By popular request, following last year’s successful concert, Maz Rees and Grant Barton will again be holding “A Morning of Music”, when the unique sounds of the pipe organ and electronic organ come together in one concert.

This year’s event is being held in conjunction with the Galari River Arts Festival, with proceeds going to Forbes CanAssist.

Maz and Grant will take you on a musical journey from classical to rock in a casual and relaxed atmosphere – the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

Maz has a degree in music composition, while Grant has studied in Japan, competing in the Yamaha Electone Festival and has a passion for electronic organ music.

The pipe organ, which is housed at the Town Hall, was commissioned and built for the late Paul Coles and hosted concerts upstairs in his Forbes Builders’ shed for years.

Paul kindly donated the organ to Forbes Shire Council several years ago.

The doors of the Town Hall open at 10am on Sunday 9 August, with the concert to start at 10.30am. Entry fee is a donation to CanAssist. Morning tea will also be available.

The Bogan Gate Branch, NSW Farmers Association, presented one of the first motions to be voted on at the Annual Conference at Rosehill Tuesday 21 July.

The Motion, which was moved by Ron Umbers, asked for NSW Farmers to advocate for amendments to the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 (NSW) to allow registered Veterinary Practitioners to conduct Telehealth consultations. This including for S4 drug compliance and prescribing, where initial check has occurred and a bona fide Veterinary – Client – patient relationship has been established, subject to existing professional, animal welfare and regulatory safeguards.

As it currently stands, a farmer must transport a lamb, or representative animal of their commercial operation, to a Vet surgery to prove they are a person involved with commercial animal operations. This requirement must be repeated every year even if the Vet has a long-term business relationship with the farmer and they are fully aware of their commercial animal production status. The process is cumbersome, time consuming and very stressful for the animal (and farmer) involved.

Bogan Gate branch’s Policy submission aims to streamline the process while still maintaining security with regards to the necessary veterinary products that farmers need to use in their operations.

The vote sailed through to become NSW Farmers Policy which will now be followed up by the advocacy team, who will approach the relevant authorities to achieve this resolution.

Gavin Tom, Region 5 Executive Councillor said, “This is a great example of how NSW Farmers can improve on modern farm practice which can involve plenty of red tape.

“As Region 5 Executive Councilor I was very pleased to vote for this, along with the vast majority of delegates.

“Being a member of NSW Farmers can give you a say in forming and improving policy, whether it be state, federal or local government along with the many other organisations we have to deal with on a daily basis.

By Gavin Tom
Region 5 Executive Councillor, Parkes/Forbes Branch

For several years, I have been raising concerns about whether theMental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) is giving sufficient weight to community safety and the concerns of victims when making decisions about forensic mental health patients.

The recent reported death of 74-year-old Quang My Pham in Western Sydney has reinforced why these concerns deserve serious attention. While the circumstances are still subject to investigation, I have written to the Minister for Mental Health requesting an urgent review into reports that the alleged offender was a recently released forensic mental health patient.

This is not about opposing rehabilitation. It’s about ensuring there is an appropriate balance between rehabilitation, victim welfare and community safety.

For years, victims and families have shared their experiences with me, describing a system where they feel their concerns are heard but not always meaningfully considered.

One such case is that of Wendy Robinson, who has spent years attending MHRT hearings to advocate for her family’s safety following the murder of her parents by a family member found not guilty by reason of mental illness. After years of lobbying, I am pleased that the NSW Parliament’s Law and Safety Committee has now agreed to conduct an inquiry into the MHRT following my formal request earlier this year.

The inquiry will examine whether the current system adequately protects victims and communities, provides sufficient transparency and accountability, and strikes the right balance between patient rehabilitation and public safety. I will continue advocating for stronger oversight, greater transparency and reforms that ensure victims’ voices are genuinely considered indecisions that may affect public safety.

Our communities deserve confidence that appropriate safeguards are in place, and victims deserve confidence that their safety remains a central consideration in every decision.

Cheers, Phil