Heather Mackinnon, Andy Allen, Mark Labrooy, Robyn Miller and Karen Wright with crew member and producer filming.

In early November 2020, Forbes CWA Evening Branch members received an unexpected invitation to be involved in the filming of a new cooking and lifestyle program.

The invitation asked for members to provide samples of family favourite lamb dishes and their well-used recipe books which contained go-to recipes. CWA branches were targeted because of their traditional reputations as being good cooks. Intrigued by this, and always looking for opportunities to be involved in community events, four Forbes members, Karen Wright, Heather Mackinnon, Robyn Miller and Sue Cunningham joined a small group of CWA members from Parkes and Forbes Day Branches at Trundle.

Andy Allen, youngest Masterchef winner and Junior Masterchef judge, Mark Labrooy, Masterchef guest judge and international chef, and Darren Robertson from Masterchef, Iron Chef and My Kitchen Rules hosted the ladies’. All three Chefs and owners of the Three Blue Ducks restaurants located in Sydney, Byron Bay and Brisbane, were looking for authentic, good old fashioned, ‘rustic’ country cooking to taste and possibly incorporate the recipes into their menus at these venues. “We want to maintain our commitment to supporting small farmers and producers,” said Darren. “It’s really about working with what’s available, minimising waste and sourcing produce that’s as organic as possible.”

There was a variety of different lamb dishes brought along by CWA members including a sweet lamb curry, a jumbuck stew, and a lamb hotpot, all cooked by Forbes members, which impressed the celebrity chefs.

Filming was very fluid with the cameras shooting most of the time while the group discussed a variety of topics, taste-tested the dishes and perused the old and much-loved cookbooks. The film crew and sound man roved around the ladies’ filming with the mic just above their heads. However, it didn’t take long for the ladies to relax and forget about the cameras and crew as it was interesting for them to look at the historic cookbooks while chatting about how country cooks cook.

Taste testing of the lamb dishes.

Apart from taste testing, the filming for this episode included an open and frank discussion surrounding the issues important to rural, regional and remote communities, what the CWA is all about and its role in the community, and how local branches have changed and adapted to support women, families and the community in an ever-changing world.

The three chefs spent time delving into some very old and much-loved recipe books brought along by members. The focus was on the waste reduction approach that farmers have historically taken when providing food for their families. “Reducing waste and sustainability is very important to us,” commented Mark.

“We are visiting places where we source our foods that we cook and serve,” stated Andy. “We wanted to find out about the local areas and the communities from where the food originates and from the Trundle area where we source much of the lamb we serve.” Different episodes will focus on where they source their seafood, beef, and other produce.

What was intended to be ninety minutes of filming turned into several hours. “It was all good fun and something different,” stated Robyn Miller, President of Forbes CWA Evening Branch.

The first episode of the program, Three Blue Ducks, will be aired on Channel 10 on Saturday night, 13 February at 7.00pm. The second episode will be aired on Network 10 on Saturday, 20th February at 7.00 pm.

This episode takes the three chefs to western NSW and a Trundle family property to explore the use of lamb in their cooking. Forbes and Parkes CWA branches were involved in the filming of this episode of the 6 part series.

If you missed the first episode you can view it, as well as all the upcoming episodes on 10 Play.

Dancers from Kristen’s Dance Studio will perform a traditional Chinese Dance at Grazing Down the Lachlan.

Create NSW and Arts OutWest have announced the eight successful local projects in the 2021 round of the Country Arts Support Program (CASP).

Eight groups across the Central West will share $23,812 in funding for small arts pro-jects, with two Forbes groups amongst the recipients.

The Forbes funding will go towards a Schools Eco Day and workshop for students in Parkes and Forbes Shires, and a traditional Chinese dance to be learned and performed at Grazing Down the Lachlan by Kristen’s Dance Studio.

CASP is a long-running small grants program of the NSW Government. It is a key regional arts funding program for NSW which provides support to employ artists in locally initiated arts and cultural projects. The aim is to provide access to arts activities for regional communities, to encourage communities to work together on cultural projects, to foster cultural diversity in the region and to ensure that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice.

“These eight projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They also provide employment opportunities to local artists and arts workers,” Arts OutWest Executive Director Tracey Callinan said.

These funded projects will employ around 20 professional arts practitioners and utilise hundreds of volunteer hours. Much of the funds will be spent locally and the projects will also make use of in-kind goods and services from local councils, businesses, and community groups.

Amy Shine, Director of Forbes Preschool, and Councillor Steve Karaitiana, who were each instrumental in implementing vital social infrastructure in North Forbes.

The new Goldridge Estate is set to help manage the growing population in Forbes. However, the estate will have no social housing properties included in it despite there being a major need for it. Forbes Shire Councillor Steve Karaitiana is pushing for more social housing in Forbes however, has so far come up against resistance within Council. Steve has been trying to include social housing development on Goldridge Estate, amongst the nearly 400 new houses that will be built, suggesting pepper-potting, an urban housing strategy where social housing is sprinkled amongst different residential areas across town. However, the land was given to Council under the proviso that there will be no social housing build on the land, which was donated to Forbes Shire Council by the Forbes Jemalong Aged People’s Association (FJAPA) after the group disbanded in 2019.

“We disbanded. All the money that was from the sale of the old village, we bought that paddock initially to put up the new retirement village with, which is there now. Independent living units was another bit of land that we gave to Catholic Healthcare, and the land that was left we decided, because it was community money that bought the land, what better community organization is there than Forbes Shire Council,” said Alister Lockhart, former Chairman of the Forbes Jemalong Aged People’s Association. It was included by the FJAPA as the association felt the inclusion of social housing would affect the sale value of the land. “It’s quite a big area, and it was thought that it would be quite a long time before residential could get established. And it was thought there might be some social housing that might pull in there with caravans. And that’s what the thinking was, and it was to stop that from happening because it would make the rest not sell well if there were caravans,” stated Alistair.

According to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), as of June 2020 Forbes had 206 social housing dwellings, down from 213 in 2015. The latest statistics available on waiting times from the DCJ website indicate that as of 30 June 2019, there were 20 applicants waiting for social housing within Forbes, with less than five of those on the priority list. Expected waiting times for social housing within Forbes at that time ranged between up to two years, and five years. As of July 2020, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes were dealing with approximately 45 cases of homelessness in Forbes, and throughout the year had helped 120 people at risk of living with homelessness. Specialist Homelessness Service Team Leader for CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, Andrew Bament, said homelessness is a serious ongoing issue in Forbes and believes there is a need for additional social housing. Full article available online https://katherineeverest.com/2021/01/27/councillor-pushing-for-more-social-housing-in-forbes/

Katie and Gigi Stitt in front of the Forbes Public School Christmas display.

Winners are grinners, the Christmas Window Competition was judged by Denise Richards of Appleyard B&B, Nadia Parkinson, Forbes Shire Council Tourism and Destination Officer, and Brendon Allegri from Ray White Real Estate.

The competition saw 19 entries over three categories. Forbes North Public School and Forbes Public School shared first prize for Innovation, Mitre 10 won the Best Display, followed closely by Allure On Main. The Viewers’ Choice saw 35.9% of votes for News On Rankin. Congratulations to everyone for their great displays and all of the effort that they put in.

Debbie Beer from Robbs Jewellers drew ticket number six from the bin. The winner received their tickets from Little Extras Lifestyle. The big draws are on 24 December. Tim Redfern of Lachlan Readymix Concrete has generously donated one of his trucks for the Christmas Eve major draws. There will be 10 $500, one $1,500, two $2,500 and one $5,000 prizes drawn out of the truck from 11.30am onwards. Come to the corner of Battyee Lane and Rankin Streets to witness the fun.

Elf In The Shop began on Monday this week and will finish 21 December. Entry forms are available at Allure On Main,Undercover Sleepwear, News On Rankin, Sportspower and Loomzys Fish N Fix. “I encourage everyone to collect an entry form and use the clues to seek out the Elf that is hidden in the 20 shops. This is a treasure hunt with three $100 Why Leave Town cards for the winners. The Forbes Business Chamber is pleased to partner with Forbes Shire Council to deliver this activity to the community,” said Marg Duggan President of Forbes Business Chamber.

Robyn Miller (left) and Karen Wright from the Forbes CWA Evening Branch.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) Evening Branch celebrated the 20 years of service Robyn Miller has achieved as a CWA member at a recent Christmas function. She was presented with her 20-Year Badge by the outgoing 2020 President, Mrs Karen Wright.

Robyn was recognised for her long service to the community through the CWA with a presentation of a 20-year badge and congratulations from members of both the Forbes Evening and Forbes Day Branches of the CWA.

Robyn joined the Forbes Country Women’s Association Day Branch in December 1994 and served the community with this branch until 2009. With a few breaks in her membership to travel, work, and live in other locations, Robyn re-joined the Forbes CWA Evening Branch in 2012 and has continued to serve as a member to the present day. At the AGM in October 2020 Robyn was elected President of the Forbes Evening Branch for 2021.

Outgoing President Karen said that Robyn is “Always one of the first women to put up her hand to join in, and assist with the many and varied projects the CWA NSW and the local Evening Branch are organising or participating in.” Robyn has been a volunteer working at the Royal Easter Show CWA Tea Rooms for several years, involved in making and serving tea and those famous CWA scones.

HELPING FORBES FAMILIES Lil Hodges, Matilda Crawley, Eliza Woods, and Kristen Woods paid a special visit to Ronald McDonald House in Orange to donate boxes full of items to support families from Forbes and the Central West.

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Orange received a beautiful surprise when the Principal of Kristen’s Dance Studio in Forbes, Kristen Woods, arrived at the house last week with a generous donation of boxes of games, activities, toiletries and vouchers for families and sick children.

“We just had a knock on the door and were greeted by Kristen with boxes and boxes of donated items for our family, it was wonderful,” said Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange, Rebecca Walsh.

Kristen said her family has a special connection with Ronald McDonald House Charities as her sister was treated for several months at Westmead, with her family staying nearby at Ronald McDonald House many years ago.

“The donations for the Orange house are the result of the students dressing up for Halloween and donating,” Kristen said.

“We decided to split the donations between Orange and Westmead houses.”

“We are just so fortunate that we have a house in Orange now that is closer for our families,” she said.

Since Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange opened, 75 families from Forbes have stayed for a total of 235 nights while they access specialist care for their child at Orange Hospital.

All accommodation and services are provided to families free of charge for as long they need. This includes emergency meals, complimentary breakfasts, grocery items for families to self-cater, toiletries, and food and travel vouchers.

Over half of the 790 Central and Far-Western families that have stayed with RMHC Orange, have had a child or adolescent experiencing a mental health crisis requiring urgent treatment in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health ward located within Orange Hospital. It is the only specialist unit of its type located outside of Sydney.

Rebecca said due to the centralisation of specialist obstetric services to Orange, the
house in Orange had also experienced a marked increase in the number of women who need to come to Orange to give birth or be monitored during pregnancy.

“If pregnant mothers are sent to Orange for their check-up, they are offered overnight accommodation, so they don’t have to drive down and back in one day. Closer to delivery these women and their partner or family member stay with us for as long as required so they are close to hospital services,” Rebecca said.

Andrew Rousell, Melanie Suitor and Cr Chris Roylance with one of 20 new grain harvest signs around the Shire to improve road safety.

Harvest is well and truly underway across the region, with a record number of trucks transporting grain to local silos.

Drivers are being reminded about the extra truck movements with 20 new signs installed on roads throughout the Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Council areas.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the signs were the first of their kind in NSW.

“The fold-down harvest truck warning signs were designed and approved by Transport for NSW.”

“They are a pilot and based on the feedback we receive, may be rolled out in other locations on the regional road network next harvest,” Melanie said.

The Caution Grain Trucks signs have been installed on roads where grain trucks travel, and near silos in Parkes, Forbes, Trundle, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Tottenham.

“The safety of all road users during harvest is very important, especially this year as we see record numbers of truck movements following many years of drought.”

“The signs are currently opened and will be closed at the end of harvest.”

“By displaying the sign only at times when trucks are likely to be present, the credibility and hence the effectiveness of the sign is maintained,” Melanie said.

Kim Muffet, Dr Karen Ritchie of the Forbes Arts Society Chair, Stephen King, Cr Keith Mullette, The Hon. Sam Farraway MLC, Warwick Rolfe, Phil Donato MP, Rosie Johnston, Joy Russell and Wendy Muffet, Grazing Down the Lachlan Chair.

There is double the excitement for the latest additions to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) public art trail.

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said: “Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the next instalment since the unveiling of Varanus in July, which has already clocked up over 15,000 visitors. So, we are delighted to continue the roll out of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan expansion with not one, but two new installations.”

Tower, by Walcha-based sculptor Stephen King was officially unveiled last week along Wilbertroy Lane, 33 kilometres from Forbes on the Lachlan Valley Way towards Condobolin. King is renowned for his distinctive timber structures and carvings and was recently awarded the Helen Lempriere Scholarship at the 2020 Sculpture by the Sea and first prize at the 2020 Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival.

“The tower represents our need to control our resources. The water tower has almost been made redundant,” Stephen said.

“Advances in technology continue to change the way we store and use water. The old water towers stand as sculptural relic and reminders of what we leave behind in our attempts to meet the challenges of life on earth.”

Arhab Bik Bialhabi, I Welcome You with Love, by Western Australian-Iraqi sculptor, Ayad Alqaragholli arrived in Forbes last month, finding its permanent home in Albion Park. The bronze couple symbolises loyalty, love, and a sense of belonging.

To appropriately accommodate the new addition, Forbes Arts Society have teamed up with Forbes Shire Council to give Albion Park a makeover, which includes an underground irrigation system, new bench seating and pathways, as well as upgrades to the toilet block and signage.

Albion Park will be home to three sculptures in total. Anta Omri has taken the place of The Hunter which will be relocated to Gum Swamp.

The SDL extension is part of the $7 million Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project, it includes the construction of a new cultural and arts centre on the corner of Lachlan and Church Street and the Gum Swamp redevelopment.

The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining. The project aims to promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.