Henry Mattiske caught a Mahi Mahi fish off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii during February.
Our Gal -Kate Ralph
How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? This is my eighth year in Forbes after I moved here from Newcastle in 2011. I love being involved in the community and the friendships and connections I have made.
Where do you work or what do you currently do? I work at Red Bend Catholic College as a visual arts and dance teacher. I also started my own business last year, Elevate Dance Studio.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? The lake is my favourite place in Forbes, so beautiful and peaceful. I love going for walks with friends, enjoying the yummy Sweet Three waffles or riding my bike around.
What makes you proud? I’m so proud of all the students I teach. I’m also proud of my business. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to have my own dance studio and I’m finally making it happen.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? Probably a dolphin because I’m from the beach and might have been a mermaid in a previous life.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Centre Stage! I love it because of the determination and passion the dancers in the movie have. Truly inspiring!
Tell us about your best holiday. I went to Europe in 2015 to study at the Royal Academy of Dance. That was such an amazing experience. I was in so much awe to be there! On that trip I spent the days studying and dancing and then cramming in as many tourist adventures as I could!
Catholic Schools Week – 3-9 March 2019
Red Bend Catholic College
Red Bend Catholic College is a co-educational day and boarding school situated in Forbes. Red Bend has a proud heritage. Prior to 1977, the Catholic education of students in this region was provided by three secondary schools; Our Lady of Mercy College, Forbes; Our Lady of Mercy High School, Parkes; and Marist Brothers’ College, Forbes.
In February 1977, these three schools combined to form one co-educational high school, with the name of Red Bend Catholic College. Since that time, the college has expanded in numbers, in teaching areas and in facilities. The boarding residences, the swimming pool, the Multi-Purpose Hall and Performing Arts Centre, and the Design and Technology Centre have complemented the strong characteristic features of the main college building.
These days the College educates 740 students and offers 150 boarding places.
Red Bend Catholic College will hold their annual Open Day on Sunday, 10th March from 10am to 1pm. Guided tours will be running on the day. For more information call 6852 2000.
Diocese Celebrates Catholic Schools Week
Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese invites everyone to see first-hand the many good things happening in their 18 parish schools during Catholic Schools Week from the 3rd to 10th March. ‘Seeking the True, the Beautiful and the Good’ is the theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week and Director of Mission and Religious Education, Dr Gerard O’Shea explains the meaning behind the tagline.
“Any sound education must pay close attention to the needs of the person being educated. Since the time of Plato and Aristotle, the consensus about the deepest desire of the human heart – the search for the True, the Beautiful and the Good. The integrated pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness underpins everything of value that our school system offers,” said Gerard.
He said that those who work in Catholic schools, whether or not they belong to the Catholic faith, share this perspective in virtue of their common humanity. “In presenting the religious dimension of a Catholic school, there are further dimensions to be added. Truth will lead us to a truth beyond our intellectual capabilities – faith. Beauty will be perfected by the incomparable harmony and perfection to be found in God – it is the wellspring of hope. Human goodness will be enabled by God to go beyond itself to the most perfect kind of supernatural love,” he said.
Director of Catholic Education, Anthony Gordon said, “Catholic Schools Week is one of the most exciting weeks of the year. Our schools share with their local communities the wonderful learning that is taking place. It is also an opportunity for the community to see the strong values that are offered to each student in a Catholic school.”
“Our dedicated teachers have the opportunity of demonstrating that the best contemporary teaching that personalises learning for each of our students is occurring in our classrooms. The use of technology to assist student learning is also a feature of our schools with every student having access to a Chromebook.”
“Our schools are looking forward to welcoming as many visitors as possible next week and I encourage all parents, grandparents and members of the community to see all the good things happening in their local Catholic school,” said Anthony.
Forbes Agricultural Strategy First Of Its Kind
Farmers in the Forbes community will benefit from the launch of an Agricultural Strategy made possible through $70,000 funding received in round one of the Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream.
Forbes Shire Council is the first Local Government in NSW to launch an agricultural strategy, which was unveiled at the Central West Livestock Exchange on Monday.
In 2017 Forbes Shire Council identified the need for a strategy to manage how the shire moves forward in the Agricultural sector.
The Forbes Shire Council Local Government Area is one of the most productive agricultural areas in NSW, with the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector our largest industry in terms of output, valued at $183 million and provides approximately 18 percent of the local employment opportunities.
Forbes Shire Council engaged the services of professional service company GHD to work with local producers and key stakeholders in the rural industry to develop a long-term strategy to grow agriculture in the region.
Attending the launch was Riverina MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack whom secured the funding through round one of the Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream. He commended the milestone event.
“Our farmers are the best environmentalists in the world, make no mistake about it,” said Michael. “Today’s launch of the Forbes Agricultural Strategy is an important step to tackle a number of important opportunities and challenges which face the rural community.
I commend Forbes Council for taking the initiative to organise this important guideline which was made possible through this Federal funding.”
The Agriculture Strategy covers many sectors in the industry, including all livestock, dairy, hemp, forestry, horticulture and agritourism.
“It also focuses on other challenges,” said Mayor of Forbes Shire Council, Phyllis Miller.
“The Strategy is multi-faceted in its approach; considering land-use planning, land capability and water availability.”
“Supply chain impediments need to be removed to increase productivity. Transport infrastructures including commodity routes are among the key areas we need to look at in the near future,” said Phyllis.
The Strategy also addresses the fact that Inland Rail will open up access to other ports for the Agriculture industry in the Forbes District with direct access to Brisbane and Melbourne via rail.
“The Central West Livestock Exchange has enjoyed ongoing capital improvements recently. The $3.9 million extension of the cattle yards, B-Double and road train parking areas make the facility one of the largest modern selling centres in NSW,” said Phyllis.
“Continued focus on improving efficiency and profitability will ensure maximum returns in the future. This is all part of the strategy.”
MAYORAL NOTES
This week started off with a bang with our local federal member and Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack arriving in town to launch our 2018-2030 Agricultural Strategy at the Central West Livestock Exchange. We received funding from the Australian Government to undertake this important study. It has a lot of interesting data and we are hoping to find opportunities for value-adding to our products produced here and grow our agricultural industries.
One of the interesting pieces of data to be found in the report is the total outputs generated by the Forbes economy. In 2017 this was an estimated $1.188 billion representing 4.94 percent of the total output in the Central West RDA region. This is something to be very proud of and a statistic we would like to improve on.
Deputy Premier Hon John Barilaro was also in town this week to announce the three new Doppler radars that will be installed in the region to help farmers make better decisions about upcoming weather events. It will be a very useful tool, especially for those in cropping. The information obtained will also help predict severe weather conditions that may affect our area like fires and flooding.
The draft concept plan for Lions Park will be on exhibition until the 19th March. Council has received funds to make beneficial changes to the park. Most importantly we would love your input, so please take a look and drop us a line with your thoughts.
God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller
Change Starts With You
Clean Up Australia Day registrations are now open, so challenge your friends and family to make 2019 the year when, ‘Change Starts with You’. Forbes residents can register to take part in this great event on Sunday, 3rd March. Registration takes place at 8:30am in Victoria Park where participants will receive their clean up kits, some cold refreshments and teams are then sent off to the designated registered sites around Forbes.
Participating in these events is the perfect opportunity to join with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to remove all the rubbish accumulating in your local park, bushland, beaches and waterways before it kills our wildlife. Online registrations are free and now open at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.
Urging individuals and groups to continue the impetus that Clean Up founder, Ian Kiernan AO created, Terrie-Ann Johnson, Managing Director of Clean Up Australia, is keen to remind us that every Clean Up volunteer is Ian’s successor – and that, like Ian, ‘Change Starts with You.’
“Clean Up Australia Day is the nation’s largest community mobilisation event and 2019 is the perfect time to band together in Ian’s honour, celebrate what has been achieved, show your support for his vision and continue his dream to Clean Up Australia,” said Terrie-Ann.
“Ian firmly believed that every single one of us can and should make a difference.
Volunteer action was his amazingly simple idea, his dream and his inspiration.
“There are so many actions every one of us can take. So why not book-mark today in your journey and join us for a 2019 Clean Up.”
If picking up Rubbish is not your thing, you can still be involved by making a donation.
Forbes Junior Cricket Scores
Results of games played 16th February
Under 17’: Bayliss 3/132 of 24 over’s (Frankland Ross 41, Hunter Hawke 59 no, Harry Bayliss 13 no, Royce Simpson 1/16 off 3 over’s, Brody Clarke 1/21 off 4 over’s) versus Hawkes 6/76 off 16 over’s (Hudson Hawke 21, Abi Simpson 12, Harry Bayliss 3/8 off 2.1 over’s, Tyler Yeo 2/17 off 3 over’s).
Under 14’s: Parkes Sixes 7/77 off 22 over’s (Ryan Dunford 26 no and 1/8 off 3 over’s, Ewan Moody 11, Caleb Crisp 7 no and 1/2 off 2 over’s) defeated Forbes Livestock 7/73 off 22 over’s (Joe Morrison 16, Bradman Hardy 11 retired and 1/3 off 2 over’s, Henry Hodges 9 retired and 1/4 off 2 over’s).
Bernardis IGA 4/96 (Amy Maslin 18 retired, Brad Mattiske 13 retired, Will Mayo 2/4, Thomas Brindle 2/4) defeated Parkes Thunder 9/91 (Geordie Duncan 26 no, Tristan Ross 7, Maddy Spence 1/5 off 2 over’s, Joseph Tanswell 1/5 off 2 over’s).
Under 12’s: Parkes Scorchers 1/85 in 20 over’s (Thomas Ball 13 retired, Harry Yelland 10 retired and 1/7 off 3 over’s, Ollie Westcott 1/4 off 3 over’s) defeated Parkes Renegades 2/79 off 20 over’s (Matt Skinner 10 retired, Ellen Dobell 5 retired and 1/14 off 3 over’s, Holly Duncan 0/8 off 3 over’s).
Forbes Sportspower 109 (Tom Glasson 28, Sterling Francis 19 and 2/2, Mitchell Smith 2/3) defeated Walkers Ag’N Vet 88 (Oliver Mayo 44, Sam Schrader 10 and 1/4, Brodie Page 1/16).
Under 10’s: Dunfords 79 (Henry Kross 23 and 2/5, Jack Dunford 19 and 2/16) tied with Clarkes 79 (Jett Clarke 20, Nate Strong 10, A Moody 10 and 1/10).
Rossers 89 (George Thomas 17, Daisy Rice 5, Alfie Rosser 5, Nina Richardson- Bartley 3 wickets) defeated Morgans 56 (Anderson Ball 13, Ethan Luke 5, Sam Morgan 4).
SNIPPETS…
NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT… Andie Hodder was the December recipient of the Central West Credit Union Sports Achiever Award. Andie competed and placed first in the Full Contact Division 12 & 13 Years at the International Karate Association National Championships at the Australian Institute of Sport Combat Centre in Canberra. This is the third winning title she has achieved at this particular national championship. Andie received her award from Bruce Facey at the Forbes CWCU.
Next Generation $20 Banknote Design Reveal: The Reserve Bank revealed last week, the design of the new $20 banknote, which will be released into general circulation in October 2019. As with the existing banknote, the new $20 features portraits of Mary Reibey and Reverend John Flynn. Governor Philip Lowe said of the new banknote: “Improved security and ease of recognition are important characteristics of the new $20 banknote. The same innovative security features from the previously released $5, $10 and $50 banknotes have been incorporated to help keep them secure from counterfeiting.” These features include a top-to-bottom clear window that contains dynamic elements, including a flying kookaburra that moves its wings and changes colour, and a reversing number ‘20’. The $20 features Acacia buxifolia and a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae). The new banknotes also has a ‘tactile’ feature to help people who are blind or who have low vision to distinguish between different denominations of banknotes. On the $20 banknote, this is three raised bumps on each of the long edges of the banknote.
A billion reasons to celebrate: Return and Earn has given NSW a great first year birthday present – one billion containers were returned through the scheme by December 2018. The NSW Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton said she was pleased to see the program achieving these huge milestones. Gabrielle said that Return and Earn has been an outstanding success and changed the way people dispose of empty drink containers. More than half the drink containers brought into the marketplace by beverage suppliers (54 percent) are now being recovered, compared with the 32 percent that was being collected through yellow bins before Return and Earn kicked in. Minister Upton said the figures for Return and Earn’s first year speak for themselves. To learn more visit https://returnandearn.org.au.
Celebrating A Decade: The Forbes and District Lions celebrated their 10th birthday. Lions members, Peter Perry and Anne Jones from Guerie, presented chevrons and commendations to 17 Lions who have been members for more than 10 years. To make the night more special, Aidan Clarke was inducted as a new member into the Lions organisation.
Croquet News And Results
Week ending 23rd February
We saw a lovely Tuesday morning for a few games of croquet. All the courts were full with a turnout of 32 players. The two new courts are still hard to play on because the top dressing hasn’t settled and has some large patches in the grass. It is a challenge to control the ball due to the uneven surface, which in turn leads to some interesting results.
One of the best games of the morning was between Dorelle Scott and Mary Hodges with 7 who defeated Libby Smart and Lorraine Todd with 6 in a close competition.
There were three winners of three matches namely John Allegri, Bruce Field and Jill Rubie.
It was another good turnout for our Saturday Aussie croquet with 27 players hitting the courts. The cooler mornings make for happier croquet players. How we survived with only six courts last season was a miracle.
The best player of the day by far was Robin Pols, as she was the only player to win her three matches. Her partners for her winning games were Bill Scott, Anne Stewart and Dorelle Scott. Well Done Robin!
The celebratory lunch for March birthdays will be held on Tuesday, 5th March with the venue to be advised.
By Anne and Harley Stewart
Our Bloke – Justin Hoy (with his son, Cheyse)
How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 16 years. I love the community spirit, the way people are always pulling together to support a great cause or help someone in need.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have worked at Forbes High School in the PDHPE department since I moved to Forbes. I love seeing students set goals and then working towards achieving them.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love to go fishing, play sport or head out on any adventures with my family.
What makes you proud? I’m really proud of my family. My wife raises our three kids whilst running her own business ventures. My kids look after each other and all have big hearts and personalities.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A Wedgetailed eagle. They’re intelligent, powerful and majestic.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movie would have to be Rocky. It’s the ultimate story of an underdog who became a champion.
Tell us about your best holiday. Culburra Beach in 2018 with my family and my father- in-law.
What is on your bucket list? I’d love to visit Kakadu and Arnhem Land whilst on a caravan trip round Australia with my family.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- …
- 534
- Next Page »