Spreading Joy in Forbes

Over the past 3 days I have had the privilege of representing many of my colleagues and peers from IBM in our Sydney offices whom gave so generously to a small community in the Central West – Forbes. I thought I would share the story of the journey, and my experience.

Forbes is roughly 5 and a half hours west from Sydney City. The drive up was either quite smokey due to the bush fires going on. This didn’t stop me taking photos along the way, so took a little longer to get there. And if you are a lover of car racing, well you cannot not stop at Bathurst, and do the Mt Panorama race track, al biet it was 60km all the way round. Part of me just wanting to floor it, but alas, i treasure my license too much 🙂

With the stopping, and slight detour, it was back on the road to continue to the next destination – Forbes. So what was our mission, simple! To create a little Christmas cheer and joy to those farmers doing it tough in drought conditions, letting farmers in this community know that there are people in the City that care what they are going through. It is their 3rd year in a row with very little rain.

Some may ask why Forbes, especially with many communities suffering from the Aussie drought, and more recently, with the devastating bush fires. Good question. I usually respond with firstly, remember, as much as we ALL would like to help all of the communities going through rough times, one has to start somewhere. So about 18 months ago, one IBMer volunteer did just that. He did some research on the drought affected areas, and rung around. The Forbes Community responded back, and I guess our IBMer then simply adopted them to help make a difference.

I was invited to join this small group of IBMer volunteers in my office when I came back from my CSC trip to San Francisco. We were meeting regularly to come up with different ideas on how we could help to support the area. Over the past year, volunteers have organised different events to raise money, get donations, to take up to the community. There have been 3 runs out to Forbes at different times, with this being the 4th where I got to tag along.

Meet Peter, Lisa, Sally, Ron, Atilla, John, and Thilini .. we are the representatives of our IBM peers and colleagues whom donated in one way or another. We were Mrs Claus and the Elves with upgraded sleighs!

So armed with Children Christmas gifts, Family food hampers, and gift cards to spend in their community, I did truly feel like Mrs Claus with my car filled to the brim with all the Christmas gifts.

First stop, dropping off the Family Food Hampers to the St John’s Anglican Church. These hampers were being distributed over the next couple of days, and have been welcomed by all that received, with one of the Farmers whom some of the IBMers got to meet, was just absolutely blown away from the generosity of those from the City, and was very grateful. While we were there dropping the hamper packs, Crystal and Sue were proud to show us Nell’s Panty, which is part of the church. Nell’s Pantry relys on locally sourced goods to stock its shelves which are available to the Farm Families whom are doing it tough. The Pantry will keep running for as long as it is needed and the volunteers from St John’s can keep it up.

Next stop, attend two childrens Christmas Parties at Northside Chapel, part of the St John’s Anglican Church (Facebook). One party at 5pm, another at 6pm, different age groups. Each group arrived, excited by the covered piles at the front of the hall. With an opening prayer, party food, it was time to find out what was under the covers. My fellow IBMer friends and I got the priviledge of standing up the front, and sharing out the many presents and watching the eyes light up, the politeness of each child thanking the person that handed them a gift, and then the squeals of excitement. It certainly made the heart open up. In one little girl’s words when asked why we were there “to spread the joy”!

Thursday, we had a full day ahead. Starting with a breakfast at the local Lakeside Takeaway, a popular spot for an early brekkie.

With a coffee and local food in our belly, it was time to split up. The group that I was with, we headed out to the Fairfield Farm, owned by John and Robyn. We were able to share a Christmas Hamper gift bag with them which they were both grateful for.

John and Robyn shared their story with us, owning a Merino Sheep Farm. They spoke of how the drought has affected the area, and them personally. They shared their love for what they do, that they have to knuckle down, and get through these hard times. We spent the next 3 hours where both John and Robyn showed us all about working with the merino, the science behind what it takes to look after the sheep, the shearing, the feeding, the tagging and how they are “jack of all trades, master of none” to help make their farm tick over.

We learned about the grain that they have grown, and the process it takes to sow, collect and store. I was entrusted to drive one of their tractors with feed on the back. Once the 4 month old lambs were fed, water changed, John took us out in his trusty ute to share the feeding process for those out in the paddocks.

Well I must say, a herd of 300-600 sheep coming at you, the thumping on the ground, the dust storm, and then all of a sudden you are surrounded. Once that feeding trailer opens up, the incredible scene that we witnessed as they lined up 2 by 2, the herd just kept walking until they were able to get in and get their chance at eating, the silence that fell.

What really impressed us all, was how innovative John and Robyn are. It was almost like watching Agile methodology and processes being used on the farm. If there was any failure, learn quickly, and course re-correct. Every year, every season changes things for them, so they have had to learn to adapt quickly. Some things work, some things do not, but they never seem to give up. They buckle down, and it is all for the sheep, for their well being, and also for John and Robyn, it is their way of life that they love, even through the tough times. The landscape is dusty, whirly winds all around us from time to time, but through it all, there are smiles.

Lunch with volunteers from the St John’s Anglican Church and meeting another farm family at Isabelle’s Place was next on the day’s agenda. This cosy and quaint place made us feel most welcome, a wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff, and the best Avo a Go Smoothie. If you are ever in the area, a great place to visit.

In the afternoon, it was a site visit to HE Silo, a family owned company that has been around for 50 years, with 2 factory locations at Forbes and Gunnedah.

It all started with Ivan in 1969, and now with the 3rd Generation getting involved. HE Silo started as Hillston Engineering, originally a general engineering company, but soon the business direction evolved into the agricultural industry through projects such as machinery and shearing sheds as well as the commercial grain storage complexes, where Ivan was being asked to build silos.

Ivan very kindly came along to meet the group, and between himself and one of his granddaughter’s, Stevie, they shared the story, the designs and innovation, and their mission that “every grain counts”. It is so much more important in this day and age to be continually thinking about processes and tools to store grain for longer periods of time. No longer for just a couple of months, but more like a few years to ensure that there is enough feed from the good times to get through the tough times.

Stevie shared that they recently put a call out to find out where there was the oldest serving silo. They soon discovered one that was built by Ivan himself, that is still in working order, made in 1972, and was Number 29. So they are definitely built to last! Stevie also spoke about how they attend regular Field Day events to keep the farmers up-to-date on different processes, where there are opportunities to ask questions, to meet the experts. HE Silos, wholly Australian, have expanded by exporting their product to other countries, and continue to keep growing. They source what they need from other local Australian companies / partners to build the silos.

Thursday evening, we were invited to a dinner with a few people from the St John’s Anglican Church. It was nice to chat with them all, to hear their stories. Most whom attended were volunteers, with St John’s Reverend Crystal Spindler and her family. Another wonderful evening, everyone making us feel at home.

Friday, I was invited back out to Robyn and John’s Farm. This was an opportunity to learn some more about life on a merino farm. So with an early talk about the different animals, it was time for John to take me out on his farm, and to do some feed runs. Again, the stampede of sheep in the distance, recognised only by the dust storm that their little feet were creating, we were soon surrounded. So plenty of “sheep” photos, yep, cannot take the Kiwi out of the girl (born in NZ).

John shared the lay of the land, the dryness of the creeks, the trees that are shedding, the building that came completely off it’s pylons and now unusable, due to the strong winds. I shared with John my love for photographing trees and clouds. So he took me around to the different places on his property that he loved, pointed out the interesting trees, and where I was able to show him a different perspective of tree art in his backyard.

Several photos later, we headed back to the house where we met up with Robyn for lunch which was very yummy, eating produce from the farm itself. Food always tasting that much better when fresh.

Before I knew it, it was late in the afternoon, so bidding farewell after a short medicine drumming, it was time to head back to Sydney, with a promise to visit again some time soon. I remember feeling like my heart had been filled up, knowing that what we had done was achieve bringing a little Christmas cheer to a farming community, providing a faith in humanity and community spirit no matter where we were from. I felt very honoured and blessed to have been part of something so great.

How can you help? Simple .. get out, visit local communities, talk to the locals, eat, and buy from the locals. There are plenty of communities out there in Australia that need our support from the City goers. So close your eyes, circle an Australian map, and land your finger on a point, and just do it. Go out and support our local Aussies if you can, no matter where they are, and what they are going through, whether it be drought, or it is bush fires. Doing something for others whom are suffering, makes your heart sing!

p.s. I am creating a calendar for purchase in the next couple of weeks, and any funds made from selling the calendars, will be put back into the Forbes farming community. If you are interested in getting one, which will host some of the pics taken on my journey to Forbes, then please do reach out and message me. Calendars are always a great gift idea, or to have on your wall to help organise your year, and to circle when you might take a trip yourself to a Aussie country town. Simply titled “My Journey to Forbes”.