CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is excited to launch its 2023 Aboriginal Art Competition to discover talented Aboriginal artists in western NSW.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche encouraged Aboriginal artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where its services are available, to enter.

“At CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes we are passionate about creating opportunities for Aboriginal people and empowering all to succeed and this competition will generate opportunities and recognition for three aspiring artists,” Ms Mioche said.

“We know there is a lot of unrecognised talent in this region and we hope this competition will showcase these artists.

“This is the third time we have run the competition and this year we hope to attract even more talent from our communities.”

Raymond Thorpe of Forbes won the inaugural CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Art Competition in 2019 with his painting, Platypus Waterholes.

In 2021 Robert Sloane of Condobolin claimed top honours with his artwork, Mirri (dragonfly).

The competition offers a total prize pool of $4,000 to encourage emerging Aboriginal artists to create and share meaningful artwork that shows the rich Aboriginal culture and artistry in our diocese.

First prize for the winner is $2,000, second prize is $1,500 and third prize is $500.

Artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes offers services, including from Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Nyngan, Warren, Narromine, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin or elsewhere within the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes are encouraged to submit an artwork.

The closing date for entries is Monday 28th August, so get your entries in now.

The recent, free child restraint checking event held by Forbes Shire Council, has revealed all of the child restraints checked on the day were incorrectly fitted. Six child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking – a combination of baby capsules along with rearward/forward facing convertible seats.

Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said this bi-annual event continues to be popular. “All of the child restraints that were checked had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, Ms Suitor said.

While this was a free bi-annual event, local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters can install and check child restraints every day for a small fee. The local fitter in Forbes is Jelbart Dawson. Local fitters in Parkes include Col Fletcher Ford and Kia and Parkes Tyrepower.

National child restraints laws have been in effect since 2010. All children must be safely fastened into the correct child restraint for their age and size. Children need to be at least 145cm or taller to use an adult lap sash seatbelt.

Last Saturday, 1st July, The Modular and Tiny Home Co. held its first ever Open Day in Parkes. Business owner, Daniel Relyea was happy to report the day was a smash thanks to the support of the community who helped him promote the event and the people who came along on the day. 

The flow was non-stop with many great enquiries. The mood was relaxed with many positive comments. People were excited that there was a local manufacturer of Modular and Tiny Homes. It was encouraging for us to be able to engage with so many locals who are looking for accommodation alternatives. 

An emergency accommodation project to support women and children leaving domestic violence is reaching major construction milestones at Condobolin.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and the Condobolin Catholic parish have united to transform a church property for the new purpose.

The planned facility will bring much-needed support to the Lachlan local government area (LGA), which ranked 14th highest in the state for domestic violence assaults in 2022 in NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data.

BOCSAR figures show the LGA recorded 54 reported incidents in 2022, but its largest town, Condobolin, is 100 kilometres away from the nearest women’s shelter at Forbes.

Project manager CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes secured $800,785 from the Australian government’s Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program for the capital works and local builder John Adams was engaged to lead the project.

The Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes has made a generous in-kind contribution of the land and building at Condobolin. Renovations are on track for the church property to start its next chapter within the coming months.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, parish priest Father Getulio Goncalves, and representatives from CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and the Condobolin parish visited the property in March to view progress.

“Women and children experiencing domestic violence in western NSW need and deserve access to safe emergency accommodation, which is what this new facility will deliver,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said.

Through the Condobolin project the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes seeks to welcome and care for the vulnerable and promote peace, and dignity.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP and Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway has launched a petition in the Central West and Western NSW to stop the NSW Labor government from cutting the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card. 

Mr Farraway said he hopes the petition will save the seniors travel card from being cut. “Travel cards allow seniors to take a trip to visit friends and family, travel for a doctor’s appointment, or visit the shops to pick up groceries”. 

“We all know someone in our community who benefits from the Regional Seniors Travel Card, and we all have an important reason to sign this this petition,” Mr Farraway said. 

“Over the coming weeks I will be asking people to share this petition far and wide to save our Regional Seniors Travel Card so seniors in our community can continue to do things they love and need to do. 

“The NSW Labor Government has prioritised Sydney projects over regional seniors, and we hope this petition will convince the Minns government keep it in place,” Mr Farraway said. 

To sign the petition go to: www.nswnationals.org.au/save-the-travel-card/