Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin held their Annual Bridge Day at Bogan Gate on 7th April, with players from West Wyalong joining in. The CWA catered for everyone for the 12th time making it a thoroughly enjoyable day.

President Marion McIntyre laid a wreath on behalf of the CWA at the local Anzac Day Dawn Service. Ten members attended the May meeting. International officer Heather Veal provided interesting information on the country of study this year, Papua New Guinea. Some members have started writing their life stories after attending a workshop at the Parkes Library.

As this drought is still crippling the community, the CWA will be helping Bogan Gate and Gunningbland farmers and their families by hosting a free bbq night at the Railway Hotel in Bogan Gate on 29th June at 6:30pm.

“We hope many will come to this night as it is very important in these times to mix with friends and all help each other,” said the organisers.

The next meeting is on Thursday, 20th June at 1:30pm at the hall. Visitors are always most welcome.

This 48cm Yellowbelly was caught by Tom Townsend at Windamere Dam using a Lure.

Riverina Nationals’ MP Michael McCormack is encouraging rural and regional students to apply for Government-funded scholarships to assist with their tertiary education costs.

Students are invited to apply for scholarships under the expanded third round of the 58.1 million Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships program.

Mr McCormack said eligible students could benefit from up to $18,000 which could go towards the cost of their university or vocational education. “I believe a student’s postcode should not limit their potential,” Mr Mc- Cormack said.

“We know regional students face a number of challenges which their city counterparts take for granted. The Liberal and Nationals in Government is ensuring that every Australian has access to a world-class education,” continued Mr McCormack.

The scholarships cover courses including certificate IV through to a PhD and can offer support to those seeking flexible study arrangements. “I urge and encourage all eligible students throughout the Riverina and Central West to apply,” Mr McCormack said. For more information or to apply, visit www.education.gov.au/rural-and-regionalenterprise-scholarships Applications for the third round close on 14 June 2019.

A group of women chatting and suddenly … Taste On Templar was born! This dynamic and very professional group of ladies and the Forbes Business Chamber are proud to present Taste On Templar a long table dinner and fundraiser for Ronald MacDonald House, Orange.

Taste On Templar will be open to guests from 6.30pm for 7pm on Saturday 9 November 2019 and will close at midnight.

“The Forbes Business Chamber is excited to provide a wonderful outdoor environment unique to Forbes under the sparkling lights, green trees and shade canopies in Templar Street,” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Marg Duggan.

220 people will be seated in groups of 18 on long tables along Templar Street. Templar Street will be dotted with pop-ups where patrons will find local and regional wines, boutique beer, cider, soft drinks and water.

“Theming for this premier outdoor event is based around local and regional product and produce, local businesses, people and summer. The evening will include a meet and greet, live entertainment and a business relevant guest speaker, Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House, Orange,” added Marg Duggan.

To ensure that you don’t miss this opportunity please put Taste On Templar and the 9 November 2019 in your diary and save the date. We will keep you posted on all that is happening including sponsors, when and where tickets will be available, your chefs and who your local musicians will be!

Forbes Shire Council has been commended for its leadership in making it easier for local businesses to start and grow at the inaugural Small Business Friendly Councils Conference in Sydney on 16-17 May.

NSW Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope said Forbes was one of 69 NSW councils to join business leaders, mayors and experts from across the country to plan and discuss strategies to stimulate local economies.

“The Small Business Friendly Councils is a fantastic initiative that provides all NSW councils with information, workshops, networking opportunities and resources to support local businesses,” Mr Tudehope said.

NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello also attended the conference to acknowledge Forbes Shire Council joining the Easy to do Business program. “This award-winning program puts customers at the heart of everything we do and transforms  small business owners transact with government.”

“Easy to do Business has been a huge success, with 108 NSW councils now on board, covering two-thirds of the state.

Small business owners can access free online and phone support from Service NSW’s Business Concierge, which means they can start, open and grow much faster,” Mr Dominello said.

Forbes Shire Council was presented with a plaque to recognise its commitment to the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative and Easy to do Business.

“We are pleased to be part of an initiative that helps small businesses navigate their way through red tape to get started quickly and succeed,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“More small businesses are being created in NSW than any other state, with a net growth of close to 30,000 businesses in 2017-18,” Mr Tudehope said.

The next big show for the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Socety is Shrek the Musical Jr. It will run over the first two weekends in June with a cast of 38 between the ages of 7 and 19 from Parkes, Forbes and surrounding towns. It is a wonderful show for the whole family from 3 years to 100!

For the first time ever, the Society is staging an Autism friendly performance on 15th June at 2pm that will be specially adapted to be accessible to people with Autism, a learning disability, or anyone with sensory disposition. All sudden lighting and sound effects will be taken out and house lights will be left on at 50%. There will be no aggressive or confrontational content and all main characters will be introduced before the show commences. There will be quiet spaces, and an open day before the show so kids can come along and get familiar with the theatre environment.

“We are very excited to be the first regional company to hold an Autism friendly relaxed performance and look forward to seeing many kids experience theatre for the first time,” said Director Lyn Townsend.

Tickets for all Shrek shows can be purchased online at www.parkesmandd.com.au or you can also purchase them from Parkes Regional Business Supplies (across the road from Cooke Park in Parkes).

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has announced the winner of its inaugural Aboriginal Art Competition as Raymond Thorpe, an artist from Forbes.

“There was considerable interest in the competition and Mr Thorpe’s outstanding work was selected from some exceptional pieces,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche said.

As CatholicCare’s first Aboriginal Art competition, artists from throughout the diocese were invited to submit a contemporary or traditional entry on any subject.

“The calibre of entries was impressive and we hope will only continue, along with the  of entries, each year we continue to host this Aboriginal Art Competition.”

“We know there is a lot of talent in our diocese and this competition is just one way we can showcase our exceptionally talented artists,” she added.

Mr Thorpe’s work is a colourful and detailed image featuring two platypus (biladurangs) synonymous with the waterways running through the diocese. Traditional and intricate dot painting techniques were used to depict the communities, land and water. The artwork is entitled Platypus Waterholes and depicts a male and female coming together to make their family and to bring them up in safe waterholes. Mr Thorpe’s work is on display at the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Corporate Services office in Lachlan Street, Forbes.

Second place was a painting by Stephen Moore from Dubbo, entitled Two Bruthas and tells a story of the bond of these brothers and although life has taken them on their own journeys they always come back to the bush where they belong.

Third place was by Cheree Stokes of Trundle and symbolises a tree of life with its many branches depicting the different services CatholicCare offers to people in need.

She also painted the river, spears and families using traditional dot painting techniques to show life journeys through time.

The winning artwork will now feature commercially in CatholicCare branding and promotional material.

Every fisherman’s dream… Cod caught on the Lachlan River in Forbes by 9 year old Archie and 7 year old Ollie Keane. (1.05m long)

Delightful autumn weather encouraged over 80 motorcyclists to participate in this year’s annual Ironbark Dice Run held by the Midstate Motorcycle Club on Saturday 18th May 2019.

The ride, which this year benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, attracted riders from all over the Central West of NSW including Parkes, Bathurst, Orange, Molong, Forbes, Goulburn and Canowindra.

Such was the success of the day that the club will be donating $1,730 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The Midstate Motorcycle Club would like to thank all those who attended for their and also the Parkes SES for supplying tea and coffee at the start of the ride.