Forbes Rotary Club has joined Rotary Australia to assist Ukraine and Northern Rivers flood victims.

Last week at Wednesday’s Forbes Rotary meeting, the Forbes Rotary Club agreed to donate funds to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Aid Fund and the RAWCS National Flood Appeal.

Since the time of the invasion of Ukraine, Rotary’s Ukrainian Aid Fund has received nearly $1 million. To donate, go to the RAWCS website, click-on “Projects” link and enter number 83-2014-15. Once details appear select “Donate” and complete.

As the national Ukrainian floral emblem is the sunflower, the Rotary Club of Coolamon with the donation of several tons of sunflower seeds from a local farmer will soon be sending out seeds along with specially printed packets to NSW Rotary Clubs. These will be packed and sold for $2 a packet with the sale proceeds being deposited into the above mentioned RAWCS project.

To donate to the RAWCS National Flood Appeal, repeat the steps above then enter 48-2021-22 and complete. All donations to these appeals are tax deductible. For more on Rotary call Garry 0427 401 267, Chris 0429 661 358 or Grahame 0427 640 065.

The Forbes Museum would love to know about your favourite foods, how to make them and your memories associated with them.

Many of us have memories of foods that take us back to our childhood or to a special person that made them or with whom you shared the food. It may be a simple evening meal that your mother made on weeknights after school, or a more elaborate dish that you associate with special events like Christmas and Easter. Even your first baking disaster can be memorable.

No matter the importance, memories involving food are vivid and they often feel more evocative and nostalgic than other types of reminiscences.

This is why the Forbes Historical Museum wants you to share both your recipes and your memories associated with them, so that they can record them in a book, “Recipes Remembered.”

“Our history is far more than the amazing objects that we have on display at the museum in Cross Street but it is the personal individual experiences of each one of us that now call Forbes our home, no matter where we were born or what country we came from,” said Margaret Adams of the Forbes Historical Museum.

“Forbes has always been a multicultural community with a fascinating rich heritage that we must preserve in a variety of ways. This is one valuable aspect that we can recognise and record for future generations,” Margaret said.

Volunteers are also welcome and can contact Bruce Adams 0429 151 280 or on the museum’s email below.

Recipe templates are available at the Forbes Historical Museum on Cross Street from 2pm to 4pm daily or they can be emailed to forbesmuseum@gmail.com

The Parkes Painting Group will be adding an artistic spin to this year’s Elvis Festival with a special Elvis Art Exhibition showcasing the work of artists from all over the central west.

Centrally located in the Uniting Church Youth Centre at 17 Court Street, Parkes, the exhibition will be featuring artwork with an Elvis theme, whether it is a portrait of the King himself, or an artwork depicting one of his songs.

Parkes Painting Group President Kerry Davies said the exhibition was a great opportunity to celebrate the skills and diversity of artists in the region.

She invited artists to submit three pieces with the closing date for entry forms Friday, 25 March. Artworks need to be delivered to the Parkes Uniting Church on Thursday, 14 April by 5pm.

The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20 April to Sunday, 24 April, and the public will be able to vote for their favourite artist. There will be six prizes for the works with the most votes to be announced on the last day of the festival.

If you would like to submit your work, contact Kim Chambers on 0418 314 066.

A month’s worth of celebrations recognising women and the important role they play in our lives began in Forbes when International Women’s Day, 8 March was recognised across the shire throughout the week with a number of events.

It began with the Legendary Local Ladies Evening at Town Hall last Friday March 4 – an intimate evening with the finest of local produce on display and a chance to socialise and celebrate local ladies.

The Forbes Chambers Yandharra Wiradjuri Breakfast with Rose De Jong was last Tuesday. The Wiradjuri cultural breakfast was aimed at educating and connecting via food and held among the gums near the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre despite the overcast weather.

Both events were part of Forbes celebrations of International Women’s Day.

The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 but it wasn’t until 1975, International Women’s Year that the date 8 March remained and was celebrated annually.

In another big win for Forbes and rural women, the 2022 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering will be held from 1-3 Apri in Forbes too, adding to what is certainly an action-packed calendar.

With guests such as comedian Jean Kittson, country singer Melinda Schneider, Cressida Caines and ABC Radio’s Kia Handley announced this week as hosts – not to mention sculpture tours, taste testing and numerous activities and workshops – the weekend is one not to be missed.

Registrations can be found online at forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

Eugowra Show in conjunction with the Central Western Association of Agricultural Shows held the group finals for beef cattle paraders and beef cattle, dairy cattle, merino sheep, meat breeds sheep, merino fleece, grain and fruit and vegetables young judges.

These competitions present the opportunity for young people to qualify for the state competitions hosted at the Sydney Royal Easter Show by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW and Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

While these are competitions, they also allow the development of the next generation of agricultural show enthusiasts and expertise in industry through education and networking.

This year the group finals were fortunate enough to have the very high-quality competition judges in Steve Eagles from Passchendaele Ayrshires and Holsteins, Dennis Moxey from Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Greg Sawyer of Elders Molong, Steve Chester of Quality Wool, Brendan Mansbridge of KMWL and Brooklyn Park Poll Dorset Stud, Lydia Herbert previous state young judges winner and Stuart Muller of Western District Exhibit.

The quality of competitors was high. Congratulations and best of luck to the entrants heading to the state finals in April.

Some selected results of the day are as follows:

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 2nd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Meat Breeds Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Thomas Barker (Parkes)

Beef Cattle Young Judges
• 1st Stephanie Davies (Bimbi)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)

Qualifiers for F002 Parades:
• Jada Buchan (Cowra)
• Tara Hughes (Condobolin)
• Lachlan Haynes (Gooloogong)
• Will Moxey (Forbes)
• Paige Hatton (Eglinton)
• Oscar Schafer (Grenfell)

Last week Yoorana Gunya and Weigelli Centre, Cowra held a meet and greet at Lions Park in Forbes. The day was a chance for community members to meet and greet staff from Weigelli who will now be aiding Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa in Forbes with extra services.

The Weigelli Centre is a residential Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre and offers a range of services to the Cowra Shire and now Forbes. It has been operating in Cowra for nearly 26 years and proven to be a remarkable local asset.

Alcohol and Other Drug Mental Health Worker, Cathy Sherdian and her team were on hand on the day meeting members of the Forbes community.

“We are pleased to be able to assist members of the Forbes community who may require our services,” said Cathy.

“We offer a range of support and welfare assistance and can help people struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse,” she said.

“Weigelli can go through each step and follow through rehabilitation every step of the way.”

The expansion in services for Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa coincided with the Binaal Billa Open Day also held last week showcasing new upgrades at the Binaal Billa, Spring Street office funded by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Open

Day was also a popular event. Don’t forget that Ochre Ribbon Day is also coming up on Wednesday March 9th at Binaal Billa, 18 Spring Street from 10am.