Living & Lifestyle Archives - Page 44 of 51

Popular Café Reopens Seven Days A Week

July 29, 2022 by Brett Sale

The friendly staff at the Lakeside Café are (L – R) Trina Potter, Vickie Fry, Debbie Neilsen and Shane Neilsen.

The popular Lakeside Take Away Café in Forbes has reopened its doors with a menu full of goodies.

Shane Neilsen and his family opened the doors a month ago and business had been great. “We are getting smashed,” said Shane. “We are advertising on Facebook only at the moment and word is clearly getting around.” There plenty of great reviews on the café’s Facebook page with many compliments for the great service, steak burgers, fresh fish, scallops with gravy, generous portions and friendly staff. The Lakeside Café has indoor and sun-catching outdoor seating situated only 300m from Lake Forbes on the corner of Wambat and Oxford streets. The family run business offers a wide range of delicious foods including seafood baskets, Cherry Ripe and Mars Bar Milkshakes, take away coffees and more. The business is open from Monday to Friday 6am to 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 7pm.

By Brett Sale

Kardashian Famous Kate Kelly

July 22, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Rebecca Wilson with her favourite painting of Kate called Carte De Visite. Calling cards, or Carte De Visite, were all the rage from France from the 1860s. An original calling card of Kate’s was listed for auction for $5,000 – $8,000 in recent years, and showed Kate in her riding habit. (The Kate Kelly Exhibition is on at the Coventry Room until 6th August.)

Many people might only know her as the little sister of Australia’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, but Kate Kelly was incredibly famous in her day.

“Kate was absolutely Kardashian famous! Everybody knew who Kate Kelly was and by 1882 she had her own wax replica on display at the wax works that were quite popular in those days.”

Artist and former Forbes resident Rebecca Wilson entertained the audience with some incredible stories about Kate’s life at the opening of her exhibition in Parkes last Friday.

Rebecca spent ten years researching the life of Kate after a conversation over Christmas lunch. “I was thinking why don’t I know these stories, and that set me off on an investigation of over 10 years.”

As a painter, she was drawn to Kate’s story because of the Forbes connection, but also because it was such a visual story. “I wanted to paint her story, but first had to do research.”

Rebecca discovered a woman who was extremely loyal to her family and friends. “She was feisty, adventurous, brave, intelligent, and a highly skilled horse woman. It was important for me that more people learn about Kate’s story and how she was involved in a very important part of Australian history.”

Rebecca discovered so many impressive things about Kate and all the adversaries she had to deal with until the tragedy of her death in Forbes. She was only 14 or 15 when she was riding through the bush as a decoy for the Kelly gang, delivering messages, getting supplies and information to help the gang stay at large. She ended up witnessing the Glenrowan siege in 1880 when her brother and two friends were killed and Ned was captured.

She campaigned and raised 30,000 signatures to try and spare Ned’s life and even met with the Governor when she was only 17. It was a showman called Flashjack Donovan who contributed to her fame when he convinced Kate and her brother Jim to tour with him across regional Victoria, South Australia, and up to Sydney. Thousands attended their performances, but the police could not stand it so they shut them down.

Eventually the fame and ridicule she received in the press, led to her wanting to escape Victoria, and she ended up in Forbes at age 22 under the alias of Ada Hennessey in 1885 and worked as a domestic servant. She married, had six children and was found dead in the lagoon on the outskirts of Forbes at the age of 35, perhaps suffering from peri-natal depression.

Rebecca not only created a beautiful cohesive body of work about Kate, but also wrote a book telling her story. “The incredible and amazing story of Kate Kelly is a story you can’t not know as it has a lot of relevance for us now.

“In a way our society has changed, but there are still many of those fundamental things that haven’t changed. We are still struggling for more rights and recognition for women, there’s still poverty, and a class structure.”

Rebecca said while she was doing the research she had a sense of real gratitude to all the women who have gone before us. “They’ve made my life a lot easier and we should not forget that as they worked really hard. And I hope our modern generation will be leaving some kind of legacy and be improving things for the next generation too.”

A Delicate Balance Between Humans And Nature

July 22, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

‘21st MOVEMENT…’ Sonata at Warroo Reserve, approximately 45km from Forbes, is the 21st artwork added to the popular Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail. It is one of two sculptures to be located within Warroo Reserve. The second will be unveiled later this year.

The 21st addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail depicts a child playing the violin while balancing on the back of a life-sized bull.

The Warroo Reserve, 45km from Forbes, is home to this new sculpture called Sonata by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend that is an exploration of the delicate relationships between humans and nature.

“The bull represents the powerful forces of nature in contrast to the fragility of the child and her violin. It is as if the bull is held under a spell by her music,” said Suzie.

“At the heart of it, Sonata expresses the need for an accord with nature. When properly appeased, the raging bull can become surprisingly tender. This sculpture is especially significant at this moment in human history. It explores our relationship with nature and of the delicate and careful balance required if we are to survive the challenges of climate change and the viral pandemic.”

Working with 3mm corten steel plate, the creative duo from the Sapphire Coast in NSW took seven months to design and create the 800kg piece.

“Our process begins with anatomical research and life-sized drawings. A friend’s enthusiastic daughter was our model for the child figure. She chose the outfit, gumboots and all!”

“The sculpture consists of hundreds of individual steel panels traced from cardboard patterns and then pressed, hammered and welded to assume the desired form,” said Suzie.

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick said the latest installation looked at home within the striking landscape of Warroo Reserve.

“Not only does Sonata continues the trail’s unofficial theme of environmental sustainability and preservation, the sculpture also commemorates a significant moment in history and will play an important role in our region’s post-pandemic recovery.”

Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said: “I think it is a beautiful piece which connects this amazing art program with our strong agricultural legacy. It is great honour to be fostering an inclusive and culturally rich community with our world class permanent public art trail.”

She said the dynamic arts and events program made Forbes a regionally iconic tourist destination.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the unveiling of the new sculpture would provide onlookers with a unique experience, while adding to the region’s growing reputation as an arts and cultural destination.

“The Sonata sculpture is a fantastic addition to the Lachlan trail, providing visitors with a unique experience and a powerful and timely message. I urge locals and visitors alike to take a stroll along the trail to see this new addition for themselves.”

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.

Local Accountant Joins MBC

July 15, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Melanie Dunn

Chartered Accountant Melanie Dunn has recently has joined the accounting firm MBC Group Services. Originally Orange based, MBC Group Services opened an office at 121 Lachlan Street in Forbes last year to meet the growing local demand for financial services in the farming and agribusiness sector.

Melanie has a business degree in HR/Accounting from Charles Sturt University, Wagga and over 15 years’ experience working in business and the accounting industry.

As a previous business owner Mel knows the time pressures and financial management issues that come with operating a business.

“I am passionate about helping business operators find and set up the best available technology and reporting systems and engage the right level of financial advice, so that they are able to drive their business forward.”

“During my career I have had extensive experience with small business clients, particularly in the agriculture and manufacturing industries. I enjoy talking to clients about where their business is and where they want it to be.”

Melanie is looking forward to working in the local business community again and bringing MBC’s expertise and learnings to the Forbes region. “I want to be able to continue to help grow the vibrancy and success of our local businesses and primary producers.”

Awesome Coffee Turns Lives Around At Sylo Café

July 15, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Sylo Café baristas Breanna Collins and Zeca Buarque with CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes social enterprise manager Toni Hanns (right) at the café’s first day of opening. Sylo’s opening hours are Wednesday to Friday 7am to 3pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to midday.

Espresso aromas are now filling the refurbished Sylo building after the first customers were welcomed through its doors last Wednesday.

It looks like 23-25 Rankin Street is fast becoming the new go to address as CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’ third social enterprise is fast making a name for its awesome coffee and delectable food.

The purpose of this social enterprise is to have a real and positive impact for individuals and the community as a whole, as it serves quality food and beverages.

It will have a focus of employing local people who have not had access to work or training opportunities previously and every dollar spent at Sylo will be used to create jobs or address social issues in the community.

Similar CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes initiatives, including Cooee for Coffee Wilcannia and Cooee for Coffee Bourke, have helped recruits turn their lives around.

“Sylo Café continues our innovative work to deliver awesome coffee with an awesome story,” said CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche.

Western NSW has high levels of disadvantage and often lacks job opportunities, which is why CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has established the Cooee social enterprises.

“We might start with someone who doesn’t have a resume, has no work experience, and they can move quite quickly to being able to work in the hospitality industry, or also being able to get a job with us in our social services,” Marie said.

Sylo’s opening is the result of months of work, including giving a building that had been unused for some years an extensive makeover.

“We are thrilled to make this amazing space in the centre of Forbes the home of our third Cooee social enterprise.”

Maries said: “We have a great team and they are excited to be opening the doors to the public.

“The menu is all about fresh and delicious food and the Sylo space has a great vibe.”

Kate Kelly Collection On Exhibition In Parkes

July 15, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Kate Kelly exhibition at the Coventry Room at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre will be open to the public from Saturday, 16th July to Saturday, 6th August.

The incredible story of Kate Kelly, sister of Australia’s infamous bushranger, came to life last year when a Forbes author published her debut book.

Rebecca Wilson wrote ‘Kate Kelly, the true story about Ned Kelly’s little sister’ after she made a discovery about Kate. When Kate was a teenager, she had ridden as a decoy and delivered news and supplies to the Kelly gang when they were on the run in north-east Victoria from 1878 to 1880. “I was instantly intrigued, and jumped down the rabbit hole of research, hot on Kate’s heels,” Rebecca told The Guardian newspaper when her book was launched.

Rebecca has also completed a collection of paintings on Kate, and the official opening of her exhibition takes place tonight, 15th July in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre at 6:30pm.

Rebecca, who is the first person to uncover the full story of Kate after years of research and investigation, will be hosting the opening of the exhibition.

The exhibition celebrates the retold story of Kate Kelly and her life as sister to infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly.

Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Kerryn Jones said: “Kate became quite a celebrity until she vanished. Rebecca uncovers the story of this amazing woman’s life, 14 years of which she lived in Forbes.”

The exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, 16th July to Saturday, 6th August. Tickets for the official opening can be purchased at parkes.nsw.gov.au or via Parkes Shire Council’s Facebook page. Alternatively, you can book your tickets by visiting the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre.

You Can Help To Improve Quality Of Life In Forbes

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

While NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia this week, the Forbes community will again be celebrating in September with a series of community events, including a marngrook game, which influenced AFL.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch has been helping the community for 20 years, but now needs a boost of new members to keep going.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch is a community-based crime prevention program which aims to improve the quality of life within a neighbourhood by minimising preventable crime and promoting closer community ties. The program relies on the community and the police working together in a partnership to achieve these aims.

“Joining Neighbourhood Watch will not only help prevent crime, but it’s also a great social environment,” said Neighbourhood Watch member Lyn Ward.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at the Forbes Bowling Club to discuss any concerns the local residents may be experiencing.

Membership of Neighbourhood Watch includes a wide range of benefits including home security tips, sourcing home security alarms and devices, and the use of engraving pens to etch driver’s licence numbers into furniture, jewellery and more.

“If we cannot find new members, the program is going to wither away, and this would be very sad for our town,” said Lyn.

If you would like to become a member of Forbes Neighbourhood Watch, contact Lyn Ward on 0417 536 619 or simply visit your local police station to discuss this in person. Alternativelyy visit Neighbourhood Watch NSW (nhwnsw.org.au).

Toby Is The First Winner

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Toby Hurford as the first winner of the Tradie of the Month competition in Forbes! Toby is from McMahons Kitchens and has won an FXD backpack from Gunn’s Menswear, sponsor of the competition. Carmen Duffy from Gunn’s Menswear handed Toby his prize.

Please keep on nominating your favourite tradie for the July competition simply by dropping into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Friday, 29th July.

Keeping It Clean At Kustom Autospa!

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

PARTNERSHIP… Jason Kennedy and his partner Kate Bush are offering a prep service to new customers at Kustom Autospa to help them choose the best option for their car. Easy payment options are available at all the machines offering a choice between eftpos, tap and go or cash.

The hottest must do activity in Parkes these days is taking your car for a wash! Yes, that once mundane slog has been turned into an exciting experience at Kustom Autospa where the latest technology in the industry coupled with a racing theme have customers lining up from all over the region.

“We have brought a new concept to Parkes giving customers a unique experience they won’t easily find anywhere else in Australia,” said owner Jason Kennedy.

He has done extensive research and visited many carwash businesses to come up with his concept that is quite new for Australia. He incorporated his love of racing cars and worked with a designer and architect from Sydney to run the Ford GT40 racing theme throughout the design from the colours to the art work and signage. The washing bays feature famous race courses from around the world, and Formula One racing driver Jim Clark’s car to make it all more inviting.

“Everyone knows me for my cars,” said Jason, who has a Ford GT40 in his collection.

Apart from televisions in every wash bay, and a full sound system throughout the complex, the soft cloth and touch free machines bring a new concept to washing cars.

“The soft cloth machines, which takes about 12 minutes, comes from Europe and is one of the best on the market.” The touch free machine, taking about eight minutes, is a market leader from America and best suited for tradie vehicles, four-wheel drive and larger cars. Both machines have driers that ensures a shining clean vehicle at the end of the cycle.

Another big attraction is the caravan and boat bay that is also RV friendly, while dog owners have the option of getting their pets clean at the double heated dog wash.

A commercial kitchen will be installed this weekend to add a drive through take away service for a complete experience.

VANFEST Move Big Shock For Forbes

July 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The announcement by VANFEST organisers early this week of the relocation of the event to Bathurst came as a huge shock to Forbes.

“After making Forbes its home for eight wonderful years, VANFEST is relocating and set to make its mark on the iconic location of Mount Panorama in Bathurst,” the organisers said.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller said Forbes Shire Council was extremely disappointed the decision had to be made for the music festival to move from Forbes.

Organiser Matt Clifton acknowledged and thanked the Forbes community and Forbes Shire Council for its support over the past eight years. “Forbes Shire Council has been a pillar of support from the very beginning for VANFEST and I am incredibly grateful for those partnerships.” He said the community support from Forbes had been massive. “It was a really tough decision to make but one we needed to for the future of the festival,” said Matt.

“We are proud of the economic stimulus the festival brought to Forbes – it is our place of origin, our hometown. However, we need to stay sustainable and the move to Bathurst means we can expand, it means we can re-energise and support the broader region’s music and tourism sector which were severely impacted by COVID.”

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