The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students in the coming weeks and the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around school zones.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Please obey the parking signs around schools. They are there to keep children safe. There are 40km/h school speed zones around all schools in NSW. The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns,” she said.

Child restraint laws require children up to seven years old to be restrained in an ap­proved child restraint. For more information visit www.childcarseats.com.au

Some road safety rules to follow

• Where possible, drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road.

• Make sure children use the footpathside door when getting in and out of a car – this is called the safety door

• Use a pedestrian crossing where pos­sible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones whilst walk­ing.

• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.

• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or Skateboard.

• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.

“Road safety around schools is every­body’s responsibility – students, teachers,parents, carers and drivers. We all have a part to play” Ms Suitor said.

Forbes Shire residents who have made significant contributions or outstanding achievements to the community over the last 12 months have been recognised by being nominated for the Forbes Shire Coun­cil 2025 Australia Day Awards. The official ceremony at the Gala Dinner will start at 7pm and include the speeches from Mayor Miller and Australia Day Ambassador, Ange Clarke, and the presentation of the awards.

Young Citizen of the Year Nominees

Sam Mackay: Sam is a 23-year-old local stock and station agent who is heavily in­volved in the Forbes community.

Freya Hooper: Freya is an 18-year-old lo­cal who achieved equal first place in NSW for Primary Industries in the 2024 HSC.

Grace Barbary: Grace is an 18-year-old local girl who has achieved academic suc­cess at Forbes High School, Aurora College and the NSW School of Languages.

Isabella Brown: Isabella is an 18-year-old student who was awarded Dux of Forbes High School in 2024, achieving an impres­sive ATAR score of 92.75.

Annika Dukes: Annika, a 20-year-old lo­cal has worked at Life Pharmacy over the last two years, studying in a Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensing.

Indrie O’Connell: Indrie, 12 years old, was elected as the first Youth Chairperson of the Forbes Youth Action Team, demonstrating leadership and commitment.

Senior Citizen of the Year Nominees

Bob and Freda Drinkwater: Bob and Fre­da have cared for their son, Scott, who is totally blind and needs care and assistance from them 24 hours per day.

Peter and Elaine Bright: Peter and Elaine are stalwarts of volunteer organisations in Forbes and are driving forces of the Forbes Lions Club.

Kevin Dwyer: Kevin is best known for his many years steering the ship for local com­munity radio station Valley FM.

Lloyd Gerdes: Lloyd contributes signifi­cantly to the Forbes community by volun­teering for a number of local organisations, including 40 years with Forbes Probus.

Helen Smith: Helen has volunteered with St Vincent de Paul in Forbes for over 20 years, helping locals facing poverty and making herself available to help people in need.

Citizen of the Year Nominees

Tami Hanley (Stewart): Tami is an integral part of the family business, Michael Hanley Funerals. She shows compassion and care, assisting families during emotional times.

Rosie Johnston: Rosie’s vision and enthu­siasm have shaped the legacy of art and tourism in Forbes. She created the concept for Somewhere Down the Lachlan.

Jack Buckley: Jack is the owner and phar­macist at Life Pharmacy and Flannery’s Pharmacy in Forbes. He was awarded 2024 Pharmacist of the Year at the Independent Pharmacies of Australia Excellence Awards.

Donna Bliss: Donna has made a meaning­ful impact on the Aboriginal community of Forbes in her work at Yoorana Gunya Fam­ily Healing Centre and Binaal Billa Family Violence and Prevention Legal Service.

Tim West: Tim has played a pivotal role in developing programs for vulnerable and dis­connected males in his work as the Forbes Location Manager for Boys to the Bush.

Maree Yapp: Maree is passionate about young people in the Forbes community, working as the Schools as Community Fa­cilitator at Forbes North Public School.

Kim Muffet: Kim is well known in the local arts scene through his volunteer work with the Forbes Arts Society.

Keith Mullette: Keith has had a huge influ­ence on the local art scene and the tourism economy in Forbes through his many years of dedication to the Forbes Arts Society.