The 2015 National BBQ Championships are happening this weekend and Forbes BBQ Society are excited to announce that local folk indie band House of Tribes will be performing on stage.

Forbes BBQ Society President Chris Roylance said that having House of Tribes on board along with well-known Eugowra local, Cath Adams, the BBQ Championships are set to draw in crowds with such a great line-up. House of Tribes are a local band that have played gigs right across the Central West having their songs played on radio station Triple J and recently launching their first album ‘Paint it Red’.

The local four-piece band formed at the Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival in 2013 and since then have played at events in Forbes, Young, Orange, Grenfell and Condobolin. Chris Roylance said that preparations are in full swing with lots to do for everyone. “We also have a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, great food options including tasting plates to sample.”

“Between Relay for Life and the BBQ Championships we are expecting over 2,000 people throughout the day. We are really looking forward to the atmosphere,” said Chris. Along with Fast Ed who will be conducting cooking demonstrations throughout the afternoon, the 2015 BBQ Championships are looking to be the biggest and best yet.

Having joined forces with Relay for life the two events are being held at South Circle Forbes on Saturday 17 October.
Don’t forget to like the National BBQ Championships Forbes Facebook page and follow them on Instagram or visit their website for all the latest news and updates. Team registrations are still open so head to www.forbesbbqsociety.com.au and download a registration form. When complete, email it to forbesbbqsociety@outlook.com.au

On Sunday 15 November at Forbes Town Hall, flautist Phil Braithwaite and Pianist Cindy Fox explore the development of the flute from the Baroque era through to the modern period with the extended techniques exploited by the modern composers.

Ranging from Bach to Schubert, Poulenc and beyond, this concert showcases the full range of the instrument in a program of beautiful baroque classical and 20th century compositions. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for concessions and $80 for families of four. A musical festival is coming to the Central West featuring leading local, national and international musicians encompassing a broad range of musical styles.

The line-up includes Archie Roach & band, Andrew Robson Quintet, Kate Fagan and Jason Walker, Rory Ellis and Andrew Toner, Victor Valdes Trio, Nancy Bates and Robert Champion, and Arabesk. Book tickets at www.bmec.com.au or contact Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on 6333 6161.

Hundreds of people attended the public open day at Forbes Hospital’s new facility on the weekend, allowing them to preview the structure which is part of a $40.9 million redevelopment. Before the open day community tours began, a traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony was conducted by Ralph Naden, followed by a Welcome to Country performance led by Aileen Allen.

“The community tours provided a unique opportunity to look inside the contemporary and spacious new building before staff and patients move in,” said Member for Orange Andrew Gee.

“It’s great that so many locals took the opportunity to look through our fabulous new facility. Feedback has been incredibly positive.” The new building at Forbes Hospital features an emergency department, an inpatient unit,
birthing suites for maternity services and clinical support services, including medical imaging. The $113.7 million Lachlan Health Service Project is funded by the NSW Government and includes both the planning and capital
components for the Forbes and Parkes hospital redevelopments.

The Lachlan Health Service project is scheduled for completion in early 2016.

Caterina and her husband Vittorio Murda have opened their new restaurant/café next door to Spotlight and they are ready for business! Both Caterina and Vittorio were born in the south of Italy and it is this cuisine which features heavily in their meals.

Café Aglio and Olio, (garlic and oil) features food containing garlic, oil, basil, chillies and the staple red sauce Napoletana. The Murdas moved to Forbes from Western Sydney where they ran two Italian restaurants to be closer to their family this year. They saw the opportunity to return to Forbes as there was an opening in the market and all
the family could help out.

Opening at 7:30 during the week for great coffee, sandwiches, focaccias, and homemade cakes. In the evenings it is a true restaurant with traditional pastas and pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. The pizza menu has traditional favourites with gourmet pizzas in the mix like Contadina, a “farmers pizza” with vegetables including eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms and roasted pumpkin.

There is also Marinara and Calzone which has ricotta, mushrooms, ham and olives. For the sweet tooth, there is a Nutella pizza on the menu with strawberries and bananas. If you don’t have plans for dinner tonight, drop into Café Aglio and Olio and give Caterina and Vittorio a warm Forbes welcome!

October is Mental Health Month and it is a time when everyone is encouraged to put their mental health first. It is a national mental health campaign co-ordinated every October by Mental Health Association NSW to promote good mental health and wellbeing in our local communities.

According to Mental Health Association NSW, each year mental health issues affect one in five Australians with anxiety disorders and depression the most common mental health challenges. Mental Health Month creates an opportunity for people to look at their own mental health and focus on ways to enhance social and emotional wellbeing while building personal resilience and support networks.

Senior Team Leader of Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) Service Terry Buckerfield said Western NSW Local Health District is working in partnership with various nongovernment organisations to host activities
during Mental Health Month with the theme ‘Value Your Mind’. “This year’s theme aims to encourage everyone to think about their own mental health while promoting the need for everyone to make mental health a priority in their daily life,” Terry said.

A number of activities will be held throughout October to highlight the importance of good mental health and wellbeing. “We will be holding training days in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, a Mental Health Forum, walks to raise postnatal depression awareness and suicide awareness, and also a number of fun events including a scavenger hunt, drumming workshops and lip sync battles,” Health Promotion and Prevention Officer Yvonne Muyambi said. “These events are a useful reminder for us all to think about our own mental health and the mental health of those around us – it is also a good excuse to get out there and have fun!”

Anyone with concerns about their mental health or that of a loved one should call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

VANFEST has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the region and will see thousands of music and festival lovers swarming to Forbes Showground on Saturday 5 December. Coming to Forbes on Saturday 5 September, this year there is another stellar line-up, including Aussie electronic duo Peking Duk, stage veterans John Butler Trio and drum and bass giants Rudimental.

“We couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring two of the best live acts to Forbes, the inclusion of Rudimental and Peking Duk fulfils our dedication to bringing exceptional live entertainment to regional NSW,” said VANFEST organiser Matt Clifton. VANFEST is a family run festival created by father and son team Matt and Grant Clifton,
who you might know from the Vandenberg Hotel.

After growing up in Tullamore NSW, Matt saw the need for quality entertainment in the regional area. With the help of his father they are bringing high profile international and local acts to Central West NSW.

Their combined efforts have been a success and have resulted in a strategic partnership with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and Southern Cross Austereo’s Hit Network, to ensure the continued growth of VANFEST. “We are looking forward to continuing to grow the VANFEST brand for many years to come as it provides an experience that would not normally be found in regional areas.” “VANFEST is a unique platform for major Australian and international artists to experience a different style of music festival in a diverse
location supported by the local community.”

In addition to an amazing line-up of live music and entertainment, VANFEST will offer an array of food and beverage outlets, VIP bars, meet and greet opportunities, extreme activations with partnering sponsors and a multitude of camping facilities including glamping, tent city, phone charging stations, communal common areas with bean bags and much more. Visit www.vanfest.com.au for ticketing information.

The National BBQ Championships are only a week away and it is looking to be a fantastic event with some famous faces and a lot of good fun to be had. The 2015 BBQ Championships will offer everything you would associate with the traditional Aussie BBQ including tasting plates, cheese and wine sampling as well as appearances from Better Homes and Gardens chef Ed Halmagyi and The Voice contestant from Eugowra Cath Adams.

There are four categories of meat to be judged such as chicken, beef, pork and lamb. This year the National BBQ Championships have teamed up with Relay for Life so both events will be held at the same venue. “It just works,” said Forbes BBQ Society Committee President Chris Roylance. “Two major events coming together provides the
community and the region the opportunity to come together to celebrate, raise funds for a good cause and just have a really good time.”

“The BBQ Championships are about bringing people together, having a bit of fun and putting Forbes on the map,” said Chris. Both events will be held at South Circle Forbes on Saturday 17 October and both committees are encouraging everyone in the community to come along and get involved. To register a team visit www.forbesbbqsociety.com.au or phone 0412 523 344.