FLOREENA FORBES OAM
& THE "TUMBLEWEED COUNTRY MUSIC BAND"
"Formed in 1977"



1969. Floreena bought her 1st guitar.
1969. Snowy Jenson another country music performer introduced her to Olive Bice' a great friendship was formed.
Olive encouraged Floreena to continue on with her music, including her in some of her shows.
Olive & Floreena together formed a duo" Maghogny".
1977 Floreena & her husband Wally Forbes formed The Tumbleweed Country Band.
The band reigned or 24 years.
Olive Bice, Lyn Golding, and Ellen Lee Osterfield
1980's “WALLY & FLOREENA worked together, promoting & performing on a charity shows for the RSPA during the bushfires held at the JB Osborne Theatre in Kangaroo Flat, Central Victoria with many other musicians and other charitable organisations
1981 –1985, members of the Tumbleweed band were Bill Simons- keyboard, Terry Simonds - drums, Noelene White pedal steel, Len Pickin – drums, John Cockfield – drums, and Allan Gillingham - lead guitar


.
1987 saw the passing of Kevin Fitzpatrick was a very devoted Bass player and lived for his music. Kevin played his bass guitar right up to a few hours before his death.Floreena and Robert wrote a song for Kevin titled, “Goodbye to a Friend” Robert working on the lyrics and Floreena the music. The song “Goodbye to a Friend" was recorded on Floreena’s second album titled, “Floreena Country Favourites in 1989.
1989 Alex Thelma joined Tumbleweed on keyboard, Kim Crow on Bass guitar and Ted Bullow on drums.1991, Alex Thelma left to further is career in teaching and Graeme Byrnes joined the band as lead guitarist
A decision was made not to tow the trailer with the car anymore, as the equipment had increased and with the car needing repair, Tumbleweed hired a bus to take the band to and from their destination, towing the band trailer behind the bus taking the Tumbleweed fans with them. Many memorable tales and stories arose from these trips, some of which are still talked about fondly to this day by the band and all their fans, great nights of music and dance were held. Floreena making sure all her fans were kept happy by adjusting the line dancing to many of the old time dances, in other words, a dance for everybody from the Fox Trot, to Pride of Erin, to Evening 3 step Rock and Roll and more.
Floreena would name the dance, this arrangement worked extremely well with everyone kicking up their heels and having a great time. The Tooleybuc Club had around 1200 people on a social night organised by the Tooleybuc Bootscootin’ Club, with the atmosphere being electric, everybody talking about the dance they would do or by following the program.
The Murray Downs Club Swan Hill would clear away the chairs from around the dance floor to make more room to be able to accommodate all the dancers. The Tumbleweed Line Dancers would perform in front of the band all dressed in uniform, always happy demonstrating the dances. With the band working more regularly, Tumbleweed included Paul Deborteli. As their roady and bus driver, then Wayne Maisey, Nick Nchrama and finally Robert. Many happy stories are being talked about today by the band and all their fans that made the journey a happy one.
1995 Floreena teamed up with the bass player Jim Moran. Floreena and Jim continued on as The Tumbleweed Country Duo, still working in the same venues with backing tracks still maintaining their popularity, the line dancers still Bootscootin’ to their favourite songs.
The Floreena Forbes & Tumbleweed Band became very popular between the 1980’s up to 2006 working on a regular basis and touring over much of Victoria and NSW and many parts of Melbourne. This cartoon was designed by Bill Radcliff of the tumbleweed Country Band
Many great friendships were made during those years and still remain to this day, even though the Tumbleweed Band has retired. The Bootscooters are still following the socials and meeting up with their friends, and remember the Tumbleweed Band were it all began.
BBB-BENDIGO BLUEGRASS BAND
2006, Floreena formed a Bluegrass Band "BBB” - Bendigo Bluegrass Band. Members were Floreena Forbes (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar.), Geoff Morris (Vocals& Harmony), Sue Webb (Mandolin, Harmonica, and Harmony), and Roy Webb. (Guitar Harmony), Chris Ryan (Banjo Harmony), Tony Ryan (Dobro), Finn Mathews (Slap Bass), Penelope Somerville (Fiddle & Harmony). The group would eventually go on to rename themselves the Band Tumbleweed.
Still today actively involved organising and participating in successful fundraisers for many charitable organisations since the early 1970's. Including Lions & Apex Clubs. Events for Cancer research, the Salvation Army, RSPCA, Bush Fire Appeal and the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation plus others,comforting the elderly in nursing homes & more.
Floreena has continued to give her time voluntary to help raise funds for the elderly & entertaining in many nursing homes, and many other charitable organisations as well as enjoying her music appearing solo or with Olive Bice as “Bendigo’s 2 Country Divas” and performing as a guest artist with other musicians.




Resent Awards
2017 Inducted the Tamworth Country Music Broadcaster Hall Of Fame





20.1.2022. The same evening together with many musicians recieved an Appreciatin Certificate from Ronald McDonald House.The same evening Vanessa Sanger was on Fibbers show,a lady to be admired.


Fibbers other shows
Nemingha Tavern, Family Hotel Tamworth between 14th-23 January 2022Floreena appeared on Ernie Johns & Avalanche shows held at the Red Cross Hall Kable St Tamworth each day at the Red Cross Hall during the featival

FLOREENA IS A RADIO PRESENTER has raised money for local FM Radio stations, still today in 2019 continues broadcasting on 106.7 Phoenix Fm working regularly each week broadcasting from 106.7 Phoenix Fm Bendigo’s Local Community radio station in Bendigo Victoria.
Floreena was one of the foundation members of 106.7 Phoenix Fm from its inception and still Supports Phoenix Fm today.
1996 began radio presenting on 3 Triple C 3 Triple C in Bendigo Victoria and today continues promoting Country Music
106.7 Phoenix FM. Where she presents her own popular country music programs with country music, interview’s and talks about the history of Country Music and discussing many Charity’ community events along with country, bluegrass & more
Floreena Promotes Country has produced Concerts each year to raise money for the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 total of $18.529.85 these concerts included Bendigo’s 2 Country Divas & other artists going back as far as the early 1970's Floreena has been running concerts for so many charities & Radio Stations.
Floreena albums are promoted on YouTube
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Floreena-Forbes
FLOREENA FORBES -Time Line: Highlights from each year since 1966
1966 - Started performing Country Music around Bendigo.
1977 - Tumbleweed is formed
1979 - Bendigo Country Music Club (Floreena Forbes Assistant Secretary & Publicity Officer)
1981-Wandong Country Music Festival with Tumbleweed & Participating in a Dolly Parton Contest
1980 Cream of Country (Group) is formed- Floreena Forbes, Olive Bice, Lyn Golding, Ellen Lee Osterfield
1986 - 1st CD ‘Floreena’ Recorded at “Ramic Studio” Wangaratta
1987 - 2nd CD ‘Country Favourites’ Recorded at “Canyon Audio” Wangaratta
2002 - Bendigo’s Three Country Diva’s (Floreena, Olive Bice Anne Conway)
2002-Outstanding Contribution to 89.5 Triple C FM
2006 -Foundation Member of 106.7 Phoenix FM
2006- Fundraiser for 106.7 Phoenix FM
2006 - Formed Bendigo’s Triple B Blue Grass Band – (BBB)
2007 Fundraiser for 106.7 Phoenix Fm $1050.00
2008 - Horsham Country Music Festival performing solo & as “Dolly Parton”
2008 - Appreciation Award from Council – (Charitable work)
2008 -At this time Floreena was diagnosed with Breast Cancer
2009- Fundraiser for 106.7 Phoenix Fm
2009- Fundraiser for Cancer Raising $2500.00
2010-Fundraiser for Cancer Raising $3000.00
2011 - County Round-up Appreciation – (Charity work)
2013 - CD ‘For the Good Times’ -- recorded by Shoe Fly Studio
2013- Horsham Country Music Festival-Award “Most Popular Busker”
2014- CD “A Trip Down Memory Lane “Recorded & Produced at Luigi Studio’s Bendigo Vic
2014 –27th Nov: Presented with an Honorary Life Membership Certificate of Appreciation from the Management Committee Central Victorian Community Broadcasters Inc Trading as Phoenix FM in recognition for her valuable and sustained contribution.
2014 -Floreena was recognized for raising $3010.00 for The Australian Niemann Pick Foundation Type C Inc.
2015 - Floreena was recognized once again for raising $2190.00 for The Australian Niemann Pick Type C Foundation Inc
2016 - Floreena was recognized for raising $2700.00 for the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation Type C Foundation
2017-Floreena was recognized for raising $2620.00 for the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation Type C Foundation
2018 -Floreena was recognized for raising $4488.50 for the Australian Niemann Pick Foundation Type C Foundation
2018 - Floreena recieved J.P.Toomey Award from the Mal Norton Entertainment Services also known as The Dusty Boot Awards
2021 - Floreena recieved a Victorian Senior of the Year Award (Cota). For Services to the Community for her input into the Community over many years,by means of her Music, Radio announcing, Website.
2022-June 22 Floreena was awarded (OAM) Order Of Australia Medal-From the Oder of Australia Association Victorian Branch


