Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Organisers are already expecting over 1,500 at this years Trundle Bush Tucker Day. To help everyone get in easily and quickly please print off your entry tickets or have a screenshot of your ticket with it’s QR code, so they can be checked and scanned at the gate. In previous years the phone reception at the showground has been hit and miss and you don’t want to be stuck in the queue unable to pull up your e-tickets! Once your tickets have been purchased via 123tix, don’t forget to bring them along with you on Bush Tucker Day. Entry tickets can also be purchased at the gate on the day.

NSW Aboriginal Land Council: The Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum date has been set for Saturday 14th October. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the date at an event in Adelaide on Wednesday this week. NSWALC has committed to supporting the Yes campaign for the Voice referendum and Constitutional recognition for our mob. 

The question that will be put to Australian voters and will require a Yes or No response is:

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

For more information about the Voice, please visit our website: https://alc.org.au/the-voice/

National BBQ Championships Forbes: Come one, come all to witness all the sizzling action of the Forbes National BBQ Championships competition judging the best barbeque beef, chicken, lamb and pork. The event features market stalls, local live music, children’s entertainment and a bar – something for all to enjoy. 12pm – 8pm Saturday 28 October 2023, Grinsted Oval, Forbes.

R U OK? Day: Join us for our nationwide event to mark R U OK? Day 2023 on Thursday 14th September at 12pm. We’ll share real stories, as well as tips on how you can be ‘here to hear’ those you care about, not just one day, but every day of the year. This event will have an Auslan translator and closed captions available. To register and to access the free #RUOKDay2023 resources, you can visit https://bit.ly/3y6vzQc 

 

Shock Food That Will Stop Your Hair Turning Grey And Improve Your Fertility: Did you know Australian oysters are an immune boosting powerhouse that can help with fertility? Oysters are often seen as a luxury food, but they should be seen more as a daily necessity than an occasional treat. Oysters do not contribute to the overfishing of our oceans, since they are farmed in natural seawater in Australia, sustainably and in their natural habitat. Oysters from Tasmania are particularly nutritious and clean, and are in demand worldwide. Four reasons why oysters are good for your health and fertility:

• Rich in zinc
• Antiviral protection
• Oysters support optimal skin health
• Oysters protect against iron overload

It’s Never Too Late to Learn: Adult Learners Week is 1st – 8th September. Millions of Australians struggle with basic literacy and numeracy skills. It’s estimated that around 44% of Australians don’t have the literacy skills needed to successfully navigate everyday life, i.e., tasks like reading food and medicine labels, filling in bank forms, applying for a driver’s licence and signing rental agreements. The last comprehensive study of literacy in Australia, conducted by the OECD in 2012 put the low literacy level figure at 3 million people, but no up-to-date data currently exists.

Adult Learners Week, which runs from 1 – 8 September. This year’s theme for Adult Learners Wee, “It’s Never Too Late” is a reminder that returning to learning at any age and stage can make a profound difference to one’s life.

HIA Welcomes National Skills Week Focus On Trades: Too often undertaking a trade is perceived as being a second-choice career for students who don’t receive a place into university or an ATAR. “This perception subscribed to by parents, schools and students, needs to change,” said Jocelyn Martin, HIA Deputy Managing Director – Industry and Policy.

A trade is not only a viable and meaningful career choice, it provides a launch pad to owning and running your own business with high career earning potential and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects.

In launching National Skills Week, Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor noted, “The current labour market is suffering significant skill shortages which has doubled in the last few years. Building trades in particular are facing significant skills shortages.”

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. 

Vale John Pizarro OAM: It is with a heavy heart that we report well known Parkes resident and widely celebrated karting legend, John Pizarro OAM, recently passed away. It is a great loss to both the Parkes community and to the sporting and Karting communities that have been grieving since the news was shared. Our condolences to John’s family and friends and colleagues.

Get Ready for Book Week: Book Week will be held 19th – 25th August and this year the theme is Read, Grow, Inspire. The Child Book Council Of Australia (CBCA) has been bringing children and books together across Australia through Children’s Book Week since 1945. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators.

Don’t Repeat Mistakes In Bush Push: According to research commissioned by NewsCorp Australia, more than three million people living in capital cities intend to move to a rural or regional area to escape soaring rents and constant congestion.

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs chair Deb Charlton said they were sometimes ill-equipped to handle an influx of new neighbours. “Smaller towns are already crying out for essential infrastructure and the people to deliver those services, and without a deliberate effort to address these shortfalls we risk making things worse.

Mrs Charlton said the remote working trend, which was accelerated by the pandemic, opened up a number of opportunities for people who no longer needed to be in ‘the rat race’. But if decision makers failed to adequately prepare country communities, they risked repeating big city mistakes.

Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society: The Parkes M&D society is applying for a grant to upgrade tech equipment (lighting/sound/staging) and need some letters of support. If you love what we do, please drop us a line telling us what our shows have meant to you, how much you enjoy them, and that you support us in our application. You can either email us at parkesmandd2870@gmail.com or post your thoughts on socials. The more feedback we receive showing support, the better chance we will have. 

Cracks in the Mirror was officially released for Australian and International licencing this week. The Society is excited to see where this locally grown production might go. To enquire about licencing or to request an information pack please email tandsproductions2870@gmail.com

It Is Nearly Show Time: Parkes Show will be held this year on the 28th, 29th and 30th August. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from 123TIX and the Show Office in Welcome St, Parkes.

Calling All Women In Regional Australia: Share your thoughts on Regional Women’s Menstrual Health in a four-minute survey. Too often menstrual health statistics are based on urban or city-centric experiences, which is why Modibodi has launched the Regional Australia Menstrual Health Survey to gather insights from people living outside of urban areas.

If you live in regional Australia, we welcome you to complete the Modibodi survey – Modibodi Regional Menstrual Health Survey. The survey runs until 13th August, participants will receive a code for 15% off their next Modibodi purchase*. Complete, share and promote this survey so we can make a difference for rural and regional Australian Communities.

Boys To The Bush: Staff are required in Forbes. Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm with the possibility of going full time, weekends if interested and casual shifts after hours/ overnight 5pm – 8.30am. Must have full drivers license, experience preferred working with Youth, WWCC and police check.Email Kristy Butler at kristy@boystothebush.org.au or call on 0499 445 093.

Forbes Preschool: The Yalbilinya Room helped celebrate 100 years of the Legacy Torch by watching the relay and cauldron lighting as it arrived at Club Forbes. The Yalbilinyas then continued their excursion with a picnic lunch in Victoria Park before returning to Preschool.

Forbes Men’s Shed Raffle Winners: The Forbes Men’s Shed wood raffle was drawn on Monday 10th July and was won by Wayne Lange. Mr Lange very graciously declined to accept the two tonnes of firewood worth $360/tonne. He asked the President of the Men’s Shed to arrange for another family to receive the prize. Men’s Shed President Jim Walklate first of all thanked Wayne for his generous decision and then approached ‘Vinnies’ to nominate three families to share in the firewood distribution, with delivery to be arranged.

Don’t Miss The Legacy Torch Relay In Forbes: Cheer on our torchbearers on Monday 31st July as they carry the flame honouring 100 years of Legacy. The relay starts from Rotary Peace Park in Hill Street at 11am, will make its way up to and around the CBD, finishing with the lighting of a cauldron and dedication of a plaque at Club Forbes.

Not Now Darling Double Pass Winner: We are pleased to announce that Kate Marchinton is this weeks winner of the final double pass to go and see the Parkes M&D’s latest production, Not Now Darling. Get your tickets now for final shows this weekend. Congratulations Kate!

Join The State Library’s Atlas Club: Do you know any budding young readers, writers or artists? The State Library of New South Wales has just launched a free after-school club for curious kids called Atlas. Atlas members meet online during school term from 4pm to 5pm for fun, interactive sessions led by Library educators, as well as special guest authors and illustrators. Members aged between 5 to 15 from NSW will get a bonus welcome pack full of goodies. Learn more and join the club: https://atlas.sl.nsw.gov.au/

Correction: We refer to an article that was published in the Forbes & Parkes Phoenix on 14th July 2023 titled ‘NAB An Integral Part Of Parkes’ History And Future’. The article suggests that Banjo Patterson’s grandfather opened the Parkes Branch. In fact it was Banjo Patterson’s uncle, Charles Barton who opened the branch.

Win Tickets to See FABBA: Enter our latest competition to win one of two double passes to see FABBA perform at the Parkes Services Club on Firday, 13th October. FABBA will take you on a musical journey when life was as good as an Abba song and the only way to travel was on the Priscilla Bus…with all the songs, costumes and comedy combined into one FABBA-ulous show! Refer to the ad on this page for entry details.

Local Support Shown For Matildas: Kristy Kennedy of Colouby Creations in Parkes took the time to decorate her shop front window in honour and support of the Matildas, Australian Women’s Soccer Team. The Matildas kicked off their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign this week. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Week One Winner Of The Not Now Darling Double Pass: After the new Parkes M&D production Not Now Darling had an amazing opening weekend, we are excited to announce the first winner of the two double passes available in our Phoenix giveaway. This weeks winner is Tina Morrison. Congratulations Tina and please let us all know how you enjoy the show. There is still time to enter for next weeks draw, so be sure to check out the details on page 7.

Concreting Course: TAFE NSW, Parkes Campus, have the following face to face opportunity coming up for SOA in Concreting. Learn how to safely handle concreting materials and components in preparation for concreting work. Safely select, use and maintain plant, tools and equipment used for concreting work. Sample and slump-test concrete to ensure the mix is workable and compliant. The course will be held at the Parkes TAFE campus on Monday and Tuesday each week for six consecutive weeks from 8:30am to 4:30pm, commencing Monday 31st July. The course is ully subsidised for eligible smart and skilled applicants. Register interest at https://bit.ly/SOAConcreting and the enrolment link will be sent to you as soon as it is live. For any questions, please contact Renae: renae.herft2@tafensw.edu.au or 0429 550 524.

Lower Speed Limits For Safer Trips Approaching Grenfell: The speed limits on a southern approach to Grenfell will be lowered for all vehicles to improve safety for road users and local residents. Transport for NSW conducted a speed zone review along a 1.78-kilometre section of Mary Gilmore Way following a request by a resident via Weddin Shire Council. The resident expressed concern that the 100 km/h speed limit along that section of Mary Gilmore Way was unsuitable for the increasing number of heavy vehicles approaching Grenfell from the south.

Two Pop-Up Women’s Health Clinics: Will be held at Flannery’s Pharmacy, 99/101 Rankin Street on 2nd and 8th August. Women are encouraged to book in to look after their health by calling 6852 1111.

Australian Red Cross Calls For Volunteers In NSW: The demand for Australian Red Cross emergency services is growing.

In New South Wales,1,200 Australian Red Cross emergency service volunteers play a critical role in supporting communities when disaster strikes, but more are needed. More than 3400 Australian Red Cross emergency services volunteers around the country who are vital in providing critical support to communities. Becoming an Australian Red Cross volunteers means joining a movement that has been responding to emergencies and providing humanitarian assistance in Australia since 1914. 

For more information contact nswemerencyservices@redcross.org.au or roles at www.redcross.org.au/volunteer

Australia To Strengthen Grip As The Largest Sheepmeat Exporter As Flock Reaches Highest Level Since 2007: Australia’s sheep flock and its breeding ewe numbers reached their highest levels since 2007 at 78.75 million and 46.14 million head respectively.

It comes following three consecutive years of above-average rainfall in Australia’s sheep regions, which has driven an exceptional recovery post-drought and translating into the growth of the flock. Lamb production is expected to reach 540,000 tonnes in 2023, still beating 2022’s record production of 534,500 tonnes.

Production will continue to increase in 2024 to 548,000 tonnes and then ease in 2025 to 537,000 tonnes after successive years of high mutton slaughter reducing lamb supply. Carcase weights in 2023 will remain 7% above the 10-year average. Lamb carcase weights are projected to ease to 24.7kg in 2023 and continue to decline to 24.2kg in 2025, while sheep carcase weights are expected to ease to 25.2kg in 2023, 3% higher than the 10-year average.

Matt Preston Launches Coles Secondbite Winter Appeal: Coles has launched its annual national winter appeal with Australia’s largest free food rescue organisation SecondBite, helping more than 1,100 community organisations across the country feed Aussies in need. 

In the past 12 months, Coles has donated over 17.7 million kilograms of unsold, edible food diverted from landfill, equivalent to 35 million meals. In addition to the 200 million meals donated since 2011, a further two million kilograms of food – enough for four million meals – has been donated to SecondBite from Coles distribution centres, including bulk donations to meet increased demand during the COVID pandemic. 

MeatUp In Cowra For Red Meat Update: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is encouraging producers to register for the MeatUp Forum in Cowra on Thursday 10 August 2023. The forum, to be held at the Cowra Civic Centre will include insights on MLA initiatives, grazing management, sheep and beef updates, carbon, a visit to the Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station and more. Pre-registration is essential, visit mla.com.au/meatup or phone Pinion Advisory on 1300 746 466. Tickets are $25 for MLA members and $50 for Non-members (GST inc). 

NSW Sport And Rec Active Kids Vouchers: July is here and that means there’s a new $50 Active Kids voucher available. The voucher is available to all NSW children aged 4.5 to 18 who are currently enrolled in school. The new Active Kids voucher will be valid until 31 January 2024, so you can use it to register the kids for a summer sport they love or try a new activity! Download yours now from the Service NSW website: www.service.nsw.gov.au/active-kids 

Creative Ways To Entertain Kids These Holidays: Arts OutWest, has developed a concise list of events, workshops, shows, exhibitions, tours and other activities for kids and families right across Central West NSW. Access the list at https://artsoutwest.org.au/whats-on/list/ 

Community groups and organisations are also encouraged to contact Arts OutWest to have their events added to the list if they aren’t mentioned. 

Looking for a Central West Road trip? Or a map to find museums and galleries? Eugowra, Cowra, Manildra, and Molong all have beautiful murals to look at. Another fun day trip is the Animals on Bikes from Molong to Dubbo, spotting the fun mailboxes and sculptures along the way. To download the culture maps for Central NSW go to: www.centralnsw.com/ 

Vote Now!: Voting is now open for the Essential Energy 2023 Community Choices program.There are several local community groups listed in the program. Vote now for a group making a difference in your community – your vote may help them receive a share of $250,000. Voting is super easy. Go online to www.essentialenergy.com.au/choices, search for your favourite group by name, postcode or zone and click vote. Voting closes midnight Monday, 17th July. 

Open Everyday Of School Holidays: The Aviation Museum at Parkes Airport has been steadily growing and are excited to announce two new additions, an ex RAN Grumman Tracker and an ex RAAF Macchi jet trainer to the line up and while they both are undergoing extensive restoration work they will be on display during the coming school holidays. 

The Museum has an extensive range of aircraft on display that you can visit on board and some you can even sit in the pilot’s seat. The Museum houses many aircraft that are significant to Australian aviation history. 

The Museum is located at Parkes Regional Airport and is open each and every day of the school holidays from 9.30am to 3.30pm, cost of entry for a family is only $30. For more information you can contact Mike De La Hunty on 0418 473 175 or follow HARS Parkes facebook page. 

Backpackers To Pack It In Over Labor Visa Hike: Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has slammed the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to hike the cost of a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa by $130 to $640 from 1st July and its plan to limit these visas to just one year. 

Mr McCormack said the price increase would now make it the highest fee visa of its kind in the world. 

Caravan And Camping Holidays Surge In Face Of Economic Uncertainty: Numbers for the March quarter showed a strong surge in travel numbers with people embarking on 4.5 million trips (up 24%) around our beautiful country with and 18 million nights (up 22%) spent caravanning and camping. That takes the annual rolling figure for trips to 15.5 million trips and 62.3 million nights and $11.2bn in visitor expenditure. 

Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO, Stuart Lamont, said: “seeing growth in the industry is always great to see, but in the face of uncertain economic times, these numbers demonstrate the everlasting strength of our customer offering and our immense value for money proposition.” 

“We’re continuing to see Australian’s love affair with their country grow, spending more and more time in our beautiful regional and rural towns. That makes the growth even more encouraging, knowing that 89% of these trips are being spent in areas needing the support” said Stuart.