The Forbes Day Branch of the CWA recently hosted the Oxley Group meeting with members coming from seven branches. Forbes participated in the group handicraft and cooking day at Bogan Gate and was placed third place overall. Cherylin Cole won top marks for her braided rug and goes through to the zone level. Also selected was a felted hat and a pure wool crochet rug made by Elaine Bright. Margaret
Adams won first prize with her pickles.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) is the largest women’s organisation in Australia and aims to improve conditions for country women and children by lobbying for change, helping the local community, creating a network of support and meetings. Prospective members can choose between joining either of the Day or Evening branches in Forbes.

If you would like to be part of the Evening Branch CWA contact Michelle Mahlo on 0416 023 7215 or Karen Wright on 0407 002 937.
For the Day branch contact Elaine Bright on 0402 025 888 or Robin Pols on 6852 1824 or just attend a meeting held on the first Friday of each month at 1:30pm at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street.

The Forbes Council’s initiative to encourage young people to drink tap water instead of buying bottled water has reached all the schools in the shire. In the late 1980s when Australia was introduced to buying bottled water, many people thought it was a big joke. Who would be
so silly to buy bottled water when you can drink it for free from the bubbler, or fill up your glass or trusty drink bottle from the tap?

Well marketing triumphed and unfortunately today we continue to buy bottled water in droves. But not in Forbes! All primary students received a reusable water bottle as Mayor Graeme Miller did the rounds and visited the final school last Wednesday. Forbes Public School Principal, Dafydd Thomas said: “We are grateful to Forbes Shire Council for providing this sustainable initiative as it supports the students learning and understanding of the importance of recycling to reduce landfill. All 300 students were given an environmentally friendly, reusable water bottle.”

Students answering a question from The Forbes Phoenix were all aware of the vast number of disposable water bottles ending up in landfill and its negative effect on the environment. Australians purchase about 118,000 tonnes of plastic drink bottles a year, but only recycle 35 per cent of them. The 76,700 tonnes left behind either goes to landfill or ends up as rubbish. In addition the cost of bottled water is exorbitant with Australia alone using more than 300,000 barrels of oil a year to make PET bottles.

Add the cost of transport, and the amount spent on buying bottled water, while it is possible to get the same product virtually free from a tap. Isn’t it time you follow the lead of the students and make bottled water a thing of the past?

By Dianne Collie

Fiona Hayward, Owner/Manager of Eyewear Specs, opened the doors at 95 Rankin Street in February 2016. “It is so wonderful to see people wearing our glasses and loving them,” said Fiona. “Word of mouth has been a large part of our business success.” It has been so successful that they will be expanding the business to employ a graduate optometrist in the future.

Eyewear Specs also doubles as a mobile optometrist. “We basically pack up shop and move to a location where we’re needed,” said Fiona. “We have worked from Jemalong Residential Village, and travelled to Condobolin, Grenfell, Parkes and Eugowra. We will be working in Canowindra soon following a community request, and we also offer a school screening service.” “Eye care is very important and it is essential that people have their eyes tested every two years. Here at Eyewear Specs there is no cost to you for an eye examination as we Bulk Bill all testing with a valid Medicare Card.”

According to Fiona they offer up to 260 different eye frames and all stock is rotated every three months so you can be sure to pick an individual frame. “We also offer two pairs of glasses for the price of one.” The most popular brand for children and adults are Flexon/Nike. “To see what these glasses can do is nothing but extraordinary. They are made of titanium so they are ultra-strong and flexible,” said Fiona. “That is why they are perfect for children and any form of rural and manufacturing work.

“Please come and see us to have your eyes tested and we will tailor a pair of glasses to suit your individual financial budget.” Fiona said they also worked with Vision Care and Aboriginal Support.

Former Forbes resident Grant Roberts and friend Maddie Anderson will present an afternoon concert of piano and vocal music in the Forbes Town Hall tomorrow. The concert includes highlights from operatic and music theatre repertoire, along with selected piano favourites and a healthy portion of fun and laughter.

Grant and Maddie have been performing together for over five years, having first met while both were studying at the Australian National University in Canberra. Following the success of their concerts in the Canberra region recently, Forbes music lovers have an opportunity to enjoy the duo’s unique combination of music and laughter.

Doors open at 2:30, and the concert will include a light afternoon tea. Tickets are $30, inclusive of afternoon tea, and can be purchased at News on Rankin on 6852 1008, or at the door.

Westpac, Australia’s first and oldest bank, is celebrating 200 years in business on 8th April. Every branch in the country will be celebrating. In Forbes, where Westpac has been open for 146 years, the celebrations will take place on Thursday, 6th and Friday, 7th April. “We will be celebrating this milestone with prizes, giveaways of Westpac promotional items, such as pens, umbrellas, key rings, stubby holders, beach towels, lollies and many more,” said Forbes Bank Manager, Shannon Crowley.

The celebrations on Thursday will be a birthday party complete with balloons, coffee and a massive cake cut at 10:30am. “All customers and the wider community are invited to attend,” said Shannon. Westpac was established in 1817 as the Bank of New South Wales.