Kyal Sauer, Jason Godden, Reuben Bondareff, Blake Huntly, Doug Pout, Jye Jeffery and Jarrod Simpson enjoying the water at the pool party for International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
Sarah Williams from Forbes Shire Council and Jake Lewis from About You, It’s Your Life at Forbes Olympic Pool for IDPwD.
Pat Caines: Joy to the World.
Kimberly Chadleigh: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Steve Hooper: Probably Jingle Bells.
Wiradjuri Cultural Rangers at Forbes taking part in the nation-wide dance for rain last Sunday. (Image: Peter White).
On Sunday at noon the ground shook under the feet of thousands of Indigenous people who united in dance for rain and healing, Australia-wide. In Forbes a crowd of approximately 50 people gathered at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre by Lake Forbes to support the dance and ceremony. Wiradjuri man Yarangirri Holmes was there to lead local Indigenous children in dance while elder and Director Aileen Allen carried out a private women’s ceremony with local Indigenous women.
Wiradjuri elder Aileen Allen explained how the collective stamping of feet is an ancient and deeply spiritual form of dance. The aim of the dance on Sunday was to “bring back the rains, to please mother Earth and to wake her up by bringing up the dust.” Thankfully mother nature listened, and the skies opened soon after, serving Forbes with 4.8mm of rain overnight.
The First Nations dance was the first coordinated nation-wide dance of its kind. Dance coordinators Gooreng Gooreng and Alwyn Doolan encouraged the live streaming of each ancestral dance online. Alwyn Doolan is known for walking more than 8,000km from Cape York to Canberra with detours through Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. The purpose of the walk was to carry a message of reconciliation to parliament that he had collected from 50 Indigenous nations.
With such success nation-wide, some have called for the dance to be held annually. Yarangirri Holmes of The River Spirit Cultural Arts supported the call saying, “It would be great to see events like this continue to take place. We had a great turnout with people travelling from as far as Orange and Narromine to be part of the dance and that’s what it is all about. Coming together, connecting and healing.” The Wiradjuri dancers in Forbes joined more than 100 nations who took part in the event on Sunday.
The Saturday Men’s competition, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by Knights Fabrications, was rocked by two tremendously low scores compiled by the winners of each Division. The field of 70 players did well across the board, but they could not match Peter Barnes or Adam Currey.
The Sunday Stableford Medley had most players out early. The winner was Josh Coulthurst with 42 points, ahead of Bruce Carpenter on 40 points. The ball sweep went to 36 points, giving Jacob Bernardi a ball.
Congratulations to Jenny Fletcher and Ash Tucker who won a Regional Final of the Golf NSW KENO 2-P Ambrose. Their victory, a 1⁄4 shot win, sends them to Bonville for the State Final, being played on December 9-10.
Some good events to start the celebrations for Christmas are coming up. The Tuesday Golfers have their Christmas Party on 10th December after the usual 12-hole run, at which all are welcome.
The Forbes Vets golfers have their Christmas Bash on Thursday, 12th December, with usual start at 9:30am. And on 19th December there is the Mid-Week Christmas Hamper Day, sponsored by Bernardi’s Marketplace. Be prepared for a 9:30am shotgun start.
By Short Putt
Finals Results
A high standard of netball was on display last Wednesday night, when the finals of the Forbes Netball Spring Night competitions were played in both ladies and mixed competitions.
Ladies competition: Hughes & Co defeated Chunky Pies 44-29.
Mixed competition: Gundamain Guns defeated RBCC 43-24.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the FNA will be held on Thursday February 20 2020 at 7 pm at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. Applications for Executive and committee positions close one month prior to AGM. All applications should be emailed to Secretary Melissa email secretary. forbesnetball@gmail.com
Autumn Night Competitions 2020
Entries for the FNA Autumn night competitions for both mixed and ladies’ teams close at the monthly meeting to be held immediately after the AGM. The competitions will run from February until June 2020. No competitions will be played during the school holidays.
The Annual Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival is a major fundraising event that provides a delightful way to start the Christmas season. It also allows local organisations, school groups, businesses and families to wish the people of Forbes a very happy Christmas. Entries for display will be taken from 8am on Friday, 6th December. Doors open at the Town Hall for viewing at 5pm on Friday with the official opening. The exhibition will be open 9am – 5pm on Saturday and 9am – 3pm on Sun- day.
Bedgerabong Public School students are passionate about sustainability.
Bedgerabong Public School has secured a grant towards building and sustaining a greener future as a recipient in the latest round of Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants.
The school was selected out of nearly 1,000 applicants in the national program, which launched last year and aims to in- spire students with hands-on environmental projects.
The Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program offers grants of up to $1,000 for Australian primary schools and early learn- ing centres across the country. The local grant will mean Bedgerabong Public School is now able to develop their proposed project, the ‘Waterwise Kitchen Garden’ which aims at creating sustainable food production within the school.
Woolworths Store Manager, Noel Reardon said, “We’re extremely proud of what this program has achieved to date and de- lighted that a local school has been recognised in the latest round of grants.”
Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish said, “Getting hands-on with environmental projects at this early stage in their development will help equip students with the ability, knowledge and resources to take meaningful action to protect our shared local and national biodiversity as they grow up.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing the project proposed by Bedgerabong Public School and interested locals can track their success via an interactive map at landcareaustralia.org.au.”
Building on the success of the program to date, Woolworths will be providing grants to an additional 600 schools, which then empowers 100,000 students nationally to make sustainable changes for their future during this second round of the program. Since June 2018, Woolworths has to date already contributed half a million dollars in Junior Landcare grants, funding projects for over 1,155 schools through the sale of ‘Bag for good’ across the country.
Forbes Town and District Band will be there to provide music to sing along to at the 50 year anniversary of Carols by Candlelight in Victoria Park.
Carol committee volunteers from the Forbes Town and District Band are excited to present a wonderful line-up of guest singers and musicians to perform in their 50 year anniversary of Carols by Candlelight. The fun filled event will be held in Victoria Park on Saturday, 14th December from 6pm, with Carols commencing at 8pm and continuing until late.
With the support of Forbes Shire Council, this year aims to be more inclusive for families by including crafts and activities for children as well as a visit from Santa. The sound system has been improved to ensure that attendees can spread throughout the park without compromising on sound quality and this year will also include the large screen with lyrics.
Glow candles and light up headbands will be available again this year and there will be plenty of fantastic food on offer.
The committee regrets the clash of dates with other community events, it is unfortunate that there are families who won’t be able to make it and the committee understands that it is a busy time of year. However, residents of Forbes are urged to come along and support this night which promises to be bigger and better than ever before. In the case of wet weather, the Carols will be held in the town Hall which has been done successfully before.
Brodie Hodges, Todd Callaghan, Ben Robinson, Dan Bayley with Head Pro Ben Gear, won the VW last week.
Last weekend was the Annual Deacon Dwyer Day, a 4BBB Stableford Medley, sponsored by Rod Besgrove, with 36 pairs contesting. The winners were Nick Ryan and Jonathan Cutler who did well to finish with 48 points, which included a 5-pointer ‘eagle’ on the 15th hole. Runners-up were Hamish and Kate Steel-Park.
The ball sweep went to 43 points on count back, going to: 48 – N Ryan/ J Cutler; 47 – K & H Steele-Park; 46 – A Callaghan/G Newport; 45 – P Pymont/F Donohoe; 44 – P Duke/L O’Connor, N & C Duncan, P Tis- dell/ J Zannes, C Alley/A Alley, N McMillan/ B Carpenter; 43 – G Webb/D McAuliffe, G Collits/ K Sanderson.
The NTP’s for the men went to; 9th – W Judge; 18th – H Steele-Park.
While it is early days yet, players are asked to consider their availability for the Central West Districts Golf Association Pennant series for 2020. This usually commences in early February. Depending on overall numbers of the Clubs who nominate teams in the Four Divisions, there are usually five competition rounds, one Bye and then a two week Finals series. We especially need players in the Division 4 Handicap bracket (above GA 17.5). Please let the Club Captain know.
Looking ahead we have an 18 Hole Stroke, sponsored by Knights Fabrications on Saturday, 30th November, with a Stableford Medley on Sunday, 1st December. Then the following weekend we have the Monthly Medal, on 7th December and on Sunday, 8th December we have the Stableford Medley.
I also have prior notice of an event on Thursday, 19th December, a mid-week Christmas hamper supported by Bernardi Family Supermarket in association with Forbes Veteran Golfers. All welcome, ladies included. We play 12 holes, in two grades with handicap, nominations from 9am for shotgun start at 9.30am.
By Short Putt
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have been living and working in Forbes for three years now. I love Forbes for how friendly and welcoming everyone has been.
Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I am currently the Pharmacist in charge at Life Pharmacy next to Bernardi’s. I have been here for five months and previous to that I was working at Flannery’s Pharmacy. I enjoy the positive and professional culture the two pharmacies exhibit and the focus on improving the Forbes community’s health outcomes.
What do you do to unwind after work on weekends? I enjoy a few beers with my twin brother Tom from Orange, he’s always a laugh! And I also enjoy spending time with my family from Batemans Bay and Nyngan.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? To cure cancer, it has such a devastating effect on our community, working in health I see the burden and impact this causes our patients, families and friends.
Tell us about your best holiday ever? In January this year I went to Whistler with my girlfriend Britt and her family. The snow was fantastic, and it was enjoyable to see some of Canada – and to get away from Forbes’ heat.
What makes your day? When patients come in and give feedback on the treatment we have recommended to them. Most of the time it’s positive so we have helped their health outcomes. Other times it wasn’t so successful so we try another treatment option. Also, I love a joke of the day so if anyone is willing to share, come on in!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I have my pilot’s license and love to go flying. I’ve been flying since I was 15, before I could legally drive.