The annual Teddy Bear Picnic is back bigger and better than ever after several years of absence due to COVID and flooding.

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

A previous Christmas Tree Festival. This years festival will run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd December.

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.

GDTL Committee: Kath Garland, Olivia Turner, Kylie Brockmann, Kim Muffet and (not pictured) Emily Wilson, Emma Ridley and Jill Morgan. This year’s Event injected over $400,000 into the local economy over the weekend and raised $45,000 for the Forbes Arts Society.

Grazing Down the Lachlan returned to Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge and Wetlands last Saturday, for what was a warm but very successful day for the committee and its volunteers. Grazers were bused out to site before making their way along the shady track to six food and beverage stations. 

Curated by local chef Brendan Sheldrick, this year’s menu was inspired by the history of Greek cafes in regional NSW. So too were the various entertainment acts that were scattered along the track including a Greek musical trio, a participatory Greek motif painting activity run by members of Artsweb, and a Zorba dance performance by Aimee Woods and dancers from Kristen’s Dance Studio.

Grazers were also treated to a showcase of Wiradjuri culture through a powerful and informative performance by dancers from River Spirit Cultural Arts As in previous years, the zero-waste event aimed to respect and celebrate the natural environment. Grazers were encouraged to donate their reusable service items back to Grazing to be used again at future events. 

“We are so proud to showcase our region -the stunning landscapes, the deliciousproduce, and our amazing local talent. Allin an effort to raise significant funds for theForbes Arts Society,” Olivia Turner, GDTLsecretary said.

“Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters, and our dedicated volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible.” 

Follow Grazing Down the Lachlan on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know what’s in the planning for 2024 and keep up to date with all the latest Grazing news by subscribing to the newsletter via the website, www.grazingdownthelachlan.com. 

Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge is a nationally significant site for ornithology and is now home to six installations as part of Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL). www.forbesartssociety.com/gum-swamp-wildlife-refuge

If you are interested in enrolling at Forbes North Public School and would like to enjoy a whole school tour, please contact the school office on 6852 2187 and make an appointment with the welcoming Principal, Mr David McGaw.

The end of term three has arrived at Forbes North for our students from Kindergarten to year 6. 

Our students enjoyed many opportunities including and yet not limited to ICAS International Competition for Assessment in Schools Years 3-6, an enjoyable Positive Behaviour for Learning Fete, a fantastic Glowtastic Disco which raised $10,426, a guest appearance on Radio 2LV for our communication portfolio and an ICON Assembly.

A big hit is our new equipment for the Infants playground, hosting the people from the Resilience Project motivational sessions, a record breaking Forbes PA&H Show stall with prize-winning entries in over twenty divisions, the Forbes High School 2024 transition for our year 6 students heading to year 7 and Forbes Shire Council NAIDOC Community Day which Kindergarten to Year 6 attended at the Dreaming Centre.

Our students attended the Lachlan PSSA Football and Oz Tag Gala Day in Forbes and Parkes respectively, the Beats N Pieces Musical Show came to us to entertain 240 students. Our Father’s Day Breakfast attracted a large crowd and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week Parade and family barbecue which followed the Scholastic Book Fair with record sales of books.

The New South Wales Health Mobile Dental Clinic visited the school, and the Boys to the Bush program for Stage three lads was another huge success. We celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten and our senior girls attended Girls in Aviation in Dubbo.

The Stage 2 excursion took place to Lake Burrendong Camp while Stage 3 headed to Canberra and the National Capital. 

Students Also participated in the Premiers Spelling Bee for Years 3-6. As we head into spring, important messages on safety was the focus during the impressive and entertaining Snake Tails Reptile Show. 

Term 4 commences Monday 9th October and will formally end Friday 15th December.

Guest speaker Pol Cruz with his Bonsai display.

At the last meeting Elvy Quirk welcomed 36 members present and introduced Leonie Todd, thanking her for making her garden available for the meeting. Leonie then spoke about her garden which was only small when she moved there, but plants from family and friends have brought many lovely additions. 

We were all happy to hear Gail Mendham is on the mend and doing well. 

Arrangements are being made for the Open Garden’s weekend 14th and 15th October, with flyers sent to other clubs and local outlets. Members are needed to sell raffle tickets. 

The guest speaker at the meeting was Pol Cruz, with his display of bonsai. He is an artist who also paints and works with clay Some of his bonsai included an olive tree found on a creek bank in South Australia reported to be 70 years old, a paper bark tree from the old Forestry 30 years old, an English Ash from Grenfell and a lichen covered rock all had a story connected in his display. He also gave tips on watering and pruning, as several members brought their own bonsai to show him. Janette Thomas moved a vote of thanks. 

Raffle winners were first Jenny Dwyer and second Denise Thurston. Flower of the month winners were first Sylvia Glasson with an orchid, second Marg West with an orchid, and third Margo Rath with a camellia. 

The next meeting will be at the home of Irene and Trevor Ford, 52 Calarie Road on Thursday 28th September at 2pm. Please bring a hat, chair and cup. Members are also asked to bring along $60 to pay for our 70th birthday celebrations on 11th November. 

By Green Thumb