Mark Pietsch, who runs Logical Lifestyles on the corner of Rankin and Battye Streets, knows first hand just how tough life can be. His mum died when he was six and he grew up the hard way, becoming what he describes as a bad person without a great deal of selfconsciousness.

Mark damaged his back at 17 and over the pursuing 12 months put on a lot of weight as a result of the medication and his mental state. But he had the inner strength to work his way through the problems, both physical and psychological, and at one stage shed 78 kilos weight in just over seven months.

So when he met a street kid doing it rough, living by the seat of his pants by breaking and entering to feed himself, Mark didn’t hesitate in opening up and offering the chance for the young guy to turn his life around. The result is that he’s become a youth worker for some 60 kids and runs a gym that he prefers to think of as not really a gym at all.

“Many people, especially young people, see gyms as intimidating places that make them uncomfortable,” said Mark. “I prefer to see Logical Lifestyles as a place where people can be more relaxed and talk about things as well as doing the physical bit.”

These days he divides his life between three passions: caring for his group of young people; being involved with the Generocity Church; and running Logical Lifestyles as a business that can help him pursue his other goals.

Tom Drane might be just nine years old, but last weekend the keen member of Forbes Auto Sports Club carried away two national titles at the Australian Dirt Track Championships in Kempsey, winning the 65cc two-stroke class

and the 80cc modified-four-stroke class in the seven-to-nine-years division. Mum and Dad — Matt and Lisa Drane, who own MD Steel Fabrication in Forbes — were obviously proud of the achievement, but Tom was “absolutely over the moon” after a weekend that saw him win all 10 of his races and completely dominate his events.

“Even when he fell behind in a race, he just revved it up and fought his way back to the front,” said Matt. “There was just no stopping him.” Last year, Tom scored a second and third in the national titles, which were held in
Cowra, and earlier this year rode to first and second places in the state championships. Tom has been riding dirt bikes since he was four and started competing as soon as he reached seven and became eligible.

Also representing Forbes at Kempsey were Tom’s younger siblings, Georgia and Sam, and Beau Bailey. They all rode in the non-competitive demonstration classes but are keen as mustard to start competing as soon as they’re old enough.

Australians have a worldwide reputation for being extremely generous with their time and effort when it comes to undertaking voluntary work, and our bands of selfless volunteers have indeed become the heart and soul
of our communities. It’s particularly the case in rural communities such as Forbes Shire.

That’s why Forbes Shire Council took the opportunity not so long ago to recognise a prominent collection of selfless locals during National Volunteers Week with special awards and a morning tea at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre.

Those awards went to Marie Lambert, Murray Field, Nikki Patten, Greg Spencer, Narelle Shaw, Janelle McManus, Patricia Caines, Joy Brown, Heather Tomlinson, Len Keat, Bruce Toole, John Clifton, Lachlan Reynolds, Lorraine Rue, Lee Reynolds, Peg Clifton, Dawn Keat, Maree Yapp, Debbi Hodges-Lockwood, Heather Mann, Julie Herridge, and, to show that community organisations play an important role in the process, also to the Rotary Club of Forbes, Forbes Riverside Community Garden and Spectacular Screenings.

Now there’s another chance for the community to recognise it’s invaluable band of volunteers, this time in the form of the 2015 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which are being run under the auspices of the State Government’s Department of Education and Communities. There are regional sections, including one for the Central West, so make sure that you participate in the nomination process. Nominations close July 17 and can be made online by visiting www.volunteering.com.au.