David Jackson: We set up camp and had a swim before going out to dinner.
David Mattiske: I took my wife, of almost 45 years, out for tea.
Paul Clancy: I was by myself. In the past I used to have the florist deliver a bouquet of flowers.
The Toole Family’s Christmas In Africa
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to gather as a family and to give to those in need. That is exactly what the Toole family did.
Neil and Jenelle Toole along with their three teenage boys, Nicholas, Cameron and Harrison travelled to Kenya last year for Christmas.
Throughout their lives, Neil and Jenelle had always been involved with multiple volunteer organisations including sponsoring children in Africa.
“After travelling to Africa 20 years ago and loving it, we had always planned on returning and knew we wanted to volunteer as a family. So the next challenge was to find an appropriate project and volunteer organisation,” said Jenelle.
After some research Neil and Jenelle decided on a not for profit, non-government organisation called Marafiki (which in Swahili means ‘many friends’). Marafiki is based and operates in Kenya and drives projects for orphanages, health clinics, drug rehabilitation centres, schools and so forth.
“Our motivation for volunteering was twofold. Firstly, to be able to give back. Australiareally is ‘the lucky country’ with excellent education, stability, access to support, healthcare, services and opportunity. Our second motivation was to expose our teenage boys to how life is in a developing country. Including to impress on them how important it is to always extend a hand, no matter how small, to those less fortunate and not to take anything for granted.”
During the three weeks of volunteering, the family spent their time doing food drop offs at Rumuruti Village and assisting at an orphanage. However, the majority of their time was spent at a primary school in the village of Ripoi.
The Toole family provided 80 chairs and 20 desks, which they constructed, painted and repaired. They also supplied all curriculum requirements, educational posters and supplies such as chalk, rulers, books, pencils, pens, etc. for the whole school.
They were able to provide the Maasai kids with toothbrushes and toothpaste and treated a range of minor wounds and infections. Harrison gave some basic music lessons with 30 recorders.
“Harrison celebrated his 13th birthday at Ripoi, which was an experience for all. The Maasai don’t celebrate birthdays. So sorry Harry, no presents!
“We were also fortunate to celebrate Christmas and New Year at Ripoi. As life is very hard for these people, extravagances such as decorations, presents and timeoff are luxuries they can’t afford. However, they are happy and genuine people that celebrate the life and freedoms they do have in being with each other, talking and telling stories.”
The village itself was very remote, which meant no electricity, running water or tarred road within 200km. For the duration of their stay, the Toole’s lived in a hut constructed from sticks covered in cow manure and mud with sticks for a door.
“It didn’t smell at all and there wasn’t a fly in sight. The door’s construction raised some questions though when the hyenas and lions walked past in the night.
“On behalf of those at Ripoi, thank you to all those individuals and organisations who donated supplies or money towards this project. All donations went directly to equipment.”
By Gizell van Wyk
OUR Gal
Carmen Spry
How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 15 years and I love the community spirit that exists. There are plenty of creative souls here as well, you can always find something new to do.
Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I teach Year 1 at St Laurence’s Primary School. I work with an incredible team and every day with the kids is different, challenging and rewarding all at once.
What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I’m a complete homebody, and love to read, read some more and drink tea. I soak up my family on the weekends, as the weeks are so busy.
What are you really good at? I’m an exceptional plant-killer. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not have a green thumb at all. Though I do keep trying.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? Definitely teleportation. I wouldn’t mind a weekend in Tuscany or Morocco and being back in time for dinner on Sunday.
What is your pet hate? The sound of someone eating. Especially ice.
Tell us about your best holiday ever. A trip to Fiji a couple of years ago with our kids was amazing. It was a real experience for us all to visit a primary school there, and have lunch with a local family in their home. It helped us to appreciate what we have and what we take for granted every day.
Sue-anne Named Forbes Citizen Of The Year
Those that know Sue-anne Nixon will tell you instantaneously that she is an extremely busy lady that’s always doing something, somewhere and for someone else. That is why it comes as no surprise that she was named 2018 Forbes Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day community celebrations held at Lion’s Park.
“I feel very humble in the wake of receiving the award. I am part of many groups of like minded people that love catching up and doing things in our town for both fellowship and fun. We all follow our interests and I just feel that there are many people – be they teachers, students, Lions, Rotarians, CWA, musicians, carers, neighbours, sportsmen and women, so many, that all together make Forbes a great place to live,” said Sue-anne unassumingly.
Sue-anne selflessly dedicates most of her time to countless causes that are too many to list here. She is a teacher at Forbes North Public School where she devotes many hours in and outside of the school.
The Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival is another one of her endeavours that she dedicates a lot of time and effort to. She is extremely passionate about the event that has seen exceptional growth annually with Sue-anne as one of the driving forces behind the successful festival.
Sue-anne has also been an enthusiastic musician and active member of the Forbes Town and District Band for many years.
“These sorts of things make you think about our Forbes community in general. We have a great town. Starting back at school this year, surrounded by families and children on the first day, I felt that overwhelming sense of how great the families in our town are and how they support each other,” said Sue-anne.
By Gizell van Wyk
Lachlan Dragons Share The Dream
What a golden experience for the team of excited Lachlan Dragons to bear the Queen’s Baton along a stretch of Lake Forbes!
Spectators agreed that the paddlers looked magnificent in their eye-catching new club uniforms as they triumphantly performed the ceremonial ‘paddle tap’ through the water.
Wendy Green, the inaugural president of the club, had been chosen to be honoured as the baton bearer on behalf of Forbes Dragon Boat Club.
Team spirit had never been higher for the Dragons than this shining moment. The paddlers were both proud and humbled to realise that they were the only Dragon Boat in the world to bear the Queen’s Baton on its relay. What a fabulous coup for Forbes!
The Lachlan Dragons are an often-seen feature of the lake as they paddle each Thursday evening and Sunday morning forfun, fitness and friendship. If you’d like to join this wonderful group, contact Bill on 0418 616 500 or Chris on 0414 762 775.
By Beth Thomas
Croquet News
Week ending 3rd February
The weather is beginning to cool off and the heavily watered courts were getting slow to play on over the last couple of game days thanks to the fast growing grass.
Friday saw our staunch lawnmower man making a lovely neat close cut job of the courts. This resulted in very fast balls, with players needing to make adaptations to how they played on Saturday. Lots of laughter was heard as most of us overshot our marks.
Huge thanks to our President Elvy Quirk and member John H Browne (with an ‘e’) for making our dodgy verandah on the clubhouse safe again after a number of our members were tripping, but luckily not falling and sustaining injuries. That was a great effort to keep us safe.
Clean sweepers on Tuesday with three winning games were Veva MacCullagh, Evelyn Mahlo, Alec Todd and Barry White.
Saturday saw only one clean sweeper, perhaps due to the lack of control of the ball on the very fast courts. Congratulations Libby Smart.
By Anne Stewart
Good News For Local Farmers
An application to declare the severe storm at Back Yamma and Cookamidgera late last year as a natural disaster has been approved.
On 13th December 2017 Central West Lachlan Landcare submitted an Agricultural Natural Disaster Assessment application for Back Yamma and Cookamidgera, in consultation with the Central West Local Land Services, to the Department of Primary Industries.
The intention of this assessment was to have the isolated hail incidents and flash flooding that saw many crops and infrastructure significantly impacted in November when they were on the verge of, or had commenced harvest, recognised as a natural disaster.
Due to this event being isolated to the Back Yamma and Cookamidgera areas, many in the surrounding districts did not receive the significant rain and hail events that were experienced in this area.
This declaration is an important step to allowing access, through application, to funding provided by the State Government.
This funding will potentially assist with preparations for 2018 sowing season.
The Department of Primary Industries has
approved the application, which will now allow for submissions from landholders impacted by the event, through the Rural Assistance Authority to access disaster relief loans and transport freight subsidies.
The Natural Disaster Relief Scheme assists primary producers affected by flood/ fire/storm damage or any other declared natural disaster. Assistance under this scheme by its nature is not compensatory therefore applicants need to be in urgent and genuine need of assistance.
Marg Applebee, Coordinator for Central West Lachlan Landcare said the BackYamma and Cookamidgera areas are not only picturesque, but also have some of the most fertile soils in the Parkes and Forbes Shire areas. “This funding will enable primary producers, some of whom suffered significant crop losses and other infrastructure losses, the ability to seek assistance to address immediate concerns and enable preparation for this year’s sowing season.”
Central West Lachlan Landcare are thankful for the assistance of landholders at a difficult time when harvest had commenced, the State Government through the Central West Local Land Services and Department of Primary Industries, appreciate the support from Member for Orange, Philip Donato and his willingness to meet with landholders to see the impact first hand after the event.
Philip met with affected landholders recently, Cr Neil Westcott and Cr Steven Karaitiana from Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils respectively, Alli Gartrell from the Rural Assistance Authority, President of Parkes and Forbes NSW Farmers, Gavin Tom and Marg Applebee to share the good news of the declaration.
For landholders seeking further details, information may be accessed through the Rural Assistance Authority website at www.raa.nsw.gov.au and are encouraged to contact Marg Applebee on 6862 4914 if assistance is required with applications submissions.
Banjo Bush Poetry Festival
Orange will be celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic poets for the fifth time this year with the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival from 16th to 25th February.
A.B ‘Banjo’ Paterson was born on the property “Narrambla” in the Orange region on 17th February 1864, and grew up to become one of Australia’s literary legends.
“Banjo’s country childhood had a strong influence on him, being considered the bard of the bush for iconic poems such as Waltzing Matilda, The Man From Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow,” said Justin Byrne, festival chairman.
The Food & Wine Night Market on Friday 16th February will officially open the festival, and is one of six signature events: the Rotary Breaky & Poetry in the Park; Banjo’s Birthday Breakfast; the Banjo Paterson Night Market; Concert at Yeoval featuring Anne Kirkpatrick; the Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day; and the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition.
For the second year, to embrace the Wiradjuri nation’s cultural heritage, Indigenous Cultural Tours will be hosting tours with local elders to ceremonial and sacred sites in the area.
See details on page 5 and the full festival program at www.banjopatersonfestival.com.au
Forbes CWA Back In Action
The ladies from the Forbes Country Women’s Association (CWA) have started 2018 with a bang. They have been involved in both the Australia Day competition and the Queen’s Baton Relay.
Their annual damper competition at the Australia Day celebrations was another successful day with nearly 30 dampers being entered. The winner of the overall section was an overseas visitor to Forbes, Rachel Ramsden. Rachel borrowed a CWA cook book and cooked her first damper and she won first prize. Graham Thornton was the second prize winner.
The annual CWA/Forbes Lions Challenge was won this year by Peter Bright from the Lions Club.
Many thanks go to the Forbes Shire for supplying the marquee table and chairs.
Next, the Queen’s Baton Relay and a request from the Shire to poach 200 peaches.
Thanks to the CWA ladies, the task was accomplished on time and they were ready for the Shire to collect.
CWA meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at 1:30pm at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street. They would love new members to join and welcome anyone to pop in at any meeting day.
The next adventure is a raffle, so you will see the CWA ladies down the street selling tickets. The funds raised from this raffle will go towards a local worthy cause yet to be decided.
With Deputy Mayor Jenny Webb
Thank you to everyone for coming along to the Vanfest 2017 public meeting held on Tuesday night. There were plenty of people champing to have their say and positive comments about our live stream. I believe the engagement went well and look forward to reading the comprehensive audit report. I am very excited to announce that Forbes Shire Council will be hosting International Women’s Day with a breakfast on Thursday, 8th March. The theme for 2018 is ‘Leave no woman behind’. We have a very exciting guest speaker to be announced soon.
On a personal level and with my background in health, I am trying to introduce an app on the Forbes Shire website to show the location of all AED’s ( automated external defibrillators) within our Shire. I think this would be a potentially lifesaving resource.
It is a busy week of meetings next week including the Council meeting on Thursday, 15th February. Meetings commence at 1.00pm and all are welcome to attend.
A reminder that the March Council meeting will be held at Bedgerabong. Here’s hoping the weather will be a little kinder to us for the much loved Bedgerabong Races next weekend. Please come out in fashion for this very social and fun day.
I have the great pleasure of attending the Zone 6 Showgirl Finals in Blayney that same day and supporting our Forbes and Bedgerabong Miss Showgirls, Grace Allen and Heather Earney, and wish them both well.
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