Parkes Phoenix Editor

PRESLEY PAINTINGS: This wonderful portrait by Joan Ash of the King for all to see.

The Parkes Painting Group will be adding an artistic spin to this year’s Elvis Festival with a special Elvis Art Exhibition showcasing the work of artists from all over the central west.

Centrally located in the Uniting Church Youth Centre at 17 Court Street, Parkes, the exhibition will be featuring artwork with an Elvis theme, whether it is a portrait of the King himself, or an artwork depicting one of his songs.

Parkes Painting Group President Kerry Davies said the exhibition was a great opportunity to celebrate the skills and diversity of artists in the region.

She invited artists to submit three pieces with the closing date for entry forms Friday, 25 March. Artworks need to be delivered to the Parkes Uniting Church on Thursday, 14 April by 5pm.

The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20 April to Sunday, 24 April, and the public will be able to vote for their favourite artist. There will be six prizes for the works with the most votes to be announced on the last day of the festival.

If you would like to submit your work, contact Kim Chambers on 0418 314 066.

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS TO GO: NSW Rural Women’s Gathering is arranged through the NSW Rural Women’s Network. Each Gathering reflects the unique culture, industry, tourism and environment of the host community. The theme for the Forbes Rural Women’s Gathering 2022 is AMAZING Women With Vision.

A month’s worth of celebrations recognising women and the important role they play in our lives began in Forbes when International Women’s Day, 8 March was recognised across the shire throughout the week with a number of events.

It began with the Legendary Local Ladies Evening at Town Hall last Friday March 4 – an intimate evening with the finest of local produce on display and a chance to socialise and celebrate local ladies.

The Forbes Chambers Yandharra Wiradjuri Breakfast with Rose De Jong was last Tuesday. The Wiradjuri cultural breakfast was aimed at educating and connecting via food and held among the gums near the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre despite the overcast weather.

Both events were part of Forbes celebrations of International Women’s Day.

The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 but it wasn’t until 1975, International Women’s Year that the date 8 March remained and was celebrated annually.

In another big win for Forbes and rural women, the 2022 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering will be held from 1-3 Apri in Forbes too, adding to what is certainly an action-packed calendar.

With guests such as comedian Jean Kittson, country singer Melinda Schneider, Cressida Caines and ABC Radio’s Kia Handley announced this week as hosts – not to mention sculpture tours, taste testing and numerous activities and workshops – the weekend is one not to be missed.

Registrations can be found online at forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

BEEF PARADERS: Lachlan Haynes (Gooloogong), Paige Hatton, Tara Hughes, Oscar Schafer, Will Moxey (Forbes) and Jada Buchan all primed for the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April after coming through the qualifiers.

Eugowra Show in conjunction with the Central Western Association of Agricultural Shows held the group finals for beef cattle paraders and beef cattle, dairy cattle, merino sheep, meat breeds sheep, merino fleece, grain and fruit and vegetables young judges.

These competitions present the opportunity for young people to qualify for the state competitions hosted at the Sydney Royal Easter Show by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW and Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

While these are competitions, they also allow the development of the next generation of agricultural show enthusiasts and expertise in industry through education and networking.

This year the group finals were fortunate enough to have the very high-quality competition judges in Steve Eagles from Passchendaele Ayrshires and Holsteins, Dennis Moxey from Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Greg Sawyer of Elders Molong, Steve Chester of Quality Wool, Brendan Mansbridge of KMWL and Brooklyn Park Poll Dorset Stud, Lydia Herbert previous state young judges winner and Stuart Muller of Western District Exhibit.

The quality of competitors was high. Congratulations and best of luck to the entrants heading to the state finals in April.

Some selected results of the day are as follows:

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 2nd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Meat Breeds Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Thomas Barker (Parkes)

Beef Cattle Young Judges
• 1st Stephanie Davies (Bimbi)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)

Qualifiers for F002 Parades:
• Jada Buchan (Cowra)
• Tara Hughes (Condobolin)
• Lachlan Haynes (Gooloogong)
• Will Moxey (Forbes)
• Paige Hatton (Eglinton)
• Oscar Schafer (Grenfell)

MEET AND GREET: Forbes Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa organisations welcomed The Weigelli Centre from Cowra last week to town at a special meet and greet at Lions Park.

Last week Yoorana Gunya and Weigelli Centre, Cowra held a meet and greet at Lions Park in Forbes. The day was a chance for community members to meet and greet staff from Weigelli who will now be aiding Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa in Forbes with extra services.

The Weigelli Centre is a residential Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre and offers a range of services to the Cowra Shire and now Forbes. It has been operating in Cowra for nearly 26 years and proven to be a remarkable local asset.

Alcohol and Other Drug Mental Health Worker, Cathy Sherdian and her team were on hand on the day meeting members of the Forbes community.

“We are pleased to be able to assist members of the Forbes community who may require our services,” said Cathy.

“We offer a range of support and welfare assistance and can help people struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse,” she said.

“Weigelli can go through each step and follow through rehabilitation every step of the way.”

The expansion in services for Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa coincided with the Binaal Billa Open Day also held last week showcasing new upgrades at the Binaal Billa, Spring Street office funded by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Open

Day was also a popular event. Don’t forget that Ochre Ribbon Day is also coming up on Wednesday March 9th at Binaal Billa, 18 Spring Street from 10am.