Parkes Phoenix Editor

The team at Steele Technology have been busy constructing a new Wireless Internet service available throughout parts of Forbes and rural surrounding areas.

As the local IT shop and NBN reseller, they know firsthand what the services in our area can be like and how unreliable they can be. So they ventured on the path to build an alternative – A locally owned internet service provider, built from the ground up, focusing on friendly service, value and reliability.

After being able to secure a unique fiber service directly from Sydney to Forbes, Nathan and Mitch spent months building and testing before connecting the first customer. With more tower locations secured, they are looking forward to continuing to help our community with a better internet service.

Steele Technology have been able to provide a more reliable and faster option to over 200 businesses, families and rural properties alike – where previously some of these only had access to a satellite connection which was inadequate at the best of times, according to customers.

Their success has enabled them to employ a full time Installer John, and David a network engineer. Also having their current inhouse team of 11 staff to assist with all support and other enquiries.

For all of your IT solutions, call the friendly team at Steele Technology on 02 6852 3204, email them at sales@stech.com.au or call into the store at 126 Lachlan Forbes.

At Forbes North Public School we provide “Learning for Life Through Quality Education in a Safe and Caring Environment”. Teachers, parents, and students all work together in partnership to maintain high expectations, creating a positive environment where every student reaches their true potential and become confident, creative, self-directed, and successful learners to build our community for today and tomorrow.

Forbes North Public School is located on the land of the Wiradjuri Nation. We have a strong alignment with Forbes local AECG to guide and support culture, language and local knowledge. The school prides itself on its excellent wellbeing policies and practices.

Forbes North Public School is a focal point of the community and has many strong linkages including a well-developed “Link Up to School” transition program. This program runs all year providing students with an opportunity to become familiar with the school settings prior to school, forming strong bonds, allowing students to have the best start to kindergarten.

The school is proud of the burgeoning partnership that exists between home and school. A strong relationship has been formed with an energetic Parent & Citizens Association consisting of parents, caregivers, and the wider community. In partnership with the Schools as Community Centre we hold parent education classes to help parents and caregivers engage with their child’s learning both at school and at home.

Forbes North Public School has a distinguished Kitchen & Garden program. Students are exposed to positive nutritional foods, preparing meals and hands-on experiences. Students learn life skills through engaging lessons, making strong links to the literacy and numeracy curriculum.

Forbes North encourages all students to have high expectations of themselves and to continually be better than the person they were the day before.

RAISE THE WALL: A sign hanging from a bridge in Forbes last weekend aptly sums up what most are thinking. INSET: Forbes Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance with Michael McCormack (right) in the Forbes Shire last week getting a gauge on the flood damage to farms and crops.

The Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has hit back at comments made by academic Professor Jamie Pittock, who is opposed to raising the Wyangala Dam wall.

Mr McCormack said the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall by 10 metres would not only increase the water storage capacity of the dam by 650 gigalitres, it would also give authorities more flexibility in preventing flood events.

“Professor Pittock has shown through his comments a complete disregard for the residents, farmers, families and business people living and working along the Lachlan River catchment,” Mr McCormack said.

“To suggest raising the Wyangala Dam wall would worsen the impact of floods and to accuse relevant authorities of water mismanagement is misinformed and is a smack in the face to the people living along the Lachlan River catchment as well as to Water New South Wales, which many locals believe has done an outstanding job to minimise the impact of this flooding event. When Prof. Pittock says there are “cheaper” alternatives, it is not just about doing things on the cheap,” Mr McCormack said.

“But on the issue of cost, just imagine the value of the current floodwater, had it been used for agricultural production, which would be enormous. To say the dam wall should not be raised goes against everything most locals believe should happen.”

Mr McCormack, offered some advice for the Professor.

“Try telling that to those residents who are pulling up their sodden carpets after the waters have run through their homes, to the primary producers who stand to lose millions of dollars because their crops have been ruined or to the communities who’ve faced flood adversity too many times,” he said.

“Try telling that to the people of Forbes who’ve had their houses inundated by two flood events in the past five years.”

A record $1.1 billion is being invested in Indigenous programs, services and initiatives this financial year, with New South Wales last week becoming the first state to publish its own Interim Indigenous Expenditure Report (IER).

The Interim IER maps and tracks the State’s current financial commitment to Indigenous-specific programs and services across government. It will inform future policy decisions and the allocation of funds.

Treasurer Matt Kean said spending on Indigenous initiatives is up 18.9 per cent on the previous financial year, with the NSW Government focused on delivering improved programs and services for First Nations people.

“I know we’ve still got a long way to go to close the gap, but the NSW Government is proud to be working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to create better outcomes for communities right across the state,” Mr Kean said.

The largest spend categories in the Interim IER include – Infrastructure, Crisis services, Out of Home Care Services and Education. Health will also receive $109 million in 2021-22, with $53.3 million delivered by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector. Read the full Interim Indigenous Expenditure Report at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/ier

Young people living in the Central West and Western NSW will be able to enjoy school holiday camps with friend’s thanks to the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway said the $10 million to expand the popular Holiday Break program will give back the fun, care-free experiences our kids missed out on during the lockdowns.

“COVID-19 has been incredibly tough on everyone but particularly our young people, which is why the NSW Government is broadening this fantastic program,” Mr Farraway said.

“Through this initiative, we will provide free or subsidised activities over the school holidays including the very popular barbeque music nights and sports camps.”

Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the past two years have tested our young people and programs like the Holiday Break program give kids something to look forward to.

“Across rural and regional NSW, the Holiday Break program has been a roaring success and we look forward to seeing our young people make the most of their summer holidays,” Mrs Taylor said.

Please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/holiday-fun-for-regional-youth