Selina Win Pe is one amazing woman who has so much to offer the struggling Forbes community as they currently tackle the worst drought on record.

Selina is one of the survivors of the infamous Lindt Café Siege in Sydney in 2014.

Since the siege Selina has battled Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for 4.5 years. Selina wanted to find a way of giving back to the Australians who have helped and supported her since the siege.

It was in early March of this year that Selina decided to jump in the car and leave Sydney, and see the effects of the NSW drought first hand that she had heard about through the media. After her travels she contacted the CEO of Rural Aid Australia Charles Alder and wanted to know how she could help.

Selina then identified with the help of Charles, two programs that she would get behind. They include:

• The Buy a Bale Program
• The Gift of Music Program

Selina is now an Official Rural Aid Ambassador and travels the state listening to the communities struggling through the drought. While she was in Forbes she met with Mayor Phyllis Miller and kindly delivered and donated over 150 bottles of water to Nell’s Pantry 4 Farmers at St John’s Anglican Church.

Selina is looking forward to returning to Forbes in the near future to speak at a Rotary Club event.

On 1st June Selina launched a new website www.selinawinpe.com.au which shows all her travels around the state.

Forbes Library is set to benefit from a record boost in funding for NSW Public Libraries, with the State Government delivering $36.5 million in 2019/20.

NSW State Librarian John Vallance welcomed this significant increase announced as part of the NSW State Budget in 2019, which will see a total of $60 million in additional Government funding going to public libraries over the next four years.

Forbes Library will be receiving an increase of $46,284 bringing the total amount of funding from the NSW State Government for the 2019/20 year to $85,986.

Jan Richards, Manager Central West Libraries said, “Central West Libraries will now work closely with Forbes Shire Council to decide what the funding will be used for as there are fairly broad parameters on the allocation. Potentially though this money will go towards staffing, opening hours, programs and services. We will also be working with the Forbes Community as part of the strategic planning process to fufill the needs of the local community”.

“We are very excited that this funding has come through. It is the result of the strong campaign of the NSW Public Library Association to increase funding”, said Jan.

Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller said “We love our Forbes Library and the funding increases will make a huge difference in helping our library to better meet the growing demands of our readers and communities.”

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine, is ecstatic with the news that Forbes Preschool was announced as one of three finalists in Australia’s Narrungunnawali Awards for 2019 on Wednesday, July 3 2019.

Reconciliation Australia launched the Narragunnawali Awards 2019 for exceptional commitment to reconciliation in education. Held biennially, the Narragunnawali Awards represent Australia’s first national awards program for reconciliation in schools and early learning services.

The awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate educational environments – across the Government, Catholic and Independent sectors – that have implemented outstanding reconciliation initiatives. These schools and early learning services will be acknowledged for the ways in which they are strengthening relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or early learning service, and with the community.

“Forbes Preschool has been selected as a finalist for its outstanding and genuine reconciliation initiatives as part of the everyday learning program at Forbes Preschool,” said Ms Shine.

“This award is in recognition of the passion and dedication of our whole team here at Forbes Preschool and shows they are building and strengthening relationships as well as respect,” Ms Shine said. She added, “Our programs here at Forbes Preschool are designed to truly reflect and include our entire community and encourage meaningful relationships to take our students through their whole lives. The
earlier we start these conversations and educate our children, respect and unity will be a perfectly acceptable and normal part of every child’s life,” continued Ms Shine.

We cannot wait for the judges from Narragunnawali Awards 2019 to visit Forbes Preschool and be a part of our reconciliation journey.

“Being announced as a finalist is another great honour for Forbes Preschool. To be recognised nationally shows how committed our team and our community are to being the most outstanding learning centre we can possibly be, for now and for our future,” Ms Shine said.

By Kathy Garland

The Forbes Public School Stage 2/3 Primary School dance group have come away with first place after they performed in the ‘School Dance’ Section at the Forbes Eisteddfod last week. In second place was Parkes East Public Stage 3, Third place went to St Joseph’s Primary in Molong and four Highly Commended awards went to Holy Family Primary Boys Dance, Holy Family Primary “Dance Divas”, Forbes North Public School and the Holy Family Primary “Dancing Queens”.

The Stage 2/3 Primary School dance group who included Forbes Public School students Jade McKeown, Summer Hurford, Lola Morrison, Jemma Hodder, Billy Duggan, Millie Crowley, Bella Male, Audrey Walker and Ellie Pointon were amongst 11 other school groups in the region and scored an impressive 91 from the adjudicator.

“The energy and enthusiasm the girls displayed on stage was uplifting and their smiles lit up like Luna Park. It was incredibly entertaining and I was very proud of them all,” said teacher Miss Hodge.

“A special mention must go to Miss Gersbach who coordinated the dance, working tirelessly through break times and after school to help the girls create this phenomenal dance,” continued Miss Hodge.

In other Forbes Eisteddfod news the Most Outstanding School over all sections was awarded to St Laurence’s Catholic School in Forbes. The Forbes Town and District Band came a close second to the Parkes Shire Concert Band in the Open Band Group followed by Lachlan Regional Orchestra in third place.

People who live, work and visit the Forbes Shire demand a high level of food safety when they choose to eat out. ‘Scores on Doors’ is a promotional program that recognises and celebrates food businesses that have demonstrated a good standard of food safety.

Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM said “Scores on Doors creates a consistency in the local industry as everyone is judged on the same criteria.”

All restaurants, cafes, bakeries and takeaways in the Forbes local area can receive a star rating. Officers from Forbes Shire Council frequently inspect food businesses to ensure hygiene standards are being met.

When a business achieves good to excellent standards, after a random inspection, they are awarded a star rating by the inspector. A certificate is then issued by the Council and positioned in a clearly visible location, such as the front window or door of the business.

Mayor Miller stated “This program offers businesses a fantastic opportunity to show customers how seriously they take their food hygiene. This gives customers an idea of what’s going on in the kitchen out the back.”

Forbes Shire has joined the state-wide ‘Scores on Doors’ program, to improve food safety standards and to reduce the instance of foodborne illnesses in the retail food industry. The purple and green certificate and stickers have a rating system of Five Stars for Excellent, Four Stars for Very Good and Three Stars for Good.

Scones, cream, clay and creativity all featured at the Serendipity Ceramic Studio of Coralie Crouch on Sunday 16th June 2019.

The open studio was part of the River Arts Festival as an initiative to promote local artists and their work.

On Sunday, despite the cold weather the Serendipity Ceramic Studio was visited by a variety of enthusiastic and creative groups. The visitors were treated to a tour of the studio to gain insight into what is involved in the ceramic processes.

All visitors were then encouraged by Coralie to take part in a hands-on activity to experience the use of the medium of clay.

Morning and afternoon tea featured a generous supply of scones produced by the light hands of Margaret Adams for the occasion.

The visitors to the studio were of all ages and gender. Participants expressed excitement over the use of the clay for their creative production of a ceramic flower which will be fired and returned to each artist.

There were numerous enquiries about the possibilities for future classes so that this clay experience could be explored in greater depth. Stay tuned for further details!

Last week in the NSW Parliament the role women have played and play each day in local government was celebrated.

“A special congratulations must go to Cr. Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor of Forbes, for receiving the Highly Commended Award for Elected Representative for Rural/Regional NSW,” said Phil Donato, Member for Orange.

Now in its 12th year The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the contribution of women to local government in NSW. In addition to recognising the significant contribution of award winners, the awards aim to encourage more women to take on leadership roles in local government in NSW. The awards also highlight the significant contribution these women make in their local communities.

“I was pleased to see so many of our councillors from the Orange electorate (Orange, Cabonne, Parkes and Forbes) along with senior managerial staff, nominated for these awards make the trip to Sydney,” continued Phil Donato, Member for Orange.

There were five categories of awards:

• Elected Representative.
• General Manager/Senior Staff Member – general manager or senior staff positions as defined by councils in the Local Government Directory
• Non-Senior Staff Member – aimed at women who may not have worked in local government for long, or at a senior level, but who have demonstrated significant achievement and leadership
• Women in a Non-Traditional Role – a role that is traditionally held by men where the nominee is the first to enter into that role at their council or is breaking down gender stereotype barriers and  conventions to perform the functions of any given role
• Women in Traineeships or Apprenticeships – the traineeships/apprentices category recognises the achievements of outstanding individuals who have undertaken traineeships in the local government sector.

The quintessential Aussie bonfire night is set to be re-created in Forbes on June 22, but with a twist. Forbes Shire Council is coordinating an amazing event called Frost and Fire, which is FREE to attend, to be held at the Lake Forbes Ski Dam.

The event is underpinned by the themes of spending time with friends in the great outdoors by a fire, and Frost and Fire is set to make an impression on both young and old. The location will set the perfect scene, surrounded by water, majestic gum trees and the night sky ablaze with millions of stars.

On a chilly Tuesday night this week Frost and Fire was launched in Forbes. 2019 is Frost and Fires’ inaugural year and promises plenty of fire, hearty food, warming beverages and great entertainment. Sit back and relax fireside whilst enjoying the amazing line up of live music. Local talent, Lily Gaffaney will perform alongside Young Monks from Canberra. Headline act, Lior is a must see, having recently achieved international acclaim and playing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.

The night wouldn’t be complete without tasting the beautiful food from the Forbes area. A grazing supper, guests will be able to pre-order from fabulous local suppliers who create delectable picnics. A chip on a stick, some flavourful grilled BBQ or burger fare or some homestyle, traditional winter warming favourites will all be on offer. Enjoy a cider, boutique beer and traditional
beers or a warming wine or even a hot choccy or coffee, paired with some sweet delights.

Last Wednesday 22nd May at 11am at the Forbes Library a group of children were treated to an entertaining reading of the book Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove as part of National Simultaneous Storytime.
Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards said that 2019 will be the biggest year yet for the event with 1 million children throughout the country sharing the story all at the same time.
“Now in its 19th year, National Simultaneous Storytime is well established on the Library calendar and this year’s story is a real treat,” Jan said.

“The story features alpacas Macca and Al in a talent show. It takes them some time to work out they can play the maracas. It is a great rhyming story and very entertaining,” continued Jan.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
The children at Forbes Library loved the story that was also being enjoyed by thousands of other children at the same time across Australia, followed by craft.

“Kathy Garland did a great reading of this year’s story for our greatly appreciative group of storytimers,” said Forbes Branch Librarian Bronwyn Clark.

If anyone would like to have their own personal storytime session at home you can listen to read aloud renditions of Matt Cosgrove’s books with Story Box Library.

Alpacas with Maracas can be accessed on the Story Box Library link via the Central West Libraries website http://www.cwl.nsw.gov.au/ All you need is your library card to log on to Story Box Library and you then have access to over 200 beautifully animated and brilliantly read story books.

Forbes has an abundance of exceptional qualities but one of the most noteworthy is the community’s compassion when someone is in need.

One such example of kind-heartedness that can be found in our charming town, is that of Nell’s Pantry 4 Farmers at St John’s Anglican Church, which opened its doors for the first time this week. The Pantry is in aid of farmers who have been doing it tough during the relentless and ongoing drought.

The Pantry has been named after Nell, a long standing parish member of St John’s, who very generously gifted a donation to be used to reach out to the Forbes community.

“Nell’s Pantry evolved out of the generosity of community members and also businesses, who last year gave hampers and gifts for farming families,” said Sue Jolliffe, Pantry volunteer.

These contributions assisted St John’s Anglican Church in hosting a Farmer’s Feast in September to show farmers they were not alone in these hard times.

Reverend Crystal Spindler said the Pantry is a continuation of support from the Farmer’s Feast, with different churches and businesses from the coast sending through gift cards and food for those in need.

“We are relying on locally sourced groceries to stock the shelves and hope that people get behind the Pantry,” said Reverend Crystal.

Nell’s Pantry will be open to farmers every Tuesday from 1pm to 3:30pm, except in school holidays. Drought-affected farmers will be able to select up to two green Woolworths bags worth of groceries per visit.