The Forbes Show was blessed with perfect weather last weekend with many people coming through the gates to enjoy the attractions, competitions and events.

“A great community event was held and whilst the rain held off it is more than welcome to ‘come on down’ anytime from now on in,” said Forbes Show president Doug Nadin.

Whilst most of us are still reminiscing about the show just past, the Forbes Show committee has already started working on next year’s event.

“Plans are already in place to make the 144th Forbes Show even bigger and better.

“Thank you to all the competitors, exhibitors, indoor and outdoor trade displays and all the businesses and individuals who supported the Show through sponsorship. We look forward to working with you all in 2019,” said Doug.

In true Forbes style, the town once again came together in supporting its community.

“Without a doubt the most support has come from the community of Forbes and the surrounding district. Congratulate yourselves for supporting your Forbes Show!” said Doug.

The dog high jump events and farmers’ challenge both proved to be very popular again this year and the centre ring was full of horses all weekend with show jumping competitions.

The winner of the 2018 Forbes Showgirl competition was Sally Downie, the Junior Miss Showgirl title was presented to Ru Little, Tiny Tot winner was Isabel Pearce and Master Stockman went to Thomas Vonthien.

By Gizell van Wyk

Aboriginal culture and history were celebrated at the annual Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre NAIDOC Day held on Monday. The Forbes Indigenous community were joined in their festivities by various local schools, community members and service providers.

This year’s event was held under the NAIDOC theme ‘Because of her, we can!’. The theme celebrates the essential role that women have played – and continue to play – as active and significant role models at community, local, state and national level.

The celebrations were started off with a smoking ceremony, an ancient custom among Aboriginal Australians in which native plants are burnt to produce smoke to pay respect to the land of country. The smoke is believed to have healing and cleansing properties.

Proving to be very popular, especially among the children who attended, were traditional dances performed by the Lore men from the local Wiradjuri tribe Yarangirri Holmes, Uncle Kyle Baxter and Uncle Blake Baxter. Traditional dances generally portray battles, hunting and animals which were both prey and totems. Children who volunteered, were lucky enough to participate in some of the dancing activities.

The Forbes North Wiradjuri choir also performed and there were many activities to educate attendees about Indigenous culture and history.

The event also included traditional bush tucker, Indigenous games and much more. Forbes Shire Council will be hosting a NAIDOC Day, celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on Wednesday, 12th September from 10:30am to 1:30pm at South Circle Oval.

By Gizell van Wyk

There were countless little scurvy scoundrels that couldn’t wait to dig their fingers into the sand to find possible hidden treasures buried in Victoria Park last Friday.

The ever popular Reading Downtown Day coincided with Book Week and shared the theme, ‘Find Your Treasure’. The theme depicting the search of discovering your next great book and an incredible story feeling like a treasure found.

Children celebrated story books by bringing their favourite characters to life. From pirates to clowns, Spiderman, Little Red Riding Hood and Where’s Wally, approximately 800 very excited children could be seen exploring the park with inspired costumes and makeup.

The Reading Downtown Day is hosted annually by Forbes Birth to Kinder and aims to raise awareness about reading to children from a very young age.

Forbes Birth to Kinder committee member, Maree Yapp said that they were delighted to be having such a successful day.

“This is our 14th year of the Reading Downtown Day in Forbes. The weather is superb and we’re really excited to have all the schools and early childhood centres here, and lots of families with young children,” said Maree.

The day was packed with fun activities at various activity stations to keep the little book-loving ones busy! Among these stations were students of Forbes High School who put on a very entertaining drama of The Three Little Pigs. Familiar faces, such as Member for Orange Phil Donato, captivated the children with theatrical storytelling at another station.

By Gizell van Wyk

The Prime Minister was in Forbes on Sunday to announce further support for drought stricken communities.

“We are ensuring to provide help to farmers right now,” said Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull at HE Silos in Forbes. “We are making changes to ensure farmers are even more resilient, as our farmers are the best in the world.”

The assistance provides immediate relief to communities, tax breaks for fodder storage and simplifying the application form for Farm Household allowance.

An additional $75 million will be given to 60 councils, of which 30 are in NSW to address local needs. “This will mean farmers would be able to pick up water for free from the town stand pipe for instance,” said the Prime Minister.

“Agriculture is a very big part of the Riverina and Central West and we will make sure we continue to closely monitor it and I will too, as the Local Member, make sure we certainly continue to have the farmers’ backs,” said Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The grants will also allow Councils to employ local contractors to undertake repairs and maintenance, upgrade or build new community facilities and hold events and undertake drought-relief activities.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said: “We know drought is felt as hard on the main street as it is in the back paddock which is why our drought response is designed to help farmers as well as the towns and communities that surround them.”

By Maggi Barnard

Former local, Kacie Anderson is again flying the flag high for Forbes in a male dominated trade. The 24-year-old, female fabricator and welder-boilermaker, forms part of a small handful in Australia and has been nominated for yet another award.

This time Kacie has been named as a finalist in the Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year Award. Organised by the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, this is the Northern Territory’s premier training awards.

Last year Kacie received the Advanced Training International Overall Trade Apprentice prize at the School of Trades presentation in Darwin.

The only female apprentice in her trade, Kacie was described as “an outstanding choice, having excelled academically and as a practitioner of her craft,” by Roy Brandner, Head of School of Trades at Charles Darwin University.

Turn back the clock, Kacie started working at Jakes Steel & Welding in Darwin as a labourer nearly four years ago and was offered an apprenticeship within two months. Since then, Kacie has been going from strength to strength, having just completed a Certificate III in engineering and heavy fabrication.

“Lots of women are becoming tradies nowadays. I say to them, ‘Give it a go!’ It may be tough at times but if you’re determined and dedicated, you’ll get there and show everyone what you can achieve!” said Kacie.

Winners of the Northern Territory Training Awards will be announced at a dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre on Saturday, 22nd September.

Each term students in Years 3 to 6 participate in a leadership day held at Forbes Public School. This is an innovative and interactive day where they are equipped, challenged and inspired with skills that will enable them to have success in a number of dynamic areas of personal development.

This term the leadership day was held on Thursday, 2nd August and the school was privileged to feature David Acheson as the guest speaker who started off the day’s proceedings. David is an aboriginal elder involved in the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).

This was a wonderful opportunity for students to gain insight about aboriginal leadership from a local identity. Also on the same day, students who were candidates for the upcoming Junior AECG, delivered speeches to the audience as part of a leadership election process.

“It was fantastic to see the children speak with confidence and clarity to such a large group of individuals,” said Forbes Public School Principal, Dafydd Thomas.

After the formal address in the hall, students eagerly moved on to a great part of the day where they dispersed into constructive workshop groups. These groups had specific focuses to enhance their personal skills in target areas. They gained insight into developing public speaking skills, extending social skills to have success in various settings, resilience training, team building and goal setting.

At the end of the day, students were treated to a warm sausage sizzle on a freezing cold day.

The second White Ribbon Cup held annually between Forbes High School and Parkes High School was blessed with sunny skies and took place at Pioneer Oval in Parkes on Monday.

The rugby league match between Forbes and Parkes High Schools is aimed at raising awareness for domestic violence and to emphasise that domestic violence is not ‘ok’. Approximately 2,500 people came out in support of this worthy cause.

White Ribbon Ambassador and Forbes High School Aboriginal Educational Officer (AEO), Barry Merrit said: “Who said our youth don’t have a voice? Our youth are standing up and saying loud and clear, ‘It needs to stop!’”

The statistics are staggering, said Barry.“On average, one woman a week is murdered in Australia in a domestic violence incident and one in four children has witnessed domestic violence in their lifetime.” The idea to hold the cup first originated within the White Ribbon Supporter Boys group at Forbes High School. Barry’s role as the AEO and team coach was to make it happen. The inaugural cup was held at Forbes High School in 2017.

Although Forbes High School brings the cup home in its second victory against Parkes, Barry marks the day is not about the game itself but about our youth coming together and raising awareness for such a great cause.

“The game was played in great spirit by both teams and sends such a strong message to both our communities that domestic violence is not ok!” said Barry.

By Gizell van Wyk

In an attempt to give some form of relief to struggling farmers during the current drought experienced in NSW, Kim Lowe and Herb Beer of K&H Interiors and Design have partnered with Rural Aid’s ‘Farm Rescue’ campaign to raise money to support local farmers needing assistance.

The entire community is asked to join the endeavour to help drought affected farmers by attending the K&H Rural Aid Farm Rescue fundraising auction which is being held in the Sylo building on Friday, 10th August with arrival from 7.30pm commencing at 8pm.

Tim Mackey from Forbes Livestock Agency has graciously volunteered to be the auctioneer for the evening. Selected goods and services donated to the cause will be auctioned to help raise money to finance the farm makeover activities.

Rural Aid ‘Farm Rescue’ is helping support Australia’s rural communities and Aussie farmers by providing tangible resources to drought affected communities. In this instance the funds are being raised to finance several mini ‘Farm Rescues’.

‘Farm Rescues’ entail a group of volunteers and some trades people visiting remote and rural areas to help fix infrastructure that farmers do not have the skill, time or money to do themselves.

Community members are also asked to nominate a farmer or farmers can nominate themselves as potential recipients of a ‘Farm Rescue’. Farmers being nominated can live within an hours’ drive or less of Forbes, and can register at www.farmrescue.com.au/farm-rescue.

For people wanting to do more, you can donate product, which could either be used for the auction or will be given directly to the farmers. You can also make a financial donation or volunteer to help. For more information visit the official ‘Farm Rescue’ website.

The winner/s of the ‘Farm Rescue’ will be announced at the auction and the entire town is invited to attend! The ‘Farm Rescue/s’ will be delivered during 14th to 20th October.

Forbes Preschool has been selected to deliver the Ninganah No More program, Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless announced on Monday.

Rick said the Preschool would receive $20,000 to deliver this much needed program. It is designed to increase the level of Aboriginal languages being taught and embed awareness and understanding for children from an early age.

“The $400,000 program will support young children in appreciating and understanding Aboriginal languages while participating in early learning environments,” said Rick.

“I’m extremely pleased to announce a range of agencies across the Orange electorate will be participating in delivering the Ninganah No More program.

“The local community will also benefit immensely, with stronger relationships forged between early childhood services and their local Aboriginal communities.”

Director of the Forbes Preschool, Amy Shine said this funding would go a long way towards linking indigenous children with their heritage culture.

“This is such a great program and we’re excited to deliver this in our community. It’s so important for these young kids to understand their culture and history. It’s through developing their language skills that we will be able to do this,” said Amy.

Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Sarah Mitchell said: “Agencies and services running the program will soon be teaching 14 languages across NSW including Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaraay, Yuin, Wiradjuri, Paakantji and Bandjalang.”

“In addition to increasing the literacy and vocabulary skills of Aboriginal children in NSW, Ninganah No More will help young people preserve some of their heritage and traditions and develop as bilingual speakers.

“By opening the door on children’s curiosity, we are supporting them to learn more about Aboriginal cultures and languages,” said Sarah.

After 60 years of educating and preparing young people for school, Forbes Preschool has been, and continues to be, a part of almost every single household in Forbes.

Play-based learning has been the secret to 60 years success in the Forbes community. As well as providing vital early learning skills and a place where first friendships are made and plenty of fun is had.

To celebrate, Forbes Preschool is inviting all who have been a part of those 60 years to come along and celebrate on Saturday, 4th August at the Forbes Golf Club starting at 6:30pm.

Have you been a part of the committee? Do your children go to preschool or will you have children at preschool in the future? Did you always hope to get to a ball but were too busy with little people? Get a group of friends together and lock your tickets in now before it is too late.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine said: “As much as this night is to celebrate 60 years of preschool it is about giving mums and dads a night off too.”

Tickets are $65 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite/Forbes Preschool 60th Birthday Ball tickets. Tickets include a champagne or beer on arrival, cocktail dinner by Eat Your Greens and a dessert bar. Drinks can be purchased throughout the night from the fully stocked bar.

Entertainment for the night will be byGabe Middleton.