This year Forbes women are invited to celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday with a buffet breakfast on the lake.

The breakfast celebrations in Forbes on the beautiful Lake Forbes foreshore will feature entertainment from talented young local, Maddi Collits. There will also be talks from a McGrath Foundation breast cancer nurse, Di Green, and the Forbes Business Chamber’s, Marg Duggan.

“Our women contribute so much to every aspect of life from business to volunteer- ing and everything in between,” said Mayor Graeme Miller.

“It’s fantastic to have a day where we can pause and acknowledge that contribution.” The day will also raise funds for two

important women’s causes, namely the McGrath Foundation and the Forbes Wid- ows Support Group.

Raffles will be held and donation tins available. Funds raised will be donated towards efforts to fight breast cancer and support widows in the Forbes community.

Menu options include bacon, eggs, fruit, yoghurt, muesli and pancakes. Tea and coffee will also be available.

The breakfast will be held at the Lions Park from 7.30am on Wednesday, 8th March. For catering purposes, bookings are essential.

Tickets at $10 are available from Forbes Shire Council’s administration office until close of business Monday, 6th March.

International Women’s Day is held annu- ally to celebrate the achievements of wom- en and to strive for gender equality.

This year’s theme is #BeBoldForChange and aims to encourage all of us to do all we can to accelerate gender parity and to help forge a better working world – a more inclusive, gender equal world.

It has been 25 years of continuous growth and expansion for Midpro Engineering & Irrigation.

Ian Bartholomaeus, better known as Bart, started the business when he returned to Forbes after a couple of years away in 1992, after some time away gaining experience and knowledge.

“We were only two people in the begin- ning and today we have more than 20 staff members. We fill a need in the local indus- trial and agricultural sectors, as well as a bit in the mining and transportation industries too.”

As of ten years ago, irrigation has be- come a big part of the business. “We are an engineering firm and has the ability to

design, manufacture and install just about anything. No job is too big or too small for us – from domestic needs to commercial projects, from a brainstorm to a thunder- storm,” said Bart.

Bart is also a big advocate for the train- ing of apprentices. “We have had more than 60 apprentices work with us over 25 years, mostly in the fitting and machining and metal fabrication trades.”

After 25 years Bart is proud on what Mid- pro has become: “We have a reputation as an inventive business, we are great at problem solving and with a fully equipped workshop there is not much we can’t do and aren’t able to accomplish.”

The second Grease and Oil Change Work- shop in Trundle is on Thursday, 9th March. A variety of inspiring speakers will cover in- teresting topics suitable for all ages. These include planning for retirement, tackling cancer, staying on top of your mental health, bush yoga, goal setting.

A range of health professionals, including a dietician, social worker, alcohol and other drugs counsellor and a registered nurse for skin checks will be in attendance.

RSVP’s are essential. Contact Cherie Stitt on 0411 057745 or cheriequade@hot- mail.com

The Forbes Business Chamber is offering a series of workshops for local business owners focusing on digital marketing.

The three workshops will cover Social Me- dia: Basics on Monday, 20th March; Social Media: Advanced on Monday, 27th March and Email Marketing on Monday, 3rd April.

The dynamic digital marketing team from Adloyalty, based in Canowindra, will present the workshops. The series aim to develop the skills and knowledge of lo- cal business owners and their staff and to encourage the adoption and integration of social media and other forms of digital marketing.

The 45 minute presentations will be followed by hands-on practise and question time, to ensure you walk out of the work- shops confident in using your new skill set.

The workshops are made possible with funding the chamber received under the Energise Enterprise Scheme. Tickets, sub- sidised by the Forbes Business Chamber, are $25 for non-members plus a booking fee.

For more information contact the Forbes Business Chamber on 0424 283 792 or forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com

Osteoarthritis currently affects about 1.6 million Australians, and can range in severity from mild to quite severe, disabling pain. Typically, it starts with the breakdown of the flexible joint tissue known as cartilage and can lead to stiff and immobile joints. How- ever, there are many management pro- grammes and potential treatments available.

There are many factors that contribute to osteoarthritis, and many reasons you could be experiencing joint pain. Pain can range from mild, uncomfortable pain to severe dis- abling pain. Make sure to consult a doctor or medical professional about your pain, and what treatment is right for you.

As osteoarthritis advances, the pain can persist while resting and even occur at night, while sleeping. Osteoarthritis can cause joint stiffness, preventing bending and full range of motion of the joint.

Physical activity and exercise can improve joint mobility and reduce pain. Similarly, reducing weight can ease pressure on many joints.

Some options for treating symptoms are:

• Analgesics, such as Panadol Osteo
• Pain creams, gels and rubs such as Voltaren, PainAway or Stiff Sore Sorry
• Supplements, such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin or Curcumin/Turmeric
• Prescription medications

Your GP can make a proper diagnosis, before focusing on treatment options. You could also consider speaking to one of our pharmacists for more information and advice about treatment options.

If you are finding it difficult to tie your shoe laces, pull on your socks, button your shirts or to get out of your car comfortably, Flan- nery’s Pharmacy stocks a wide range of home health care products to assist you with daily living activities.

Call in to Flannery’s Pharmacy during Seniors Week for a free medication review

Jobs In The Central West is a convenient and simple way to advertise staff vacancies, or find that perfect position.

Jobs In The Central West takes a lot of the stress out of the re- cruitment and job finding process. This new service operates on Facebook thus allowing employers to reach more people via social media. With 15 million Facebook users in Australia, it is a great tool of choice for easy reach.

There are already nearly 1,500 likes on the page, with the num- bers climbing every week. Jobseekers can instantly see positions vacant ads in their feed, or even be tagged by a mate. What’s more, it’s local – so there’s no trawling through national ads.

Jobseekers can “like” the page, and instantly see locally adver- tised jobs. Advertisers get a great package, and a one-stop, cost effective solution. For more information contact sarah.maynard@ inxcess.com.au or call 6344 1846.