Women from across the state converged on Forbes last weekend for a very successful NSW Rural Women’s Gathering, after a long and challenging three years since Forbes applied to host the event,

After a beautiful Welcome to Country from Yarrangirri Holmes and Elder Aileen Allen, Forbes Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed everyone to Forbes, followed by Local State Member Phil Donato MP who welcomed the group to the Central West.

Guest speaker Cressida Cains of Pecora Dairy, and 2020 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Woman of the Year, was the first speaker on Saturday, followed by local real estate agent Tara Kelly of Century 21 Central West.

Special guest, Melinda Schneider then spoke of her life growing up as a performer from a very young age and the life twists and turns that brought her to be in the role of a Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Ambassador. There was not a dry eye in the house during Melinda’s session.

Participants then heard from NSW Farmers’ Young farmer Council Representative Charlotte Groves. Followed by a panel discussion led by MC Kia Handley around Mental Health.

A variety of workshops and tours were held on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, which was by far the highlight of the Gathering. Guest speaker, Jean Kittson, had the crowd in stitches!

On Sunday morning, participants enjoyed a Sculpture Down the Lachlan Guided Tour around the Lake and Forbes Dragon Boat Club demonstration. Followed by the opportunity to hear from four local speakers providing inspirational stories, leaving everyone walking away inspired, encouraged and ready to take on a new challenge. Dr Karen Ritchie spoke about the Boosting the Lachlan Valley Art Project, Wendy Muffet spoke about Grazing Down the Lachlan, Fiona Aveyard of Outback Lamb and Rose Philipzen of Moxey Farms.

Stephanie Stanhope from NSW Country Women’s Association spoke about the history of the CWA in NSW as they celebrate 100 years!

For further information please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare

A basket weaving workshop was but one of the many activities on offer during Seniors Week that is still in full swing in Forbes with more events to follow next week.

A small group of women gathered at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Monday to learn the traditional craft of weaving baskets from Condobolin’s expert teacher Bev Coe.

“I learned to weave baskets years ago at Camp Coorong, and wanted to pass on the skill to other people,” said Bev. When she is not teaching workshops all over the Central West, you will find her in her workshop in Condobolin called Sista Shed.

Bev has expanded her skill to make grass sculptures, and before COVID-19 she used to go to the markets in Sydney where her creations were in high demand.

The Forbes women were very happy and felt very privileged that Bev could fit in a workshop for them and offered them the opportunity to learn from her.

“We think she’s brilliant,” said Aileen Allen. “She teaches us our culture, which we should’ve learned when we were young.

She has been very patient with us. It is great that she can keep our culture alive and pass it on to the next generation.”

Part of the group included three family members from three generations. Cathy Bowden came with her daughter Kelly Bowden, and her granddaughter Kiesha Bowden.

“I wanted to learn more about traditional stuff. It is very important for us young people to learn about our culture,” said Kiesha. She was very excited about learning the skill of basket weaving and planned to keep doing it.

Although the group used raffia to weave their baskets at the workshop, Bev said traditionally you would use native spiny flat sedge for weaving, but during drought times it was hard to get hold of.

She said baskets made from natural materials lasted much longer than those made from plastic. “I made a basket from sisal for my clothes pegs and I always left it at the washing line. It lasted for years, much longer than anything plastic.”