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Help Ease Local Food Insecurity This Festive Season

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Woolworths customers are encouraged to make a dry food donation to its Local Community Food Drive campaign that will help out local families in need.

The Local Community Food Drive organised by Woolworths in Forbes and Parkes will help deliver food relief to those experiencing hardship in the lead-up to Christmas.

The initiative started on Wednesday, and Forbes and Parkes Shire customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items. A specially marked Local Community Food Drive trolley has been placed in each store, and donated items can include: breakfast cereals, pasta, rice and instant noodles, canned fish or meat, spreads (peanut butter, honey, jam); and baked beans and spaghetti.

Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many Australians with more than half a million households struggling to meet food needs, and more than two million households having gone hungry in the last 12 months, according to the 2022 FoodBank Hunger Report.

Within these households, the number of children affected has increased by 100,000, resulting in 1.3 million children grappling without having food on their plate.

Woolworths stores are working closely with local food charities to ensure Forbes and Parkes Shire residents in need will receive the donated items, along with fresh food to the value of $250 in time for the upcoming festive season.

The Food Drive is a frontline community effort to help provide a solution for hunger relief, which has been exacerbated by the rising cost of living and changes in household living arrangements.

“We’re asking Forbes and Parkes Shire customers who are in a position to do so, to join us in donating to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive on their next grocery shop, by simply adding non-perishable items to our trolleys. By making a small donation, you will be helping the wellbeing of our local community, providing them with the essentials they need,” said the managers of the two stores.

Customers can donate in-store until 15th November.

Forbes Celebrates CWA Centenary In Style

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The fashion show was a big hit and was organised by Barb Goodger, Robyn Miller and Gail McKay.

The crowd could not get enough of the historical fashion extravaganza in the Forbes Town Hall on Sunday for the celebration of the centenary of the CWA in NSW.

The Forbes Evening Branch pulled out all stops to make it a memorable event with an afternoon tea in true CWA style.

“It went beyond our expectations, the support was just phenomenal,” said president Robyn Miller.

The Forbes Evening Branch organised a fashion show with garments depicting all the decades from 1922 when the CWA was established. “We managed to get frocks and dresses from members and their contacts,” said Robyn.

They loaned two special gowns from the Forbes Historical Museum that were put on display and included a Melbourne Cup dress from the 1920s and a wedding dress from 1931, while the History Group put up a display of the CWA in Forbes.

The afternoon also included dance performances by four soloists of Kristen’s Dance Academy who ensured the show kept rolling while the models were changing their garments.

Ann Reade, the newest life member of the Oxley Group, had the honour of cutting the celebratory cake.

“I am so proud of our branch members who did so much work for this event,” said Robyn. “My phone rang hot on Monday from people saying how lovely and special the day was.

“The CWA is an extraordinary organisation to be part of, and we have so much fun working on projects in the community.”

Spring Photo Competition Winners

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Spring Photo Competition Winners are: (clockwise from top left) Winner Parkes – Elizabeth Drady, winner Forbes – Peta Allen, second Parkes – Wendy Baigent, second Forbes – Katie Drady, third Forbes – Anne McLennan and third Parkes – Casper Jones.

We received plenty of beautiful images of birds, flowers, landscapes, pets and more from our readers for the Spring Photo Competition. The judges had a tough task picking the winners. Bec Bennet from Hold Photography picked 15-year-old Peta Allen as the Forbes winner, while Marc Payne from March Payne Photography named Elizabeth Drady as the Parkes winner.

Bec’s comments on Peta’s winning entry was: “Lovely composition, perfect mirroring of the silo in the water, nice warm colours, soft afternoon sky. Depicts a lovely country scene.” Marc said of Elizabeth’s winning shot: “It has impact, it fills the frame and is nicely exposed.”

The judges also wanted to give a special mention to the second and third place winners.

• Forbes 2nd: Katie Drady: “Skiing in theflood waters. Great concept, great current scene for our region.”

• Forbes 3rd Anne McLennan: “Great composition, beautiful bright colours, goodfocus.”

• Parkes 2nd: Wendy Baigent “Image fillsthe frame and has nice colour, gives impact.”

• Parkes 3rd: Casper Jones “The use oflight is gorgeous in this image and thelight in the cat’s eyes draws you in.”

Peta and Elizabeth have each won a family photo session with Bec and Marc respectively.

Melbourne Cup Has A Local Connection This Year

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The 1.65kg of gold for this year’s Melbourne Cup came from Evolution’s Cowal Mine 100km west of Forbes. The Melbourne Cup Tour included Forbes in September when residents could get a photo with the famous trophy.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous thoroughbred horse race held over a distance of 3,200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

With a total prize money of almost $8 million, it is the richest “two-mile” handicap in the world and one of the richest turf races.

It is held on the first Tuesday of November each year, and known as the ‘race that stops a nation’.

This year the Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday, 1st November at 3pm.

The Melbourne Cup has a long tradition, with the first race held in 1861 when the winner received a gold watch. The first Melbourne Cup trophy was awarded in 1865 and was an elaborate silver bowl on a stand that had been manufactured in England. This is currently owned by Australian wine personality Wolf Blass and is on display at the Wolf Blass Gallery & Museum/Adelaide Hills Wine Bar in Hahndorf, South Australia.

In 1876 Edward Fischer, an immigrant from Austria produced the first Australian-made trophy. In the Second World War years (1942, 1943 and 1944) the winning owner received war bonds valued at 200 pounds.

A new trophy is struck each year and becomes the property of the winning owner. In the event of a dead heat, a second cup is on hand. The present trophy is hand spun from 1.65 kg of 18-carat gold, and the gold for this year’s trophy came from Evolution’s Cowal Mine west of Forbes.

That is why Forbes was included in the annual Melbourne Cup Tour this year. Many residents lined up last month to get a photo of them holding the 18-carat trophy.

Phil Runs Again

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP officially announced his intent to contest the NSW State election for the seat of Orange on 25th March next year.

“I continue to be 100% committed to serving the people of our communities here in the Orange electorate, and greater regional NSW,” he said.

Phil was first elected in the 2016 by-election, triggered by the resignation of former sitting member Andrew Gee, when he was voted in by a margin of just 55 votes taking the seat from the National Party after 69 years.

“Since I’ve been elected, the Orange electorate has seen record funding and investment from the NSW Government for services and infrastructure, proving that a non-government representative has helped our community get the attention it deserves.

“Not having to toe a government or big party line, I’ve been able to strenuously advocate for the community, without fear or favour – which can only be achieved by not being a member of the government,” Phil said.

Mix of Reactions To Federal Budget

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says while the first Labor budget contains promising announcements, rural communities will be “bitterly disappointed”.

“Critical drought-proofing efforts such as Dungowan and Wyangala dams have been ‘deferred’, and the likelihood of more water buybacks means there will be less water for agriculture once the rain stops.

“Rural communities are already looking at major economic losses as a result of this widespread flooding, the last thing they need is even less certainty into the future.”

Xavier said investments into research and development to help lower emissions from agriculture was a positive move, as were efforts to improve education and training amid a major worker shortage.

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, acknowledged the government’s commitment to delivering on its commitments and putting fiscal repair at the heart of a budget which forecasts a challenging outlook for businesses already grappling with labour shortages, higher prices and global disruption.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a projected deficit of $36.9 billion for the 2022/23 financial year, an improvement of $41.1 billion.

“In a challenging economic environment, there is no doubt this budget makes the hard decisions to kick off the process of getting us back in the black,” said Business NSW, Regional Director – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“With energy prices forecast to skyrocket next year, we welcome a $62.6 million boost for an energy efficiency grants program and a commitment to establish a $20 billion fund for energy transmission.

Free Arts Funding Workshop In Parkes

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Arts OutWest will run a free arts funding workshop in Parkes next Wednesday, 2nd November from 10:30am to 12.30pm at the Parkes Library.

The workshop will help people prepare applications for the annual Country Arts Support Program and brush up on their grant writing skills.

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is a small annual funding round supporting arts activities in the NSW Central West. Applications for the 2023 round are now open.

CASP funds the payment of artists and arts workers to undertake or manage arts activities that offer exciting creative outcomes. Grants of up to $3,000 are available.

“The free workshop will explain the CASP funding, help people plan an application, chat through their project ideas and take a look at the application process,” Arts OutWest executive director Kylie Shead said.

CASP applications for 2023 close at 5pm on Monday, 5th December.

Projects funded by CASP could include (but are not limited to) arts or heritage-based workshops, classes, performances, installations, exhibitions, tours, screen/film making, writing or composition, development of new work, tours or talks, artist-in-residence programs, recordings or podcasts, and new arts activities attached to festivals or events – as long as they have some element of public outcome.

The funding is open to individuals, groups, not-for-profit organisations, arts businesses and councils.

If you can’t make the Parkes workshop, there will be an online information session on Wednesday, 16th November.

Book for the Parkes workshop at either Parkes Library, Arts OutWest or find it on Eventbrite.

Read the full CASP criteria at www.artsoutwest.org.au/pf/casp/

A Fun Morning Of Science For Little Ones

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The activities at the 2019 Forbes Science Discovery Day had everyone enthralled.

If you want your little ones to discover the magic of science, but don’t want a mess in your house, the Forbes Science Discovery Day on Friday 4th November is just the place for you!

It has been a while since the inaugural Forbes Science Discovery Day was held and the team is delighted to present a fun packed morning at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre from 10am to 1pm this year.

“We are super excited to introduce Wendy from the Children’s Discovery Museum to our community,” said Maree Yapp from Forbes North SaCC.

“Wendy brings with her a wealth of experience and will be reading her story ‘Goldilocks and the Three Scientists’ every hour”. The morning will bring favourite activities along with some new experiences for children up to school age.

Families with young children are invited to come along and try all

the activities around the hall and speak with the presenters at each station. There will be plenty to see and do for everyone.

Snippets…

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

‘Rory in the mud’ taken by Amelia O’Reilly from Tullibigeal received a special mention in the junior category of the 2022 Central West is Best Photography Competition.

Thanksgiving Service: On Sunday, 6th November the Alectown Annual Thanksgiving Service will take place in the Alectown Soldiers Memorial Hall at 4pm. The event has been held annually for many years just prior to harvest to give thanks for the upcoming harvest and for all the blessings received throughout the year. Quite often rain is needed to finish crops off, but this year has been extraordinary and we pray for fine weather to dry out the soil so that the crops can be harvested. Afternoon tea is served afterwards and everyone is welcome.

Funding For Country Arts: Applications are now open for Arts OutWest’s Country Arts Support Program (CASP), a small annual funding round supporting arts activities in the NSW Central West. Grants of up to $3,000 are available that will help to generate new arts activities. Applications for 2023 close at 5pm on Monday, 5th December. Projects could include (but are not limited to) arts or heritage-based workshops, classes, performances, installations, exhibitions, tours, screen/film making, writing or composition, development of new work, tours or talks, artist-in-residence programs, recordings or podcasts, and new arts activities attached to festivals or events – as long as they have some element of public outcome.

Arts OutWest will run a free grant writing workshop in Parkes on Wednesday, 2nd November and an online CASP information session on Wednesday, 16th November. To apply you must discuss your idea with Arts OutWest before submitting an online application. Read the full criteria at www.artsoutwest.org.au/pf/casp/ and contact Arts OutWest on 6338 4657 or artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Help Improve The Great Outdoors: Residents of Central West are encouraged to help shape the future of open spaces by completing the NSW Regional Outdoor Survey. The survey will only take about ten minutes to complete. To have your say go to www.planning.nsw.gov.au/nsw-regional-outdoor-survey.

New Rules To Boost Agritourism: More farmers across NSW will soon be able to welcome visitors thanks to a new policy that makes it easier to set up agritourism opportunities. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said: “We’re making it cheaper and easier for our farmers to diversify their income by starting, running and growing agritourism experiences, such as farm stays, cafes, cellar doors, retreats, roadside stalls, fruit picking and small wedding venues.”

Ella Gibson from Baldry was the runner-up in the junior category of the 2022 Central West is Best Photography Competition with her entry called ‘If a shed could tell a story’.

New Mentors Ready To Help First Nations People Strengthen Financial Literacy

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal financial counsellor intern Shardai Charters, and colleagues (second right) Jacqueline Coe and (right) Kyle Nixon-Croaker complete the training led by Jordy Dwyer from First Nations Foundation (second left) to become My Money Dream mentors.

Aboriginal people in western NSW seeking to build up their financial well-being and security need not do it alone.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) is ready to help on the ground, a number of its team members recently completing training with First Nations Foundation to become My Money Dream mentors.

My Money Dream is an education program created by First Nations people, for First Nations people, to teach skills for financial security and future prosperity.

CCWF provides free access to My Money Dream, and now with more CCWF team members across western NSW trained as mentors, it can further assist community members.

CCWF team members based at Dubbo, Forbes, Narromine, Orange, Bourke, Broken Hill and Condobolin took part in the training on 6th September at Dubbo.

“We are thrilled to partner with First Nations Foundation to become My Money Dream mentors, supporting us to bolster financial literacy in a culturally safe format,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Financial Stability portfolio manager Louise Cormie said.

“Enhanced financial literacy helps everyone. First Nations people were only permitted to enter our country’s economy in the 1970s.

“We can take steps to reduce this financial well-being deficit, by building confidence in managing money and for a secure financial future.”

CCWF notes a 2019 study by First Nations Foundation, in partnership with the Centre for Social Impact and NAB, that underscores the need. It found 48 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were living in financial stress.

CCWF provides free access to My Money Dream education via all formats – online, self-learn, or in-person with a mentor for individuals and groups. To sign up or for further information call 1800 067 067 or email lcormie@ccwf.org.au

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