Three hockey players will wave the flag for Parkes in Spain next year when they play for Australia at the Masters Hockey World Cup in Terrassa and Barcelona. Maureen Massey, Graeme Tanswell and Sharon Dixon were selected for three Australian teams recently.

Sharon Dixon will be the physiotherapist for the Australian men’s over 40’s team. Sharon has represented Australia seven times before in this capacity. Graeme Tanswell was selected in the Australian men’s over 50’s team. He played in the NSW over 45’s team at the Australian Championships in Hobart where they won the bronze medal. This will be the second time Graeme has represented Australia in men’s master’s hockey.

Maureen Massey is a real veteran when it comes to masters hockey. She was selected in the Australian women’s over 60’s team after playing in the NSW over 65’s team at the Australian Championships in Newcastle recently. Her team was undefeated throughout the tournament and won the gold medal after defeating Western Australia eight goals to nil in the final.

This will be Maureen’s sixth time to represented Australia, only returning from the UK earlier this year playing goalkeeper for the Australian women’s over 60’s team. The team played a number of games against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Maureen, who retired from hockey when she was 50 but was convinced by her daughters to play again, will be taking part in her third World Cup event. “It is hard work to keep up my fitness, but I would not do it if I did not enjoy it,” said Maureen.

By Maggi Barnard

Regatta season began earlier than usual for a keen group of 13 Lachlan Dragons who travelled to Victoria at the weekend seeking a race. Although this venue is not usually on the calendar for Forbes, Regatta Coordinator Deb Abela, worked hard to get a team together for this early start. “It was a great way to kick off the season,” said Forbes Dragon Boat Club President, Bill Thomas, “with lots of fun and camaraderie, as well as some serious racing.”

Carmen Stephens, Lachlan Dragons’ Head Coach, was very pleased with the effort of the group. The Albury-Wodonga regatta will put the Lachlan Dragons in a very good position for racing at the upcoming Western Region Regatta at Lake Canobolas early in November. Nominations for community teams are still being taken for this regatta.

So if you’d like something special for your workplace to be involved in, call Bill or Beth Thomas on 0418 253 045 to get trained up for the day.

If you’d like to know more about dragon boating or about the Forbes club, find us on Facebook or on www.forbesdragonboat.org.

By Beth Thomas

As the warmer weather approaches it’s a great time of year to be playing tennis. This week a new group of budding stars were in action on Wednesday at the start of the inaugural ANZHotShots red ball competition. Almost 30 contenders hit the courts with an abundance of enthusiasm along with mild trepidation, but after their half hour of
play they were all smiles.

With the assistance of Parkes junior squad members who were on hand to help the next generation start their tennis journey, the youngsters concentrated hard to direct their serves cross court and tried their best to comprehend the tennis scoring system.

There were plenty of rallies with most of the players running around to hit their preferred forehands in fear of a wayward backhand stroke, but all displayed their eagerness to return next week for more HotShots match play.
The competition will run for another six weeks.

By Helen Magill

After a four-year hiatus, the popular GP Cup will make a return to Parkes on Saturday, 28th October. Teams of 10 will compete in soccer, netball, touch football and a mystery event over the course of the action-packed day at McGlynn Park.

Prizes will be awarded to the winning team, as well as the best dressed team.

Team nominations are now open, with proceeds from the $1,000 team entry fee donated towards the GP Working Group. Download a nomination pack via Council’s website.

Traditionally, the event raised funds to address the district shortage of general practitioners. Parkes has been fortunate with an increasing number of GPs relocating to the region with a current workforce of 21 doctors. This year the GP Cup will address the growing need for GP proceduralists in the community. Parkes Shire Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Steve Campbell said:

“Parkes, like many other rural communities across Australia, is in a position where the GP proceduralist workforce is ageing.” GP proceduralists provide a unique service delivering procedural services in hospitals usually in obstetrics, surgery and anaesthetics, in addition to providing general practice services.

The GP Cup is proudly presented by the Parkes GP Working Group and supported by CMOC Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council.

Registrations for the Parkes Swimming Club is open tomorrow at the Parkes Swimming Pool from 10am to 12pm.

The fee is $108 per person, and includes free daily coaching from fully qualified swimming teachers and insurance.

You can register if you are able to swim 25m in freestyle. Coaches will be available if you are unsure of your child’s ability.

President of Parkes Swimming Club TeAnau Dolbel said: “Swimming is a great way to stay in shape, keep fit and healthy. The benefits of swimming can carry throughout life.”