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.

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.