CWA news: The Forbes CWA and Bedgerabong always celebrate a combined Christmas lunch. This year it was held in the CWA Hall on 3rd December with the workload and food divided between the two branches. It was most enjoyable with refreshing punch, cold meat and salads followed by desserts and rum ball and mint slice with coffee. Members of the Forbes CWA are making head scarves, bandanas and breast cushions for people suffering from cancer. These are available at the Glass Menagerie and Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie.
Merry Christmas to everyone from Forbes CWA!

Mental health over festive period: Christmas is a festive time for most people, but it can also be a difficult period. People can experience stressors such as conflict, feelings of isolation, grief and missing of loved ones, which can sometimes lead to substance abuse issues. Rural communities may also be dealing with financial hardship, uncertain weather and market forecasts, as well as unexpected adverse situations. Camilla Kenny and Di Gill of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) have practical tips on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing: stay con-nected with family and friends; volunteer to work with a charity; get involved in social
activities such as a community Christmas function; being mindful of your diet and getting enough sleep and exercise; being careful of excessive alcohol intake and avoiding other substances; and trying mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques. Remember it is essential to seek help for any mental health or drug/alcohol concern over this period. If you have any concerns about yourself or a loved one, please contact the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 (free call for landlines) or Drug & Alcohol Helpline – 1300 887 000.

Christmas Market: The Forbes Handicraft Centre Christmas Market Day is tomorrow in front of the shop in Lachlan Street from 9am to 1pm. This is a perfect opportunity to get organised for Christmas: there will be cakes, plum puddings, slices and other treats; fresh farm produce, in season fruit and vegetables, fresh farm eggs and a huge variety of plants; and presents ideas from the new supply of handmade
and handcrafted goods. There will also be homemade milk ice blocks in six different flavours, and a homemade ice cream in four different flavours.

Opera for Ava: Highlight 8th April 2017 in your new diary. Mezzo Soprano Dominica Matthews, senior principal artist with Opera Australia, will be in Forbes on this day to perform at a fundraiser for Ava Garland at the Red Bend College main hall from 3 to 5pm. Ava is three years old and has been treated for leukemia this year (see story on page 11). Apart from her full time opera work, Dominica recently completed a tour of Australia with the cast of the Sound of Music as Sister Berthe. Two more performers will be confirmed for the concert. Ticket prices to be confirmed.

Havannah House Christmas lunch: The lunch will start on Christmas Day at noon in the Forbes Town Hall. For further information or bookings contact Havannah House on 6852 1366.

Nominate a young person: Nominations for the NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards close on 15th December! Why not nominate a young person you know who is achieving great results or who is actively involved in your community. If you know someone up to 29 years of age who is making their mark or a valuable community contribution in one of the six categories, why not show your appreciation by nominating them. Nominations are being sought for:
• The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
• First National Real Estate Leadership Award
• Freemasons of NSW/ACT Community Service Award
• Aboriginal Education Council Aboriginal Education Award
• WHO Printing Environment Award
• Awards Australia Small Business Achiever Award

Nomination are made online at www.bit.ly/nswactyaa

Christmas Market: The Forbes Handicraft Centre Christmas Market Day on Saturday, 17th December in front of the shop in Lachlan Street from 9am to 1pm will be the last one for the year. This is a perfect opportunity to get organised for Christmas: there will be cakes, plum puddings, slices and other treats; fresh farm produce, in season fruit and vegetables, fresh farm eggs and a huge variety of plants; and presents ideas from the new supply of handmade and handcrafted goods. For the hot summer days there will be homemade milk ice blocks in six different flavours, and a new line of homemade ice cream in four different flavours for sale. The Super Christmas Raffle with three prizes: First prize a wheelbarrow filled with Christmas hamper goodies; 2nd prize a $50 Voucher from IGA; 3rd prize an ice bucket filled with Christmas goodies. Contact the shop to find out the winners of the Hundred Club results for draws 2, 3, and 4. Forbes Handicraft Centre would like to thank the community for its support throughout the year and would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Carols by the Creek: If you missed Sunday night’s carols in Forbes, you can go to Carols by the Creek at Apex Park in Eugowra this Sunday with a special performance by local singer/songwriter Kerry Hodge. He is a true Aussie bushman and busker and has performed with Gordon Parsons, Lee Kernaghan, The Wolverines, and also on the Footy Show and the Kerri-Anne Kennerley Show. He and his family won Best group performance at the Tamworth Country Music Festival with their version of Amazing Grace. The Lion’s Club barbecue will start at 6:30 and the singing at 7pm. The jolly man in red will fly in for the end of the evening.

Havannah House Christmas lunch: The lunch will start on Christmas Day at noon in the Forbes Town Hall. For further information or bookings contact Havannah House on 6852 1366.

Bunnings annual Christmas family night: Bunnings invites Forbes residents to join in a fun-filled family night on Thursday, 8th December from 6 to 8pm. There will be entertainment and activities for the whole family, such as free gift wrapping, Santa’s Little Helper Kids DIY workshops, light refreshments and even a special visit from Santa himself! Bookings are recommended so please contact Bunnings on 6853 9800.

Carols By Candlelight: Sunday, 4th December at 7pm in Victoria Park. Santa will be there from 6:30pm to 8pm for photos and a gold coin donation to the Forbes Town Band. A big screen will once again be used for the night’s program. Judy Prior will host the concert. The Carols program starts at 7pm and will continue through the night. The Forbes Lions Club will be in charge of the barbeque and drinks, and glow candles will be on sale from the Town Band Committee. Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy a wonderful family night. The Forbes Town Hall has been booked in case of inclement weather.

Community Safety Art Competition Winners: The following children won prize in the competition organised by Forbes Neighbourhood Watch: Primary Section: Highly Commended – Isabel Pearce; Runner-up – Hailey Griffiths; 1st prize – Phoebe Walker. They are all students at Forbes North Public School. Secondary School Section: 1st prize – Brielle Thornton of Forbes High School; Runner-up – Claudia Gorton of Red Bend College. Thanks you to the competition co-ordinators Maree Yapp, Natalie Walker, Senior Constable Daniel Greef and members of Forbes Neighbourhood Watch. The winning art works will be displayed on wheelie bins next year.

Christmas Tree Festival: More than 72 entries are already in for the fifth festival. Remember to deliver your entries today between 8am and noon at the Forbes Town Hall. The festival will open for viewing from 5pm today, from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and from 9am to noon on Sunday. $2 entry for adults. The most appealing entry
will be decided by popular vote, while Rotary Ipomoea will give a Rotary choice prize. Funds raised will be used to support local Rotary projects.

Forbes Evening Branch: The Forbes Evening CWA branch has donated $1,000 to the fundraising for a Physio Touch Machine. Di Green, the local McGrath Foundation nurse, is hoping to raise enough money to purchase this machine, which is used in the treatment of lymphoedema – an uncomfortable swelling that develops when lymph fluid builds up. “The Forbes Evening CWA branch is delighted to be able to support this cause as we are keen for our donation to benefit local people,” said Karen Wright, Secretary. If you would like to join the Forbes Evening branch, contact Karen on 0407 002 937.

Forbes Phoenix drop off point: If you would like to contribute articles, Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down, competition entries or anything else, you can drop these at Ian Simpson and Co at 88A Lachlan Street in Forbes. For editorial matters, please contact the Editor, Maggi Barnard on 0403 080 085, and for sales contact our Canowindra office on 6344 1846 or Cheryl on 0411 211 065.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch News: The second successful Home Security and Safety Expo at Bunnings was held on 16th October. Senior Constable Daniel Greef presented excellent information on town and farm security, while the Police mobile van was popular with the children. Kym Holloway shared expert knowledge on home security products.

The winners of the 8th 100 club are: 1st no 58 Yvonne McIntosh; 2nd no 84 Lach Reynolds; 3rd no 1 Sharon Moon. Raffle winners are: 1st Green C007 Mark Stiphard; 2nd Red A089 Kim Kirkman; 3rd Green C61 Belinda Facey; 4th Yellow O11 Jean Hodges. Winners of the Forbes Community Safety Art Competition will be presented with their prizes at White Ribbon Day on 25th November.

Forbes Handicraft Centre: Market Day on Saturday, 19th November outside the shop in Lachlan Street from at 9am. New items include a range of homemade ice blocks in six different flavours. Old favourites are fresh farm eggs, in season produce and a huge variety of potted plants. If you are looking for a unique Christmas present, there is a new supply of handmade toys and woodwork, while Christmas cakes and plum puddings will be on sale and a big range of home cooking.

Raffle winner: The raffle for a ride-on toy tractor raised $1,251.85 for the school partnership program Ian Simpson & Co has with Forbes North Public School. The winner was drawn on 22nd October at the Australian National Field Days in Orange and is a lady from Goolma.

Aboriginal Wills Day: Binaal Billa is holding a free Wills Day in Forbes on Wednesday, 16th November for the Forbes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) community at 18 Spring Street from 10am to 12pm. This is an opportunity to have a will prepared by a qualified solicitor for free. Having a will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. For more information call 6850 1234.

Morning tea entertainment: Clients of the monthly social morning teas held at the Forbes Town Hall have been treated to quality musical talent over the past two months. In September, Trevor Wren sang classics such as Roll out the Barrel and Side by Side, while in October Ruth Elphick played familiar tunes on her piano accordion. The Forbes Neighbourhood Central office hosts the morning teas with the help of volunteers – Doreen Rogers, Lorraine Rue, Gillian Davis and Ruth Elphick. Anyone who would like to register for morning tea, or other social activities can call Monica Wren at the Forbes Office on 6851 4550. Morning tea is a free event for Neighbourhood Central clients and transport is available. It is an opportunity for senior citizens still living in their own home to stay socially active and engaged in the community.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic: If you go down to Victoria Park tomorrow, you’re sure of a big surprise! The inaugural Forbes Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be held from 9.30am to 1.30pm and everyone is invited to attend. Bring your favourite teddy and stand a chance to win a prize for the best dressed teddy. There will be games, activities, crafts,
face painting, a jumping castle, storytelling, nursery rhymes and a barbecue. There will also be prizes, performances
by Mainly Music and Kristen’s Dance Studio, a Forbes Toy Library display and a major raffle, sponsored by Bunnings. Contact organiser Fiona Blyth on 0405 411 355 or Council’s Youth Development Assistant Clarissa Stewart on 6850 2357.

Garage Sale Trail: Forbes Shire Council is involved in the national Garage Sale Trail for the second year and is encouraging households, schools and community groups to host a sale tomorrow. It is a unique opportunity to promote the reuse of items that might otherwise end up in landfill. All you have to do is register your sale on the website www.garagesaletrail.com.au. Registration is free and includes a seller webpage that can be personalised.
Enjoy your kids again: Parents all over the world have turned to the award-winning 1-2-3 Magic program to help them get back in charge of their homes and learn how to enjoy their kids again. 1-2-3 Magic is a simple, precise and effective way of managing – gently and firmly – the behavior of children in the two to twelve-year-old range. CentaCare Forbes will be running the 1-2-3 Magic program over two nights on 25th October and 1st November at the CentaCare office at 134 Lachlan Street from 6 to 8pm each night. Michael Browne, CentaCare Men and Family worker, and Natasha Harris, Family worker are encouraging parents to attend together as managing behaviours is a team effort. The workshop is free of charge, but space is limited so make sure to book early. Call
CentaCare Forbes on 68501777 to secure your seat.
What a Wonderful Night: St. Laurence’s P & F held its second successful art exhibition last Friday. The student art competition drew a wide range of infant and primary entries and was judged by Jan Ashe one of the exhibiting artists. Winners were: Infants: 1st Jett Rudd, 2nd Ruby Spry, 3rd Konner Coleman and Highly Commended
Madeline Morrison. Primary winners were: 1st Clancy Bolam, 2nd Laylah Davies, 3rd Sienna O’Connell and Highly Commended Cassidy Robb-Potts. The raffle first prize was won by Andrew and Pam Peters, a pastel work “Old Barn”
by artist Colin Darley, second prize a wheelbarrow of meat and produce donated by Baa Moo Oink was won by Penelope O’Connell and the six bottles of wine from Bernardi’s IGA were won by Reilly Godsell. Thank you to all the sponsors, Forbes artists, artists who exhibited, the Art Society for the loan of their easels, the show committee for the use of their display frames and the Lions Club who dropped off and collected these.

Upgrade for park: Forbes Shire Council will upgrade the playground equipment at Hughie Wilson Park in Elizabeth Street. The existing playground will be demolished and replaced with new equipment featuring a gyro disc, a t-swing with a toddler seat and climbing equipment with a slide. The upgrade, to start on 17th October, is part of Council’s 15-year replacement program, and should be ready by the end of the month. “The upgrades to Apex Lakeside Park and Nelson Park have been very well received by the community,” General Manager, Danny Green, said.
Long lunch by the lake: Come and enjoy a two course luncheon to help raise funds for a mobile Physio Touch machine for Forbes and Parkes Hospitals on Sunday, 13th November in Lions Park at 12:30pm. The guest speaker is Dianne Green, McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse. Tickets are $80 per person and includes a gourmet BBQ and dessert provided by Peter Ashcroft, beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as entertainment by Adam Enslow. There will
also be raffle tickets for sale in a monster raffle. Bookings close on 9th November. Contact debbie@roylances.com.au.
Forbes Neighbourhood Watch: Winners of the 100 club Sheet nr 6: 1st H. Payseno $60; 2nd Lach Reynolds $25; Roselee White $15; Sheet nr 7: 1st Peter Robb $60; 2nd Monica Wren $25; 3rd Gloria Haley $15.
Our 2nd Forbes Home Security and Safety Expo is on 16th October at Bunnings. The closing date for the Forbes Community Safety Art Competition is on Friday, 21st October. Entries can be handed in at local schools.
Try for Five: Cancer Council NSW is challenging families to boost their daily vegetable intake during National Nutrition Week next week. Eating more vegetables is a great way to boost overall health and adding more fibre-rich food can have lifelong cancer prevention benefits,” said a spokesperson.
St Laurence’s Art Exhibition: Tonight at 6pm is the St Laurence’s Art Exhibition at the School Hall in Dalton St. Entry is $5 and includes 2 tickets in the lucky door prize and a complimentary champagne/beer and nibbles on arrival. Artists’ work on exhibit include Liz Ledbrook, Pam Thomson, Klara Ward, Bec Bennett, Rosie Johnston,
Katie Ragg, Kellie Hanley, Sampa Bhakta, Karen Ritchie, Jan Ashe, Jan Martin and Ray Thorpe. James Whalan of the Forbes Conservatorium will provide music. There will be an auction, as well as a student art competition.