The NSW Government is investing in Forbes’ water security as construction be­gins on a $7.6 million critical infrastructure project. The funding includes $4.6 million from the NSW Government and $3 million from Forbes Shire Council to deliver two new production bores, two test bores and a 5.3km duplication pipeline.

NSW DCCEEW Director of Grants Pro­grams, Kirsty Fenton said “Forbes was one of the many Central West communities hit hard by the last drought, the state’s worst on record, which is why we are working with Forbes Shire Council to help lock-in better water security.”

The new pipeline will run alongside the existing one that pumps water from the borefield to the Forbes Water Treatment Plant.

While the Lachlan River is the region’s main water supply, the town switches to bore water during dry periods when water in the river is too low or unsuitable for treat­ment.

The new infrastructure will significantly increase capacity by up to 80 per cent and provide a more robust water network that will ease pressure on the system and en­sure residents have enough water to with­stand the dry spells.

Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller said “No one in our community will forget the last drought when water in the Lachlan River was so low we had to rely on two emergency bores for six months, which was a struggle. That’s why we’re do­ing everything we can to expand our exist­ing network.”

Get ready for glitter, groove and good times at the 2026 Trundle ABBA Festival present­ed by Trundle & District Progress Associa­tion. The duo behind the Festival’s incep­tion, Gary Crowley and his wife will be back on deck coordinating the event this year, following their successful involvement dur­ing the first 10 years of the Festival.

Festival highlights will include Interna­tional ABBA tribute sensation ABBAS­BACK®, returning with a full orchestra and choir. There will be a world dancing record attempt to Dancing Queen and Waterloo – right here in Trundle, and an exclusive sneak peek of Parkes M&D’s new smash hit, Sister Act.

The I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do wedding vow renewals will be led by Parkes’ very own musical minister, Rev Craig Bland ac­comanied by a choir. Enter the singing com­petition, with the top three finalists perform­ing live on the main stage, or strut your stuff down Trundle’s main street in the Fashions of the Festival catwalk competition.

The festival features a stellar live music lineup, including the legendary Handpicked band featuring Orange’s most prominent rock musicians, plus local crowd-favourites and rising stars Easy Goin’ and Dirty Dark Horses – get down and giddy up!The 2026 ABBA Festival kicks off on 2 May at 11am and finishes up at 8pm. Festi­val goers are then encouraged to continue the festivities by enjoying entertainment provided by the Trundle Services Club who will have a cracking band and also the Trun­dle Hotel.

Tickets are now on sale so head to the website for information www.trundleabbaf­estival.com.au

“A young man inspiring millions through ultra marathon running to help solve homelessness” is how they describe Nedd Brockman. The Prime Minister announced Nedd Brockaman as the 2026 Young Australian of the Year in a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra.

At the 66th Australian of the Year Awards announcement, the award recipients were presented with a handcrafted glass trophy, a traditional Indigenous coolamon and clap sticks.

Nedd Brockmann had a goal – to run across Australia and inspire people to do more for themselves and the homeless. He wanted to do something to highlight homelessness, its complexities and prove that it’s solvable.

So, in 2022, he ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, completing a 3,952km journey over 46 days, and becoming the fastest ever Australian to do so. Nedd, now 27, raised over $2.6 million from over 37,000 individual contributors.

He went on to start Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge in 2024, and with his team, has raised over $8 million for those experiencing homelessness.

He also raises funds for his charity partner, Mobilise, to change lives through innovative programs to reduce the number of people sleeping rough. Find more info here https://wearemobilise.org.au/

Public nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards close on 31 July. If there’s someone you think should be considered for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards, you can nominate them now at australianoftheyear.org.au.

In November last year, Parkes Elvis Festival founders Bob and Anne Steel had the privilege of a one-on-one meeting with Priscilla Presley, at the State Theatre in Sydney prior to her show “Life After Elvis.”

Bob said, “I thought she was very approachable and I quite enjoyed being with her.” We asked Bob if hugging Priscilla was allowed, but he assured us, “Oh no, she hugged me.”

Anne laughed when recalling Bob said to Priscilla, “Give me your hand,” to which Priscilla asked why? Bob simply told her, “Because I want to hold it.”

What did they chat abut with Priscilla? “She talked about Elvis’ popularity. She’s very aware of the Parkes Elvis Festival, she knows it, and she’s over the moon that we’ve done it,” said Bob.

Bob and Anne’s daughter Tiffany told Priscilla they would love to have her at the Parkes Elvis Festival. There was some family debate as to her response to the invitation, with both Tiffany and Anne claiming Priscilla said, “You never know,” while Bob is adamant she said “Never say never!” It was agreed to let Bob have the last word on this one.

After her star encounter, while waiting for the others at bottom of the stairs of the theatre, Anne smiled at those who seemed to recognise her. People started approaching her, to share their own stories of the Parkes Elvis Festival, further proving its appeal.

Double demerit points will be in force for 12 consecutive days over the Christmas and New Year period to improve road safety dur­ing the holiday season.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said that double de­merit points would run from Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, inclusive for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcy­cle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Ms Suitor said “Drivers should ensure that they are well rested and not under the in­fluence of drugs or alcohol before they get behind the wheel. While driving, focus on driving. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your mobile phone, follow the road rules and drive at a speed suitable to conditions.

And please make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.

“Drivers should also check that their vehi­cle is ready for the journey too – check the brakes and tyres, check the levels of your engine oil, coolant and windscreen washer reservoir, make sure all your lights and in­dicators are working and ensure you have clear view,” Ms Suitor said.

Parkes Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Joshua Tolley is warning drivers that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this period. “Too often we see the tragic aftermath of drivers making poor deci­sions. No-one wants to get a fine, lose their licence or worse still be involved in a crash.

The much-loved Forbes Town Hall Christ­mas Projection is once again illuminating the local Landmark, and this year’s projec­tion has debuted a heartwarming new story titled, ‘Nedd and the Late Santa Letter’.Each year in Forbes, children write let­ters to Santa and post them through the North Pole Mail Express. These treasured messages are collected at Forbes Shire Council and whisked away on their magical journey to the North Pole.

But this year, one special letter has been accidentally left behind, and it’s up to someone truly extraordinary to get it to Santa before Christmas Eve.

The 2025 projection is voiced by mem­bers of the Forbes Youth Action Team (FYAT) and features real letters written by local children, making this one of the most personal and engaging Christmas projec­tions ever showcased on the historic Town Hall façade.

Mayor Phyllis Miller said, “For four years, families have gathered in the heart of town to enjoy this magical storytelling experi­ence. We’re thrilled to bring a new chapter to life while also featuring the creativity and Christmas wishes of our youngest resi­dents,” the Mayor said.

Created by lighting artist Stephan de Wit, the projection will run nightly, 8.30pm until 11.30pm from Monday 8 December through to Boxing Day.

The narration will be broadcast locally on FM 88.7 so be sure to tune in via your car radio to enjoy the full audio-visual ex­perience of lights, colours and the magical Christmas story.

Wiradjuri groups from across the area are concerned about the Energy From Waste Incinerator proposed for Parkes, and are inviting everyone to join the Parkes Solidarity Walk which will take place on Saturday, 6th December.

Traditional owner Aunty Frances Robinson, working within the Aboriginal Consulting Group, together with Parkes Clean Future Alliance, said after going to a meeting about the proposed incinerator and “not seeing any Koori people present. It was obvious that no-one had engaged with the Aboriginal community as to how this will affect our culture and heritage. We have too much that we are passionate about that we need to protect not only for our ancestors but for the continuation of our culture. Impact on our medicinal plants, bush tucker, song lines, our river systems, our air quality, our food and fibre industry, our general health and well being.”

Aunty Frances said the Parkes Solidarity Walk was organised for “Everyone and anyone who is concerned about the impacts that this incinerator will have on our environment and our health. United we stand. This is not just one community group, we are many community groups, all with our own concerns, all standing together to fight this.”

Get a group of friends, family, co-workers together, you can even get creative and make a sign and come along to the Parkes Solidarity Walk. Meet at 10.30 at Sir Henry Parkes Statue and the walk will conclude at Cooke Park

Parkes Elvis Festival Founders Bob and Anne Steel made an appearance on the Channel Nine morning talk show Today Ex­tra, Tuesday 25 November. On Today Ex­tra, hosted by David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys, Bob and Anne talked about the Parkes Elvis Festival and its long running success.

After their appearance on Today Extra, Bob and Anne, along with daughter Tiffany Steel and Parkes Elvis Festival Director Brendan Shipley had a scheduled one on one private sit down with Priscilla Presley, prior to her State Theatre show “Life After Elvis” at the State Theatre in Sydney.

We were curious how the meeting with Priscilla came about so we asked Festival Director Brendan who said it took a couple of months to organise with FANE Produc­tions, but once he got the go ahead, he de­livered the news to the Steel’s over lunch.

“Bob and Anne, myself and my fam­ily and their daughter Tiffany, got together for a BBQ, a couple of weeks ago, Anne cooked a lavish meal and welcomed us into her home, I stopped in the middle of lunch and said – Well, I have something to tell you, your going to Sydney to meet Priscilla,” said Brendan.

Bob and Anne were stunned to hear the news “We were in shock actually” said Anne.

And when asked if they were at all nerv­ous about meeting Priscilla or featuring on the Today Extra Program Anne replied calmly “Not at all, no good being nervous, that doesn’t do any good at all.”

The Forbes community is invited to once again come together on Tuesday 25 No­vember 2025 for the annual White Ribbon Day event, raising awareness and showing support for ending violence against women.

Chairperson of the Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee, Stevie Darcy said, “By joining together at this event, our community will stand united against vio­lence and show our commitment to support­ing one another.”

The day will begin with a community march through the CBD, assembling at 9.30am in Spring Street, followed by an offi­cial ceremony in Victoria Park commencing at 10.15am. Local services and community groups will host stalls and activities.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to come together as a community, united in our stand to end domestic and family violence.

“As we march together, we will walk not just in solidarity, but with purpose. This is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building a safer, more respectful future for everyone”, the Mayor said.

“I encourage everyone to continue the conversation – in our homes, schools, work­places, and throughout our community. To­gether, we will build a future where respect is the norm, and where every person can live free from fear and violence.”

To ensure the safety of participants, Spring Street and surrounding streets along the march route will be temporarily closed from 9.30am to 11.00am. Motorists are ad­vised to plan alternate routes during this time.