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Canberra Raiders Contact Coach Helps Train Magpies Under 18’s

March 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Magpies Under 18’s side being shown the ropes by Josh Miller.

The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix recently spoke with Forbes Magpies under 18’s Coach, Brad McMillan about how the boys are shaping up for the 2023 season.

Brad is an experienced coach, having previously worked with the under 18’s team back in the early 2000’s and again in 2020. He also had a stint coaching the Forbes Magpies first grade team in 2014, before coaching the Eugowra side in 2021.

Brad spoke about what his focus will be for the under 18’s this year. “A lot of my focus is on defense. I like to think that if you can stop tries, you can stop games, it’s 50% of the game.”

“A lot of people focus on attack, and that is an extremely important part of the game, but I think defensively that’s what we really want to nail this year,” said Brad.

Proving that it’s not what you know but who you know, Brad recruited his brother- in-law, Josh Miller to teach the under 18’s squad some great defensive techniques.

Josh Miller played in the NRL for both the Canberra Raiders and the St George Dragons, even sharing the Player of the Year award at Canberra Raiders in 2005 alongside Troy Thompson and in 2009 alongside Josh Duggan.

Josh has been signed this year as the Contact Coach for the Raiders to improve the defensive technique of the players. It was those defensive skills that Brad was wanting Josh to teach his under 18s.

They will get to test their new skillset when they play the curtain raiser in Mudgee on Saturday, 1st April ahead of the Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles game for round 5 of the NRL. Be sure to head to Mudgee for a great day of footy.

Chad Porter Launches The Spaceman Towards A Premiership

March 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Captain/coach, Chad Porter is building a first grade rugby league team will be a top contender in 2023.

Chad Porter has jumped straight into his first ever coaching role, accepting the position of coach for the Parkes Spaceman’s first grade side in the 2023 Group 11 competition.

In addition to his coaching role, Chad is also the team Captain. When you look at his rugby league background, it is easy to see why the club has placed their confidence in him.

Chad started playing rugby league in the under 10’s and continued through to the under 18’s where his side took out the 2011 Premiership. Chad went on to play first grade for the Parkes Spacement and helped them win the Premiership in 2018.

Chad was selected to play for the Newcastle Knights 20’s side Chad before moving across to join the Sydney Rabbitohs 20’s side.

He spent a year at Guilford before heading to play for the Mounties and helping them win a Premiership. In 2017 Chad made the decision to head home to Parkes.

The Spacemen have lost a few of their key players heading into the 2023 season, with Sam Dwyer moving to Wollongong to play football, Jordy Pope relocating for work and Jack Crieth retiring.

Despite these losses, Chad is optimistic for the season ahead, “We’re looking good, Pauly Clyburn has done well with recruitment. We’ve secured a few new front rowers, including Tongan brothers Takitau and Moni, Rex from Papua New Guinea and we’ve got Jake Dooley coming back.”

“When the Cowra team folded, we swooped in and signed ex-NRL and English Super League player Jack Buchanan,” said Chad.

Last week Parkes Spacemen beat Orange Hawks in a trial game by two tries, which is a great sign for the team who will take on Orange Hawks again when round one kicks off after Easter.

Do You Want To Join The Parkes Shire Concert Band?

March 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The story of Bogan Gate has been commemorated on a plaque.

The town of Bogan Gate celebrated its 125th anniversary on Tuesday, 11th March. The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) were invited to lead the vintage car parade. They marched, playing Colonel Bogey before setting up beside the ‘gate’ to entertain the crowd after the speeches and the unveiling of the plaque.

PSCB member Elly Tom said, “It was a privilege to be part of this historic occasion.”

PSCB is a committed community band, always ready to welcome new members. If you want to play music again, dust off that instrument, join in and give it a try. At present the band has two members who are new to Parkes and here for a work period, it’s a great way to make friends.

Don’t fret if you no longer have an instrument, the band have a range of instruments for hire and if you’re a beginner, don’t let that stop you, as PSCB offer group beginners lessons.

The PSCB rehearse every Tuesday during the school terms, above the Parkes Aquatic Centre. Head along to Homegrown this weekend between 10am – 11am to meet the members of the PSCB.

The PSCB leading the vintage car parade to the Bogan Gate 125th Anniversary.

The PSCB entertaining the crowd after the official unveiling of the plaque.

Snippets…

March 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Trundle Back in Time Vintage Rally & Tractor Pull event this Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 at the Trundle Showgrounds.

Travel Back In Time To Trundle: Parkes Council is partnering with the Trundle P&A Show Society to host the Trundle Back in Time Vintage Rally & Tractor Pull. Funded by the NSW Governments Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program, the Trundle P&A Show Society is hosting this event between Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th March at the Trundle Showgrounds.

The day will provide a gathering for the community and visitors to socialise and focus on mental wellbeing, showcasing the progression of rural and farming machinery from horse days to the modern era.

Vintage vehicles, a swap meet, markets, live music, kids’ entertainment, sheaf toss, and bar and BBQ facilities. Troppo Bob will be there to entertain families and children with his comedy magic show and balloon modeling.

The ute pull will start at 3.30pm followed by the sheaf toss at approximately 4.30pm. “All are welcome to have a go at this traditional country sporting event with great prize money to be won.”

“This is a great opportunity to visit such a historically-rich part of the Parkes Shire and experience the sights and tastes of Trundle,” added Ms Nieves.

For information visit www.visitparkes.com.au.

First Home Buyers Saving Millions By Ditching Stamp Duty: More than 2300 first home buyers have opted in to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s First Home Buyer Choice in the first two months of the initiative, saving a collective $89 million.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said that as part of the Liberal and Nationals expansion of its home buyer support, victim-survivors of domestic and family violence would be eligible for stamp duty relief currently reserved for first home buyers.

Spike In Pig Numbers Needs Urgent Action: Farmers say an explosion in feral pig numbers on public lands in the north and west of the state has resulted in massive damage to properties and livestock.

Across the state more than 34,000 hoofed feral animals – including pigs, deer and goats – had been culled since November, but the feral pig population was still enormous.

Unless there is an urgent and coordinated control effort on all land – public and private – this problem will only get worse.

Feral Pigs are a problem for farmers (Photo courtesy of the ABC).

A Rural Medical Experience

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

School of Rural Health student Amy Malligan will complete her entire 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree in Dubbo.

Amy Malligan has recently started her journey to becoming a doctor, studying the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. Amy will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Amy studied an undergraduate degree in science in Sydney, unsure of what to do when she finished school. After living in Sydney for her degree she moved back home to Bathurst for her final year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It was a friend’s medical emergency and spending time in the hospital that inspired Amy to pursue a career in medicine. She began working in Bathurst Hospital as a Patient Experience Officer while applying to study medicine at rural clinical schools.

“My brother had a great experience studying medicine at a rural clinical school and training in a rural hospital, so I knew that I wanted that experience too. When I found out I could study the entire Doctor of Medicine in Dubbo, I knew that was where I wanted to be. I love living in the country and I love that I’m still so close to family in Bathurst,” she says.

Amy is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice.

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Snippets…

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Come along on Saturday for a thrilling day of Dragon Boat racing.

Forbes Invitational Dragon Boat Regatta: The annual Forbes Invitational Dragon Boat Regatta gets underway this Sunday, 19th March on the beautiful Lake Forbes. Entries have been received from clubs and paddlers from right across the region including Orange, Parkes, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Lithgow, Dubbo, Forbes and a special welcome to paddlers from the new Blue Mountains club who will be making their first trip to Lake Forbes.

The Forbes Daragon Boat Club are looking forward to a great day of friendly competition with like minded people from all across western NSW. Spectators are welcome to come along and enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful local event and to cheer on the local team. Racing will commence at 8.30am and should be completed by 1.30pm.

NAPLAN Testing Starts Earlier For NSW Schools: This week, around 400,000 students across more than 3,100 NSW schools have begun NAPLAN tests.

This is the first year that NAPLAN will be held in Term 1 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students. It means that parents, teachers and ultimately our students, will soon benefit from earlier results from NAPLAN tests.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said these changes mean we will have a better picture of how a student is tracking earlier and can make sure that any extra support they need to catch up is provided sooner. “A big thank you to the teachers, NAPLAN coordinators and school principals for their efforts preparing for NAPLAN this year amidst the changes.”

Showtime Means It’s Competition Time: The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix are once again giving away tickets to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. We will be giving a away two family passes for four people to attend this years event, one to a Forbes family and one to a Parkes family. Check out further details of the competition on page four of this week’s paper and enter online via www.forbesphoenix.com.au or www.parkesphoenix.com.au. Good luck!

Temporary closure of Thomas Street, Parkes: Motorists are advised that a temporary road closure will be in place on Thomas Street, Parkes from Monday, 20th March for work to safely remove material containing naturally occurring asbestos, as part of the Parkes Bypass project.

This work, between the intersections of Moulden Street and Reedsdale Road, will be managed by an external expert and all involved will wear appropriate protective clothing.

Thomas Street will be closed during works hours between 7am and 6pm weekdays and 8am to 6pm on some Saturdays for about eight months, weather permitting.

Temporary road closure in Thomas St, will start from Monday, 20th March.

Skip The Que And Get Your Vote In Early

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The upcoming NSW State Election will be held on Saturday, 25th March. However, early voting will be taking place from this Saturday, 18 March to Friday, 24th March.

If you are in Parkes or Forbes, and would like to avoid the huge crowds and long lines on election day, then you are encouraged to get out and vote early.

Early voting in Forbes will be available at the Forbes Town Hall in Harold Street, Forbes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm
• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm
• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

Early voting in Parkes will be available at the Parkes Early Voting Centre, 30 Welcome Street, Parkes at the following times:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
• Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm
• Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm
• Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm

If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to vote in federal, State and local government elections and by-elections. Ensure your voting registration details are correct.

A full list of local election cadidates will be available in next week’s edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.

Nats Invest In The Future Of Our Kids

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Every child in NSW will gain a financial head-start under a life-changing Liberal and Nationals plan to futureproof the finances of generations to come, giving them the best start to life.

This is the most significant financial security investment in NSW history. Under a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government, every child in the Orange Electorate aged 10 and under – and continuing each year with every newborn child – will be eligible for a Kids Future Fund account, which will receive a $400 starting payment from the Government.

Parents will be able to contribute to the fund, with payments matched by the Government up to $400 per year, with interest also earned over time.

Once the child turns 18 they will be able to withdraw from their fund – which could be worth between $28,000 and $49,000 per child.

Nationals candidate Tony Mileto for the Orange Electorate said this landmark initiative is the first of its kind in Australia and will help provide financial security to an entire generation in the Orange Electorate.

“This investment will change the lives of children in NSW in the Orange Electorate forever,” Tony Mileto said.

Get Your Tickets Now For The World Premiere Of Cracks In The Mirror

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Front: Amelia Regnier, Kimberley Ryan, Maddison Collits, Jade McGovern. Back: Nigel Thomas, Tom Rivett, Lyn Townsend, Phil Redenbach, Anthony Leonard, Gail Smith, Ruth Barnes.

The world premiere of locally written musical, Cracks in the Mirror will be held at The Little Theatre in Parkes, on 22nd April, but plans are afoot to market this musical to theatre companies nationally.

It all began in January 2022, when Lyn Townsend, along with 20 other people around the world, undertook a short online musical song writing course with composers Pasek and Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hanson).

She engaged the services of Gail Smith to assist with music composition for the course song – the outcome, Cracks in the Mirror was an epic 11 minutes long!

Lyn dedicated herself to writing topical and relevant storylines into a script, while regularly meeting with Gail to continue working on more songs. Six months later, Lyn and Gail had written an entire musical.

A very capable local musician, Anthony Leonard, was called in to give feedback on the songs and eagerly agreed to join them on the journey, collaborating on musical arrangement.

Workshops were held in August last year with five ladies who willingly gave their time to test the script and songs and provide valuable feedback.

Auditions were held in December to secure the small but very talented cast of Maddison Collits, Jade McGovern, Kimberley Ryan, Amelia Regnier and Ruth Barnes and band members Phil Redenbach (lead guitar), Tom Rivett (Base guitar), Nigel Thomas (Drums/percussion), with Anthony and Gail both playing keyboard.

As Lyn and Gail own the music, there are no royalties to be paid. At their request, the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society will donate $10 from every ticket sold, to the Eugowra GIVIT flood appeal.

Tickets for Cracks in the Mirror are on sale now at www.parkesmandd.com.au. Group reservation requests made by emailing parkesmandd2870@gmail.com.

Get Back To Peak Hill This Weekend

March 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

A historic photograph of The Carrington Hotel in the main street of Peak Hill.

Parkes Shire Council is pleased to be partnering with the Carrington Association to host the Back to Peak Hill weekend event from Friday, 17th to Sunday, 19th March.

Peak Hill invites you to revive your memories of the way things were. Of school days, sports, local families, farms, railways, harvests and local shops within the community.

Event organisers welcome you to visit Peak Hill this weekend, either once again or maybe for the first time, to see what all the fuss is about and create some new memories.

Susie Collett, chairman of the Carrington Association says, “History must be treasured and celebrated, but never become an anchor to the future.”

The Back to Peak Hill Weekend will be centered on The Carrington, formerly the Carrington Hotel, which was nearly destroyed by fire. After years of determination and persistence by wonderful local enthusiasts, The Carrington is now close to being completed and reopened to the community. It is a significant place from history that is now headed into the future, which is what this weekend is all about.

Activities will include open schools, displays of artifacts and memorabilia, social games, street busking, an official opening of The Carrington, history and craft displays, live entertainment, and much more.

The Carrington will be open daily as the weekend’s hub, whilst many local businesses and organisations will also open their doors for extended hours.

The event is being funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program.

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