TEAM TRAINING… Sylo team members receive training ahead of the opening of the social enterprise café in Forbes next week.

 Excitement is building in Forbes ahead of the opening of Sylo as the town’s first social enterprise café on 6th July. 

The sound of the espresso machine will soon be heard at the CBD landmark thanks to a CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes initiative to meet community need. 

As a social enterprise café, Sylo’s purpose is to provide training and real jobs for community members and clients, while serving quality food and beverages. 

Its vision is for recruits to gain skills, qualifications and experience as they build careers and economic security. 

Sylo will mark the third social enterprise café of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, which operates Cooee for Coffee at Wilcannia and Bourke. 

The venture’s launch will also bring activity back to a Forbes building loved by local people but unused for years. 

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes social enterprise manager Toni Hanns says the community is embracing the new concept for the space. “Every day someone says ‘when’s it opening, when’s it opening, when’s it opening’,” she said. 

The Rankin Street jewel has been receiving a makeover in the lead-up to its new chapter. The chocolate brown paint from its former use as a night-time bar has been replaced with an “airy, fresh” look, Toni said. Local trades have been involved in the works. 

The café team attributes the community excitement to Sylo’s vibe. “It’s got space, it’s got a great feeling, and I think the community is busting to have it open again, because it was just sitting there asleep for five years, and it was such a waste,” Toni said. 

“It’s getting a new lease of life and I just think that’s good for our town.” 

Sylo will open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7am to 3pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 7am to midday. 

Local real estate agent Ainslee Toole has much to smile about after being awarded number one agent for Nutrien Harcourts NSW and placing third nationally for sales contribution at the recent National Conference. 

This was an exceptional result considering 2021 was not an easy year, with much of the Forbes district in flood and many wet days prohibiting inspections. 

“Most of the inspections last year were carried out in a buggy due to the wet season. I had people close to me battling the good fight so it was pretty exciting to get a podium finish at our National Conference after such a tough year,” said Ainslee. 

Ainslee continued to say this year is shaping up to be better. “We have just sold several larger irrigation properties at record levels and have some quality listings that we will be marketing through winter and spring.” 

Ainslee is a Forbes local, growing up on a farm in the area. After returning from a period living abroad it seemed a natural progression for Ainslee to combine her sales experience as a Retail Manager with her rural experience to sell farms. 

The real estate industry has changed considerably in the 24 years since Ainslee began her career. She started just before emails and the Internet, when people saw the ads in the papers and would call to be faxed a a description with a few photos. 

“In my first year we only advertised in the local papers and The Land. It took up to two days to get the photos printed at the photo shop and then a few days to courier the photos to our advertising agent in Sydney. You had to allow a week from the time you took the photo to getting it in the press,” she said. 

According to Ainslee, the biggest change in the industry has been the speed at which agents can now advertise a new listing, saying, “With online marketing we can reach in excess of 100,000 prospective buyers with a good campaign. It also allows us to target specific areas and demographics.” 

Last year, Nutrien Harcourts Forbes shifted to online Auctions through their National Auctioneer with exceptional results. Reaching an 80% clearance rate, the results were the best they have ever achieved. 

“The thing I like the most about being an agent is helping people achieve their goals. Whether it’s selling to move to town or buying another farm for their son to come home. In many cases this is the biggest business decision our clients make in their lifetime. With farms our clients are selling their business, their superannuation and their home in one transaction. 

“Our greatest compliment is when our buyers become our sellers and ask us to sell a property for them. I have sold many properties multiple times – some as many as four times.” 

When asked where she saw herself in five years time, Ainslee responded, “I hope I’m still on the podium and doing exactly what I’m doing now. It would be nice to maybe travel a bit more in the future now that we can.”