The Red Bend HSC class of 2017 has much to celebrate as many of the students have achieved fantastic results.

Graduates are marking the end of a anxious few months after receiving their HSC results yesterday.

“Red Bend Catholic College is pleased once again with the overall result,” said College Principal Br Michael.

The College has 20 students being recognised as distinguished achievers with a band 6. A band 6 is equivalent to a mark above 90 per cent.

A further impressive 117 students have achieved a band 5, which is equivalent to a mark between 80 and 89 per cent.

A number of individual students have done tremendously well with some receiving 3 band 6s in their results.

“Speaking to some of the higher achievers this morning, it was clear that the students in general are very happy with their personal achievements.

“Every group of Year 12’s is unique and we don’t compare the results from one year to another but look at the group on its own merits,” said Br Michael.

Br Michael said that in their opinion this group of Year 12 students should be congratulated on their results.

“I would like to congratulate as well, their dedicated teachers who have worked hard on their behalf.”

The 2017 class have also benefited from the Early Entry Scheme for university.

 

The unrelenting weather could not deter eager Christmas tree festival enthusiasts from attending the splendorous event.

The 6th Rotary Ipomoea Christmas tree Festival was held in the Forbes Town Hall last weekend while heavy rain and storms raged on outside.

The spectacular sight of colourful and innovative Christmas trees that festival goers were met with upon entering the display venue did not disappoint and the organisers are still reeling from this year’s amazing success.

“Our opening on Friday evening was unlike any we have experienced before. What a fantastic night! Then Saturday and Sunday came and also family after family! Huge numbers went through the doors. This was definitely our best response ever! My face is still sore from all the smiling, laughing and talking,” said Forbes Rotary Ipomoea Publicity Officer, Sue-Anne Nixon.

Last year Rotary members were proud to display 91 marvellously imaginative entries.

This year, they were hoping to achieve the 100 entries mark. However, all expectations were exceeded and now the organisers can boast with a spectacular 121 entries of all shapes and sizes with tinsel and baubles!

A tree displayed on stage and also making it clear that there are no rules when decorating your tree was a white tree with its xray next to it. This creative idea came from none other but the ladies of Forbes Medical Imaging, who were one of the deserving winners.

Other worthy winners were the Jemalong Retirement Village and Bright Beginnings

Early Learning Centre.

By Gizell van Wyk

Residents of Jemalong Residential Village (JRV) have been looking forward to their monthly visits from two very special guests.

For the past 18 months, Blondy and Jazzie, two beautiful miniature horses have been visiting the residents.

The residents always await the visiting horses with eager anticipation and have grown so fond of these two charming animals that they frequently have their visits from grandchildren and great grandchildren coincide with that of the horses.

All residents are offered a visit from Blondy and Jazzie, including those residents who are in their rooms or in bed.

When visiting residents in their rooms, one horse is led in and the other one patiently waits outside the room for her turn, usually with an entourage of residents and staff. Blondy and Jazzie are always showered with lots of smiles, pats, hugs and kisses.

Owner of these two beauts, Year 12 student Kelsey Muller has done an amazing job training the quiet and well-mannered horses. She has even managed that they walk in reverse in confined spaces to exit the resident’s rooms.

“I became interested in this activity when I saw on the news one day someone taking a horse into a retirement village. The story spoke of the benefits to people interacting with animals and I thought why not?” explained Kelsey.

“My miniatures were quiet enough to be able to do something like this. I just had to make sure that the horses were desensitized to every situation possible. So for many months, I would walk the two minis along streets, over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces. When they got to the point where they weren’t reacting to their environment, then I thought they were ready,” said Kelsey.

Kelsey remarks that Jazzie immediately took to the visits really well but that Blondie was a bit nervous to start off with. However, throughout the visits they have both improved.

The visiting horses often evoke reminiscence from the residents. Many recalling having ridden horses to school or ploughing paddocks with horse teams on family farms.

By Gizell van Wyk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carmen Spry signed up to make drastic changes to her appearance with the aim of raising funds for The World’s Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation. On Thursday, 14th December at 2.30pm in the St Laurence’s School hall in Forbes, Carmen will be shaving her beautiful long dark hair to help beat blood cancer. “My inspiration for doing this came from the amazing Garland girls. Especially after Scarlett Garland shaved her hair earlier this year in support of her little sister Ava, which is still undergoing treatment for Leukaemia.

“I decided to throw my hat in the ring and raise some much needed funds for families facing the diagnosis of leukaemia. Being a mother is by far my most loved and important role, and I want to support other mothers (and fathers and brothers and sisters) in their most challenging times. I have quite long hair so it’s a pretty big call to shave it off,” said Carmen.

As part of her fundraising, Carmen has held a cooking party, Bunnings barbeque, cake stall and morning tea. An ongoing raffle will also be drawn on the day of the shave. Her initial goal was to raise $2,000 but Carmen’s commitment and passion for the cause has allowed her to already raise more than $5,000.

Students and staff at St Laurence’s School where Carmen is a teacher, have supported and helped Carmen with her fundraising. Go to worldsgreatestshave.com and search Carmen Spry to donate to her page.

By Gizell van Wyk

 

A concerned Year 6 group and their teacher are determined to bring awareness and change. The inspiration to research waste management at their school and within the community came after viewing the ABC series, War on Waste.

Kids Teaching Kids Co-ordinator, Trish Henderson and almost 25 students of Forbes Public School decided that they would identify two key improvements that they wanted to make.

Firstly, they wanted to increase the correct separation and disposal of waste into green waste, recycling and general waste.

The students conducted a ‘waste audit’ of all the red bins within their school playground.

The team took on the task to dramatically reduce the amount of general waste sent to landfill by encouraging fellow students to bring less soft plastic to school and to sort their waste into the correct bin.

Secondly, they wanted to increase the number of reusable cups as a consumer’s preferred choice when purchasing takeaway coffee.

They were concerned about the fact that many takeaway coffee cups are non-recyclable. A survey conducted by the students within coffee shops determined that very few customers brought their own cup.

NetWaste Environmental Learning Adviser Sue Clarke said: “This is the way to change attitudes and behaviour for the future!

Many don’t realise that these cups can’t be recycled and there are so many disposable coffee cups that end up in landfills.”

Netwaste have invited Trish and the students to be part of their campaign to reduce disposable coffee cups by providing them with posters for display in participating coffee shops.

By Gizell van Wyk

 

The Forbes central business district will once again come to life at this year’s annual Find it in Forbes Christmas Festival.

The Find it in Forbes promotion will be running from mid-November until 14th December, when it will be celebrated with a Christmas carnival from 4pm to 9pm in Templar and Rankin streets.

The Christmas carnival will include activities from schools, local artists and musicians, a visit from Santa as well as markets for food, and hand made and home-grown items.

The Forbes Business Chamber is aiming to reach many members of the community to make the celebrations even bigger and brighter.

Forbes Services Memorial Club is the naming rights sponsor after awarding a $3,000 community grant to the Find it in Forbes Christmas Festival Parade.

Forbes Services Memorial Club General Manager, David Fitzgerald said: “We are very appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the community. At the end of the day, we are a community club, owned by the community.”

Business Chamber President, Brett Rout said: “We would like to thank the RSL club for their very generous donation and sponsorship.”

Forbes Shire Council is the gold sponsor as they have supported the initiative by giving a $2,000 grant.

Silver sponsor, Terry Bros Carpet Court (Forbes) said they were very excited to be supporting the Christmas Festival.

Members of The Forbes Business Chamber who are not located in Templar and Rankin Streets are invited to have a free of charge market stall to bring a display or parts of their business.

Flannery’s Pharmacy evolved from a partnership between Joe Finn and Ron Flannery just over 60 years ago.

Ron was a local lad whose family owned hotels in the town. Flannery’s Hotel, as it was originally known and later renamed The Australia Hotel on the corner of Lachlan and Templar Streets, was in the family until around 1965.

Ron went to Marist Brothers College, Forbes, and then moved to Sydney to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney. He returned after completing his apprenticeship in Bondi Beach circa 1952/3.

Ron went into partnership with Joe Finn and formed the Finn and Flannery Pharmacy in Rankin Street. At the time there were two other pharmacies in Forbes.

After a few years Ron purchased Joe Finn’s share and renamed it Flannery’s Pharmacy around 1956/7. The business has since operated under that name and moved to three different locations in Rankin Street.

In 1975 the pharmacy moved to the current News On Rankin site, merged with Michael’s Pharmacy in 1994 and finally moved to its current location in September 1994.

Ron married Mary Rein in 1957 and they co-owned the pharmacy until Ron’s death in 1990. Ron’s son, Michael, went into partnership with Mary and ultimately merged the two family businesses in 1994.

Upon Mary’s death in 1997, Michael took over sole ownership until 2001 when he was joined by Tania Dwyer (nee Baker).Tania and her family moved to the South Coast in 2007.

In 2006 Sarah Hazell (nee Miller) joined the partnership. Sarah and Michael remain owners of the business today.

 

 

The second annual Teddy Bears Picnic was blessed with sunny skies last Saturday. Hundreds of children were delighted to take their most special teddy bear out for a fun filled morning.

The picnic at Lions Park welcomed well over a 1,000 guests, proving that this event is fast becoming a town favourite.

Scores of enthusiastic children, family members and of course the special teddy bear guests, couldn’t get enough of the fun with the craft, games, and entertainment provided.

Free entry and a barbeque was offered, with only but a few activities asking for a gold coin donation.

It was evident from all the little butterflies, flowers, tigers and Spidermen scurrying about that the face-painting make-over was a popular choice for children.

The beautiful ponies delighted countless picnic-goers who couldn’t wait to enjoy a pony-ride. The fire department astonished crowds by shooting water over the lake and letting kids hold the fire hoses. As if all of this wasn’t thrilling enough there was a jumping castle, ninja obstacle course and kids play gym, teddy hide and seek, races and tug of war.

The winner of the Best Dressed Teddy Bear competition, which saw the furriest soft toys go up against each other, received a teddy bear donated by the police department.

Picnic organiser Fiona Blyth said: “Thanks to a very generous community and sponsors we were able to offer mostly everything for free. There was a lot of community cooperation and contributors.”

The event is organised in conjunction with the committee and Forbes Shire Council.

By Gizell van Wyk

The owners of Gibson’s Grove Olives just outside Forbes have been nurturing their olives with love and care for the past 21 years.

This devotion did not go unnoticed as the Manzanillo Hand Picked Olives of Greg and Clare Gibson have been named the Champion Olive product and won gold at the 2017 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

With 180 entries in the olive oil and olive section, the Gibson’s Grove products were a stand out also being awarded silver for both their Paragon and Corregiolla olive oil and their Ligurian style table olives.

Entering for the seventh year, it is the third time that the Gibson’s have won the champion product with the same olives.

Gibson’s Grove Olives have 2,000 olive trees and produce about three different varieties. They bottle, cask and tin their oil on the property and cover an extensive boutique market. They supply from Forbes right through to Sydney including major hotels, restaurants and Qantas.

Explaining why Gibson’s Grove Olives re so successful, Greg said: “We are a small boutique operation and can keep more control of produce. We do products naturally and don’t use caustic soda. My wife and I do all the sorting ourselves.”

With their friendly farming, care for the country side and hard work this husband and wife duo have grown their business into a nationally recognised award winning product.

By Gizell van Wyk