Residents of the small town of Wilcannia can now shop locally for affordable and stylish clothes at the town’s new recycled clothing store.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has established the social enterprise within its branch office in Reid Street.
The Wilcannia fashion store Cooee Clothing had its first trading days earlier this month and attracted residents needing a wardrobe refresh.
The social enterprise stocks recycled clothing for women, children, and men, as well as a small selection of accessories and gift items.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said the organisation had started the recycled fashion store to meet a community need.
“Clothing is an essential item but until now there’s been no local shop selling clothing,” Ms Mioche said.
“We have started this store within our branch to make quality clothing available at an affordable price.”
The recycled clothing store complements another CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Cooee social enterprise.
Cooee Cuts is an affordable hair salon that operates one week every month from the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes branch office.
The Cooee social enterprises are funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Office for Women and Catholic charity Mary Ward International Australia.
The initiatives provide training for women and girls in the areas of life skills and job readiness, in communities that often lack those opportunities.
“In our first days of trade we have received great feedback about the quality, range and pricing of items for sale,” Ms Mioche said.
“Community members have also had the chance to say hello to our social enterprise assistant Merica, who has been recruited for the fashion store.”
Cooee Clothing is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm in normal weeks, and during the Cooee Cuts week of each month, Cooee Clothing will open four days a week.

A CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes team has worked with 256 clients who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in two western NSW shires in the past year.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes provides Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in the Bourke and Cobar local government areas (LGAs).
The program supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those experiencing domestic or family violence.
Under Specialist Homelessness Services, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes operates a safe house at Bourke for women and children escaping violence, providing intensive support.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has released key Specialist Homelessness Services statistics for the most recent financial year ahead of Homelessness Week, August 7-13, to bring awareness to the struggle to find safe and sustainable accommodation in the regional communities it serves.
Through the program, the organisation provided 322 nights of short-term accommodation or emergency accommodation.
Of its 256 clients who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Bourke and Cobar LGAs, almost two-thirds – 65 per cent – were female.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Safe Homes portfolio manager Kimeaka Bermingham said in metropolitan areas, homelessness often took the form of rough sleeping and was therefore visible to the community, but in regional and remote areas if was often more hidden.
“Forty per cent of our clients in the Bourke and Cobar LGAs were living with relatives rent-free, or couch-surfing when presenting to our service,” she said.
The goal of the Specialist Homelessness Services program, which is funded by the NSW government, is for people to have safe, secure, sustainable and long-term housing, with resources that supports and enables and maintain independent living.
This is achieved through case management and case coordination, for example, assistance in completing rental diaries, helping clients understand processes and understand some of the jargon and requirements from housing providers, educational sessions, for example, how to manage or maintain a tenancy or safety sessions, and advocacy and awareness.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will team up with other service providers at Bourke to host a Homelessness Week event, and encourages the community to attend.

Homelessness Week event
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and other service providers are teaming up to host a community social lunch to mark Homelessness Week.
It will be held on Friday August 11, 2023 from 11am to 2pm at the Bourke PCYC and for more information, people can contact CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes on 1800 067 067.

A CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes team worked with 621 clients who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in central-western NSW in the past year.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes provides Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in Forbes, Parkes, Lachlan, Cowra and Weddin local government areas (LGAs).
The program supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those experiencing domestic or family violence.
In Forbes, the program also operates a women’s refuge for women escaping domestic or family violence, and other program supports across locations include short-term or emergency and transitional accommodation.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has released the program’s statistics for the most recent financial year ahead of Homelessness Week, August 7-13, to bring awareness to the struggle to find safe and sustainable accommodation in the regional communities it serves.
The 2021 census recorded 117 people homeless across the Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Parkes and Weddin LGAs, but CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Safe Homes portfolio manager Kimeaka Bermingham said homelessness was often underreported in the census.
“Our SHS team provided support to 621 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in the 12 months to June 30 in the Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes and Weddin LGAs,
demonstrating the extent of the issue,” Ms Bermingham said.
Homelessness has a variety of forms, including rough sleeping, as well as the less visible couchsurfing, short-term or temporary accommodation, and severe overcrowding.
“Only one person identified in the 2023 Department of Communities and Justice Annual Street Count of people sleeping rough in the Parkes LGA, proving how much of a hidden issue homelessness is, in so many of our communities,” Ms Bermingham said.
Natural disasters had made the past 12 months a difficult time in western NSW. “During this time, floods affected many of our clients leaving a proportion of them homeless and without safe and secure accommodation,” Ms Bermingham said.
“Some local rental properties were also affected during this time, limiting options for people to secure safe accommodation.”
The goal of the SHS program, which is funded by the NSW government, is for people to have safe, secure, sustainable and long-term housing, with resources that supports and enables and maintain independent living.
This is achieved through case management and case coordination, for example, assistance in completing rental diaries, helping clients understand processes and understand some of the jargon and requirements from housing providers, educational sessions, for example, how to manage or maintain a tenancy or safety sessions, and advocacy and awareness.
The theme for Homelessness Week this year is ‘It’s time to end homelessness’. CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will host events to mark Homelessness Week at Condobolin, Cowra and Forbes, and encourages the community to attend.
Homelessness Week events
• Morning tea at Condobolin: Tuesday August 8, 2023, 10.30am, CatholicCare WilcanniaForbes Condobolin office, free morning tea, lucky door prize for attendees
• Morning tea at Cowra: Wednesday August 9, 2023, 10.30am, Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre, free morning tea, lucky door prize for attendees
• Family fun day at Forbes: Thursday August 10, 2023, 11am-1pm, Nelson Park, jumping castle, coffee van, free barbecue, popcorn, children’s activities, information and resources, lucky door prize for attendees

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has launched its 2023 Aboriginal Art Competition to discover Aboriginal artists in western NSW.
Opening in the lead-up to NAIDOC Week, July 2-9, a total prize pool of $4000 is on offer for the best original paintings.
It is the third time the biennial competition has been held and the closing date for entries is Monday August 28, 2023.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche encouraged Aboriginal artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where its services are available, to enter.
“At CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes we are passionate about creating opportunities for Aboriginal people and empowering all to succeed and this competition will generate opportunities and recognition for three aspiring artists,” Ms Mioche said.
“We know there is a lot of unrecognised talent in this region and we hope this competition will showcase these artists.
“This is the third time we have run the competition and this year we hope to attract even more talent from our communities.”
Raymond Thorpe of Forbes won the inaugural CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Art Competition in 2019 with his painting, Platypus Waterholes.
In 2021 Robert Sloane of Condobolin claimed top honours with his artwork, Mirri (dragonfly).
The competition offers a total prize pool of $4000 to encourage emerging Aboriginal artists to create and share meaningful artwork that shows the rich Aboriginal culture and artistry in our diocese.
First prize for the winner is $2000, second prize is $1500 and third prize is $500.
Artists living in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, or in communities where CatholicCare WilcanniaForbes offers services, including from Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Nyngan, Warren, Narromine, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin or elsewhere within the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes are encouraged to submit an artwork.

An emergency accommodation project to support women and children leaving domestic violence is reaching major construction milestones at Condobolin. Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and the Condobolin Catholic parish have united to transform a church property for the new purpose.
This project received grant funding from the Australian government.
The planned facility will bring much-needed support to the Lachlan local government area (LGA), which ranked 14th highest in the state for domestic violence assaults in 2022 in NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data.
BOCSAR figures show the LGA recorded 54 reported incidents in 2022, but its largest town, Condobolin, is 100 kilometres away from the nearest women’s shelter at Forbes.
Project manager CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes secured $800,785 from the Australian government’s Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program for the capital works.
The Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes has made a generous in-kind contribution of the land and building at Condobolin.
Renovations are on track for the church property to start its next chapter within the coming months.
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, parish priest Father Getulio Goncalves, and representatives from CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and the Condobolin parish visited the property in March to view progress.
Local builder John Adams was engaged to lead the capital works.
“Women and children experiencing domestic violence in western NSW need and deserve access to safe emergency accommodation, which is what this new facility will deliver,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said.
“From office space on site, our team members will provide wraparound support to the families staying in this safe place.”
Through the Condobolin project the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes seeks to welcome and care for the vulnerable and promote peace, the life and dignity of the human person.
“We are called to reach out to those in need, and share hope and light in the world,” Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green said.

Information Pack for Entrants – 2023 ENTRIES

Paintings (and completed entry forms) can be accepted at any of our CatholicCare
Wilcannia-Forbes offices by the competition closing date Monday August 28, 2023.
Our offices are located in Bathurst, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Condobolin,
Dubbo, Forbes, Lake Cargelligo, Narromine, Nyngan, Orange, Parkes, Warren and
Wilcannia. Office addresses are available on ccwf.org.au.
If you require assistance to complete this form or for any questions relating to this competition,
please call 1800 067 067 or email info@ccwf.org.au.

See Full Publication for Entry Form

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche has congratulated Board Member Lynda Edwards who has won the prestigious 2023 NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award.
Ms Edwards was also named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year at the NSW Women of the Year Awards presentation in Sydney on Thursday morning.
Ms Mioche said the organisation was thrilled the important work of Ms Edwards had been recognised on the state stage.
“Lynda, a proud Wangkumara and Barkandji woman, is a dedicated advocate for First Nations people in the financial sector,” Ms Mioche said.
“Her work has contributed significantly to fairer financial outcomes for First Nations people.
“Her valuable contribution to our community in western NSW also includes serving in the voluntary role of director of the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes board.”

Separating and separated families in far-western NSW can now access a safe, nurturing and impartial place for children to see their other parent or extended family at the new Broken Hill Children’s Contact Service (CCS).
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) has opened the centre to provide supervised contact visits and changeover services.
The child’s needs are the primary focus of the service, and its purpose is to allow children to stay connected with both parents and other significant people in their lives, in situations where families are unable to manage their own contact arrangements.
Children’s Contact Services currently operate in more than 60 locations across Australia, but until now, the nearest to Broken Hill was at Mildura, a three-hour drive away.
CCWF received $2 million in Australian government funding over four years to establish the Children’s Contact Service in the far-western NSW city.
CCWF chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said the establishment of the Children’s Contact Service brought a valuable and much-needed service to the Broken Hill community.
“The purpose of the Children’s Contact Service is to provide children the opportunity to re-establish or maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents, as well as grandparents and other significant people in their lives,” Ms Mioche said.
“The opening of the Children’s Contact Service reflects our commitment to responding to need, and is the realisation of a long campaign by the city’s social and legal services.”
CCWF has a strong record of delivering support and social services in western NSW.
The Broken Hill Children’s Contact Service provides a safe, non-judgemental and positive environment for young people up to 18 years of age, and their parents.
Its professional team is headed up by CCWF Healthy Relationships – Children’s Contact Services delivery leader Mark Braes, who has a wealth of experience in the sector.
“We know that for some separated parents, experiences of worry, fear and anger can make it difficult to manage child contact arrangements and the co-parenting relationship,” Mr Braes said.
“Our team of contact workers facilitate safe, positive and child-focused contact visits.
“The centre has a range of age-appropriate resources to help children enjoy time with their visitor.
“Contact workers are present during visits and can provide support to children and parents.”

Eugowra residents devastated by flash flooding can continue to call on CatholicCare WilcanniaForbes (CCWF) for financial counselling services.
The CCWF team has been on the ground helping people contact insurance companies, banks, utility providers and any other assistance needed, and people can also phone them on 1800 067 067 to chat or arrange a visit.
It continues CCWF’s commitment to the town of about 700 people since disaster struck on November 14, tragically claiming two lives.
More than 200 buildings at Eugowra were damaged or destroyed by the flash flooding, authorities report.
With the need so great, CCWF team members based at Forbes and Parkes quickly rallied to assist Eugowra, helping with the clean-up and offering emotional support in the aftermath.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche visited Eugowra, and the organisation donated goods worth thousands of dollars to provide immediate relief.
Employees swapped normal duties to assist in the town, and even volunteered in their own free time, bringing family members with them.
“Members of our team at Forbes and Parkes did not hesitate, they wanted to be there for the people of Eugowra who have lost so much,” Ms Mioche said.
CCWF staff worked alongside defence force personnel going from house to house, and listened to people’s stories of survival, and provided information about CCWF services.
Team members met Eugowra residents returning from the evacuation centre at Orange to accompany them to their homes – for some it was the first time they saw their property since the flood.
CCWF workers also rolled up their sleeves to provide practical support, cleaning, ripping up and dragging out carpet and helping clear out other ruined items from houses and yards.
They delivered food and drinks to residents, did first aid when required, and helped people look for cats and dogs, missing since the flood.
CCWF team member Rebecca Palenapa-Pili was one of the group and said it was “just devastating” to see the destruction caused by the flash flooding and wanted to do all she could to alleviate people’s distress.
A few days after helping one man, he shared his progress with her.
“He wanted to tell me about his day and what he’d been doing at the evacuation centre, and just how much we’d helped him and how much better he felt, because he said, ‘I couldn’t have done this without you guys’,” Ms Palenapa-Pili said.
Colleague Andrew Bament was at Eugowra for five days leading a crew to sort donated goods – ranging from clothes, shoes, food, toiletries, camping equipment and more – and set them up in an orderly system for community members.
Mr Bament said when he first arrived at Eugowra after the flash flood, the scene reminded him of the cyclones he had seen as a child in far-north Queensland.
“Pictures do not do it justice, the devastation this community has experienced is incredible,” he said.
Eugowra sits outside the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, but has links with Forbes.
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, Bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, travelled to Eugowra to support the neighbouring community, where he said there were people who had “lost
everything, in the true sense of the word”.
With prolonged flooding along western NSW catchments this spring, the diocese was in gear to respond to the real and immediate needs facing Eugowra residents.
“We’ve been able to help financially in Eugowra, as we are with Forbes and everywhere else,” he said.
“We did it because they’re our neighbours.”
Bishop Columba, whose father’s family came from Eugowra, offered reassurance to the “strong and resilient” residents of the small town.
“It’s going to be really difficult for the people of Eugowra, and it’s really going to be important to know you are not alone,” he said.
“So I can speak for the people of Forbes, Forbes is always going to be there with you, to help you, and you’ve just got to know that you’re not alone, because sometimes in a situation like that, you can feel a bit alone, especially later on.
“Forbes will always be here, hang in there.
“God hasn’t forgotten you, and neither have we.”

The mission to improve mental health and end stigma will step up at Broken Hill this month.
Community members are invited by CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes to the Broken Hill Mental Health Expo on November 8.
Actor and mental health champion Sam Webb will give a special guest talk at the free event.
Webb co-founded mental health charity LIVIN in 2013 after the death of a good friend to suicide.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Better Health and Wellbeing Portfolio delivery leader Jodie Callegher is inviting schools, parents, carers, students and other community members to come along to the expo.
She said a highlight will be the talk by Webb, who is also known for his appearances in Home and Away, Neighbours and Australian Survivor.
Webb gave inspiring and insightful talks at similar mental health expos organised by CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes in June at Parkes, Forbes, Orange and Bathurst.
“We’re thrilled that Sam Webb will be back to speak at Broken Hill,” Ms Callegher said.
“He is committed to helping people and organisations understand the importance of mental health and making wellness a priority.
“We think the community will gain a lot from his talk.”
Representatives from mental health support providers at Broken Hill will also be at the event for community members to meet and talk to.
“The mental health expo is a great chance to access a range of resources to focus on an area of health that can often be overlooked,” Ms Callegher said.
“Mental health as an issue is growing in communities, especially in young people and it is an area of concern.
“This event is so important to increasing the community’s knowledge and understanding, and its capacity to support people’s well-being.”
The Broken Hill Mental Health Expo will be held at the Broken Hill Entertainment Centre on November 8 from 11am to 2pm.
It is free to attend, but people are asked to register through Eventbrite

Separating and separated families in far-western NSW will soon have a specialist centre for supervised, safe visits of children and changeovers to take place, delivered by CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes.
The social support organisation has received $2 million in federal government funding over four years to establish a Children’s Contact Service (CCS) at Broken Hill for the first time.
With the child’s needs as the primary focus, the centre’s purpose is to allow children to stay connected with both parents and other significant people in their lives, in circumstances where families are unable to manage their own contact arrangements.
Children’s Contact Services currently operate in more than 60 locations across Australia, but the nearest to Broken Hill is Mildura, a three-hour drive away.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes pursued the funding for a CCS at Broken Hill to meet a need in the community, with the city’s social and legal services long advocating for this type of service.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’s funding application included letters of support from members of the local community, including legal practitioners.
The organisation’s local staff report there are families currently going to public places like fast-food outlets, parks, police stations and neighbourhood streets for the changeover of children for whom a joint custody arrangement is in place, because of the lack of a more appropriate option – an issue the CCS will address.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said the funding to establish the CCS at Broken Hill was a win for far-western NSW communities.
“This service has not existed previously at Broken Hill, a regional city,” Ms Mioche said.
“Its purpose is to provide children with the opportunity of re-establishing or maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents, and other significant people in their lives.
“Most importantly it is a child-centred service, and their needs are the primary consideration.”
Ms Mioche says CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes already offers a number of programs at Broken Hill and is well-placed to deliver the service.
“Our unique position is the wraparound support we can provide through our family mental health and financial counselling programs and our family dispute resolution practitioner at Broken Hill,” she said.
The CCS will be based at the Broken Hill branch of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, in Argent Street.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes went through an open competitive process to apply for the funding under the Family Relationship Services Program, administered by the federal Attorney-General’s Department.

Aboriginal people in western NSW seeking to build up their financial well-being and security need not do it alone.</p> <p>CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) is ready to help…

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) has opened a hairdressing salon at Wilcannia, bringing a much-needed service to the outback community.
Called Cooee Cuts, it’s operating as a social enterprise to fill a gap.
The salon welcomed its first customers on September 6-8, and will operate three days a month, with its next opening set for October 10-12.
CCWF, which offers social and support services to 52 per cent of NSW, has made the project a priority.
It has partnered with Mildura-based hairdresser – and former Wilcannia resident – Juliann Mutch to deliver the professional and affordable service.
Wilcannia has a population of 745 people, more than 60 per cent of whom are Indigenous, the 2016 Census shows, and nearest service centre Broken Hill is a four-hour round trip away.
CCWF chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said the organisation was pleased to launch its latest social enterprise at Wilcannia.
“Like our Cooee social enterprise cafes, Cooee Cuts is an investment in a small and remote community,” she said.
“This is about more than a new hairstyle, it’s how it makes you feel on the inside and Wilcannia residents should not miss out on that.”
CCWF social enterprise and community engagement manager Michael McDowell says community members are already embracing the salon.
“The smiles and laughter on the first day said it all,” he said.
“In our first week we had a client who hadn’t been in a hairdresser’s chair for 13 years.”
Mr McDowell says Ms Mutch has a special connection to Wilcannia and that’s why she is getting behind the initiative.
“She worked in Wilcannia years ago, and her heart is in this,” he said.
Cooee Cuts is co-located with Cooee for Coffee Wilcannia.
The salon will offer reduced-price haircuts at its October opening, with kids’ and men’s haircuts for $10, ladies’ pamper package of wash, cut and straightening for $20, ladies’ cut and colour for $60, and other services with consultation and quote.

Kerry Willems hasn’t forgotten the despair she felt at being homeless, even after three years in secure accommodation.
The woman who now lives and works in Forbes unexpectedly found herself sleeping in her car, with no money to buy food, no clothes, no facilities for personal hygiene, and “the absolutely intoxicating fear of being alone”.
“That’s when I realised the struggles, despair, the isolation of homelessness,” Ms Willems said.
In her plight Ms Willems found support from CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and other organisations, which enabled her to regain employment and then a private rental property.
She shared her painful experience recently at a Homelessness Week event at Forbes hosted by CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes to raise awareness of the issue.
“Those days are now gone for me, but they will never be forgotten,” Ms Willems said in a speech at the event on August 2.
“It is still very real and can happen to any one of us at any time.”
Before she became homeless, Ms Willems had always been employed, and even owned a successful florist business in Sydney for a time.
Her experience is not uncommon – the number of homeless people aged 55 years and above increased by 28 per cent between the 2011 Census and the 2016 Census, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Ms Willems is particularly concerned about the rates of homelessness among women in the age bracket.
“I was once one of those statistics,” she said.
Through CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, Ms Willems received accommodation in the women’s refuge, and it was there she “finally saw the light starting to shine again”.
With support from the organisation’s team members, Ms Willems was able to regain employment.
“Once I was employed, I was then able to start applying for private rental properties,” she said.
“I have now been employed for three years with Woolworths and in my safe little home.”
Ms Willems says to be able to share her story means the world to her.
“Sadly, so many people do not have the strength and the courage to get where I am today,” she said.
“I fought my homelessness and won.”

Demand for the homelessness services of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has jumped in the past year, as wider sections of the community struggle to find safe and sustainable accommodation.
Employed people now make up 10 per cent of the people seeking CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes housing assistance, higher than previously.
The number of clients aged 50 or more sweIled from 70 to 105 in 12 months.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes released the data as it prepares to host a webinar bringing together a panel of local experts in the homelessness field to raise awareness of the issue in western NSW on August 3.
National residential property rental vacancy rates remained as low as 1 per cent in June 2022, figures from SQM Research show.
On the local level, in the year ending June 30 the Forbes-Parkes homelessness service of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes assisted 720 people, a 6 per cent increase.
Eviction and other forms of housing crisis overtook domestic violence as the leading reason for people needing its help in the two towns, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Safe Home Portfolio manager Andrew Bament reports.
It rose by a substantial 9 per cent to account for 38 per cent of people seeking services.
At Bourke, total demand for assistance jumped by 13 per cent in the past three months.
Mr Bament says homelessness is a “hidden issue” in western NSW because outside capital cities it often takes the forms of couch-surfing and over-crowding of dwellings, instead of the more visible rough sleeping.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will host the ‘Homelessness – A Regional Perspective’ webinar at 2pm on August 3, during Homelessness Week.
Community members are invited to join the event via Zoom to hear from a panel of local experts about homelessness, trends in housing availability, barriers to safe and sustainable accommodation and ideas towards solutions that may help end homelessness.

Sylo Café has reopened its doors, welcoming its first customers on Wednesday from 7am.
Espresso aromas are now filling the refurbished Sylo building at 23-25 Rankin Street.
The café is CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’ third social enterprise, its purpose is to have a real and positive impact for individuals and the community as a whole, as it serves quality food and beverages.
It will have a focus of employing local people who have not had access to work or training opportunities previously and every dollar spent at Sylo will be used to create jobs or address social issues in the community.
Similar CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes initiatives including Cooee for Coffee Wilcannia and Cooee for Coffee Bourke have helped recruits turn their lives around.
“Sylo Café continues our innovative work to deliver awesome coffee with an awesome story,”
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes chief executive officer Anne-Marie Mioche said.
Western NSW has high levels of disadvantage and often lacks job opportunities, which is why
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has established the Cooee social enterprises.
“We might start with someone who doesn’t have a resume, has no work experience, and they can move quite quickly to being able to work in the hospitality industry, or also being able to get a job with us in our social services,” Ms Mioche said.
Sylo’s opening is the result of months of work, including giving a building that had been unused for some years an extensive makeover.
“We are thrilled to make this amazing space in the centre of Forbes the home of our third Cooee social enterprise,” Ms Mioche said.
Ms Mioche says “we have a great team and they are excited to be opening the doors to the public”.
“The menu is all about fresh and delicious food and the Sylo space has a great vibe,” she said.
Sylo is open from 7am to 3pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 7am to midday on Saturdays and Sundays.

Excitement is building at Forbes ahead of the opening of Sylo as the town’s first social enterprise café on July 6.
The sound of the espresso machine will soon be heard at the CBD landmark thanks to a CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes initiative to meet community need.
As a social enterprise café, Sylo’s purpose is to provide training and real jobs for community members and clients, while serving quality food and beverages.
Its vision is for recruits to gain skills, qualifications and experience as they build careers and economic security.
Sylo will mark the third social enterprise café of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, which operates Cooee for Coffee at Wilcannia and Bourke.
The venture’s launch will also bring activity back to a Forbes building loved by local people but unused for years.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes social enterprise manager Toni Hanns says the community is embracing the new concept for the space.
“Every day someone says ‘when’s it opening, when’s it opening, when’s it opening,” she said.
The Rankin Street jewel has been receiving a makeover in the lead-up to its new chapter.
The chocolate brown paint from its former use as a night-time bar has been replaced with an “airy, fresh” look, Mrs Hanns said.
Local trades have been involved in the works.
The café team attributes the community excitement to Sylo’s “vibe”.
“It’s got space, it’s got a great feeling, and I think the community is busting to have it open again, because it was just sitting there asleep for five years, and it
was such a waste,” Mrs Hanns said.
“It’s getting a new lease of life and I just think that’s good for our town.”
Sylo will open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7am to 3pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7am to midday.

The mission to improve mental health and end stigma will step up at Parkes, Forbes, Orange and Bathurst this month.
Community members are invited to CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’s mental health expos in the four locations.
Actor and mental health champion Sam Webb will give a special guest talk at each of the free events.
Webb co-founded mental health charity LIVIN in 2013 after the death of a good friend to suicide.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes mental health programs manager Kate Shambrook is inviting schools, parents, carers, students and other community members to come along to the expos.
She said a highlight will be the talk by Webb, who is also known for his appearances in Home and Away, Neighbours and Australian Survivor.
“We’re thrilled that Sam Webb has come on board,” Ms Shambrook said.
“He is committed to helping people and organisations understand the importance of mental health and making wellness a priority.
“We think the community will gain a lot from his talk.”
Representatives from mental health support providers will also be at the events for community members to meet and talk to.
“The mental health expo is a great chance to access a range of resources to focus on an area of health that can often be overlooked,” Ms Shambrook said.
“Mental health as an issue is growing in communities, especially in young people and it is an area of concern.
“This event is so important to increasing the community’s knowledge and understanding, and its capacity to support people’s well-being.”
The mental health expos will take place at:
• Parkes Services Club on Monday June 20, 11.30am-1.30pm.
• Forbes High School Hall on Tuesday June 21, 11.30am-1.30pm
• Orange Function Centre on Wednesday June 22, 9.30am-12.30pm
• Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Wednesday June 22, 12.30pm- 3.30pm
It is free to attend, but people are asked to register through Eventbrite.

Fresh haircuts and a safe space to talk have come to the heart of far-western NSW, thanks to a partnership between CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and Walkabout Barber.
The two organisations teamed up to put on events at Menindee, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar and Narromine from May 9 to 13.
At each location, the Walkabout Barber and Walkabout Beautiful bus, which is fitted out as a mobile salon, provided professional hairdressing and beauty services.
Launched and led by Brian Dowd, Walkabout Barber not only provides trims and treatments but also trauma and recovery workshops to equip individuals and communities.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes sponsored the tour, and Jane Kemp, the organisation’s executive leader of Aboriginal strategic development said it had been a successful initiative.
Ms Kemp said community members had embraced the events, with the 60 barber and 60 beauty appointments available each day easily filled.
Attendees were able to chat with Brian and his team of three barbers and two beauty therapists.
“Walking in the bus while clients were having cuts, the conversations were relaxed, honest and rewarding,” Ms Kemp said.
“Young men talking about friends they have lost to suicide, their future and what they want out of their life.
“Men and boys smiling up, looking real neat with their new haircuts.
“Primary school boys showing off the patterns in their hair, real proud.
“Young girls having their eyebrows waxed or tinted for the first time.
“The conversations happening in the bus allowing people to speak and ask for help if they need it.
“Brian sharing his story of how he had a very promising future in football, how that changed, how he hit rock bottom and how he turned his life around.
“Being amongst a group of teenage boys who sit there quietly and listen to his story – that’s priceless, especially if that young boy knows he can ask for help if he needs to.”
Brian said it had been a fantastic week, connecting with community and having amazing conversations.
“Seeing young people come through and get a haircut, and just the smile on their face, even if it’s for that moment, for that day, for that week, they feel good about themselves,” he said.
“They’re confident, their head’s held high, their shoulders are straight back, and you can see the difference, walking in and walking out.”

Robert Sloane from Condobolin wins the 2021 Aboriginal Art Competition.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has announced the winners of its Aboriginal Art Competition for 2021.
“We were spoiled for choice this year with so many interesting paintings submitted. Many with very special stories and meanings from these amazing emerging artists,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, AnneMarie Mioche said.
This year’s judges were Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, CEO Anne-Marie Mioche and 2019 winner and artist Raymond Thorpe.
“We (the judges) were all very impressed with the calibre and variety of paintings entered.”
“The winning painting is called Mirri (dragonfly) it is a very detailed painting by Condobolin artist Robert Sloane,” Ms Mioche said.
Equal second place was awarded to Maddison Hull with her painting Home and Jason Hudson with his painting Working Together, Connecting Country.
“It was a really difficult decision to between second and third place so we awarded two equal second prizes and both received $1500 prizes,” Ms Mioche said.
We know there is so much talent in this area and it is really wonderful to see the work and celebrate the artists. This was CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’ second Aboriginal Art competition and artists from throughout the diocese were invited to submit a contemporary or traditional painting on any subject.
Many of the paintings incorporated traditional and contemporary techniques and judge Raymond Thorpe said many entries were technically very good.
The winning artworks will now feature commercially in CatholicCare branding and promotional material.
FIRST PRIZE: Mirri (dragonfly) by Robert Sloane, Condobolin. EQUAL SECOND PRIZE: Working Together, Connecting Country by Jason Hudson from Narromine and Home by Maddison Hull from Parkes.

DEMAND HIGH FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has had a 42 per cent increase in demand for its services since the declaration of the Coronovirus Covid-19 pandemic.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how quickly our team adapted to make sure support and services were still being delivered at a time when our many communities needed us most,” CatholicCare WIlcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche said.
“Not only are we open for business, but these figures of engagement confirm we have had to increase our capacity as people have been very quick to connect with us for the support and service we are renowned for providing.”
“Our team responded quickly and proactively and implemented really engaging new ways of supporting our clients through phone support, web based interactions, video conferencing, social media, online help, in home resource packs and more,” Ms Mioche said.
It seems our 25 years of experience delivering services to some of the most remote and isolated communities in NSW has proved to be the perfect preparation to keep offering much needed social services to our vulnerable communities during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our organisation was started in a time of serious drought, to address stress and depression in what is considered the poorest diocese in Australia. We continue to meet these needs by providing a range of parenting and family services, playgroups, housing, domestic and family violence, financial counselling and mental health support from 14 offices and outreach centres covering 52% of NSW.
Due to our team being located remotely, we already had excellent remote communication and planning capabilities and our team were able to transition very quickly from face to face services to providing support and assistance in alternative means.
The innovation and genuine positive problem solving is an absolute credit to our amazing and resilient team members we have who are out facing some community’s largest and hardest issues.
Like all business and charities we have closely monitored the impact Coronavirus would have on our levels of service delivery and volumes of clients. This chart below shows a comparison between client attendance in April 2019 and April 2020.

Based on this simple comparison we discovered many of our programs have recorded a considerable spike, if not doubled, the service and client levels in 2020.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie-Mioche is appealing to government and other support agencies to remember those still impacted by drought.
“The bushfires have been disastrous and as a nation we held our breath at the threat and tragedy but we must not forget about the long slow burn of devastation still being caused by the drought which has crippled much of eastern Australia,” Ms Mioche said.
“December had the lowest rainfall on record for Australia and we still have people in our diocese – which covers 52 per cent of NSW – who missed out on rain this week, continuing to severely limit water resources, soil moisture and any hope of a crop or livelihood for 2020.”
“The impacts on our rural and remote communities is dire, we need help,” Ms Mioche pleaded.
It is wonderful to see a positive and fast response by the Australian Government committing $76 million to mental health and trauma informed care for bushfire affected areas, however only $6.3million has been committed over two years for mental health and counselling in drought affected areas.
“We are trying our very best to help meet the increasing needs for our communities. We support families, parents and children, relationships, financial counselling, domestic violence, homelessness, youth as well as our indigenous communities – all areas of need escalating as the tyranny of drought cripples our rural and remote communities,” Ms Mioche said.
As we enter our fourth year of drought, for some areas, rural economies are continuing to decline, basic resources are almost non existent and the social impacts are heartbreaking.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Men’s Workers will be hosting a night just for men on Monday, November 18 at the Holy Family School in Parkes.
The International Men’s Day Celebration will begin with a sausage sizzle at 6pm, then the inspirational film Courageous will be shown, followed by an open discussion Talking About Men.
Men’s Support Team Leader, Andrew Bament, invited all men to come along and take part in a night.
“In line with the objectives of International Men’s Day, which is celebrated in more than 80 countries around the world, we are looking at valuing our male role models, acknowledging the contribution of men and boys, improving male health, tackling discrimination and disadvantage, fostering positive gender relations and making the world a safer place for everyone,” Mr Bament said.
“We have planned this event and are acknowledging the day as an opportunity to highlight key social issues which impact on men and boys around the world,” he added.
In Australia:
• Three out of every four suicides are men
• Men die six years younger than women on average
• Boys underperform at every stage of education
• Dad’s who want to be more involved in their children’s lives may face a range of barriers.
The night will be hosted by Men’s Workers Michael Browne and Colin Cartwright and is being supported by Holy Family, Parkes, Principal Nick Baird.
International Men’s Day is Tuesday, November 19 in Australia.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has secured NSW Government funding to conduct a series of positive workshops and events to raise awareness of and tackle problem gambling as poker machine revenue is predicted to soar to $9 billion a year by 2029 in NSW.
These free events will be held in Dubbo, Broken Hill, Cobar and Bourke from Monday, September 23 to Friday, September 27 to support Responsible Gambling Week. The funding has been made available by the NSW Government Office of Responsible Gambling – an initiative to encourage local communities to learn more about responsible gambling and to start meaningful conversations with those around them.
According to statistics from Liquor and Gaming NSW, almost $38 million was lost on poker machines in the Dubbo Regional Council Area alone last year. This figure increasing from 2017 despite being less poker machines in the region. In Broken Hill gaming machines have generated $14 million in profit.
“We are facing a social disaster if these trends continue to grow as predicted and so CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is hosting a series of community events to help people change focus, reengage in the community and with their families,” Financial Counselling and Capability Team Leader, Louise Cormie said.
“These workshops and community barbecue are all about families. We hope to raise awareness in a positive and empowering way to and help people open up to some healthier life choices, physically and financially,” Mrs Cormie added.
“We are encouraging everyone to #checkin on their own gambling or with friends and family to identify risks, safety tips and healthy alternatives.
We have some really exciting giveaways including a fitbit, monthly swim pass, phone accessories and butcher’s vouchers.
“We hope everyone can join us,” Mrs Cormie added.

Following the success of the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Women’s Gathering held in Forbes on March 28, organisers are taking it on the road to host similar events in Parkes, Condobolin, Peak Hill and again in Forbes.

Wendy McMaugh, a CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes support worker said the response was overwhelmingly positive to the first event which was attended by around 40 women and featured several speakers addressing health, legal and practical life solutions.
“The feedback from our first gathering was phenomenal. It was an informative and positive day with many people pleased to hear from other women and mums with similar experiences,” Ms McMaugh said.
“Women’s lives are busy, so we are inviting all women to just stop for a couple of hours, enjoy a nice lunch and be inspired by our amazing guest speakers,” she added.
Guest speaker Anny Druett will be speaking at all the venues with a local guest speaker to also feature at each event.
Anny Druett is a well recognised speaker, trainer and coach. Anny is a descendent of the Ngema mob and a granddaughter of Peal Mary (Gambanyi) Gibbs.
“My Nanna had a huge influence on my life. Pearl was a maverick, she was one of those women who was well before her time,” Ms Druett said.
Pearl Gibbs helped plan the 1938 Day of Mourning on Australia Day and set up the Aboriginal Australian fellowship in the early 1950s, an early petition for Indigenous rights. She was the first and only woman to sit on the Aborigine’s Welfare Board and established an hostel in Dubbo for Aboriginal people needing medical treatment. Pearl had her three children taken from her when her marriage to English born naval steward, Robert James Gibbs, broke up. She was one of the driving forces behind the 1967 referendum when Australians voted overwhelmingly to include Aboriginal people in the census and to allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them.
“There is strength in women coming together – we support, empower and foster positive community relationships for all women. This in turn has longer term benefits for overall wellness and improved family outcomes and our community,” Ms McMaugh said.
“Following our first women’s gathering in March, people have been asking when we will do it again and now, we are. The day has been made possible through funds from the Manage Your Income Program which assists women in all financial matters. Through MYI women gain knowledge and confidence can work towards a life with less or no financial stress, a better future for their families.
The MYI program will also be offering a FREE service to obtain a birth certificate for those who need them and attend on the day.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has announced the winner of its inaugural Aboriginal Art Competition as Raymond Thorpe, an artist from Forbes.
“There was considerable interest in the competition and Mr Thorpe’s outstanding work was selected from some exceptional pieces,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche said.
As CatholicCare’s first Aboriginal Art competition, artists from throughout the diocese were invited to submit a contemporary or traditional entry on any subject.
“The calibre of entries was impressive and we hope will only continue, along with the number of entries, each year we continue to host this Aboriginal Art Competition.”
“We know there is a lot of talent in our diocese and this competition is just one way we can showcase our exceptionally talented artists,” she added.
Mr Thorpe’s work is a colourful and detailed image featuring two platypus (biladurangs) synonymous with our waterways running through our diocese. Traditional and intricate dot painting techniques were used to depict the communities, land and water. The artwork is entitled Platypus Waterholes and depicts a male and female coming together to make their family and to bring them up in safe waterholes. Mr Thorpe’s work is on display at the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Corporate Services office in Lachlan Street, Forbes.
Second place was a painting by Stephen Moore from Dubbo, entitled Two Bruthas and tells a story of the bond of these brothers and although life has taken them on their own journeys they always come back to the bush where they belong.
Third place was by Cheree Stokes of Trundle and symbolises a tree of life with its many branches depicting the different services CatholicCare offers to people in need. She also painted the river, spears and families using traditional dot painting techniques to show life journeys through time.
The winning artwork will now feature commercially in CatholicCare branding and promotional material.

Funding for nicotine replacement therapy products from the NSW Ministry of Health has prompted CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and Narromine Pharmacy to partner up and develop packs to help people give up smoking for good on World No-Tobacco Day on Friday, May 31.
CathcolicCare Wilcannia-Forbes and Narromine Pharmacy staff will also host an information stand outside the pharmacy on World No Tobacco Day and will be on hand with practical resources and kits to help people kick the habit for good.
The NSW Ministry for Health has a specific target to address high smoking, particularly in Aboriginal communities and funded $500 worth of nicotine replacement therapy. Narromine Pharmacy owner Felicity Roberts has generously donated more products to increase the number of packs to be distributed, to help as many people willing to give up for good.
“Narromine is a small community, yet smoking has a really negative impact on the health and well being of so many families, by partnering with CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes we are just trying to help out for the good health of all our community,” Pharmacist Mrs Roberts said.
It is estimated tobacco causes almost three million deaths from cardiovascular diseases every year.
“The focus this year of World No Tobacco Day is on tobacco and lung health. The campaign will increase awareness of the negative impact on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma,” Mrs Roberts added.
Jane Kemp, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Aboriginal Strategic Development Leader, acknowledged giving up smoking is not easy.
“We know it is really hard and that is why we are working with the pharmacy to give away packs, which will include patches, lozenges and other resources to help people through the hardest part of giving up,” Ms Kemp said.
“We are really grateful for NSW Health and the Narromine Pharmacy’s support to make up these packs. This backing means more people can have access to advice and resources, which will hopefully help them quit for life,” she added.
Tobacco smoke is the primary cause for lung cancer, responsible for over two thirds of lung cancer deaths globally. Second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the work place also increases risk of lung cancer.
Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer after 10 years of quitting smoking, risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.
Infants exposed in-utero to tobacco smoke toxins, through maternal smoking or maternal exposure to second-hand smoke, frequently experience reduced lung growth and function. Young children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of the onset and exacerbation of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and frequent lower respiratory infections.
Globally, an estimated 165 000 children die before the age of 5 of lower respiratory infections caused by second-hand smoke. Those who live on into adulthood continue to suffer the health
consequences of second-hand smoke exposure.
Tobacco smoke is a very dangerous form of indoor air pollution: it contains over 7 000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. Smoke can linger in the air for up to five hours, putting those exposed at risk of lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and reduced lung function.
“We are willing to help whoever we can, especially parents and members of our community, who are trying to improve their own health, and that of their children, by protecting them from the harm caused by tobacco,” Mrs Roberts added.

Women’s lives are busy and demanding and CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes gathered a group to share advice and inspiration to help make the everyday a bit easier.
Organised by Wendy McMaugh, a support worker with CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, the Women’s Gathering, held on Thursday, March 28, addressed health, legal and practical solutions with over 40 women attending.
The day came about following requests from members of Forbes Women’s Group, which meets every Thursday at 10am at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for support and skills.
“We all shared life skills in a relaxed exchange with a host of topics, including an introduction to power tools (Bunnings), financial wellbeing (CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes), women’s health (Community Health), legal issues (Binaaal Billa and Julianna Kneebone Solicitors) and so much more.
“It was a day of support, empowerment and to foster positive community relationships for women, which has longer term benefits for overall wellness and improved family outcomes,” Ms McMaugh said.
The feedback from the day has been phenomenal. It has been hailed as an informative and positive day with many people pleased to hear from other women and mums with similar experiences.
One lady attending shared her very personal story coming from a violent situation and after working with many agencies she is now happy and confident, living in her own home.
“The Women’s Gathering was planned to support, empower and foster positive community relationships for women and many of the speakers stayed around to keep chatting with the women who attended, it was really lovely,” Ms McMaugh said.
“People are already asking when we will do it again and we are hoping we may be able to host a short series of similar events in the future,” she added.
The topics addressed on the day include menopause, addictions, legal information for separations and custody as well as practical sessions such as what to do if your wallet is lost or stolen. Guest speakers, Gabe McMillan and Jenny Webb, discussed their work life balance. Demonstrations were held on power tools and one speaker addressed earning an income from home.
Supporters for the day include, Housing NSW, Forbes CWA branch, Binaal Billa Julia Kneebone Solicitors, Bunnings, NSW Ambulance Service, Breastscreen NSW, Blue Sky Outdoor, Kylie Spice (Mary Kay) and Community Health.
CAPTIONS –
WG 1 – CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Administration and Support officer, Karen McNamara, CWA members Dot Woodcott and Anne Grayson.
WG2 – Nancy Hill enjoyed the company of Kylie Spice from Mary Kay and Kelly Bowden from Binaal Billa.
WG3 – Stacie and her son Ocean really enjoyed the event. Stacie was so inspired on the day she shared her personal story with all the guests.
WG 4 and 5 – There has been high praise from those who attended the Women’s Gathering in Forbes last month.