The 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings was commemorated on Wednesday in Bali, Australia and in Forbes.

The Forbes Rugby Club organised a memorial service to remember the three members who did not return and to stand with the survivors, their families and friends.

The service, lead by Chris Sweeney, was held at the Bali Memorial Stone erected at the club to commemorate the three players, Paul Cronin, Greg Sanderson and Brad Ridley, who tragically lost their lives in the 2002 Bali bombings, and for the survivors of the club.

Three bouquets were laid at the memorial stone as people gathered for the service. The service was attended by 19 of the survivors, whose names are also on a plaque at the club. Mathew Dent, Mathew Grant and Anthony Wallace were not able to attend the memorial service in Forbes.

They were all part of the 25-member team of the Forbes Platypi who travelled to Bali after winning their first premiership for an end-of-season celebration. They were at a club in Bali’s Kuta district when the bombs went off.

The event hit the close community of Forbes very hard. The memorial was erected to serve as a place where people can reflect and pray for the families of Paul Cronin, Greg Sanderson and Brad Ridley, and other victims of the bombing, and also for the surviving boys of the tragic event.

The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002. The attack killed 202 people (including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 27 Britons, 7 Americans, 6 Swedes and 3 Danes). A further 209 people were injured.

Various members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a violent Islamist group, were convicted in relation to the bombings, including three individuals who were sentenced to death.

FAMILIAR FACES

We are told never to lose sight of
where we are going
At the expense of where we’ve been,
Then another senseless tragedy
appears on our TV screens.

But this time the names are familiar,
With faces that we’ve known.
And that small town on the Lachlan
Once again becomes our home.

We may not be there to give comfort
or reminisce over a beer,
But we have to tell you our hearts do ache,
And our eyes have shed a tear.

The boys will know you’ve rallied around,
As you do in time of strife,
And they’ll know today you’ll mourn their death,
But tomorrow celebrate their life.

Coz that’s the strength of our little town,
Give support to one and all
And combine our courage to fight the pain,
To emerge walking proud and tall.

Our names may now only ring a bell.
All of us who still call you home,
But I hope you’ll find some solace in the fact,
You’ll never mourn alone.

Phillip Parsons

(Phillip, who grew up in Forbes, wrote this poem 20 years ago as a reflection on the Bali tragedy.)

Our Spring Photo Competition is in full swing and we’ve received some wonderful entries so far.

You have until the end of the month, Sunday, 30th October to enter and stand a chance to win a fantastic prize.

The Forbes winner will receive a family session with Hold Photography with the owner Bec Bennett also judging the entries.

In Parkes the winner will receive a family session (up to six people) with Marc Payne Photography. He will also be judging all the Parkes entries.

It is very easy to enter. Readers from Forbes can send your photos to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au, and Parkes readers can send their entries to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

These are some of the entries received so far. Nature has lots of beauty to offer us this spring after all the rain, so get out and get snapping. 

The Lachlan Branch of the National Trust is celebrating 40 years since it was formed in 1982. 

The first meeting was called by Pixie Tom at Bartley’s Creek and were attended by people from Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, Cudal, Trundle, Tomingley, Peak Hill, Eugowra and Grenfell. 

A celebration lunch will be held on Monday, 24th October at 12 noon at the Lutheran Church Hall in Forbes. All previous members are invited to attend. Contact Jennifer Purdie on 0488 935 570 or jenniferpurdie@bigpond.com 

The branch held its AGM last month and National President Neil Wykes OAM and his wife Lyn were invited to attend and chair the elections. Neil spoke about the role of the National Trust, and whilst our built heritage is important and needs to be recognised it is our natural heritage that is coming under threat and is a great concern for our communities. Our rural landscapes and protection of agricultural land being at the top of the list. 

The elections were: president Jennifer Purdie; vice-presidents Joy Freebairn and Viv Cunningham; secretary Mary Hinchcliffe; minute secretary Clare Haley; treasurer Beverley Pengilly; publicity officer Janette Thomas – Forbes, Joy Freebairn and Viv Cunningham – Parkes; tour director Joy Freebairn; assistant tour director Janette Thomas; newsletter Jennifer Purdie and council contact; social secretaries Forbes Ann Williams, Joyce Morrison, Robin Mattiske and Mary Hinchcliffe, Parkes Miriam Luyt, Wendy Neville, Viv Cunningham, Joy Freebairn and Margaret Klein. 

By Jennifer Purdie 

A Forbes woman’s Sunday was turned up-side down after she checked her Lotto ticket in the early hours of the morning and discovered she’d scored a sensational $730,000 win!

She held one of the seven division one winning entries in Saturday’s Lotto draw 4299 and took home a division one prize of $733,492.92. Her winning entry was purchased at News on Rankin in Forbes.

“I’m in shock! There’s too many emotions going through my head,” she giggled when an official from The Lott reached out to her.

“I got up early, and I decided to check my ticket around 6:30am to see if I’d won anything

“At first, I thought I’d won $19, but then I couldn’t believe my eyes when the winning numbers lit up on The Lott app.

“I ran straight to my husband and son to wake them up – they were very tired and confused.

“I’ve been playing Lotto for more than 40 years and I’ve just kept going. They do say you have to be in it for your chance to win it! It’s a great way to start my Sunday!”

With more than half a million dollars coming her way, she said the prize would help boost her retirement plans.

“I’ve been thinking about retiring for quite some time now, and this will really help,” she said.

“I’m getting to that age now, so this has come at the most perfect time.”

News on Rankin team member Annika Dukes said the team was celebrating the momentous occasion.

“We’re overjoyed to have sold a division one winning entry. We hope the winning streak continues for our store for many years to come!”

Forbes North Public School will benefit from more than $1.3 million worth of improvements and upgrades across schools in the Orange Electorate.

Forbes North Public School will get accessibility ramps. “I am grateful to the NSW Government’s investment as it helps our school meet the needs of every student and allows wheelchair access to every part of our school,” said the principal David McGaw. He appreciated the NSW Government remaining mindful of the needs of all students in public schools.

“These investments go a long way in supporting the additional needs of our students, balancing the scales for the regions and ensuring our students and staff access facilities that make the learning conditions safe and engaging.”

“With this funding, new bathroom amenities ensure greater access, and this inclusive decision caters for and creates an environment where all are welcome which is the cornerstone of NSW public schools such as Forbes North.”

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the improvements included upgrades to bathrooms and making them more accessible, to installing safety fencing and making facility improvements.

“Our record investment into school, health and road infrastructure had seen regional NSW become a place where people chose to work, live and raise a family.

“By ensuring regional schools can continue to cater for the growing number of students we’re securing a brighter future for NSW families.”

Forbes Public School (FPS) had a powerful piece of art commissioned to celebrate the school’s flourishing community and tell their story.

Cheree Stokes, a First Nation artist, poet and storyteller, collected staff’s personal FPS stories in the form of words and symbols and then incorporated them into a visual representation of the school’s journey.

“The tree represents our strong grounded roots built by former principals, staff and students,” explained teacher Katie Stitt. “The branches symbolise flexibility in the COVID winds and leaves stand for new growth and change. You can see hands working together, everyone having a seat at the table and a bridge of transformation.”