FA20250410

FULL THROTTLE FUN: THOUSANDS ROLL THROUGH MOTOR SHOW

2760 petition for police

A petition of 2760 signatures is on its way to NSW Parliament with a message for the police minister: Forbes wants a 24-hour police station.

Forbes Neighbourhood Watch presented the petition to Member for Orange Philip Donato on Thursday, as the organisation’s nal o cial duty. They’ve now folded for lack of volunteers.

The petition will be presented to NSW Parliament, Mr Donato said, paying tribute to Neighbourhood Watch for putting in the hard yards to gather such an impressive number of signatures from our community.

“Nobody said no, as soon as they saw it,” said Neighbourhood Watch president Lyn Ward.

The group gathered signatures at the Forbes Show and

through local businessessome even calling to request more copies when theirs lled up.

Yet ater spending the last 12 to 18 months petitioning for volunteers, through this newspaper, television and social media, they could not attract members to keep their group running.

Mr Donato said the group should receive a formal, written response from the police

minister on their appeal for the local police station to be sta ed around the clock.

“It’s something that really, to be quite frank, you should have, it should be an entitle ment for your community to have a 24-hour presence in your local community of police o cers,” Mr Donato said.

“It’s not too much to ask I wouldn’t think (for) a town the size of Forbes to have

Saturday’s Amazing Motor Show attracted thousands, and James Gamble admired the cars and bikes. See more page 6.

Top line up for Frost and Fire Play to mark 160th anniversary

Live music, sitting near a re bucket with tasty local food and drinks is the ideal way to spend a chilly June night and in Forbes we have created an entire event around this just for you.

Frost and Fire 2025 is on Saturday, 21 June and it has an amazing line up of international and local acts.

Forbes celebrates the winter solstice each year with a lineup of entertainment which in the past has included Sneaky Sound System, Vera Blue and Thirsty Merc.

Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM has announced the headline acts who are The Wolfe Brothers and Ripley Alexander.

These performers will be joined by supporting artists Foxxy Cleopatra, Baker Boys and EasyGoin.

“I am so excited for Frost and Fire this year. I think we really have something for everyone at this Forbes premier destination event,” Mayor Miller said.

“Where else can you nd live country music like The Wolfe Brothers, an internationally renowned act, and jazz hits from the Baker Boys - all on one night?”

Alongside the great line up of music, the Frost and Fire crowd of 3,000 people will witness the spectacle of massive e gy bon res lighting up the night, re dancers, pyrotechnicians and performers moving through the crowd.

There will be a variety of other amazing live acts as well as an enormous reworks display to end the night.

“In a time when so many festivals and events are being cancelled across the country, we are working

COUNCIL COMMENT

BY Councillor Michele Herbert

I am really delighted to be a part of a small but enthusiastic group of people who will be presenting the play

The Trial of Ben Hall written by Forbes solicitor Dominic Williams.

BUNNINGS

EASTER NIGHT

Thursday, 10 April

From 5pm to 7pm visit Forbes Bunnings for a fun Easter themed a ernoon. The Easter bunny will make an appearance and there will be a BBQ, entertainment, activities, games, popcorn, face painting and more for all to enjoy.

ROTARY IPOMOEA MARKETS AND FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday, 12 April

Rotary Club of Forbes Ipomoea markets are on and this will be a fun morning with Forbes Shire Council Youth Week activities on site as well. Jumping castle, paddle boats, face painting and more all at Lions Park to start the school holidays. New stallholders always welcome, $20 a site and you must have public liability insurance.

EUGOWRA MURALS WEEKEND

Saturday, 12 April

The Eugowra murals weekend is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 April, and Eugowra VIEW Club is running markets in Apex

www.forbesadvocate.com.au

hard to make sure we still have a strong regional event with live music, great food and plenty of entertainment.

“We encourage you, if you used to travel to one of the cancelled regional events, come on over to Forbes, because Frost and Fire never disappoints.”

Nick Wolfe from The Wolfe Brothers loves playing to regional audiences and is already red up about Frost and Fire.

“There’s nothing like a winter festival under the open sky, and we’re

ready to bring the heat with a night of high-energy country and rock n roll,” Nick said.

“Frost and Fire is all about great music, great company, and the magic of a winter’s night in the Central West, and we’re stoked to be part of it.

“We love playing in regional Australia - it’s where we feel most at home, and the crowds always bring an unbeatable energy,” Nicked added.

Ripley Alexander, who thrilled Australian Idol audiences last year

WHAT’S ON in and around Forbes

Park on the Saturday morning. To book a stall text 0400 607 690 or email eugowraeveningviewclub@ gmail.com

The community is also hosting the NSW Utility Dog Trials at the Showground that weekend, so while you’re visiting stop in to see these skilled sheepdogs at work.

MOVIE NIGHT AND FILMMAKER Q AND A

Sunday 13 April

Galari-River Arts Forbes Inc and Club Forbes are excited to bring free screenings of Avarice with Q&A Session Featuring Forbes Filmmaker Dane Millerd. Fans of action thrillers are in for a treat as two special free screenings of Avarice will take place on Sunday, 13 April 2025. The screenings, at 4PM and 6PM, will be followed by a Q&A session with the lm’s writer, local journalist, lmmaker, and screenwriter, Dane Millerd.

WIRRINYA PICNIC DAY

Sunday 13 April

Join in the family fun at the Wirrinya Recreation Grounds from 9.30am. Gates open 9.30am with the rst race at 10am. There’ll be novelty events, running races, billy

boil and ra es - fun for the whole family. Canteen available with cash or e pos.

LEARN TO SKATE

Thursday 17 April

Come along to Forbes Skatepark to attend the free Learn to Skate Workshop hosted by Totem skateboarding. There’s a learn to skate beginner class and mentoring skate session. Registration is essential please book and register through www.eventbrite.com.au or go to forbes.nsw.gov.au to nd out more

ANZAC DAY SERVICES

Friday 25 April

Forbes RSL Sub Branch invites the community to ANZAC Day commemorations.

Marchers are asked to assemble at Club Forbes at 5.15am for a 5.20am march to the Cenotaph for the Dawn Service.

Those participating in the mid-morning march are asked to assemble in Cross Street from 10.15am for a 10.30am step o . They will proceed to the Cenotaph for commemorations to commence about 10.40am.

Want to add to this list? Email renee.powell@forbesadvocate.com.au

JOURNALISTS

Renee Powell 0448 238 023

rpowell@midwestmedia.com.au

Brendan McCool 0448 238 254 bmccool@midwestmedia.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS 02 6342 1044 mbrown@midwestmedia.com.au

ADVERTISING

Courtney Gambrill 0448 248 080 cgambrill@midwestmedia.com.au

and has been described as a star on the rise, said he can’t wait to play at Forbes’ Frost and Fire in June.

“I am so excited to be playing with the other headline acts and I love the concept of this event,” Ripley said.

“The idea of celebrating winter with live music next to a re bucket sounds perfect to me”, he added.

For all event information and to buy tickets, head to the Amazing Forbes website ‘Frost and Fire - Amazing Forbes NSW’ or buy your tickets from www.123tix.com.au/ events/46063/frost-and- re

CANOWINDRA INTERNATIONAL

BALLOON CHALLENGE

26 April - 4 May 2025

Canowindra’s International Balloon Challenge returns and with it two big nights of entertainment for the region. Furnace and the Fundamentals, Big Night Out, and Nathan Lamont (and one other yet to be announced) will be the festival’s entertainment on Friday, 2 May 2025. The Cabonne Community Glow is the signature event of the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge - an amazing familyfriendly spectacle and should not be missed, it will take place on 3 May 2025. Tickets available online now.

NATHAN

“WHIPPY” GRIGGS AT CALARIE HALL

Thursday, May 1

Check out an Aussie banter whip cracking show from a Guinness world record holder Nathan “Whippy” Griggs at his Pass the Hat gig. This event is free entry and everyone is welcome for a fun night at Calarie Hall from 7pm.

To be held on Friday 9 May – 188 years after the notorious Hall was born and 160 years since his death on 5 May. The play will be presented in the former St Andrews Church at 6pm.

Dominic’s play was originally written for the inaugural Ben Hall Festival and rewritten for Law Week in 1986. Ben Hall was of course shot dead without a trial and is buried at Forbes Cemetery.

Forbes Shire Council

Heritage Advisory Committee were the inspiration for bringing Ben Hall back to commemorate 160 since his death. Several other committee members and community volunteers will be in the play. Ben Hall will be played by Lewis Wilde. We will also be encouraging our audience to fully participate in the evening. We need you to react to the good and bad, to the police bias and inequity in the court process. It will be a great night out for the whole family to enjoy.

Free tickets are available on 123tix. Due to the space there will only be 100 tickets available.

Tea and refreshment will be served while the jury deliberates – no one knows the outcome of the judgment until the night. The cast has prepared for both guilty and not guilty findings.

I encourage everyone to come along and find out the imagined past if Ben Hall had been given a trial and discover more about our notorious Mr Hall, who was in fact the first person in Australia to be declared a bushranger.

In Dominic’s words, “...Ben Hall whose name continues to grow in Australian legend as a folklore hero, more wronged against than wrong himself. I trust the Trial of Ben Hall will not only entertain and educate but lead to a better understanding of the enigma that was Ben Hall – it being the trial that Ben Hall never received. (April 1986).

Catch Easy Goin’ on the Frost and Fire stage.

Foxxy Cleopatra will be performing on the Frost and Fire stage. The Baker Boys will be playing their jazz hits at Frost and Fire.

Charity riders connect with cause

Cyclists travelling hundreds of kilometres for charity got to see just how the funds they’ve raised were spent when they stopped in Forbes last weekend.

The FDC Ride to Give has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for at-risk regional youth - last year supporting Forbes with money to purchase our Boys to the Bush shed.

This year, the ride stopped here to check it out.

FDC Director Cornelius Hart and Boys to the Bush’s Matt Seiter, who joined the ride, said it was pretty special.

“$240,000 from what we raised last year went to buying a property to use and renovate for Boys to the Bush,” Cornelius said.

“It was quite emotional to know our blood, sweat and tears went in part into buying this thing.”

Cornelius called the shed an “asset that will start a legacy,” while Matt said riders could be proud, calling the visit “amazing.”

“It was a lovely way to nish the rst day,” Cornelius said.

“It’s somewhere positive for vulnerable boys to be, among friends where they can play pool, learn life skills and job skills ... and slowly talk and share their worries and troubles.”

This was Matt’s second Ride to Give and he said the route, the stops, the weather and the food were great.

Building on last year’s support, Boys to the Bush is again a ben-

1 takes a well earned break a er riding from

headquarters which was funded by

e ciary with funds going towards their MENtoring programs.

they’re facing are in the community.

Leeton over three big days.

“Without the money raised from this trip kids wouldn’t be able to access our programs as much - it’s as simple as that,” Matt said.

Now well-established, the Boys to the Bush team sees the di erence they can make as they work with young men.

“In Forbes ... It’s a huge part of the community, each year we get more embedded in the community, each year our Boys to the Bush community grows and more people get involved,” Matt said.

“Because we really feel that solutions to a lot of these kids’ issues, problems or adversities that

“The answers are out there with the local business, with a farmer, or a person, it’s just our job to connect it up.”

But it does take one-on-one commitment and it does take time, which is why events like Ride to Give are so crucial.

In its 10th year now, the 2025 ride has passed $500,000 of funds raised, $50,000 more than last year.

The ride began in Dubbo the morning of 30 March and travelled via Yeoval and Parkes to Forbes.

On 31 March they were back on the road to Grenfell, then to Temora, before making their way to

Boys to the Bush is one beneciary of this year’s ride, the other is BackTrack: both focus on supporting, and providing preventative and early intervention strategies for young people in our region.

On top of fundraising for these two causes, FDC director Cornelius Hart said this year they also split $24,000 between charities in the towns they visit including schools, CWA, Lions Clubs and even bush poets.

With many of them being CEOs and businesspeople, the majority of riders came from Sydney, while those remaining hailed from Can-

Five months in, flood assistance assessments continue across region

One home buyback has been o ered and 66 home assessments completed in the ve months since the $40 million Central West Resilient Homes package opened for applications.

It’s now two-and-a-half years since the devastating 2022 oods, and the Reconstruction Authority says it is working closely with home owners and councils in our area to deliver the program, two-and-a-half years on from the devastating 2022 oods.

“The Reconstruction Authority has been on the ground this week undertaking more home assessments and speaking with homeowners about resilient measures,” a spokesperson said.

“A er a home assessment, eligible homeowners will get a report with information on resilience options they may be eligible for.

“It’s then up to the homeowner to choose the option that works best for them.”

To date, 190 applications have been submitted. Another 60 home assessments were to commence on 24 March.

There’s also more consultation to come for both home and business owners a ected by the ooding.

“We will be holding a Resilient Homes Forum in the region in the coming months to make sure that the community gets its opportunity to ask questions and have its say,” a Reconstruction Authority spokesperson said.

“Homeowners will be able to get the information they need on resilient building design, planning, and construction.

“They’ll also get a chance to meet resilience experts, builders, and council sta while working with the Resilient Homes team for guidance.”

Reconstruction is also planning Resilient Business briefings in Molong, Forbes and Canowindra.

“Business owners can get the latest information on resilience measures and talk with experts to decide which options might help protect them from future oods,” the spokesperson said.

Member for Orange Philip Donato, who chairs the central west community leaders forum,

brought the matter back before NSW Parliament in March.

“Will the Minister advise the house on the progress of recovery for Central West ood victims, many of whom are still living in pods more than two years a er that natural disaster?” he asked.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Sa n, who visited Eugowra for the rst anniversary service of the fatal ood event in 2023, said she had asked the Reconstruction Authority for some timelines.

“There is always a caveat on them because we have some tradie issues and all sorts of things happening in the Central West, as elsewhere, but we can do it indicatively, and that helps

communities,” Ms Sa n said.

“We have to communicate with them because I know peo ple are still living in pods.”

The Minister acknowledged that recovery takes time - and that governments historically have not communicated well during “the long tail of recovery” - but said she was intensely aware of the impacts in the cen-

berra, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Central Coast of NSW.

“It’s a great gathering, it’s like friends coming together every year for something good,” Cornelius said.

“When we’re hurting and the ride is getting hard, we tell ourselves ‘it’s not about the bike, it’s about the kids’.

“That gets us home every day.”

As the riders celebrated another mission complete at a nale dinner and auction at the Boys to the Bush depot in Leeton on 1 April, Cornelius said the feeling all-round was exhaustion and elation.

“It was a very successful night and it was what helped us get to that magic half-a-million-dollars mark,” he said.

“We all had a wonderful time, even though we’re hurting,” he laughed.

“It’s so wonderful to meet the country folk, to get that wave in the street and toot of the horn as we pass.

“It may not seem like muchmany of us have country ties but we don’t get out there much.

“We hope that when they see us they know we’ve raised half a million dollars for kids in the country, which is pretty signi cant.”

Ride to Give began 12 years ago as a then one-o ride to raise money for Royal Far West, a charity dedicated to connecting kids in rural and remote communities to care and services they need.

She also said would visit the region in her capacity as the

“I assure the people of New South Wales, wherever they live, that I will passionately support the recovery with the competence and compassion they deserve,” Ms Sa n said.

The Resilient Homes package is part of a $100 million central west ood recovery package from the State and Federal governments. It is available to ood-a ected residents of Cabonne, Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan shires.

Households needing assistance to understand their options and consider next steps can contact the program’s concierge service.

You can call 1800 844 085 or can make an appointment with a member of the Concierge Service team by calling 1800 844 085 or email resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov. au For more information on the Resilient Homes Program in the Central West visit https://www. nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/ resilient-homes-program-central-west

Riders are ready to make some noise

You’ll hear them.

From 8.30am Friday, riders will rumble through Forbes on their way to Canberra to make some noise to stop domestic violence.

Local Grant Nicholson and Central West Riders have been calling on bikers from all over the State to make their way to the nation’s capital and Parliament House to take a stand.

Friday 11 April is the day, with the central west contingent to meet at the Forbes Bunnings carpark from 7.30am. Stands up scheduled for 8.30am for the ride to commence.

The next meeting point is Cowra’s McDonalds, with stands up planned for 9.45am. They’re hoping riders from up and down the country will meet them at Parliament House from 2pm, to make some noise.

Mr Nicholson’s vision is 1000 bikes at Parliament House calling for further toughening of bail laws for domestic violence offenders, and protection for their victims.

“We want to make some noise and I don’t know anything that makes noise better than a massive amount of Harleys and bikes,” he said.

He hopes the roar of those bikes will take that message to the nation’s leaders as a Federal election looms.

“I’ve been riding for a long time and when you’re riding out the road, when there’s 100 bikes and you’re riding with them - that’s the noise,” Mr Nicholson said.

Peloton

Dubbo to Forbes to visit the Boys to the Bush Forbes

Ride to Give.

Grant Nicholson and Tony Ticehurst encourage bikers to join them on the ride to Canberra, to call for tougher action to stop domestic violence.

The 2022 flood events were devastating across Forbes, Cabonne, Parkes and Lachlan shires. PHOTO: Farmer From Down Under

Two cars destroyed by fire

Fire fighters have been called to two burning vehicles in a week in Forbes.

A triple 0 call came in about a fire on the Escort Way after 10pm on Friday 28 March, firefighters rushing to the scene to find a vehicle well alight.

The crew extinguished the blaze and made the area safe, Fire and Rescue NSW Forbes station reported.

Forbes ski dam was the site of the second fire, which emergency services were alerted to in the early hours of Monday 7 April. The crew found a 4WD well alight and although they extinguished the blaze the vehicle was destroyed.

This fire is the subject of an active police investigation and anyone with information on these matters is urged to contact 6853 9999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

TEEN FACES SEVEN CHARGES

A man has been charged with numerous offences after a home in Parkes was broken into and a ute was stolen earlier this year.

Police allege that prior to 5.30am on the morning of 28 January two men broke into a residence in Nash Street, stole the keys to a white Ford Ranger and drove off in the vehicle.

They allegedly used a stolen bank card to buy fuel at a service station at Condobolin.

Police found the stolen vehicle in Lake Cargelligo.

Investigators from Strike Force Soteria, along with officers from the Central West Police District

Proactive Crime Team arrested an 18-year-old man at Condobolin Local Court on Tuesday.

Charges include aggravated break, enter and steal, be carried in conveyance (two counts), Section 154A offence (Post and Boast), larceny and fraud.

FIREARMS CHARGES

A man has been charged following a firearms compliance check in Parkes.

It’s alleged that during the search police located a shotgun, a side-handled baton and a small amount of cannabis.

A 49-year-old man was charged with possess firearm, possess prohibited weapon (baton), breach of Firearm Prohibition Order, breach of Weapons Prohibition Order and possess prohibited drug.

FUEL FIND

Police are encouraging members of the public to get in touch if they’ve had three 44-gallon drums of diesel stolen.

Central West Police District seized the diesel, suspecting it was stolen, when they were searching a Forbes property on 20 February.

If you have information regarding the diesel, please contact Forbes Police on 6853 9999.

Local petrol price plunges

The downward pressure on Forbes petrol prices has continued with E10 as low as 156.9 cents a litre in the past week.

The average price across local petrol stations at the start of the week was 166 cents per litre compared to a whopping 194.9 in Parkes.

“This is the reality of petrol prices in Australia,” NRMA’s Peter Khoury said.

“It’s good news for Forbes, not good news for Parkes.”

Forbes prices have dropped across the board since the open-

ing of a new petrol station, and the reopening of a ood-damaged one about a month ago.

They opened with prices about 173.9 cents a litre for E10, and this week have plunged further.

In fact, some of the prices Forbes has seen are below the wholesale price, Mr Khoury said, and motorists should take advantage of that.

“156 is below the wholesale price so that’s very cheap - it’s de nitely worth lling up while they’re at those prices,” he said.

“Every chance you get to get

any reason to be going to Forbes plan to ll up there.

“It’s entirely consistent with what we see with petrol prices in Australia,” Mr Khoury said.

“E ectively every town is its own market and that’s just playing outfortunately and unfortunately.

“We hope that competition continues and we hope that Parkes gets to see some of it as well.”

Neighbourhood Watch delivers petition for Parliament Police NEWS

From page 1

“Every community in NSW, including Forbes, bene ts from a round-the-clock police presence, ensuring prompt responses at all times,” Ms Catley said.

“I would also like to remind the community that every police vehicle acts as a mobile station, giving o cers the ability to quickly respond to calls for help while on the move.

“If you need immediate assistance, please call triple zero, and the police will respond.”

But the Minister did acknowledge a state-wide shortage of some 2000 police.

Mr Donato added indications going forward were more positive.

“The government has o ered some new incentives to try and encourage more people to join

the NSW Police force and I think they’re being very well received,” he said.

“They’re getting good numbers of enquiries, they’re getting big classes of recruits, which is encouraging but it’s going to take some time to lter through.

“I appreciate you want something here immediately - that’s not lost on me either.”

Paying people during their time at the police academy and o ering them the opportunity to return to their own community to serve as o cers were two of the recruitment changes making a di erence.

While our Neighbourhood Watch branch is now ended, their message echoes through 2760 signatures and they hope increased police presence will be their legacy.

PHIL DONATO MP

MP Philip Donato accepts the petition from Neighbourhood Watch president Lyn Ward and members Lynn Harmsten and Bruce Adams.

Prices have dropped across Forbes since the opening of new service stations and the reopening of another site that was damaged in the 2022 floods.

Vision fulfilled for Eugowra

New community, evacuation centre now open

Eugowra’s multipurpose community centre and evacuation centre is now open.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, o cially opened the facility with Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty before presenting bravery honours to ood heroes in the brand new venue.

“Today is about more than just a building. It’s about resilience, determination, and the strength of this incredible community,” Cr Beatty said.

The centre as it now stands was intended to be a multipurpose space: a place for local events, activities and community gatherings.

With funding from the council and the federal government, planning began in 2020 with construction starting that same year.

The events of 14 November 2022 changed everything.

“It was in the a ermath of that disaster that we realised

the true potential of this site,” Cr Beatty said.

“It remained one of few areas una ected by ood waters, making it the ideal location for an evacuation center, a place of safety and support when our community needs it most.”

From the prime minister to the local volunteers, it has taken the collaboration of all levels of government, funding bodies, many groups and dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to bring this centre to life.

“It is testament to what can be achieved when people come together for the bene t of a community,” Cr Beatty said.

“Following the 2022 oods, Cabonne Council worked hard to secure additional funding, and through support from the New South Wales and federal governments, we were able to evolve this project to something far

greater: a safe and modern evacuation center that will serve Eugowra in times of crisis.”

The mayor paid tribute to the community’s patience and determination in designing and nally seeing the development come to fruition.

“This building is testament to strength and resilience,” he said. It won’t just be for emergencies, it will be place will be a place where people come together to celebrate, connect and support one another.

“I would like to extend my deep thanks to everyone who would help bringing this project to life,” Cr Beatty said. Those included the funding partners, MP Andrew Gee, New South Wales Government, key contractors, Eugowra Show Society and its Building and Grounds Improvement Committee, the Cabonne council project team and the community.

Make way to Eugowra for weekend of murals, dog trials

All roads lead to Eugowra on 12 and 13 April as both mural artists and competitors in the NSW Utility Dog Championships converge on the community.

This weekend is the annual Murals Most Wanted gathering, with 14 artists to gather to work on repairing and restoring two of the murals on the local art trail.

Eugowra’s mural trail is a feature for locals and visitors alike, with artists becoming friends as they give their time each year to tell the community’s stories through art.

This year they’ll be working to refresh the Rural Fire

Service mural, which you see as you enter Eugowra from Forbes.

It honours Theo Wykamp, who had 50 years service to the century-old RFS, and the many volunteers who stepped up to ght the res of December 2001.

The NSW Farmers mural has been in storage since the 14 November 2022 ood event, with the team to repair it to be put back on display this weekend.

Mural weekend markets return for the Saturday morning, they’ll be at Apex Park with visitors encouraged to take a walk around and explore the town, its

shops and the stories told through the murals.

Over at the Showground, they’re hosting the NSW Utility Dog Championships with three big days of competition expected.

There’ll be plenty of dogs and handlers putting their skills to the test in the paddock and yard.

If you’re planning to watch the dogs for a while, catering is available from the Fat Parcel food van on site from 8am to 2pm.

With sunshine, cool mornings and top temperatures of 29 and 30 degrees forecast, it should be a great weekend for a drive to Eugowra.

Stage set for Canowindra’s show of year

Anticipation is building for the 2025 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge later this month.

As balloon pilots from Australia and the world prepare for the week-long challenge, it’s time to plan your week and book your tickets as incredible entertainment comes to our doorstep.

It all starts Saturday 26 April, when the main street party takes over Gaskill Street, the balloons re up and there are antique cars, dancers, music and more.

New this year is the BBQ Masters competition with enthusiasts urged to take up the tongs for the challenge: you can enter online.

It’s now time to get your tickets for two big nights of entertainment on Friday and Saturday 2 and 3 May.

Friday night promises to be one to remember: a family friendly event with music, dancing and pure fun presented by Canowindra Balloon Challenge and Roundbox Events.

High-energy entertainers and “musical chameleons” Furnace and the Fundamen-

tals headline the night with Big Night Out and Nathan Lamont - and more still to be announced.

Gates open 4pm: bring your own chairs but please note there is no BYO alcohol or glass to enter the grounds. The signature event of this challenge, which just seems to get more incredible with each year, is the Cabonne Community Glow and this year it will be on Saturday 3 May 2025.

Arriving early is also recommended Saturday: give yourself time to browse the markets and choose from the range of food and beverage

options before spreading out the picnic blanket to wait for the sun to go down.

Fi een hot air balloons will in ate just a er sunset on the Canowindra Sports Oval, and synchronise their lights to a mix of the best music of the past 20 years.

Tickets for Friday and Saturday night events are on sale now online through 123tix.com.au

You can also enter the BBQ Masters online.

For all information and links to tickets, to book yourself a balloon ight or camp site go online to https://www. canowindrachallenge.org.au

Eugowra’s Kim Storey, Dave Herbert, Sean Haynes and Lachlan Noble at the newly-opened Eugowra Multipurpose Centre which was o icially opened (inset) by Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty and Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales. PHOTO: Royal Humane Society of NSW (via Kim Storey)

Mural artists will be working on the RFS mural as well as the flood-damaged NSW Farmers mural in Eugowra this weekend while (inset) Eugowra Showgrounds hosts the NSW Utility Dog Championships.

Balloons return to Canowindra from 26 April to the Community Glow on 3 May.

Cyclists’ big ride for country kids

There’s a lot of uphill be tween Templar Street and Manly but this team of local cyclists have pushed up and over for the cause of con necting country kids to medi cal care.

Stuart Thomas, Luke Ran dall, Marco Carelli and Terry Cuskelly have completed the 409km ride - with more than 5431m of climb - to raise funds for Royal Far West.

The four departed Forbes’ Royal Far West op shop in the chilly pre-dawn on Fri day, cheered on their way by local Sunshine Club Royal Far West volunteers, and n ished at Bondi Manly Beach late Saturday a ernoon with a few friends who’d joined them along the way.

A er a chilly three degrees in Cudal had riders reaching back to the support vehicle for gloves, the day dawned to beautiful blue skies and even a kindly tailwind.

Riders saw some picturesque country, tackled some hilly sections between Bathurst and Lithgow before climbing the Blue Mountains.

“There’s a lovely little back road from Hartley Vale that takes you - you’re virtually on top of the range there and from there it was quite easy to ride to Blackheath,” Stuart said.

There they were joined by Stuart’s son Andrew and a couple of other riders for the

next leg of the journey.

“Those mountains were a serious amount of fun,” Stuart said.

“Crossing the mountains we were getting 40-50km (an hour) comfortably and I topped 81km/hr riding down a section.”

The team went down Mitchell’s Pass and took the most direct route - in the Great Western Highway and

on the bike trail along the Parramatta River.

There were bridges to cross - Gladesville, ANZAC Bridge and Pyrmont- before stopping at the Opera House to capture the milestone and moment and then on over the Harbour Bridge.

The riders arrived at Manly, to a very warm welcome by Royal Far West board and sta .

Furnace and Fundamentals to headline Cowal’s 20th celebrations

Evolution Mining’s Cowal Gold Operations is pleased to announce that they have secured headline act Furnace and the Fundamentals as the lead entertainment for their upcoming 20-year celebration.

On Saturday 18 October 2025, Cowal will celebrate 20-years of mining in the Bland Shire.

Cowal will mark the occasion on family fun night as part of the 2025 Hearts of Gold Festival, which will include a 90-minute performance by Furnace and the Fundamentals.

Furnace and the Fundamentals provide an eclectic blend of the best songs ever written.

From The Beatles, Be-

yonce and Queen to Da Punk, The Lion King and Dirty Dancing, Furnace perform with incredible musicianship and a stunning stage presence that is set to make for a memorable celebration.

Furnace and the Fundamentals have combined sales of over one billion records and have performed to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world at events such as The British and Australian F1 Grand Prix, Edinburgh, Super Rugby Finals, and NYE at Sydney Harbour.

“Building on our previous commitment to the Hearts of Gold Festival in 2023, Evolution Mining is pleased to again support this com-

munity event as a major sponsor of the 2025 and 2027 events,” Cowal General Manager, Joe Mammen, said.

“Additionally, bringing a major international performer to West Wyalong is a way that Cowal can ensure we mark 20-years of mining in the Bland Shire in a memorable way with the entire community.”

Hearts of Gold President, Holly Brooks, said “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Furnace and the Fundamentals to West Wyalong as part of our second festival and Evolution’s 20-year celebration.

“I would like to thank Evolution Mining for their ongoing support of our festival and the Bland Shire.”

“We had a lovely tour of the Royal Far West headquarters and they explained their program,” Stuart said.

Royal Far West is celebrating 100 years this year and the riders were able to view their centenary display as well as learn rst hand about their programs and plans for development.

The team has a $10,000 fundraising goal and you can

still donate online at give. royalfarwest.org.au/fundraisers/stuartthomas

Their ride is also being supported by the Findex Community Fund.

Every donation to Royal Far West helps connect country children, families and educators to multi disciplinary services that help give country kids the best possible opportunity to learn, grow and

reach their potential.

A $100 donation could pay for a country child’s initial consultation with a speech pathologist, giving them the tools to express themselves in the classroom; $150 could pay for a child’s follow up consultation with a psychologist, to support their mental health and give them every chance of thriving at school and beyond.

Riders Terry Cuskelly, Stuart Thomas, Marco Carelli, Luke Randall and Andrew Thomas with Royal Far West’s Associate Professor Narelle Campbell, Jacqueline Emery (CEO), Rebecca Wark , Greg Sam, Joan Treweeke (front - Chair of the RFW Board), David Heathcote, Nicki Ashton, Steven Grundy and Mark Driessen (COO). PHOTO: Royal Far West

Furnace and the Fundamentals wowed the crowds at the 2024 Trundle ABBA Festival. PHOTO: Jenny Kingham

Tony Bernardi’s incredible legacy

A er 70 years in the workforce, Tony Bernardi has o cially retired - or at least taken a signi cant step back.

For the many long-time custom ers of Bernardi’s Marketplace, it’s hard to imagine the store without him. The idea of life without those daily connections might be even harder for Tony himself.

Though he’ll be doing much less, Mr Bernardi says he still looks for ward to saying hello and having a chat with the beautiful people who walk through the doors of Ber nardi’s each day.

In March, the Bernardi family hosted an o cial retirement cel ebration - complete with cake big enough to feed everyone - at the Forbes store.

Daughter Louise Bernardi shared the remarkable story of her father’s life, beginning with his journey from Italy to Australia and the business he built from a hum ble truck run to a lasting legacy.

Louise paid tribute to her par ents and also to the community that has supported them over the decades, helping to make Ber nardi’s the thriving enterprise it is today.

“Essential to Dad’s success has been the support that the people of the town and district have given so generously through all these years,” Louise said.

“Both Mum and Dad so o en talk about the many, many wonder ful people they’ve met and known through the business - loyal people whose friendship has made the su permarket so much more than a business.”

The following is some of Tony’s story, from Louise’s speech at his farewell ...

Tony Bernardi was one of seven siblings, born on the eve of a dev astating war that would ravage his homeland.

By the age of 10, his basic education was complete, and he entered the seminary alongside his twin brother Mario.

A er three years, the boys returned home to work with their father on the small family farm.

Using only hand tools, they grew nearly all their food and produced enough fodder for their 12 milking cows.

Life was hard but secure within a large, loving extended family.

At just 15 years old, Tony made a life-changing decision: to leave Italy and join his uncle on a small farm at Fitzgerald’s Bridge in Forbes, Australia.

When he arrived at 17, he carried a £20 note from his father - a note he never broke, despite work-

ing long, unpaid hours and battling homesickness. Instead, he sent it back to his father, feeling his family needed it more.

A er two years, Tony moved on to grow vegetables with another young migrant on 20 acres of rented land.

Tony met Helen when she was just 14.

Though he spoke little English, Helen recalled the impression he made with his infectious energy and joyful vitality.

In 1960, their property was devastated by oods so Tony converted his small truck into a mobile fruit and vegetable stand, leaving

home at 2.30a.m. to serve outlying towns.

He took orders via roadside mailboxes and slept in the truck’s cabin through the extremes of the central west’s summers and winters. He did this for eight years.

Building a family business

In 1969 - 14 years a er leaving Italy - Tony returned home for the rst time to visit family.

When he came back to Forbes, he opened Bernardi’s Drive-In Food Mart.

For the rst six or seven years, he didn’t take a single day o . Helen was by his side every step

of the way - keeping the books, working in the store, raising four children, and embracing Italian culture, language, and cuisine.

Their children - David, Peter, Joseph, and Louise - inherited their parents’ work ethic early, helping out a er school, on weekends, and during school holidays.

Over the next 27 years, the business grew into Bernardi’s IGA, and eventually Bernardi’s Marketplace.

In 1994, David launched Discount Dave’s, a new concept store o ering a ordable goods.

In 2012, the family opened the agship supermarket that stands today, incorporating Discount

Dave’s and Life Pharmacy.

A lasting legacy

Today, the Bernardi Group operates four large-format independent supermarkets in Forbes, Bathurst, Blayney, and West Wyalong, as well as a stand-alone Discount Dave’s in Parkes.

With more than 500 sta , the business remains committed to supporting local suppliers and the communities it serves.

The Advocate extends our best wishes to Tony and Helen, and look forward to continuing to see them, as well as the business they’ve established thriving.

Tony Bernardi with his wife, Helen, cuts the celebration cake.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller congratulated Tony Bernardi on his retirement.

Tony Bernardi with Forbes Bernardi’s team at his retirement celebration.

Fairytale ending to Maggie’s HSC project

By CHRISTINE LITTLE

As Trundle university student

Maggie Anderson embarks on the exciting next stage in her young life, her HSC year could almost be described as that of a fairytale ending.

Not only did the teenager place second in the state in her HSC for textiles and design last year, her Year 12 folio project - an exquisite quilt based on traditional fairytales - was so impressive it was selected to feature in TEXStyle 2025.

TEXStyle is the annual showcase of excellence in HSC textiles and design, featuring more than 30 exemplary major textiles projects submitted by HSC students across the state, including furnishings, apparel, textile art and costume.

It’s all on exhibition now at Gallery 76 in Sydney (76 Queen Street, Concord West) until 24 April.

“I was so excited, I had no idea I was second in the state,” Maggie said.

“It’s such a mix of emotions actually - excited and surprised but also a huge relief, like ‘thank goodness all that hard work amounted to something’.”

Maggie is the daughter of Debbie and Digger Anderson of Trundle, who run a family farm out towards Condobolin.

As a student at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, her major HSC piece in her textiles and design subject involved hand cra ing a 185cm by 155cm quilt and preparing a 12-page report explaining her work and what she experimented with.

She called it ‘When Wishing Was E ective’, drawing from traditional

fairy tales a er si ing through old books and some online research.

applicated them on to give a raised texture.

school during its textile showcase night.

It consumed all of her free time a er school, on weekends and during holidays.

A highlight for Maggie was seeing it on the catwalk at the school’s showcase.

“While it wasn’t an out t, a friend of mine dressed in pjs and walked down the catwalk with the quilt draped over his shoulder,” she laughed.

“It’s more for show than practical use as it’s a bit delicate. I can nally really appreciate it and be proud of it.It was a massive weight o my shoulders when it was nished.”

“In research I found that’s how old fairy tales used to begin - ‘In the olden times when wishing was still e ective’,” Maggie said. And there is so much more to the quilt than meets the eye.

It features motifs, princesses and birds, and many di erent types of owers.

Each ower is unique in the sense that Maggie illustrated each one, cut them out, hand-dyed and

There are six di erent quotes that Maggie selected from fairy tales, such as Cinderella, Snow White, 12 Huntsman, the Golden Goose and 12 Dancing Princesses, that adorn the edges of the quilt.

“My favourite is ‘Once upon a time in the middle of winter when snowakes were falling from the sky like feathers, a queen sat sewing’ which is from Snow White,” she said.

“I wanted to include historic el-

Her hardest challenge, and not one you’d expect, was having to draw the full design of the quilt before even threading the needle.

“I’m a very visual person, I like to do it as I go and see how it evolves over time,” Maggie said.

Since her teacher specialised in clothing and hadn’t done quilting before, Maggie turned to the experience and expertise of the women in her family - her father’s mum is a quilter, so is her aunty and her mother can sew.

ements as well, so I have doilies from my grandmother’s collection that were applicated on.

“It’s a traditional style of patchwork where fabric blocks are incorporated in a modern asymmetrical layout.

“I wanted to show how historical stories have morphed and transcended into modern society.”

In total the quilt took Maggie a year to create, from the idea and beginning the design process to the nished product hanging at the

“Being at school and away from home made it tricky but I would call when I needed to, they were great for advice on certain techniques,” she said. “I’ve made a few quilts before but nothing this intricate.”

Maggie has started her rst year with Australian National University in Canberra, studying a double degree in arts and international relations.

She’s very interested in arts history and is excited to see where her studies take her.

2025 state exhibition.

Special advocate Woman of the Year

An advocate for mothers in the Central West who’ve experienced pregnancy and infant loss, Jessica Crawford, has been named this year’s Local Woman of the Year.

West Pregnancy and Infant Loss for local mothers, which aims to facilitate support and bereavement care for those who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or child.

Member for Orange Philip Donato announced and presented the 2025 award to the young mother from Orange on Monday.

Jessica started Made to Bloom in 2021 in memory of her firstborn child Lilly.

The business creates bereavement care packages to support families going through difficult times.

She also started Central

Jessica volunteers for Bears of Hope and Red Nose, and is finalising studies to become a doula.

She is also a committee member of Better Births Central West, a position she took on with the hope of bringing advocacy, education and positive change to the birth experiences of women in the Central West.

Mr Donato said Jes-

sica is passionate about this particular role because she firmly believes every family deserves to feel safe, informed and heard through their pregnancy, birth and beyond.

“Our community is blessed with amazing women who do amazing things, so it’s always a challenge to single someone out,” he said.

“Jessica is a thoughtful and community-spirited young lady, who has sought to help families across the district.

“She is most thoroughly deserving of this prestigious annual award.”

Cost of living crisis needs action: MP

MATTERS OF STATE

By PHILIP DONATO MEMBER FOR ORANGE

The valuable contributions our volunteers make to the community is not lost on me - in my work as your state representative, I see rsthand the impact of volunteers on community services, at local events, across sporting elds, and responding to emergency incidents.

The annual NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are an opportunity to say thank you to these volunteers by nominating them for an award.

Nominations can be made across seven separate categories, with recipients recognised at one of 25 regional ceremonies through the year.

If you know a volunteer who deserves recognition and you’d like to nominate them for an award, please visit the below link for more information and to complete a nomination.

A few minutes completing a nomination is easy to do to recognise volunteers who spend hours, days and years for our bene t. Nominations close 5pm Friday 23 May 2025.

Visit: https://www.volunteering. com.au/awards/about-theawards/

COST OF LIVING PRESSURES

Last week in NSW Parliament I delivered a speech on the persistent cost of living pressures. There’s been lots of discussion on this issue in recent years, but the situation hasn’t improved in any meaningful way.

If anything, it’s become even tougher. We all know that money doesn’t stretch as far as it once did.

The rising cost of living is hitting every household. Whether it’s young parents trying to make ends meet, pensioners worrying about how to stay warm through winter, or small business owners struggling as expenses climb beyond their control, the reality is clear: life is getting more expensive, and there’s no sign of relief.

Wages have barely moved, yet the cost of essentialsfood, electricity, fuel, rent and mortgages continue to climb.

Households are being stretched to the limit, forced into impossible choices between heating and eating, between covering essential medications or paying the rent, and between giving their children opportunities or merely surviving day-today.

A trip to the supermarket is now an exercise in sacri ce.

Families that once shopped with con dence are cutting back on fresh food, switching to cheaper alternatives, or simply going without! Power and gas bills are another burden that many just can’t keep up with. How is it right that, in a country rich in natural resources, people are being forced to ration electricity, dreading the next energy bill?

Despite years of warnings, governments haven’t done enough to get ahead of the curve. The cost-of-living crisis is not the fault of those struggling - it’s a series of policy failures that must be addressed with urgency and commitment.

I personally know people who’ve had to take on second jobs in the evenings and on weekends - just to stay ahead of the bills. This added pressure is not sustainable; it’s hurting families, communities, and individual wellbeing.

For the foreseeable future, cost-of-living relief must be at the centre of government decision-making. This issue isn’t going away, and neither should our focus on xing it.

Immediate and meaningful action is essential, and the people of our state expect nothing less from those elected to represent them.

Jessica Crawford from Orange is the 2025 Local Woman of the Year for the Orange electorate.

PHOTO: Supplied

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.05 ER. 2.50 Doctor Who. 3.35 A Bite To Eat. 4.05 Would I Lie To You? 4.40 MythBusters. 5.30

9.55 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.40 Late Programs.

(2007) 12.40 Tipping Point. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 2.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Flushed. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Beat Bugs. 9.00 Shopping. 10.30 House Rules. 12.00 Dance Boss. 1.15 Dancing With The Stars. 3.05 Ed And Karen’s Recipes For Success. 4.00 Black-ish. 4.30 Frogger. 5.30 The Amazing Race. 7.00 MOVIE: Matilda. (1996) 9.00 MOVIE: Glass. (2019) 11.40 MOVIE: Bad Times At The El Royale. (2018) 2.20

6.00 Rage Charts. 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. 12.00 Horse Racing. The Star Championships Day, Golden Mile Race Day and PKF Italian Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. 7.30 MOVIE: The Day After Tomorrow. (2004) Dennis Quaid. 9.55 MOVIE: The Book Of Eli. (2010) Denzel Washington. 12.20 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Destination WA. 12.30 Young Sheldon. 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. 1.30 MOVIE: Oddball. (2015) 3.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. 4.30 The Garden Gurus. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. 6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Space Invaders. 8.30 MOVIE: Mrs Doubtfire. (1993) Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan. 11.00 MOVIE: The Birdcage. (1996) 1.15 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 1.00 Antiques Roadshow. 1.30 MOVIE: Are You Being Served? (1977) 3.30 MOVIE: Elizabeth Of Ladymead. (1948) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 West Coast Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: Monster-In-Law. (2005) 10.30 MOVIE: Moonstruck. (1987) 12.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Australia By Design: Architecture. 1.00 10 Minute Kitchen. 1.30 Frugal Foodie. 2.00 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass. 2.30 Taste Of Aus: BBQ. 3.00 What’s Up Down Under. 3.30 Farm To Fork. 4.00 My Market Kitchen. 4.30 GCBC. 5.00 News. 6.30 Dog House Aust. 7.30 Love It

6.00 Morning Programs. 3.00 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.00 Escape To The Country. 5.00 Horse Racing. The Star Championships Day, Golden Mile Race Day and PKF Italian Day. 5.30 Medical Emergency. 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 Bondi Vet. Return. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 10.30 I Escaped To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.15 ER. 3.00 Doctor Who. 3.55 Penn & Teller: Fool Us. 4.40 MythBusters. Final. 5.30 Heartbreak High. 7.00 Spicks And Specks. 7.30 QI. 8.00 Live At The Apollo. 8.50 Melbourne Comedy Festival Allstars Supershow. 10.50 ER. 11.35 Rage. 12.40 Heartbreak High. 1.25 Breeders. 1.50 QI. 2.20 ER. 3.05 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU Synchronised C’ships. H’lights. 3.30 Cycling. UCI World Tour.

6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. NDRC Top Doorslammer. H’lights. 4.00 Full Custom Garage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 8.30 Heavy Tow Truckers Down Under. 9.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 10.30 Late Programs.

Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Weekender. 10.30 Weekender. 11.00 Ed And Karen’s Recipes For Success. 12.00 Dream Academy. 12.30 Dream Home. 2.00 Holey Moley Australia: Kids Special. 3.30 My France With Manu. 4.25 Dodger. 5.25 MOVIE: Turbo. (2013) 7.30 MOVIE: Look Who’s Talking. (1989) 9.35 MOVIE: The Dilemma. (2011) 12.00 Late Programs.

6.00

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 Tennis. Billie Jean King Cup. Qualifying round. Group D. Australia v Colombia. 6.00 Dad’s Army. 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 9. Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: Broken Arrow. (1996) 11.55 Late Programs.

2.30

4.30

5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Compass. 7.00

7.30 Darby And

8.15 Unforgotten. 9.05 Boat

I Escaped To The Country. 12.00 Escape To The Country. 1.00 The Surgery Ship. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.30 Better Homes. 4.30 I Escaped To The Country. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Great Rail Restorations. 11.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 The Fishing Show By AFN: Best Of. 1.00 Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Fishy Business. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 5. St Kilda v GWS Giants. 6.00 The Wash Up. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 5. Port Adelaide v Hawthorn. 10.30 AFL PostGame. 11.00 MOVIE: Elysium. (2013) 1.15 Late Programs.

10.05 MOVIE: Windrider. (1986) Nicole Kidman. 11.35 Late Programs. 6.00 Kids’ Programs. 3.50 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 4.05 Grace’s Amazing Machines. 4.20 Odd Squad. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 2.35 Doctor Who. 3.25 QI. 3.55 MythBusters. 5.30 Heartbreak High. 7.00 Spicks And Specks. 7.30 QI. 8.00 Louis Theroux: America’s Medicated Kids. 9.00 Planet America: Weekend Edition. 9.50

TV: Drive Car Of The Year. 2.00 Oz Off Road TV. 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 6. Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers. 6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 60 Minutes. 8.00 RBT. 8.30 The People V Michael Jackson. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 See No Evil. 11.50 The First 48. 12.40 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 8.00 Beyond Today. 8.30 The Incredible Journey. 9.00 Turning Point. 9.30 TV Shop. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show. 12.00 Getaway. 12.30 Edgar Wallace Mysteries. 1.45 MOVIE: Tonight’s The Night. (1954) 3.45 MOVIE: The Train. (1964) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: U.S. Marshals. (1998) 11.10 The Closer. 12.10 Late Programs. 6.00 Flushed. 7.00 It’s Academic. 8.30 Beat Bugs. 9.00 Drop Dead Weird. 10.00 Holey Moley Australia: Kids Special. 11.30 Dream Home. 1.00 My France With Manu. 2.00 Home And Away. 4.00 TBA. 5.40 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. 6.30 Puppy School. 7.30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent. 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. 10.30 Bones. 12.30 Conviction. 1.30 Late Programs. 6.00 Morning Programs. 10.30 Pooches At Play. 11.00 My Market Kitchen. 11.30 Buy To Build. 12.00 Australian Survivor. 1.10 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield. 1.30 Cook With Luke. 2.00 The Dog Down Under. 2.30 Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures. 3.30 All 4 Adventure. 4.30 Farm To Fork. 5.00 10 News First. 6.00

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might be too close to a perplexing personal situation to even attempt to make a rational decision about it right now. Stepping back could help you gain a wider perspective.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Being asked to choose between the positions of two friends is an unfair imposition on you. It’s best to reject the demand and insist that they try harder to work things out on their own.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A change of mind about a workplace decision might be called for, once you hear more arguments -- pro and con. A personal event suddenly takes an unexpected (but pleasant!) turn.

(July

to

workplace change.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A surprise gift with no strings attached could happily come just when you need it to avoid a delay in getting your project done. Expect education to dominate the week.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Someone close to you might ask for your

SCORPIO

But your determination to get to the truth should save the day!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A recent agreement appears to be coming apart over the surfacing of unexpected complications. You might need to get expert advice on how to resolve the situation.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your keen business sense helps you get to the truth about a suspicious business deal. Expect to have many colleagues rally to support your efforts in this important matter.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Someone who once moved in and out of your life through the years might now want to come back in on a more permanent basis. Give yourself a lot of time to weigh your decision.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Showing frustration over a delayed workplace decision might get someone’s attention -- but not necessarily make them move any sooner. The best advice would be to be patient and wait it out.

BEDGERABONG PUBLIC STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PULSE ALIVE.

Unforgettable experience for students

Four local schools made the trip to Sydney to perform at the largescale event of Pulse Alive.

Bedgerabong Public School, Eu gowra Public School, Forbes North Public School and Forbes High School all took a number of stu dents to not only experience but be part of the massive performing arts event.

For students of all abilities from kindergarten to year 12 and teach ers from NSW public schools in Greater Sydney and beyond this event provides high-quality op portunities in preforming arts.

Participation in massed dance, First Nations dance ensemble and massed choir are open to all pub lic schools in NSW.

Bedgerabong, Eugowra and Forbes North Public Schools col laborated on this project to get their kids to this amazing event.

“With over 60 students work ing togetter it was a busy, hectic but very rewarding experience,” Bedgerabong Public School prin cipal Paul Faulkner said.

The group travelled to Sydney on Wednesday, 19 March.

They spent the entire day Thursday rehearsing while performing on Thursday night and travelling back home Friday.

Bedgerabong Public School were lucky to take their entire upper division class of 15 dancers.

“The class took great delight in accepting the challenge of something new for them,” Bedgerabong Public commented.

“All quite accomplished tuned percussionists, they all spent many hours at home and school rehearsing, practicing and putting the final touches on their routines.

“The look on their faces as they entered the stadium arena ready to perform in front of ten thousand people was priceless.”

take part in the massed dance sec tion of Pulse Alive.

Eugowra students have been practicing their dance routines every day at school and also joined in a whole-day virtual rehearsal in the lead up to the event.

“It was such a wonderful experience for our students who were thrilled to be part of such a large-scale event,” Eugowra Public School said.

Forbes North had 35 students represent the school in massed choir, First Nations dancing and massed dance.

“It was wonderful to spend time with both Bedgerabong Public School and Eugowra Public School, making friends and new experiences together,” Forbes North Public School teacher Mrs McCarthy said.

Students said there were multiple things they loved about Pulse Alive including performing and watch ing everyone else perform.

“My best part was the perfor mance at night and dancing and seeing everyone else perform. It was fun and I want to do it again next year,” Joyceline from Forbes North said.

“I really loved watching all of the people singing on stage,” Addie from Bedgerabong Public said.

“Looking at all the dancers and doing my dance and the grand nale and choir with the lights,” Scarlett from Forbes North said.

“I think the best part was probably dancing on the stage with 13 cameras watching us,” Harriet from Bedgerabong Public said.

“A huge thank you to Mrs Doyle and Miss Ash from Eugowra Public, Mr and Mrs Faulkner from Bedg-

erabong Public and Mrs Kennedy, Mrs Osborne and Miss Mel from Forbes North for all your organisation in the lead up to the massive event,” Mrs McCarthy added.

“A huge thanks must go to Karla and Lacey from Forbes High School who were instrumental in preparing our dance groups for the performance, taking time from their days to come and help every week.”

Forbes High School saw 33 incredible students including Karla and Lacey perform at this year’s Pulse Alive.

“These superstars showcased their boundless enthusiasm, unwavering dedication, and dazzling new skills in a performance that truly took our breath away,” Forbes High commented.

Forbes High students were apart of the powerful First Nations dance

opening and the secondary massed dance which was a disco medley.

“They had the whole audience joining in, our students proved they’re a force to be reckoned with.

“A er months of hard work, learning professionally choreographed routines, and a full day of intense rehearsals, they took to the stage with beaming smiles and unstoppable energy.

“Their resilience and stamina were truly inspiring.”

Forbes High School would like to say a huge thank you to the fantastic Forbes community for their generous support in their fundraising e orts which included car washes, a silent auction by Adelaide Langham, a Bunnings BBQ and 100 Clubs.

“You helped make this unforgettable experience possible,” Forbes High added.

Parliamentarians of Forbes North

Forbes North Public School has inducted their 2025 Parliamentar ians.

Shadow Ministers, Ministers and School Captains were inducted into their leadership positions in front of their families and fellow school peers.

Parliamentarians recited the pledge and invited family mem bers signed their parliament code of conduct before they enjoyed a celebratory lunch together.

Nineteen students were induct ed for 2025 and each student has shared what being in parliament means to them below:

Olivia: Means teamwork and showing kindness, I joined be cause I wanted to do something new.

Jackson: Leadership and re sponsibility and so people can look up to me and I can help lead the school. I wanted to be a parliamen tarian so I can be a leader for the school.

James: Parliament means being respectful, responsible and safe. I put my hand up so I could practice these things.

Ava: Parliament means that you help anyone who needs you. I put my hand up to be a parliamentarian because I want to be the best that I can be.

Harry: I want to be a role model for younger students to look up

responsibility.

Lachlan: being in parliament means showing I can be responsible, be a leader and part of a team. I want to show the littler kids not to be naughty and how to be responsible.

Zac: To me parliament means having more responsibilities and jobs that I commit too. I wanted to be a parliamentarian because I

resenting the school and looking after little kids. I wanted to be a parliamentarian because I want extra responsibility and to help in my school.

Joyceline: I love parliament because it feels like I am being part of something and because I

ter. Parliament means being able to be a role model and help do jobs.

Brayden: It is showing responsibility and helping little kids.

Maci: To me, being in parliament means helping each other out and having fun. I wanted to be a parliamentarian so I could push myself to be the best I can be.

I wanted to be on parliament so I could have extra responsibility, be a leader and do extra jobs.

Hudson: Parliament means being a leader and I wanted to be on parliament so I could be a leader

Bella: I joined parliament because it is a symbol of leadership and responsibility and I love to shine with our amazing team. I put my hand up to be a parliamentarian not for the badge, but for helping our school and meeting new people.

Charlotte: Parliament means the most to me. Being a leader has many jobs which are being a role model for people to look up to me. I put my hand up so I can help change the school in many ways with some of my ideas.

Sasha: Parliament means the world to me. To be a leader has always been my dream. To lead the school is an important role and I am keen to step up to it. I put my hand up to be a parliamentarian so I can be a role model and improve not just the school but myself.

Scarlett: I wanted to be a parliamentarian so I can be a role model and try something new.

Pearl: Being in parliament isn’t just about getting a badge, it’s being a role model to your peers.

ACROSS

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

3 Which small animal and plant organisms float in the water (8)

7 What was a given name of the composer, Berlioz (6)

8 Name an animal of the Proboscides order (8)

9 What is any of a group of steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals (6)

10 To be too young, is to be what (5-3)

11 What is one thousandth of a kilogram (6)

14 What are sacred songs of hymns (6)

17 Which term describes the dying of tissue as from interruption to circulation (8)

18 Name a socialist society favouring the gradual spread of socialism by peaceful means (6)

19 To recover or regain, is to do what (8)

20 What are short appearance by celebrities (6)

21 To be the poorest, is to be the what (8)

DOWN

1 Which legendary monster is part man and part horse (7)

2 Name another term for the breastbone (7)

4 Who are the sons of one’s sisters (7)

5 What is a physical or mental toil, especially when painful (7)

6 Which hard aromatic seeds of the fruit of an East Indian tree are used as spices (7)

11 Who made the first flight in space, Yuri ... (7)

13 Name a cocktail made of gin and vermouth (7)

14 Which senior pupil has the authority for maintaining order (7)

15 Montgomery is the capital of which US State (7)

16 Name the principal bullfighter (7)

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.

1 CORRODE

a) To wrinkle or draw into folds

b) To rust

c) To destroy the purity of

2 DUODENARY

a) Relating to twelve

b) Twofold

E-QUATIONS

3 What is the overture to an opera (7)

12 What is the second given name of Sandra Bullock (7)

Letters have a number value

E-QUATIONS

Some values are in the right hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

c) Of a dark colour

BIYWORD

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

CLUES:

Blood-sucking parasite (5)

Daylight saving time (3)

Headband (5)

Mottos (7)

Revulsion (7)

Sick (3)

Silurian (abb) (3)

Smallest amount (5)

Thermal noise effect (3) To set in (5)

One month until National Awards

By MARG APPLEBEE

CENTRAL WEST LACHLAN LANDCARE

There is just under a month to go until the 2025 Australian Tidy Towns Awards.

The National Awards will be hosted in Beechworth, Victoria and will be an opportunity for us to showcase our projects that have been submitted as part of the Award.

As you may be aware, Central West Lachlan Landcare was acknowledged as the winner of the Community Spirit and Inclusion Award for Homegrown Parkes at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Awards last year.

As part of our 2025 National submission on behalf of NSW, we have showcased some of our other projects, including Schools Eco Day category.

Homegrown Parkes, Council’s Lake Endeavour Project and the Kelly Reserve Splash Park were entered in the Liveable Com -

mission including the following projects: Crop Swap and the Garage Sale Trail (Circular Economy and Waste Reduction); Who is Parkes Exhibition, Multi -

egory); Parkes Wetlands (Biodiversity Conservation Category); the Raw Water Storage Lagoon project (Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Category);

and finishing off with our local hero nomination for Deb Jones in the Dame Phyllis Frost Award.

The application from Parkes, representing NSW was brought together by Michael Chambers and Hannah Farrant-Jayet from Parkes Shire Council.

Regardless of whether we win the National Award or not, this is still an opportunity to showcase Parkes and our Shire, through the fantastic projects that have been delivered that build our community and community spirit.

Central West Lachlan Landcare’s contribution to the State and National Award is not possible without funding for the Local Landcare Coordinator role through the Landcare Enabling Program, which builds partnerships, engagement, contributions back into our community,

encouragement of new small business, increased social cohesion and educational opportunities.

Thanks to the dedicated volunteers from Central West Lachlan Landcare and Parkes Community Arts who support our Homegrown Parkes Events and of course, Parkes Shire Council staff who have delivered and profiled these projects. We look forward to Parkes hosting the 2025 NSW Keep Australia Beautiful Awards on 11 October, which is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our local projects and our communities. Our Spring Homegrown Parkes event will coincide with this weekend. For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare or contact Marg Applebee on 0418 611 053.

Cattle market mostly dearer, sheep hold fairly steady

MARKET REPORTS

MEAT AND LIVESTOCK

AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL

LIVESTOCK REPORTING

AGENCY

CATTLE SALE

Yarding 2121 (up870

Monday, 7 April

Numbers li ed at Monday’s cattle sale at Forbes’ Central West Livestock Exchange with agents yarding 2121 head.

Quality was mixed with a good o ering of well bred cattle along with a large percentage of secondary types.

The usual buyers were present and competing in a mostly dearer market.

Yearling steers were 10 to 15c/kg better with

feeders paying from 340 to 457c/kg for middle and heavyweights.

Those to processors ranged in price from 300 to 396c/kg.

The heifer portion was also dearer on an improved o ering.

Feeders paid from 334 to 370c with those to processors receiving from 290 to 374c/kg.

Heavy steers and bullocks reached 386c/kg. Grown heifers sold from 305 to 368c/kg. An increased yarding of cows saw prices slip 15 to 20c/kg.

SHEEP SALE

Tuesday, 8 April

Numbers jumped this sale with both lamb and mutton showing the increase.

Lamb quality was again mixed and similar to that of previous sales with good numbers of well nished lambs o ered along with the secondary types.

The usual buyers were present and competing in a fairly steady market.

Trade weight lambs 20-24kg were rm to $2 easier to sell from $155 to $224/head.

Heavy lambs to 26kg

Heavy 2 score sold from 276 to 320c with 3 score ranging from 290 to 336c/ kg. The best heavy bull reached 330c/kg.

sold from $190 to $230/ head. Extra heavyweights were $2 to $5 easier to receive from $224 to $282/ head. Carcase prices averaged from 805 to 880c/kg.

The best heavy hoggets reached $195/head.

Mutton numbers more than doubled and quality continues to be mixed.

Prices slipped $10-$20/ head a er last weeks exceptional sale.

Merino ewes sold from $86 to $196/head.

Crossbreds ranged in price from $94 to $188 and Dorper ewes reached $174/head.

Merino wethers ranged in price from $100 to $174/ head.

Winners, grinners of Summer Sixers

GOLF

By SMOOTH SWINGER

The Grand Final of the Forbes Golf Club Summer Sixers Competition saw some of the more fancied teams su er under the pressure. But ‘Six Appeal’ held their nerve to nish in front.

The Main Draw Grand Final was held on Sun 6 April in good sunny conditions.

The contending teams were Group 1 – Globe Hotel, Group 2 – Forbes Auto, Group 3 –Southside Swingers, Group 4 – Six Appeal.

The winners were Six Appeal (102) from runners-up Forbes Auto (106.5), followed by Globe Hotel (110.5) and Southside Swingers (111).

The toss indicated that the front-9 would be used, leading to some pressure moments for the opening tee shots.

In the rst two groups three players topped their tee shot with the ball barely making the mown fairway, while one player went OB over the top of the ‘Gol e’. And thenal tee shot on the 9th led to quite a few wet balls.

The individual results showed that being among mates during the roundrobin series was much more comfortable than playing in the Grand Final. The best nett score of the day was by Brett Stace (Six Appeal) with 30.5. The second best nett

score of 33.5 was shared by Cody Banks (Forbes Auto) and Nathan Suringa (Six Appeal).

In the Plate Grand Final, played during the week, the contenders were Group 1The Du ers, Group 2 – Foxes, Group 3 – LITT, Group 4 - Up to Par.

The nal result was very close with ‘Up to Par’ (98.5) taking the honours on count

back from ‘The Du ers’ (98.5). Other results were Foxes (104.5) and ‘Lost in the Trees’ (107).

The best individual nett score for the Plate Final was by Helen Du (Du ers) with 26.5 and the equal Best Nett Score of the whole competition.

The next best nett score was 32.5 shared by Jack Janetzki (Foxes) and Blake

Sharpe (Up to Par).

The presentation was led by Head Pro Will, with assistance by Steve Grallelis. The dinner was well received as also was the handy bar location.

While the number of attendees was down they certainly made up for it with their applause for the winners and comments of encouragement for those that

missed out.

The support for this season’s competition was remarkable. With fewer teams than previous years and the loss of a couple of weeks due to wet weather the players still managed to play more than 2,900 games which was better than last year.

The player with most games was Archie Quirk (Gunn Golf) with 34. Re-

markable also was the e ort of ‘Still Trying’ whose team players each had at least one card every week, including during the nals.

Thanks to all players who participated and to the sponsors for making this a success.

All players are looking forward to next year with hopefully the inclusion of more teams.

Members of the winning team Nathan Suringa, Tim Prior, Kyle Sharpe, Brett Stace and Adam Donnelly (absent Jake Shaw). PHOTO: Smooth Swinger

Nail-biting contests in major singles

LAWN BOWLS

By TARA SHAW

COMPETITION

BOWLS

Major singles is winding down with two games played on the weekend to narrow our results down to the last four teams.

The showdown between Bert Bayley and Mitch Andrews was sure to be a nail biter and that’s exactly what was delivered.

Mitch starting off strong with a 4 on the first end left everyone asking if this was the way the game would go. The answer was, no it wasn’t. Mitch having a 10-4 lead on 9 Bert kicked into another gear to level the score on 12 to 10 all.

Keeping it nice and friendly from there when Bert was ahead by 1 then Mitch levelled the score to jump in front again by 1 this was surely going to come down to the wire.

It was 23-all, which way was this game going to turn? Mitch was the lucky player to pick up 2 on the last end to win the game 25-23.

The second competition games was played between Geoff Williams and Pat O’Neill. Pat was off to a great start winning 3 of the first 3 ends to show 5-1. Geoff picking up a 3 and a level scoreboard on 9, 7 all.

Keeping it close Geoff hit the lead 11-8 on 12 but Pat never gave up. Winning the next end to trail by 2, 9-11.

Geoff definitely found his rhythm and kept his lead 13-9, 16-9 and Pat doing everything he can to get off 9 on the board.

Geoff putting down some great bowls and picking 6 on two ends, the lead of 22-9 was increasing the gap for Pat to chase. Geoff again picked up a 3 on 20 to win the game 25-10.

Minor singles nominations closed on Sunday and will kick off after the Easter Carnival.

SOCIAL BOWLS

Wednesday bowls – In ideal weather for bowls card draw winners were Ron Thurlow and Alf

Davies strolling along casually winning 26-10 in 18 ends over Garry James and John Baass. They led 13-1 after seven, did lose the next two ends 5-0 for 13-6 but really never threatened.

Terry Molloy was seen at his best with new bowls leading for John Kennedy winning 30-13 in 20 over Bill Scott and Peter Mackay leading from the first end to be in front 19-3 after nine.

Bill O’Connell and Paul Doust also combined well winning 21-13 in 22 over Sue Smith and Noel Jolliffe who was proud to show off his ‘Dragons’ support. They had the best of the second half only leading 8-6 after 10.

Geoff West and John Gorton had a battle with Deanna Williams and Lyall Strudwick winning 17-14 with the score 8-7 after nine. It then became 16-8 at the end of 12 before Deanne and Lyall stormed home but all too late winning the last six ends 6-1.

A couple of ‘ol Bears (that is North Sydney league players) in Geoff Williams and Peter Barnes had plenty in common skipping for two Bogan Gate beauties in Gail McKay and Cheryl Hodges. After 18 competitive ends it was Cheryl and Peter

ruling supreme 15-13. 5-all at the end of six, 7-all at nine setting the scene where both had chances to win. But at the end of the day, only one winner in a ‘beauty’.

Irene Riley and Barry Shine won another thriller due a strong finish headed by ‘Good Nite Irene’, 20-14 in 18 over Ann Mackay and Bob Grant. 4-all after four, 5-all after six, 11-all after 11 and 14-all at the end of 15.

Equally close over 20 had Colleen Liebick making a return leading for Billy Cowell winning 20-13 over Geoff Coles and Kerry Dunstan. Another strong finish as the score was 8-all at the end of 10. In-club winners Colleen Liebick and Geoff Williams. Wednesday bowls now starts at 10am due to the end of daylight saving time with noms no later than 9.30am.

Thursday – Still a little steaming weather on Thursday afternoon for bowls and the slight breeze did not deter 14 bowlers (two pairs and 1 triples) to have an afternoon of fun on the greens.

Our triples game was played between Cliff Nelson, Ange Dwyer and Cherie Vincent drawing Dale Maynard, Terry Molloy and Bruce (Posso) Jones. Posso’s team were in

fine form picking up 3’s on the first two ends. Remaining in the lead 12-3 on 6, 18-4 on 9 and then the brakes were pulled. Cherie’s team won the last 5 ends but it wasn’t enough to win the game going down 12-18.

Max Vincent lead for Al Phillips against Billy Cowell and Alan Hilder. Off to a great start it was 3 all on 3. Max and Al skipped ahead 9-4 on 8. Billy & Alan scored a 3 on the next to trail by 2, 7-9. Billy and Alan took the lead on 12 and didn’t look back. Picking up 2 4’s certainly put them in a great position for the run home to win overall 25-16.

Tara Shaw and Bruce Williams drew Geoff Brown and Scott McKellar. 3 all on 5 nice and close until Geoff and Scott picked up a 4 on 6. Leading 7-3 Tara and Bruce had to dig deeper in their bag of tricks. Trailing 6-13 on 11 Tara and Bruce started their comeback. Hitting the lead on 18, 16-14 picking up a 5 and 4 came at the right time to win the game 25-17.

Winning Rink – Rink 4 (Dale Maynard, Terry Molloy and Posso Jones.

Losing Rink – Rink 3 (Max Vincent and Al Phillips)

No resting touchers were recorded and two rapsberries were awarded for wrong bias to Scott McKellar and Bruce Williams.

Sunday bowls – What a morning for a game of social Sunday morning bowls. The weather was pleasant and no breeze in sight. 24 bowlers tried their luck with 6 games of pairs.

Peter Greenhalgh and Ron Thurlow drew John Cutler and Dale Scott. John and Dale out of the box early picking up a 4 and 6 certainly put them in a good position. Leading 18-4 at the break Peter and Ron fought back but couldn’t quite catch them with John and Dale winning 22-14.

The battle between Paul Doust teaming up with Shayne (Sharka) Staines to take on Terry Molloy and Peter Mackay. Paul and Sharka picked up a 5 on the first end but it

was answered on the 6th when they dropped a 5 aswell. 15-7 to Peter and Terry on 8, Paul and Sharka came out with score to settle. Winning 6 of the last 8 ends playing catch up they couldn’t quite get there with Peter and Terry winning 20-16. Things definitely did not go to plan for Tara Shaw and Al Phillips when they were paired against Billy Cowell and Kerry Roach. Billy and Kerry went into half time with a comfortable lead 10-3. Billy and Kerry kept they streak through the second half and won the game 16-5. Pat O’Neill lead for Peter Tisdell against Joe Clinden and Cherie Vincent. Trailing by 3 on 6 Peter and Pat picked up a 5 to hit the lead 9-6 on 8. Half time break didn’t help Joe and Cherie as Peter and Pat came out gaining a 5, 6 and another 6 straight away. Leading 26-7 on 13 and keeping their opponents to single digits Pat & Peters final score was 28-8.

One of the close games played was between Max Vincent and Alan Hilder drawing Mick Merritt and Scott McKellar. Max and Alan leading 12-3 at halftime Mick and Scott had to dig deep. Winning 6 of the last 8 ends with two 3’s closed the gap but didn’t win the game 12-16. Our closest game with 1 point the difference was played between Ange Dwyer leading for Bobby Grant against Juss Scifleet and Lyall Strudwick.5 all on 9 this could go either way. Picking up 5 over the next 3 ends Juss and Lyall hit the front 10-5. Ange and Bobby won the next 4 ends to win the game 11-10. Winning Rink went to Terry Molloy and Peter Mackay. Losing Rink went to Tara Shaw and Al Phillips. Resting touchers went to Pat O’Neill and Max Vincent. Raspberries went to Paul Doust and Joe McClinden.

Jackpot was at $430 and was not won.

Chicken raffle winners: Mick Merritt, Juss Scifleet, Lyall Strudwick, Clint Hurford, Kerry Roach, Johny Woods x 2, Bobby Grant and Ron Thurlow.

SSAA news: Facey on target in .22 shoot event

By TONY BRATTON

Results of the Forbes S.S.A.A.

sporting shooters .22 calibre rimfire rifle shoot on Wednesday 2 April 2025.

25m .22 target shoot: Wayne Facey, 247/250; Dennis Christy, 242/250; David Sanderson, 239/250; John Dean, 239/250; Joseph Johansson, 234/250; Bruce Runchel, 232/250 and Lyall Strudwick, 231/250.

50metre Fox target: John Dean, 249/250; David Sanderson, 248/250; Wayne Facey, 247/250; Dennis Christy, 238/250; Lyall Strudwick, 237/250 and Joseph Johansson, 223/250.

75metre Bear target: Wayne Facey, 120/120; John Dean, 112/120; Dennis Christy, 111/120; David Sanderson, 109/120; Bruce Runchel, 103/120 and Lyall Strudwick, 98/120.

100metre Rabbit target: David Sanderson, 112/120; Wayne Facey, 110/120; John Dean, 107/120 and Bruce Runchel, 85/120.

The weather was warm with light breeze from the south west and a temperature of 27 degrees.

The range officer was; Norm Brook.

Scorers were; Wayne Facey and Norm Brook.

Results of the .22 calibre rimfire rifle shoot on Sunday 6 April 2025.

25metre Buffalo target: John Gorman, 270/270; Danial Martin, 270/270; Steve Hindmarch, 270/270; John Dean, 267/270; Barbara Brook, 266/270; Nathen Bush, 266/270; Brian Neilsen, 264/270; Chris Parris, 260/270; Jye Bush, 250/270; David Coleman, 249/270; Adrian Newham, 242/270; Mia Condon, 232/270, Michael Buttriss, 226/270; Zac Bush, 224/270 and Jane Coleman, 223/270.

Tamara Muir and Zac Buttriss the two visitors had not shoot before so they used a Bear target for the 25metre shoot. Tamara Muir shot 120/120 and Zac Buttriss shot 118/120.

50metre Fox target shoot: John Gorman, 250/250; John Dean, 249/250; Steve Hindmarch, 249/250; Danial Martin, 248/250; Nathen Bush, 248/250; Chris Parris, 247/250; Michael Buttriss, 244/250; Jye Bush, 234/250; Mia Condon, 239/250; Brian Neilsen, 237/250; Zac Bush, 234/250; Barbara Brook, 232/250; Jane Coleman, 215/250; David Coleman, 211/250 and Adrian Newham, 199/250.

Tamara Muir shot the fox target at 50m 109/120 and Zac Buttriss shot 108/120.

75metre Rabbit target: Steve Hindmarch, 115/120; John Gorman,113/120; David Coleman, 111/120; John Dean, 110/120; Brian Neilsen, 110/120; Nathen Bush, 110/120; Zac Bush, 110/120; Chris Parris, 109/120; Tamara Muir, 108/120; Zac Buttriss, 104/120; Danial Martin, 110/120; Adrian Newham, 99/120; Walter Wiyepe, 99/120; Michael Buttriss, 94/120; Jye Bush, 91/120; Barbara Brook, 85/120; Jane Coleman, 80/120 and Mia Condon, 76/120.

100metre Deer target: John Gorman,118/120; Steve Hindmarch, 116/120; Chris Parris, 110/120; Tamara Muir, 109/120; Walter Wiyepe, 108/120; David Coleman, 101/120; Adrian Newham, 101/120; Danial Martin, 99/120; Zac Buttriss, 96/120; Barbara Brook, 91/120; Nathen Bush, 85/120; John Dean, 79/120; Brian Neilsen, 74/120; Zac Bush, 73/120; Jye Bush, 70/120; Jane Coleman, 68/120 and Mia Condon, 60/120.

The weather was sunny and warm with a light breeze from the south west at 12kph and a temperature of 24 degrees.

The range officers were Norm Brook, Mia Condon and David Coleman.Scorers were Wayne Facey, Steve Hindmarch and John Dean.

The Centre-fire rifle shoot was held after the Rim-fire shoot. There were eight members in attendance: Steve Hindmarch, Pierre Dalle, Chris Parris, David Coleman, Adrian Newham, Brett Hooper, Norm Brook and Anthony Bratton.

The temperature was 30 degrees with a strong breeze from the south east at 28kph.

The range officers were David Coleman and Anthony Bratton.

The next S.S.A.A. sporting shooters .22 calibre and other rimfire rifle shoot (.22 magnum or.17HMR).

The next Wednesday shoot will be on 16 April 2025 starting at 2pm.

The next Sunday shoot will be held on 20 April 2025 starting at 10am.

The Centre-fire rifle shoots start at 2pm after the Rim-fire shoots on Sunday, names in by 1-30pm so the targets can be placed on the Centrefire range.

All shoots are at the Bedgerebong road range, turn right off the Bedgerebong road onto Dr. Young Drive.

All target shooters are welcome to attend. Any person wishing to try Rim-fire or Centre-fire rifle or shotgun shooting can take part after filling out a P650 form at the club, Junior shooters must be 12 years or over.

For all information on .22 calibre rimfire shooting contact: Wayne Facey 0414524059; Norm Brook 0458664541; Ben Smith 0427524151; David Coleman 0427401263.

The next shoot for the Forbes S.S.A.A. sporting clay’s will be their monthly shoot this Sunday 13 April 2025 starting at 10am.

This shoot will be a 100 target field shoot this could change to a five stand shoot will be held.

For all information on clay target shooting contact: Norm Brook 0458664541; Ben Smith 0427524151; Tony Bratton (02) 68523349; Doug Davis (02) 68523249 or Phil Picker (02) 68516494.

Any person wishing to obtain a long arm firearm licence can contact Wayne Facey, Norm Brook or Tony Bratton to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range.

SSAA members should check the face book page or radio station 2LVR 97.9FM for dates and times and cancellation of shoots due to wet weather. Members are reminded that the by-monthly meeting for June 2025 will be held at the Forbes Sport and Rec Club on Wednesday 11 June 2025 starting at 8pm.

Major singles contenders Robert (Bert) Bayley, Mitch Andrews with marker Mick Merritt.

Harper wins SOYA president’s award

A rising local soccer star has been recognised with the President’s Award at the annual Sportsperson of the Year Association dinner.

Harper was chosen in the Wilcannia / Forbes school team that represented in the competition held in Tamworth.

Eli’s on the way to rugby league success

Every month the Central West Credit Union celebrates a young sports achiever, and at the Sportsperson of the Year awards the spotlight was on Eli Bowden Boland.

Eli was one of 33 players chosen to train in the NSW rugby league development squad in 2024.

The St Laurence’s student was selected rst in the Wilcannia-Forbes diocese team, then to play for Polding representing Catholic schools.

He’s been playing rugby league for Red Bend JRL since the age of four

and his club team had a great season in 2024.

Eli is also a keen and accomplished rugby union player and achiever in athletics.

Our other Central West Credit Union monthly achievers of 2024 were: Ava Dunn (athletics), Sage King (water skiing), Lenny Iyer (swimming), Hayden Duggan (motorbike racing), Harper Piggott (soccer), Mason McMillan (athletics), Mason Redfern (motorbike racing), Leo Dwyer (all rounder), Annabelle Teague (lawn bowls), Max Ridge (athletics).

He’s a member of the Forbes representative team, and will be competing at the Kanga Cup in Canberra for a chance to be selected O the soccer eld, Harper was involved in Forbes Little Athletics and competed in

Congratulations to our Cahill’s Footwear school sports achievers of 2024

Each year local schools congratulate students who have achieved outstanding results in the sporting arena with the Cahill’s Footwear School Awards.

This year our achievers are:

Georgia Pengilly, Bedgerabong Public School: Georgia is the winner of the 2024 Cogswell Trophy for sportsmanship and achievement.

Georgia competed at NSW Championships for athletics.

She represented her school for soccer, netball, swimming, cross country and athletics.

Georgia represented at Lachlan District level for soccer, swimming, cross country and athletics and western region for swimming, cross country and athletics.

Isabella Brown, Forbes High School: Isabella is the open girls age champion for swimming and cross country.

She participated in and led a number of sporting teams including touch, netball, basketball and volleyball.

Pearl Karaitiana, Forbes North Public School: Pearl competed at PSSA State competitions for cross country, athletics and touch.

She represented her school in soccer, touch, rugby league and netball, and represented at a district level in swimming, cross country, athletics, touch, rugby league, soccer and netball.

She went on to compete at a regional level for swimming, cross country, athletics and netball.

Leo Dwyer, Forbes Public School: Leo is a talented all rounder who has represented his school for AFL, cricket, cross country, rugby league, snow skiing, swimming and touch - going on to represent at western and State levels for many of them as well.

Leo was the school 11 Years boy age champion for swimming, breaking ve school records at the annual carnival.

Eli Bowden-Boland, St Laurence’s: Eli is an all rounder who loves his sport.

Eli captained the Lachlan at St Laurence’s and was selected in Wilcannia-Forbes teams for rugby, rugby league, touch and athletics.

The big scorers of Summer squash as comp nears semis

By DROP SHOT

Results of week 8 Wednesday 26

March.

Big team scorers were: Webbs made 21 points and Markworts 19.

Highlights: Sam Webb and Lucas Bentick were a set each when Sam won the third 15-8 only to lose the next one a serious 18-20 but then Sam won the h set 20-18 back to grab the match, touché Sam.

Harry Bilsborough had his brother Luke two sets to love but Luke hit back winning the next three sets by 15s to Harry’s 12, 9 and 10.

Highlights: Nathan Roach lost two sets to Brendon Allegri 19-21 and 3-15 then he resurfaced to return re with 16-14 and 15-8 but Brendon was adamant taking set ve 15-11. Adam Chudleigh was two sets ahead of Max Ridley when Max revved up and ran home with three 15s to Chuds 12,10,4.

Team results: Millers v Pipers 27 to 15. Jones v Shaws 28 to 21. Dawes v Hornerys 22 to 20.

A week later, Wednesday night April 2

Team results were RJones v CJones 18 to 16. Webbs v Hardys 21 to 14. Benticks v Markworts 16 to 19.

Thursday night March 27

Big scorers: Jones reached 28 points and Millers 27.

Big scorers: CJones 18 and Markworts 17. Court one; Benticks equaled Webb’s 14 points. Sub B Jones v Matt Wright 5-2, Hunter Bilsborough v Harry Bilsborough 5-2, sub R Bilsborough v Lucas Jones 3-4 and sub G Chudleigh v Sam Webb 1-6.

Court two: RJones v Markworts 17 to 18. Riley v Will 6-1, Lindy Cowhan v Noah Brown 6-1, Lucy Robinson v Kim Chudleigh 2-5 and Cam Webb v Nate Markwort 2-5.

Court three: CJones v Hardys 18 to 10. Cooper v Marcus 6-1, Ellie Cowhan v Jono Webb 3-4, Bec Jones v sub M Wright 5-2 and sub L Jones v Rachael Bilsborough 3-4. Team spots; CJones lead with 166 points, Hardys next on 159, then Webbs 152, RJones 147, Markworts 142 and Benticks 139.

Thursday evening

Big scorers: Jones topped 30 points and Hornerys 29.

Court one: Dawes v Jones 11 to 30.

Sub L Jones v Max 1-6, Kyle Sharpe v Lawry Brayne 3-4, Brett Thomas v Adam Chudleigh 4-3, Al Carlisle v Will Markwort 1-6 and Tim Welsh v

Josh Haley 2-5.

Court two: Millers v Hornerys 20 to 29 Cam Dale v Shanna Nock 2-5, Scott Webb v Tim Coombs 5-2, Weivan Huang v John Ridley 4-3, Oli Paterson v sub J Haley 1-6 and Deb Bryant v Ken Bryant 6-1. Court three; Pipers v Shaws 24 to 25. Darryn v Jake 6-1, Brendon Allegri v Jake Shaw 1-6, Lockie Jones v Mark Webb 6-1, sub W Markwort v Max Ridley 4-3. Garry Dempsey and Alex Bayley’s big ve setter ended 3-4, Claire Bayley v Dennis Haynes 3-4 and Henry Willis v T J Markwort 1-6.

Team spots: Jones in front on 231, Shaws next 223, Pipers follow with 222, Millers retain fourth spot 197, Hornerys 190 then Dawes 188.

This week is the last before semis.

Team draw, both nights: 6 v 4, 1 v 3, 5 v 2.

Central West Credit Union monthly achievers Leo Dwyer, Mason Redfern, Annabelle Teague, Lenny Iyer, Harper Piggott, Max Ridge and overall winner Eli Bowden-Boland.

Cr Steve Karaitiana congratulated school achievers Eli Bowden-Boland, Leo Dwyer, Pearl Karaitiana and Georgia Pengilly at the Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

Garry Dempsey, 2010 President and founder of Forbes Squash Open enjoying this year’s event with Darryn Piper, immediate Past President.

Eugowra students represent in Sydney

By MADELINE BLACKSTOCK

To say that St Josephs Catholic School Eugowra is proud of their students would be an understatement.

When Sam, Zac, Indianna P and Indianna F returned back to school a er qualifying for the Catholic Schools NSW Polding Swimming Team they were welcomed with a guard of honour to congratulate them on their success.

The team swam in Orange earlier in the year where they were selected to represent the Southern Region at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Dubbo.

This team of talented swimmers swam a personal best at this carnival, taking 12 seconds o of their qualifying time qualifying them to compete in the Polding Swimming Carnival at Homebush.

The four swimmers were to represent the Bathurst Diocese in the PP5 team relay Wednesday, a er The Advocate went to press.

To prepare for their big race at the carnival, Sam, Zac, Indianna P and Indianna F have been travelling to the Forbes Pool for regular training.

Zac and Taleesha also competed in individual events at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Dubbo.

Taleesha achieved a personal best by cutting 12 seconds o her previous freestyle time and ve seconds for a new PB in backstroke.

Zac nished second in his freestyle heat and eight overall with a PB.

Zac also secured 12th place in butter y. St Josephs Catholic School Eugowra is incredibly proud of these students’ results.

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