General Interest Archives - Page 95 of 342

Local Men Urged To Come Along For A Free 10 Minute Health Check

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Don’t walk past, come in and meet Registered nurse, Bill (Pictured) for your free health check.

Calling all Parkes and surrounding local men, when is the last time you, or the men in your life, had a health check up?

“Saving men’s lives” is the catch cry of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV). MHERV is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits.

With the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) a Registered Nurse undertakes free basic check-ups for “blokes” – and for ladies to come in and have a free health check.

The purpose-built MHERV van is staffed by a male Nurse, Bill Power. It offers free of charge health screening services for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar (Diabetes). The consultation takes about 10 minutes and provides immediate results, helping to improve health outcomes for men.

Bill has the knack for being able to relax even the most stressed clients. During the confidential consultation, Bill takes the opportunity to also chat about other health related concerns, including state of mind. This service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting under COVID safe Guidelines.

The Nurse submits a daily report to the Program Management team at Rotary Club of Warners Bay from which statistics are gathered. Over the last 4 years the results have averaged approximately 4% who have required urgent attention, around 40% are advised to follow up on something with their GP in the next week and 56% are encouraged to keep up the good work.

Over the past four years the van has seen over 12,000 people so it has potentially saved over four hundred and fifty people from a severe health event.

MHERV will be located at The Little Theatre, 34 Bogan Street, Parkes on Thursday 2nd of March 9:30am – 3:30pm.

Recognising Our Sporting Heroes

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

FORBES SOYA WINNER: Haylee Redfern (right) with Jessica Pascoe accepting her trophy for winning Forbes Sportsperson Of The Year in February 2022. Photo supplied.

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) are delighted with the quality of the nominations they have received for the 2022 Awards with the Annual Awards Presentation to be held on Saturday, 4th March at the Forbes Golf & Sportsman’s Hotel.

Sport is an important part of life and the awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the athletes who excel in their chosen sport. They are also a way to show appreciation to the many volunteers who give their time to ensure that children and adults of all ages have access to some of the best sporting facilities and competitions in New South Wales.

This year the special guest is Geoff Mann, ABC Breakfast Show Host. Geoff Mann is widely known as the Mr Sport of the central west and western plains. He grew up in Coonamble and has lived in Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst.

Geoff played rugby league until 1990 and along with swimming, has dabbled in tennis, golf, cricket and touch football. He is on the Country Cricket Umpires Panel and in 2006 appeared on the cover of the local White Pages in honour of his contribution to local sport.

Geoff loves history and devotes much of his spare time to a project on the centenary of rugby league. He is married with three children and lives in Wongarbon, east of Dubbo. You can hear Geoff Mann on the Saturday and Monday breakfast shows on ABC Central West and Western Plains.

Get a group of people together and book a table now before tickets sell out. Tickets are available from www.123tix.com.au/events/37803/forbes-soya-2022. The cost is $25 adults and $15 children (12 years and under). To assist with catering all tickets need to be purchased by 5.00pm Friday, 24th February.

Bush Businesses Get A Helping Hand To Grow Their Workforce

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

IMAGE CREDIT: nsw.gov.au/RSRG

Regional businesses across the State will get a helping hand from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to attract employees from metropolitan parts of the State thanks to the Regional Skills Relocation Grants program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the program will see eligible businesses reimbursed up to $12,500 to assist with recruitment services and relocation costs of eligible skilled workers they employ.

“Whether it’s paying for removals, family relocation travel, temporary accommodation or furniture storage, these grants will help regional businesses offer an extra incentive to workers thinking about going bush.

“Whether you’re a regional employer looking for skilled staff, or a business owner looking to relocate, the Regional Skills Relocation Grants can assist in making regional NSW a home for you, your family, your staff, and your business.”

Owner of Billroy Manufacturing and Engineering Lance Stewart successfully moved his small family-owned and operated business from Sydney to Wauchope in 2020, including four employees, with support from the program.

“The Regional Skills Relocation Grant provided some welcome assistance through what was an extremely challenging yet rewarding period for our family and business.”

The Regional Skills Relocation Grants program increases the availability of skilled and experienced workers for businesses setting up in, relocating to, or currently based in regional NSW.

For more information, including program guidelines just visit: nsw.gov.au/RSRG.

Life Saving Defibs For Local Sporting Clubs

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Fantastic news for grassroots sport which will be safer for players, spectators and volunteers as part of a $500,000 push to install life-saving defibrillators at community facilities across NSW.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said 191 devices will be installed thanks to the latest round of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

“With more than 8,500 people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in NSW, this program provides sports with early access to a defibrillator in the worst case scenario,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since the Liberal and Nationals Government introduced this program in 2017, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.”

The grants cover the full cost of equipment under the program with several sporting organisations receiving multiple devices.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said nine out of every 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital don’t survive.

“We want to change that statistic so it’s vital that we get as many defibrillators installed across NSW,” Mr Vandenberg said.

More information about the program is available at www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/

Housing Pods Hit The Ground In Eugowra

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Flood-impacted residents across the Cabonne Shire can now apply for modular homes, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government expanding its temporary accommodation program following last year’s successful caravan rollout.

Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said modular homes are now being installed. “These pods will complement the 110 caravans we already have in place, giving residents more options and more support while they continue their recovery journey.”

“It’s important people remain as close as possible to their own home and connected with their community while they undertake the difficult clean-up and rebuilding process, that’s what the modular homes will allow,” said Steph.

Flood-impacted residents in the Cabonne Shire can apply for the Pods on Private Property Program by visiting their local Recovery Assistance Point, calling Service NSW on 13 77 88 or sending an email to: housingtaskforce@resilience.nsw.gov.au.

Caravans are continuing to be provided through a partnership between the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government and accommodation provider Camplify. Flood-impacted residents who have previously received a caravan and are eligible for a modular home will be able to transition.

More information at: www.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery/temporary-housing.

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.”

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.

“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.

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!

Backing Sporting Equality For Women And Girls

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Women and girls across NSW will have access to more inclusive sporting facilities, thanks to the NSW Government’s $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said 94 community sport facilities are set to be transformed, delivering female-friendly change rooms, amenities and lighting upgrades, which is one of the biggest barriers that prevent women and girls from playing sport.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government recognises the critical role local sport infrastructure plays in keeping our communities healthy and active,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Community sport is where it all begins, and by investing in our local communities to help boost female participation, we will ensure any young girl or woman who wants to shoot a hoop, score a try or kick a goal, can do so in a supportive environment.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said we know that when women and girls feel comfortable, they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport.

“Some of the biggest barriers faced by women and girls are the lack of female change rooms and amenities,” Mrs Taylor said. More information about the program is available online.

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