes and Co. open day this Saturday and view this single story tiny home inside and out.

If you have ever been curious about the tiny home revolution? This Saturday 1st July, you can head along to the first ever open day for The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. where all of your questions will be answered. The open day will be held between 10am to 2pm at 7 Gemini Place in Parkes.

Daniel Relyea, owner of The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. is excited to be holding an open day in order for the public to come along and have a look at what he has to offer.

Visitors on the day will be able to view a fully completed single level studio design, which comes fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom. Also on-site on the day will be a two-story tiny home, which is still under construction, but can be inspected both inside and outside.

The single story studio design which is pictured above and will be on site at open day, was recently taken to the Tiny Homes Expo in Hawkesbury on May 12th-14th and Daniel was pleased with the amount of interest that was shown and even surprised by the amount of Central West residents who approached him at the Tiny Homes Expo.

With the cost of housing crisis gripping Australia, Tiny Homes have become extremely sought after. Tiny Homes offer an affordable option of either temporary or permanent housing and can be used in rural or residential areas.

The options are endless and Daniel can provide structures on skids or wheels, in kit form, lock up stage for those who want to finish their own interiors, or completely finished and ready to move in.

Tiny House trailers are also available from The Modular and Tiny Homes Co. and may be purchased with your tiny house or on it’s own.

The added bonus is that if you purchase a Tiny Home, Daniel provides free delivery within 150km of Parkes.

$61.7 Million Parkes-Peak Hill Water Project Underway

June 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Announcing the Water Supply Project from left to right is Parkes Shire Council General Manager Kent Boyd, Parkes Shire Councilor Niel Westcott, NSW Minister for Water The Hon Rose Jackson and Parkes Mayor Ken Kieth OAM.

Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in New South Wales, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to be able to manage water in a drier climate.

The $61.7 million project will deliver a suite of water infrastructure upgrades to safeguard water supply and boost drought resilience, funded in combined partnership between the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Parkes Shire Council.

The project is expected to be completed in 2025, with major construction on the pipeline expected to get underway later this year in or around september.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said “The Australian Government is proud to have committed $11 million to ensure this much-needed water infrastructure project becomes a reality, bolstering drinking water security for the Parkes and Peak Hill communities.“Our Government has an unwavering commitment to continuing to invest in Australia’s regions to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth and productivity.”NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson was excited to tour the area and had this to say about the project “It is the priority of the NSW Government to ensure regional communities have access to safe and secure water. The $22 million investment is instrumental in getting this key project started.

“This is one of the largest investments in water infrastructure in the Central West region this century and it’s great to see that work is underway to deliver a stronger and more resilient water network for Parkes and Peak Hill.

“We’re putting in 39 kilometres of new pipelines, two new pump stations, an upgraded Lachlan River pump station, a new pre-treatment plant at Eugowra Road and a new raw water storage lagoon at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant.

“We need to make sure we are doing everything we can to shore-up water security for the community, especially during dry periods. The project will more than double Parkes’ current transfer capacity from the Lachlan River and bore fields, which is major win for the community as it will secure better access to safe, clean drinking water.”

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek was proud to play a part and said “The Albanese Labor Government knows how important water security and availability is for economic growth and building resilient communities.

“This is especially true in our regions as we continue to face increasingly uncertain climate conditions.

“That’s why we’re investing in critical water infrastructure project across the nation so central western communities such as Parkes and Peak Hill can benefit from increased water security and climate resilience both now and into the future.”

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith was on hand to comment and said “This project will help the region grow and thrive. We want to welcome more tourists and residents into Parkes Shire and this project is a key part of our long-term vision.

“We need to ensure a reliable supply of top-quality water for our residents and local businesses which will underpin our population and economic growth.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Kieth OAM and NSW Minister for Water The Hon Rose Jackson pictured together after making the exciting announcement.

Petition Launched To Save Regional Seniors Travel Card

June 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Upper House MP and Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway has launched a petition in the Central West and Western NSW to stop the NSW Labor government from cutting the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Mr Farraway said he hopes the petition will save the seniors travel card from being cut. “Travel cards allow seniors to take a trip to visit friends and family, travel for a doctor’s appointment, or visit the shops to pick up groceries”.

“We all know someone in our community who benefits from the Regional Seniors Travel Card, and we all have an important reason to sign this this petition,” Mr Farraway said.

“Over the coming weeks I will be asking people to share this petition far and wide to save our Regional Seniors Travel Card so seniors in our community can continue to do things they love and need to do.

“The NSW Labor Government has prioritised Sydney projects over regional seniors, and we hope this petition will convince the Minns government keep it in place,” Mr Farraway said.

To sign the petition go to: www.nswnationals.org.au/save-the-travel-card/

Term Two In Thomson Street

June 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Forbes North Public School was privileged to welcome the Forbes Shire Council and executive staff to our school on Thursday 18 May. The FSC team toured our playground, library, oval, COLA area, infants’ playground, kitchen garden and enjoyed a delicious morning tea pre-pared by our talented students, Mrs Yapp and Mrs Hardy in the kitchen for morning tea.

What an incredible term here at Forbes North. As we reach the halfway point of 2023, we can celebrate an enormous number of achievements where our students participated in cultural, scholastic, artistic and sporting opportunities across Forbes and beyond.

Our great school has accumulated an impressive amount of meetings, excursions, and community events such as the ANZAC Day Service held in Victoria Park and a school commemoration at Forbes North.

Our school leaders attended the GRIP Leadership Day in Dubbo where all our school parliamentarians and leadership team came home inspired.

The FNPS Cross County held at Forbes Racecourse was a huge success and our school was then selected to host the Lachlan PSSA Small Schools Athletics Carnival welcoming Eugowra, Quandialla, Bogan Gate, Bedgerabong and Caragabal students to our school.

Forbes North were proud to attend the MADD Forbes High School musical extravaganza and concert the same week we participated in the Peachey Shield Rugby League gala day in Condobolin before receiving a musical incursion from Goobanji Indigenous performances.

Our school is a great place to host an occasion and the 2023 Biggest Morning Tea and Mother’s Day Breakfast raised over $1,000 for the NSW Cancer Council and made our deserving mums feel special.

The list of guests coming to our school continued with Forbes Shire Council executive staff coming for a school tour and morning tea hosted by Mr McGaw in our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden rooms.

We also hosted the Forbes Junior and Senior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group meeting in our new refurbished library space.

To reward great behaviour from our students we held two fun days, namely a PBL Pyjama Day and Crazy Hair Day either side of National Walk to School safety day.

One of the highlights of term two was the Doing it for Rural Aussie Kids concert by Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen in our school hall which was outstanding. This was followed by the visit of the Life Education Program starring Healthy Harold the famous giraffe.

Our community minded school hosted Launching Rocket Learners sessions for existing and future FNPS parents and our year 5 and year 6 visited the Junee Chocolate Factory with our senior girls then travelling to Dubbo for Girls in Aviation.

The Forbes Eisteddfod is a community highlight and Forbes North took out the overall point score, perpetual shield and $500 first prize with our commitment to the creative and performing arts giving our kids so many opportunities.

Forbes North is committed to Aboriginal Education and our successful Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week celebrations focusing on cultural immersion and Wiradjuri language leads the way in public education.

Term two was super, and we look forward to term three in Thomson Street.

Parkes Dyagang Koori Dance Group Going From Strength To Strength

June 22, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The founding members of The Dyagang Koori Dance Group Keanau, Ashton, Tyrece and Abel Robinson, pictured with their mother Jade Alexander.

If you have been to any recent local events, it is highly likely you have seen The Dyagang Koori Dance Group perform. The group opened Frost and Fire in Forbes last weekend and they will once again be opening the Trundle Bush Tucker Day.

They are in high demand not just within the local area but for events further afield. Last year, the boys were invited to perform for the opening of the 47th parliament in Canberra with the Ngunnawal-Ngambri people, the traditional custodians of the Canberra area.

The founding members of The Dyagang Koori Dance Group, Tyrece, Keanau, Ashton and Abel Robinson, are four brothers from Parkes, who attend Middleton Public School. The group was formed when eldest brother, Tyrece started playing the didgeridoo.

“His dad taught him a couple of things and he was watching YouTube clips of other people playing Didgeridoo, and he taught himself. Then he taught his three younger brothers how to play,” said the boys mother, Jade Alexander.

Tyrece began dancing with another crew and really enjoyed it. The boys sometimes performed with their dad and his connections, and developed a passion for performance.

“It was NAIDOC week last year when the boys were asked to perform on their own, and we thought it would be a great way for the boys to share their culture with others,’’ said Jade.

Following this event, the group was officially formed, so that others could join in.

Know The Signs Of Elder Abuse

June 22, 2023 By Roxane Manley

National Seniors Australia is shining a light on financial elder abuse. Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said people can be at increased risk of abuse as they get older. Sadly, those closest to them are the most likely perpetrators of abuse.

“Elder abuse can take many forms, but financial abuse is the most common. 85% of elder financial abuse is committed by family, with children accounting for nearly 50%,’ Mr Henschke said.

“As opposed to scams by strangers, financial abuse can involve a person in a position of trust coercing or forcing an older person to sign over assets or to change a Will or Power of Attorney, stealing money or taking credit cards. Older people fall victim to such abuses because they might never expect a loved one to take advantage of them, can’t stop it, or are too embarrassed to go to the police.”

“Financial loss in later life is particularly devastating. Unfortunately, people don’t always seek help and identifying abuse can be hard. It can go unreported as it happens behind closed doors, by people in positions of trust,” Mr Henschke said.

Possible signs of financial elder abuse include:

• large bank withdrawals or transfers between accounts

• missing belongings or property

• new changes to a will or power of attorney

• an older person signing strange documents they didn’t understand

• bank statements that go to the perpetrator.

If you are experiencing elder or suspect any type of elder abuse please call the Elder abuse phone line 1800 353 374 – a free and confidential service.

Helping Men Adopt Healthy Habits

June 22, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Heart Foundation is urging men to think more about their daily behaviour during this year’s Men’s Health Week. The annual week’s theme for 2023 is ‘healthy habits’, with a focus on encouraging men to adopt new, healthier habits to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Heart Foundation Senior Food and Nutrition Advisor, Jemma O’Hanlon said Men’s Health Week continues to gain traction as men become more aware of their risk factors. “Men’s Health Week is a great opportunity to start and build on conversations about healthy living,” Ms O’Hanlon said.

“We always encourage small changes that can be adapted into people’s daily routines. Generally, that doesn’t mean giving up a favourite food entirely, but rather making small swaps on a daily basis.

“The same applies to exercise, which may begin with gentle walking routines that might lead to something more strenuous in the future. Initially, however it’s about making regular and sustainable changes.”

Here are some of the Heart Foundation’s tips for healthy eating and exercise:

• Boost your diet with potassium-rich fruit and vegetables to help lower blood pressure.

• Enjoy more healthy fats from salmon, avocado and nuts to help lower cholesterol.

• Snack on Greek yoghurt for the ultimate high protein boost, pre or post exercise.

• Beef up meat dishes with additional legumes or lentils (a nice little cost saver too).

• Try a hearty new recipe – download the Heart Foundation’s new Winter Comfort Recipe Book.

The Heart Foundation’s Personal Walking Plans are a free, online, six-week walking program developed by accredited exercise physiologists. Designed for people to reach the Australian physical activity guidelines by week six, the program includes supportive motivational messaging and instructional videos to help get you moving. More information can be found online at: https://walkingplans.heartfoundation.org.au/

Ridiculous Regional Rate Rises

June 22, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART)has approved special rate variations of up to 64.3 per cent for country councils in a move farmers say will smash local communities.

IPART announced 17 council applications for special rate variations had been approved, with the biggest cumulative rises being 64.3 per cent over three years. Ratepayers to Lithgow City Council, meanwhile, will cop a 45.78 per cent rise in just one year.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the rises were another hit to the bottom line, when farmers and families alike couldn’t afford it. “We’re all facing the same cost of living pressures, high power prices, high fuel prices, rising interest rates, and we’ve got no ability to meet those extra costs,” Mr Martin said.

“Every time you turn around someone’s putting their hand in the farmer’s pocket, and these rate rises will just further squeeze businesses and households in these areas.

“This is going to seriously hurt a number of farming businesses, and will also be a big hit to families.“The way local governments are funded, see ratepayers shoulder the burden,” Mr Martin said.

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