Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey recently called on students from Years 10, 11 and 12 from across the electorate of Parkes to enter the very popular My First Speech competition.

This competition, which gives one student from each year group across the country the chance to give their speech at Australian Parliament House, has closed for submissions, but a second competition is now open for young people aged 25 and under.

Mr Chaffey said the 2026 Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign was underway, and he urged young people to take the opportunity to have their ideas heard.

“This competition asks people to write a 90-second speech that answers the question, ‘What is one big issue shaping your future, and what is a meaningful action you want Parliament to take on it?’,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Selected speeches will be read out by elected members in Parliament during Youth Voice in Parliament Week from 12-15 October. It would be great to have young voices from across the electorate of Parkes heard.”

Submissions close on 7 August, 2026. More information can be found on the website at https://raiseourvoiceaustralia.com including a school toolkit.

Maddy is pictured in the centre (wearing a blue shirt) presenting donations to a local school she visited in the Philippines. INSET: Maddy pictured in the centre, along with other volunteers and children from the school she visited.

In July, Red Bend Catholic College student Maddy Morrison travelled to the Philippines with a group of seven teenagers from around the world through International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ).

The purpose of the trip was to volunteer in a rural village, support local schools and communities and experience a different culture while making a positive difference.

Before departing she spent months fundraising, and thanks to the support of family, friends, local businesses and the Forbes Community Maddy was able to raise $3,800.

Maddy volunteered in Tigman Village, two hours south from Puetro Pincesa on the island of Palawan. During her time there, she worked with local children and families, helping at the village elementary school and assisting with community projects.

Maddy said, “Thanks to the generosity of everyone who supported my fundraising, I was able to purchase and donate 60 school uniforms, 60 school bags, essential medical resources, educational tools and a new printer and laminator for the school.

“I was also lucky enough to be able to give a donation to my program coordinator, a young Filipino woman who has worked so hard supporting her community while preparing to begin university.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was spending time with the children.”

The welcome Maddy received was something she said she will never forget.

“Everyone was so warm, kind and welcoming from the moment we arrived. The children were full of excitement and always greeted us with huge smiles and hugs. It was amazing to build such genuine connections with the community, it made leaving incredibly emotional as they made us feel like part of their family.”

Maddy would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported her fundraising journey.

Libby Coles the Forbes Show Young Woman from last year and the Zone winner this year at Eugowra. Libby is pictured at the Sydney Royal representing us in the State competition.

The Forbes Show Young Woman (aka Showgirl) Competition is looking to find someone to represent our town of Forbes.

This competition runs in most towns that have an agricultural show all over the state. Young Women begin their journey by entering the competition at their local agricultural show, where after an interview, they are selected as the Show’s Young Woman.

The purpose of the competition is to identify ambassadors to promote the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and Agricultural Shows across NSW. The program is designed to develop regional young women, to benefit the individual, the local show society, and their communities. Interview, presenting, and networking skills are all strengthened.

The competition attracts over 300 women aged between 18-25 years of age each year. Entrants are to have a connection to their town but not necessarily be involved in agricultural employment or activities.

Libby Coles was our 2025 Forbes Young Woman, selected from three entrants. Libby had entered the competition in 2024 and also been awarded our Young Woman title but did not proceed past the next level to Sydney Royal – at the State level. This year Libby was announced as one of three girls to represent our Zone and had a fabulous week in Sydney at the Easter Show.

It is so easy to apply. Emma Gafney (Young Woman steward) and Susan Earl are the people to contact for an application form. Or alternatively girls can contact the Forbes Show office. For more information contact Susan Earl 0428 445 531 or dsearlx@gmail.com, Emma Gaffney on 0407 198 210 or Emma.Gaffney@outlook.com or Forbes Show Office- forbesshow@gmail.com

Left: The old Saint Andrew’s Church on Harold St is the new home for Generocity Church Forbes. Right: Pictured are a few of the Generocity Church Forbes crew.

Generocity Church Forbes is finally moving into its own building after three and a half years leasing Northside Chapel for its Sunday Morning Services. Forbes GC has been very grateful to Northside Chapel for accommodating them after their own building was flooded in the devastating Forbes floods in November 2022.

Forbes GC is now very excited to be moving into their own church building, kindly leased by Forbes Council.

On 9 August they will be holding an opening service to celebrate moving into the old St Andrews Church building. Built in 1877, and closed as a church in 2020, Forbes GC are thrilled to once again be using the church as a place to worship God and fellowship together.

Their small volunteer renovations team has spent the last eight months painting, cleaning, and making repairs to ensure the building is a welcoming and safe space for the Forbes community.

All renovations have been completed according to Heritage requirements and with Forbes Shire Council approval.

Forbes GC are inviting all Forbes locals who are interested in seeing the renovations to come along to the opening service and join them to praise God for his provision A special welcome is extended to the past congregation of St Andrews. If you have any memories of the church, they would appreciate hearing your stories, and have already met one local gentleman who has fond memories of getting married in the old church.

All are welcome and invited to the Opening Service of Forbes Generocity Church in its new location, 10am Sunday 9 August.

The building is the old St Andrews Church, Harold Street, Forbes. Activities are available for children in the Kids Church room.

A free lunch will be served after the church service as part of the celebrations.