Articles Archives - Page 144 of 412

Forbes Historical Museum Wins Medal

May 6, 2022 by Brett Sale

WONDERFUL HERITAGE… The winner of this year’s Forbes Heritage Medal was announced at a ceremony on Tuesday night and it went to the Forbes Historical Museum. At the event were (L-R) Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance, MC Cr Jenny Webb, Forbes Historical Museum representative Bruce Adams, Mayor Phyllis Miller, Cr Brian Mattiske and historical architect Graham Hall.

The Forbes Heritage Medal was awarded to the Forbes Historical Museum on Tuesday night in the newly renovated town hall.

Bruce Adams, who represented the Forbes Historical Museum, thanked the community for recognising the museum and its volunteers for their continuous hard work. “The Forbes Historical Museum continues to be one of the best volunteer run museums in NSW.”

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said she was very proud of the local community. “I think it is important to remember the people and places every year so we do not lose sight of the wonderful heritage we do have in Forbes.”

The Forbes Heritage Medal has a long and proud history of recognising the people who are working hard to ensure the preservation of the town. The medal is presented to a person or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the community and its heritage.

The three nominees were presented by local heritage advisor and historical architect Graham Hall. The other two deserving nominations were for the Forbes Tennis club and the Forbes Bandstand Rotunda in Victoria Park.

Several guest speakers spoke at the occasion, including local MC Jenny Webb and Sheryl Barton from the Forbes Family Historical group.

The Heritage Festival, cancelled last week because of the rain, will continue tomorrow in Victoria Park. The day will include heritage displays, bush poetry, damper cooking display and competition, historical vehicles and more. Make it a family outing and be prepared to have your curiosity provoked.

By Brett Sale

Snippets…

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack presented Red Bend Catholic College students Ava Curr with a book prize as a winner of the annual Anzac Day writing competition.

BOSCARS Cancelled: The Forbes Business Chamber executive committee took the decision to cancel the BOSCARS for this year due to a lack of available committee members and volunteers to organise the event. “We look forward to holding this event in 2023,” said Fiona Ferguson, Admin & Marketing Coordinator.

HSC Exam Timetable: The HSC exam timetable was released this week marking the final stage of the school journey for Year 12 students. HSC written exams will start on Wednesday, 12th October for 76,000 NSW students with English Paper 1 and finish on Friday, 4th November. Management of the HSC is no small feat, with this year’s schedule running across 18 days, for 126 exams and 780 exam centres.

Seniors Scams: Senior Australians are urged to stay vigilant against scams, as the total cost swindled from older consumers skyrocketed to over $11 million last year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received 16,915 reports from seniors in 2021. A total of $6.7 million had been lost through false billing scams, while online shopping scams cost Australian seniors $1.8 million last year. A common example is the purchase of a motor home online via fake websites. NSW Fair Trading guide with up-to-date information for seniors about their consumer rights and how to deal with unscrupulous operators are here visit: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/youth-and-seniors/seniors. The Aging and Disability Commission available resources are here www.ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au

Seedling Bank Grants: Applications are open to school and community groups around Australia for National Tree Day grants and close on Friday, 27th May. Just log in and add your application to your registered 2022 National Tree Day event. The Seedling Bank funds projects of all sizes. There is no upper limit to the amount of funding you can request! To register your event, get more information on The Seedling Bank or apply for a grant, visit treeday.planetark.org.

Observation Survey Results: The 2021 observation surveys measuring seatbelt wearing rates and illegal mobile phone use in Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin are in with mobile phone usage improving 2%. Only 13 people were observed using a mobile phone compared 85 from the previous survey. The seatbelt wearing rate decreased 3%, with 84 people observed not wearing a seatbelt. The best advice when you are driving is to put your mobile phone on silent or activate the ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ function on your phone.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack presented Red Bend Catholic College students Alana Folau with her prize for getting a highly commended in the annual Anzac Day writing competition.

Hundreds Of Rally Cars In Forbes Tomorrow

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

A total of 250 cars worth less than $1,000 will take part in this year’s Shitbox Rally covering 3,600km and passing through Forbes tomorrow afternoon.

The Central West will see the 250 cars taking part in this year’s Shitbox Rally when the 500 participants will pass through Forbes tomorrow afternoon on their way to Trundle where they will overnight.

The teams of two will leave Wollongong on Saturday, 7th May in cars worth less than $1,000 (aka shitboxes) and travel 3,600km to cross the finish line seven days later in Mackay, Queensland. The rally is the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council with over $30 million raised since the rallies began. The $2 million target for this rally is well in sight with current fundraising totals at over $1.7 million.

James Freeman who founded Box Rallies (Shitbox and Mystery Box Rally) after losing both of his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other said: “Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a reward for fundraising efforts. This is a chance to explore Australia, drawing teams from around the country to help achieve the extraordinary. This year will be another incredible rally starting for the first time in Wollongong and finishing in Mackay. As with all rallies though, the route will be on the roads less travelled as we make our way into the Outback.”

The impact of COVID in 2020 and 2021 has made it particularly difficult for teams to fundraise and Box Rallies has seen its expected fundraising total for the period cut by as much as $7.2 million. Rallies are the reward for raising vital funds for cancer research but when the reward is unable to take place, the fundraising slows considerably.

The rally cars are expected to go through Forbes from around 4pm and can be spread out over two to three hours. Arrival time in Trundle is from 5pm.

Forbes Midwife Nominated For Award

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Judi Driscoll.

Forbes midwife Judi Driscoll has been announced as one of nine nominees for the Midwife of the Year Award by the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).

Winners of the WNSWLHD Nurse, Midwife and Team of the Year Awards are nominated to represent the District in the NSW Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards. The awards acknowledge the significant skill, passion, and contributions of nurses and midwives from across the District.

Judi is described as extremely caring and a deeply passionate midwife. Her team speaks very highly of Judi and thoroughly enjoy working with her. She goes above and beyond, not only for her patients but for colleagues as well.

People describe Judi as highly conscientious and diligent in her practice. Judi always follows policy and best practice methods. She provides an outstanding level of care, ensures patients are safe, and advocates for all patient needs.

Judi is the heart of the maternity unit. She is kind, and her calming nature centres the team during challenging and at times difficult cases, which truly makes her a delight to work with.

Congratulations to Judi on her nomination and good luck!

CWA Celebrates Centenary

May 6, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

President CWA Oxley Group and Forbes CWA Evening Branch Robyn Miller with Governor of NSW Hon Margaret Bea-zley AC QC at the 100th anniversary morning tea of the NSW CWA.

It is a special year for NSW Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrating its 100th anniversary.

A celebratory birthday morning tea was held at Government House in March and attended by President of CWA Oxley Group and Forbes CWA Evening Branch, Robyn Miller. She was invited by the Governor of NSW the Hon Margaret Beazley AC QC to join other dignitaries and representatives of the CWA from across the state for this momentous occasion.

“It was a beautiful event, and a perfect backdrop of a sparkling Sydney Harbour to celebrate our centenary,” said Robyn. “It was fantastic to catch up with other CWA members from across the state and discuss the history of the CWA in assisting in local communities and disaster relief fundraising.”

Robyn said she felt privileged to be representing not only Oxley CWA Group but also Forbes Evening Branch.” She also represented the Oxley Group and Forbes Evening Branch by volunteering at the Royal Easter Show Tea Rooms (with Karen Wright and Amanda Dunn) and attended the 100 Year Annual General Meeting and Conference held at Royal Randwick in Sydney last week.

There are other celebrations occurring across the state to celebrate 100 years of CWA and its work to support rural, regional and remote women, children, families and communities in NSW.

Little did the small group of women, who met in 1922 to do something about the plight of rural women isolated by distance and lack of services, know that one hundred years on members of their organisation would be celebrating a birthday at Government House.

The CWA was focused on fighting isolation and a lack of health facilities, members immediately started work on setting up baby health care centres, funding more bush nurses, and building and staffing the likes of maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes, and holiday getaways for rural and remote families.

Improvements For Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre

April 29, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre received a $11,654 Stronger Communities grant to improve its outdoor space by laying down sand, the installation of turf, seating, a picnic table and new lawn mower. Member for Riverina Michael McCormack (second left) visited the centre last Thursday to make the announcement. He is with members of the centre and Aileen Allen (middle).

$5 Million Boost For Forbes

April 29, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

NEW ERA… Member for Riverina Michael McCormack (left) with Southern Cross Nutrients Operations Manager Ian Collier (right) and representatives of Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd and Forbes Shire Council at the site of the new development in the industrial park in Forbes.

An organic fertiliser producer has received a $5 million Federal Government grant to become the first industry to set up business in the new industrial park in Forbes.

Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd received the grant through the Securing Raw Materials Program, which is supporting businesses move to or expand into regional areas to research and develop innovative and locally sourced raw material supplies.

Southern Cross Nutrients will produce organic fertilisers for farmers from recycled natural nutrients at Forbes. The project will create 15 full-time and four part-time ongoing jobs and a further 25 jobs during two construction stages. It is expected production will start late this year.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack welcomed the grant last Thursday in Forbes, saying it was another shot in the arm for the Forbes economy and an exciting development in the drive to make agriculture a $100 billion a year industry by 2030.

The Securing Raw Materials Program has a range of benefits, including establishing, securing and strengthening the supply of raw materials to Australian industry, and supporting partnerships between industry and regional universities. Michael said Southern Cross Nutrients Pty Ltd was collaborating with Southern Cross University at Lismore to use organic waste to produce quality compost.

Southern Cross Nutrients will use compost and microbes manufactured in Forbes to produce nutrient and microbe-rich fertiliser to improve soil health, water retention, pest resistance and support increases in crop yields.

More information on the Securing Raw Materials Program can be found at: https://business.gov.au/srmp2.

Snippets

April 29, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Noah Brunt who won the 0 – 3 years category of The Forbes Phoenix Easter Colouring Competition. The other winners will be featured next week.

Forbes Heritage Festival: After the madness of the Elvis Festival last weekend, the Forbes Heritage festival will bring something completely different to town tomorrow (Saturday) in Victoria Park in the heart of Forbes’ heritage district from 10am to 2pm. There will be live demonstrations from heritage trades including blacksmiths, cheese making, woodturning and more, displays on our town’s rich heritage from the Forbes Historical Society and Forbes Family History Group, and some tall tales at the Bush Telegraph stage. Get up close and personal with some amazing vintage vehicles from the Forbes Historical Machinery Association, while the roving bushrangers from the interactive theatre troupe Convict Footprints will set your heart racing with their daring adventures, and the Swamp Dawkins Bush Band are sure to have you dancing. Don’t miss out on the Annual CWA Damper Competition, and demonstration cooked over real coals on site! Deliver your damper entry to the CWA stall at Forbes Heritage Festival in Victoria Park before 10am tomorrow to be in the running. Make sure your entry is on a paper plate with your name and contact number on the bottom.

Vintage and Collectables Fair: In celebration of Heritage Week, Rotary Ipomoea is holding a Vintage & Collectables Fair at Forbes CWA Hall from 10am – 4pm tomorrow with all day tea and scones, and gold coin entry. This is the first time Rotary Ipomoea have tried to hold a vintage and collectables Fair. It will be a great event for those interested in history and collecting, and some items for sale.

Brain and Body Workshops: The 2022 Grease and Oil Change Workshops will return for the 7th consecutive year as a free event. These not-for-profit gatherings were started by Cherie Quade in 2015 as a way of creating conversation in our community about mental health, wellbeing and real-life stories of how people in rural communities stay afloat when the rest of the world seems like a lot. Rather than having one large gathering, there will be several smaller workshops to accommodate different schedules and needs. The next one-hour workshop will be an online event on Sunday, 8th May from 7:30 – 8:30pm presented by Amanda Bainbridge. Join in to turn off the fight or flight reflex and treat the symptoms of your stress in the privacy of your own home. Find out more and register for this FREE event here: https://stressrecovery.eventbrite.com.au/

Don’t miss out on the Annual CWA Damper Competition in Victoria Park tomorrow that forms part of the Heritage Festival.

Forbes Young Judge Second Best In Australia

April 29, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The 2021 Merino sheep judging winners are (L-R) first place Ben Hartwich (VIC), runner-up Campbell Rubie from Forbes (NSW), third place Sym Hood (TAS), and fourth place Will Hacker (QLD).

Campbell Rubie (18) from Forbes is the second best young judge in Australia after being named runner-up for 2021 in the prestigious Agricultural Shows Australia young judging championship. Campbell competed in the Merino Sheep judging category.

Ben Hartwich (22) from Bullygrogran (Ararat), Victoria and Patrick Davis (18) from Harden, New South Wales have taken out Australia’s top spot in the competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) staged the national championships of young judges and paraders competitions with finalists from each state of Australia and New Zealand.

Campbell have grown up on a family farm, which is a mixed farming enterprise, with the major focus on Merino and Poll Merino Stud. “I am actively involved in all farming activities, including sheep work, machinery work and many other activities.”

The Red Bend Catholic College student plans to work on the family farm after school, with a trade under his belt.

He competed for the first time in 2020 in the junior judging competition, when he qualified for the Royal Easter Show, and came first in the Merino sheep section in April 2021.

“My Dad (Glen Rubie) and my brother (Mitchell Rubie) have had a huge influence on my judging.”

Judging is objective, while there are characteristics about an animal to look for, what the judges will be paying close attention to is how clearly competitors express their decision and how they validate it. A competitor’s appearance is also important and judges can mark down for poor presentation.

The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, celebrating its bicentenary, hosted the 2022 championships including the 2021 finalists who were unable to compete at Ekka due to COVID cancellations.

The National judges and paraders competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions.

Overall there are nine categories for judging and parading each year under the Agricultural Shows Australia national competition program: beef cattle, dairy cattle, alpaca, poultry, Merino sheep, meat breed sheep and Merino fleece judging, as well as parading competitions in beef and dairy cattle.

Dr. Rob Wilson is chairman of ASA, the peak body overseeing 572 agricultural shows in Australia which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy. Rob says the competition is designed to recognise the best new talent in livestock judging nationwide.

“It’s an extremely prestigious event and positions at the nationals are keenly contested,” he said.

“These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions which are crucial to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre. The national competition is a coveted opportunity to grow personally and professionally by practising skills against the cream of the crop.”

The Merino sheep and fleece judging competitions are sponsored by Australian Wool Innovation.

Mayoral Notes

April 29, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

What an amazing weekend in Forbes. As an Elvis Festival travel partner we hosted a couple of fantastic Elvis events including our Amazing breakfast and the very popular Swinging Speedway night at McFeeter’s car museum.

See all the pics on our Amazing Forbes facebook page. Events like the Elvis Festival mean so much to communities like ours – it was wonderful to see people out and about again.

Federal Member Michael McCormack was in Forbes last week to announce a $5 million Federal grant to Southern Cross Nutrients, a compost and natural fertiliser maker who will be starting production at the Central West Industrial Park in Forbes. This is the first of many industries to be established at our new industrial park and Forbes Shire Council has been busy working to attract businesses like Southern Cross Nutrients to our area.

We have a very busy schedule of road resealing and a dedicated program of trimming trees. After all the rain, so many of our trees have had increased growth and our team is working from our CBD out to maintain trees.

Last week alone our engineering department resealed 18 sections of road within our town limits to keep up with continually improving our streetscapes. A big thank you to all our residents who moved cars and kept the streets clear for the work to go ahead. A shout out to the teams who completed the work as they worked early and quickly to cause minimal interruptions.

Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller

Subscribe