He stands as a representation of strength, vulnerability and connection and proudly stands at six (6) metres tall. His bold stance and keen focus cut a potent and deadly impression whilst making the inescapable suggestion that he is searching for something unseen, lost along the way, relegated to the past.

‘Heart of Country’ was officially unveiled last week as part of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) trail – located 24 kilometres from Condobolin along the Lachlan Valley Way towards Forbes. The one-tonne Cor-ten Steel sculpture explores the notions of strength, vulnerability and connection.

Melbourne sculptor, Damian Vick said the work is an attempt to acknowledge the injustices endured by the Wiradjuri people, whilst also standing as testament to the collective resilience and determination of all indigenous Australians, and their profound spiritual connection with the land.

“I was extremely conscious that the creation of this work rested on a delicate cultural landscape, and that it must be approached with the gravity and sensitivity it demands”, Damian said.

Damian said the nature of the subject matter and developing the piece in conjunction with the local indigenous community has been a profoundly enriching experience.

“Seeing it in its final location, standing tall, with its earthy finish was an extremely proud moment and gave a sense of finality to a sculpture that I consider the most powerful and important one of my career to date,” Damian added.

Chair of the Forbes Arts Society (FAS) Dr Karen Ritchie said, “We are thrilled to be unveiling the first of the four sculptures to be featured within the Lachlan Shire as part of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail expansion.”

“Through this very special installation, it’s hoped that we can achieve a deeper level of understanding, facilitate a proud shared identity, and strengthen the connection between our two Shires.”

BWR Accountants & Advisers is locally owned and operated and has been servicing the Central West NSW region for 65 years. The firm was originally established by Dick Herborn in the 1950’s.

We assist our clients with their business accounting and taxation matters including GST, superannuation administration and auditing as well as taxation business planning.

Chartered Accountant, Cathy Williams has been a partner and owner since 1998 and Brett Slack-Smith since 2001. BWR has a staff of 17 who are all locals, living within the Forbes and Parkes communities.

Over this time the partners and staff have built a reputation of providing outstanding service and quality advice to the people of Forbes, Parkes and surrounding districts and look forward to maintaining this status well into the future.

We believe that our clients deserve more than basic service to cover their compliance requirements. We offer a high level of support, knowledge and expertise, enabling our clients to reach their business and personal financial goals. At BWR our philosophy is about building futures. Visit our website at www.bwraccountants.com.au

Forbes Public School (FPS) vision for a proposed shade structure and Yarning Circle to support the school community’s identified needs has come to fruition in the shape of a $14,712 grant from Evolution Mining – Lake Cowal.

Forbes Public has a strong Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders (ATSI) community consisting of 77 students and are committed to celebrating this year’s NAIDOC theme “Heal Country” via the construction of a beautiful yarning circle with large rocks around a large gravel circle.

Forbes Public aim to use this every morning to simulate Aboriginal customs and culture and host Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) meetings (we are the most central school to Forbes CBD) the application stated with the aim to also run NAIDOC Week activities.

The initiative will directly benefit Forbes Public’s ATSI community as well as the 328 FPS students and staff.

Local ATSI Elders and community artists, dancers, language teachers as well as Wir-adjuri support groups will be invited to use the space to meet and share on Country in the middle of town with excellent wheel-chair access and abundant parting.

The shaded Yarning Circle allows FPS to effectively collaborate with local Wiradjuri ATSI community by Working with Peter White at the Wiradjuri Lands Council & AECG to form strong platforms for collective efficacy between students, staff and community around improving outcomes for Indigenous students.

Forbes Public’s shaded Yarning Circle project also supports the school Stronger Smarter Program, developed by Dr Chris Sarra, now used in schools to embrace a strong and positive sense of what it means to be Aboriginal in contemporary Australian society.

The school’s vision is a school where all people are strong in culture, strong in identity and enjoy prosperous, safe and healthy lives. FPS aims to improve the educational outcomes for ATSI children.

While most would be out golfing or fishing, local chiropractor Tom Cole is still helping people. From the vulnerable to sports stars, Tom has seen it all and fixed it too.

“I started in October 1976 and spent time where the Commerical Hotel is now as well as the Water Resources Building,” Tom said.

“Since then I have helped everyone from babies to a 101 year old lady,” he said.

“It’s in our family DNA – even my sister is a chiro too!”

Tom watched his brother grow up with polio and swore to himself he would one day be able to help people like him and so after seeing how well his sister was thriving in the field, he decided to take the leap as well.

“I love helping people and that’s why I haven’t retired yet!”

With an industry that is rapidly evolving especially with technology advances, Tom believes it is the thrill of taking people’s pain away as well as helping Forbes locals that drives him.

“I really enjoy it – particularly when it is people I know,” he said.

“Forbes is a wonderful community and I feel privileged to be apart of it,” Tom said.

“And while lots of things have changed, the people, my motivation and passion certainly haven’t,” he said.

For Tom’s wife Donna, the other half of this family run business, the reward has been seeing how happy Tom’s work and their business makes them.

“Tom is an amazing chiropractor and I cannot recommend him enough – even if I am a little bit biased!”

If it’s any consolation Donna – we certainly are as well and hope Tom stays on
longer!

Watch this space for our 50 years of Tom Cole Chiropractic!

Tuesday 25th May saw Primary and Secondary students from schools in Forbes, Parkes, Trundle, Condobolin, and Lake Cargelligo compete in the CWA Oxley Group Public Speaking Competition.

Competition organiser for the CWA Oxley Group, Mrs Roz Edwards commented that “the judges were very impressed with the standard of speakers. The ideas and perspectives presented over the range of topics was amazing and very creative”.

The Winners and Highly Commended from each section will meet in Trundle to compete in the CWA Western Region Inter Group Competition. Successful students in the CWA Oxley Group competition will compete against students from other groups on June 22nd.

Thank you to all the CWA volunteers, officials and judges who gave their time to assist students speak up and further develop their public speaking skills. Mrs Edwards would also like to thank Forbes Uniting Church for use of the venue and Mr Trevor Drury in helping to set up. Apologies to students and parents for the delay in these results being published due to personal reasons. Results of Oxley Group CWA Public Speaking are:

Years 3/4
• H/C: Sophia Byrne, St Laurence’s, Forbes – I must eat my vegetables

Years 7/8
• Winner: Mikaela Harris, Red Bend Catholic College – Disasters
• H/C: Lara Smith, Red Bend Catholic College – Green Technology
• H/C: Chloe Pryor, Red Bend Catholic College – My land, my life
• H/C: Daisy McMahon, Red Bend Catholic College – Disasters

Years 9/10
• Winner: Grace Taylor, Red Bend Catholic College – The wheels have come off
• H/C: Elizabeth Drewes, Red Bend Catholic College – An opportunity missed.

The past few weeks have reminded us that we aren’t out of the woods with COVID yet. A rash decision by an infectious Victorian couple during a lockdown (due to the pandemic) that resulted in them potentially infecting people across three states, must rank among the most selfish acts in recent memory. We all want to travel and see loved ones and COVID has emphasized more than ever the importance of family but to jeopardise the safety and well-being of the masses for a holiday is reckless.

This week it was brought to my attention that you now can’t see your own doctor at Forbes Hospital. Not sure how true this is but we welcome any stories or feedback regarding this. Already medical services in regional areas are stretched (try getting a doctor in Parkes) and what is worse is what appears to be bureaucracy gone mad with this latest development. It is hard enough getting a doctor and even harder to get one to address patient concerns without them being beholden to external or internal stakeholders driven by the dollar – all Forbes people want is decent doctors and decent care. Is that not too much to ask?

What is going on with the Forbes Magpies? Once the toast of the comp and the envy of all other teams, Forbes has always punched above its weight. This year the first-grade side have one win and one draw half way through the season. Fire up boys!

For those not in the know as yet, the Phoenix Newspaper Group has undergone some massive changes. We have staff on the ground servicing your towns of Forbes and Parkes and now offer multimedia solutions making us one of a kind in the local media market. Drop us a line at sales@forbesphoenix.com.au or editorial@forbesphoenix.com.au Or find us on FB, Insta or online.