The Forbes Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has some great news as it comes out of its recess with plans for a brand-new arena.

The Forbes Shire Council has provided land for the new RDA centre at the Forbes Livestock Exchange, and earthworks will start this week to clear and level the land, and prepare the base for the arena. The arena will be fenced and there will be a paddock for the horses.

“We are very fortunate to have Tommy Boyle as project officer,” said Deb Roylance of Forbes RDA. “If all goes to plan, we hope to start up the centre during Term 2 or beginning of Term 3.”

Deb said with more than 30 children from schools in and around Forbes already interested in the RDA’s services, they required a volunteer co-ordinator, horse manager and volunteers. Volunteers will help out with activities like care of horses, leading horses or assisting riders in the program, helping with activities for unmounted riders, training horses and ponies, assisting the coach and more.

She said riding helped to develop so many abilities in children with disabilities, such as improving balance and posture, promoting decision making and thinking ahead, encouraging reading and speech, and developing eye-hand co-ordination.

If anyone can volunteer their services with the new centre or on RDA days, on Wednesday afternoons, email forbes@ rdansw.org.au or ring 0438 514 472. Everyone is also invited to the AGM on Monday, 28th March at the Forbes Council Chambers at 7:30 pm. All committee positions are vacant.

The 18th instalment of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) trail was unveiled on Tuesday, and it encourages viewers to draw meaning from their own experience.

Wandering by Southern Highlands sculptor David Ball was officially unveiled 6.5km outside Condobolin along the Lachlan Valley Way towards Forbes.

“You can see this sculpture like a piece of music – it’s suggestive,” said David of the largest commission of his career to date.

Unlike the other sculptures that feature along the SDL trail, Wandering does not have a narrative. While the abstract piece was made in reference to the picturesque landscape in which it sits, it invites the viewer to create a narrative for themselves.

“It’s about the viewer walking through it, walking around it, and experiencing what it does for them. For some people it may mean a lot, for others it may mean nothing at all.

“I see it as being about the geology of the area – the curving lines are of the life that surrounds the river. I’d like to think that it connects well with where it is, and hopefully viewers can see it in harmony or co-existence with the landscape.”

The sculpture comprises of four pieces, each taking six to eight weeks to construct. Combined, the piece weighs 18 tonne and is made of 100 sheets of corten steel.

“One of the benefits of exhibiting art in this way is that it exposes new audiences to Australian sculpture,” said Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick.

“The beauty of this trail is that we are seeing people engage with art that wouldn’t typically. It’s been wonderful to see the farming communities of Forbes and Condobolin embrace the SDL concept wholeheartedly and become sculpture ambassadors.”

Lachlan Shire Mayor John Medcalf OAM said the residents of Lachlan Shire were very pleased to accept the Wandering sculpture into their community.

“The ‘Wandering’ sculpture is a fantastic addition to the Lachlan trail, providing visitors with the unique experience of being able to judge for themselves the meaning of the artwork, and I urge locals and visitors alike to take in this new addition for themselves,” said Sam Farraway MLC.

The Sculpture Down the Lachlan extension is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’, funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

The project aims to foster visual arts throughout the Forbes Shire, grow the visitor economy and promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.

Are you looking for a job or career change? Do you want to know what opportunities are out there in the local region? Job seekers, parents and carers and secondary students will find plenty of useful information at the Forbes Local Jobs and Careers Expo to be held in the Club Forbes Auditorium from 5.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, 17 March.

With 30 exhibitors already registered the night will showcase employment opportunities in a range of local industries including agriculture, retail, hospitality, agricultural machinery, engineering, real estate, legal services, mining, earthmoving, and civil construction.

Representatives from Council and State Government agencies such as Local Land Services and Transport for NSW will be on hand to outline the many career opportunities and entry pathways available in the government sector.

Charles Sturt University, Parkes Country University Centre and TAFE representatives will be attending to supply information and answer questions on a wide range of tertiary courses and options for local study support. Connect with Training Services NSW and local recruitment agencies such as Skillset, Verto and Sureway to discuss your career options and get information on apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across the region.

No matter your age or where you are at in your career journey there will be something at the Expo for everyone. Admission is free and attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the Expo. Come along and explore the amazing local employment and study opportunities on your doorstep.

Forbes Lions Club will be holding a barbeque at Bunnings Forbes tomorrow, 5 March from 9am to celebrate Lions Awareness Day.

With over 25,000 members, Lions Australia is Australia’s largest service organisation. But there’s much more to them than fundraising barbeques according to members Peter and Elaine Bright.

“We help a range of other community groups with their blue-chip events whether it be volunteering or loaning of equipment,” said Peter, who has been involved since the club reformed in Forbes in August 2008 after running from 1962 – 2001.

For Peter and Elaine, the Club, like many in the bush, survives on local volunteers and as the current crop retire or take a backseat, the importance of new members joining and keeping such groups alive is just as big a focus.

“Hopefully this Lions Awareness Day we can attract some new and younger members and we invite everyone to come along for a meet and greet,” he said.

“Forbes Lions are involved in a number of projects within the community including RDA and our Youth of the Year competition among other things,” said Peter.

Lions jam-packed calendar in 2022 also includes the famous Drum Muster in November which is always a highlight, according to Peter’s wife and fellow member, Elaine.

“It is one of our bigger events each year and always popular,” she said. “We are hoping this year things start returning to normal.”

Forbes Lions Club BBQ will be held at Bunnings Forbes from 9am – 3pm on Friday, 5 March.

It has been the talk of the town all week – not one but two Vanfests this year with the first being held on April 9 called Mini Vanfest before the main event comes to town in December.

In a real boost for the Forbes and Central West communities, Julia Stone, the enigmatic and mystical half of Angus and Julia Stone, returns while the popular May-esque riffs of Holy Holy will also headline the mini version in six weeks.

The one-day version will also feature twice platinum-selling artist Jarryd James, Complicated singer Eves Karydas, alt-pop act Loretta, reggae group Rum Jungle from Newcastle and Toowoomba rising star Cloe Terrare as well as a plethora of local artists.

“In support of the live music industry, regional NSW and the local community, not only will Vanfest return bigger and better than ever this December, but it will also be joined by a killer Mini Vanfest early this year to warm back into the groove and get the flow of live music back into our veins,” a statement from organisers said on their website.

Mini Vanfest 2022 will be held at South Circle Park Forbes, NSW on Saturday, 9 April 2022. Book your tickets online at: oztix.com.au.

Local acts are still to be announced. Get your tickets early and don’t miss out!

You could be forgiven for thinking it was 2018 again but the 2022 edition of the Total Wear Solutions Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup will be as remembered for teenager William Stanley’s back-to-back victories as it will be for the swell of numbers who turned up.

Sold out well before, the latest Bedgerabong Picnic Cup race meeting was the first of any kind held since October last year when the most recent Omicron variant swept through NSW and Victoria causing a raft of cancellations to the picnic racing calendar.

Under new COVID restrictions, the well-behaved 2000 strong crowd were treated to some spectacular local and TAB racing, glittering fashions in the field, fine local food, ice cold beverages, lively band Foxy Cleopatra and the chance to catch up after two years of unprecedented challenges.

“It’s a great day out and a chance to see some friends,” said Forbes local Karli Noakes. “Especially given the last two years,” she said.

This year’s event was roughly double the capacity from 2021 when 17-year-old William Stanley from Bathurst won the Bedgerabong Cup on Bryan Dixon’s Song One from Gilgandra. This year, Stanley repeated the dose on Valydium enroute to a perfect two from two return at the track for the youngster.

Yet for the ladies, it was all about fashion more than the field and the opportunity to socialise again.

From all reports it was worth the wait and another great event!

Normally held on December 3 each year, the popular and important International Day of People with Disability Pool Party (IDPwD) celebration was held at Forbes Olympic Pool on Monday February 7th. The COVID pandemic had scuppered any chance of an event late last year meaning that for the second year in a row the special day was held in February.

Participants from a number of NDIS providers from around the region attended the popular Forbes Shire Council sponsored event with free entry to the pool, a BBQ lunch, games, music, workshops and a chance to catch up and socialise for many who haven’t been able to connect in-person for nearly two years.

The day also consisted of info for carers and families from a raft of providers.

“It has been great seeing everyone again,”

said Tim Wheeler from Currajong Disability Services.

“I have always liked this day – we all have fun,” he said.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM was also on hand to present certificates to participants after the popular sing and dance workshop. Mayor Miller acknowledged the important contributions of people with disabilities in the Forbes community.

IDPwD (December 3) is a United Nations sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day around Australia.

Forbes students were welcomed back into classrooms with vaccinations, rapid antigen testing and mask wearing to play a key role in limiting the spread of the virus and keeping school communities safe. Some Forbes Public, North and Forbes High School students all started on Tuesday. Kindergarten starts next Monday February 7.

Premier Dominic Perottet said everyone has worked hard to ensure that every school is a safe environment for students, teachers and school staff.

“We have distributed 8.6 million rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to all schools and early childhood education centres so that educators are able to undertake surveillance testing for COVID-19 twice a week.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said she was thrilled to see students walk through school gates.

“The Department of Education has worked closely with NSW Health to make schools as safe as possible. It’s also encouraging to see that our students are increasingly getting vaccinated.”

In NSW, more than 78 per cent of children in the 12 to 15-year-old age group have been double-dosed while in the 5 to 11-year-old age group, more than 39 per cent of children have had their first dose.

Other COVID-safe measures include physical distancing, ventilation and mask wearing.

“With all these measures in place, we’re confident that students will be able to return to the activities they love while staying COVID-safe,” Ms Mitchell said.

More information on COVID-safe measures in schools is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families.

Last Tuesday evening, the Citizen of the Year gala dinner was held at Forbes Town Hall to recognise those who have contributed to the community. With this year’s ambassador, inspirational Paralympic gold medallist Lindy Hou also in attendance, tireless community worker and RDA mentor Laurie Norris took out Forbes Citizen of the Year presented by Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

New councillor Brian Mattiske awarded John and Christine Gorton Senior Citizen of the Year while Forbes High School Captain for 2022, Benjamin Barnard, picked up the Junior Citizen award and was congratulated by another new councillor, Aidan Clarke.

MC and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance also paid special tribute to all nominees.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their efforts,” said Mr Roylance.

“It is visible through the high quality of nominations we had this year,” he said.

On Wednesday morning, Rotary hosted the customary Australia Day breakfast at Lion’s Park at 7am. Later, most made their way back for more fun in the sun before settling in for the evening’s entertainment which culminated in fireworks.

Mayor Phyllis Miller was very pleased with the turn out after the last few events had been watered down due to COVID.

“It is amazing to see so many people come out and responsibly enjoy themselves on Australia Day,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone and a big congratulations to all our Australia Day award winners!”

More photos on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page.