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Nominations open for Forbes Indigenous and Junior Indigenous Person of the Year Awards

July 13, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council has opened nominations for Forbes Indigenous Person of the Year and Forbes Junior Indigenous Person of the Year Awards.

The Forbes Indigenous Person of the Year Award is open to local Indigenous people aged over 18 years, while the Indigenous Young Person of the Year Awards

Sean Choolburra entertaining the crowd at last year’s local NAIDOC and Indigenous awards celebration.

“Forbes has many outstanding Indigenous residents and this is a chance for the community to see they receive the recognition they deserve,” Mayor Graeme Miller said.

The awards are part of NAIDOC celebrations, but while the national week runs in early July, Council will hold a local event on August 24 to ensure more people can participate.

“NAIDOC Week falls during school holidays. Having our celebrations later means we can get more of our young people involved, and hopefully the weather will be a little kinder,” Mayor Miller said.

The celebrations will feature a march, performances from local schools, and a community barbecue. World class Indigenous performers, Koomurri, will also perform.

“Koomurri have performed at the AFL and NRL Indigenous rounds, the Rugby World Cup, and the Sydney and Athens Olympics. More recently they’ve performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and we’re delighted to welcome them to Forbes,” Mayor Miller said.

Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday, August 11. Nomination forms can be completed by visiting Council’s Administration Office. Contact Community Relations Officer Blake Nicholson on 6850 2355 for more information.

Local Kids Make Positive Connections At Camp

July 6, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

How much fun would it be to spend three days with more than 100 other year 5 students, messing about in the great outdoors?

Last month, 114 local kids got to find out when they enjoyed three days of adventure, skill development, and outdoor learning at NSW Sport and Recreation Camp Lake Burrendong.

The camp is an annual event under Forbes Shire Council’s Positive Connections program, which began in 2011 and is supported by Evolution Mining.

Council and Evolution Mining partnered with Forbes North Public, Forbes Public, Bedgerabong Public and St Laurence’s Primary Schools to provide the subsidised excursion, which ran from 21-23 June.

The Lake Burrendong Camp provides the students with a range of challenges and ac- tivities that promote key learning and com- plements the curriculum.

The students develop skills in communication, problem solving, cooperation, negotiation, and respect, and an appreciation of the natural environment and sustainability.

Forbes Shire Council’s Youth Development Assistant Clarissa Stewart described it as a chance for the students to experi- ence the outdoors in a fun, active and inclusive setting. “They can step out of their comfort zones, learn, challenge, grow and develop,” she said.

Mayor Graeme Miller said the camp is a great way for students to build relationships with other students before transitioning into high school.

“Lake Burrendong offers students a great experience, and with the help of Evolution Mining and the schools, Council is pleased to support it,” he said.

By Rochelle Bright

Lions Club Supports Future Disaster Relief

June 29, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

On Wednesday 14 June, Forbes and District Lions President Ray Judge visited the Town Hall to present cheques to two local organisations. Robert “Rocky” Walshaw from SES, and Andrew Rawsthorne from Forbes Shire Council, accepted cheques to the value of $5000 each on behalf of the SES and the Bedgerabong Community Flood Fund respectively.

The SES donation will be put towards the purchase of a heavy duty dual axle trailer which can be used for transporting sandbags during times of flood. The money donated to the Bedgerabong Community Flood Fund will be put into an account administered by the Forbes Shire Council and made available in times of floods and emergencies to cover the immediate costs for catering, fuel and electricity.

The local Lions Club in conjunction with the Australian Lions Foundation were quick to assist when the local area was inundat- ed in September 2016. Funds were made available initially to help those in need of assistance for Food and Household goods with a second round of vouchers for Fuel, Fodder and Fencing. Over $56,000 was distributed to 51 flood affected families to aid in their recovery while waiting for government disaster funding to become available.

Lion Peter Bright was the local coordinator of the Lions Flood Relief and manned the office at the HACC centre with the assistance of other Lions members for several months.

The cheques given to the two local organisations are residual money from the account which was set up to handle donations from individuals and groups in the days following the flooding. One of these generous individuals was local farmer Brad Shephard who, while flood affected himself, took the time to produce a Flood Calendar, the proceeds of which he shared between the Condobolin and Forbes Lions Clubs for their Flood Relief work.

By Gayle Williams

Bushrangers Plant Away At Wetland

June 22, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Last Saturday was a perfect morning for a keen group of 17 Forbes Landcare Bushrangers to begin planting at Gum Swamp.

People of all ages gave up their time to contribute to the Painted Snipe Project that aims to improve habitat at the swamp just outside town.

“It was great to have such a fantastic turnout of keen locals for the first planting at Gum Swamp,” said Marg Applebee, co- ordinator for Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL). “We talked about some of the weed problems that this project will be addressing and then had a chance to plant macrophytes that are better suited to the upper bank’s drier conditions.”

The project focuses on the Painted Snipe, an endangered migratory water bird. “The work here will provide benefits to a wide variety of bird life through improved habitat and with the reduction of weeds, particu- larly Noogoora Burr,” said Marg.

“We will be holding a follow-up planting when the water level is reduced further. Everyone was keen to be involved in the next session, so that is really encouraging,” said Margot Jolly, chairperson of CWLL.

The group finished off with a well-earned morning tea and some interesting discus- sion about Gum Swamp.

The Painted Snipe Project is made possible with funding through the National Land- care Programme, provided by the Central West Local Land Services in partnership with Forbes Shire Council and the Central West Councils Environment and Waterways Alliance.

The focus of the Forbes Landcare Bush- ranger activities is being involved in the community and appreciating our natural environment. Even if you can’t plant and would just like to be part of the activity, you are welcome. If anyone is interested in be- ing involved in our next planting morning, please contact Marg Applebee on 6862 4914 or email cwllpo@hotmail.com

By Marg Applebee

How To Make Your Business Shine

June 15, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The major sponsors for the Boscars.

More than 30 business people attended the Forbes Business Chamber Boscars information and networking night at the Forbes Services Club last Wednesday. Jamie Coad represented Evolution Mining, the naming rights sponsor, while representatives from the gold sponsors, Forbes Services Memorial Club and Forbes Shire Council, were also present.

Vicki Seccombe from the NSW Business Chamber shared a lot of useful information. Entries for the Boscars have opened and the closing date is Monday, 10th July.

Start thinking about how your business can be involved and how to make your entry a key part of your marketing strategy.

The Boscars can help you promote excellence in your business to customers, staff, suppliers and a wider audience, as well as an opportunity to acknowledge key staff.

Local finalists also go onto the NSW Western Regional Business Awards.

Important points to remember are to sell your story and don’t be shy about your achievements. Also review each question, do not double up on answers, develop dot points to answer questions, make it easy for the judge to read, and get someone else to review your answers, grammar, stories and statistics. It might also help you to complete your answers offline in a word document, and only cut and paste your reviewed final product into the online system.

Fiona Ferguson from the Chamber is available to answer questions. Contact her on 0418 447 139. Enter for the Boscars at www.forbesbusinesschamber. com.au/boscars/

By Cheryl Newsom

Community Celebrates Significant Milestones

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Arthur “Turtle” Tamwoy from Sydney performed with his didgeridoo.

The Forbes community turned out in force last Friday to celebrate National Reconciliation Week at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. They gathered to support this year’s message of taking next steps towards recognising Australia’s indigenous heritage.

Local Wiradjuri woman Cathy Bowden organised the event, supported by family and friends.

Cathy’s daughter and local artist, Kelly Bowden, produced a painting especially for the day. People were encouraged to add their painted handprints to the work to create a memento of the event in the spirit of community.

Kelly Bowden made a special painting for last Friday’s National Reconciliation Week event in Forbes

The event began with a welcome and introductions, and an explanation of the purpose and importance of Reconciliation Week.

After introductions, special guest from Sydney Arthur “Turtle” Tamwoy performed a welcome to country, and entertained the group with his didgeridoo, impromptu language lessons, and teaching young folks to do the emu dance.

After the speeches and entertainment, Cathy and her grandchildren baked Johnny Cakes over a fire, while Peter Apps and Andrew Rawsthorne fired up the sausage sizzle.

Each year, Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. It runs from 27th May to 3rd June.

This year, those dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the 50th anniversary of the suc- cessful 1967 referendum, and the 25th an- niversary of the High Court Mabo decision.

The week reminds us that big changes take persistence and courage, and every step counts.

By Rochelle Bright

Award-Winning Kacie Forges Her Own Path

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

At 23 years of age former local Kacie Anderson is making waves in a male-dominated trade in the Northern Territory.

Last week she was awarded the Advanced Training International Overall Trade Appren- tice prize at the School of Trades annual presentation in Darwin.

The only female apprentice in her trade, Kacie was described as “an outstanding choice, having excelled academically and as a practitioner of her craft,” by Roy Brandner, Head of School of Trades at Charles Darwin University.

Working as a boilermaker in Australia’s tropical top end hardly sounds like anyone’s dream job, but for Kacie, something she hadn’t imagined doing has become a passion.

“My whole life I wanted to be a vet,” said Kacie. “And now I want to get into welding inspection x-rays and ultrasounds, and focus on the quality and safety of welds and products.”

Since leaving home, Kacie has travelled as far afield as Western Australia and north Queensland working in a range of jobs.

She has been a Jillaroo on a remote cattle station, a counter hand in a butcher shop and considered becoming a diesel mechanic.

But it was an offer to take up an apprenticeship with Jake’s Steel and Welding that now has her calling the Northern Territory home.

So, what is it like being the only female in the workshop? “Being a female in a male dominant industry has its challenges. When I started I had to prove to the boys that I was capable of doing things myself. I knew I could work as hard as them.”

She faced the challenges at trade school with the same attitude.

“I knew what was expected of me so I gave that, and more. I proved to the boys in my class that women can do this by re- ceiving high grades and paying attention to what was required.”

Kacie’s lecturers nominated her for the award after she wrote a letter to apply for a National Association of Women in Construction scholarship.

When Kacie received the email telling her she’d won, she couldn’t believe it.

“When I got back to work everyone was waiting for me and someone had written ‘Congratulations, Kacie’ on the whiteboard in the smoko room. They just treat me like one of the boys.”

Kacie’s message for anyone not sure what to do when they finish school is: “Take every opportunity that comes your way because you will always learn from them whether they work out or not. It’s all life experience, and it becomes a part of who you are as a person.”

“Never give up. The tough times make you stronger and you will get a great sense of accomplishment when you do get through

them.” By Rochelle Bright

Open Day Highlights Burning Issue

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

At the Forbes Fire Station’s annual open day last Saturday, local fire officers aimed to raise awareness and educate residents about the dangers of fires in the home, and how to prevent them.

“We always hold the open day in May. It’s an opportune time coming into the winter months to remind people about the danger of fire,” said Station Captain Brian Clarke.

While kids enjoyed their plastic fire fighter hats and exploring the big red engines, Bri- an and some of his crew members handed out wooden spoons etched with the phrase, “Keep looking when cooking”.

They want to remind people not to walk away from the stove while preparing meals. “In the last six months, we’ve had four

calls to fires started because food was left cooking on the stove unattended.

“A woman forgot she had tea on and decided to go to her daughter’s house at the other end of town. Luckily the neighbour heard the smoke alarm and called the fire brigade. Fortunately only the food, the saucepan and the top of the stove burnt, and it created a lot of smoke right through the unit.”

Brian has a strong message for the community: “Don’t leave anything cooking on the stove unattended. Don’t put clothes next to heaters. And everyone should have at least two smoke alarms in working order in their house, if not more.”

When there is an incident, however, the Fire Brigade is quick to attend. “The Fire Brigade’s Act requires that response times are no longer than 10 minutes. The average time from call to response for the Forbes crew is seven minutes,” Brian said.

The Station has a manned crew of 15 fire fighters. They all have other full-time jobs but are retained by Fire and Rescue NSW to cover the local community.

Under the Brigades’ Act, four of those fire fighters must be avail- able 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to local inci- dents. But sometimes, no matter how quickly they get there, there isn’t much they can do.

“We had a house fire where the house was completely destroyed a few months ago. Someone left a newly renovated home with a candle burning on the bedside table. The window was open and the wind blew the curtain into the candle. They lost everything.”

Brian has been involved with the local Fire Brigade for 39 years. Last month, he attended government house to receive the Austral- ian Fire Service medal, a Queen’s medal, which was awarded to him on Australia Day. He described the award as “a great privi- lege”.

Next year, the Fire Station will celebrate its 90th birthday. Built in 1928, it has recently been refurbished to give the fire fighters more room and better facilities.

Up until October last year, the original fireman’s quarters upstairs were leased for private occupation. The top floor has been trans- formed and now offers a more comfortable working environment.

The open day will be held again next May as one of many state- wide events run under Fire and Rescue NSW.

By Rochelle Bright

Elaine’s Rich Memory Brings Local History To Life

May 18, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Elaine Imrie has lived in Forbes for all her lively 90 years. To mark Heritage Month, she was invited to share some of her memories at Neighbhourhood Central’s social morning tea on Tuesday.

“I know many of you will have the same memories as I have about living in Forbes,” she said, standing with the aid of her black cane, and joking that she would stand as long as she didn’t fall over.

She began her talk with her memory of the day that peace was declared at the end of World War II, when she was 17 and working in the local solicitor’s office.

“I was sitting in there typing away, and all of a sudden this wild-eyed man burst through the front door and yelled at me and said: ‘The war’s over! The war’s over! Peace is here.’”

Elaine described a feeling of shock, and heading out into the street with her boss to see “perfect strangers hugging and kissing one another”.

As she spoke, it was as if the audience of around 30 people could hear the church bells ringing, and see the man in an old car dragging a rusty iron tank up and down Lachlan Street just to make a noise.

Laughter filled the room when Elaine reflected on having a bucket of water emp- tied on her head as she stepped beneath the balcony of the old Flannery’s Hotel. She didn’t care, she said, “because the war was over”.

But she admitted to feeling uncertain because she couldn’t remember what peace was like.

Elaine captivated the group as she then backtracked to describe what it was like to live in Forbes during the war. She shared her experiences of supporting the troops, food rationing, entertainment and “making do”.

She described how the troop trains would move slowly through the station, and how she and other young women would hand out cigarettes, mittens, gloves and other “comforts” to the soldiers as they passed.

When it came to food rations, Elaine talked about how she managed her share of butter. She would divide a half-pound ra- tion into seven pieces so that she would have butter for every day of the week, while her brother would finish his in two days.

She recalled her mother taking down dining room curtains to make a dirndl skirt for Elaine to wear to her first job.

Before she finished, Elaine had the group laughing again as she described almost knocking her brother out with a golf club one night as she walked home from music lessons.

Applause and questions made it clear that Elaine’s rich storytelling was a treat for everyone.

The Forbes Neighbourhood Central social morning teas provide a great opportu- nity for clients of Neighbourhood Central and HACC to enjoy each other’s company, listen to a guest speaker, or enjoy some entertainment. They take place on the third Tuesday of every month.

By Rochelle Bright

Mesmerising Musical Mystery Mausoleum Meande

May 11, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Echoes of the past accompanied by music resonated through Forbes Cemetery on Sunday.More than 50 people were delighted by the Musical Mystery Mausoleum Meander event of the Forbes Heritage week as Rob and Olya Willis lead the group to six gravesides of people connected with the collec- tions of The National Library of Australia. They had either been recorded for the oral history and folklore section or have manu- scripts or images in the collection.

“Today is part history lesson and part folk parade,” said Rob. “There are many important and relevant people in Australian music, and we have some of the most important buried here in Forbes.

“Back in the late 1800s many musicians couldn’t read music. It was like they learned the tunes by osmosis. Music then was like a game of Chinese whispers, so it was hard to capture,” said Rob.

Ebb Wren was “a musician and singer who could also spin a yarn about his life as a bushman and steam loco driver”. He played the piano and loved repairing and tuning them. Luckily Ebb had an amazing memory for the words of songs that he learnt from older performers so today they are preserved for future generations.

Rob and Olya performed one of Ben Hall’s ballads, which according to noted folklor- ist and bushranging authority, Professor Graham Seal, is among the best outlaw ballads in Australia. Olya shared a poem about Kate Foster (Kelly) that sent chills down everyone’s spines about the ‘Cold, cold water,’ written by Lady Cutty of Canowindra.

“Kate Foster (Kelly) is buried only 25m from Ben Hall in the Forbes Cemetery. Where else in Australia would you find two of the best-known bushranging dynasties so close?” mused Rob.

Harry Schaefer’s grave had been re-vamped for the day by his family. “Harry was the ultimate musician who had the ability to play both by ear and by sheet mu- sic. He was instrumental in ensuring that tunes from his era were preserved as he would go home and write them down.” Rob and Olya played the Schaefers waltz, and then broke into a polka which got everyone’s toes tapping.

Dave Mathias may have been legally blind but “he was the master of the ditty and the Dad and Dave yarn,” said Rob. In addition, he was “a champion accordion and mouth organ player and fixer of everything”. Interestingly his song, ‘He played his ukulele as the ship went down,’ was banned after the Titanic sank.

Paddy Godden was in his hundredth year when he passed on. “Paddy could pull people’s legs no end,” laughed Rob. “Paddy also went back to the era of many of the old forgotten dances and had the tunes for mazurkas, polkas and the quadrilles. These would all have been lost but for Paddy.”

All Rob’s stories were enthralling and brought to life when he and Olya sang and played the concertina and piano accordion. “We sometimes don’t realise the history we have here in our town of Forbes,” said Rob.

By Dianne Collie

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