The purpose of NAIDOC Week held in September is to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to foster greater understanding of Indigenous culture. As part of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations recognition will be given to the outstanding contributions that local Indigenous people make to improve the community or to promote Indigenous issues. Award categories include:

• Indigenous Person of the Year (18 years and over)
• Indigenous Youth of the Year (Under 18 years)
• Indigenous Sports Person of the Year
• Indigenous Creative Person of the year

Nominations are now open and will close at 5.00pm Friday 31 August. If you would like to nominate an Indigenous person for an award please complete a nomination form and return to Forbes Shire Council – Attention: Sarah Williams, PO Box 333 Forbes NSW 2871 or you can drop forms into 2 Court Street, Forbes. Completed nomination forms will also be accepted by email at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Awards will be judged by representatives from the NAIDOC Week working committee. Should you have any questions or if you would like to take part in this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations please contact Sarah Williams on 6850 2300.

As part of the Lions Park Refurbishment Project, drainage works have now begun at Lions Park. These works will see 150m of sub-surface drainage installed and the infilling of the current open drain.

Excavation of the site began on Monday 29th July and is anticipated to be completed in mid-September (weather permitting).

“This project is an important step in making Lions Park more user friendly for the whole community,” said Mayor of Forbes Cr Phyllis Miller OAM. “Filling in the current open drain will make Lions Park safer and more accessible for both visitors and residents and will take our amazing Forbes events to the next level.”

The project will see the current drainage channel widened temporarily to approximately 10m to allow for the installation of pipe work. This work will be completed in sections to ensure minimal disruption caused by water from the lake. Pedestrian diversions will be in place during this time, and the pedestrian bridge currently in place will be removed permanently.

“We will be using a sediment fence in the lake throughout the works,” said Phyllis.

“This is important to ensure the future of our beautiful lake and prevent any damage to this important community asset, so please don’t touch it!”

Sections of Lions Park will be closed to allow for these works but the park will remain functional at all times throughout the works. Temporary traffic lights will be installed at Junction St in late August to allow works to occur near the road however this is expected to cause only minimal traffic delays.

Upon completion of drainage installation the open drain will be filled and finished with turf, and the pedestrian footpath replaced to ensure immediate amenity and usability.

Residents and visitors are reminded to please be mindful of Council staff and observe site signage at all times.

Grazing Down The Lachlan has been awarded Silver in the Festival and Events category at the 2019 Regional Tourism Awards for Destination Country and Outback.

Grazing received the accolade in front of over 160 industry representatives at a gala evening held at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo on Saturday night. Deni Ute Muster took out Gold in the category, while Bathurst’s Winter Festival was awarded Bronze.

Chair of Grazing Down The Lachlan Committee, Wendy Muffett said, “we are beyond thrilled to have been awarded silver, and proud to have been among such an amazing line up of regional events.”

“A big thank you to our amazing volunteers, sponsors and local community, without whom, Grazing would not be possible,” continued Wendy.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank our partners, Destination NSW and the NSW Business Chamber who have both been instrumental in ensuring the success of the 2019 Regional Tourism Awards,” said Regional Tourism Awards Chair, Jane Barnes.

The Regional Tourism Awards are held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism in regional NSW. Entrants are made up of tourism businesses, events, marketing organisations, clubs and individuals.

The award tops off a successful few weeks for Grazing – a sell out in 2019 for the third year running. Just over 900 ‘Grazers’ are set to embark on the epic long lunch down the banks of the Lachlan River in less than 8 weeks’ time.