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Celebrate Poetry In Orange

January 26, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The annual Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival takes place from 16th to 26th February in Orange with a full schedule of events ahead.

This will be the fourth festival in its current form since the celebration of his 150th birthday in 2014.

Banjo Paterson, who has become an Australian legend, is best known for his poem Waltzing Matilda, and what better way to celebrate his life than in the district he was born in.

Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was born at Narrambla, Orange on 17th February 1864. He lived in Yeoval until he was about seven.The festival highlights not only Banjo Paterson but is an opportunity to celebrate all Australian poetry and poets in general.

The community will also have the opportunity to polish their poetry and musical entertainment skills. This is a perfect opportunity to show that Australian poetry is alive and well. The festival will showcase the very best suitable for all age groups.

There will be bush poetry, school performances, professional entertainers, markets, golf, barbecues and camp oven cooking. There will also be activities, such as retro fruit preserving, farmers markets, yabbing, poetry competitions, fashion, horse racing, historical tours and much more.

The event kicks off with breakfast in the mornings at different locations everyday from 7.30 to 9.30am for only $5.

The iconic Night Market in Orange will be held on Friday, 17th February. There will be over 30 stalls creating an outdoor playground in beautiful Robertson Park for all the family. Orange’s renowned cool climate wines are matched at each stall with delicious food from local chefs, caterers and cooks. Kick back to the sounds of local music and poetry in the park! The market will be from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Robertson Park. Gold Coin donation for entry.

To view the festival program or to get more information on the festival go to
https:// brandorange.com.au/orange-nsw/banjo- paterson-festival/

For The Love Of Elvis

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Whilst a record-breaking 25,000 fans congregated in Parkes for the 25th Elvis Festival, Forbes also hosted events to complement the festivities. Forbes Shire Council provided a bus service between Forbes and Parkes, run by Cenwestours, for residents and visitors to
attend the festival. Over five days almost 1,000 people were transported in two buses in more than 56 trips covering more than 2,600km.

When the Phoenix caught up with the 1.00 pm shuttle service on Saturday there were no spare seats and the atmosphere was certainly electric. Forbes Shire Council’s Director of Tourism, Community and Cultural Development, Richard Morgan, said the Parkes Elvis Festival had a very positive impact on Forbes. “During the Elvis Festival just about every bed available was occupied.” Bill and Kirsten of Kosmik Country Duo hosted Elvis Karoake at the Forbes Services Memorial Club where a crowd of nearly 60 sang their hearts out to their
favourite Elvis songs including ‘All Shook Up’, ‘Suspicious Minds’, and nobody could ask ‘Are you Lonesome Tonight?’

The Forbes Youth & Community Centre joined the fun and Spectacular Screening showed the theme movie of the Parkes Elvis Festival, the 1964 Elvis film Viva Las Vegas to mostly Forbes locals. The Phoenix caught up with Ray Beacroft who is Ray of Elvis after his final show at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman Club. “Forbes is close to my heart,” said Ray, “My wife and I lived here from 1988 to 1992 and our daughter was born here.” As a child Ray dreamed of singing Elvis songs and being a tribute artist. As he got older he enjoyed attending the Elvis Festival in Parkes and it was there he was encouraged to take the plunge so to speak….and the rest is history. “I really want to pay tribute to Elvis,” said Ray and the crowd all agreed that he most certainly did.

By Dianne Collie

New MP Will Be In Forbes Every Month

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The irresistible smell of a barbeque on Wednesday led to the Forbes Town Hall where recently elected Orange MP, Philip Donato, alternated between being chef and chatting with Forbes locals. “I want my constituents to know I am accessible and approachable,” said Philip of the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party. “I definitely don’t want anyone to think I am aloof or that I don’t listen. Basically, what
you see is what you get.”

Philip plans to visit constituents in Forbes on a monthly basis and invite anyone wishing to meet with him to organise an appointment. He will be back in Forbes on Tuesday 14th March, 16th May, 6th June, 15th August, 3rd October, 7th November and 5th December at the Forbes Shire Council. To make an appointment contact his office on 6362 5199. Philip told the Phoenix that life was very different as an MP as opposed to being a police prosecutor, which he recently resigned from. “I organise my own timetable. It is important for me to allocate time to listen to my constituents’ ideas and concerns,” he said.

Philip was in Orange yesterday and will meet constituents in Parkes today.

By Dianne Collie

Mayoral Notes…

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

From all reports the Parkes Elvis Festival was a great success and our accommodation providers were fully booked giving Forbes a great economic boost during the festival. The shuttle bus service Council provided through Cenwestours was very popular with almost 1,000 people using the service over 56 trips, two buses and more than 2,600km driven. Forbes also had some wonderful Elvis events for residents
and visitors with the screening of Viva Las Vegas at the Youth and Community Centre, Elvis karaoke at the Forbes Services Memorial Club and Elvis tribute artist Ray of Elvis at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel.

Last Thursday, Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant, announced $128,430 in funding for the Forbes SES Unit for a new shed and hard-stand area to support sandbagging operations and training. During times of flood, this will mean sandbagging can continue during wet weather and into the night. Already the SES do such a wonderful job along with the community members who volunteer to help sandbag in times of emergencies, but this funding will help our community be even more prepared.

Australia Day is on Thursday and I am looking forward to welcoming our Ambassador, Sandra Bates, to Forbes. We have received a number of nominations for the Forbes Shire Citizen of the Year and Forbes Shire Young Citizen of the Year and the recipients will be announced during the official ceremony from 7pm at Frogs Hollow. I look forward to seeing you all at the various Australia Day celebrations.

Mayor Graeme Miller

Snippets…

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

#Montefamousreview: Revive by Emily Dawn: Emily Dawn has created an ep that is filled with stunning, emotion filled music. Emily has a voice that is as powerful as any instrument played on Revive, it is pure and captivating, allowing you to be swept up in the lyrics and the melody will cradle you as you go on this amazing musical journey. Revive is a chilled out ep that has some powerful lyrics. Perfect for those
afternoons of reflection.

Earlier deadline: The Forbes Phoenix deadline for next week’s paper is Tuesday, 24th January at 3pm for all content (editorial and advertisements) because of the Australia Day public holiday.

Australia Day: Celebrations on Thursday, 26th January will start at 7am with the traditional Rotary Community Breakfast at Apex Park. Rotary’s community awards will be presented, the Forbes Town Band will perform and this year’s Ambassador, Sandra Bates, will do a welcome. From 10am, the Diggers Family Swim takes place at the Forbes Olympic Pool with a barbecue lunch. The afternoon activities kick off at 4pm at Colin McKenzie Park (Frogs Hollow) on Lake Forbes. Highlights include local entertainment, free children’s rides, the CWA
Damper Competition, pedal boat rides, an antique machinery display and fireworks. There will food stalls, a bar, games and displays from community organisations including the SES, Dragon Boats, Fire Brigade and Rural Fire Service. The Forbes Shire Citizen of the Year and the Forbes Shire Young Citizen of the Year will be presented at the official ceremony at 6.30pm.

Handicraft Centre Market Day: Tomorrow at the front of the shop in Lachlan Street, from 9am to 1pm. Fresh farm produce,
in season fruit and vegetables, fresh farm eggs will be in good supply, plus a variety of plants, an abundance of home cooking including cakes, slices, biscuits, jams, relish and preserves. For the hot weather there will be homemade milk ice blocks in different flavours and a new line of homemade ice cream in four different flavours.

Results of Christmas Super Raffle: 1st prize Rylee Nickolic; 2nd prize Judy Lynton and 3rd prize Sharon Aerts.

Public gardens: Following a thumbs down about the state of the gardens at the entrance to the swimming pool the Council has advised the following: “We are busy with a master plan or CBD study for the town and gardens, which considers streetscape, traffic, pedestrians, footpaths, gardens and connectivities. This will include a review of the gardens, type of planting, watering and maintenance needs,” said General Manager, Danny Green. “That is why there are two poor garden plots near the pool and the very hot and dry weather is making it look worse. We will be considering these as we progress the CBD study.”

Legal Eagle

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Living Together On A “Genuine Domestic Basis”
The issue of whether a couple was living together on a genuine domestic basis was examined in a Queensland Supreme Court case. The facts can be briefly summarised as follows: The applicant and the respondent commenced a sexual relationship, and it was alleged that the applicant commenced to live with the respondent at her property. The respondent and her ex-husband owned a caravan park. The applicant was, after a time, employed to manage the caravan park. He usually slept at the caravan park for most of the week, but another employee
slept there on arranged nights. The applicant said that when he was not sleeping at the caravan park as part of his managerial duties, he stayed with the respondent.

The applicant claimed that he and the respondent lived together throughout the relationship. He returned to the home for dinner. He kept clothes at both locations. He claimed that the parties were in a de facto relationship. The respondent maintained that the applicant
moved out of her property when he was employed as the caravan park manager and moved into the manager’s accommodation at the park. She said that they had not had a common residence since then. She considered the relationship to be one of employer and employee, even though the parties continued to be friendly and intimate. The relationship ended. The applicant claimed a property adjustment in his favour as the parties had been in a de facto relationship. The Court agreed.

Relationships can be very interesting and de facto relationships can produce a lot of different outcomes depending on the circumstances. If you have any questions please contact us.

Forbes Has A Bowen Therapist

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Bowen Therapy, started by Tom Bowen, has been around for more than 50 years. Locally Greg Howell, who runs the Forbes Bowen and Wellness Centre, is the only Bowen therapist in town. Greg has been practising for over seven years. He discovered Bowen therapy when
he developed lupus, which is an auto immune disease. After being treated successfully, Greg decided to look into it more closely. He completed training of more than seven months and set up his practice in Forbes. Every two years, he does further training to ensure he remains up to date with the most relevant new techniques.

Call Greg on 0427 592 771 for an appointment.

Catch of the Week

January 19, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Jim Carty caught this 75cm Murray Cod weighing 6kg.

Gliding Free Like Birds Over Forbes

January 12, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

As one of the world’s greatest flat-land hang gliding locations, Forbes saw almost 80 international hang gliders converge on the town this month. Current world number one, Jonny Durand of Australia reclaimed the championship title, with Gerolf Heinrichs of Austria second
and Andre Wolf of Brazil in third place. A total of 76 pilots took part in the 11th Forbes Flatlands Hang Gliding Championships from 30th December, with 69 pilots competing in the open class and seven in the sports class.

The top-class field of pilots included good international representation from 16 nations including Russia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, China, America, Italy, UK and Australia. There were two local competitors from the Central West, Len Paton of Forbes and Guy Hubbard of Cowra. Bill Moyes, an Australian hang gliding icon, told the Phoenix that Forbes and surrounds were so favourable because local weather conditions provided perfect air thermals.

Bill’s career commenced in 1967 by setting the first world altitude record by flying his glider to 1,045ft over Lake Tuggerah, NSW. Bill competed until 1974 when he retired from the competition circuit, to focus on glider design and development. He still flies recreationally. “The Championship was held over eight days, and although the first two days were too wet to fly, during the rest of the competition the conditions were excellent,” said Organiser, Vicki Cain.

Many of the pilots travelled 1,200 km during the competition, which is exceptional as that is approximately 30 hours of flying time and many pilots only average 50 hours of flying time per year. Each day of the competition the pilots had set tasks to complete. For example, on
Day 2 the task was to fly 163.1 km from Forbes airport via Toogong, to Tomingly and then to a goal near Alectown where their support vehicle picked them up to bring them back to Forbes.

By Dianne Collie

Snippets…

January 12, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Helping hand: ‘Help us, Help others’ was the catch cry of Ian Simpson & Co … and help they did. David Virtue of Havannah House was delighted to accept gifts organised by Ian and donated by the Forbes Community. “Thank you so much, this will really help make many peoples’ Christmas Day,” said David.

Australia Day: Celebrations on Thursday, 26th January will start at 7am with the traditional Rotary Community Breakfast at Apex Park. Rotary’s community awards will be presented, the Forbes Town Band will perform and this year’s Ambassador, Sandra Bates, will do a welcome. From 10am, the Diggers Family Swim takes place at the Forbes Olympic Pool with a barbecue lunch. The afternoon activities kick off at 4pm at Colin McKenzie Park (Frogs Hollow) on Lake Forbes. Highlights include local entertainment, free children’s rides, the CWA Damper Competition, pedal boat rides, an antique machinery display and fireworks. There will be food stalls, a bar, games and displays from community organisations including the SES, Dragon Boats, Fire Brigade and Rural Fire Service. The Forbes Shire Citizen of the Year and the Forbes Shire Young Citizen of the Year will be presented at the official ceremony at 6.30pm. Nominations are still open and accepted until 5pm on 18th January. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au.

Find it in Forbes: In past years winning tickets were drawn from a barrel, but due to the huge number of entries a concrete mixer was brought in for the 2016 draw. Gabe Miller-McMillan said close to 100,000 tickets went into the draw. This means $1 million was spent in Forbes in the lead up to Christmas. Fantastic work!

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