Parkes Phoenix Editor

Since becoming the Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack has represented local communities with a strong voice in Canberra and is proud of all that has been achieved.

“Some of the projects I have delivered in the Forbes Shire Council area include $1 million in Drought Communities Programme funding, $870,000 to reinvigorate the Forbes Central Business District and $3,550 for the Forbes Cancer Patients Assistance Society,” said Michael.

Further projects delivered by Michael include $6,500 for the Forbes Men’s Shed, $18,000 for the permanent shelter at the Bedgerabong Recreation Ground, $210,000 to relocate the Aussie Biscuits factory and $1.51 million to expand the Central West Livestock Exchange.

In addition to the before mentioned Michael is also responsible for a further $1,200 to install a replica honour board at Garema Public Hall, $13,600 for CCTV at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre and $2.1 million for the Forbes Northern Heavy Vehicle Bypass.

Forbes High School student, Emily Gartner, was among 12 other local students who were awarded a scholarship at the Proudly Public! Celebrating Excellence in Public Schools awards night held at the Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday evening.

They were among more than 131 public school students and educators from across NSW to receive scholarships as part of the Public Education Foundation (PEF) national awards.

Since the launch of Public Education Foundation’s scholarships program 10 years ago, more than 1,000 students have been supported with life-changing scholarships. During that decade the Public Education Foundation has disbursed more than $3 million in scholarship funding.

The Secretary of the Department of Education, Mark Scott, thanked the Public Education Foundation for its ongoing support of public education in NSW. He said the scholarships aimed to remove barriers to achievement created by social and economic disadvantage.

“These scholarships are about recognising and rewarding student excellence to encourage high-achieving students to continue to maximise their potential,” said Mark. “I congratulate our students, teachers and leaders who have won scholarships – it is their efforts that combine to create the extraordinary public education system we have in NSW.”

David Hetherington, Public Education Foundation executive director, said the awards were about celebrating “enduring values of our public education system, a system that provides the greatest of all opportunities for young people to succeed in life”.

“It has been an enormous privilege to work with so many inspiring students and educators who recognise the transformational power of education,” said David.

Forbes Shire Council will host a special morning tea to thank all the hard working community volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

The morning tea, held on Wednesday, 22nd May at 10:30am in the Forbes Town Hall is open to all volunteers within the Shire. The morning will include live music from local artist, Lily Gaffaney as well as a sumptuous morning tea.

“It is so important that we thank our wonderful volunteers here in town,” said Mayor of Forbes Cr, Phyllis Miller OAM. “We are blessed to have so many people in town who give up their precious time to help others.”

“National Volunteer Week is a perfect opportunity to thank our volunteers who contribute so much to the fabric of our amazing town.”

The Volunteer Morning Tea is free to attend but RSVP’s are essential. To RSVP send an email to community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or phone 6850 2300.

Forbes Preschool Director, Amy Shine has applauded the highlighting of preschool education in the Federal election with a proposal to commit 15 hours of subsidised preschool to every three year old in Australia.

“It is music to our ears to hear politicians universally acknowledging that 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five, so funding quality early education is one of the smartest investments our nation can make,” said Amy.

“Forbes Preschool is firmly committed to making sure we can maximise the benefits of preschool, particularly for those at risk of educational disadvantage.”

“We make it our priority to create an inclusive and accessible facility, we consistently keep our operating costs to a minimum so we can provide substantially subsidised or free preschool services for low income or financially slighted families,” said Amy.

Through persistently seeking funding and grants, Forbes Preschool is able to offer excellent early education and complementary services for $5 or less a day. It also has a history of waiving entire term fees for families during times of drought and other financial stressors.

“It is just one way we can give back to our community who are always so generous and supportive of our preschool,” said Amy.

Forbes Preschool is recognised as an industry leader and the Federal election proposal to slash childcare fees and introduce subsidised preschool is further evidence the organisation is continuing to operate proactively rather than reactively.

“It is really significant that all children have some kind of preschool or early education.

We make it our objective to try to ensure all children living in or around Forbes have access to quality early learning, either at our preschool or one of the other quality centres in town,” added Amy.