It surely must be one of the saddest announcements we’ve heard in 2021 and will disappoint flanny-wearing Ford drivers everywhere – Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival is cancelled.

After initially scheduling a June 13 date, a COVID scare on June 2 after a Victorian couple drove through on their way to the Sunshine Coast, forced Forbes and surrounds into a spin. That forced organisers to postpone the festival and by June 10, the decision turned out to be the right one as Forbes entered a difficult eight weeks along with the rest of NSW.

“By then the event had been postponed to November 13 and we thought we may have a chance,” said organiser Luke Acheson.

“The way things are and the time everything is taking, we feel it is the best move to cancel the event,” he said. “It isn’t what we wanted but we have been left with little choice.”

With acts coming from across Australia and plenty of organising to do for the committee, Acheson was disappointed but realistic.

“Who knows what the future holds but for now we are cancelling the event and sorting out everything so please be patient with us,” he said.

“I would like to thank everyone that has supported us and given it a go,” Luke said. “Keep an eye on the Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival Facebook page for announcements”.

The Agribusiness Today Forum will return in 2021 with the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel set to host the major event on Wednesday, 4 August. The theme for the 2021 forum is ‘Mixed Farming Enterprises – Adapting to a Changing Climate’.

The forum will be followed by a local field visit on Thursday, 5 August in collaboration with HE Silos, Austasia Animal Products, Advanced Animal Nutrition and AusWest Seeds. For more than 25 years the Agribusiness Today Forum has brought together expert speakers to give an insight into domestic and international market trends.

The forum is expected to attract 200 delegates to Forbes who will be addressed by a number of high calibre speakers including representatives from Rabobank, Department of Primary Industries, Endeavour Meats, HE Silos, Lachlan Commodities, University of the Sunshine Coast, Charles Sturt University, Central West Local Land Services, AWI Sheep Connect NSW, Meat and Livestock Australia and NBN.

To learn more about the two-day event and to purchase tickets, visit the Agribusiness Today Forum website at www.agribusinesstodayforum.com COVID-19 restrictions apply and measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of all participants

Embark on an adventure behind the Forbes Shire art scene into the creative lives of six of our most outstanding artists Coralie Crouch, Melody Ruhrmund, Klara Ward, Sue Dingwall, Sampa Bhakta and Sharon Degeling.

In this eclectic multimedia showcase of local talent, these six creatives will open the doors of their private studios on Sun-day, 6 June 2021 as part of the Forbes Open Studio Trail.

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “the Forbes Shire is home to some amazing emerging and established artists working in diverse artistic practices including textiles, graphic design, wood turning, painting, illustrating, ceramics and many more.”

“This is a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes inside their creative spaces, learn about different art forms and see how they are made.”

The event runs from 10am until 3pm. Ticket holders will check-in at the Platypus Gallery, collect their trail map, and are then free to explore each of the open studios at their leisure. Tickets are $10 for Forbes Arts Society (FAS) members and $15 for non-members and can be pre-purchased through the Eventbrite website or on-the-day from the Platypus Gallery.

For more information about the Forbes Open Studio Trail, visit www.forbesartssociety.com or follow the Platypus Gallery on Facebook and Instagram. The Forbes Open Studio Trail is proudly supported by Forbes Arts Society and Arts OutWest. The Platypus Gallery is run by ArtsWeb volunteers, a committee of the Forbes Arts Society.

Featured six artists as part of the event include Coralie Crouch, Melody Ruhrmund, Klara Ward, Sue Dingwall, Sampa Bhakta and Sharon Degeling.

The next exquisite edition of Taste on Templar event is now well under way and Forbes Business Chamber is offering sponsorship packages for the flagship event.

Sponsorship of Taste On Templar will create brand awareness and raise the profile of the sponsors amongst the broad range of businesses across the region, including all Forbes Business Chamber members.

All levels of sponsorship offer businesses the opportunity to showcase their brand through all types of media leading up to the event.”

Sponsorship documents have been sent to as many businesses and individuals as possible. If you haven’t received this document but would like a copy please email the Chamber on forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com

Taste on Templar is on Saturday October 30, 2021. Theming is based around local and regional product and produce, local businesses, people and summer.

“The evening will include meet and greet, live entertainment and, of course, you!” Marg Duggan said. “All people from Forbes and surrounds are invited and encouraged to attend this quality and fun event.”

Fat Pizza and Houso’s star Pauly Fenech will open this years Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival from June 11-13 at Bedgerabong Racecourse.

Fenech, who is also notorious for his big thong, will be doing a stand up set, interviews, shooting clips for his shows and having a crack at the record for thonging the most people (bogans) at one time and place. There will also be a bogan wedding with full program details to be announced next week – only a month out from the event.

“There’ll be a car display, food vendors, cold beverages, lawnmower racing, mullet haircuts, promotions, comedy, activities and inevitably the crowning of Australia’s Biggest Bogan by Chris Franklin and defending champ Ryan ‘Bogan’ Edwards,” said Luke Acheson, co-founder of Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival.

“Studio 10s Daniel Doody (Channel 10) will also be in Forbes on Thursday, June 10 from 8am-12noon doing live crosses from Acheson’s Mitre 10 and we encourage all locals to get in their Bogan gear and come down,” he said.

“So if you think $80 for two nights camping, being an extra in Houso’s and turkey gobbling by a bonfire is your idea of a good time get your tickets before they sell out!”

This year will also mark the introduction of demonstration sport Best Beard and Best Chest Hair (males and females) with organisers taking an all-inclusive approach at this years festival.

“We want everyone to come along,” said Luke.

To volunteer, sponsor, become a vendor, attend or get involved you can find Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival on Facebook. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/australias-biggest-bogan-festival-tickets-93021733509

In only 60 short days, the next edition of Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival will be held at the Bedgerabong Racecourse from June 11-13.

The event will feature the crème de la crème of redneck royalty from Pauly Fenech of Houso’s and Fat Pizza, comedian Chris Franklin, the Noll Brothers and special guest, Hype Duo, Balls N All and more! MC on the night will be Benny Bogan.

Organiser Luke Acheson said that while there was plenty of fun in store for everyone, the committee had also decided to donate all the cash from cans at the event to Bedgerabong Public School as well as make a donation to Little Learners.

“We are more than happy to put back into the Forbes Shire and the Bedgerabong community,” he said.

“We also want to thank everyone who has got on board,” said Mr Acheson.

“We seek more local and regional support from sponsors to partners and we can’t stress enough in the current COVID climate the need to purchase tickets.”

With tickets limited and already nearly sold-out punters are encouraged not to wait to avoid disappointment.

Buses and camping packages are available and patrons are encouraged to dress in their Best Shazza and Dazza bogan gear to go in the running to be crowned the 2021 Australia’s Biggest Bogan!

“We will be holding up to 16 events including Best Dad Bod, Air Guitar, Sausage Sandwiching Eating, Husband Calling and Turkey Gobbling among others,” said Luke.

“There’ll be lawnmower races, Holden car displays, local food vendors and of course cold cordials!” The 2019 Biggest Bogan winner Ryan ‘Bogan’ Edwards will also return to defend his crown.

Go to Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival on Facebook for more info. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/australias-biggest-bogan-festival-tickets-93021733509

The Cabonne Community Glow is back this year and promises to an amazing spectacle with balloons lighting up the night sky at this fantastic regional event.

This experience includes night markets complete with food and wine stalls, entertainment and the highlight of the evening, the Cabonne Community Glow – a magical experience where you’ll see hot air balloons lighting up their burners synced to all new music under the beautiful evening skies in the Central West.

Gates open from 3pm at the Tom Cly-burn Oval in Canowindra. Tickets are $10 for adults (18+) and $2 for children under 18 plus a booking fee. Due to COVID-19 regulations, all attendees must enter their names including the names of children. Book your tickets at 123tix.com.au

Forbes Youth Week wraps this weekend with a Super Mega Fun Day on Saturday April 24 with a concert featuring local performers.

The event has fun activities and games for children of all ages with a Mechanical Bull, Climbing Rock Wall and a Bungee Run. Awards will also be presented for; Youth Citizen of the Year and more.

This year’s Youth Week celebrations wraps up with the following:

Movie Night: On Friday 23rd April between 6pm – 9pm Forbes Shire Council will be holding an outdoor movie night featuring the comedy “The Heat”.

Super Mega Fun Day: To complete the celebrations a Youth Concert will be held at Lions Park on Saturday 24th April 2021 10am – 2pm. The park will be filled with entertainment such as rock climbing walls, mechanical bull, bungee run, pedal boats, giant games and food vans.

2021 Youth Awards: The announcement of the official Youth Week Awards will also take place during the day. Bring along the whole family, a chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the amazing line up of artists performing.