The festive season is well and truly upon us as Forbes businesses prepare for a huge Christmas trade after nearly two years of restrictions.

“We are heading into our final days of the Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas Promotion with every business doing their best and working their hardest to ensure that Forbes is an attractive place to shop locally,” said Marg Duggan, President of the Forbes Business Chamber.

“There are still plenty of activities to do. Elf in the Shop is running until December 21st. Grab your entry from out of the Phoenix Newspaper or collect one from Terry Bros Carpet Court, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Blue Sky Outdoors, Gunn’s Menswear and Embroidery, Little Extras Lifestyle, Loomzy’s FishNFix, Allure On Main, Bron’s Hair, The Book Dispensary, Cahills Footwear, Forbes Central Butchery, C&D Floor Coverings, Chapter Two, Euphoria Road, Forbes Automotive Services and ARB, Forbes Betta Homes, Forbes Small Engines, Bown’s Sportswear, Made of Fridays, Painted Daisies Gift Shoppe, Turners Furniture One and Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie,” Marg said.

There are also 6 x $50 Why Leave Town Cards to win so drop your entries into Undercover Sleepwear or Made Of Fridays.

“I would like to thank the Phoenix for their kind and generous sponsorship of the activity,” said Marg Duggan. “I would also like to thank Evolution Mining and Forbes Shire Council as well as sponsors and participants for making this activity possible and supporting the Forbes community.”

“Don’t forget to get your tickets in the Find It In AMAZING Forbes with Thursday draws being held until Christmas” said Marg.

The main draw begins on Christmas Eve at 11.30am in the CBD beginning with 11 x $500, 1 x $1,500, 2 x $2,500 and 1 x $5,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, surreptitiously dropped into Forbes last Sunday afternoon for a barbecue lunch and to thank NSW and Lachlan SES, RFS and other volunteers for their recent efforts during the floods.

The trio then took flight and visited Bedgerabong farmer Scott Darcy, before jettisoning back to the Forbes SES headquarters to formally thank everyone. Led by the Prime Minister, all three served food to the swell of volunteers, wishing each the best for the festive season and new year.

With media in tow, the group posed for photos with volunteers before also getting a run down by Forbes SES Commander Roc Walshaw. The Forbes LGA has so far

involved 50,000 sandbags, 751 jobs, 25 houses impacted to various degrees and 11 flood rescues.

While no announcements were made about flood mitigation, water use and the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall, the Prime Minister did take the opportunity to promote the Therapeutic Drugs Administrations (TPA) approval of Pfizer vaccinations for children between the ages of five and eleven being rolled out in 2022.

Having also stopped in at the Bathurst 1000, Mr Morrison was also asked whether he was already in election mode as he tries to climb back in the polls.

“I’m focused solely on the job at hand,” Mr Morrison said.

The next election must be held within 6 months before May 21, 2022.

 

“There are lots of activities for everyone this Christmas – maybe no whizzing rides, giant games, markets or eating in street – but fun all the same” said Marg Duggan, President of the Business Chamber. With the cancellation of the Christmas Carnival there has been an enormous effort put into developing other ideas to ensure that the people of Forbes enjoy their Christmas and are encouraged to support local businesses by shopping in town” said Marg Duggan

On December 5th the projection onto the Town Hall , Ginger Bread Greets begins. This fun and exciting projection will enthral children and adults alike. Call around after dark to experience this little touch of magic. Everyone will be delighted to watch the lights create the magic on the old building.

Late night shopping is going to be held on the 9th and 16th December. “The shops will be open until 8pm and the odd interesting table will be placed around the CBD. The Chamber has invited businesses from out of the CBD to have a table stand on these evenings to enable people to discover what is new and in stock and to purchase. We are hoping to encourage busking to add a bit more atmosphere to the shopping nights” said Marg Duggan for further details please contact the Chamber at forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com

We are now up to draw four of the Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas draws. Each week $500 comes out of the barrel. All you need to do it fill out the tickets when you purchase from any participating business to be in the draws. In total there is $20,000 that will go to lucky winners.

“Elf in the Shop will liven up windows from December 11th. In some shops an Elf has caused some mischief! You simply collect your form, use the hints and go and discover where the elf is hiding! Made Of Fridays and Undercover Sleepwear have collection boxes in store so please drop your finished form in. We have 6 x $50 WLT gift cards for some lucky winners. Winners will be announced on December 21st,” said Marg Duggan

Carols by Candlelight will be held in Victoria Park on December 11th. A wonderful night for all to attend. Bring a chair or blanket along and enjoy the music and the spirit of Christmas in this beautiful park setting. Havannah House is again hosting Christmas Lunch on December 25th 2021. RSVP are essential and options collection are available. Please book before December 17th to ensure you have a place.

 

It may not have been Forbes biggest flood, or even a podium finisher, but the Forbes floods of 2021 will go down as one of the most damaging with financial and social implications to be felt for quite some time.

The timing of the floods in the Lachlan Valley when a bumper winter harvest was expected, and summer crops were already in, couldn’t be worse. With optimism high and NSW emerging from 18 months of lockdowns, now this.

If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive. Some people get all the luck while others couldn’t win a one-man chook raffle.

Country folk seldom complain about fairness despite the third flood this decade, yet calls to extend the Wyangala Dam Wall by 10 metres have grown louder led by Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

A champion of the bush, McCormack has reminded his state colleagues, Premier Dominic Perrottet and Deputy Premier Paul Toole, about the urgency of the project. Both men visited Forbes recently touring farms and dropped into Forbes SES HQ for an update, before a barbecue for volunteers.

Yet despite all the conversations, the reality for those along the Lachlan is they are still no closer to having an answer on the wall extension. After the multiple hits we’ve had over the last 2 years we deserve a bit of a break – lets hope that the recent visit has got the decision makers seeing things from our perspective.

When locals talk about disasters many run through a list as long as an Aldi shopper docket of famous floods. There’s the flood of ’52, (INSET) one of a few big ones that decade for those old enough to remember. Then there’s the flood of 1990 and of course, 2016 the last, and one of the worst.

Since 1887 Forbes has experienced a major flood event, with peaks over 10 me-tres, on average every seven years. Major flooding occurring in June 1952 (10.8 metres); September 2016 (10.67 metres); August 1990 (10.65 metres); October 1955 (10.62 metres); March 2013 (10.55 metres); and in August 1998 (10.35 metres).

Forbes’ most recent major flood event was in late September 2016 after heavy rain fell on much of inland NSW; as the Bureau of Meteorology declared 2016 as the third-wettest winter on record.

The 2021 floods have hit just as farmers harvest winter crops and plant summer ones. It will mean sadly, that some may suffer a double blow. It never flooded in November, until now.

The NSW Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood warning for towns all along the Lachlan River this week and has been updating the community regularly while the NSW SES Local Forbes Unit has also been hard at it for over a month sand-bagging the town as rain continues to fill Wyangala and get released just as quick. Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller said the town was well-prepared but urged residents to exercise caution, be safe and if need be, evacuate!

When local legend Tim Acheson began painting his extraordinary indigenous artworks he saw it more as a way to under-stand where he was from and a form of cultural expression.

“It was also a creative outlet in my spare time more than anything else,” said Tim.

Fast forward from those early times to the halcyon days of today and now Tim’s artwork can be seen not just adorning the walls of Binaal Billa in Spring Street, Forbes but also on all their stationery.

“I wanted to paint as I enjoy it and also at the same time do something positive for the local Aboriginal legal service Binaal Billa,” said Tim.

“It’s a surprise that all this has happened and I am just happy I am able to contribute and play a small part,” he said.

Acheson is well known west of the great divide for his intricately detailed and culturally sensitive art and is often asked why he doesn’t donate more time to it.

“I love it but I have many loves and it is just a relaxing hobby for me. I have some fun with it but at the same time it is also a good way to tell the stories of my people and find out more about who I am and where I am from.”

Tim’s impressive art can be seen at Binaal Billa and all their corporate paraphernalia.

Got a story? Let us know – editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

National Recycling Week (8th-14th November) is an annual event that encourages Australian Councils, workplaces, schools and individuals to consider what materials we place in our yellow lid recycling bins and how we can improve our recycling knowledge and build better recycling habits.

This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate National Recycling Week YOUR way!’ and Forbes Shire Council along with many others, is taking the opportunity to help improve the community’s recycling knowledge by lifting the lid on the issue of contamination.

Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane said that while it is great to see the majority of our community regularly uses their recycling bin, and in doing so, reduces the amount of waste sent to land-fill each year, the level of contamination is rising.

“Recycling contamination is when the wrong thing is placed in the yellow lid bin and it’s a widespread issue. It can result in machinery blockages at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which is where our recyclables are sorted,” said Mr Loane.

“This creates hazards to the workers that help sort our recyclables, increase the amount of waste sent to landfill, lower the value of recycled items and increase the overall cost of recycling,” he said.

“Soft plastics such as plastic bags, food wrappers and packets, cannot be recycled through the yellow lid recycling bin and are the number one form of contamination. On average, 31% of all recycling bins inspected in the Central West contained soft plastics.”

Council encourages residents to look for the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) for guidance on what can be recycled as the label tells you how to dispose of each part of a product’s packaging.

For more information on the Australasian Recycling Label and National Recycling Week visit Planet Ark’s website: https://planetark.org/programs

For more information on your waste and recycling services, visit Council’s website: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/recycling.

After some 200 plus days of lockdown, parts of NSW including Forbes, started to take on some semblance of normality again with the Forbes Fair, Taste On Templar and numerous community activities held over the weekend including music, croquet and the Forbes Autosports Club popular race weekend. There was also plenty of cold drinks, BBQs, boat-paddling and fishing.

At the Forbes Fair, huge numbers turned out over three days to ride the dodgems, have a Pluto Pup and take in the atmosphere after COVID effectively cancelled the last two Forbes Show’s. It didn’t matter to the kids though.

Taste On Templar was sold out and a huge success after two postponements. Many people commented on just how good the event was and how it was great to be able to enjoy more freedoms and see friends.

Mayor Phyllis Miller was ecstatic and praised all involved at Taste On Templar for turning on a tremendous event in challenging circumstances.

“The effort from the Forbes Business Chamber and all involved with Taste On Templar was incredible. It is fantastic to see people out and about and doing things again!”

Ticket sales on the night were donated to CanAssist Forbes to help raise vital funds for cancer research with announcements on final figures pending.

With the remainder of NSW also opening this week now it is November, Christmas only seven short weeks away and summer on the horizon, it promises to be amazing, Forbes.

In 2009 when Sammy Leonard started her own business Forbes Smash at 27 Rankin Street, she never imagined she would still be going… and growing!

While the garage has serviced nearly everyone in the Forbes Shire and surrounds, it is her next foray into more custom work that is sure to whet the appetite of every petrol head and his Datsun.

“Neil Merchant from the Harley Davidson shop Unique Cycle Service Forbes often ships some work to us and it is something that I really get a kick out of – especially after his garage does their thing,” she said.

“I prefer cars but I have a great appreciation for bikes too and love to work on both!”

Forbes Smash now has more staff and are looking at custom and niche related projects too as Sam continues to be a trail-blazer in a male-dominated industry.

“We will also continue to service the Forbes community and keep everyone safe,” Sammy said.

“We do love to be creative and have some fun though too!”

Starting as a spray painter with the late Kevin Vale in the 2000s, Sammy can’t imagine herself doing anything else.

“To be honest I think I will be doing this until the day I die,” she said.

“Ever since Dad got me into tinkering with cars it’s been in the blood and I can’t see it changing.”

“So if it ain’t broke …”