Peak Hill residents, Patrick and Denise Furner in happier times.

Local Peak Hill woman, Denise Furner is in desperate need of your help. In an unfortunate twist-of-fate, both Denise and her husband Patrick are currently battling cancer. 

Recently the struggle facing this local family became even more desperate when Denise suffered a bleed on her brain. She was rushed to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to save her life. 

As Denise’s family anxiously awaited the outcome of the surgery, they held onto hope and recalled her words to them that she “was not ready to go.” 

Denise came through the surgery but still has a long and hard road ahead of her. 

Denise’s daughter Kirsti Furner told the Forbes & Parkes Phoenix, “Mum is going to need full-time care, will be wheelchair bound, require hoist transfers and personal care assistance.” 

“Through all of this, mum is still suffering from cancer and we are hoping she will be able to continue her chemotherapy,” said Kirsti. 

A Go Fund Me Page has been set up to assist with ongoing medical expenses, transport and equipment that will be needed for Denise’s recovery. 

“We will be forever grateful from the bottom of our hearts for any assistance. We thank you for supporting our mum,” said Kirsti. 

If are able to help Denise, please visit the Go Fund Me page: Helping mum to live comfortably by Belinda Ledgard (gofundme.com) 

The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm.

The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next week and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.

Councils Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said “Road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old. Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably.”

Parents and carers should;

Please make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint when travelling in a car. Child restraint laws require children up to seven years old to be restrained in an approved child restraint. For more information visit www.childcarseats.com.au

Drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road. Make sure children use the footpath-side door when getting in and out of a car – this is called the safety door.

Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones whilst walking.

Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic. Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike.

If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.

“Road safety around schools is everybody’s responsibility,” said Melanie.

Poppy Starr has been selected as a representative for regional youth.

The Regional Youth Taskforce will get a brand-new look with Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin announcing 18 new young leaders from across regional NSW who will advocate for their peers and deliver positive outcomes for young people.

“This group has been selected from more than 140 applicants, and includes two young people from each of the State’s nine regions who will meet throughout the year to focus on the NSW Regional Youth Framework pillars: work readiness, wellbeing, connectivity and community,” Mr Franklin said.

Poppy Starr, Cowra local, and daughter of our very own Phoenix Group of Newspapers designer, has been selected to represent the Central West and Orana region on the Regional Youth Taskforce for 2023.

Poppy applied for the Regional Taskforce position to help advocate for rural youth on a grander scale after spending time on the Cowra Youth Council.

“I enjoy being an active member of my local community and feeling like I can make a difference,” said Poppy.

The Taskforce allows members to have their say on ways the Government can improve outcomes for young people in regional NSW and better deliver services. 

When asked what her focus would be during her time on the Regional Youth Taskforce, Poppy responded, “I am passionate about regional Australia and the agricultural industry. I believe to ensure sustainable regional communities into the future it is really important to keep young people in rural areas. This includes ensuring there are opportunities for further education, employment and community engagement.”

For more information on the Regional Youth Taskforce, visit: nsw.gov.au/RegionalYouthTaskforce.