Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has announced a matched giving campaign this end of financial year, and is calling on the public to donate and take advantage of this opportunity to help open roads for rural and regional youth.

Any gifts made during the campaign will support national pro­ grams and resources to empower regional youth to unlock their full potential, with all donations made to CEF matched up to a total of $500,000 until 30th June.

In 2023, approximately 82% of CEF supported students did not receive financial support from family and 40% were ineligible or did not receive government assistance. Additionally, 46% were work­ ing more than 15 hours a week on top of full-time study, just to make ends meet.

CEF Chief Executive Officer Wendy Mason explains, “This dem­onstrates a clear gap in the assistance regional young people are receiving to undertake post-school education and why the work of CEF is so critical, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.” “This matched giving campaign is an incredible opportunity to raise much needed funds to support our national operations, to grow the impact we have on the lives of our rural and regional youth,” said Ms. Mason.

CEF is a national for-purpose organisation committed to ena­bling equal access to further education and career opportunities for rural and regional youth. “We believe wholeheartedly in the po­tential of our regional and rural young people, and we need the help of the community to provide them with the support they need to achieve their dreams,” said Ms Mason.

 

Arts OutWest, the peak arts body and regional arts development organisation for the NSW Central West, has been working across the region for 50 years.

“As the oldest regional arts program in NSW, Arts OutWest has a strong legacy of high quality arts activities coupled with support for arts, heritage and culture across all artforms and all interests,” said Arts OutWest chair Margot Jolly.

“The organisation is highly regarded in the state and national arts sectors, and is a leader in areas like arts and health – something our region can be proud of.” A special 50th anniversary dinner will be held at Forbes Town Hall on Saturday June 1st. Whilst the dinner is sold out, you can still attend the opening of three new art exhibitions on Saturday afternoon, 2-3pm at Forbes Town Hall.

The exhibitions showcase recent work by members of the Forbes Arts Society, work by Arts OutWest staff, board and advisory council members, and photography from Arts OutWest’s Media Associates. The exhibitions will be open to the public Sunday 2nd June, and then across the long weekend June 8th-10th, from 10am-2pm at Forbes Town Hall and next door at St Andrews Hall. Work by Wiradjuri artist Rhonda Sharp will also show at Forbes Visitor Information Centre for the month of June.

“Arts OutWest has played a pivotal role in nurturing artistic talent, promoting community engagement, and enhancing the cultural vitality on a regional level,” said Mrs Jolly.

Arts OutWest is one of 15 regional arts development organisations across the state, receiving funding from state, local and federal government and working with a wide range of partners to deliver support and run strategic arts projects in their region.

Saturday’s Men’s Individual Stroke competition saw 53 men compete.

In the Men Div 1, Barry Parker compiled a nett 69 to take the honours. While the runner-up was Andrew Grierson with 71 nett. He was looking good after the front-9 but a couple of bogeys coming home dented his efforts.

In the Men Div 2 Laurie O’Connor played some good golf to score a 69 nett. His played well except for a calamitous 11th hole. Runner-up was Fons Melisi with an even par 72 nett. His was a day of steady golf. The NTP’s were: 9th – Stuart Thomas; 18th – Paul Pymont. The Pro Shop Superpin, played on the 9th hole, went to Stuart Thomas who was getting ready to celebrate but his ball stopped 80 cm short of the hole. The ball sweep went to 74 nett.

On Sunday the Final leg of the ‘Trilogy of Golf’ was played at West Wyalong. Again Forbes players figured prominently among the prizes. The Trilogy Scratch was a joint win by Caleb Hanrahan and Ecky Dawson, with Shane Sallaway taking 3rd. The Trilogy Nett had Forbes players in 2nd (Josh Coulthurst) and 4 th (Jordan Wright).

Josh Coulthurst also took the B-Grade Scratch honours, with Ecky Dawson the A-Grade Scratch runner-up and the Vets Scratch Runner-up.

This weekend the Men’s comp is the June Monthly Medal, sponsored by BWR Accountants & Advisors. There is a Stableford Medley on this Sunday.

Contributed by Short Putt

 

Tuesday 21 May saw hosting the CWA Oxley Group CWA Public Speaking for Schools Contest at the Wiradjuri Study Centre in Condobolin. Approximately eighty students from twenty schools across the Oxley Group area competed. They travelled from as far afield as Parkes, Forbes, Trundle, Tottenham, Ungarie, Tullibigeal, Bedgerebong, Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin.

Ros Edwards, CWA Oxley Group Public Speaking Officer said, “A big thank you to should be given to Evolution Mining for supporting this annual Oxley CWA Group event. They [Evolution Mining] really help in promoting student skills in speaking up and communicating their ideas in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.” Students from Years 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, as well as 9 and 10 showcased their public speaking skills through prepared speeches entertaining parents, teachers, fellow students and the judges on a wide variety of topics.

This year students presented hilarious and creative ways to explore ideas from riding bikes, cleaning teeth, ghost stories, pet’s perspectives to sea mysteries, Lego, artificial intelligence, manners, making wishes and laughing to present entertaining and unusual perspectives to grab the audiences’ attention.

The Winner and the three Highly Commended students from each section are invited to participate in the CWA Intergroup Public Speaking Competition to be held in Trundle on Monday 17th June.

Thank you to all six judges Mick Hanlon, Paul Lukin, Tess Kelly, Sue Thomas, Carmel Berry (CWA) and Sue Baxter (CWA Oxley Group President). Thanks to Ros Edwards, CWA Oxley Group Public Speaking Officer and the many CWA volunteers who assisted on the day. Thanks also to parents and teachers for transporting our talented students.

Congratulations to all students for their efforts in presenting their differing perspectives on the topics in creative and interesting ways. All students were outstanding which made the Judges work difficult.