Pictured is Club President Chris Finkel.

At their most recent meeting, the members of Forbes Rotary Club agreed to hold a special Rotary awareness meeting on Friday the 16th of April 2024 at 6pm for 6.15pm at the Forbes Services Club.

60 invitations have been sent out to potential new Rotarians in the 30 to 50 age group in an attempt to gain new membership to keep our club operating and solve the problem of the current lack of office bearers in the club who are willing to continue on as executive members to run the club.

A finger food menu for the meeting which will be provided at no charge for attending guests as this will be covered by donations from current members who are anxious to keep the Forbes Rotary Club continue its service work to the local, national and international communities.

The deadline for RSVPs for those wishing to attend this function is 6pm on Friday, 12 th April.

For those residents who would like to attend this evening and did not receive an invitation please phone, text or email our Forbes Rotary Secretary, Grahame Uphill on 0427 640 065 or email dorso@westserv.net.au. Current President, Chris Finkel also said he would like

RSVPs from all current members and Friends of Rotary to add to the total of attendees.

Chris then stated: “We can only hope that with the forthcoming Rotary Awareness evening we can gain enough new members to rejuvenate and reactivate our club to what it was when I first became a Rotarian at the age of 37. My request to our current members is to ask one or two of their younger associates or friends along to next week’s meeting and consider helping us out.”

Rotary International theme for 2023/24 is “Create Hope in the World”.

The ROTARY CLUB of FORBES has been a part of the Forbes community for over 75 years working to support charities in the community, in Australia and in many countries around the world.

Unfortunately time is catching up with us and with the exception of a couple of younger members we all well into our 70s and beyond.

It has now reached crisis point and we are in danger of having to close this wonderful organisation in this town if we cannot Inject some younger members into our club.

We realise that you all have many commitments to family, work and of course mortgages.

All the older members are keen to hand over running of the club to younger members with new ideas and these members are more than happy to step into the background to give advice only when we are asked to and help when asked.

On Tuesday 16th of April 2024 at the Forbes Services and Memorial Club at 6.15pm we will be having an information night and would like to invite you to come along, have a couple of drinks and some nibbles with us at the cost of our existing members.

If you would like to attend we would appreciate getting an RSVP to Grahame Uphill on 0427 640 065 Email: dorso@westserv.net.au or Chris Finkel on 0429 661 358 by Friday, 12th of April 2024.

Please give this your earnest consideration, we think you will find it a most fulfilling experience.

Pictured is Heather Mackinnon (chair of CWA sub-committee) and Maria Willis (representing Forbes Shire Council) admiring the CWA Centenary Seat.

The two CWA Branches in Forbes collaborated to celebrate the Centenary of NSW Country Women’s Association by providing a lasting memorial to the CWA women in the Forbes and District, they did that by purchasing a centenary garden seat. This seat is now in Victoria Park, Forbes for all of the public to use.

With the help of a Community Grant provided by the Forbes Shire Council, CWA was able to purchase a wrought iron backed seat made by the Wagga Iron Foundry. The seat features the CWA symbol and the dates 1922 and 2022 adorn the back of the seat.

“There are so many ladies from the local area who have worked tirelessly for the community so we thought this would be a timely tribute to them and a useful way to remember their commitment to rural and regional communities,” commented Heather Mackinnon, a member of the joint sub-committee working hard to see this project through to its completion.

“Forbes CWA Branch celebrate their 100 th birthday in 2026 so there is a long history of community work and advocacy here which needs be acknowledged,” said Sue Cunningham, another member of the sub-committee.

“It’s a very proud moment for CWA to be able to provide this seat for the public to

use, showing that CWA is still alive and active. That’s really important," Jan Kerr, Vice President of NSW CWA said.

‘To be able to put something in a public place that commemorates the longevity of CWA in NSW is a really great thing to have been able to do,” Jan commented.

The Forbes CWA and the Forbes Evening Branch members wish to thank Sarah Savage and the Forbes Shire Council for their assistance in making this project, in recognition of all of the local CWA work, possible.

Good morning to all our Garden Club members and friends, Hope everyone enjoyed the Festive season and things have gotten off to a good start for 2024 with some lovely rain to help the gardens, some having suffered from the heat.

Our 70th Birthday celebration for the Forbes Garden Club was a great success last November as was our Open Gardens during October and because our Garden Club has been active for all those years it is hoped members realise what a wonderful Club we have had and hoping it can continue but we all must be prepared to do a little work.

Our Executives, many of whom have been in their roles for a considerable period of time, are unfortunately not able to continue and we are asking other members if they would step up into

Executive positions to keep the Club afloat.

Of course those wishing to take an active role can always look to the previous Executive for help and advice. You will not be alone!!

Our Annual General meeting is scheduled for Thursday 22 nd February 2024 at the Mens shed commencing at 2 pm. You will only need to bring along a mug, Flower of the month and any little gardening tips you may have would be appreciated.

Please give thought as to what you can do to help our Club stay afloat.

Members, enjoy your garden, start thinking about what you might like to plant for the spring.

Happy Gardening.

Contributed by Elvy Quirk