A month’s worth of celebrations recognising women and the important role they play in our lives began in Forbes when International Women’s Day, 8 March was recognised across the shire throughout the week with a number of events.

It began with the Legendary Local Ladies Evening at Town Hall last Friday March 4 – an intimate evening with the finest of local produce on display and a chance to socialise and celebrate local ladies.

The Forbes Chambers Yandharra Wiradjuri Breakfast with Rose De Jong was last Tuesday. The Wiradjuri cultural breakfast was aimed at educating and connecting via food and held among the gums near the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre despite the overcast weather.

Both events were part of Forbes celebrations of International Women’s Day.

The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 but it wasn’t until 1975, International Women’s Year that the date 8 March remained and was celebrated annually.

In another big win for Forbes and rural women, the 2022 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering will be held from 1-3 Apri in Forbes too, adding to what is certainly an action-packed calendar.

With guests such as comedian Jean Kittson, country singer Melinda Schneider, Cressida Caines and ABC Radio’s Kia Handley announced this week as hosts – not to mention sculpture tours, taste testing and numerous activities and workshops – the weekend is one not to be missed.

Registrations can be found online at forbes2021nswruralwomensgathering.com/registration/

Eugowra Show in conjunction with the Central Western Association of Agricultural Shows held the group finals for beef cattle paraders and beef cattle, dairy cattle, merino sheep, meat breeds sheep, merino fleece, grain and fruit and vegetables young judges.

These competitions present the opportunity for young people to qualify for the state competitions hosted at the Sydney Royal Easter Show by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW and Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

While these are competitions, they also allow the development of the next generation of agricultural show enthusiasts and expertise in industry through education and networking.

This year the group finals were fortunate enough to have the very high-quality competition judges in Steve Eagles from Passchendaele Ayrshires and Holsteins, Dennis Moxey from Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Greg Sawyer of Elders Molong, Steve Chester of Quality Wool, Brendan Mansbridge of KMWL and Brooklyn Park Poll Dorset Stud, Lydia Herbert previous state young judges winner and Stuart Muller of Western District Exhibit.

The quality of competitors was high. Congratulations and best of luck to the entrants heading to the state finals in April.

Some selected results of the day are as follows:

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 2nd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Merino Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Nathan Francias (Parkes)
• 3rd Destynee Harvey (Euabalong)

Meat Breeds Sheep Young Judges
• 1st Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Thomas Barker (Parkes)

Beef Cattle Young Judges
• 1st Stephanie Davies (Bimbi)
• 2nd Jack Whitty (Forbes)
• 3rd Michelle Fairall (Oxley Vale)

Qualifiers for F002 Parades:
• Jada Buchan (Cowra)
• Tara Hughes (Condobolin)
• Lachlan Haynes (Gooloogong)
• Will Moxey (Forbes)
• Paige Hatton (Eglinton)
• Oscar Schafer (Grenfell)

Last week Yoorana Gunya and Weigelli Centre, Cowra held a meet and greet at Lions Park in Forbes. The day was a chance for community members to meet and greet staff from Weigelli who will now be aiding Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa in Forbes with extra services.

The Weigelli Centre is a residential Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre and offers a range of services to the Cowra Shire and now Forbes. It has been operating in Cowra for nearly 26 years and proven to be a remarkable local asset.

Alcohol and Other Drug Mental Health Worker, Cathy Sherdian and her team were on hand on the day meeting members of the Forbes community.

“We are pleased to be able to assist members of the Forbes community who may require our services,” said Cathy.

“We offer a range of support and welfare assistance and can help people struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse,” she said.

“Weigelli can go through each step and follow through rehabilitation every step of the way.”

The expansion in services for Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa coincided with the Binaal Billa Open Day also held last week showcasing new upgrades at the Binaal Billa, Spring Street office funded by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Open

Day was also a popular event. Don’t forget that Ochre Ribbon Day is also coming up on Wednesday March 9th at Binaal Billa, 18 Spring Street from 10am.

Lawn Cemetery – Installation Of Monument

Forbes Shire Council proposes to amend the Forbes Cemetery Management Plan to allow for the option of a bronze plaque or a regulated-sized headstone in the Lawn Cemetery, including the retrospective installation of monuments on existing internment sites. A monument would be a maximum of 900mm wide x 325mm deep x 600mm high.

Submissions to the proposed amendment may be sent to the General Manager by 5pm, Sunday, 13 March. Email forbes@forbes.nsw.gov.au or post to PO Box 333, Forbes.

Mental Health Grant Funding Ends Next Week

The clock is ticking for sporting bodies and clubs to put their hat in the ring for the $2.8 million NSW Mental Health Sports Fund. All NSW-based sporting bodies are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 6 March 2022. To start your application visit: www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=public.rft.show&RFTUUID=34470A73-F66A-CCFE-3F6C1BEBF52B9393

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and to further support those battling ovarian cancer, the Federal Government will provide an additional $2 million to Ovarian Cancer Australia for its work supporting women with ovarian cancer and their families.

Forbes residents are requesting an off-leash fenced dog park, that is regularly maintained with adequate shade, water stations and waste bags according to a petition organised by Laura Smith which already has well over a hundred signatures.

“If you take a walk around Lake Forbes, as many locals do, one thing you’ll notice is that almost every other person you see has one or more dogs,” she said.

“It is clear that there is something significant missing in our town, an off-leash dog park.”

There are currently no fenced-in off-lease areas for dogs to socialise with other dogs within the Forbes Shire.

“It’s very important for dogs to interact with different people and animals, as well as take part in varied experiences in a safe environment so they can work out the right way to behave.”

If dogs are not correctly socialised, they can develop phobias and behavioural problems that can be very hard to fix.

“As someone who travels with my dog, as many people do, I know that I am much more likely to stop in a town where there is a dog park so that the dog can get some exercise on long journeys. A well planned and maintained dog park could be another reason for people to stop in Forbes and enjoy all that we have to offer,” Laura said.

“This will be another way of bringing our local community together and could be a great asset for our town. If you think Forbes deserves a dog park please sign our petition and help spread the word!”

To sign the petition go to https://me.getup.org.au/p/forbesdogpark or contact Laura Smith at laurasmithaustralia@gmail.com