Parkes Phoenix Editor

Maggi Barnard has been with the Forbes Phoenix since 2021 and loves writing about her community.

A Lunch To Remember

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

LOVE A LONG LUNCH…Phil Prior, Guest Speaker Kerry O’Keeffe and Ian Prior. (Photo: Judith Prior) J

The Forbes Rugby Club’s President’s Lunch returned to South Circle on Saturday after a two-year absence with about 800 guests enjoying a pristine autumn day with a beautiful view on Lake Forbes.

The cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe did an excellent job as guest speaker. “He was fantastic and managed to captivate his audience,” said club president Rhys Woods.

A big part of the event is the auction and this year the seven items raised just over $51,000 of which $7,000 will go to the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund. The club will be supporting Boys to the Bush and the Forbes Men’s Shed from the proceeds this year.

“We are very happy with the event not just for us, but for the whole town, and would like to thank the Forbes Shire Council for all its assistance,” said Rhys.

ayden Scott, Crystal Finch and Lauren Liebich. (Photo: Crystal Finch

Vinnies Acknowledges Traditional Custodians

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

In the photo are representatives of the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Binaal Billa, Yoorana Gunya, the Wiradjuri Language Group, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes High School, the Catholic Education Office, CatholicCare, the Forbes Shire Council, St Laurence’s Parish, St Vincent de Paul Society Wilcannia-Forbes and St Vincent de Paul Shops Wilcannia-Forbes present at the ceremony last Thursday.

The Vinnies store in Forbes held a special ceremony last week. A plaque was mounted in the shop to acknowledge traditional custodians. “The ceremony was an opportunity to share with each other, to recognise the injustices towards our Aboriginal community, and to learn and walk forward together in hope,” said Elizabeth Young, pastoral worker. “We were inspired by the new Reconciliation Action Plan for the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW with the aim to create a culturally safe and friendly environment where First Nations Peoples are welcomed, respected and employed.

Be Seen

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Students from Forbes North Primary School were invited to attend the performance by Sydney band Loretta at Forbes High School last week. Afterwards the students got to meet the band members.

Forbes North Public School Captains Corby Slidener and Will Markwort with band members Max Jacobs, Ellis Hoare and Nico Scali.

Forbes High School students of the Inclusive Learning Support Hub met Loretta band members after the show.

Weaving Culture And Tradition Into Modern Day Life

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Three generations learn together. Kiesha Bowden with her mum Kelly and grandmother Cathy at the basket weaving workshop.

A basket weaving workshop was but one of the many activities on offer during Seniors Week that is still in full swing in Forbes with more events to follow next week.

A small group of women gathered at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Monday to learn the traditional craft of weaving baskets from Condobolin’s expert teacher Bev Coe.

“I learned to weave baskets years ago at Camp Coorong, and wanted to pass on the skill to other people,” said Bev. When she is not teaching workshops all over the Central West, you will find her in her workshop in Condobolin called Sista Shed.

Bev has expanded her skill to make grass sculptures, and before COVID-19 she used to go to the markets in Sydney where her creations were in high demand.

The Forbes women were very happy and felt very privileged that Bev could fit in a workshop for them and offered them the opportunity to learn from her.

“We think she’s brilliant,” said Aileen Allen. “She teaches us our culture, which we should’ve learned when we were young.

She has been very patient with us. It is great that she can keep our culture alive and pass it on to the next generation.”

Part of the group included three family members from three generations. Cathy Bowden came with her daughter Kelly Bowden, and her granddaughter Kiesha Bowden.

“I wanted to learn more about traditional stuff. It is very important for us young people to learn about our culture,” said Kiesha. She was very excited about learning the skill of basket weaving and planned to keep doing it.

Although the group used raffia to weave their baskets at the workshop, Bev said traditionally you would use native spiny flat sedge for weaving, but during drought times it was hard to get hold of.

She said baskets made from natural materials lasted much longer than those made from plastic. “I made a basket from sisal for my clothes pegs and I always left it at the washing line. It lasted for years, much longer than anything plastic.”

Bev Coe (standing) from Condobolin presented the workshop. She is with (L-R) Aileen Allen, Wendy Hughes and Margaret Eldrige.

Our Gal – Sue-anne Nixon

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Sue-anne with granddaughter Holly Nixon.

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? My husband and I moved to Yarrabandai in 1979 from the Albury area. We sold our farm in 2000 and moved to Forbes.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I have been teaching since 1979. I have taught in 12 different school in 43 years. I have been Learning and Support Teacher at Forbes North Primary School since 2013. Wonderful children and super awesome team of staff.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? I love spending time with my sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Anything where I can be out of doors, although I love playing the euphonium in the town band – it’s a bit of an addiction.

What are you really good at? I love recycling things, being crafty, gardening and travelling with my family.

What makes you laugh the most? Children – big or little they give such joy.

What’s on your bucket list? I would like more time to catch up with friends. It is hard to balance work, family and interests sometimes.

Mayoral Notes

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

First of all, my thoughts go to those in northern NSW who, while still working to overcome the results of the last major flood, are now facing more rain and further river inundation. We send our love and support to each and every one of you.

A final reminder to complete our housing survey which closes on Thursday for your input into our community’s future. Talking future Forbes, I am very pleased to announce just this month alone there have almost 50 development applications submitted – a figure which is normally around 120 a year. I’m excited this confidence and economic development is now growing well beyond council driven projects.

Forbes Shire Council is full steam ahead with many events continuing this week for Seniors Festival. We ask everyone to take a minute and celebrate with a senior in your life. Remember the final concert is on Saturday, 9th April with the Lightfoot Band.

We are looking forward to welcoming the many visitors to town for the Rural Women’s Gathering for the three days of events and activities. This gathering is an opportunity for rural women to come together to build resilience, network, learn, share experiences and support each other while gaining inspiration from decision makers and leaders.

Please check our social media pages for the many events that are part of the Rural Women’s Gathering, Seniors Festival, Youth Week and get your dancing shoes ready for mini Vanfest on Saturday, 9th April.

Your Mayor,
Phillis Miller

Snippets…

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Tara Kelly from Forbes on the opening of the Century 21 Central West Parkes office last week with Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith and Century 21 CEO James Bell.

Remember To Turn Your Clock Back: Daylight Saving ends on Sunday, 3rd April when we turn our clocks back one hour from 3am to 2am. Sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier on Sunday.

Checking Fuelcheck: The NSW government is encouraging customers to check the NSW FuelCheck app to help find the state’s best value fuel before filling up at the bowser. The app is easy to use and allows you to compare prices at local petrol stations to find the best deal by location, price or fuel type. The app displays the price for more than 2,400 petrol stations across NSW with users also able to set up alerts for when the price drops under a certain threshold. For more information on FuelCheck and to download the app visit: https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app

Have Your Say: Parents, carers and educators are invited to take part in the consultation for the Department of Education’s Parent and Carers Engagement Framework that will outline how the education sector can work more closely with parents and carers to improve student outcomes. Parents can have a say about the best ways for their school to communicate with them and what can be improved on. The new framework will help parents and carers to better understand their rights, responsibilities and choices in the education system and have access to timely information about their child’s learning, development and wellbeing. To have your say, visit the NSW Government ‘Have Your Say’ website www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/engagement-framework to 30th April.

Miss Priscilla: It is time to start preparations for the Miss Priscilla competition at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival. The winner of Miss Priscilla becomes the Face of the Festival at the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner on Thursday, 21st April. Being crowned Miss Priscilla brings instant fame as she will make special appearances at many of the festival’s wonderful events and will enjoy all the perks of being crowned Elvis’ leading lady for the weekend. There are also some great prizes to be won. There are also two other competitions on the night: Hairstyles of the 60’s and Miss Speedway. Simply recreate the gorgeous 1960s hairstyles or have some fun with Speedway inspired novelty hairstyles. To enter the competitions and to purchase tickets for the night go to www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

The 2020 Miss Priscilla winner was Shania Sarsfield from Wellington.

Opportunity Of A Lifetime For Young Soloists

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

BIG NIGHT… Overture’s two junior soloists Lexi Herden from Forbes and Aimee Ross from Parkes are ready to share the stage with Australia’s biggest stars in Overture tomorrow night.

It promises to be a night to be remembered and a young Forbes student has been hand-picked to share the stage with Australia’s celebrity artists as a soloist in Overture tomorrow night at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes.

Lexi Herden from Forbes is one of only two school-aged soloists chosen after she auditioned for the role with students from all over NSW. The Parkes Christian School student will be joined by fellow student Aimee Ross from Parkes as the other junior soloist.

Lexi will be singing ‘When I grow up’ from the musical Matilda. “I will sing two verses and then the choir will join in,” said the young star who played Scuttle in her school’s production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ last year. Aimee is singing ‘I know it’s today’ from Shrek with Lucy Durack and Holly Hare from Bathurst.

Lexi said she did not really understand how big a deal it was until her mum explained it to her. “I got really excited, but I’m also feeling a bit nervous about performing in front of such a big audience.”

Lexi’s favourite subject is drama and she would love to become a professional in musical theatre one day. “I can’t wait to meet Lucy Durack and talk to her about what it takes to get to the top.”

The two soloists concluded their preparation with a singing lesson from Overture star, Josh Piterman. The 12 and 13-year-old are ready for the big night and would like to see their communities come out and support them.

By Maggi Barnard

What did you think of the show the band Loretta gave at your school today?

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Laura Vonthien: It was wonderful and very interactive as they got us involved in the show. It is not something that happens at school very often. It was so good to have a band come and play at our school!

Benjamin Barnard: It was really good. I did not know what to expect and I thought it was very entertaining. We were so lucky that they picked our school to come to!

Rachel Todd: It blew me away. It is very different to the music I listen to, but I definitely want to hear more of them.

Big Field For President’s Day

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

A smaller field of 54 players took part in the men’s Individual Par on Saturday with Paul Pymont winning with a +4 total in Division 1.

Runner-up was Greg Webb with +3 in the Forbes Tuesday Golfers sponsored event. The Division 2 winner was Stephen Edwards (Bogan Gate) with +2, which he got on count back. The unfortunate runner-up was Jonathan Cutler.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Paul Kay; 18th – Alf Davies. The 3rd hole Super Pin went to Glendon Hooper with a shot to 2.54 metres.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley did not attract enough players, while Friday saw a good field participating in the annual Rugby President’s Golf Day. Over 64 players competed in the 4-Person Ambrose event. Fun was the primary purpose, but there was some serious play recorded.

The Summer Sixes have reached the grand finals stage. The plate finalists will play their games through the week, and the main draw finalists will compete in a shoot-out on Sunday.

By Short Putt

Parkes Phoenix Editor

Subscribe