Our recent Garden Club meeting was held at the home of Trevor and Irene Ford, with 31 members present. A description of the garden was given by Irene: the home being purchased 13 years ago and having changed into a magnificent display of different shrubs and trees, growing cyclamens from seed and growing succulents. Elvy thanked Irene and all of the members showed their appreciation.

Elvy presided over the business meeting and Sylvia Glasson acted as secretary. Final preparations were made for the upcoming Open Gardens Weekend and members were reminded to make slices and deliver to the Men’s shed. 

A grant was received to enable us to have the Town Hall free for our 70th Birthday celebrations on 11th November. Members asked to get their tickets for the luncheon, which cost $60.

Our guest speaker was Maree Yapp, who spoke about her involvement with Landcare for the past 13 years. She also spoke of her work with the Forbes North Public School Year 5 students, Eco Day programs and using the school produce to make jams, which received prizes at the recent show. Jeanette Thomas thanked Maree for her very interesting talk and display.

Raffle winners were first Colleen Liebich, and second Loris Molloy. The flower of the month was first Sylvia Glasson with a begonia, second Colleen Liebich with an iris and third Marg West with a rose.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 26th October at 2pm at home of Helen and

Kingsley Green. To get there, head south on the Newell Highway, after the bridge turn left onto Wirrinya Rd, follow to Victory Rd, go to the intersection and turn left to “Brooklyn”. Please bring a chair, hat and a cup – see you there. In case of wet weather the meeting will be at the Men’s Shed.

By Green Thumb

The Forbes Business Chamber Find It In Forbes Christmas Committee is currently in the process of organising their annual Christmas promotions. 

The prize money this year will be a total of $20,000. The Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas Carnival will be held on 8th December 2023. 

This year the Chamber will be organising a number of smaller events that will encourage people to participate in the draws and to shop locally. The launch of the Find it in Forbes this Christmas campaign is 4th November, with draws beginning on 13th November. Draws will be held every week with the final draws held on Christmas Eve. 

Again, the Chamber will use QR Code for entry in lieu of tickets. A paper form will be given to each store to assist people who do not have a telephone that can cope with the QR Code. 

This year we have gained funding to assist with a TV commercial that will promote Forbes and the Christmas Promotion to a wider audience. The advertising area will include the Central West and the ACT. 

Deadline for sponsorship participation is Friday 13th October 2023. 

Teddy bears will be in the spotlight at Forbes’ stunning Lions Park between 10am and 2pm, this Saturday 21st October.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed funding assistance from the State Government, saying support for events like Children’s Week is so important.

“Children are indeed our future and like this year’s Children’s Week theme outlines, all children have the right to relax, play and join in a wide range of leisure activities.”

Council has organised an enormous list of activities including ‘funtastic’ items like a jumping castle, face painting, temporary tattoos, food vendors and craft.

But wait – there is so, so much more! Who could pass up circus performances, the chance for a beloved teddy bear to have a ‘health check’, balloon twisting, obstacle courses, making delicious fruity faces and get a ‘beary’ cute pic taken in the photo booth.

Forbes NSW Fire and Rescue will have their big red truck there for the young ones to experience in person, Netwaste will be spreading their recycling message and parents will have the opportunity to have their child car seats, boosters and harnesses checked for safety.

Word on the street is that there are some extra special surprise guests lined up as well.

Mayor Miller urges all youngsters to grab their teddy – and their parents or carers – and head to Lions Park to celebrate.

“Lions Park is the perfect setting for a teddy bear picnic, and with spring well and truly here let’s celebrate Children’s Week outdoors in the sunshine with all those we love and cherish,” she said.

For more information head to the Forbes Youth Action Team’s Facebook page or Forbes Shire Council website.

Nominations are now open for this year’s NSW Regional Woman of the Year Award.The awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional women doing inspiring things in their communities.

The award is all about showcasing women who contribute to the fabric of their local area by making contributions that have a significant and positive impact on the lives of others.

There’s no denying that women who live and work in rural and regional areas face conditions that sometimes require that extra level of resilience and determination, so it’s fitting that there’s an award that specifically honours women in the regions.

If you know of an inspirational woman that is making an outstanding contribution, whether it be in education, health, agriculture, the arts, fundraising, volunteer work, or just generally within the community, please take the time to nominate them.

Nominations close Tuesday 24th October 2023, and can be made at: www.nsw.gov.au

The members of Rotary Ipomoea invite you to make and decorate a Christmas tree, a nativity, wreath or wall hanging, as long as the entry has a Christmas theme they will exhibit it at the 11th community Christmas Tree Festival.

Exhibits will need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall between 7am and 10am on Friday 1st December if possible. However, no exhibits will ever be late, they will glady be accepted right up until the opening time.

The exhibition of trees will be open to the public on Friday 1st December from 1pm-5pm and all day Saturday 2nd December, 9am-5pm and from 9am-2pm Sunday 3rd December.

Your entry can reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. There are no restrictions placed upon entires at all.

There are no size restrictions for trees, big or small Rotary love them all. Trees can be commercially bought, a tree in a pot, a branch in a bucket full of wet sand or a painted tree branch. Trees can be from recycled materials, welded, nailed, or glued.

Lights can be added but are not necessary. Entrants are aksed to place a Christmas greeting on or under their tree.

Please indicate your intention to take part in this the 11th Christmas Tree Festival by phoning Rotary Ipomoea members on 0439 708 456, 0427 201 445 or 0413 274 735.

There will be a $5 fee to enter your exhibit. This fee can be brought along with your entry on Friday 1st December. This fee will be used by Rotary Ipomoea to support local Rotary Ipomoea projects. Entry to the Christmas Tree Festival will be $5 per adult and free for primary school children.