The 2021 Grazing Down the Lachlan program was officially launched this week, with a full line up of events and activities celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, entertainment, art, culture and history.

Chair of the Grazing Down the Lachlan committee, Wendy Muffet said, “after the challenges of 2020, Team Grazing are delighted to be bringing this unique foodie adventure back to Forbes from Friday September 17.”

“We spent last year working behind the scenes to make our multi-award-winning event even more exciting,” Wendy said.

“While we are looking forward to the weekend-long festival, the health and safety of our community and visitors is first priority. As such, our program has been developed in conjunction with a robust Cov-id-safe plan so that your adventure ‘down the Lachlan’ is a safe and enjoyable one,” Wendy added.

Grazing Down the Lachlan Celebrating its fourth year in 2021, the multi-award winning foodie adventure returns to the banks of the Lachlan River on Saturday, 18 September. This unique long lunch celebrates produce native to the Central West NSW region, prepared by local restaurateurs and caterers. The special event offers a plethora of dining options as you walk along the banks of the Lachlan.

To view the full program, head to www.grazingdownthelachlan.com which will also give you all the latest updates and ticketing information. You can also sign up to Grazing e-newsletter via the website.

Grazing Down the Lachlan is proudly supported by Evolution Mining, ABC Radio, Forbes Shire Council, Central West Diesel, Jemalong Irrigation, Girragirra, Outback Soils, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing, Flannerys Pharmacy and Woolerina.

It has been a massive month with Seniors Week, ANZAC Day and other events all falling within April. The Youth Week Awards were held in a special ceremony at Lion’s Park in tandem with Super Mega Fun Day to also recognise Youth Week.

There was a plethora of activities and a hive of excitement for Forbes kids organised by the Forbes Youth Action Team including workshops, sporting events, fishing, cooking, Obstacool, movie nights, pedal boats and the awards to cap the week.

It was the girls who dominated with many heavily involved in the local community via charity, sport and the arts.

Scarlett Garland was announced the recipient of the Brighter Future Award, while local basketball and hockey referee Annika Dukes won the Sports Volunteer Award.

Forbes Public School’s Laura Chudleigh was awarded the highly commended Forbes’ Youth Citizenship Award at the ceremony.

Annika has a passion for sports and has mentored and assisted many young people throughout the Forbes community. She has also received numerous other awards for her efforts.

Annika also assists with the Forbes Hockey Club where she lends a hand setting up and around the courts, including refereeing duties.

Scarlett Garland was also recognised for her commitment to both her TAFE work and school work where she has maintained high levels of achievement to go along with her diesel mechanic apprenticeship.

Scarlett has been an outstanding role model for young people wanting a career in a male dominated industry and has demonstrated her passion and determination to succeed in her chosen field the award citation read.

Congratulations to all winners!

Forbes Toy Library is a not-for-profit organisation run by a hardworking group of volunteer parents with a passion for making sure the kids of Forbes have access to an amazing range of great toys at an affordable price!

The collection of toys at Forbes Toy Library is carefully considered to ensure maximum fun combined with learning. There are literally hundreds of toys for kids aged 0 – 8 years so there is something for everyone!

Six month memberships are only $25 and 12 month’s is only $40 and there is an option of three year memberships for $100, each payable in cash and in person at the library.

Located at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC) next door to the heated pool at the corner of Press and Battye Streets, the Forbes Toy Library has been a popular and welcome addition to the community with many coming along and joining up as new members.

For more information, to get involved or to enquire about opening times and terms and conditions you can find them on Facebook or Instagram or at their website – www.forbestoylibrary.com

On Wednesday 28 April 2021, Forbes Shire Council held a Contractor Information Night to showcase the infrastructure projects commencing in the Forbes Shire and region over the coming 12 months. Event partners, Transport for NSW, Inland Rail, Sunrise Energy Metals and Evolution Mine were all on hand to present and outline the work they have occurring in the upcoming year.

“This is an exciting time for our Shire with so many projects on the go,” said Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“Nights like this help ensure as many locals as we can are employed by this work.”

The information night covered all the projects coming up in the next 12 months, right down to the individual scope of works within larger projects that local contractors could benefit from.

“It was great to see everyone have the opportunity to talk to service providers from procurement, employment and Work Health and Safety to find out additional information,” said Phyllis.

“We know it sometimes sounds really daunting to work with government and these types of information evenings help dispel that.”

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) is excited to partner with Rich Evans, CEO of Central West Media, to deliver a Social Media and Digital Marketing Workshop in Forbes.

RDA Central West CEO, Sam Harma said he is looking forward to bringing this workshop to Forbes next week.

“This workshop is designed to present the key information and tools local businesses need to help build their business narrative, tell their story and reach their audience,” said Mr Harma.

“Creating and delivering content has never been more accessible or competitive and Rich will discuss how you can ensure you and your business standout.”

“Rich is an engaging and fantastic speaker and will focus on storytelling in the modern world and dive into the ways you can create content that engages, build your community and develop a sustainable strategy to succeed with your online marketing.”

“I encourage anyone interested from Forbes, or surrounding communities, to register and I’m confident participants will walk away with new ideas and inspiration for their business and brand.”

Rich is the CEO and Editor in Chief of Central West Media, publishers of the Lithgow Village Voice and Bathurst City Life. CWM also operates a number of soon to be launched regional focussed portals such as Central West Jobs.

Rich is a businessman, author, speaker, consultant – but most of all he identifies as a designer.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, 13 May 2021 from 7:30am to 9:30am at Club Forbes, located on Templar Street. Tickets are $20 and include breakfast.

Register for the workshop at https://richevansforbesworkshop.eventbrite.com.au For more information, please contact Sophie at RDA Central West on (02) 6369 1600 or by emailing sophie@rdacentralwest.org.au

This workshop is delivered thanks to the support of Evolution Mining

Forbes Learning Ladder and Bedgerabong Public School will both be recipients of donations this year from Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival according to organisers.

Learning Ladder will receive a charitable donation while Bedgerabong Public School will receive all proceeds from cans consumed at the event.

“We really want to mix it up each year and help different organisations, schools or charities where we can,” said organiser Luke Acheson.

“In 2019 the beneficiaries were Currajong Disability Services who were located in the Parkes Shire so this time it was Forbes’ turn,” he said. “We want to put back into our local communities that support us and sponsor us too.”

With just over a month to the festival on 11-13 June, everything is taking shape with sponsors Coates Hire, Western Tree Care, Queanbeyan Industrial, Forbes Pizza House, Constable Hay Supplies, Bogan Gate Beef Jerky, Coffee By Larz, Dale Scott, Adam Molloy Carpentry, Billy Spence’s Central Butchery Forbes, T&T Tyres, Parkes Hotel, Golden Duck Tipping, Local Legends Entertainment, Down Un-dies, Inkcredible, Loomzy’s, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Kevin Gunn, Blue Sky, Forbes Shell, Bernardi’s and Cahills all coming onboard along with the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club, Forbes Shire Council and the Bedgerabong community.

“We are always looking for more sponsors and supporters,” said Luke.

“We have Pauly setting thong smacking records to go with our golden thong trophy from Cahills for Biggest Bogan, lawnmower racing, mullet haircuts, sausage sandwich eating comps and a bogan wedding – so watch this space!”

“Tickets are moving faster than COVID-19 at a footy game so don’t muck around and avoid disappointment – save that for your parents!”

Chris Franklin, Noll Brothers plus special guest, Hype Duo, Domenic O’Kiernan and Benny Bogan will also be back after appearing in 2019 as will Australia’s Biggest Bogan Ryan ‘Bogan’ Edwards.

Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.au

The Forbes Arts Society invites avid, amateur and accomplished artists from across the region to enter this year’s Heritage Art Competition.

The theme ‘Our Heritage for the Future’ encourages artists to celebrate all aspects of heritage including the built and natural environment, sacred sites and artefacts.

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “This year’s theme looks to the importance of all facets of heritage in honouring the stories of our past, celebrating lived heritage as it evolves in the present, and looking to the future to ensure the stories of our culture, significant historical and natural places and Indigenous heritage is protected for future generations.”

While artists do not have to be residents of Forbes, their entries do need to portray an aspect of Forbes Shire heritage.

The competition has no set categories and is open to all art mediums and styles, with the finalists exhibited at the Platypus Gallery from April 27 until May 15 as part of the Our Heritage for the Future exhibition.

Winners of the Forbes Shire Council Acquisition Prize ($750) and Non-acquisitive Prize ($250) will be announced at the Forbes Heritage Award Night on Tuesday May 4, commencing at 6pm.

For more information about the Forbes Heritage Art Competition or the Our Heritage for the Future exhibition, visit www.forbesartssociety.com or follow @PlatypusGallery on Facebook and Instagram.

The Platypus Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am until 2pm and Saturdays, 9am until 1pm.

Author Rebecca Wilson recently launched her debut book, Kate Kelly, the true story about Ned Kelly’s little sister, in her hometown of Forbes. Locals have rejoiced at the launch of this book and having this incredible story be told.

“When I was a young person growing up in Forbes in the central west of New South Wales, my uncle told me that Kate Kelly, the younger sister to renowned bushrangers Ned and Dan Kelly, had lived in the town for a number of years. But it wasn’t until 2010 that I discovered that the teenaged Kate had ridden as a decoy for and delivered news and supplies to the Kelly gang when they were on the run in northeast Victoria from 1878 to 1880. I was instantly intrigued, and jumped down the rabbit hole of research, hot on Kate’s heels,” Rebecca said.

One aspect of Kate’s story that intrigued me was the mystery surrounding her death. Kate had arrived in the region in 1885 and was employed at Cadow Station, in Forbes, as a domestic servant under a false name. I was shocked to discover it had been my relatives who hired her.

After playing a significant role in the saga of her brothers and suffering relentless fame as a consequence, Kate was found dead in a waterhole in October 1898, leaving behind three young children and an infant. Perhaps her attempts to disappear from the public eye are the reason her story is not remembered very well in history’s pages.

“I congratulate Bec on the launch of this wonderful book,” said Forbes Shire Councillor, Michele Herbert who was at the launch.

“I think it is so important we tell the stories of the past and keep our history alive for future generations.”