The NSW Rural Women's Gathering to be held at Forbes on 23-25 October 2020 has been postponed to 22-24 October 2021.
The Rural Women's Network in consultation with the 2020 Forbes Rural Women's Gathering committee has decided to postpone the event due to restrictions and challenges around COVID-19
Rural Women's Network Senior Coordinator, Allison Priest, said this was the first time in the 27 year history of the event that such a decision has had to be made.
"This decision wasn't made lightly and has been made in accordance with federal and state government restrictions around gatherings, with no known date for when these restrictions might be lifted," said Ms Priest.
"In coming to this decision, the social and financial impact of postponing the gathering was considered along with the need to protect rural communities from risk of transmission."
The Forbes Rural Women's Gathering committee remains operational and are happy to receive expressions of interest from individuals, groups and organisations who are keen to host a tour or workshop or to participate in next year's event.
"We know that it is going to be disappointing for many that the Gathering will not proceed in 2020, but we want to be able to gather safely and want our visitors to see Forbes and the Central West at its best, once we have worked to recover from the current conditions," said Di Gill, Forbes Rural Women's Gathering Chairperson.
"The Committee had the opportunity to review all of the possible scenarios that could play out over the next six months, and agreed that we would prefer to provide early advice to local businesses and to our Gathering participants, many who have already made reservations and bookings.
"The Committee is disappointed, but know that this is the best possible option for our rural people, including locals and visitors."
Communities who submitted a proposal to host the 2021 gathering have been contacted and advised of the changes. Rural Women's Network will contact relevant communities next year when submissions open for the 2022 Gathering inviting them to update and re-submit their proposal should they wish to still host the event.
