A great initiative for women of all ages is taking off in Forbes to give ladies the space and opportunity to expand their knowledge in auto maintenance and repairs. The Ladies Auto Training Night runs from Nic’s Garage, a local family-run business that has just recently celebrated its 1st birthday, and encourages women to get their hands dirty and learn about a new aspect of self sustainability.

The most recent program ran over two nights with a philosophy of “teaching and empowering women to independently and fearlessly maintain their own cars”. Entry was free for women of all ages and complimentary champagne and nibbles were on offer for the two groups of women who came along.

“We wanted to talk about many things that a lot of women may not know,” said Felicity from Nic’s Garage, who came up with the idea earlier this year. “We covered things like how to jump start your car, how to change a tyre, how to check fluids and things like that.” “We also talked about what to look out for with certain bigger issues and problems, and then opened it up for questions to cover more specific things.”

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, Felicity knows how important and empowering it is to feel independent. “My dad was big on independence and he made sure that I knew all that stuff,” she said. “I always wanted to be a mechanic!” “It’s really good seeing the ladies walk away at the end of the night saying ‘I can do that’.” Nic and Felicity plan to keep running the Ladies Auto Night in the future, with another event coming up in December. It’s a great opportunity to get together for a girls night and have fun while expanding your auto knowledge.

Watch this space to find out more information about this amazing event aimed at empowering women!

The National BBQ Championships are fast approaching and local performer Cath Adams has been announced as the headline act for the event. Cath is a well-known Eugowra local who recently featured on The Voice 2015 as part of coach Jessie J’s team. She will provide live entertainment with her partner Adam from 4pm to 7pm.

With the committee gearing up for this year’s event, President Chris Roylance said this year could be the biggest and best yet. “The way this year’s event is coming together is unbelievable,” Chris said. “With Fast Ed Halmagyi and now Cath Adams on board, we hope to attract a strong regional crowd. It is very exciting.”

“Our focus this year has been to expand the event and provide more to see and do. With these two celebrities and our partnership with Relay for Life, we are confident that 17 October is going to be a cracking day for Forbes.”

Some other features of the 2015 National BBQ Championships are the introduction of wine and food tasting as well as an outdoor display area. You can browse the stands where you will get the chance to sample cheese and wine,
purchase merchandise and view the great range of outdoor products on display.

“The BBQ Championships are about bringing people together, having a bit of fun and putting Forbes on the map,” Chris said applauding the committee’s hard work in the effort to provide extra value at the event and more to see and do for both competitors and spectators.

“Browse the stands where you will be able to sample cheese and wine, purchase merchandise and view the great range of outdoor products on display.”

The Forbes Phoenix is a sponsor of the National BBQ Championships and this year the competition offers everything you would associate with the traditional Aussie BBQ. There are four categories of meat to be judged such as chicken, beef, pork and lamb.

The 2015 Forbes Show could just be the best one yet! This year is the 140th annual show and everybody is invited to go along and celebrate! This year has something for everyone, from the new event of full tilt jousting to the crowd
favourites of previous years like harness racing, the Showgirl competition, fireworks and so much more.

Saturday’s entertainment will include the dog high jump, the hay stacking competition, a pet show and a fun puppet show. Local talent includes Forbes Town Band, students from Forbes High School, Red Bend Catholic College and Forbes Primary School, the performers from Mitchell Conservatorium and local dance troupes.

Admire the skills and talents of our local cooks, crafters and artists, and don’t forget to check out the family Lego competition. Dairy, produce and livestock will be displayed and judged, showcasing the incredible things the region has to offer.

There is also a wide range of classes in the Growing Plants Section with everything from cut flowers, floral art and a class just for novices.

Don’t forget to stop at the photography exhibition with its massive range of classes including child study, nature study and human interest.

Find out who can grow the biggest pumpkin, who can decorate the best plate using vegetables, fruit or herbs, and who has the best barley, canola and wheat crops. The Showgirl judging will commence from 12pm on Saturday. Other classes include Miss Teenage Showgirl, Miss Junior Showgirl, Miss Tiny Tots and Master Stockman. This year there is over $1000 worth of incredible prizes up for grabs.

Tickets can be purchased from the Show Office and families can buy sheets of $1 ride coupons for $25 with the value of $30 which can be used anywhere in Show Alley. Show tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for pensioners with a concession card and children.

The Forbes Rotary Club held it’s Mount Kenya 2015 Sponsor’s Night on 21 August as a show of appreciation for the support shown to the Rotary Club for the project. Earlier this year, Chris Finkel and a group of Rotary friends climbed Mount Kenya hoping to raise $60,000 in aid of the Maasai People, a hunter-gatherer tribe in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.

The Sponsors’ Night, held at the Vandenberg Hotel in Forbes was an opportunity for sponsors and special guests to celebrate the achievements of the team that climbed Mount Kenya. It was an evening of good food, good friends and Guinness; a fitting celebration for a fantastic achievement.

A presentation was made to Lachlan Legacy and Chris Finkel made a presentation of the climb, detailing the trials and tribulations of the hike, the cultural impact he experienced in Africa and how the expedition has impacted on the Maasai People. “So far we’ve raised in excess of $40,000 and donations will be open until the end of 2015,” Chris said, whose hard work has been a challenging but rewarding experience.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” says Chris, “but we did it. It was a great challenge.”

Stacey Clarke is really looking forward to the Forbes Show this year. Stacey is one of  two entrants this year, with the other being Brooke Tattersall. Stacey said that one of the reasons for entering is due to the influence of Annabelle Green, who is the Co-ordinator of the Showgirl Competition, and who has been someone that Stacey really looks up to.

Stacey believes that it is important for young people to have a voice in the rural communities that they work in, and believes that the experience will assist her in her role as a water sales specialist at Ray White Rural. She has been in this role now for around 6 months and with Ray White Rural for just on two years. Stacey said, “I have learnt so
much about this side of the rural sector, as it involves dealing with local farmers, and the reselling of water allocation rights and entitlements.

It is a growing side of the rural sector for a lot of agents, and I have very good mentors at the agency.” Following on from the local Forbes Show, the next step for the local winner is to attend the district judging, and then onto the
Easter Show in Sydney in 2016. The judging has taken place over a period of time, with the main judging and interviews taking place at the Forbes Council Chambers with both girls being interviewed by a panel of three
judges. Then there was the Black Tie Show Ball on the Saturday night and the final sashing will take place later in the day on Friday afternoon. Stacey said, “It has been a great experience to be part of this and has given me a greater knowledge and understanding of the rural community and the ability to communicate with the Forbes Community.”

Best of luck to both entrants!

Ladies pop this date down as this is an unmissable event in the calendar, Little Extras Lifestyle’s Spring launch will be held on Thursday 24th September 5pm-6.30pm which includes a first look at the latest releases in Spring fashion styles. Come be a part of a wonderful evening and celebrate with the girl’s the unveiling of an exciting new product line. Drinks and nibbles will be provided and in store discounts from 5pm. All purchases will go into the draw for a chance to win a Samantha Wills piece.

Shop in a nice relaxed atmosphere and let the girl’s assist you to find those essential pieces perfect for the warmer weather. Everybody is invited to come along for an evening full of laughs, great company and fantastic
shopping.

With the Forbes Spring Races coming up this October, now is the perfect time to get your hands on all the essentials to make your outfit stand out on the day. Little Extras Lifestyle has got it all from head to toe, be sure to look your best and dress to impress! As part of the Girls Day Out promotion any purchase made during the month of September will go into the draw for a $200 gift voucher.

NSW Government-owned corporation Essential Energy have announced the first phase of proposed workforce reductions for employee and union consultation, starting off a period of transformation for the Government entity. This will include 3 positions with Essential Energy in Forbes.

The 700 positions that have been proposed in the first phase cover all Essential Energy regions and employee categories as well as a 20% reduction in senior management positions. Almost 300 of the reductions comprise
employees who have elected to take a voluntary redundancy.

“A period of consultation with the potentially impacted employees has begun and will continue over the coming weeks to explain processes and how they may affect individuals,” said Deputy Chief Executive Officer Gary Humphreys. According to Gary, the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) 30% cut in operating expenditure had left Essential Energy without funding for an estimated 1,395 positions, costing the business about $15 million per month.

“We’ve got to start operating our business within the AER’s funding constraints and with fewer employees while maintaining network safety and reliability and delivering a satisfactory level of service to our customers,” Gary said.

“Following an extensive review of business operations, Essential Energy has provided details to employees and the unions around the number of proposed unfunded positions in the first phase.” “These proposed workforce reductions are regrettable yet unavoidable. We appreciate this is a difficult time for all Essential Energy employees and are committed to treating them with the highest level of respect and support throughout this process.”

A second phase of reductions of another 695 positions will be assessed once the outcome of the Australian Energy Regulator’s determination is known, which is expected to be in late 2015.

Local rural sales agent Ainslie Toole has added another feather to her cap by being named Landmark Harcourts Top Rural Sales Consultant for NSW. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Ainslie has specialised in selling
rural properties in Forbes, Parkes, Trundle and Grenfell districts, selling nearly 300 rural properties.

Some of those properties Ainslie has sold up to three times and she has well over 2000 clients on her database, a worthwhile achievement. With low interest rates and considerably improved livestock prices, demand for properties
is exceeding supply. “We have a shortage of listings and buyers are waiting for all types of property,” Ainslie said.

That includes broadacre properties, larger irrigation properties and rural properties with homes under $1 million.
For the best advice before you buy or sell your rural property, or to get a free, no obligation appraisal, contact Ainslie Toole on 0407 946 838 or email Ainslie.toole@landmarkharcourts.com.au