Parkes Phoenix Editor

Iconic Australian eats with an Indigenous twist will be the inspiration behind the Grazing Down The Lachlan menu in 2019, with renowned Sydney chef O Tama Carey this year’s Creative Director.

The annual foodie adventure will make its return to Forbes on Saturday, 21st September.

Now in its third year, O Tama is set to deliver an exciting, fresh take on Grazing’s successful long lunch format, which attracted over 800 people to town in 2018.

Described as “one of Australia’s most intriguing chefs”, O Tama opened her highly anticipated hopper restaurant, Lankan Filling Station in Darlinghurst last year after years of pop-ups and market appearances.

O Tama’s first solo venture has certainly lived up to the hype – awarded a chef’s hat in The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide 2019 after only four months trading.

So, what can Grazers expect in 2019? “Dishes that are tasty, familiar yet with a twist and which hopefully they can giggle at a little too”, O Tama hinted.

“I’m approaching the food like I would a menu in a restaurant, giving a balance of flavours to create something that’s appropriate for the setting, using local produce and native ingredients. This year, I’ll also be loosely basing some of the dishes around slightly daggy Australiana from my youth.”

Set alongside the picturesque Lachlan River, guests are free to wander along the designated corridor of the nine-mile reserve between seven stations offering delicious food with a matched beverage.

The ‘Meet Your Makers’ Q&A has been revamped, finding its new home at SYLO for 2019. Held on the Friday (20th September) evening before Grazing, the Q&A provides guests with the opportunity to hear from the Creative Director and some of the local producers behind the event.

The NSW Government is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion. More than $300 million has been awarded to over 13,800 projects through the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program since 2009.

In 2019, there is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each electorate. Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $300,000. As a guide, the average grant awarded is around $20,000.

“I have had the pleasure of announcing many CBP grants successfully applied for throughout the Orange electorate which benefit many people throughout our communities.

I would encourage your club, group or organisation to apply,” said Phil Donato, Member for Orange.

Eligible projects will be assessed against four equally weighted program criteria:

• Enhancing facilities: the project develops a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community through the enhancement or construction of community infrastructure.
• Meeting community needs: the project supports activities and services needed by local communities.
• Increasing community participation: the project encourages participation in activities or services needed by a broad section of the community.
• The organisation’s capacity: the applicant has the capacity to deliver the project on time and within scope.

Applications are now open and close on 27th September at 5pm. The announcement of successful projects will take place in late March 2020. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projectsand-initiatives/community-building-partnership/

The 144th Annual Forbes Show was a huge success last weekend despite the four seasons of weather experienced during the Show. The weather certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of show goers who filed in the gates from Friday morning.

The Forbes North Public School Dance troupe enjoyed dancing in the sunshine entertaining their parents and many show goers.

This year the show celebrated its 56th year of the Showgirl Competition. Molly Fuge, a local farmer who works at Lawson Grains was sashed Miss Forbes Showgirl for 2019, taking over from Sally Downie who was the Showgirl for 2018.

“By being a part of the Showgirl Competition, I hope to improve my confidence, develop friendships and gain experiences from new challenges,” said Molly.

The show pavilion was packed to the brim with fruit and vegetable entries from locals throughout the shire, with entries for 2019 up in the lego and preserves sections.

The home baked goods in the cake section looked delectable too.

The 2019 Farmers Challenge was a spectacle to watch with participants showing off their skills by rolling up a swag, eating a spoonful of vegemite, tossing a boot and guiding calves around.

The fireworks on Friday night did not disappoint either filling the Forbes sky.

The 145th Forbes Show will be back in 2020 on Friday 11th September and Saturday 12th September.

Guitarists, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation having developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with
the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.

The Grigoryan Brothers will visit Forbes Town Hall on Friday 27th September to perform.

Between them, they have received 4 ARIA awards and an incredible 24 ARIA Award nominations. As a duo they have recorded 14 albums.

They have been touring internationally since 2003, regularly performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA, Brazil, South Africa, India and the Middle East.

Their diverse repertoire continues to present new opportunities for performances in traditional and unconventional settings, from projects with orchestras to duo performances in iconic venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, the Sydney Opera House and Beacon Theatre in New York.

To purchase a ticket head to www.trybooking.com/BDSJM