Roxane Manley

Mayoral Notes

October 12, 2023 by Phyllis Miller, OAM

This Saturday will see Australians make their choice on the Voice referendum. Regardless of which way you choose to vote, voting is compulsory – but please be aware there isn’t any voting at the Town Hall for this referendum. Instead, polling will be at 42 Templar Street (the old Elders building!) or at the other traditional locations such as Forbes Tennis Club in Church Street, Forbes High School in Wyndham Ave and Bedgerabong Public School. Pre-polling is of course available at 42 Templar Street until 6pm on 13 October. Every vote counts.

While you are out and about voting, why not take the extra time and check out the eight magnificent gardens entered into Forbes’ annual Open Gardens. Open on Saturday and Sunday, come and get some inspiration, stop for refreshments catered for by the Men’s Shed, and help support numerous charities. It is heart-warming to see the recovery and the beauty of our town even after the devastation major floods can bring. Well done – and thank you – to the eight gardeners for welcoming visitors into their realm this weekend.

There should indeed be visitors alike too – aside from the above, Forbes Jockey Club is hosting its Spring Races on Saturday complete with six races, Fashions on the Field, bar TAB and canteen facilities, and Forbes Autosports Club is holding a motocross and dirt track ride park day on Sunday 15 October.

If you are organising an event, please get in touch with our Events/Communication team at Council. We can help you get the word out, not just to the general public but to other businesses in town that may benefit or assist you – food outlets, accommodation, shops that may like to extend trading hours for your event and so on. Indeed, make sure you sign up to our weekly what’s on newsletter (send an email to events@forbes.nsw. gov.au) so you can stay in the know.

Finally, I urge you to get your team together for the National BBQ Championships at the end of this month – 28 October, and you could be in the running to win part of the $10,000 prize pool and a BBQ. Take advantage of the early bird registration discount which will apply till 18 October. I am so excited to meet our celebrity chef judge Hayden Quinn. Spread the word.

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM

Spring On Full Display This Weekend For Forbes Open Gardens

October 12, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Forbes Garden Club will be hosting open gardens this weekend 14th and 15th October, with eight magnificent gardens on display.

The wristbands and maps needed for entry to all gardens will be available at Forbes Riverside Community Gardens 59/71 Reymond Street from 9.30am each day. The cost is $20 to visit all gardens or should you wish to just visit an individual garden, the cost will be $5. All gardens are open from 10am to 4pm on both days.

Riverside Community Gardens will be serving a delicious morning tea for a gold coin donation. The Forbes Men’s shed will be catering for lunch at garden number 5 from 11am onwards and will also have fresh cake and slices for sale made by Garden club members.

Beautiful weather is expected, so take advantage of the opportunity to get out and about and support the charities of the garden owners choice.

Snippets…

October 12, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Kodie-Lee Whitney, 20 years old and from Parkes NSW, has won Ampol free fuel for a year after ordering a BBQ Bacon Angus at McDonalds.

One Lucky Parkes Resident Wins Big On Maccas Monopoly: Kodie-Lee is a stay-at-home mum, with a 14-month-old daughter, Molly, and her partner is a truck driver. Kodie-Lee is extremely happy with the win, as the family has been facing hard times with the current cost of living crisis. The free fuel for a year, means the pressure is taken off having to decide whether they can visit family in Newcastle and go on holidays next year, because of the rising cost of fuel. The Maccas Monopoly win has now made it all possible.

NSW Government Bans Phones At School: Starting this month, students will not be able to use mobile phones at school, including during recess and lunch breaks. This ban comes into place after consultation with teachers, students, and parents, for a better learning environment and outcomes for all. Read more about the ban here: bit.ly/MobilePhone-Ban

National BBQ Championships Forbes: If you haven’t yet, get your team together and register today for the 2023 National BBQ Championships Forbes. Head to the Forbes Council website for registration details at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au.

There is an impressive $10K prize pool up for grabs. We are excited to have Master Chef contestant and Taste of Australia foodie Hayden Quinn judging and providing a cooking demonstration. The event will feature market stalls, local live music, children’s entertainment and a bar. Don’t miss all of the action on Saturday 28th October from 12pm – 8pm at Grinsted Oval, Gordon Duff Drive, Forbes. Cost is free to attend. Tickets available via 123Tix.com.au.

Local Land Services NSW: The Landcare movement has received a major boost with the NSW Government announcing $33 million in funding to employ up to 83 full-time equivalent local and regional Landcare coordinators and support staff across NSW. Applications for the NSW Landcare Enabling Program 2023-2027: Local and Regional Coordinators grants are now open, with details and program guidelines available at www.nsw.gov.au/lep

Hilltops Region – Iandra Castle Open Day: Iandra Castle is opening to the public this weekend, on Sunday, 15 October 2023, from 10am-2pm. Plan a day out with the family exploring this rich piece of history within the Hilltops Region while enjoying a delicious BBQ cooked by the Rotary Club of Young NSW. Bookings are essential and available online: www.iandracastle.com.au

Iandra Castle Open Day – Bookings are essential.

Mental Health Workforce Strategy

October 12, 2023 by Roxane Manley

As we shine a light on mental health issues during this Mental Health Week, the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) welcomes the launch of the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 by the Australian Government.

The Alliance is pleased to see that the issues of mental health workforce shortages in rural and remote locations and options to address the specific needs of communities to attract, retain, maximise, support and train a rural workforce are given due consideration in this Strategy.

“We know mental illness in rural and remote Australia is more prevalent than in major cities and tragically, rates of self-harm and suicide increase with remoteness.

“We are particularly pleased to see the reference to the need for home grown professionals as the Strategy notes that people originating from rural and remote areas often have a preference to undertake training and employment in their own or comparable communities. The Strategy rightly notes that there needs to be a focus on developing, growing and sustaining the regional, rural and remote mental health workforce through providing localised education, training and placement opportunities for students,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

Be Seen @ Forbes Magic Festival

October 12, 2023 by Roxane Manley

$300,000 In Grants Available To Kickstart Community Infrastructure Projects

October 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Applications opened this week for the 2023 Community Building Partnership (CBP) program, with grants available to help make our region a better place to live, work, learn and play. The program invests in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

Since 2009, the program has awarded more than $436 million to more than 19,700 projects across the state, from access ramps for community halls to resurfacing the local sporting grounds.

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $5,000 and $150,000. In 2023, grants must be for building, refurbishing or repairing community infrastructure, or for buying freestanding equipment or vehicles.

Grant applications close Friday, 27th October 2023 at 5pm. To apply, visit the Community Building Partnership website: nsw.gov.au/cbp

“I strongly encourage local organisations to apply for this much loved program,” Philip Donato MP said.

Celebrating Regional Women

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Nominations are now open for this year’s NSW Regional Woman of the Year Award.The awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional women doing inspiring things in their communities.

The award is all about showcasing women who contribute to the fabric of their local area by making contributions that have a significant and positive impact on the lives of others.

There’s no denying that women who live and work in rural and regional areas face conditions that sometimes require that extra level of resilience and determination, so it’s fitting that there’s an award that specifically honours women in the regions.

If you know of an inspirational woman that is making an outstanding contribution, whether it be in education, health, agriculture, the arts, fundraising, volunteer work, or just generally within the community, please take the time to nominate them.

Nominations close Tuesday 24th October 2023, and can be made at: www.nsw.gov.au

Be Seen @ Forbes Rugby Union Celebrations

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Saturdays Parkes Golf Results

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Congratulations to Cath Kelly and Patsy Christie and to Jake and David Ford (Not Pictured).

On Saturday the Nutrien 4BBB annual event was run and again thanks to one of our long term sponsors. There were 62 starters for this team’s event where the best score on the hole is totalled for the team. There was also an Individual event held in conjunction.

The winning combination were David Ford and Jake O’Brien who compiled a tidy 49 points. They combined well, with David pulling in 39 points and Jake 38 points. In the ladies event the pairing of Cath Kelly and Patsy Christie reigned supreme on the day, compiling 44 points.

In the Individual stakes, Max Keith on 42 points just got home in front of Wayne Tucker with 41 points and John Dwyer piling on the points for a 40. With the new track settling in, the fear is starting to dissipate, and golfers are coming to grips with it. Jake O’Brien shot a three over and Anthony Riach, Aaron, Wilkie and Max Keith all shot four overs.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were –The Idlerite 1st by Colleen Staples at 320cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Chris Goodie at 320cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Myles Smith at 190cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Rod Kiley at 130 cm and the 18th by Col Breaden at 548cm. The lucrative 11th hole was won by Chris Goodie at 320cm this week.

Ball winners were Wayne Tucker 41, John Dwyer 40, Anthony Riach, John Pearce, Tom Delmenico 39, Ken Keith, Finne Latu 38, Jimmy Kuntze, Ron Hetherington 37. Captain Cath once again pummeled President David with the scores at 157 to 131

This week is the October Monthly Medal proudly presented by Telescope Tyres and Batteries / Hankook Masters with the daily sponsor being Peter Woods and Associates.

Rotary Ipomoea Christmas Tree Festival

October 5, 2023 by Roxane Manley

A previous Christmas Tree Festival. This years festival will run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd December.

The members of Rotary Ipomoea invite you to make and decorate a Christmas tree, a nativity, wreath or wall hanging, as long as the entry has a Christmas theme they will exhibit it at the 11th community Christmas Tree Festival.

Exhibits will need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall between 7am and 10am on Friday 1st December if possible. However, no exhibits will ever be late, they will glady be accepted right up until the opening time.

The exhibition of trees will be open to the public on Friday 1st December from 1pm-5pm and all day Saturday 2nd December, 9am-5pm and from 9am-2pm Sunday 3rd December.

Your entry can reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. There are no restrictions placed upon entires at all.

There are no size restrictions for trees, big or small Rotary love them all. Trees can be commercially bought, a tree in a pot, a branch in a bucket full of wet sand or a painted tree branch. Trees can be from recycled materials, welded, nailed, or glued.

Lights can be added but are not necessary. Entrants are aksed to place a Christmas greeting on or under their tree.

Please indicate your intention to take part in this the 11th Christmas Tree Festival by phoning Rotary Ipomoea members on 0439 708 456, 0427 201 445 or 0413 274 735.

There will be a $5 fee to enter your exhibit. This fee can be brought along with your entry on Friday 1st December. This fee will be used by Rotary Ipomoea to support local Rotary Ipomoea projects. Entry to the Christmas Tree Festival will be $5 per adult and free for primary school children.

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