Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 22 of 52

Forbes Christmas Promotion And Christmas Carnival Will Bring Fun, Laughter And Happiness To All

November 16, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Trees are out. Each participating business will have a wonderful timberChristmas Tree out the front of their business or close to their front door.

Aaron Acheson said “We are so pleased to be able to offer $20,000 in prizes this year. It has been a tough year so the Forbes Business Chamber is delighted to have kept the draws to encourage local shopping”.

The draws began on November 13th.“All you need to do is scan the QR Code in store and fill in the details. If you don’t have a phone each store will have a manual sheet. We want to make sure that everyone has a fair turn,” said Aaron Acheson. $500 draws will be held on Thursday afternoons on the 16, 23 and 30th November, 7, 14 and 21 December. 5 x $500 draws will take place at the AMAZING Forbes Christmas Carnival on the 8 December. The remaining draws for the 23 December are 6 x $500, 1 x $1500, 2 x $2500 and 1 x $5000 giving a total funding pool of $20000.

Participating businesses offering support for the Find It In AMAZING Forbes This Christmas. The businesses Acheson’s Mitre 10, AgriWest, Allure On Main, Bernardis, Blue Sky Outdoors, Blush Organic Beauty, Bowns Sports Power, Cahills Footwear Forbes, Chapter Two Boutique, C&D Floorcovering, Euphoria Road, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Forbes Automotive Services and ARB, Forbes Business Chamber Inc., Forbes Central Butchery, Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Small Engines, Graces Hair Studio, Gunns Menswear and Embroidery, HozPots Garden Centre, Isabel’s Café, Jessica’s Beauty, Life Pharmacy, Little Extras Lifestyle, Loomzys FishNFix, News On Rankin, MD Steel, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Robbs Jewellers, Steel Technology, Terry Bros Carpet Court, The Bakehouse, The Book Dispensary, Turners Furniture One, Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie and WA Knights Cranes, Walkers AgNVet.

BIG W Giving Tree Returns

November 16, 2023 By Roxane Manley

BIG W’s annual Giving Tree has returned to stores, inviting customers to share in the true spirit of Christmas and support families needing a little extra support this year.

From now until Christmas Eve, customers can place an unwrapped gift under the Giving Tree at their local BIG W, helping to bring joy to families in their local community who need it most.

BIG W has partnered with Good360 Australia to match all 177 stores with a local charity. This year the Giving Tree will support 106 organisations across Australia, including women’s shelters, youth centres, homeless shelters and children in hospital.

Good360 Australia has been a charity partner of BIG W since 2017, helping to match surplus goods to local families in need, essential goods to disaster-affected communities, and special gifts to vulnerable people during important celebrations such as Christmas, providing hope.

In 2022, the Giving Tree initiative saw BIG W customers and staff collect and distribute over 10,000 gifts nationwide. For more information, visit www.bigw.com.au

Call To Action: ACCC Must Investigate Supermarket Meat Prices

November 16, 2023 By Roxane Manley

IMAGE: Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud pictured at rams sales.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is calling on Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to investigate supermarket meat sale prices.

Mr Littleproud said Treasurer Chalmers and Minister Watt must urgently direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to hold a price inquiry.

“According to Meat and Livestock Australia, some sheep and lamb categories have fallen by up to 70 per cent in the saleyards in the last 12 months,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Lamb prices have drastically reduced and cattle prices have fallen by about 60 per cent. Yet families at the supermarkets have barely noticed a difference in prices.”

While a farmer’s payment for cattle (eastern young cattle indicator) has fallen from $10.21 per kilo to just $3.65 per kilo over the past 12 months, at the supermarket it still costs around $36 per kilo for grass-fed rump steak, $25 per kilo for beef rump roast and $19 for a kilo of grass-fed beef mince.

A farmer’s payment for lamb (national trade price) has fallen from $8.39 per kilo to $4.82 per kilo, yet families at the supermarket are paying $27 for a kilo of grass-fed graze lamb boneless shoulder roast, $18 for one kilo of lamb loin chops and $8 per kilo of lamb leg roast.

A competition task force recently established by Labor, to conduct a review of competition policy settings over a two-year period, failed to provide the urgent response that families and farmers required.

“This is impacting family budgets right now. It needs an urgent response because families and farmers can’t afford to wait potentially two years for answers.

“Many families are struggling to afford their grocery bill each week so it’s important the government acts swiftly to ensure there’s transparency in meat prices.”

Free Online Child Car Seat Safety Workshops

November 9, 2023 By Roxane Manley

IMAGE: The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW West Region.

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held to provide important safety information about child car seats.

The workshops will be held via MS Teams, Wednesday 22 November at 10am and again at 7pm.

The Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjustment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for secondhand car seats and much more”.

“It will be a great refresher for grandparents, as child car seats and the rules have changed a lot since they had their children, but also for parents and carers as they are navigating their way through their child or children’s growth”.

“The results of our local checking day events show that around 80% of the child car seats that were checked were incorrectly installed. Transport for NSW research shows that children who are not restrained correctly are seven times more likely to sustain life- threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured. It is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe” Ms Suitor said.

These online workshops were the first of their kind when they were trialed in May 2023.

“There were almost 20 families that took part in the May workshops. Participants rated the workshop 4.75 out of 5, said they would be very likely to recommend it to a friend or family member and were glad they had attended” Ms Suitor said.

To book your place use this link: https:// bit.ly/NovemberWorkshops2023 or call on (02) 6861 2364.

Free Meal

November 2, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Monthly Monday Meal being enjoyed at the Uniting Church Parkes

The Parkes Uniting Church has been providing a free meal to the community of Parkes for over six years. On the first Monday of every month the church sees between 35 – 50 people come through its doors to enjoy a fresh home cooked 2 course delicious meal.

Doors open at 5.45pm and the meal is served at 6pm all year round. So if you would like some company or meet new people, or have trouble making ends meet or just want a night off from the kitchen, a beautiful meal awaits you. Just turn up.

A team of approx. 12 people including church members plus a few members from the community are on a roster each month and provide a very warm and welcoming atmosphere.

It is this church’s mission to reach out to the local community and try to be there in time of need.

The following is some feedback which has come from those who support the dinner. Some of whom have been attending since the very first dinner.

MMM Guests share the following thoughts about the meal they enjoyed on the 2nd of October

“Always beautiful meals and good service”, “A great service here giving some of us local battlers a cooked delicious meal then a nice bowl of dessert. Finished off with a coffee or tea. Always very pleasant staff here”, “We have been here every month since it has started, except when they stopped for covid. The meals are fantastic and very delicious every time.

We are very appreciative of the efforts given by the helpers for our monthly meals which are always delicious.”

Insurers To Visit Central West NSW As 90 Percent Of Claims Closed

November 2, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will be in Parkes and Eugowra in November to assist insurance customers with their claims following last year’s floods.

More than 90 per cent of all claims from the November 2022 flood event are now closed, with insurers actively working through remaining claims.

This will be the fourth community consultation held in the region by the ICA and insurers since the floods that devastated the community almost one year ago, causing $246 million worth of insured damage.

The in-person meetings are an opportunity for customers to discuss their claim directly with their insurer at a time that suits.

Event details:

• Tuesday, 7 November 2023 – Venue Parkes Services Club, Address 9/17 Short St, Parkes. Time 10.00am to 6.00pm

• Wednesday, 8 November 2023 – VenueEugowra Community Bowls & Recreation Club, Address 5 Hill St, Eugowra. 10.00am to 6.00pm

Policy holders from surrounding areas are also encouraged to book an appointment. To check appointment availability and to book go to www.insurancecouncil.com.au/Bookings

Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall said that “The severity of the floods in Central West New South Wales is evident in the scale of damage caused and the ongoing effects on impacted communities one year on”.

Students Encouraged To Enter Christmas Card Design

November 2, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Last years third place winner

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is encouraging Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students to enter his 10th annual Christmas Card Design competition.

Mr McCormack said the theme for this year’s competition was “Christmas in My Back Yard”. “Christmas is always a busy time for everyone, but it is important to remember the reason for the season and to try to look at what this time of the year looks like through the eyes of a child,” Mr McCormack said.

“I encourage school students in the Riverina and Central West to create a scene depicting a quintessential country Christmas in a rural back yard. “A regional Australian Christmas is unique – it can involve a casual barbecue in the back yard, a camping trip to one of our many beautiful waterways or fully embracing the

traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.”

The design judged as the winner will feature on the front of Mr McCormack’s 2023 Christmas card. Second and third place will appear on the back of the card.

“The three winning entries will receive book prizes and every student who submits a design will receive a keepsake participation certificate,” Mr McCormack said. “More than 1,300 entries were received in last year’s competition, with last year’s winning design being a Christmas koala enjoying a day on the water. “The Christmas cards will be sent to community members and prominent political figures.”

Mr McCormack has sent letters and entry forms to Primary schools across the Riverina electorate inviting students to enter the competition.

This year’s competition closes on Friday 10 November 2023 and is open to Kindergarten,Year 1 and Year 2 students in the Riverina electorate. Completed entry forms can be sent via email, michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au or can be delivered toMcCormack’s Parkes office.

Karen Ritchie’s First Solo Exhibition – Natural Connections

October 26, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is artist Karen Ritchie setting up in the Coventry room ahead of Opening night which is this evening at 6pm.

Karen Ritchie is an artist who has lived in Parkes for over 30 years. Karen had always been interested in art and went to TAFE to study art and started exhibiting and selling her art before full time work and family life got in the way.

But since retiring a couple of years ago Karen has happily returned to her passion.

“Council has been very supportive of local artists and provided me with an opportunity to have my first solo exhibition, so I’m really thrilled” said Karen.

Opening night of Karen’s exhibition of paintings kicks off at 6pm in the Coventry room. $10 entry payable at door.

RSVP via Parkes Library 6861 2309. The exhibition closes on 12th November with free entry for everyone after opening night. The exhibition will be open during library hours and Karen herself may be in attendance on weekends between the hours of 1 0am – 2pm. All the exhibited works are also available for purchase

Karen went on to say “My work is inspired by the local environment, I’m happiest painting landscapes, florals or animals. I called the exhibition Natural Connections to highlight our relationship with nature and our need to have that as a focus”.

Happy 100th Dorothy

October 26, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Dorothy Breraton, who is a resident of Southern Cross Village in Parkes, just recently celebrated her 100th birthday. It was quite a special occasion indeed. The Central West Car Club donated their time to pick Dorothy up in one of their classic cars and took her for a drive around town before heading up to Spicer Caravan Park where Dorothy had no idea her family had travelled from Canberra to celebrate her birthday with her.

Dorothy was living on the Central Coast but faced some health difficulties and was no longer able to live unaided, Dorothy’s son Malcom lives in Yeoval and so when he needed to help her find a suitable living situation for his mother he was happy to find Southern Cross Village as an option. Dorothy has been in Parkes now for three years and she is a much loved resident at Southern Cross Village, the staff and residents were excited to help make Dorothy’s day special.

The Birthday girl Dorothy Breraton Pictured with her son Malcom Brereton.

Dorothy pictured with her letter from King Charles. She received seven other letters from other dignitaries

1000 Years Of Music: Luminescence Chamber Singers To Tour Central West

October 19, 2023 By Roxane Manley

A six-piece ensemble, Luminescence champions the unbound expressive potential of our original instrument – the human voice. Photo Credit Hilary Wardhaugh.

Following a successful 2022 tour with Omega Ensemble, Music in the Regions returns to NSW’s Central West and Orana regions, featuring vocal ensemble Luminescence.

Since 2015, Luminescence has performed extensively in Canberra and the surrounding regions, presenting an annual concert program as well as appearing for a range of festivals, collaborations, and special events. Performance highlights have included appearances at the Sydney Opera House (2023), the National Museum of Australia (2022), and the National Gallery of Australia (2023), as well as appearances for the Enlighten Festival (2018), Four Winds Festival (Bermagui, 2019; 2020; 2022), and the Bowral Autumn Music Festival (2023).

Since 2017, Luminescence has appeared annually at the Canberra International Music Festival, and performing in more than 20 festival programs alongside many of Australia’s finest musicians.

Recent accolades have included a 2022 Canberra Critics Circle Award for Ave Regina: God Be With The Mother, a 2022 CAPO Award, and a 2022 ABC Classic FM Commission. In Drawing Breath Luminescence Chamber Singers explore first breaths, last breaths, and music as diverse as the vast compass of human life and feeling in between: from Machaut and Gesualdo, to Pink Floyd, and newly commissioned works by Australian composers Brenda Gifford, Connor D’Netto, and Dan Walker.

Luminescence will perform Drawing Breath at:

Condobolin, Saturday 4 November 4pm, at the Condobolin Community Centre inpartnership with the Lachlan Arts Council

Forbes, Sunday 5 November 3pm, at,and in partnership with, Club Forbes

For more information and to book yourtickets please visit www.musicintheregions.com. Tickets are free for under 18s.

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