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Farmers’ Markets Returns

July 3, 2020 By editor

(Left) Pippa McConnell and Kerry Walker, who are on the Farmers’ Markets committee were thrilled with the turn out on Saturday. (Right) Christina L’Estrange, Dellis Richards and Marion Packhem were happy to see the markets return.

The Forbes Farmers’ Markets returned last Saturday, 27 June after several months of COVID-19 hiatus. Market goers and stall holders alike were in jovial spirits and it was certainly a sight for sore eyes to see the markets back in full swing.

The clear and sunny Saturday morning could not have been more inviting as Victoria Park was buzzing with both visitors and Forbes residents of all ages.

Pippa McConnell and Kerry Walker from the market committee were there to see, first-hand, the results of their hard work and dedication in organising the event and were thrilled with the turn-out.

There were 12 stall holders on Saturday which is a normal amount for the Forbes monthly event. “It was a pretty good mar- ket for us,” said Pippa. “The day was very well received by our stall holders, who did extremely well.”

The markets, which usually hosts between 12-15 market stalls, selling a range of goods, from sourdough breads, coffee, locally produced egg and bacon rolls, fresh fruit, vegetables, oil, honey, cakes and so much more, saw stall holders pleased with the crowd of eager markets goers, keen to show their support on the day.

“I think that more and more people are becoming aware of how important it is to make the effort to support our local growers and producers, especially since the COVID-19 restrictions were placed on businesses, which is really good to see,” Pippa said.

The markets are just one of many draw cards to bring visitors back into Forbes and the timely return of the monthly farmers markets came right on the back of the ‘We Want You Back’ Central West Tourism campaign.

The committee of four members who organise the markets exemplify the community spirit of the many volunteers in Forbes. The next markets are due to take place on 25 July.

For further information and updates, check out the Forbes Farmers’ Markets Facebook and Instagram pages.

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July 3, 2020 By editor

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Tree Change Makes Population Boom Out West

June 26, 2020 By editor

Children frolic in the snow at last year’s Frost and Fire Festival in Forbes, it is easy to see why families are choosing country living over city life.

In 2009 Moana Duggan, owner of Lakeside Takeaway, moved from Sydney to Forbes with her family. “We had been there for long enough, it was a 45 minute drive to school each day, out here it’s a slower lifestyle and it has been really good for the kids,” she said.

Moana’s sentiments are shared by tens of thousands of Australians who moved to regional towns from cities, in fact, 65,000 more people chose to move to regional Australia from capital cities than the other way around, according to a new Regional Australia Institute (RAI) report tracking population movements between 2011 and 2016.

While it wouldn’t be far-fetched to asume it is retirees making up for the bulk of those who have made the switch from city to country, Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said, “It’s also great to see the trend of millennials moving to regional areas, given so often they can spark life and vitality in these communities by becoming long-term community members.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said The Big Movers: Understanding Population Mobility in Regional Australia report showed more and more Australians were attracted to the lifestyle benefits of regional towns.

“Regional Australia is a great place to live and work and the Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to invest in the success and liveability of our regions to ensure it stays that way,” Michael said.

The Food Of Kindness

June 19, 2020 By editor

HELPING HAND… Derrick Milling of Georgie’s Pantry and founding member of Central West Food Rescue Elliot Redwin unload produce from the refrigerated truck at the pantry in Parkes.

When the drought really tightened its grip on farmers more than a year ago, Rhonda had no idea what an impact the flyer she found about Georgie’s Pantry in Parkes would have on her.

“It was getting pretty tough, and I saw the flyer about free groceries for farmers. I was one of the first to rock up and became one of the regulars.”

Rhonda said she soon realised it was not just about the groceries, but also the social aspect. “Everyone there is just so friendly and understanding. I look forward to going there every week and catch up on the latest news.”

She said the pantry helps so many farmers from all over the Central West, including Forbes and enables them to pay other bills not having the expense of groceries. “It is also fantastic to know that all that food won’t go to waste.”

As a founding member of Food Rescue Central West, Georgie’s Pantry is part of a network of nine agencies reaching over 2,000 clients in an area covering 63,000km2.

The project supports soup kitchens, hands out emergency food hampers and runs community pantries and gets support from food relief charities, such as Second Bite. It has been operational since March after they secured a grant from the Environmental Trust to buy a refrigerated truck and refrigerated storage in Bathurst, as well as fridges for Georgie’s.

“It was a significant achievement to get it off the ground, let alone run it,” said founding member Elliot Redwin from Bathurst.

He deliveries 10t of food to all the member agencies once a week. “From Parkes they go out even as far as Walgett and Lightning Ridge.” He said Georgie’s Pantry was hands down the most successful in accessing the farming community. “We can all learn a lot from what has happened at Georgie’s, and they are happy to share their knowledge.”

“The rain might have come, but we will continue to help the farmers until there’s been a harvest. It has been fantastic to be able to help up to 60 farming families each week.”

An Army Of Support

June 12, 2020 By editor

Sandra Walmsley and her team of volunteers are grateful to have their doors open again, especially during the cooler months.

When Sandra Walmsley, Corpse Officer of the Forbes and Parkes Salvation Army, arrived in town in January this year, she could not have predicted the changes coming her way. Previously stationed in Deniliquin for five years, Sandra could not believe her luck at being sent to Forbes. “Forbes is a bit like coming home,” she said. “I got married here, it’s where my husband is from and our friends are here so it’s good to come back to familiar surroundings.”

Prior to the pandemic, the Forbes Family Store operated with 10 volunteers and now, due to their ages, the store is running on five volunteers who are working tirelessly to process the donations from generous Forbes residents.

With an abundance of donations, Sandra was thankful that the Forbes community did not flood donation bins, which have to sit in a 72-hour quarantine before being processed. “There is a fair bit of work to be done. Every op shop is always busy and while there is a lot to do, these family stores are a great way to connect to the community. It is a shop that services so many in the community regardless of wealth.”

“It was challenging for us to keep our doors closed with the recent dramatic change in weather, it’s when vulnerable people in our community rely on us the most,” Sandra said, who also wanted to assure the public that unsold items are not thrown away. “The Salvation Army sends stock that isn’t sold locally to One Ten, a charity organisation that supports widows and single women in Africa by mending damaged items and sending them on to communities where they are needed.”

Long term plans for the store are slowly taking shape, with plans for a community space where people can come in and have a cup of tea and chat. Volunteers and members of the public who want to connect and combat loneliness are always welcome.

Reconciliation; In This Together 2020

June 5, 2020 By editor

Fletcher Morrison and Max Davies delighted in the cultural celebration of National Reconciliation Week.

National Reconciliation Week has been celebrated differently this year in Forbes. National Reconciliation Week is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June each year with these dates commemorating the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision. The week-long celebration calls for Australians to explore and engage in the conversation of reconciliation.

While Forbes Preschool would normally invite families and partners from the community into the preschool for a BBQ and activities, this year has seen a focus on discussion and understanding.

Forbes Preschool won the 2019 Narragunnawali for their implementation of the principles of reconciliation. These principles aim to foster pride and knowledge in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Preschool Director Amy Shine said that this year, in the yarning circle, children and educators discussed “who we are and where we belong.” Amy added that the preschool has been utilising social media to connect to and engage with the community.

Forbes is fortunate to have Wiradjuri elders who bring so much cultural enrichment and historical insight into the area, with many having witnessed tremendous change in their lifetimes.

While the usual Reconciliation Week celebrations couldn’t go ahead this year due to restrictions and Dreaming Centre upgrades, “It’s still important for non-Aboriginal Australians to learn about the history of this ancient land,” said Wiradjuri elder Aileen Allen.

“To me, reconciliation is about closing the gap together and we are making steady progress,” adding “respect and understanding go hand in hand.”

Forbes Preschool is celebrating National Reconciliation Week in small groups this year.

Targeted For Closure

May 29, 2020 By editor

Forbes Target is set to close by mid-2021.

The recent announcement by Westfarmers that Forbes Target, alongside 159 other mostly regional stores, is to be closed or converted into Kmart has been met with unanimous expressions of disappointment throughout the Forbes Shire.

While Target has said they would focus on increasing awareness of their online business for regional communities, as well as broaden their online capabilities, Forbes Business Chamber’s Marg Duggan has warned that this would only further damage the local economy. “It’s really disappointing, closures by corporate business have a bigger impact here than in cities,” said Marg.

Both the Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes Business Chamber are going to approach Westfarmers to urge them to reconsider the closure of Forbes Target, which currently services over 65,000 people in the Forbes Shire and surrounds.

“The size of the store, should it remain empty, will have a tremendous impact on our beautiful CBD and the reduction in traffic will have devastating consequences for smaller businesses in town.” Marg went on to say that the closure is “a tough reminder of the consequences of online shopping and the changing global economy,” urging consumers to “reconsider their shopping habits and shop locally before going out of town.”

While many Forbes small businesses have an online presence, the sustainability of the CBD relies on foot traffic coming into the bricks and mortar stores, with the Forbes Business Chamber reminding shop owners that they have the responsibility to provide a good shopping experience for their customers.

A Forbes retail veteran and store owner, Stewart Robb said: “We think it’s terrible. We have been here for 40 years, before there was a department store there and it was pretty dire then. This closure will drive locals out of town for basics,” adding, “Grenfell and Condobolin and all the other towns in between will be going to Parkes,” a move that will have a devastating impact on the local economy.

One Forbes saleswoman believes that the Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council’s energy is better spent in finding a replacement, such as Best&Less, to occupy the space. “Everyone else will be chasing up Target,” a company many retailers expressed have “made their decision based on numbers, so there is no way to change their mind.” Forbes Target is set to close mid-next year, and while the predicted impact of the closure is daunting, the ingenuity and resilience of the Forbes community is sure to find a solution.

Forbes Families Welcome Reopening Of Parks And Playgrounds

May 22, 2020 By editor

Parker Claire headed straight for his favourite park equipment, the slippery dip.

Outdoor parks and playgrounds reopened to the public from Friday last week, with many families coming out over the weekend to enjoy their favourite playgrounds in Forbes. The highly anticipated reopening of the Ski Dam playground has been celebrated throughout the Shire with a steady flow of families enjoying the much-loved playground and upgraded facilities that received finishing touches this week and are now ready for the public to enjoy.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM acknowledged the enthusiasm of the community for life to return to normal but urged residents to continue to be mindful when returning to parks and playgrounds, asking residents to “keep the health of your family and others in mind when using the equipment.”

No longer bound by the eyesore of fluorescent orange safety bunting, Forbes playgrounds are looking more inviting than ever. However, there is still a limit of 10 people at playgrounds in the Forbes Shire at any one time. The limit was largely respected over the weekend, with families staying mindful of numbers and time spent in the area.

“We are so proud of the work completed around our beautiful Ski Dam, you must come and have a look,” said Mayor Miller. “I must congratulate our amazing staff who have worked tirelessly to bring all of this to fruition, well done.” The upgrade includes multiple seating and dining areas, BBQ facilities and soft green grass, all centred around the picturesque nature playground overlooking the water.

A Coffee On Cowal

May 15, 2020 By editor

Simon Coates gifting a voucher to Dr Richard Draper. The Evolution Senior Environmental Advisor distributed vouchers to educators and health care workers in Forbes.

Last Friday, Forbes health care workers and educators were recognised and thanked by Evolution Mining who recently rolled out ‘A Coffee on Cowal,’ a fantastic, community focused initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative saw Forbes Shire essential workers in the health and education sector gifted with a free cup of coffee from Evolution Cowal. The initiative not only supports local business through the purchase of the coffee vouchers, but also acknowledges and thanks those health care workers for the fantastic job they are doing to keep our community safe. The thanks extends to Forbes Shire educators for the challenging, fast-paced, ever changing work that they are doing to support their students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and the government’s response to the pandemic has brought changes, minor and major, to the lives of all and this is one way that Evolution Cowal has stepped in to show their thanks and support for Forbes’ health workers and educators.

Simon Coates, Senior Environmental Advisor to Cowal, who handed out the vouchers said, “It was great to touch base and share stories with these workers and it was very clear the small gesture of a cup of coffee was very much appreciated and they were grateful for the recognition.”

Evolution handed out 300 vouchers to 10 businesses in the Forbes Shire and endeavours to continue to support the community during these challenging and uncertain times.

Calling All Tradies And Suppliers

May 8, 2020 By editor

Marg Duggan and Duke Jelbart from the Forbes Business Chamber are urging Forbes tradespeople and businesses to update their contact information.

Forbes Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council have joined forces to update and add to the current business database.

Both organisations are looking for all businesses to update their contact details with the Forbes Business Chamber. “We are looking for details of tradies and suppliers,” said Marg Duggan, President of Forbes Business Chamber.

“Forbes has many exciting projects happening in the next couple of years and as details for quotes and contracting opportunities become available, we need to be able to contact the relevant people.”

The Forbes Business Database has been growing over the past three years. “Currently the database has over 450 Forbes businesses and not-for-profit organisations listed,” said Marg. “At times it is very hard to get businesses to update their details which makes it difficult for Forbes Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council to pass on very important information.”

“I encourage all of our tradies and suppliers to jump on board this initiative,” said Mayor of Forbes Shire Council, Phyllis Miller OAM. “We continue to support locals where we can and provide contact details to our newcomers to town as well as any enquiries that present at Council.”

“Forbes is very lucky to have so many tradespeople in our town and by working together we can ensure the work is here to keep them around,” added Phyllis.

Please email Forbes Business Chamber at forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com to have a database update form sent to you.