The Shed Talk held at Boys to the Bush in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The staff at Boys to the Bush hosted a ‘Shed Talk’ last week in celebration of International Women’s Day. These talks are held throughout the year to involve people from all areas and backgrounds in our community to learn and participate in conversations with staff and participants of the program.

Last week Thursday’s talk was to celebrate the role of women in our community. Staff members Kristy Butler, Hannah DeMamiel and Mel West spoke of their experiences working with both boys and girls in the organisation, and the positive outcomes it is having not only on the kids involved, but also on the staff and everyone involved. Programs such as MENtoring, School Groups and in particular Emergency Care and Girls to the Country Camps, were all well received by those who attended.

“Forbes has embraced Boys to the Bush with open arms since it’s commencement,” said Cassandra Tyack, Community Partnerships Coordinator. “Without the generous support of our town, Boys to the Bush would not be able to continue to achieve so many good results in nurturing the disengaged and vulnerable members of our community to build strong and confident young men and women.”

Forbes Wendy Gill is one of 24 recipients living in rural and regional NSW of the 2022 NSW State Government Rural Scholarship Program.

The one-year scholarship program begins with the finalists attending the Future Women Leadership Summit in Sydney earlier this week on 7 – 8 March, as part of the 2022 NSW Women’s Week celebrations. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said regional women are the lifeblood of so many bush communities.

“Each of the winners have already gone above and beyond in their local community, and this program will boost their leadership potential as they inspire the next generation of leaders,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the program is designed to connect driven and passionate women from all ages and backgrounds and help them in developing leadership skills as they progress to the next stage of their career.

“Last year’s NSW Rural Scholarship Program was a huge success. I’m sure we will see another exceptional result with this year’s intake.”

Not only do the winners get access to the coveted Future Women Platinum+ Program, valued at $5,500 each, but all 218 women who entered will also receive a complimentary one-year Gold membership, which gives them access to Future Proof, a year-long career development webinar series, and a 50 per cent discount to attend this week’s Future Women Leadership Summit.

For more info visit www.futurewomen.com/rural-womens-scholarship

Forbes Rotary Club has joined Rotary Australia to assist Ukraine and Northern Rivers flood victims.

Last week at Wednesday’s Forbes Rotary meeting, the Forbes Rotary Club agreed to donate funds to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Aid Fund and the RAWCS National Flood Appeal.

Since the time of the invasion of Ukraine, Rotary’s Ukrainian Aid Fund has received nearly $1 million. To donate, go to the RAWCS website, click-on “Projects” link and enter number 83-2014-15. Once details appear select “Donate” and complete.

As the national Ukrainian floral emblem is the sunflower, the Rotary Club of Coolamon with the donation of several tons of sunflower seeds from a local farmer will soon be sending out seeds along with specially printed packets to NSW Rotary Clubs. These will be packed and sold for $2 a packet with the sale proceeds being deposited into the above mentioned RAWCS project.

To donate to the RAWCS National Flood Appeal, repeat the steps above then enter 48-2021-22 and complete. All donations to these appeals are tax deductible. For more on Rotary call Garry 0427 401 267, Chris 0429 661 358 or Grahame 0427 640 065.

The Forbes Museum would love to know about your favourite foods, how to make them and your memories associated with them.

Many of us have memories of foods that take us back to our childhood or to a special person that made them or with whom you shared the food. It may be a simple evening meal that your mother made on weeknights after school, or a more elaborate dish that you associate with special events like Christmas and Easter. Even your first baking disaster can be memorable.

No matter the importance, memories involving food are vivid and they often feel more evocative and nostalgic than other types of reminiscences.

This is why the Forbes Historical Museum wants you to share both your recipes and your memories associated with them, so that they can record them in a book, “Recipes Remembered.”

“Our history is far more than the amazing objects that we have on display at the museum in Cross Street but it is the personal individual experiences of each one of us that now call Forbes our home, no matter where we were born or what country we came from,” said Margaret Adams of the Forbes Historical Museum.

“Forbes has always been a multicultural community with a fascinating rich heritage that we must preserve in a variety of ways. This is one valuable aspect that we can recognise and record for future generations,” Margaret said.

Volunteers are also welcome and can contact Bruce Adams 0429 151 280 or on the museum’s email below.

Recipe templates are available at the Forbes Historical Museum on Cross Street from 2pm to 4pm daily or they can be emailed to forbesmuseum@gmail.com

PRESLEY PAINTINGS: This wonderful portrait by Joan Ash of the King for all to see.

The Parkes Painting Group will be adding an artistic spin to this year’s Elvis Festival with a special Elvis Art Exhibition showcasing the work of artists from all over the central west.

Centrally located in the Uniting Church Youth Centre at 17 Court Street, Parkes, the exhibition will be featuring artwork with an Elvis theme, whether it is a portrait of the King himself, or an artwork depicting one of his songs.

Parkes Painting Group President Kerry Davies said the exhibition was a great opportunity to celebrate the skills and diversity of artists in the region.

She invited artists to submit three pieces with the closing date for entry forms Friday, 25 March. Artworks need to be delivered to the Parkes Uniting Church on Thursday, 14 April by 5pm.

The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 20 April to Sunday, 24 April, and the public will be able to vote for their favourite artist. There will be six prizes for the works with the most votes to be announced on the last day of the festival.

If you would like to submit your work, contact Kim Chambers on 0418 314 066.