Women from across the state converged on Forbes last weekend for a very successful NSW Rural Women’s Gathering, after a long and challenging three years since Forbes applied to host the event,

After a beautiful Welcome to Country from Yarrangirri Holmes and Elder Aileen Allen, Forbes Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed everyone to Forbes, followed by Local State Member Phil Donato MP who welcomed the group to the Central West.

Guest speaker Cressida Cains of Pecora Dairy, and 2020 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Woman of the Year, was the first speaker on Saturday, followed by local real estate agent Tara Kelly of Century 21 Central West.

Special guest, Melinda Schneider then spoke of her life growing up as a performer from a very young age and the life twists and turns that brought her to be in the role of a Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Ambassador. There was not a dry eye in the house during Melinda’s session.

Participants then heard from NSW Farmers’ Young farmer Council Representative Charlotte Groves. Followed by a panel discussion led by MC Kia Handley around Mental Health.

A variety of workshops and tours were held on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, which was by far the highlight of the Gathering. Guest speaker, Jean Kittson, had the crowd in stitches!

On Sunday morning, participants enjoyed a Sculpture Down the Lachlan Guided Tour around the Lake and Forbes Dragon Boat Club demonstration. Followed by the opportunity to hear from four local speakers providing inspirational stories, leaving everyone walking away inspired, encouraged and ready to take on a new challenge. Dr Karen Ritchie spoke about the Boosting the Lachlan Valley Art Project, Wendy Muffet spoke about Grazing Down the Lachlan, Fiona Aveyard of Outback Lamb and Rose Philipzen of Moxey Farms.

Stephanie Stanhope from NSW Country Women’s Association spoke about the history of the CWA in NSW as they celebrate 100 years!

For further information please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare

A basket weaving workshop was but one of the many activities on offer during Seniors Week that is still in full swing in Forbes with more events to follow next week.

A small group of women gathered at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Monday to learn the traditional craft of weaving baskets from Condobolin’s expert teacher Bev Coe.

“I learned to weave baskets years ago at Camp Coorong, and wanted to pass on the skill to other people,” said Bev. When she is not teaching workshops all over the Central West, you will find her in her workshop in Condobolin called Sista Shed.

Bev has expanded her skill to make grass sculptures, and before COVID-19 she used to go to the markets in Sydney where her creations were in high demand.

The Forbes women were very happy and felt very privileged that Bev could fit in a workshop for them and offered them the opportunity to learn from her.

“We think she’s brilliant,” said Aileen Allen. “She teaches us our culture, which we should’ve learned when we were young.

She has been very patient with us. It is great that she can keep our culture alive and pass it on to the next generation.”

Part of the group included three family members from three generations. Cathy Bowden came with her daughter Kelly Bowden, and her granddaughter Kiesha Bowden.

“I wanted to learn more about traditional stuff. It is very important for us young people to learn about our culture,” said Kiesha. She was very excited about learning the skill of basket weaving and planned to keep doing it.

Although the group used raffia to weave their baskets at the workshop, Bev said traditionally you would use native spiny flat sedge for weaving, but during drought times it was hard to get hold of.

She said baskets made from natural materials lasted much longer than those made from plastic. “I made a basket from sisal for my clothes pegs and I always left it at the washing line. It lasted for years, much longer than anything plastic.”

It is almost time for the curtain to rise for the majestic Overture event on 2nd April at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes when Australia’s top performers will be on stage with regional talent for a night of unforgettable entertainment.

“We are catering for all music tastes,” said producer Harriet Snaith. “The program includes one aria and the rest ranges from modern pop to musical theatre, and includes songs from Frozen, Shrek, Phantom of the Opera, a Mama Mia medley, The Sound of Music, Wicked and more.”

Harriet said the rehearsals and preparation work were going really well, despite all the challenges of organising Zoom sessions and working with so many people spread out from Sydney to the Central West.

Overture is also the perfect opportunity to use your Dine & Discover vouchers for a night out to celebrate the other side of the pandemic in a COVID-safe environment.

“We would like to make it our ‘Day on the Green’ event”, said Parkes Shire Councillor Neil Westcott. “Bring your picnic rug, food and drink and enjoy an amazing evening with the family.”

The headline stars Lucy Durack and Josh Piterman will be joined by local talent in leading roles from Grenfell, Bathurst and Parkes.

Next weekend UpStage Australia is presenting a series of free dance and acting workshops in Parkes in the lead up to the big night. Top tutors and professionals will be presenting about eight different workshops. For more information and registration go to https://upstageaustralia.com.au/workshop/

Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM is excited to announce the Councils Heritage Assistance Program is now open for 2021. The program’s aim is to support the reinvigoration of the town’s unique built heritage and historic character through the conservation of the Forbes’ heritage buildings and heritage conservation for the benefit of present and future generations.

“We love protecting the historical elements of our beautiful town and this grant program helps to support the maintenance and preservation of locally heritage listed buildings in the Forbes Shire,” said Mayor Miller.

“The grant can cover repairs, maintenance or the reinstatement of missing heritage elements. The program also supports studies and reports necessary prior to undertaking any work on a heritage item or building. This assistance can be used for anything Heritage Listed across our Shire or a building within our CBD Heritage Precinct and the grants can be applied for work completed since May 2021,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller.

“It also can be for work you are planning on undertaking by April 2022. The grant funding is dollar-for-dollar, up to the amount of $3,000,” she said.

“Demand for heritage grants such as this is consistently high, so I encourage those thinking of doing work to consider speaking with our staff to see if we can help with this financial assistance.”

Preference will be given to buildings or sites identified within Schedule 5 of the Forbes Local Environmental Plan 2013. These include fences, verandahs, roof cladding and decorative details. Projects include structural work through to final painting.

Applications can be made on Councils website:www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/building/heritage/grants-and-assistance. For more info contact FSC on 02 6850 2300

Aruma, Havana House and Holistic Avenue are just some of the recipients of Round 6 of the Building Better Communities Program. Since its inception in 2019, Bernardi’s has proudly donated $200,000 into the local communities in which they operate.

The Forbes family-owned company have been able to give back to local schools, hospitals, sporting clubs and charities with their “Building Better Communities Program” which aims to focus largely on local organisations “who need a helping hand, to keep our local communities thriving and connected”.

Co-CEO Joseph Bernardi said, “the program has been a great success for our communities and something that our family is very proud of. We love that it’s a whole community effort.” Beneficiaries will share in a donation pool of $5,000. They include:
• Aruma – who were looking to purchase new tables and chairsfor their central meeting place where they can hold meetings to catch up with individuals.
• Havana House – have been looking for donations for the day today running of the charity to provide emergency relief to womenand children.
• Holistic Avenue – hope to put their donation towards every dayrunning costs of the charity.

See more at bernardis.net.au/community

Business NSW is encouraging businesses across Western NSW in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors to register for the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover program.

The call comes as the four $25 vouchers have started to become available in several Local Government Areas across regional NSW this week.

“This was a popular announcement from last year’s State Budget, and it’s important our region’s businesses in tourism, hospitality and entertainment register now to benefit from the program,” said Business NSW, Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“No one needs extra encouragement to have a meal out or enjoy some downtime after the past year, so I encourage Western NSW businesses to register now so they can reap the rewards when the program opens here soon,” Ms Seccombe said.

“Customers are likely to spend much more than the $25 the voucher provides, and they have the opportunity of opening their business up to a whole new potential client base and encourage repeat visitation.”

There will be two distinct categories of voucher, ensuring as many businesses as possible can benefit from the program.

“Two vouchers can be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays,” said Ms Seccombe.