Former Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott made an emphatic visit to Forbes this week as part of the annual ‘Pollie Pedal’ tour, on Wednesday. ‘Pollie Pedal’ is an annual cycling tour, undertaken by federal Members of Parliament, to raise much needed funds for the Carers Australia charity.

The tour is now in its 19th year, with this year’s installment seeing the politicians start and finish in Canberra. The politician’s visit to Forbes saw them ride into the town’s Victoria Park, where they met with local school students, Carers Australia representatives, representatives from Forbes Shire Council, as well as local media.

Mr Abbott was joined by Kevin Andrews MP and Angus Taylor MP in giving speeches at the park, as well as Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller and Carers Australia CEO Ara Cresswell. They then stayed the night in Forbes. Before arriving in Forbes they travelled from Canberra, through Yass, Harden, Cootamundra, Temora and West Wyalong.

After their Forbes stay, they then hit the road again to pass through Canowindra, Orange and Bathurst, amongst other places, before finally arriving back in Canberra. Speaking with The Forbes Phoenix, Mr Abbott said it was a huge commitment by all politicians involved with the ride to cycle
over 1000km and take the time out of their busy schedules for such a good cause.

“We rode from West Wyalong to Forbes today, but took the very long route, and rode 146km. It’s been a very tiring and hot day,” he said after arriving in Forbes. “We’ve raised over $4 million in the 19 years we’ve done this ride, and we’ll be raising $300,000 alone this year.” Ms Cresswell said the tour had huge benefits for Carers Australia, with just under three million unpaid carers in Australia in need of its support.

Talented kids are wanted for ‘The DJ Jazzy Get Whacky Tour’, with singers, dancers, rappers, musicians and all types of talent being sought. DJ Jazzy is touring in the April School Holidays and is looking for incredibly talented children to participate in her live “Get Whacky Tour” which will commence in Regional NSW in the April School Holidays.

She will visit the Forbes Services Club on Aprill 22, but registrations are already open for young talent in Forbes. Anyone could be one of the local stars showcased at her next show! We’re here to help find the superhero in your kid, and help their dream come true! DJ Jazzy is looking to showcase three up and coming talented young artist/groups from each town that she is performing live in. All audition applicants must be residents (and schooled) in NSW and live within one hour’s drive of the Location. Auditions will be done online by submitting an online video. Australia’s Got Talent and DJ Jazzy are passionate about finding this talent and creating an amazing platform to share with audiences everywhere.

DJ Jazzy is next level when it comes to Family Entertainment and is the new generation of children’s music focussed on providing family oriented entertainment services specifically targeted to young people. DJ Jazzy encompasses a style and range of music that appeals to her target audience from 2-12 year olds and families. Her “Get Whacky” tour will give fans the
opportunity to get up close to her, her dancers, and featured talent through an exciting live performance experience, along with a meet and greet.

Her formula is creating music with positive messages. Masking this with commercial pop music you would hear on the radio, the only difference is her message and it is a powerful one!

Forbes Rodeo Committee Secretary Donna Molloy said as many as 4000 people could turn out to the third installment of the event at the Forbes Showground on Saturday. The event, which could see as many as 180-200 competitors enter, will be a full rodeo event, with a wide variety of disciplines and age divisions on show.

There will be junior events as well as 11- 15, 15-18 and senior age divisions competing across disciplines such as bull rides, saddle broncs, bowell races, steer rides, calf rides, rope and tie, and breakaway roping, just to name a few.

A steer undecorating event will also take place, where a male and female horse rider will race up and down the arena to undress a bull of its decorations in the fastest time. The Jaye Davie Memorial Steer Ride will also take place, with the special event in memory of the local rodeo competitor, who tragically passed away last year.

Proceeds of the event will also be going to selected charities, providing residents with even more incentive to attend the rodeo. “If we can achieve a smooth day with concerns or injuries, as we have in the past, there’s no reason why it won’t be a successful day,” Mrs Molloy said. “Proceeds go to charity as well. We don’t give them to any single charities, but we have a look at which ones need our support, and we encourage any charity to contact us to get them on board as well.

“In the past we have supported CanAssist, Havannah House, local schools and
churches, and the Lions Club, just to name a few.”

Gates open at 10am with juniors kicking off at 11am and seniors starting at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, or pre-purchased at MBR Clothing or Lakeside Takeaway.

Come on a journey full of singing, dancing and adventure with Wozza from Australia and his eight Australian animal friends (and a gum tree named Breanna!) The Magical Mountain fury folk get up to all sorts of different activities and have great messages for the children (and the adults too) with the help of Wozza’s thoughtfully written and energetically performed songs.

There’s Stewie Koala, Locky Cocky, Spike Echidna, Ellie Emu, Pippy The Mountain Pygmy Possum, Willy Wombat, Suzie Roo, Radical Rat, and along with Breanna the gum tree, they help address important topics and issues such as bullying, making new friends, helping others when in need, building a healthy self-esteem and encouraging respect and empathy for all.

They like to raise environmental and cultural awareness, educating about being sun-smart, encourage healthy eating and active living in their songs, as well as displaying their musical prowess and passing it on to the audience; all whist having a fun time grooving to their own lively tunes.

You will learn all about these special native animals during the show too, and why they, and their dancing gum tree friend Breanna are so important to us, to each other and to Australia. They can’t wait to see you at their upcoming live show at the Forbes Town Hall on Thursday, April 14. Doors open at 9am with
the show to start at 9.30am. Cost is $10 per person or $30 per family of four. Children aged 0-12 months are free. For more information contact Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300.

Farmers can see first-hand how to improve their farm dams for livestock and environmental health in free workshops being held in Central West NSW. The workshops will focus on simple, practical strategies to improve dam health for a productive farming system and healthy landscape.

The first round of workshops will be held in Parkes, Forbes, Grenfell, Condobolin and Trundle areas during 18-22 April. This project is supported by Central West Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and Catchment Action NSW.

Rural training specialist, farmer and codirector of NaturalCapital Pty Ltd Alison Elvin will be presenting the sessions. “The field days will provide practical information to transform your farm dam – from a large bare pool into a body of high quality stock water teeming with life,” said Ms Elvin.

“Chances are dam water has collected sediment, chemicals, manures and disease-causing organisms as it flows across the catchment,” said Ms Elvin. “Summer heat and chemical contamination create the perfect situation for many diseases to flourish, adversely impacting both your farm business and environment. “The workshops are an opportunity for landholders to learn proven, cost-effective and practical strategies to improve their water quality.”

SafeWork NSW will talk about farm dam safety, quad bikes and the $500 rebate to support farm safety. Local Land Services officers will also talk about stock and plant health issues and give an update on native vegetation management.

Other workshops will be held in the Dubbo, Mendooran, Narromine, Gilgandra, and Wellington areas during May and June. Further details are at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/centralwest

The Forbes First Exhibition has been installed in the corridors of the Forbes Hospital. This exhibition is part of the Culture and Arts Program, which has been integrated into the hospital’s redevelopment. “We published a call out to local artists and 14 artists replied,” said Arts OutWest Arts and Health Coordinator Christine Mc- Millan. “I would like to thank all of the artists who have contributed to the exhibition, which will make a big difference to the corridors of the hospital. The walls are transformed by bright and cheerful works.”

Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell, is also looking forward to seeing the facility brought to life with the artwork from locals. “It’s fabulous to have new equipment and facilities, but the Forbes Hospital redevelopment is also about making it a more vibrant and friendly place for all our communities.

Integrating the arts is a great way of achieving this,” said Ms Mitchell. “Staff members Sue Dingwell and Michelle Horton have work hanging in the Forbes First exhibition,” Ms Mitchell said. Both Sue and Michelle’s works are based
on animals – Sue’s work ‘Horse’ adds colour to the corridor and the detail draws you into the painting. Michelle’s work ‘Shine Bright’ is the first mirror background mosaic she has made, after 5 years of mosaic making, with a splash of colour in the body of an elephant.

Thirty artworks will be on display. A broad range of mediums are used in the works, including pastels, water colour, acrylic, mixed media, oils and wax and ink. Many of the images are inspired by the Forbes landscape, from historical buildings to the rural Forbes canola season. Wattle flowers to deciduous leaves represent the broad species range of plants in the area.

Karen Ritchie, who has three pieces in the exhibition, said the Forbes wetlands provided a perfect backdrop to explore, in colour and line, the movement and fleetingness of water. “No two views are the same as colour and shape and shadows are reliant on landform and objects surrounding the body of water. Acrylics and ink provide a fluid consistency to try and replicate the
nature of water, while the trees provide an illusion of solidity,” she said.

The artworks are on display until June 15 and can be seen by anyone who visits the hospital during this time. A similar exhibition is currently also running at the new Parkes Hospital.