Invigorating! Socially interactive! Illuminating! Tai Chi participants used these words to describe their first class for the year on Tuesday.

“It’s all about you and your health. We impart the facts and make it fun,” said in- structor Cheryl Shirvington.

More than 30 people of all ages turned up for the first class. First participants were introduced to individual movements, and later the movements were choreographed together into forms.

“Tai Chi brings your focus to the here and now. It is important to breathe deeply and allow your movements to flow,” said Cheryl.

Giggles erupted around the room at times. “You know when you watch a Tai Chi master and they flow? Well, it is just a trick and we are here to teach you that trick!’ laughed Cheryl.

Instructor Sandra Nicholson said she had been practicing Tai Chi for over 10 years, “and I love it as there is never a point where you think there is nothing else to learn or perfect.”

The breakdown of a relationship can emotionally be very hard for all parties. This is sometimes made worse by uncertainty over what you should be doing when it comes to making decisions about your children.

There are often big decisions about where the children are going to live and what time the other parent may have with the kids.

Under the Family Law Act it is assumed that parents have equal shared parental responsibility, whether they are the par- ent who has the children living with them or only spending some weekend time with them. This means both parents have to de- cide on the major long-term issues. These could include what name a child has, what religion the child practises and major medi- cal issues. Everyday decisions, such as what a child eats, what a child wears are the responsibility of the parent the children are with at the time.

The only time a parent doesn’t have equal shared parental responsibility for the chil- dren is when a court order states otherwise. If a court order states a parent has sole pa- rental responsibility, then they do not have to consult with the other parent on major long term issues.

In a situation where you do not have a court order, the other parent still has equal shared parental responsibility.

It is very important to know where you stand in relation to your obligation to com- municate and consult with the other parent regarding important long-term decisions for your children.

It is always better to obtain legal advice regarding disputes relating to parenting issues. Danielle Cartwright, our resident Family Law Solicitor is able to provide you with advice.

Local DJ Monte is planning on stirring up the indie music air waves this year being accepted into the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

The radio personality, who also writes a weekly music review in The Forbes Phoenix, has been a volunteer presenter at 2LVR for two years where he presents two programs: Uncharted Wednesday Nights and Monte Rocks Your Friday Night.

He is passionate about Australian music and for his Wednesday show he interviews three independent Australian musicians and plays brand new Australian Music that has been released in the last seven days.

Friday’s is a rock request show where he plays rock music from the 80s’, 90’s, 00’s and today. “That was the show that sparked my love of presenting radio,” said Monte.

Monte is going to have a busy year travelling to Sydney every week to attend two weekday evenings and Saturday work-

shops for the Advanced Diploma of Radio he will be doing. “I’m pretty excited as to what this could lead to.”

Monte’s diploma entails learning how to operate a modern radio studio, creating a station sound, recording and editing audio, refining his announcing and presentation skills and how to create digital content for online and social media. “This will make my Wednesday night show stand out and hopefully become a better platform for indie artists to have their music played,” said Monte.

His passion for his work at 2LVR has been a driving force for Monte to make this big commitment. “I want to see how I can be better at what I do. I want to help all the great indie musicians in Australia by high-lighting their music, and interviewing them to show the listening audience how much work goes into creating music.”

By Maggi Barnard

Forbes Shire Council is celebrating Back to Business Week with a networking event on 2nd March at 6pm at the Forbes Town Hall.

All businesses are invited to the social evening featuring guest speaker, Gary White, Chief Planner of the NSW Govern- ment’s Department of Planning and Envi- ronment.

Gary is responsible for overseeing pro- jects that will deliver an easier and more ef- ficient planning system as well as providing expert advice on long-term projects. He will be speaking on megatrends and the impact on the Forbes economy.

Council’s Facilities Maintenance Super- visor Mark Willis will provide an update on quoting and tendering for Council.

Back to Business Week is a NSW Gov- ernment initiative that celebrates small to medium businesses and promotes and sup- ports the critical role they play in local com- munities.

Mayor Graeme Miller said: “Gary will pro- vide a real insight into megatrends and how these impact upon local businesses both now and into the future.”

The networking event is free and will in- clude drinks and nibbles. Please register by calling or emailing Economic Development Officer Sally Duff on 6850 2359 or sally. duff@forbes.nsw.gov.au by Tuesday, 28th February.

Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller donned his mayoral chain for the very first time last Wednesday when he welcomed four new Australian citizens at a special ceremony at Town Hall.

Emma Gamble from England and Murphy George from India with two of her children Sydney and Stephanie Sanu were welcomed as Australian Citizens before family and friends. “I was a little nervous standing on stage in front of everyone,” said Murphy, “but it was worth it as I am just so happy and proud to be able to say I am an Australian citizen.”

The Mayor said Australian citizenship was an important step in any migration story and it was about making an ongoing commitment to Australia and all that our country stands for.

The Mayor led Emma and Murphy in their citizenship pledge. Murphy’s daughters, Sydney and Stephanie, then joined them on stage to receive their Australian Citizenship certificates to the applause of their loved ones.

After the ceremony the new citizens and their loved ones looked happy and proud in reaching such an important milestone.

The Nationality and Citizenship Act came into effect on 26th January 1949. This important piece of legislation meant that for the first time we could truly call ourselves Australians. Since this first citizenship ceremony 68 years ago, over 4.6 million people have chosen to become Australian citizens.

By Dianne Collie

“It is hard to believe AMAZING is actually here.”

This is what designer, Rosie Johnston told the Forbes Phoenix after the installation of the AMAZING sculpture last week. “It feels like the other day when I first spoke with Ian Bartholomaeus from Midpro Engineering. Ian was enthusiastic right from the start and never doubted the project wouldn’t be achieved.”

Rosie described the process of the design and building of the sculpture comparable to the lyrics of Australian musician Paul Kelly: “From little things big things grow.”

“I was inspired to create a sculpture to contrast with the ever changing beauty of Central West NSW and now the sculpture, made with eight tonnes of steel, has been erected in its resting place!” said Rosie.

Keith Mullette, president of the Forbes Art Society and one of the project partners said: “It has been an extraordinary project.” The total value of AMAZING is estimated to be more than $150,000, however in cash terms it cost only $6,000.

Rosie attributes the low cost and successful completion of the project to the hard work and dedication of the Forbes and surrounding communities and farmers, as well as the tradespeople. “I want to thank everyone who has been involved very much,” said Rosie. She also personally thanked Kim Muffet, owner of Girra Girra, who was the Project Manager.

AMAZING is located on the stock route alongside the Lachlan Valley Way, 18 km from Forbes and is the first of up to 14 sculptures to be installed. One of the main aims of the sculpture trail is to assist the Central West to diversify its predominantly rural economy. And with dining experiences, dance and musical performances to be organised, visitors to Central West NSW won’t be able to resist staying a little longer.

By Dianne Collie