Rebecca, Shane and Kailey Moxey caught some Taylor Fish at Merimbula recently.

The Voice of a Survivor is a unique project that grew out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Sexual Abuse.

After four years of harrowing investigation and testimony, the Commission delivered its final report in December of 2017, and in so doing discovered ‘Another Australia’ – one that many struggle to recognise or acknowledge, even today.

What the Commission found was that the sexual and physical abuse of children, prisoners, patients, churchgoers and many other vulnerable people, was endemic across Australian society. Crossing boundaries of colour, sex, age and type, the Commission found nothing less than abuse, and the covering up of abuse, on a breathtaking scale.

As a response to the Commission, The Voice of a Survivor began its work to find justice for the many survivors of abuse in institutions, in the form of letters of apology and financial reparations. Working with some of the finest law firms in Australia, the firm has found such justice for many who felt their voice would never be heard.

The Voice of a Survivor believes passionately in justice for all Australians who have been abused and dispossessed, including members of the Stolen Generation.

If you identify as a survivor of abuse or as a member of the Stolen Generation, then now is the time to act. Do not let your abuser go. Hand back the burden of shame and guilt that you have been carrying, so unfairly, for so long.

Claim back what is yours and move on to a brighter, better day. Contact The Voice of a Survivor today. Call 02 80910978 or email admin@thevoiceofasurvivor.com

Last Thursday night the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Inc hosted a thank you nibbles and drinks evening at the Forbes Services Memorial Club for the 2019 sponsors and committee. The Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Inc feel that there is a need to give a little back to the sponsors to show how much they are appreciated.

The evening was attended by representatives from Western Tree Care, Wallace Bulk Haulage, Forbes Jockey Club, Forbes Small Engines, Earney’s Earthmoving and Forbes Shire Council and 15 of the ever reliable hardworking committee. Without sponsors and volunteers the race day just would not happen.

The Race Club were also able to announce the 2020 Western Tree Care Bedgerabong Cup! Western Tree Care have decided to once again support the race day and become the Major Sponsor for 2020. This is very exciting news, with the current climate conditions hitting businesses very hard in the region. Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club hope to see everyone at the race meeting again in 2020 as it is a great family day out!

The 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival is on course to be the biggest yet with some shows already sold out just days after ticket sales opened on Monday when the 28th celebration of the King of Rock ‘n Roll was launched at the Parkes Motor Museum.

The festival promises to be the biggest and best yet as the almost 30,000 visitors expected over the five days from 8th to 12th January 2020 have started booking out most available accommodation in Parkes, Forbes and around the Central West.

With the theme the 1966 riverboat gambler movie Frankie and Johnny, a wave of people in colourful and fun costumes will flood the streets of Parkes.

“We have the best line-up ever with a huge combination of 65 ticketed and 200 free events,” said Festival Director Cathy Treasure. “With the drought continuing its grip in the region, we want people to come out and just enjoy good entertainment without any worries.”

The stage in Cooke Park is the focus of the free entertainment program and festival goers can look forward to seeing Mark Andrews performing his first ever free concert, Greg Page and the John Field Band with Brendan Chase among others.

True blue Elvis fans can look forward to Dean Z, next year’s feature artist and winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist in 2013. He has dedicated his life to honouring the legacy of Elvis and has been described as an amazing performer.

Next year’s Wall of Fame inductee is Joe Camillero of the Black Sorrows, while Adam Harvey will do a tribute to Elvis’s country albums.

According to Cathy they have taken festival goers’ feedback on board and added more activity areas, more shuttles from Forbes and Peak Hill, introduced sleeper trains for the first time and revitalised Rock ‘n Roll dancing with special guests to be announced later.

By Maggi Barnard

Iconic Australian eats with an Indigenous twist will be the inspiration behind the Grazing Down The Lachlan menu in 2019, with renowned Sydney chef O Tama Carey this year’s Creative Director.

The annual foodie adventure will make its return to Forbes on Saturday, 21st September.

Now in its third year, O Tama is set to deliver an exciting, fresh take on Grazing’s successful long lunch format, which attracted over 800 people to town in 2018.

Described as “one of Australia’s most intriguing chefs”, O Tama opened her highly anticipated hopper restaurant, Lankan Filling Station in Darlinghurst last year after years of pop-ups and market appearances.

O Tama’s first solo venture has certainly lived up to the hype – awarded a chef’s hat in The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide 2019 after only four months trading.

So, what can Grazers expect in 2019? “Dishes that are tasty, familiar yet with a twist and which hopefully they can giggle at a little too”, O Tama hinted.

“I’m approaching the food like I would a menu in a restaurant, giving a balance of flavours to create something that’s appropriate for the setting, using local produce and native ingredients. This year, I’ll also be loosely basing some of the dishes around slightly daggy Australiana from my youth.”

Set alongside the picturesque Lachlan River, guests are free to wander along the designated corridor of the nine-mile reserve between seven stations offering delicious food with a matched beverage.

The ‘Meet Your Makers’ Q&A has been revamped, finding its new home at SYLO for 2019. Held on the Friday (20th September) evening before Grazing, the Q&A provides guests with the opportunity to hear from the Creative Director and some of the local producers behind the event.

The NSW Government is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion. More than $300 million has been awarded to over 13,800 projects through the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program since 2009.

In 2019, there is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each electorate. Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $300,000. As a guide, the average grant awarded is around $20,000.

“I have had the pleasure of announcing many CBP grants successfully applied for throughout the Orange electorate which benefit many people throughout our communities.

I would encourage your club, group or organisation to apply,” said Phil Donato, Member for Orange.

Eligible projects will be assessed against four equally weighted program criteria:

• Enhancing facilities: the project develops a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community through the enhancement or construction of community infrastructure.
• Meeting community needs: the project supports activities and services needed by local communities.
• Increasing community participation: the project encourages participation in activities or services needed by a broad section of the community.
• The organisation’s capacity: the applicant has the capacity to deliver the project on time and within scope.

Applications are now open and close on 27th September at 5pm. The announcement of successful projects will take place in late March 2020. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projectsand-initiatives/community-building-partnership/

The 144th Annual Forbes Show was a huge success last weekend despite the four seasons of weather experienced during the Show. The weather certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of show goers who filed in the gates from Friday morning.

The Forbes North Public School Dance troupe enjoyed dancing in the sunshine entertaining their parents and many show goers.

This year the show celebrated its 56th year of the Showgirl Competition. Molly Fuge, a local farmer who works at Lawson Grains was sashed Miss Forbes Showgirl for 2019, taking over from Sally Downie who was the Showgirl for 2018.

“By being a part of the Showgirl Competition, I hope to improve my confidence, develop friendships and gain experiences from new challenges,” said Molly.

The show pavilion was packed to the brim with fruit and vegetable entries from locals throughout the shire, with entries for 2019 up in the lego and preserves sections.

The home baked goods in the cake section looked delectable too.

The 2019 Farmers Challenge was a spectacle to watch with participants showing off their skills by rolling up a swag, eating a spoonful of vegemite, tossing a boot and guiding calves around.

The fireworks on Friday night did not disappoint either filling the Forbes sky.

The 145th Forbes Show will be back in 2020 on Friday 11th September and Saturday 12th September.

Guitarists, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation having developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with
the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.

The Grigoryan Brothers will visit Forbes Town Hall on Friday 27th September to perform.

Between them, they have received 4 ARIA awards and an incredible 24 ARIA Award nominations. As a duo they have recorded 14 albums.

They have been touring internationally since 2003, regularly performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA, Brazil, South Africa, India and the Middle East.

Their diverse repertoire continues to present new opportunities for performances in traditional and unconventional settings, from projects with orchestras to duo performances in iconic venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, the Sydney Opera House and Beacon Theatre in New York.

To purchase a ticket head to www.trybooking.com/BDSJM