On Tuesday last week Parkes PCYC held a community event to showcase their 2025 Nations of Origin team.
We saw the gymnastics girls perform and our football teams play some games against Cowra.
Thank you to the local community that that either donated or came and showed their support of this program.
Local optometrist Bahar Esmaeilzadeh on her visit to Fiji.
Hansen Optometrists Parkes: Last month our Monday optometrist Bahar, joined @onesight in Fiji to provide eyecare to remote communities. She found the experience deeply rewarding and impactful. Between makeshift clinics, friendly locals, and a bit of “Fiji time,” she came back with new skills, a few Fijian words, and plenty of great memories.
Kerin Health: Is Your Toddler a Sensory Seeker? Or you baby starting to explore the world around them? Join our Little Movers or Busy Babies Group on Fridays and learn lots of quick and easy ways to help your toddler thrive (and have a coffee in the sun with another parent while the kids go crazy, this is the best bit!) Book online now www.kerinhealth.com.au/sensory-playgroup
Red Bend Catholic College: A mesasge for ex-students. Red Bend Catholic College looks forward to welcoming ex-students back to Forbes on Saturday, 23 August. If you would like to organise a tour of the College, please email jacquigreig@redbendcc.nsw.edu.au
Flood Recovery Support is Still Available: Recovering from the 2022 Central West NSW floods takes time, and every journey is different. If you or someone you know is still impacted, GIVIT is here to help.
GIVIT provides support to get people back on their feet as they move through recovery. If you or someone you know needs a helping hand, please register with GIVIT at the link below. For help or information, visit: https://www.givit.org.au/person-in-need
Parkes Shire Council: Are you a local Parkes Shire not-for-profit or community based organisation looking for a helping hand? Round 1 of Parkes Shire Council’s Community Financial Assistance Program is open for applications. This round includes General grants of up to $1,000.00 for a specific purpose or event, and Leasing and Licencing grants. For more information or to apply, visit: bit.ly/ParkesShireGrants
Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation: Yoorana Gunya & Binaal Billa NAIDOC Day 2025. Thanks to the fantastic workers for your work on the event, Dinawan’s Connection, Chatty’s Music, Indigenous Cultural Adventures and Essjay Photography for the beautiful pictures.Thank you to aunty Mavis and Cheryl for the Johnny Cakes, Greg and Luke from Zinfra for the assistance and everyone who attended to help celebrate the day.
Yoorana Gunya & Binaal Billa thank everyone for celebrating NAIDOC 2025 with them.
A breast screen (or mammogram) can pick up breast cancers before they can be seen or felt.
The BreastScreen NSW mobile screening van will be in Forbes from Monday 18 August to Monday 13 October, 2025. BreastScreen NSW provides free breast screening to all women over 40 to support the early detection of breast cancer.
Deon Adamson, Manager, BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) says a regular breast screen is one of the most important things women can do for their health.
“Detecting breast cancer early increases your chance of survival while reducing the likelihood of invasive treatment.”
“Around 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
This is why breast cancer screening is so important.”
Ms Adamson says having a BreastScreen NSW van in Forbes makes it easier for women to attend their recommended twoyearly screening.
“Bringing these vital services to Forbes means more local women can be screened.
Life gets busy and we want women to make their health a priority.”
The BreastScreen NSW van will be located in Harold Street (near the Cenotaph), Forbes NSW 2871. An appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes less than 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed. BreastScreen NSW provides free screening mammograms to women over the age of 40. Any woman with a family history of breast cancer should discuss their specific needs with their GP. Anyone with breast symptoms should contact their GP or health worker without delay.
The mobile clinic visiting Forbes is equipped with a lift system to support women with health conditions or disability to have their mammogram. Women with additional needs are encouraged to let us know when booking.
Have your breast screen at our mobile BreastScreen NSW van in Forbes and you will be entered in the draw to win a delicious hamper.
To book a free mammogram visit book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or call 13 20 50.
Rural Aid is proud to launch the 6th annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Australians to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land.
Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell their stories through the lens, stories of rugged beauty, resilience and community spirit in the face of hardship.
This year’s competition comes after another challenging season of natural disasters, with floods, fires, and droughts once again testing the resolve of the nation’s rural heartland.
Entrants are invited to submit a high-resolution, landscape photograph that represents the true Spirit of the Bush. Photos can be submitted via Instagram or Facebook by tagging @ruralaid in the image and using the hashtag #SOTB2025. Entries can also be submitted, and all of the competition terms and conditions can be reviewed via our website at https://www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/.
A panel of judges will select ten winning images, each of which will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card. Winners will be announced on the 15th of September 2025.
The June meeting was held in the comfort of the Men’s Shed with President Marg Dent welcoming 29 members, with apologies from 11 members.
Minutes and reports were read with Bev Gerdes thanked for filling the role of Head Steward for the Flower section for the Forbes Show. It was good to hear Pammie Thomson is out of hospital and recovering with family.
Our guest speaker was Kate Nixon from Macrocarpa Landscapes She last spoke to us as a gardener from Forbes Council on her designing of the native garden at the Tourist Information Centre. She has now started her own business specialising in natives. Her knowledge of natives is inspiring and how they can be easily propagated.
It was noted that with all the frosty weather the natives planted at the Information Centre are doing well and she has suggested to Council that several working bees take place each year with volunteers. Kate had brought many specimens along which are native to our area all with botanical names! Marg Swift thanked her for her talk and presented her with a gift.
Marion Murray was the lucky raffle winner and the flower of the month saw many entries but resulted in first Noel Hocking a Chrysanthemum, second Max Swift a Camellia and third Lee Sanderson an Iris.
The next meeting will be held at the Men’s Shed on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm, all welcome. Please bring along a flower of the month and a cup Our guest speaker is Jo Henley of Henleys Rustics Garden Beds. All welcome
By Green Thumb
On day one of the competition these four girls took away a gold and a bronze, showcasing their amazing skills.
Parkes PCYC Nations of Origin teams and supporters travelled to Sydney early this week to compete in the Nations of Origin tournament. The multi-sports tournament aims to promote reconciliation within communities by engaging the Aboriginal Nations of NSW and people of non-Aboriginal descent. Over 1,000 First Nations and nonFirst Nations young people came together to celebrate their cultures, friendships, hard work and dedication.
PCYC Parkes first attended the event last year and are excited to be back again this year. Thanks to Parkes PCYC and its supporters who have donated to help fund the trip, 56 kids from the local area will be taking part.
Kimberley Sherrett, Parkes PCYC Club Manager said: “There were come and try out sessions for rugby league, gymnastics and basketball, most of these children are already participating in programs at the club.
“The majority of the students this year are from Parkes however we also have some Condobolin, Peak Hill and Forbes players.
Last year Parkes PCYC gymnastics girls finished with bronze and a highly commended, our basketball boys and one of our rugby league teams came very close to making the finals and one of our rugby league teams made the finals but were unfortunate not to walk away with a win.
We were incredibly proud of how they all played and performed.”
The annual four-day sporting and cultural event brings together young people from across New South Wales, representing their Aboriginal Nations. The program consists of teams with a 70-30 split of First Nations and non-First Nations youth.
The event aims to foster community connections, celebrate Indigenous culture, and promote understanding and respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal young people.
A large contingent from Forbes Netball Association attendend the Hart Junior State Titles recently.
The Hart Junior State Titles were held at Penrith and Baulkham Hills.
By all accounts, the Forbes girls absolutely crushed it in all their games!
Aussie croquet was played on Saturday 12 July with only a small number in attendance, however those who played enjoyed the game.
We welcomed back John Allegri who has been on an extended stay overseas due to becoming ill there, however he is home and slowly recovering and was great to see his return to croquet. Tony Bernardi has joined our croquet club and is enjoying a game and the social aspect.
Our valued member Fay Picker has had knee reconstructions and is progressing favourably. Fay called in on Saturday to say hello and we hope it won’t be long before she is back for a game. Best wishes Fay.
Three games on 12 July were won by Noel Jolliffe and Kevin Rubie.
Seniors are catered for on Monday nights at the Vandenberg Hotel with half price meals.
Sadly the Post Office Hotel will close its doors on 13 July and the town is in mourning for what has been a popular place for locals. Forbes Croquet Club has enjoyed bi-monthly luncheons there on occasions and the food was most enjoyable. Thank you to the excellent staff.
By Elvy Quirk
FCC President
Last weekend was round 11 for the FRUC and it was also the ever popular Ladies Day.
It was an action packed day with great footy, laughter, style, and special moments shared.
It was a brilliant day celebrating the incredible women in our club and community.
Thank you to all those who attended and made the day a huge success.
If you’ve ever thought about giving back to your community, learning real rescue skills, and being part of an awesome
team — now’s your chance.
The VRA Rescue NSW is currently recruiting across western NSW in an effort to recruit Volunteers for Squads in the western area as well as a State Rescue Group.
The State Rescue Group will consist of multi-skilled Volunteers from communities across NSW western area.
VRA Rescue NSW, formerly known as the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, is a volunteer-based organization that provides emergency rescue services across New South Wales, Australia. They are dedicated to community safety and play a vital role in emergency management and response. VRA Rescue NSW affiliates include various rescue squads specializing in different areas like motor vehicle rescue, maritime search and rescue, and wilderness rescue.
VRA Rescue NSW is composed of volunteer members who dedicate their time and skills to assist the community in times of need. They offer a diverse range of rescue services, including motor vehicle accidents, maritime incidents, wilderness and cave searches, and more.
Full training will be provided and no experience is needed. People of ages 18+ are welcome.
VRA Rescue NSW covers Road Crash Rescue, Land Search, Flood Rescue, Vertical Rescue and much more. Whether you are keen to get hands on or want to help behind the scenes, there’s a role for you!
If you live in the western area and you are interested in finding out about becoming a volunteer then you can place an expression of interest by visiting the VRA website www.rescue.org.au