If you’re looking for somewhere to eat and sleep in luxury, Hermitage Hill is Wellington’s premier country retreat, restaurant and function centre. Once the Wellington District Hospital, this heritage property has undergone a substantial renovation, while retaining its unique period charm.

Visitors are invited to enjoy modern cuisine in the fully-licensed restaurant, or take a stroll around the stately grounds. Overnight guests will enjoy the relaxation of taking a break in a true country retreat. Hermitage Hill owners Nigel and Lynette Logue said the hotel’s charm, combined with excellent service, made it popular with return visitors.

“Guests enjoy nothing better than waking to the sounds of birds, enjoying a leisurely breakfast in our popular restaurant, and enjoying the charms of our town of Wellington,” Nigel said.

The Guest House has 13 individual suites which have been beautifully renovated and features air conditioning, a large guest lounge, swimming pool access and stunning views. Hermitage Hill also welcome weddings, functions and group bookings – the perfect place to host a special event. Contact Nigel and Lynette Logue on 6845 4469 for more details.

Catherine Maloney is on a mission for her son and for disabled kids everywhere. Working alongside Wheelchair Sports NSW, she wants to build a sporting and play lifestyle for disabled children in Forbes to help create a sense of achievement and belonging.

“There are many children with disabilities here, but no one ever sees them,” says Catherine whose son Logan was left with a range of physical disabilities after a fall at two and a half years. “These children need exercise and a place where they can form a social network, selfesteem and form who they are through play. They develop their social awareness through play at a young age and if they don’t get the opportunity, there can be many repercussions
in their behaviour and how they turn out in their adult life.”

Catherine says the program doesn’t have to be competitive, it’s meant to be a hit and a giggle; kids having some casual fun with sports like fencing, basketball, rugby and tennis. There is also the possibility of lining up coaches and para-Olympians to mentor and buddy the children.

She envisions an inclusive environment where kids don’t have to be wheelchair bound and participants can be both physically or mentally disabled. “I want to help them feel like they’ve achieved something, rather than just watching
the other kids,” she says. “A lot of them spend so much time in hospital which is exclusive and when they’re at home, they need to be included. Their home time should be a happy time.”

If you would like to help Catherine make this dream a reality, head down to Forbes Services Memorial Club on Wednesday 30 September between 12pm-2pm to discuss the development of sporting opportunities for individuals with a disability within the Forbes area. Sports coaches are also encouraged to take an interest and turn up to the meeting.

If you have ever wanted to meet one of Australia’s greatest racing legends, now is your chance! On Saturday 26 September Forbes Tyreright are holding their Grand Opening and everyone is invited to get out there and meet V8 Supercar Hall of Famer Allan Moffat.

Jamie Walsh and his Forbes Tyreright staff have been working hard since February to get the building complete and after a coat of paint they’ve decked the place out and it’s now up and running. To celebrate their achievement, a Grand Opening will be held this Saturday between 9am and 1pm and something will be there for all ages to enjoy.

There will be a jumping castle for the kids, a machinery display for the farming enthusiasts and ROK FM will be broadcasting live from the event. A lucky door prize will also be on offer with $500 worth of tyres to give away.

An incredible car display will include Cobras, Fastback Mustangs and a Grand Torino made famous by the television and movie franchise Starsky & Hutch. Get your free Bathurst 1000 poster signed by racing hero Allan Moffat, get involved with a fun football passing competition and enjoy the sausage sizzle. This will be a great day out
for the kids with Dad and the best part yet, it’s a free event!

“Come down and check out the new showroom,” Jamie said. “Get out on a spring weekend and enjoy the sunny weather!” Forbes Tyreright can take care of all your mechanical repairs, registration checks, servicing and they have the latest technology in wheel alignment.

With a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years collectively, these people can help with anything from a pram to an earthmover. They also offer 24 hour on-farm service.

Friday 18 September saw the end to a huge five week campaign for Ray White Rural Forbes. They took four properties from Forbes, Parkes and Lake Cargelligo to auction and with the use of the white out and a mix of other media, this campaign saw a total of over 150 enquiries.

On the final day the team managed a total of 27 registered bidders in the room and having the always reliable Angus MacLeod at the helm, they managed 3 from 5 under the hammer. Forbes property “Nirvana” sold under the hammer for $405,000 followed by “Montana”, another Forbes property selling under the hammer for $993,000, above the reserve price.

Part one of Lake Cargelligo, a bare block, sold for $210,000 followed by the house block portion of the property being hotly contended before being passed in for further negotiations. Parkes property “Blue Meadows” was slow
to start with, bidding steady at $455,000 and then also passing in for further negotiations.

With new interest generated, Ned is currently on a fresh inspection for Blue Meadows with persons present at the auctions.

The structure itself has seen many lives over time, from a paint supply shop to a builder’s hardware shop and even a motor mechanic. Janine Whitfield purchased the Mezzanine building in partnership with the Betlands in 2004 after it had been closed and vacant for over four years.

Janine quickly saw the potential for what was going to become the business of her dreams. It all started out as a small coffee shop with homewares, gift wares and a boutique tile shop until 3 years later Janine found herself the sole owner of the extraordinary building.

Janine says she has really enjoyed her time at Mezzanine but it has been a lot of hard work, particularly at the beginning. Persevering, the shop space began to take shape after rubbing back walls and floors and making it habitable. The menu has always been quite simple, with different main dishes each day and an all-day breakfast, fantastic cold drinks and smoothies and of course the famous Fish River Roasters coffee. Each week the menu
has changed and always modernises with the food trends.

After living in Forbes all her life, Janine is surrounded by her family and adds “I couldn’t have done this without them.” Janine said she is thankful to all her loyal customers and staff throughout the years and that Mezzanine is a place where she has made a lot of very good friends. She also wished the new owners Luke and Moana Duggan all the best when they take over at the end of September.

Janine is off for a well-earned rest and in her words “my plan is not to have a plan”. From everyone at the Forbes Phoenix, good luck Janine and enjoy your time off. You will be missed!

The Annual Bedgerabong Country Music Campout is on again, situated in the lush, picturesque grounds of the Bedgerabong Showgrounds, 32km west of Forbes and hosted by the Forbes Country Music Club Inc.

This will be the 7th year of the Bedgerabong Country Music Campout and will be a relaxing week of music, singing, poetry, dancing, bush camping and play. This year there is a great line-up of country music artists with Tom Maxwell, Peter Pratt, Peter Simpson and Dianne Lindsay, Cameron Sharp, Patsy and Tom Routledge, Sharon
Heaslip, Country Keys and Strings, Pete Smith, Errol Gray and more.

The main stage will be entertaining the campers from 10am to 5pm each day. After the dinner break, each night will come alive on the Walk Up stage with the many Walk Up performers who will come to entertain from all over the country. For the energetic, there is even a Sportsperson of the Campout Competition for ladies, gents and children.

There will be Old Time and New Vogues dancing in the Bedgerabong Hall and meals will be available from Wednesday, as well as tea, coffee and soft drinks. There will be no powered sites and showers are limited. Bush camping includes all entertainment and tickets are $60. Children under 16 are free and must be accompanied by an adult. Day tickets are $15 for non-campers and dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a leash.

The Forbes Band members will be available for backing up performers if needed. Gates will be open from 9am Tuesday 6 October, closing on Tuesday 13 October. Don’t forget to bring along your fold-out chairs and plenty of sunscreen! No fires allowed.

This October long weekend, the 5th Annual Forbes Motor Show will be held at South Circle and Grinsted Oval in what is becoming one of Forbes most anticipated events. It’s shaping up to be an impressive event with another remarkable line-up of antique machinery, an extensive range of bikes and a model car display. The kids will have plenty of things to do with a jumping castle, tattoos, face painting and other activities to keep them busy.

“The committee has been working tirelessly to bring the Forbes Motor Show together and everyone is assured to have a fantastic day,” said Secretary Jill Kay. “We have 33 entrant’s categories this year, including cars, bikes – with ladies categories, trucks, tractors, antique machinery, veteran, vintage and almost anything else you can think of.”

Some of the categories include Best Paint, Best Ute, Best Classic Car, Best Restored, Best Tractor, Best Working Truck, Best Custom Bike, Best Street Rod, and many more. There are some great trophies and prizes up for grabs and anyone is encouraged to enter their pride and joy.

“If you don’t wish to enter one of the categories, we welcome you to display your vehicle or equipment, and we will not be charging a fee for display only items,” Jill said. There will be a great selection of motorrelated stalls to browse through, as well as Brownie’s DJ music, food and drink stalls and a BBQ.

The Forbes Motor Show promises to be a great family day for all. Don’t miss out on this great family day out, Sunday 4 October at South Circle and Grinsted Oval. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at www.forbesmotorshow.com.au

The Forbes Aboriginal and Community Working Party came together as an initiative of David Acheson, a dedicated member of the Forbes and Indigenous communities. “We are trying to create a voice for Aboriginal people in Forbes,” says David, who is currently seeking out fresh members for FACWP. “You’ve got to be involved with your
own town.”

Although FACWP have been operating quite a few months now, David admits that there is not much structure at this stage. “We have up to 13 people come to our meetings, but it varies from month to month,” David says, stressing that FACWP is for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people alike and encourages people from all walks of life
to work together in their community.

David is responsible for most of the FACWP’s top jobs, including Secretary, Treasurer, Director and Cleaner, making it difficult for him to utilise resources in the best possible way. “I want to legitimise the committee,” he says. “We need structure to be accepted into the Three Rivers Regional Assembly. “As a group of volunteers we are working to
establish a local identity and make a place for ourselves in local decision making on things like health, education, housing, transport and cultural issues in the Forbes Aboriginal community.”

The next meeting of the FACWP will be held on Monday 12 October at the Forbes Services Memorial Club from 5:30pm. Anybody in the community who wants to contribute to their cause, whether young, old, black, white or in between is invited to join.

After 12 months of preparations, the time has arrived for 25 local dancers and 42 of their family and friends to make their way to America for 10 days. For some, this will not only be their first trip overseas, but their first time on an aeroplane.

Kristen’s Dance School owner Kristen Woods offered the opportunity late last year to students who perform at Eisteddfods throughout the year and she has since been working hard with students, choreographing and rehearsing dances to perform at Disneyland and Universal Studios. The dancers have a busy schedule to follow with workshops and performances at Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood. They will also go on a guided sightseeing tour of
LA, visiting Beverley Hills, Hollywood and Rodeo Drive.

Students and their families conducted several fundraising activities throughout the year to assist the dancers with the costs, receiving an overwhelming response. The tour is offered by Dance Around the World Tours, an established company with over 25 years experience in giving Choir, Dance and Band groups performance opportunities
and workshop experiences in the USA, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific.

Good luck and happy travels to all our aspiring dancers and their families. Enjoy your trip and we look forward to hearing about your accomplishments on your return!

Forbes Preschool Kindergarten will be the grateful recipients of a $7000 NSW Government grant that aims to improve access to preschool for children in rural and remote communities.

“It was a lovely surprise when Andrew Gee came out to visit us last Friday with a $7000 cheque to ensure all children can access a preschool education,” says Amy Shine, Director of the preschool. “The money will help support our new building project and increase the available spaces allowing more children access to preschool and we are committed to maintaining our low fees, which start at $5 a day.”

Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the initiative provides these types of grants to community preschools in outer regional, remote and very remote areas. “This initiative helps early educators connect with families who are not sending their children to preschool and ensures children who are located in rural areas are able to access a quality early childhood education,” Mr Gee said.

“The program is designed to support preschools’ outreach initiatives, improving engagement and universal access for hard to reach and vulnerable children in these areas.”