Excited residents at the Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) had front-row seats at their own mock wedding to celebrate the royal marriage.

Residents of JRV were keen to celebrate the recent royal wedding in style. Residents helped staff plan and stage a fictitious ceremony that brought the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to life at JRV on the eve of the royal marriage.

Invitations were distributed to all residents asking that they wear their best attire for the occasion. The bride and groom remained anonymous until the day, causing lots of speculation as to the identity of the mystery couple.

Residents assisted in various capacities, including the floral arrangements and bridal bouquets. Staff and residents played various parts in the marriage ceremony concluding with the bride, portrayed by JRV resident Gladys Johnson, and the groom portrayed by another resident Paul Hanbury, being pronounced as “besties”.

The bridal waltz was replaced by the “chicken dance” and the celebrations also recognised those present who were having a birthday!

The JRV Opal Room venue was packed with residents, staff, family and friends along with lots of fun and laughter. The Queen and Prince Philip were also present and graciously helped staff and volunteers to serve some afternoon tea. Staff members Rose Carroll and Brian Dunn depicted these roles.

For all who attended, the event was greatly enjoyed and one to remember.

Children from Goodstart Early Learning Centre joined libraries and schools across Australia in reading the same book at the same time to promote National Simultaneous Storytime.

More than 500,000 participants in over 6,000 locations were captivated during the storytelling that took place across the country on Wednesday at 11am.

This year the book was Hickory Dickory Dash written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood. Hickory Dickory Dash is the real tale of the mouse that ran up the clock. It is an exciting tale of cat and mouse, as a mother mouse searches for her two sons all the while watching out for the prowling house cat.

Kathy Garland of Forbes Library had the little ones from Goodstart Early Learning hanging on her every word as she made the story come alive with her captivating storytelling. Each child was also given a mouse-mask to take them even further into storyland.

The children all had a wonderful time listening to the enchanting story and taking part in the activities after.

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. Now in its 18th successful year, it is an event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy that explores age-appropriate themes.

By Gizell van Wyk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forbes Heritage 2018 has once again seen a variety of events undertaken to celebrate the people and places of Forbes in times gone by.

Events such as the Antiques Roadshow, saw people travelling from as far as Cowra, Grenfell, and Condobolin to gain insight on the little pieces of history handed down through generations.

Another important feature was the open days of the Forbes History Group and the Forbes and District Historical Museum.

The 2018 Forbes Heritage Presentation Evening held last Tuesday, was an opportunity to recognise organisations and individuals, for their contribution to preserving the history of Forbes. The prestigious Forbes Medal for a Heritage Project was awarded to Forbes Shire Council for conservation work to the Forbes Library.

The Volunteer Award was awarded to the Forbes and District Historical Society for their tireless work to preserve Osborne Hall and the thousands of artefacts on display.

The presentation night was also an opportunity to involve school children in Heritage with colouring and drawing competitions.

Getting first place in the colouring competition was Jackson Beaudin, second place went to Isabella Chen and third place to Adam Cuskelly. Ellie Mitton took first place in drawing, Archie Quirk second place and Phoebe Walker third place.

In the Open Art competition, first prize was awarded to Sampa Bhakta and Keith Mullette took out the drawing section.

Karen Ritchie was awarded first place in the photography section and second prize went to Cheryl Barton.

The Federal and NSW Governments signed a landmark bilateral agreement, which makes way for the commencement of works on the multi-billion dollar Inland Rail project in NSW.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Michael McCormack and NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro signed the Intergovernmental Agreement at the Parkes Railway Station last Friday.

NSW is the second state to sign up to the nationally-significant project. The new agreement provides consent for the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to deliver Inland Rail in NSW.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the signing of the bilateral agreement was a landmark moment in the delivery of the project. “Inland Rail will be a corridor of commerce for communities along the eastern seaboard and this agreement is another vital step in making its vision a reality.”

He said 60% or 1,050km of the line will be in NSW linking up the ports of Melbourne and Brisbane boosting the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) to $2.6 billion per year.

Deputy Premier Barilaro said the project would not only grow regional communities and bring additional government services, but also reduce congestion on roads. “Inland Rail has the potential to completely reinvigorate parts of regional NSW, well beyond the thousands of jobs that will be created in the construction phase,” he said.

“This is all about helping NSW farmers get their product from paddock to port as cheaply and efficiently as possible, and in turn, putting money back in the pockets of those producers to reinvest in their businesses or spend in their regional and rural towns.

“What this agreement shows is that across all levels of Government, there is a commitment to invest heavily in our regions, and a commitment to co-operate to deliver a transformational project not just for NSW, but for the country.”

Construction on the Inland Rail project is due to commence within six months on the Parkes to Narromine section with 14,000 tonnes of steel rail delivered at Peak Hill in January.

The project will create a direct rail freight connection between Melbourne and Brisbane capable of moving double stacked freight containers of up to 1.8km long at speeds of up to 120km/h.

Masses of men, women and children gathered in Forbes on Wednesday to remember and recognise the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women.

Locals and visitors attended the commemorative Forbes Anzac march and service. The Anzac march, via Lachlan and Court Streets to the Cenotaph in Victoria Park, saw hundreds of people line the streets.

Schools, community groups and ex-service personnel were brought together to pay their respects, mourn with pride, and remember with equal pride, those that have served and still live. Also to give gratitude for the peace we enjoy, and acknowledge, the responsibility of ensuring the freedom and liberty so costly won is not lost by our own indifference.

Captain of Red Bend Catholic College, Jackson Burton delivered the commemorative address, during which he paid tribute to his great, great grandfather William Colless.

“Being able to pay respect to Australian troops on Anzac Day has been and will continue to be a vital part of what defines me as an Australian.”

“I hope that by honouring these people we can continue to pass down the Anzac legacy to the youth of our town for the continuation of its fundamental values.”

“Having past down these to future generations, other young people may experience that amazing feeling of reflecting on the era that made Australia the place it is today,” said Jackson.

Part of the service included a multitude of Forbes community groups, businesses, families and individuals laying wreaths.

 

Barefoot waterskiing is more than just waterskiing without skis. For enthusiasts, it also involves taking jumps and performing a series of spectacular tricks!

That certainly was the case for local retired waterskiing champion, John McKenzie. John is renowned for his feats as an athlete in the sport of waterskiing.

“I started waterskiing when I was 30 years old. One day I went out to Bundaburrah Creek and saw people doing it. One of my friends had a boat and he introduced me to the sport. I got the bug and just went flat out from there,” said John.

Within no time John started barefooting and he took off like a house on fire. He started going away to competitions every second weekend showcasing his impressive manoeuvres and techniques.

Apart from winning many major titles, John claimed the 1984 Zone 6 Barefoot Waterskiing Championship title and that with two broken fingers on his left hand. He was also selected as part of the NSW barefoot team against Queensland.

After obtaining the highest level he could with barefoot waterskiing he moved on to ski racing. His transition into ski racing was met with immediate success.

He participated in numerous events such as the gruelling annual Bridge to Bridge Classic ski race on the Hawkesbury River (the longest and most prestigious of its kind in the world), where he and his team were placed fourth in the 24th Classic.

John stepped off his water skis and into sports history when he finally retired from skiing undefeated in the late 1980’s.

He shared his wealth of knowledge and experiences in the sport through coaching and as a judge and an examiner for Zone 6 events.

In recent years, crowds have been treated with spectacular views of barefoot skills during the Forbes Barefoot Water Ski Tournament, one of the biggest barefoot competitions in Australia.

John was at the forefront to introduce the sport to Forbes. “I approached the Forbes Club during the early 1980s to hold a championship and with them onside we held two state titles and four championships at Bundaburrah Creek. The event proved to be very good for Forbes’ economy, with people coming from all over and utilising the town’s facilities,” said John.

Forbes also welcomed a prestigious guest, the iconic Barefoot Waterskiing World and National Champion Brett Wing, who noted that it was one of the best venues he’d ever skied on and he’d skied all over the world. These initial tournaments were halted in later years.

By Gizell van Wyk

 

For 42 primary students, the introduction to high school came a little sooner than expected, with the commencement of Forbes High School’s Lachlan Engagement and Enrichment Program (LEEP) last term. Primary students from five local primary public schools had the opportunity to take part in the 2018 program.

LEEP is a program for gifted and talented students from stages 2 and 3 in the Forbes area. It is run by the staff of Forbes High School and promotes the collaboration of the High School with the local public primary schools. The purpose of LEEP is to enhance the exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for primary school students.

Ms Edwards, Forbes High School Relieving Deputy Principal said. “Creating strong partnerships and connecting to our partner primary schools and families is important to our school.”

Students are supported by professional and dedicated staff, with Mathematics Head Teacher Mr Player and Science Teacher Ms Hall, leading the two groups through various mathematics and science lessons throughout the day. Each stage spends half a day in Mathematics and the other in Science participating in a range of activities that cover Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and practical and applied Mathematics.

“Providing opportunities for students to be able to extend their learning is important to do and necessary for students to reach their full potential,” said Jason Nottingham, Relieving Principal. Currently LEEP focuses on Mathematics and Science for stages 2 and 3, with an emphasis on a hands-on approach to learning and application of design and problem solving.

 

 

It was a glittering occasion on Saturday, 24th March when eight dazzling young women from Forbes High School made their debut at a charity debutante ball held at the Forbes Inn.

The debutantes and their equally handsome partners were presented to Mel Dunn, representative from the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, which was their chosen charity.

The group consisted of Jessie Rix, Angelica Dietrich, Hannah Stewart, Cassey Dukes, Kara Bray, Iesha Sinclair, Sophie Cowan and Libby Mylechrane.

For the past six months the group of young omen worked tirelessly raising funds through raffles, community barbeques and very entertaining trivia night.

They managed to raise in excess of $4,000 or the house, which provides homely affordable accommodation to local families needing to utilise the facilities of the Orange Health Service.

School Administrative Manager, Anita Morrison commended them for their efforts. It was a pleasure to work with this group of young people who were very proactive with heir fundraising efforts and amazing on the night,” she said.

The more than 220 guests were in awe at the group’s dance performance, with the group lift being a real crowd pleaser.

The dance was choreographed by Rachel Wythes and Kate Ralph.

The cute factor was added by their adorable flower girls Lucy Welsh and Ivy Welsh and their page boys Ash Sinclair and Hugo Holmes.

Two farming businesses and a fishing business run by young producers, will start a 12 month tailored coaching course under the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Young Farmer Business Program.

Jarrod and Emma Amery run a mixed farm near Forbes and have been successful in being selected as one of the three participants. They grow pastures, wheat and canola and run a sheep trading enterprise.

Jarrod and Emma are joined in the program by Coffs Harbour commercial fisher Danny Green and Manning Valley dairy farmers Adam and Sophie Cooke.

“I’m keen to learn and grow and to be able to keep expanding our business into the future,” Jarrod said.

“It takes a mentor or coach to point out the things that we are blind to… the ‘don’t knows’,” he added.

Jarrod believes that the course will be challenging, but in a great way as it will help them focus and grow their business.

The Young Farmer Business Program is a four-year joint initiative between the DPI, NSW Young Farmers Council and NSW Farmers Association, which aims to provide young farmers and fishers with access to new business ideas, tools, products and services relevant to their skills, knowledge and experience. It promotes and creates opportunities for young farmers and fishers to connect with other farmers and fishers and business networks. It also aims to increase the number of young people in agriculture across NSW.

NSW DPI Acting Manager Business Resilience Program, Pip Job said that the pilot program would make a huge difference for the young, passionate agriculture and aquaculture producers.

“The Young Farmer Business Program is committed to promote and create opportunities for young farmers and fishers to expand their business aspirations,” Pip said. “We understand the challenges young farmers and fishers face to improve their business skills.”

“The 12 month Young Farmer Business Coaching Program will provide personalised business coaching to help them to reach their goals.”

Pip said that these young farmers and fishers all have great passion and drive to improve their skills and knowledge to enhance their businesses for strong future growth.

By Gizell van Wyk

Forbes Preschool early childhood educator, Codie Smith has been awarded a $20,000 Aboriginal scholarship to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood. She receives the grant in recognition of her commitment to professional development and as a community role model.

Codie’s scholarship was announced last week by the Honorable Sarah Mitchell, Member of the Legislative Council, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine said that all Codie’s staff mates are incredibly pleased about the exciting scholarship news.

“Codie is a dedicated and committed staff member. All the children adore her. She is usually down on the floor with the kids and having just as much fun as they are,” said Amy.

The scholarship has been awarded to Codie because of her continuous work to improve her teaching practices through study and application since her employment at the preschool.

Scholarships for Early Childhood degrees hope to lead to an increase in Aboriginal early childhood teachers, so that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in early childhood education and that preschools are welcoming and inclusive places for all children.

“Codie is an articulate advocate and active role model in the Aboriginal community. She fosters her Aboriginal culture and inclusive principles in her daily practices.”

“She is a leader among our young people and is an excellent mentor for the preschoolers,” said Amy.

Codie has been one from only 15 recipients to be awarded the scholarship in 2018 to 2020.