The Forbes Spring Races have become a prominent feature on the Forbes social calendar. The new date is Saturday, 19th November and the event has been rebranded to Spring Flood Recovery Cup. Tying in with the rebranded theme, The Fashions on the Field has a unique category this year: Fashion in Flood for 16 and over with a minimum winners pool of $500 cash. Forbes Services Memorial Club is the major sponsor with strong support from many other local businesses resulting in a huge pool of cash and prizes on offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for contestants to give
their imagination, creativity and individuality free reign!

Other categories include the very popular Most Elegant Lady and Cutting Edge for women, Best Dressed Gent, as well as the fun Junior (8-14) and Tiny Tot (3-6) categories. Judging criteria applies to all categories. Participants can pre-register at Little Extras Lifestyle or sign up on the day at the Fashions on the Field tent from 1.00pm. First preliminary judging will commence at 2pm. If fashion is not your passion, the day has lots to offer: live entertainment by Emily Pavey, face painting and jumping castle for the kids, a sand bag challenge and gumboot toss, and of course strong racing field for those who fancy a flutter.

You can also book a private marquee to get together with friends or colleagues to celebrate the end of sporting season, an early Christmas party, or any other excuse will do. Or you can bring a picnic and rug to relax on the grass areas. Be sure to check out the Forbes Spring Races Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news and info: www.facebook.com/ForbesSpringRaces

It was a crisp morning, but the stall-holders braved the breeze to bring a little creativity to town for the annual Children’s Christmas Markets. It was an opportunity to shop for bespoke hand-made gifts, that little something special that no one else has. The majority of the stall-holders were “mumpreneurs”, parents who were tapping into their creativity to generate a bit of extra income during their children’s early years. For some, like Beth Betland of Bits and Bubs sewing was “a bit of a hobby that sometimes pays”. Others were operating with a more expansive business model, such as Cassie Gates, owner of Antholgie, a multi-faceted business that specialises in creativity, custom-made books and frames.

There was plenty of gorgeous hand-made clothing on sale, with styles to complete any infant wardrobe. Scrap Box Patchwork Designs offered creatively constructed quilts, as well as some more unique sewn products, such as a patchwork cover that turns a balloon into a ball, and an “I-spy bag”. It is an interactive bean-bag with hidden objects that keep little minds occupied on car trips or in waiting rooms. These ingenious products have also sold well in support units, or for use with dementia patients.

Craft stalls allowed kids to explore their creative side, making clay toad-stools or sand art, and there was a free jumping castle. Now in its sixth year, the markets raised funds for the local Australian Breastfeeding Association group. Breastfeeding Counsellor Kylie Matthews said their local group provides individual guidance, as well as support groups, and education classes for pregnant women. “While breastfeeding is natural, it’s a learned skill, and things don’t always go to plan,” she said. More information can be found at https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/local/nsw/parkes-forbes-nsw

By Raen Fraser

Chris Roylance, President of the Forbes Business Chamber and Chairperson of the Boscars Committee extended his congratulations to all of the participating businesses, the finalists, and the winners who were successful in their categories for the 2016 Boscars Awards.

Chris said, “We were successful in securing some great sponsors for this event and with the hard work of the Committee, as well as the support of the NSW Business Chamber this combined to ensure a great awards night. Special thanks to the event organiser Carrie Olson, the MC Chris Baker and Guest Speaker John Walkom. This
sets the Boscars up now for many years to come and we believe that this will grow in stature as local winners now head to the Regional awards to be held next year.”

The Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong reopened to all traffic last Friday. Mayor Graeme Miller said it was great news, especially for our business community. “Our town has been affected quite dramatically due to the highway being closed for the past six weeks.” “We have not had the visitors due to the normal traffic flow and some members of our business community have also had difficulty in receiving materials as the delivery has been bypassing Forbes in some circumstances.” NSW Minister for Roads and Freight, Ray Judge, Bill Dolle and Peter Bright from the Forbes and District Lions Club.

Duncan Gay, said the closure of this key freight route had impacted the state’s Central West and it was important to open it to all traffic as soon as possible. “At the peak of the floods, water across the Newell Highway was more than 80 cm deep – that’s too dangerous for any vehicle to try and cross and it had to be closed,” Minister Gay said. The Newell Highway is the backbone for communities in the Central West – Roads and Maritime has been assessing the highway each day to ensure it could be open as soon as was safe to do so. “I have met with many community members and I know the impact the Newell Highway closure has had on a wide variety of businesses and I want to thank the community for its continued patience while the impacts of the natural disaster continue to be repaired.”

Mayor Miller said Council was also supporting the Newell Highway Taskforce’s submission to the Federal Government in regards to flood proofing the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong. “The Newell Highway is a crucial road network and flood proofing it will mean this type of closure won’t happen again during a future major flood event,” he said.