Parkes Phoenix Editor

Drought-hit farmers in the Forbes Shire may be able to access one-off payments of up to $3,000 due to the Federal Government’s Drought Community Support Initiative Round 2.

Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the payments would provide relief to some of the worst-hit farming families. “We know farmers are doing it tough during this prolonged dry spell and we want those who are struggling to know we have their backs – always have, always will,” Michael said.

The Drought Community Support Initiative is a measure that aims to ease financial hardship by assisting farmers in covering their day-to-day cost of living. The money may be used for things like groceries, power bills or car servicing. The government has partnered with The Salvation Army to deliver this money to farmers living in the Forbes Shire.

Registrations are now open for drought-affected farmers, farm workers, contractors and suppliers in the Forbes Shire.

Eligible applicants should apply through The Salvation Army by visiting www.salvationarmy.org.au/drought or by calling 1300 551 030. Applicants need to be over the age of 18 and live and work in an eligible Local Government Area.

Forbes Riverside Community Gardens held their annual Scarecrow competition last weekend and the entries did not disappoint. Entries were judged within four categories, consisting of Seniors, Juniors, Community groups and Preschools. With entry numbers up significantly since last year thanks to entries from Forbes Preschool, Bright Beginnings Early Learning Centre, Good Start Early Learning Centre, Forbes Learning Ladder and Forbes North Primary School, judges were delightfully overwhelmed and hard pressed to choose winners from a sea of talent in each category.

Scarecrows were constructed using a variety of materials, some were sculpted from recycled metal while others were made of the more traditional straw. More than 100 visitors came through the Riverside Community Garden gates to delight in the spectacle of the weird and wonderful creations that showcased the talent and creativity of Forbes residents.

Wanita Smith’s Woody in Scarecrow form won the Juniors category.

Rhonda Livingston, ACECQA National Education Leader and General Manager, with Forbes Preschool Director Amy Shine and educators Shirley Duke, Tahlia Horvat and Codie Smith.

Reconciliation Australia was delighted to announce Forbes Preschool had won the Narragunnawali Awards 2019 in the early learning category at the awards ceremony held on Ngunnawal Country on Thursday last week.

Held biennially, the Narragunnawali Awards represent Australia’s first national awards program for reconciliation in schools and early learning services. The Awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate educational environments – across the Government, Catholic and Independent sectors – that have implemented outstanding and genuine reconciliation initiatives.

The ceremony was attended by many leading figures of government and early childhood education. Forbes Preschool Director Amy Shine received the award on behalf of the preschool, thanking Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes community in her acceptance speech. “Forbes Shire Council have been so supportive,” Amy said. “We’ve engaged with lots of people in our community and I believe it is such a team effort.”

Officer Karen Mundine said that each year the Narragunnawali Awards judges had a tough time separating the nominees from the finalists. “We are so inspired by the contributions that students, teachers and broader communities are making to progress reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Karen said the judges applauded Forbes Preschool for its approach to reconciliation in a relatively challenging local cultural context. “Courageous conversations are being had not only in the classroom, but also with families and community members.” The Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program, in partnership with the BHP Foundation, enables Australian schools and early learning services to foster knowledge and pride in First Nations histories, cultures and contributions.

The Narragunnawali Awards are Australia’s first and only national reconciliation in education awards that aim to recognise commitment to reconciliation in schools and early learning services.