www.forbesphoenix.com.au
YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY WEATHER
Live Local, Love Local, Support Local
Friday 3 March 2017
ISSUE 83
BUFFET BREAKFAST BY THE LAKE
The event will include breakfast catered by Peter Ashcroft, live entertainment by singer Maddi Collits and a raffle to raise funds for McGrath Foundation and the Forbes Widows Support Group
7.30am - 9.30am at Lions Park WEDNESDAY MARCH 8
$10 per person
KEEPING ACTIVE… Rene Francis with her daughter Marguerite at the Jemalong Residential Village. See page 11 for a program of the Forbes Seniors Festival starting today.
A Marvellous Life Of Music And Memories At 106 years young, Irene (Rene) Francis is not only the longest living resident in Forbes, but she also has an admirable story to tell. When The Forbes Phoenix caught up with her this week she was knitting away with her daughter Marguerite at the Jemalong Residential Village for the Wrap with Love charity. Rene was prepared with photos to share to she took out was of her at 16 with her beloved violin. She gave up school to take up music professionally and played for a broadcasting station in Sydney prior to the establishment of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). “We performed on air,” recalls Rene. The announcer, Mr Corcoran, described her as “not quite as tall as my watch chain”.
life until hearing problems started interfering. “Mum gave up playing the violin when she was 97. She was concerned her notes guerite, “However she played the piano until she was 101. When we think of Mum we think of music.” The next photo is of a debonair Rene and her husband, Arthur, after their marriage. They were married during the Great Depression. There was no fanfare and none was needed. They moved to Forbes in 1936 from Sydney. “I was fascinated by the dust rolling like waves on the unsealed road driving into Forbes. I held my daughter Barbara up so she could see,” said Rene.
With RSVPs being taken until close of business on Monday, March 6
A Tai Chi demonstration, presentations from McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse Di Green and Marg Duggan from the Forbes Business Chamber
02 6850 2300 Amy.Millerd@forbes.nsw.gov.au
FORBES SMASH The repair team you can trust Free Quotes • Insurance & Private Work Friendly & Reliable Service • Free Help & Advice Ph: 6852 2272 or 0497 855 088 • 27 Rankin St, Forbes
Continued on page 2
License Number MVRL51053
6852 2411
Newell Highway Forbes
CFX35 WAS $1049 NOW $999 Includes free cover and $100 in store voucher. Floor stock only.
CFX40 WAS $1189 NOW $999 Includes free cover and $100 in store voucher. Floor stock only.