Amongst 680 entries received from 34 schools across the Riverina electorate, it was year 11 student, Alexandra Davis from Red Bend Catholic College who won the North Division for Secondary Schools category of the 10th annual Anzac Day writing competition.

“Students and teachers throughout the Riverina and Central West can hold their heads high regarding the quality of entries in this years competition,” stated Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who also went on to thank every student and teacher who put in the time to submit entries. It was Alexandra Davies’s piece that stood out amongst a sea of talent to win in her category. Entries were put into primary and secondary categories with the Riverina electorate divided into North, South, East and West divisions.

Michael went on to say, “As Anzac services have been cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is now more important than ever for us all to remember our Anzac’s and invoke their resilient spirit.” This competition serves as an alternative way to commemorate our Anzacs, which is crucial in the current and unprecedented environment.

Each of the student’s winning entries can be found in Mr McCormack’s 10th annual Anzac Day commemorative booklet, which will be delivered to letterboxes throughout the electorate in coming weeks.

The 36-page booklet contains a vast array of stirring stories from across the Riverina and Central West, from towns including Collingullie, Coolamon, Cowra, Forbes, Ganmain, Jugiong, Junee, Parkes, Ungarie, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong and Young.

Mark Thursday, 12th March down in your calendars because it’s World’s Greatest Shave time again.

This time last year Fiona McGonigal was battling kidney cancer and while most people would’ve taken time out to battle the disease, Fiona decided to raise awareness for cancer research by shaving her head to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

This year Fiona will again be participating in the World’s Greatest Shave and sadly, despite beating kidney cancer last year, she has received the unfortunate news that the disease has returned on the left side of her adrenal gland.

While Fiona has her ups and downs, she says nothing will stop her trying to beat last year’s fundraising effort of $1,000 which was her initial target. “The funds are vital, make no secret of it, but so too is awareness of cancer and different cancer types,” Fiona said. “Every day another 35 Australians are diagnosed with a blood cancer. That’s one Aussie every 41 minutes.”

According to the World’s Greatest Shave website – by signing up and raising money for World’s Greatest Shave, you’ll be part of an elite group of extraordinary people who are on a mission to reach the Leukaemia Foundation’s bold new goal: zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

If you want to support Fiona watch this space for more info, links and how to donate over the coming weeks otherwise contact Currajong Disability Services about how to get involved on 02 6863 4713.

Forbes residents and visitors converged on the showground last Saturday evening for a night of family fun and entertainment. Tom Curtain visited Forbes for his ‘We’re Still Here’ tour which is raising money and morale in drought-stricken communities throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

There was an enthusiastic crowd that attended the event, despite the heat, to support the tour while watching interactive shows of horsemanship, music and dance. As the sun went down, so did the force of the heat, making the atmosphere even more cheerful. Children kicked off their shoes to run and dance in the field before the stage while adults mingled over food, drink and good music.

Money raised on the night went to the CWA drought relief to assist local communities. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the tour and for simply having the opportunity to support drought relief by attending such an entertaining and engaging evening for all. Jodi Penfold of West Wyalong said the evening was “awesome, really great to have something like this on for families” and when asked if she would support a similar event in the future, Jodi responded “absolutely”. Jodi’s sister-in-law Ruth Penfold, also attended and added that “she would definitely come to something like this again”.

It was fantastic to see Forbes residents and visitors from neighbouring towns throw their enthusiastic support behind the tour and behind such an important cause.

 

Last Sunday Forbes came to life in celebration of Australia Day. Families and friends, residents and visitors, young and old gathered in Lions Park for an evening of socialising, good food, great music, activities on the lake and recognising the contributions and achievements of the Forbes Citizens of the Year. Record numbers attended the event, with an estimated 700 attendees in the park.

Marshalling on the corner of Cross and Lachlan Street and travelling down through the town, the parade was a unique and diverse mix of various community floats, groups and individual participants. The Forbes Town and District Band led the colourful, and community-oriented parade, concluding in Lions Park where spectators lined the street to welcome the parade participants.

Winners of the ‘Why Leave Town’ prize cards went to the CWA evening branch who received 3rd place, 2nd place went to the Forbes Learning Ladder for their Bananas in Pyjamas and teddies float and the 1st prize of a $2,000 card to be spent at businesses within Forbes went to the Forbes Fire and Rescue for their historic entry.

Lions Park was a sea of picnic rugs and eskies, with picnic attendees delighting in the live entertainment and activities on the lake. People were given the opportunity to try out paddling on the dragon boat, thanks to the Forbes Dragon Boat Club while children enjoyed the paddleboats on the lake.

Chief Inspector Bob Fitzgerald was welcomed as the Forbes Australia Day Ambassador. Bob was named the 2019 Volunteer of the Year. The father of seven is described as a real man of the people having also used his time to support victims of family violence, drug addiction and homelessness and Forbes was honoured to host him on the day.