Parkes Phoenix Editor

HANGING IN: Wendy and Kim Muffet of Girragirra Retreat have battled their third flood in a decade but remain committed to their sustainable eco-living paradise. RIGHT: The floodwaters last week meant the Muffet’s had to get their shopping via canoe. Images courtesy of Girragirra.

When Kim and Wendy Muffet decided to move from their farm 60kms west of Forbes, for the more tranquil and idyllic surrounds of Gum Swamp where they established the green living retreat known as Girragirra, Wiradjuri for “Be Well, Be Happy, Be Merry”, they knew there would be some challenges living on the floodplain.

Despite the third setback in less than a decade of living on and then running their small green eco-tourism business, Kim and Wendy, believe Girragirra will always be a magical place for guests to experience no matter what the season brings because it has been designed to be safely embedded in the beauty of the floodplain.

As former landholders and farmers themselves, the Muffet’s feel the pain of the loss and despair floods can bring. On the back of a COVID pandemic, Wendy acknowledges that for many, the losses will be devastating and she hopes that they can bounce back leading into Christmas.

“While we may have lost some bookings and other local businesses have lost thousands, our farmers have lost millions and they are the heart of the valley,” Wendy said.

“The river is the lifeblood and sadly, these disasters can happen in the floodplain.”

Three times in nine years in fact but Wendy isn’t prepared to let it destroy the dream of Girragirra Green Living.

“I love it out here. We both do and we understand floods contribute to the ecological health of the floodplain,” she said.

“Hopefully the water recedes soon enough and things start getting back to normal here at Girragirra and for everyone in the Forbes Shire,” Wendy said.

“Our heart goes out to all those impacted by the floods and we want to thank everyone who messaged us well wishes – we appreciate it!”

Go to www.girragirra.com for more info.

FIGHTING DV: The team from Binaal Billa and Yoorana Gunya have been on the front foot fighting the domestic violence pandemic. Before the age of fifteen, 1 in 6 women will have experienced abuse while 1 in 3 who present alone to homelessness services have also experienced domestic violence (White Ribbon 2021). Left to right: Stevie Darcy – Bi-naal Billa, Taylor Bliss – Yoorana Gunya, Jade Acheson – Binaal Billa, Dee Anderson – Yoorana Gunya, Debbie Gaudie – Binaal Billa, Christine Thorpe – Yoorana Gunya and Taylor Hague – Binaal Billa.

Binaal Billa Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service in conjunction with auspice body Yoorana Gunya FHC held a morning tea at the Binaal Billa FVPLS office in Spring Street last week, to recognise that the 25th November is the official day of the elimination of violence against women.

Domestic and family violence is a community problem and not an individual one and it takes a community to help all people stay safe. Sentiments echoed at Binaal Billa FVPLS last week.

“If you see something, if you hear something, say something,” their statement read,

“Binaal Billa and Yoorana Gunya remain committed to raising awareness and offering support to the community. This day acknowledges the victims of domestic and family violence and raises awareness of the ongoing issue that presents itself on a daily basis”.

On average, 1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of fifteen. Approximately 85% of Australian women have also been sexually harassed. Sadly, one woman is murdered a week by her current or former partner.

Forbes DV committee will be having a display in the planter pots in Templar Street, this year’s theme is the Hidden Victims (children). There will be 200 cut-outs of children both pink and blue placed in the pots soon (weather permitting) and there will be information tiles with statistics informing the community of the numbers of child related victims.

A selection of garbage for recycling. Segregated metal, plastic, paper and glass on white background

Forbes Shire Council has recently launched its iRecycle Forbes waste App, allowing locals to track bin collection days, check what waste goes in which bin and have handy reminders sent straight to a smartphone.

“The Council is sure the iRecycle Forbes App will provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all waste information, that is easily accessible for residents and will enable people to set bin reminders and receive real-time updates of any service changes or delays,” said Forbes Shire General Manager, Steve Loane.

“I found it so useful to have this information available through an App. We all live busy lives and this App will ensure the bins go out on the correct day,” he said.

“The app will make it easier for residents to notify Council of missed bins or damaged bins and will notify users of the app of upcoming waste events planned by our waste team.”

For locals who prefer the hard copy calendar, this can be downloaded from Council’s website and printed. Additional assistance will also be provided for those residents who don’t have access to smart technology.

For more information on recycling services, visit Council’s website: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/recycling.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Jessica Quirk from Jessica’s Essential Beauty and Wellness getting behind the Forbes Chamber Xmas initiative. Jessica’s Essential Beauty and Wellness can provide you with all your beauty, care and wellness needs.

Entries open December 9 and close December 21 for the Forbes Phoenix “Elf In The Shop” Competition. Completed entries must be delivered either at the Forbes Phoenix office under the door in Rankin Arcade (behind Jess’s Essential Beauty and Wellness, pictured), Made Of Fridays or Undercover Sleepwear.

To enter, you will need to take photos of you and the Elf and post on Facebook. Please tag Forbes Phoenix and Forbes Business Chamber so we can share.

The Elf in the Shop is co-sponsored with the Forbes Business Chamber. There are six prizes of $50 WLT cards. Prizes will be awarded to the correct entries. If there are more than six winners a draw will take place.

Members of the community have to identify the twenty stores with an ELF in their window display or another prominent place day or night. Clues are on the entry form. Winners will be announced at 5pm Tuesday December 21st and contacted by telephone.

After numerous postponements of meet and greet nights through to the local government elections themselves, the Forbes Shire Council Elections are finally here!

Saturday’s December 4 elections were originally scheduled for September 2020 but COVID restrictions meant that was not possible. Last Thursday evening’s informative Meet The Candidates night was also one of the last chances for locals to meet and greet those running for FSC.

After pre-polling opened last week to aid those unable to attend due to work or floods, this year’s ballot form will have 13 candidates – 1. Aidan Clarke; 2. Margaret Duggan; 3. Jeff Nicholson; 4. Thomas Dwyer; 5. Chris Roylance; 6. Steve Karaitiana; 7. Phyllis Miller; 8. Brian Mattiske; 9. Graeme Miller; 10. Michele Herbert; 11. Maria Willis; 12. Emma Henderson and 13. Jenny Webb.

Please note that not voting can result in fines.

READY TO ROLL: Sueanne Nixon from the Forbes Rotary Ipomoea Markets is ready for the December 11 event at Victoria Park after Lion’s Park was taken off the table for December only due to COVID restrictions.

The next Rotary Ipomoea Market will be held on Saturday December 11th in Victoria Park and NOT Lion’s Park due to COVID regulations. This will be a one-off event.

Victoria Park will be fenced in and therefore it will be easy to check the vaccination status of all who attend as COVID rules still apply. Stallholders and the general public must be double vaccinated.

Those wishing to attend the market can enter the park through the entrance on the left side of the Cenotaph. The market will finish at 12 noon and all stallholders will be packed up and gone by 1:00pm in time for the set up for Carols by Candlelight that evening.

“This market has a lot of excited stallholders booking in their stalls because there has not been a market since April,” said Sue-anne Nixon from Rotary.

“There will be a Christmas theme with a big variety of plants, produce, home cooking and sewing as well as vintage stalls and bric-a-brac stalls. The Rotary Breakfast caravan will be attending so a hot breakfast will be available. Rotary Ipomoea members will have a very large stall featuring plants, raffle and produce. If you would like to book in a stall please call Helen 0427 201 445.”