Roxane Manley

From The Mayor’s Desk

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Thank you to all the voters who turned out on Saturday – it is really very important to have your say in who represents you in the Local Government, the most visible sector of government and I personally believe the most ‘can do’ tier of government.

Our new council will not be declared until after September 27 when the postal votes officially close and can be counted. From there preferences will be distributed. It is unlikely that we will have a new council declared until early October. The regular monthly Council meeting will be held on Thursday 17 October with the new council.

Congratulations to the Forbes Foxes who won the men’s soccer Grand Final on the weekend, how fantastic to get a victory after nine years – especially on our beautiful home grounds. I loved seeing our town touched by Orange to support you all. I hope you all did too.

The NSW Government has opened the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy2041 with Litter Prevention Grants open for community groups. Funding is available for small scale on the ground projects litter prevention projects to larger strategy and implementation programs. EOIs close on 18 October. Do you have a great waste idea or solution? I am looking forward to meeting with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park next week to continue the discussion around the need for a new operating suite at Forbes District Hospital. We will be updating the Minister on the substantially increased surgical load at our hospital. This increase in surgical procedures in Forbes is reducing the waiting list for our larger regional base hospitals.

I will also be detailing for Minister Park the significant stimulus and economic incentives Forbes Shire Council has had in place to attract and retain medical health professionals, such as housing support and operational on costs to secure a stable medical workforce for our community.

Hoping to be able to get a commitment and an update from the Minister.

Until next week
Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

Snippets…

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The club is incredibly proud of Summers achievements and can’t wait to see her continue to grow, coach, and inspire students.

PCYC Parkes: A big congratulations to Summer Hurford for being nominated, and winning Sportsperson of the Year by the NAIDOC Advisory Group. Summer was an invaluable member of the recent Nations of Origin trip, where she contributed by fundraising for the event and offering her support in both the footy and senior leadership in our gymnastics events. She’s a true ray of sunshine in the gymnastics program and is proving to be a fantastic up-and-coming senior coach on the team.

Office Of Sport: The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program is now open! The grant program is aimed at providing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and associated equipment to NSW sport and recreation facilities and clubs. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to sporting and recreational organisations. Find out more here www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants

Forbes Youth Action Team: The September/October School Holiday Program is almost here and there are so many fun events taking place over the spring holiday break! Be sure to secure your spot in these events by registering online at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

1800RESPECT: Whether it’s you, a family member, a friend or a colleague experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, 1800RESPECT provides confidential counselling, information and support. Counsellors can be contacted through call, text, online chat or video call. Available 24/7. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or online chat – Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (except public holidays) Video call (no appointment needed).

Kerin Health: We’re pleased to announce that we will be holding two free information sessions in the next few weeks for Parents and Educators. Join us at Kerin Health to learn how to support children with their emotional, behavioural and sensory needs during these free Education Sessions with our experienced Occupational Therapist, Emilie. To learn more, or register for a session contact 0437 749 746.

Forbes Town And District Tennis Club: Bring the family this Sunday and have a fun day, win some prizes, spread awareness for Leo Doyle and help us raise some funds. To nominate for the pair’s competition please contact Peter Clifton on 0403 335 205. If you would like to know more about Leo’s journey so far, visit: https://rarevoices.org.au/personal-story/leos-story/

Follow this link to see the support Little Wings provide our community https://www.littlewings.org.au/

Be Seen @ AORC With Dylan Mcdonald

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

15yr old Parkes boy Dylan Mcdonald finished 3rd on the podium at the final Round of the Australian Off Road Championships on this weekend at Nowra.

A few mechanical set backs at the previous round cost Dylan the points lead. Even after being hospitalised due to a training accident, he came out and raced, taking 3rd and 2nd overall on each day.

Not quite the end result that Dylan worked for this year but he will continue to put in the work and to be ready to race in America in a few months time.

Arts Outwest: Dream Up Arts Activities For 2025

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The Country Arts Support Program of annual small grants is now open, but you only have a month left to apply. Funding the payment of artists and arts workers to undertake or manage arts activities in local communities across the NSW Central West.

What could you apply for? Examples of eligible activities include (but are not limited to): Arts or heritage based workshops, classes, performances, installations, exhibitions, screen/film making, writing or composition, development of new work, tours or talks, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, community seminars and forums, recordings or podcasts, new arts activities attached to festivals or events – as long as they have some element of public outcome.

Grants are available up to the amount of $3,000. Applications close: 5pm Thursday 17 October 2024. Guidelines here: https://artsoutwest.org.au/pf/casp/ You can call or email Arts OutWest to discuss your application: 02 6338 4657 artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

CASP is devolved funding from the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Inland Rail Major Works Are Underway

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Heavy machinery in the rail corridor safely carry out excavation work to lower the track under the Wyndham Avenue bridge during this week’s rail possession.

Major construction works on Inland Rail’s Stockinbingal to Parkes section are progressing on schedule. The works were carried out during a 100-hour shut down which closed the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction.

Workers across sites in and around Forbes have been working round the clock to progress major construction and return the line to operation. Work got under way last Friday 13 September, at 6pm, ahead of the shutdown and finished after the shut down, at 7am on Thursday 19 September.

Inland Rail has spent more than $6.5 million with 85 local businesses on the project between Albury and Parkes since July last year.

Since 2018, the Inland Rail project has spent more than $470 million with local businesses, with 676 local firms supplying the project and 744 tradies providing their skills.

James Kennedy, Delivery Director, Albury to Parkes (A2P), Inland Rail, said “The work being carried out takes a great deal of preparation behind the scenes so that we can achieve as much as possible during this period.

“Teams from Inland Rail and Martinus have been collaborating to achieve all of these goals as we progress toward delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by the end of 2027.

“I would like to thank community members for their patience and understanding while we have been carrying out construction on this major nation-building project.”

Treaven Martinus, Martinus Rail CEO and founder, said “We deeply appreciate the community’s understanding during this critical phase, as our teams work tirelessly to bring the Inland Rail project closer to completion, ensuring we deliver lasting benefits to the region.”

For information on the works, visit https://inlandrail.com.au/where-we-go/projects/stockinbingal-to-parkes/works-notifications/

Forbes Garden Club Notes

September 19, 2024 by Elvy Quirk

Marion Murray’s garden at Coonamble.

Forbes Garden Club held their monthly meeting on 27th of August at the home of Colleen Liebich, 22 Koala Place, where 38 members were in attendance.

The Friendship day luncheon at Young was the topic of discussion. The day is being held on the 13th October at Clifton Gardens and a cost of $60 includes the luncheon and a tour of the gardens. Members who are wishing to attend please bring your money along to the September meeting.

Colleen gave a brief talk on how she and her late husband Jeff started with a bare block of land, building the house and in the development application they had to include a layout of their planned garden. The garden is an easy care garden.Marlene Huff thanked Colleen for having members to her home for the monthly meeting.

Our special speaker was Marion Murray, our very own member who earlier this year retired to live in Forbes coming from Coonamble. Marion gave a vast talk on her life on the land, her childhood days, moving from place to place and establishing gardens. Marion has purchased a little home near our beautiful Lake and is enjoying meeting new people, forming friendships and once again establishing a garden.

Our Forbes show has once again concluded with a good display of flowers. To the members who took time to make an entry, well done.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday 24th September, 2pm at 16 Reymond Street. A trading table will once again be in operation, and don’t forget to bring your entries for flower of the month.

By Elvy Quirk

Be Seen @ FNPS Winn Sideris Public Speaking

September 19, 2024 by Roxane Manley

The Winn Sideris Public Speaking was held on 17th September in our school hall filled with an audience ranging from kindergarten, a class of 3/4, 4/5 and 3 x 5/6 classes.

The topics covered were… embarrassing families, catastrophic events of 2022, police horses and why I prefer staying in, instead of going out. The four participants had to write their speech and speak for 2 minutes or longer.

The winner of this public speaking event was Alani Brunt with the topic Embarrassing Families… Alani will receive her award on presentation night in term four.

Prime Minister Ignores Farmers At National Farmer Rally

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to attend the National Farmer Rally outside Parliament House, instead, ignoring hundreds of farmers who travelled from all over Australia to plead with the Government to stop its anti-farming agenda.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said “For the Prime Minister to ignore hundreds of farmers, many who have spent days on end driving to Canberra from other states, shows that Labor doesn’t care about our agriculture industry.”

“Our Prime Minister isn’t interested in helping or even listening to those who produce our nation’s food and fibre. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins didn’t attend the rally either, which is incredibly disappointing given she has only just been appointed as Agriculture Minister.”

The National Farmer Rally organisers were calling for sensible changes including scrapping the truckie tax, scrapping new taxes for biosecurity and superannuation, scrapping water buybacks in the MurrayDarling Basin and protecting the Great Artesian Basin, scrapping unnecessary red tape from emissions reporting, known as Scope 3, and scrapping reckless renewables which will rip up prime agricultural land, protecting the 88-day backpacker visa, as well as overturning the decision to ban live sheep exports by sea.

“These requests are common sense solutions and without changes, farming will become unviable. The National Farmer Rally is the biggest in a generation – it has been more than 40 years since farmers have had to march on Parliament House because a federal government has made them feel so aggrieved.”

Snippets…

September 12, 2024 by Roxane Manley

Forbes Shire Council Works team members Lee and Blake.

Forbes Shire Council: Access to the Forbes Croquet Club at Lawler Street is now much easier and safer thanks to the work of Council’s Works team. Works completed include:
• Kerb cutting to create a new pathway.
• Installation of a ramp wide enough for prams.
• Digging out and installing wings.
• Installing fibre mesh.
• Concrete pouring.
• New topsoil to make the sides of the path neat and tidy.

R U OK? #RUOKDay2024 was on Thursday September 12th. But any day is the day to check in with those we care about and ask, ‘are you OK?’. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, try these four steps. 1) Ask R U OK?, 2) Listen, 3) Encourage action, 4) Check in. You can find conversation tips and download social tiles and posters of the four steps at www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

Parkes Shire Council: Are you ready to kickstart your career in business? Looking for a role that offers hands-on experience and growth? Applications for the 2025 Traineeship Program are open now. Applications close 22nd September 2024 and successful applicants will begin their career with Parkes Shire Council in February 2025. Apply now bit.ly/PSCcareers

National BBQ Championships Forbes: Sponsorship opportunities are available. Join us in hosting the 2024 National BBQ Championships. Contact events@forbes.nsw.gov.au to be a part of this amazing event showcasing the fabulous produce of the central west. Team nominations are now also open at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events/events-2024/november-2024/2024-national-bbq-championships. Enter early for your chance to compete in the 2024 National BBQ Championships.

business.gov.au: You don’t need to be an adult to run a business in Australia. If you’re a young person with a great idea, you can go ahead and start your own business. You can follow the main steps to start a business, but there are some extra things to consider when you’re starting a business under 18 years old: http://spklr.io/6187tZcv

Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society: A massive thank you to Ellice, Bianca and the whole team at Worklocker Parkes. The Cinderella and the Crystal Slippers cast look amazing in their beautiful production jackets. Tickets for Cinderella & The Crystal Slipper are on sale now at www.parkesmandd.com.au

Worklocker did an amazing job on the cast jackets.

Mayoral Notes

September 12, 2024 by Mayoral Notes

It is another busy weeked in town with the Forbes and District Lions Club hosting the 2024 District Convention at the Forbes Golf Club. Welcome to the 150 Lions members who are in town attending the convention on Saturday and Sunday. Lions Clubs have been supporting communities in Australia for 77 years.

It is now the largest service club in Australia, here in Forbes we have first hand experience of the community service and commitment to helping others that the Lions Club are renowned for. The few, however very active members of the Forbes and District Lions Club are familiar faces in the post flood recovery, manning the Driver Reviver Van and everyone loves a Lions Club BBQ.

Thank you to the Forbes and District Lions Club for all that you do for our town.

Tonight I will be welcoming around 200 Bushtracker Caravan Owners as they host their annual muster here in Forbes. Several members of this wonderful committee arrived earlier in the week to set up camp for the muster. The group hosts in-house markets, a camp oven cook off and a photography competition. The members plan an active itinerary to enjoy the many sights and attractions our community has to offer.

Forbes Shire Council hosted the Netwaste Regional Waste Forum this week.

The event included a tour of our waste facility and then the regional update, learning and forum agenda. Netwaste is a voluntary waste group formed in 1995 to enable councils to collaborate the approach to waste and resource management. Now covering almost 40% of the state, there are currently 25 member councils in regional NSW. NetWaste is funded through the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Finally have you heard the exciting news? London based, New Zealand born celebrity chef Matt Burgess has been announced as our guest chef and presenter at the 2024 National BBQ Championships. This event is going to be bigger and better than ever with two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday 9 and 10 November.

As well as the National BBQ Championships (grilling) we have teamed up with the Australian Barbecue Alliance to include a smoking competition as part of this major event. Local and national teams will be competing for the titles and $20,000 in prize money.

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