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Big Plans For Forbes NAIDOC Week Celebrations

August 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

NAIDOC Week Celebration will be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Forbes.

Each year the Forbes Community marks NAIDOC Week and 2023 is gearing up to be an amazing celebration and display of culture.

The NAIDOC Committee and Forbes Shire Council has organised a day of workshops, demonstrations, activities and more, all aimed at celebrating the local culture to be held on Thursday 7th September.

The day will kick off with an official ceremony at 10am during which the 2023 NAIDOC Award winners will be announced, along with the winner of the NAIDOC design competition.

Forbes Preschool will be performing, whilst Dinawan’s Connection will complete the smoking ceremony and opening dance.

“Come and see the completion of the Yarning Circle mural, join in weaving, cultural dance and language workshops, make damper, see demonstrations for making clapsticks and hand carving,” Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said.

There will also be tools and weapons, and reptile displays, amusement rides, and girri girri grown at Forbes High School, just to name a few.

“Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about the Indigenous culture of this region. Forbes Shire Council would like to thank the NAIDOC Committee and the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for their organisation and support,” Mayor Miller said.

NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect and celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and recognising them as ongoing custodians of the land. The theme for this year’s event is ‘For Our Elders’.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nation cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures in the world.

NAIDOC Celebrations will be held at Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre from 10am until 2pm. So save the date, 7th September in your calendar and make sure to come along and enjoy NAIDOC.

Successful Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day

August 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Last week’s Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day, held at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange, was a success with approximately 50 people attending.

Attendees at last week’s Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day were a mixture of farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations.

The event was supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Transport for NSW, the Grain Transport Safety Network (GTSN), SafeWork NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Farmers and the Australian Custom Harvesters Association.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said anecdotal feedback from attendees on the day was very positive. “Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period,” said Melanie.

The day featured presentations about chain of responsibility, conditional registration and primary producer concessions, GTSN’s updated resources and fire safety.

“The highlight of the morning was the hands-on machinery display, where participants were able to measure various vehicles and implements and read the relevant notice to work out what the travel requirements are.” Forbes Machinery Centre, Hutcheon and Pearce, O’Connors and Bob Wythes, were very generous in loaning the equipment for the display.

“Thanks to everyone who assisted to organise and promote the event, and to everyone who registered and attended,” Melanie said.

If you missed the field day, free satellite events will be held in Bedgerebong, Derriwong and Trundle, with breakfast provided. There will also be a free session at the Parkes Show Farmer’s Day. Details are:

August: Bedgerebong Showground 7.30am – 10.15am

Wednesday 30th August: Parkes Show Farmer’s Day 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 31st August: Derriwong RFS Shed 7.30am – 10.15am

Friday 1st September: Trundle Golf Club 7.30am – 10.15am

150th Anniversary Of Sir Henry Parkes Visit

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Sir Henry Parkes made four visits to Parkes, the first in Au-gust 1873, then July 1887, June 1894 and October 1894.

Henry Parkes Museum will be holding an exhibition this Saturday, 19th August, to celebrate 150 years since Sir Henry Parkes first visited Bushmans, later to be rename Parkes.

The Henry Parkes Museum is located next to the Parkes Visitors Centre. The display depicts the life of Sir Henry Parkes including his four visits to the Central West.

Souvenirs for sale include local history books, mugs, can holders, key rings, fridge magnets, car stickers, hat pins and tea towels. Admission is free for members, adults $10, concession $7.50 and children $3.

Ken Keith To Serve His Final Term As Mayor Of Parkes

August 17, 2023 By Cr Ken Keith OAM

One of the most familiar faces in Parkes would have to be long serving Mayor Ken Keith OAM.

I wish to advise the residents of Parkes Shire, my fellow Councillors and Council staff of my desire to see a succession plan to a smooth transition to a new leadership team.

I thought it was appropriate to give advance notice of my intention to step down as Mayor so that my fellow Councillors have time to properly consider a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor they believe will be best placed to lead our team into the next election and beyond. I express my gratitude to all the dedicated Councillors I have served with over the years and the extremely talented staff that have helped guide our Shire.

In September of this year, it will be my privilege and honour to complete my 40th consecutive year serving the Parkes Shire Council and thus the Parkes Shire communities. I commenced my 17th year as Mayor in July, after serving my mentor and friend, the late Robert Wilson OAM, for 17 years as his Deputy Mayor.

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding leadership and advice of the two General Managers, the late Alan McCormack PSM and Kent Boyd PSM with whom I have worked closely during my term at the helm. As Sir Isaac Newton is credited to have said “I am standing on the shoulders of giants”. I believe as the current Councillors of Parkes Shire we are doing just that, as our predecessors have shown vision and foresight.

Parkes Shire Council is now highly regarded in Local Government circles around the State and has a very exciting future.

In making this decision I acknowledge the wonderful support of my devoted wife, Sue, who was only engaged to a prospective Councillor way back in 1983. Our three sons, James, Max and Douglas, have accepted sharing their father’s time with his passion for Parkes Shire, for which I am most grateful. It is now time to repay their unwavering support. More time for visiting our beautiful grandchildren and having some holidays and travel without worrying about clashing with a Council meeting!

I have also appreciated the support of my brother Tim and the many people who have assisted me in my farming operations over the years, this has allowed me to devote the time needed for this role.

In closing, I have had the pleasure to meet so many kind and compassionate residents, who care deeply about the various communities which comprise the Shire we all call home. I thank you sincerely for your mostly voluntary contributions which I believe is the glue which holds us all together.

By Cr Ken Keith OAM

Author Gabbie Stroud Shares “The Things That Matter Most”

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Veronica Shaw, Gabbie Stroud, Kerryn Jones and CR Bill Jayet at the author talk.

On Wednesday night, 9th August, guests at Parkes Shire Library enjoyed an incredible talk full of insight and humour from former teacher, and talented author Gabbie Stroud.

Gabbie, the author of moving memoir “Teacher”, delighted the audience with her impassioned talk covering everything from her life as a teacher, her consequential ‘burnout’, her writing journey from non-fiction to fiction and her fabulous new book “The Things That Matter Most.”

The audience particularly resonated with Gannie’s conflict between what she knew she needed to spend time on for her students, and what the system told her she needed to spend her time on, and the subsequoent toll this took on her mental health.

This led to an incredibly moving discussion about the importance of changing the language around burnout to describing it as “demoralisation”, to move the emphasis away from the individual and back to the system causing harm. Throughout the night, Gabbie’s passion for teachers and the incredible feats they perform every day was clear, even thanking them for their time at her talk as she understands first-hand, a teacher’s time is precious.

Gabbie read an excerpt from her new novel and talked about drawing upon that “what if” feeling teachers have. The constant feeling that something bad can happen at any time that they want to protect their students from. The feeling teachers have for some students when they “don’t get to go home with them to check if they’re safe,” and Gabbie’s own frustration with the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Gabbie’s new book “The Things That Matter Most” is available now and you can check out more about her at https://gabbiestroud.com.

Keep an eye out on the Parkes Shire Library Facebook page for their next great event.

Snippets…

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Big smiles all around for the latest group that completed their Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure training course

Want To Become A Rail Industry Worker? Congratulations to the latest group who completed their Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure training course. A partnership between the Inland Rail Skills Academy, the TIC Training Group in Albury and held at the Ettamogah Rail Hub. The accredited, entry-level course covers all the requirements for a Rail Industry Worker card and opens up a world of potential job opportunities within the rail industry. Learn more about education and scholarship opportunities https://inlandrail.info/3J5laIG

Pares Country Music Club: Parkes and District Country Music Association August muster will be held Sunday 20th August at 1pm in the Starlight Lounge, Parkes Services Club. Featured performer is Rhonda Tomlinson from Dubbo. Dancing, raffle, competitions, lucky door prizes, lucky members draw. $5.00 adults, children free

Help the surviving Country Music clubs in regional areas by attending.

Forbes Family History Group Inc: We are halfway through National Family History Month. Researching family history puts ‘meat on the bones’ of our ancestors. It is so much more than dates and numbers. It is okay to be curious. Take a deep dive into your family history and see where it takes you. The Forbes Family History Group Inc. are here to help.

Screen NSW – Opportunity Alert! Expressions of interest are now open for Screenworks’ Set For Success. The initiative is designed to build the capacity of skilled, below-the-line practitioners in regional Australia through an on-set training program that taps into the skills and industry knowledge of accomplished senior crew and heads of department, engaging them as mentors for crew that are training into more senior roles. Find out more https://screenworks.com.au/learn/set-for-success/

Forbes Show Working Bee: A working beewill be held this Sunday at the Forbes Showground from 10am – 12pm. With the show just around the corner it’s time to get the pavilions all set up ready for all the entries to come in. If you can help please come along, many hands make light work.

Isabel’s girls pretty in Pink: The team got together and pinked it up to watch the Barbie movie together. It was a great way to get all the girls together to be able to bond outside of work. Team bonding is important in any workplace, so hats off to the owners and management of Isabel’s Place in Forbes.

The amazing team from Isabel’s place enjoyed the new Barbie movie.

Nominate A Local Dad For “Community Sports Dad Of The Year” Ahead Of Father’s Day

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Bradley Benjamin from Lightning Ridge was Community Sport Dad of the Year 2022.

Nominations are now open for the tenth annual Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award, acknowledging the contributions and positive impact that Australian dads have made both on and off the sporting field.

Celebrating ten years of this prestigious award, dads across Australia have been acknowledged for their commitment to community sport – from coaching duties, painting lines on the pitch to raising funds for new equipment.

Damien Cook, Rabbitohs and NSW origin star who won the 2022 Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year award, knows first-hand the support he received from his own dad growing up and aspires to do the same with his kids, Willow and Jagger.

“Speaking from experience with my own dad when I was younger, community dads are so important with the roles they cover – from being a coach, setting up fields, refereeing and driving us to and from training and on game days.

“My dad did this all while working full time and then worked overtime just to earn the extra time off to be able to get me to and from my commitments and be there to support me.”

Every athlete, no matter grassroots or professional, has their story of who has supported them over the years.

Nominations are now open and close midnight AEST on 22 August 2023. To nominate a community sports dad, submit 100 words on why they should win via www.sportsdads.com.au/community. The winner will be notified prior to Father’s Day, Sunday, 3 September, with the prize pack including a Philips male grooming pack valued at over $1,000 RRP, as well as a $5,000 Rebel Sports voucher to purchase clothing or sporting equipment for the community sports club of choice.

To submit a dad who deserves to be recognised, visit www.sportsdads.com.au

Bush Kids Wanted For Aus-Wide Wellbeing Program

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Rural Aid is playing a vital role in helping school children bounce back from their traumatic flood experiences with the roll-out of the Mustering Growth wellbeing program.

Developed in collaboration with experts at Monash University, the program focuses on strengthening kids’ innate resilience, normalising mental health experiences and decreasing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and building strategies to cope with challenges that are unique to the experiences of rural children.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said “Rural kids are the farmers of our future, and we recognise that many of our ‘little mates in the bush’ need some extra help and support.”

“Last year’s floods left many children struggling with strong feelings and requiring support,” said John.

The program is fun, interactive, flexible and includes nature-based activities. Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Myf Pitcher, said Mustering Growth was helping kids be the healthiest version of themselves by teaching them a variety of tools. “We’ve had great feedback from schools who’ve already taken part. One facilitator reported at the program’s end: ‘Children discussed how it helped calm them down when they were feeling anxious’,” Myf said.

Mustering Growth is run by Rural Aid’s counsellors and is completely free for schools. Primary schools across Australia are being encouraged to reach out to Rural Aid for more information on the program. For further information contact Myf Pitcher at mhwb@ruralaid.org.au

International Accolades For Local Photographer

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Marc Payne’s two winning portraits of Stan Adamski (left) and Kevin Dumesny (right).

Marc Payne has once again received recognition for his portrait photography, collecting two awards, from five entries, in the International Portrait Photographer Of The Year competition.

The competition attracted 704 entries from photographers from across the globe, with two of Marc’s entries being listed in the top 101 images in the world for the third consecutive year.

Marc said, “It is a true honour to be recognised with some of the best portrait photographers in the world, and to do it three years in a row has his head in a spin.”

All of his portraits have been of local people from Parkes, and the two images that have made it into the top 101 portrait images in the world are of well known local personalities Kevin Dumesny and Stan Adamski of Parkes.

According to Peter Eastway, an Australian photographer known internationally for his landscape photography and chairman of judges in the prestigious competition, “The main aim of the competition is to be selected in the top 101 and be published in the exclusive annual book.”

Feedback on Marc’s entries has been very positive from the judges, scoring in the 80’s for his entries and his unique style.

Marc has published past entries in a variety of well known photography magazines and newspapers in Great Britain, in addition to the Spanish National Geographic.

Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period.

Farmers, contract harvesters, truck drivers, transport companies, pilots and agricultural machinery retailers are invited to attend this year’s Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day on Thursday 17th August at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange.

Breakfast will be provided from 7.30am, with the official program kicking off at 8am. There will be a hands-on machinery display from 9am.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that this year’s event will focus on the rules and regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles, combinations and trucks on the road. There will be speakers from NHVR, Transport for NSW and the GTSN/Graincorp.

Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.

Regulations are constantly changing and it’s important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before harvest period

Registration is free but spaces are limited, so get in quick. Register via the Parkes, Forbes or Lachlan Shire Councils’ Facebook pages or this link: https://forms.office.com/r/GX9WVkWYCT

“We’ll also be running four satellite events to provide the same information to more farmers across the three local government areas. You can register for these events using the above link” Ms Suitor said.

The satellite events will be held on: Tuesday 29 August at Bedgerebong Showground from 7.30am – 10.15am Wednesday 30 August at the Parkes Show Farmer’s Day from 10.30am – 12 pm Thursday 31 August at Derriwong RFS Shed from 7.30am – 10.15am Friday 1 September at Trundle Golf Club from 7.30am – 10.15am.

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