Articles Archives - Page 273 of 424

Thanking Our Wonderful Volunteers

May 16, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council will host a special morning tea to thank all the hard working community volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

The morning tea, held on Wednesday, 22nd May at 10:30am in the Forbes Town Hall is open to all volunteers within the Shire. The morning will include live music from local artist, Lily Gaffaney as well as a sumptuous morning tea.

“It is so important that we thank our wonderful volunteers here in town,” said Mayor of Forbes Cr, Phyllis Miller OAM. “We are blessed to have so many people in town who give up their precious time to help others.”

“National Volunteer Week is a perfect opportunity to thank our volunteers who contribute so much to the fabric of our amazing town.”

The Volunteer Morning Tea is free to attend but RSVP’s are essential. To RSVP send an email to community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or phone 6850 2300.

Emphasis On The Importance Of Preschool

May 9, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine has applauded the highlighting of preschool education in the Federal election with a proposal to commit 15 hours of subsidised preschool to every three year old in Australia.

“It is music to our ears to hear politicians universally acknowledging that 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five, so funding quality early education is one of the smartest investments our nation can make,” said Amy.

“Forbes Preschool is firmly committed to making sure we can maximise the benefits of preschool, particularly for those at risk of educational disadvantage.”

“We make it our priority to create an inclusive and accessible facility, we consistently keep our operating costs to a minimum so we can provide substantially subsidised or free preschool services for low income or financially slighted families,” said Amy.

Through persistently seeking funding and grants, Forbes Preschool is able to offer excellent early education and complementary services for $5 or less a day. It also has a history of waiving entire term fees for families during times of drought and other financial stressors.

“It is just one way we can give back to our community who are always so generous and supportive of our preschool,” said Amy.

Forbes Preschool is recognised as an industry leader and the Federal election proposal to slash childcare fees and introduce subsidised preschool is further evidence the organisation is continuing to operate proactively rather than reactively.

“It is really significant that all children have some kind of preschool or early education.

We make it our objective to try to ensure all children living in or around Forbes have access to quality early learning, either at our preschool or one of the other quality centres in town,” added Amy.

From Bush To City And Back Again

May 9, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes born and bred, Sam Johnston has created a significant footprint for himself in the big city. This through his innovative joint venture with Jim Honner, namely Thank A Farmer For Your Next Meal. The organisation started mid 2014, has brought enormous awareness to city people of the daily realities people within the agricultural industry are faced with.

Thank A Farmer For Your Next Meal aims to further promote Australian agriculture and Australian Primary Producers to a wider audience through the medium of pictures in order to attempt to close the gap between producer and consumer, city and bush.

One could say they are getting their message across, with a large percentage of their 90,000 social media followers being from metropolitan areas and also not directly involved with agriculture.

“We wanted to positively contribute to the agricultural sector whilst based in Sydney as we saw first hand how bad the gap between city and bush was,” said Sam.

“There was a lot of negative information floating around on social media and it felt like farmers and primary producers were always defending their actions rather than promoting them and being proud of what they do on farms,” he continued.

Sam was born 50km west of Forbes on a property called ‘Merriment’ and attended Corinella Public School. Later he moved closer to town to a property called ‘Walla Wallah’ approximately 20km west of Forbes and at 12 years old, he was off to boarding school in Sydney.

Sam might have moved from the bush to the big city but it may seem he left his heart in the country. Sam studied and completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics at The University of Sydney and attained his Real Estate, Stock and Station Agent and Auctioneers licences during his last year of study.

“I began a part-time work experience role with rural property specialists, Meares & Associates and was offered a full-time sales and marketing role once I graduated,” said Sam. Currently he is still working for the same company as a rural property sales and marketing specialist.

Recently Sam was selected as a 2019 NSW RAS Rural Achiever. “This is something I wouldn’t have been able to do without starting up the Thank A Farmer movement,” added Sam.

“Jim and I have also been lucky to speak at various events such as the 2018 BOSCARS Forbes Business Awards and the Henty Machinery Field Days.”

Based on Sam’s reply about his future plans, it is clear that he is not intending on slowing down soon. He would like to continue to be a positive contributing force to closing the gap between producer and consumer and help those based in metropolitan based areas become more informed and aware of where their food and fibre comes from.

“I would like to continue to target those who are unaware of what processes happen on farms and help them understand the sector and its practices to a greater extent through informative marketing,” he said.

By Gizell van Wyk

Catch of the Week

May 9, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Jo Boyton with her catch on Straney’s Bridge near Forbes on the Lachlan River.

SNIPPETS…

May 9, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

MOVING UP… The Official C21 Central West launch party was held last Friday in a beautiful new office space located at 143 Lachlan Street, Forbes. Many clients and friends came along to support and help celebrate the momentous occasion.

Success For Forbes Netball Carnival: The Forbes Netball Association (FNA) held their annual All Age carnival last Sunday, with visiting teams praising the success of the day. The Forbes carnival is one of the longest running and most successful netball carnivals in the West/Central West and Riverina, and saw over 1,000 people come to Forbes for the day of games. Teams travelled from Bathurst, Young, Narrandera, Yass, Leeton, West Wyalong, Parkes, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Cowra, Blayney, Warren, Temora, as well as five Forbes teams.

Ages of players ranged from 11 years to open ladies. The committee would like to thank everyone who helped in any way to add to the success of the carnival. The canteen and barbeque were both kept extremely busy, with a strong support coming from local parents. Congratulations to FNA Carnival Convenor, Marg Spackman for coordinating the full carnival. The FNA committee would also like to thank Forbes Shire Council for their support in preparing the grounds for the day.

Firefighters Open Doors To The Community: Firefighters will be opening the doors to Forbes Fire Station for the Fire and Rescue Open Day on Saturday, 18th May, inviting people to learn more about Australia’s largest urban fire and rescue service. Forbes Fire Station will be open from 10am to 1pm with a range of free activities including firefighting demonstrations, station tours and safety presentations. Families can also see the fire trucks and firefighting and rescue equipment up close and chat to local firefighters about the critical work they do to keep communities safe.

Celebrating Forbes Heritage: Perambulating in the Park was held last Sunday in Victoria Park with National Library of Australia historian and Forbes local, Rob Willis. Rob lead over 40 curious partakers on a gentle stroll around Victoria Square. The tour started at the Rotunda with the gentle sounds of the Forbes Town Band brass quartet playing in the background. The stories included the many characters who have influenced the various items within the Park; such as the pathway from the Court House directly in line with the Vandenberg Hotel. There was the tale of the man who scaled the flagpole on the Town Hall to install the wire and what prominent monument in the park could have been a trough for dogs and horses. All of these were retold with the audience adding their memories to the mix.

Upcoming TAB Carnival Of Cups Meeting

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Diggers Harness Racing Club held a successful meeting last Thursday on Anzac Day and are looking forward to their TAB Carnival Of Cups Meeting on this Sunday, 5th May.

Gates open at midday with on course bar and canteen facilities. The committee would definitely recommend that you get in early for a steak sandwich.

With our upcoming meeting, Club President Lex Crosby would like to thank all the volunteers that help the club to prepare for both race days. Also, a special thanks to the sponsors that continually support Harness Racing in Forbes.

Feature races for this meeting are the Forbes Services Memorial Club Final and The Ted Clifford Memorial.

Races on Sunday, 5th May include:

• R1 – TAB.COM.AU Three Year Old Pace (3c0 To 3c1.)

• R2 – Forbes Livestock & Agency Co./ Walkers Ag n vet Forbes Pace (C0 To C1.)

• R3 – Kevin & Kay Seymour Ladyship Pace (C1 To C2.)

• R4 – Forbes Shire Council Club Dubbo Golden Gig Heat

• R5 – Forbes Services Memorial Club Final (C0 To C1.)

• R6 – Club Menangle Where Horses Fly Heat (C1 Only.)

• R7 – Ted Clifford Memorial (C2 Only.)

• R8 – Club Menangle Country Series Heat (C3 To C4.)

Forbes Anzac Day 2019 Commemorations

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The streets of Forbes were lined with a multitude of people last Thursday who came out on Anzac Day in honour of those service men and women of both Australia and New Zealand whom sacrificed their lives and still risk their life today in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations so that we may live in freedom.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the ANZAC’s (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915, during WWI.

As Australian citizens, we enjoy the rights of a free country: safety, opportunity and democracy. Anzac Day is our opportunity to commemorate the men, women and children who fought, endured, suffered and died for us, our country and all the privileges we enjoy daily.

The traditional Anzac Day dawn service commenced with participants assembling at 5:15am in front of the Forbes Services Memorial Club with a march to the Cenotaph followed by a ceremony held in Victoria Park.

Masses of Forbes locals and visitors attended the mid morning commemorative Anzac march and service. Marchers assembled in Cross Street at 10am for the march to the Cenotaph in Victoria Park via Lachlan Street.

The march to the Cenotaph saw many schools, community groups and ex-service personnel together to pay their respects, mourn with pride, and remember with equal pride, those that have served and still live. Also to give gratitude for the peace we enjoy, and acknowledge, the responsibility of ensuring the freedom and liberty so costly won is not lost by our own indifference.

After the march, the mid morning service began with a variety of Forbes community groups, businesses, families and individuals laying wreaths. Flowers have traditionally been laid on graves and memorials in memory of the dead.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving followed, which thanks the nations of the world in seeking peace and happier relations with each other.

Where after the Prayer for the Queen and Prayer for the Nation was read. Retired serviceman, Scott Stephens was the guest speaker.

Scott has shared in events marking the centenary of battles across the Western front in both France and Belgium.

The day concluded with a lowering of the flag ceremony at 5pm at the Cenotaph.

Focusing On Efficient Soil Management

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) is pleased to be hosting a workshop with a focus on managing soils for climate and market change.

CWLL is proud to have guest speakers Guy Webb and Callen Thompson presenting the latest information on cover cropping, increasing soil carbon and climatic expectations moving forward.

Chairperson, Ben Kerin said: “This is not only a chance to learn more about the opportunities to increase soil carbon and look at the possibilities to adapt farming systems, but to gain a greater understanding of using these options to increase productivity and profitability.”

Guy Webb is an agronomist with Agriwest in Forbes and the Founding Director of Soil C Quest, a not-for-profit organisation that has been researching ways to empower farmers to draw down carbon, combining knowledge of microbiology and agricultural systems.

Callen Thompson is a Senior Land Services Officer with CWLL Services heading up their National Landcare Program project with a focus on assisting landholders to adapt their enterprise to meet the changing climatic conditions.

Workshops are being held in Parkes (12:30pm – 3pm) and Forbes (5pm –7:30pm) on Wednesday, 8th May. RSVP is essential to Marg on 0418 611 053 or cwllpo@hotmail.com.

Drought Impacts Businesses

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Business conditions have fallen sharply as the NSW economy slows down, with the largest drop in business confidence recorded since July 2010 according to the latest quarterly survey by the NSW Business Chamber.

“It’s no surprise that the impact of the drought is a major factor in Western NSW. Respondents in our region are experiencing cash flow challenges and responding with reduced spending,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe.

“The Far West and Orana reported some of the worst business conditions in the state, with more than half of the businesses surveyed reporting deteriorating conditions, falling revenues and profits. In the Central West, it wasn’t much better, with around 45% of businesses reporting worsening conditions and falling profits.

“As a result, about one-third of business across the Far West and Orana report cutting staff this quarter, while more than a third are expected to reduce staff the next quarter.

“There is an urgent need to help offset the devastation brought on by the drought.

All levels of government need to provide targeted measures to support our businesses,” said Vicki.

SNIPPETS…

May 2, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

FANTASTIC WIN… The Red Bend Catholic College Rugby League Opens team celebrated a 38-16 win over Farrer this weekend in Tamworth. Congratulations!

Candidates to contest 2019 election: A total of 1,514 candidates have nominated to contest the 18th May federal election, the Australian Electoral Commission announced.

The national figures include 458 candidates contesting 40 Senate vacancies and 1,056 candidates for the 151 House of Representatives divisions across Australia.

The national total for the 2019 federal election is slightly lower than the 1,625 candidates who stood at the 2016 event. The 2019 candidate nominations were officially declared at public events held across the country recently, followed immediately by a draw for ballot paper positions. The declarations represent a milestone in the huge logistical operation that is a federal election – over 50 million ballot papers will be printed and distributed in the coming few days and early voting began on 29th April.

Between next Monday and 6pm on election day, 18th May, a record 16.4 million Australians are enrolled and able to cast their votes at more than 8,000 polling locations over the period. Voter services will include early-voting centres, mobile-polling teams visiting hospitals and remote areas, election- day polling places and interstate voting centres, overseas voting venues, and other offshore locations such as Norfolk Island and Antarctica.

Mamma Mia! Dancing in Trundle: The Trundle ABBA Festival has arrived with many festival goers expected to start their travel to Trundle and the region this weekend. “We have ABBA fans coming from all over Australia, and even fans from England, travelling to Trundle,” said Felicity Jackson, who is one of the event organisers. “We also have about 400 people coming from Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Parkes on special ABBA Trains,” said Felicity. This year’s festival includes Bjorn Again, the world-famous ABBA tribute band, renowned artists including Ben Ransom, Ingrid Mae, Amitie, MRQ and The Natalie Prevedello Duo. There will also be market stalls, dancing and best costume competitions and lots of fun activities for all ages. “It’s going to be a great fun filled day, so come and visit us on 4th May,” said Felicity.

Contributions: If you have a story, photo for Be Seen, a Thumbs Up/Down, Letter to the Editor or Snippet we would love to hear from you! Simply email editor@forbeshoenix.com.au.

The Mixed Foursomes Golf Championships held last Sunday saw Dan Bayley and Beth Dickens as the winners of the Les Forbes Trophy for Scratch and the Treanor Memorial Trophy for Handicap for a second year running.

Subscribe