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.

The seventh Forbes Rugby Union Club President’s Lunch has yet again proven its immense growing popularity with a record number of 885 guests attending the event this year. The shindig was held last Saturday at the South Circle Oval under a marquee with 86 sold out tables.

The major annual fundraiser for the Club has become a popular social gathering, with people from as far as Sydney and throughout the Central West freeing up their calendar for the occasion.

“It has been the most successful and biggest function ever,” said Chris Sweeney, member of the organising committee.

Chris also remarked that one of the most outstanding features of the lunch was the behaviour of the huge crowd and the respect shown for each speech.

Author, poet and sports commentator, Mick Colliss was this year’s guest speaker and captivated the audience with his master storytelling. Whilst growing up, Mick desperately wanted to represent Australia.

He tried everything from rugby union to lawn balls, but wasn’t good enough at any of them. Then, when all hope seemed lost, he discovered Sudoku, and so finally got his chance to represent his country at the World Sudoku Championships.

Club President, Tracey Prior gave a very moving speech wherein she spoke of the success in winning the premiership and acknowledged everyone that contributed to the club.

Another significant moment was the launch of the Peter Murphy Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to support people living in Forbes and the district that need a hand up. The Peter Murphy Foundation managed to raise an incredible $12,000 through donations on the day. Over $30,000 was raised through auction items.

As part of the auction a 2017 Forbes Rugby Premiership tie was auctioned for $1,700 of which the proceeds went to the Peter Murphy Foundation. Other items auctioned was a framed signed Forbes Rugby forty year anniversary jumper “The Best So Far” which was auctioned off for $4,500, a framed signed 2017 Wallabies jersey for $3,600, a Rosie Johnston painting “Kerry and Caviar” for $5,500, a gourmet dinner for 10 at award-winning Ester Restaurant and Bar for $7,500 and a gourmet dinner for 10 courtesy of Eat Your Greens Function Centre for $8,200.

“The function ran very well from the food that was catered by Eat Your Greens, to the bar service.”

“Not only can we put on a good party, we can also play really good footy,” said Chris.

By Gizell van Wyk

This Friday afternoon when most of us have finished work for the day and are perhaps feeling a bit drained from challenges possibly presented, Kerry Dunstan would have almost completed a 100km walk and that on his seventieth birthday!

Kerry’s milestone birthday was part of the inspiration for his ‘Seventy for 70 Thousand WALK’ fundraising initiative for the Can Assist Forbes branch, of which Kerry was the president for about 13 years and the Forbes Breast Cancer Support Group.

“Many of the Breast Cancer Support Group ladies were very good to my late wife Wendy, when she was sick. Sadly some of those same ladies are going through the same thing now,” said Kerry.

It all started when Kerry’s blood sugar levels were a bit high and he started walking to lower it. “While I was walking around in circles, I thought I should be raising money while I’m doing this. Then I thought about the walk and my seventieth birthday coming up,” explained Kerry.

Kerry has eight other people walking beside him, each one with their own heart rendering story to share and one walker which he is particularly proud of, his son Michael. Ranging between mid 30’s to 72 years of age, the group started their journey from Condobolin on Thursday evening at 10pm and walked throughout the night and the whole of today. Their aim is to reach Forbes at 6pm just in time to get their breath back and celebrate Kerry’s 70th birthday.

Walking beside Kerry and Michael from Condobolin to Forbes is Ray Sanderson, Anita Morrison, Jimmy Carpenter, Mick Spry, Tracy Reid, Cameron Greenhalgh and Janet Norton-Knight.

Kerry’s walk has been meticulously planned to take him on a trip down memory lane. They started in Condobolin where Kerry was born. Thereafter, it was Moonbi, where Kerry played a lot of cricket and tennis. Then Warroo, where he went to school and had a family farm. Next up Jemalong, where Wendy went to school and also had a family farm. Lastly it will be Forbes, where the couple eventually settled and their children finished school.

“I’m re-living my life from birth to seventy in this walk. That’s what it’s all about and also the $70,000 that I hope to raise by doing it.” A celebration event will await Kerry and the walkers upon their return at Victoria Park, where there will be a few speeches and the ‘Pink Pig’. The ‘Pink Pig’ was made out of scrap metal as a money box for people wanting to donate to the cause. Then they will be heading over the road to the Vanden berg Hotel, where the celebrations will continue.

The entire community is invited to welcome Kerry and the walkers back at Victoria Park and to be part of the birthday celebrations. To help make Kerry’s 70th birthday more memorable, you can make a donation. For further information contact Kerry on 0428 116 586, Murray Field 0409 892 725, John Schrader 0404 155 247 or Lee Marsh 0414 682 754.

By Gizell van Wyk

The Red Bend Catholic College cattle team will be representing their school at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Friday, 23rd March at the Sydney Olympic Park. The team of 10 students will be attending the Sydney Royal, one of the most prominent and prestigious cattle shows in Australia, for a week and have been preparing their steers for the show since last year. It will be the 15th Sydney Show that the school attends.

With just over two weeks to go, Cattle Team Coordinator Susan Earl said the students continue to handle, groom and wash the animals in the lead up to the show where they will be presenting steers for the Hoof and Hook competition.

The students feed the animals, keep the water troughs clean and perform other jobs during most lunches, after school and sometimes even during sport time. “They have also been teaching them how to walk around the ring and how to stand with their feet. A cattle cane is used to help the steer stand square to enable the judge to see the animal from the side, back and front.

“What we are producing is the best steer that has the most amount of meat on it withthe right amount of fat in the right places,” Susan said. According to the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW, up to 30 breeds of Beef cattle will compete in the Sydney Royal Cattle
Show, with up to 1,200 nominations.

“Sydney Royal Competitions set the benchmark for agricultural excellence that underpins Australia’s agricultural performance
ensuring a viable and prosperous future for our rural communities. “For Sydney Royal competitors, a win is testament of achievement at the highest level,” the RAS website states.

“It is recognition of dedication, ability, uncompromising diligence and sheer hard work.”

Last year the Red Bend cattle team had one of their biggest years when they took home two gold medals, two silvers and a bronze and were named Reserve Champion Heavyweight Carcass. Susan believes the students benefit from the agricultural activity in many ways.
“They get the opportunity to experience a bigger world out there. “I’ve been doing it for a long time and just love it! Not only is it a pretty special competition to be a part of but it also gives the students a chance to learn more about the cattle industry and to see Sydney.”

By Gizell van Wyk