The countdown has well and truly begun for next weekend’s Market Day hosted by Forbes Public School. The gates will open to the community at 9am with over 70 high quality market stalls from across the central west region and a jam-packed agenda of entertainment and fun.

The focus of the day is on quality stalls and the committee is confident they have met the brief. “We are so pleased with how the day has come together,” said spokesperson Linda Van Coller. “We wanted to provide an atmosphere where families could come and enjoy a fun morning together. Music from local talent will also look to draw a crowd and add to the festivities on the picturesque lakeside oval.”

Keep an eye out for the Minions that will be taking over Forbes from next Friday. All are welcome to join this great community event from 9am to 1pm on 24th February 2018.

Orange will be celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic poets for the fifth time this year with the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival from 16th to 25th February.

A.B ‘Banjo’ Paterson was born on the property “Narrambla” in the Orange region on 17th February 1864, and grew up to become one of Australia’s literary legends.

“Banjo’s country childhood had a strong influence on him, being considered the bard of the bush for iconic poems such as Waltzing Matilda, The Man From Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow,” said Justin Byrne, festival chairman.

The Food & Wine Night Market on Friday 16th February will officially open the festival, and is one of six signature events: the Rotary Breaky & Poetry in the Park; Banjo’s Birthday Breakfast; the Banjo Paterson Night Market; Concert at Yeoval featuring Anne Kirkpatrick; the Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day; and the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition.

For the second year, to embrace the Wiradjuri nation’s cultural heritage, Indigenous Cultural Tours will be hosting tours with local elders to ceremonial and sacred sites in the area.

See details on page 5 and the full festival program at www.banjopatersonfestival.com.au

Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year that is solely dedicated to love and companionship. For many this day involves spoiling each other with flowers, cards, teddy bears and chocolates while others prefer to surprise each other with a small gift or a night out to the movies or dinner.

Think back to the beginning of a relationship where sparks flew, gazes longed and passion was ignited. What happened you must be thinking? Effort is the answer and too often people slip into what is easy and comfortable. Make the change this Valentine’s Day and bring the romance back into your life.

Originating in earlier Roman Festival Lupercalia where women would put their names in an urn and have them drawn out by a man of whom they would be then committed to for the next year and more often than not these matches would end up in marriage.

Romance is a key factor to a healthy relationship and helps to keep the “spark” alive between couples. Even if you are away on the day a simple phone call or a card with your name and a small gift will still show your affection and commitment to the one you love.

Some ideas to surprise your loved one this year would be to let them sleep in, bring them breakfast in bed (bacon and eggs on toast or pancakes are always good). In the language of flowers a single red rose or a bundle or roses stands for ‘I love you’, in Victorian times suitors would present flowers to their love with each flower representing a different meaning, a rose is definitely the way to go.

Whether you choose to show your love with a bunch of flowers to your loved one, a gift voucher to be pampered, a movie, a card, chocolate or anything at all, just celebrate with your loved one and spoil them!

To make your Valentine feel extra special visit Roses are Red Florists located at 66 Rankin Street. Beautiful flower crowns also found in store, ideal for special occasions such as the upcoming Bedgerabong races.

If you are looking for that perfect outfit to wear to the Bedgerabong races, visit the fabulous team at Little Extras in 1 Templar Street, Forbes. You are guaranteed to find something amazing.

It doesn’t have to be roses to say “I Love You”. At A Classy Touch Florist you can also find the perfect gift which can be delivered to your loved one on Valentine’s Day.

Call in this Saturday or during the extended trading hours from Monday to Wednesday 8am to 8pm or call 6852 1457.

Kelsey Muller had no idea what the future would hold for her when she started taking her two beautiful miniature horses, Blondy and Jazzie to visit the residents of Jemalong Residential Village (JRV).

Now, 18 months later Kelsey has received the 2018 Young Citizen of the Year award at the Australia Day community celebrations held at Lion’s Park.

“Australia Day was truly something special! The activity was just an idea that came to mind and I worked towards making it happen in my own community. It’s simply just sharing what I get to enjoy every day. The minis enjoy the attention they get and are quite willing to pose with families for photos or walk in and around the rooms,” said Kelsey.

The idea came to Kelsey after watching a news item on television one day. The story showed someone taking a horse into a retirement village and spoke of the benefits people could experience from interacting with animals. That’s when Kelsey thought, “Why not?”

With this vision in mind, Kelsey set out to train the miniatures so that the horses were desensitized to every situation possible. For many months, she walked them along streets, over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces.

“To this day, residents still wait for Blondy and Jazzie to come up and say ‘hello’. Our JRV coordinator, Merryl Morris guides us around and has played such a huge part in helping and organising future visits,” marks Kelsey.

With university starting mid February, Kelsey is hoping that the monthly visits to the retirement village, will continue through her mum and dad or whenever she can come home from Armidale.

By Gizell van Wyk