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Support For Agricultural Shows

February 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

2019 Miss Forbes Showgirl Molly Fuge.

Agricultural show and field day organisers that cancelled their events in 2020 because of COVID 19 now have another opportunity to recover eligible expenses and receive a much-needed cash boost as events kick off for the 2021 year.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said that eligible shows and field days approved under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program are now being invited to submit supplementary expense claims.

“Almost $34 million in cash has been rolled out to the 378 shows and field days approved for funding for costs paid from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020,” David said.

“Our shows and field days have been diligently preparing to come back bigger and better in 2021 and have continued to rack up legitimate expenses.

“Now they will be able to claim additional eligible expenditure not included in their initial application, provided they haven’t exceeded the funding cap for their show size.”

Agricultural shows and field days are at the heart of rural and regional communities and David wants to encourage all Australians to get out and support them this year, “I will be getting out to my local shows in Queensland over the coming months and am certainly looking forward to seeing first-hand our communities and volunteers in action.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring organisers of these events are in the best position possible to continue in 2021 and beyond,” he said.

Supplementary expense claims under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program will be treated similarly to original applications in relation to assessment and decision making.

Eligible shows and field day organisers will be contacted directly with an invitation to make a supplementary claim for the period 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2020.

They will be assessed, and results are expected to be notified before 31 March 2021.

Snippets…

February 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

This year marks the 21st Anniversary of the release of The Dish.

The Dish Turns 21: For many, it seems like only yesterday, but the iconic Australian film The Dish turns 21 in September this year. Yes, that’s right, it has been more than two decades since the Aussie historical comedy-drama was released. Based largely on actual events, the film about the Parkes Observatory’s vital role in relaying live television during humanity’s first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1968, was largely filmed in Forbes, due to its historic architecture and period related locations. Many of the NASA materials from the actual Apollo mission were used in the film as props as they were deemed too heavy and therefore expensive to return to the US after the actual 1969 voyage, giving the film even more authenticity. Starring the legendary Sam Neill and the late Tom Long, The Dish was Australia’s highest grossing film in Australia in 2000 taking nearly $18 million and remains a favourite to this day. Hopefully, Forbes and Parkes Shire can come together and commemorate a landmark event. Watch this space!

Bedgerabong Background: The tiny town of Bedgerabong is situated in the Central West region of NSW, a half hour drive West of Forbes. The name ‘Bedgerabong’ is derived from the Aboriginal Badjarri Bong which translates to ‘a place of good water,’ and houses a combined showground, race-course and hall and church which hosts three events throughout the year, which are held in high regard by the locals and those in the surrounding region and are great for families in the Bedgerabong Show, Bedgerabong Country Music Campout and the Bedgerabong Picnic Races. The Bedgerabong Cup is always a great event and grows year on year, with crowds in excess of 4,000 this year celebrating 101 years of racing in the community, a meet which has developed a reputation for its picturesque setting with massive river gums providing the beautiful backdrop. Great Inland Glossy Count Back On: Postponed from late last year due to excessive rain and then COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Saving our Species program is now calling for community volunteers to become “cockatoo counters” and help be part of the Great Inland Glossy Count on Saturday, 27 February on Goobang Nation-al Park and surrounds, 90 km from Forbes. Register online: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicEnterprise/68d8138e-28e1-4a02-85b8-341d9d9edb57.

Bedgerabong Races are back this Saturday, 13 February.

Wishes Do Come True

February 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday evening, 6 February, around 200 families, friends and guests attended the Forbes Sportsman’s Hotel to support sixteen determined young people who raised more than $1,500 for Make A Wish Australia. Twelve months ago, when this group commenced preparations for their charity Debutante Ball, they had no idea what challenges they were about to face. A Global Pandemic and all the social distancing restrictions that came with it may have tried to derail them, but it certainly did not stop them.

Master of Ceremonies for the event, Maria Bullock made sure that everything ran smoothly on the evening. Arlo Barlow and Bobbie Ashcroft, the pageboy and flower girl escorted the debutantes and their partners to Daniel West. The debutantes were Sybella Carlisle and Angus Turner, Jessica Ashcroft and Blair Thomas, Bridie Herron and John Dietrich, Ruby Staines and Preston Thorpe, Hannah Staines and Brodie Acret, Ella Greenhalgh and Talis Hurford, Leilah Meritt and Xander Williams, and Jessica Little and Lincoln Godden.

The presentation dance was choreographed by Eliza Woods to ‘Speechless’ by Dan + Shay and it was a fresh, modern partner dance. The group gave a polished performance to the delight of their families, friends, and guests. At the conclusion of the feature dances a delicious two-course meal, prepared by Monty’s catering, was enjoyed by all attendees. Shirley Myers made and decorated the cake which was cut up for dessert at the conclusion of the official part of the evening.

The inspiring group raised more than $1,500 for their chosen charity Make A Wish Australia. The 100 Club and Monster Garden raffle were drawn on the night and the winners included Kate Merritt, Hannah Staines, Jo Staines, and Sharon Beuzaville.

This amazing group would like to thank everyone who have supported then through this experience, especially their families.

Bogan Festival Returns

February 12, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival is back, bigger and more bogan than ever with the announcement that the 2021 edition will be held at the Bedgerabong Racecourse on the June long weekend, 11 to 13 June. It will be the second time the festival has been held but the first time in the Forbes Shire after the success of the 2019 event at Bogan Gate.

“Forbes Shire and the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Committee have been tremendously supportive and proactive,” said festival organiser Luke Acheson, “the Bedgerabong Racecourse is a top-quality venue and home to not only significant regional events, but also one of the oldest race meetings in Australia.

“We are extremely pleased with the new home of Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival, as it provides us with more options, from higher capacity and camping, through to streamlined transport,” Luke said.

This year’s event will see the return of the same bogan royalty who made the inaugural trip to Bogan Gate in 2019, including Hype Duo, Chris Franklin, The Noll Brothers and Been Bogan as MC.

“We have more announcements and surprises in store, so watch this space,” Luke said, “though we can confirm many of the old favourites, such as husband calling, best dad bod, and worst smile will be back.

“Additionally, I can also announce that Turkey gobbling has been added to the schedule of events and all winners from 2019 will be granted free entry as defending champions.” Local and regional residents, from volunteers, sponsors and musicians are encouraged to message via the Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival Facebook page if they want to get involved.

Australia Day Success

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Celebrating Australia Day Murray Brown, 2021 Forbes Citizen of the Year with Mayor Phyllis Miller.

The Forbes Shire celebrated Australia Day very differently this year, with major gatherings of previous years not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The community did however take advantage of the many food vans dotted around Lake Forbes.

“It was an Australia Day with a difference, that’s for sure,” said Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “But I love that our community still wanted to celebrate. The day consisted of a gentle stream of families and friends gathering by our beautiful Lake, fishing, water skiing and having picnics.”

The Citizen of the Year Award Ceremony was an invitation only event and it was held in the Forbes Town Hall. Local musician Adam Enslow entertained guests throughout the night and on completion of formal proceedings some audience members also performed.

“I want to thank everyone who tuned in to our Citizen of the Year ceremony on Facebook, it was such a great night and I want to congratulate our wonderful winners, Krystle-Lee McMurray, Norm Haley and Murray Brown. All are very worthy recipients.”

Local State Member Phil Donato and his wife, Nadia also joined Council’s Citizen of the Year Ceremony Dinner. The couple were celebrating their wedding anniversary on this day and Phyllis paid a special tribute to the couple.

“I must also mention we welcomed two new citizens on Australia Day, Airene Brown and Chelsea Riddington, It was great to see they both were brimming with pride to be officially welcomed into Australia and become official citizens,” Phyllis said.

The fireworks at 9pm were broadcast live on Facebook and had viewers tuning in from all over Australia. “Many of our locals also ventured down to the foreshore of the Lake to watch the Fireworks,” Phyllis said. “Our pyro technicians intentionally launched them high into the sky to ensure all of Forbes could see the display from their backyards.”

Country Arts Support Program Funds Forbes Projects

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Dancers from Kristen’s Dance Studio will perform a traditional Chinese Dance at Grazing Down the Lachlan.

Create NSW and Arts OutWest have announced the eight successful local projects in the 2021 round of the Country Arts Support Program (CASP).

Eight groups across the Central West will share $23,812 in funding for small arts pro-jects, with two Forbes groups amongst the recipients.

The Forbes funding will go towards a Schools Eco Day and workshop for students in Parkes and Forbes Shires, and a traditional Chinese dance to be learned and performed at Grazing Down the Lachlan by Kristen’s Dance Studio.

CASP is a long-running small grants program of the NSW Government. It is a key regional arts funding program for NSW which provides support to employ artists in locally initiated arts and cultural projects. The aim is to provide access to arts activities for regional communities, to encourage communities to work together on cultural projects, to foster cultural diversity in the region and to ensure that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice.

“These eight projects offer exciting opportunities to communities, arts makers and audiences in the region. They also provide employment opportunities to local artists and arts workers,” Arts OutWest Executive Director Tracey Callinan said.

These funded projects will employ around 20 professional arts practitioners and utilise hundreds of volunteer hours. Much of the funds will be spent locally and the projects will also make use of in-kind goods and services from local councils, businesses, and community groups.

Australia Day Award Recipients

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Senior Citizen of the Year 2021 Norm Haley with Orange State Member Phil Donato.

Forbes Young Citizen of the Year 2021 Krystle-Lee McMurray with Councillor Steve Karaitana.

snippets…

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The first of four bird hides has been installed. (credit: Forbes Art Society Facebook)

Bird Hide’s Taking Shape: World Wetlands Day was celebrated this week on Tuesday, 3 February, and how fantastic it is to see further progress on the installation of the bird hides at Gum Swamp finally taking place. Located just 4km from Forbes town centre, we are so lucky to have Gum Swamp wetlands on our doorstep.

The Gum Swamp redevelopment is part of the $7 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan Val-ley Economy Art Project’, proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Councils and Evolution Mining. This latest development is sure to draw in and comfortably accommodate local and visiting conservationists, bird watchers, and nature lovers alike when it is completed and open to the public in the coming months.

Lucky Local Lotto Winner: News On Rankin has sold a winning lottery ticket to one lucky local who won $58,798. The Division Two winner awoke to the fantastic win on 26 January which made their Australia Day 2021 an unforgettable one. Remember to gamble responsibly.

Costa Georgiadis will be in Forbes on 28 May.

Costa At Eco Day: Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL), one of eight successful local projects in the 2021 round of the Country Arts Support Program, is organising the Schools Eco Day for Forbes and Parkes students on 28 May. CWLL received $2,992 for the expanded Eco Day at the Forbes Showground. It is an educational and fun day for year five students and will include an eco art workshop by Ro Burns showing children how plants can be used to decorate and embellish.

Costa will also be at the Landcare dinner that night and join the Forbes Riverside Community Garden open day the next morning.

The Country Arts Support Program is a devolved funding program coordinated locally by the 14 regional arts development organisations in NSW on behalf of the NSW Government. Applications are assessed locally by a panel.

Forbes Shire Council has given a sneak peek into the Ninja Park construction by CRS Solutions.

Affordable Housing On Council’s Agenda

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

A recent article in the Forbes Phoenix regarding social housing in the new Goldridge Estate has Forbes Shire Mayor outraged.

“I’m very disappointed in the Forbes Phoenix in relation to the social housing article printed in last week’s paper,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“The new Goldridge Estate has 223 housing blocks, not 400 and there is a caveat on the land that does not allow social housing. What it does allow however is the freeing up of housing within town for the State Government to invest in social housing.

“Social housing is not a local government issue. We can only lobby our State and Federal Governments to consider implementing more social housing for our region.

“I have chaired the Parkes/Forbes Community Housing Inc. tenancy scheme for 10 years in the past, and Councillor Graeme Miller has been a board member for over 10 years and still remains on the board today.

“We govern for all residents with complete social inclusion contrary to their resistance. Social housing has been neglected for many years and we have made representation to improve our situation in the Forbes Shire.

“Recently we have been working with CatholicCare Wilcania/Forbes and Generocity Church to provide facilities for the homeless for them to access kitchen facilities, bathroom and laundry services. We met with them only last week to finalise the details.

“Without industry, jobs and population growth we leave ourselves vulnerable to service losses and we definitely don’t want that,” Phyllis said.

New Program For Rural Nurses

February 5, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Nurses in rural and remote locations in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are benefiting from a new program designed to support them work at the highest level.

RG-NET, or the Rural Generalist Nurse Education Team, will work with hundreds of rural and remote nurses across the Central West, helping them refine and advance their clinical assessment and management skills.

WNSWLHD Northern Sector General Manager, Brian Bonham said, “Our rural and remote nurses are very skilled. They have a unique job to do and it’s becoming more specialised as the health needs, expectations and general health landscape changes.

“RG-NET aims to up-skill our nurses with theory and practical clinical skills to be able to perform a range of assessments when caring for patients in rural and remote sites.”

RG-NET works with nurses to provide theory and practical experience to refine their clinical skills in a number of different assessment areas including respiratory, abdominal, neurological, cardiovascular, obstetric and gynaecological, ENT and eye, mental health, drug and alcohol, geriatric nursing, palliative care, and simple acute wound closure and limb immobilisation.

“We recognise the important role our nurses play, especially in our rural and remote communities. The RG-NET program is designed to provide them with the support and clinical expertise they need.”

Better support and access to the latest information will enable the hardworking nurses of Forbes to continue to offer the best care possible to patients.

“We are extremely proud and excited to be rolling out this program across the WNSWLHD.

This will be a part of our WNSWLHD foot-print. It is also an exciting opportunity for our nurses in rural and remote locations providing a new form of professional development and mentoring,” Brian said.

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