All-Stars Lose Tight Game To Parkes

Forbes All Stars went down 2-0 to their fancied rivals Parkes Wanderers in the latest round of soccer matches played on the weekend. Despite a gallant effort, the All Stars couldn’t match it with their opposition who were too organised and slick.

Western AFL WSSA Results

Western finished a respectable 11th with two wins at the WSSA AFL NSW state championships in Byron Bay last week. A tight win in the opening round against South West was followed by four defeats until the Red Dirt Cup against Barrier saw Western run out 6.5.41 to 3.3.21 in a dour affair. Well done to the Forbes boys who represented us well!

Dynamic Duo Win Rep Honours

Two Forbes rugby league stars have been selected for their Country sides to meet City in Sydney this coming weekend. Magpies star Mitchell Andrews has been selected for the men’s and Darcy Leadbitter the Under 18s, as NSW Rugby League lines up City v Country matches across three venues on May 15 and 16. The program will see Country vs City matches being played on Saturday 15 May.

Netball Carnival Success

The Forbes Netball Association held a very successful all age carnival last Sunday.
Players aged from 9/10 years to opens travelled from all parts of the West, Central West and Riverina to compete. The Forbes carnival is one of the leading carnivals in the West/Central West and equals the larger associations of Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo. Over 500 players played more than 260 games of netball.

Participants from NDIS providers from across the region attended the 40th annual OCTEC Forbes Special Sports Day, held annually at the Red Bend College and operated by the founder, Dianne Decker AM.

Starting in 1981, the sports day involved wheelchair sports held at the Forbes Showground. A few years later many of these participants were involved in the Paralympics which led to the sports day evolving into a day for intellectually disabled participants to be included. Many schools from Canberra, Sydney and the Central West became involved at this time and students were able to compete in events such as swimming and athletics races.

Now 40 years on, the Special Sports Day is held at Red Bend College with the students assisting in all aspects of the day for the visiting schools including organising the races, calling the races and being sup-porters of everyone visiting.

“The day is about inclusiveness, having fun and participating in different sports events with others from around NSW,” said Dianne Decker.

“It would not be a Forbes Special Sports Day without each school and group marching in their sports colours to the playing of bagpipes and the Red Bend drummers,” she said.

“This day could not operate each year without the ongoing support of OCTEC, Molly Nelson running the cafe and the Red Bend College and its students.”

During it’s time, the event has attracted schools from Sydney and Canberra and while it may be more regionally focused nowadays it never stopped Thomas Da-vis of Currajong Disability Services having fun at the event. “It’s a great day to catch up with friends especially since COVID stopped last year’s event,” he said.

Neil Hamilton of Currajong also commented on how much all the participants love the day out. “They all enjoy it and already they are planning next year!”

On Tuesday, 4th May there were no games played due to wet lawns however we held our monthly luncheon at the Vandenberg Hotel. Cake on the day was provided by Penny Taylor for a few people celebrating birthdays.

On Saturday, 8th May for Aussie Croquet there were 25 players. Close games on the day were Harley Stewart and Jill Rubie 14 def Kevin Rubie and Bob Murray 13, Ray Burridge 14 def Barry White 13, Merv Lang-field and Doreen Rogers 14 def Cherylin Cole and Bob Murray 13, Harley Stewart and Bob Murray 14 def Cherylin and John Cole 13.

The winners of all three games were John Browne, Ray Burridge, Merv Langfield and Harley Stewart. Congratulations to those winners.

It was a very warm morning and some members took advantage of the shade area to partake in morning tea.

We are so pleased with our shade area which has been financed by our very own Croquet Club and the area is almost complete with three tables recently purchased by the Croquet Club from Felton Industries at Condobolin. We now have a small storage shed to complete and blinds for the area.

Our very valued member Joan Littlejohn is at present nursing a broken bone in her foot. We wish Joan a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you back on the croquet lawns very soon.

A reminder to all our members that we will be holding a General Meeting after play on May 18. Members your attendance is important.

By Hammer Shot