FORBES HERITAGE WEEK: Forbes will be celebrating 150yrs (plus one) next week with a range of special commemorative events for the community to come along and see as well as participate in from trail walks to gala celebrations. Image courtesy of Convict Footprints.

Forbes will celebrate over 150 years of rich history during the Forbes Heritage Week Festival starting on the 1st May 2021.

The week begins with a Festival in Victoria Park and Harold Street and Mayor of Forbes, Phyllis Miller said this year is even more special than ever, with Council celebrating 150 years, plus 1, this year.

“Forbes will step back in time this coming week to celebrate and pay homage to the traditions that have shaped our amazing town,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “The Festival week begins this Saturday, 1 May, with a festival day in Victoria Park showcasing roving entertainment group, Convict Footprints. This group is so incredible and their shows make history fun to watch, it’s not boring at all. If the kids like Horrible Histories they will love this!

“The Festival will also showcase a variety of stalls including our local Museum and there will be a Blacksmith and a Cheese Maker showing the old techniques to the public. The CWA and Lions Club Damper competition will be on again as these two rivals battle it out each year to see who can make the best damper. Watch them cook over an open fire pit where everyone will get the opportunity to try their cooked delights.

“There will also be vintage cars and machinery lining Harold Street,” continued Mayor Miller. “Swamp Dawkins Bush Band, family history, and a variety of stalls throughout beautiful Victoria Park showcasing our magnificent history. Bring the kids down to see how life was in times gone by.”

“Our week concludes with the celebration of 150 years of Forbes Shire Council. This is a truly a momentous occasion and we are so proud of the achievements we have accomplished over this time. We really want Heritage Week to be a celebration of our town’s heritage and history and it will be far from ordinary that’s for sure,” said Mayor Miller.

ANZAC SPIRIT: The ANZAC Spirit continues to live on in regional Australia with over 70% of people participating and some 63% of NSW also plan to celebrate the day.

ANZAC Day celebrations across Australia will be more subdued this year as many ease their way back into the new normal post COVID. While many will stay at home – a drop of approximately 14% from 2019 according to a recent online survey of 1000 over 18s, around seven in every ten in regional Australia will attend.

With ANZAC Day still holding special significance in rural areas, Forbes is expected to acknowledge the day with special events throughout the day.

The Forbes dawn service will begin at 5:30am at the Cenotaph, Victoria Park, Harold Street Forbes. Marchers will form up at 5:15am in front of Club Forbes (Forbes Services Memorial Club) 41-43 Templar Street, Forbes and at 5:20am proceed up to the Cenotaph, Harold Street.

At 10:30am, the march will begin at west end Cross St., then south along Lachlan St., east into Court St. and right (south) into Harold St. stopping at Victoria Park and Cenotaph. The service goes for approximately 35 minutes and includes but is not restricted to the following: Prologue, Hymns, Prayers, Commemoration Address, Commemoration for the Fallen, Wreath laying, Last Post, Ode, Reveille and ‘Advance Australia Fair’.

‘ANZAC’ stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.

HAPPY EASTER: Kids from Forbes Public School celebrated Easter with another successful hat parade.

From raffles to hat parades, Forbes turned it on last week to celebrate the first post COVID Easter and there was great weather and plenty of action.

Forbes Public School started it off last Thursday with their annual Easter Hat Parade with many outstanding entries. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance and a tremendous day was enjoyed by all who attended.

Our services such as churches and food and health were also in full operation providing support for many.In sport, the Forbes Platypii played their annual Brad Ridley Shield against Condobolin. While the result wasn’t important, the Women’s side won 35-15 and Men’s 45-5 and it was great to see people at the game and out and about.

Our bowlers entertained visitors from across the state for their annual Easter tournament and some 32 teams entered in what was a fantastic carnival while others simply strolled around the lake, had a swim, went riding, fishing or had a quiet time with family and friends. Others no doubt spent the time to catch up on rest after a busy year so far.

If anything, this Easter should give us a chance to reflect on all that has happened over the past year and to appreciate all we have and all we are.

However you spent your weekend or wherever you are, Happy Easter from everyone at the Forbes Phoenix!

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT: Forbes SES has been fortunate so far as the rest of NSW continues to battle flash flooding.

While the rest of the state is largely on high alert due to the torrential rain coming from the Northern Territory in the past week, Forbes, unlike other towns in the Central West, remains unscathed.

At the time of publication, Forbes SES had reported no incidents despite the deluge of rain which as of March 22 had exceeded the monthly rainfall from 2020 with still over a week left in the month.

Roc Walshaw, Forbes SES Local Area Commander said that at current river and dam levels, there was no need for concern.

“The dam isn’t anywhere near capacity however if we keep getting strong showers in concentrated spots it can change quickly,” Walshaw said.

With most of NSW declared a natural disaster zone from the Mid-North Coast to the Illawarra, Forbes, notorious for flooding has been one of the luckier locales.

“Trust me when I say you’ll know if it’s going to happen here,” Walshaw said.

“We will be prepared and we have a great unit,” he said. “It’s all about preparation so when we need to perform during times of crisis like floods we are ready to go!”

Walshaw did caution people to be careful in floodwaters especially when driving and to take care.

“Don’t mess about in floodwater,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”

For more info or if you require assistance due to flood, storm and tsunami emergencies, please phone NSW SES on 132 500.

FUNDING BOOST: NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway at Forbes Golf Club last week for the announcement that $30,000 would be donated for a new chemical shed and work room.

In a real boost for the Forbes community and golf enthusiasts throughout the shire, NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway today announced $30,000 in funding for a new chemical shed and work room provided by the NSW Government under its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

“It’s fantastic to report $1,466,823 has been secured for projects across the Orange electorate this year under the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund with $30,000 going to Forbes Golf Club,” Mr Farraway said.

“This funding will see infrastructure upgrades to reserves, sportsgrounds, showgrounds and the racecourse, as well as the maintenance of reserves through noxious weed control.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government is providing $51.7 million from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund this year to support 705 maintenance and upgrade projects on Crown reserves across the State.

“This year’s fund has received a $40 million boost to support communities that have been impacted by bushfires and COVID-19, to fund infrastructure improvements and support jobs for local trades and materials suppliers,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Protecting and enhancing Crown land reserves is essential for the well-being of communities and our environment, and to support recreation, tourism, business, and local economies.”

With this latest development, recent rains and new owners over the club’s recent history, it is a real win for members and staff who work tirelessly to keep the venue operational.

YOUR STORIES PLEASE: Jacinta Harris and Rachael Vincent of Your Story Disability Legal Support will be back from April 19 and hope people will come forward and share their stories.

At the International Day of People with Disability event recently hosted by Forbes Council, people with a disability and their families learned about Your Story Disability Legal Support.

Your Story solicitor Rachael Vincent said the service was created to support people with a disability and their networks.

“We understand there are many people with a disability who may want to share their stories,” she said.

“People can share all kinds of experiences with the Royal Commission. This could include negative experiences, or ideas about how we can create a more inclusive society for all.”

“But we also understand that many are worried if they do, their lives may be made worse. That may be through discrimination, or changes to the delivery of their essential services by people who may still be involved in their care.”

“We’re here to empower people to be able to share their stories safely.”

All of the stories gathered in Forbes will inform the Disability Royal Commissions final report, which is expected to be presented to the federal government in July 2022.

The report will make recommendations about how we can make changes to improve the lives of people with disability and empower everyone to live safely and participate equally in society.

Your Story Disability Legal Support will return to the Central West on April 19 and 26.

For more information or to book an appointment call 1800 77 1800 or go to www.yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au

THE CURRAJONG CREW: Sarah Maglashan, Kyal Sauer, Jamie Cook, Jolene Jones (FSC) and Jeanette Lovett help-ing out at the BBQ for IDPwD at the Forbes Memorial Pool as Sanu Malyil Sunny and Timbo Wheeler watch on.

FORBES Olympic Pool was awash with fun and games last week as Forbes celebrated the COVID delayed International Day for People with Disability (IDPwD).

Forbes Shire Council and Currajong Disability Services teamed up with Aruma and other NDIS providers to celebrate the annual day with a series of fun activities. It is the third time that these groups have come together to host this key event.

“It was a great day to celebrate what is a big day on the disability calendar and an important day for us,” said Kyal Sauer, a participant at Currajong

Mr Sauer said the day was great in that it allows people to recognise people with disabilities for what they are and can do, rather than what they can’t.

“I would like to thank Forbes Shire Council for helping to organise the events at the Olympic Pool,” said Kristy Harvey, a support worker from Currajong.

“The effort put in to make this happen is great. I know we all appreciate it and we thank you for all of the work put in to make it a special day.”

IDPwD (December 3) is a United Nations sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day around Australia.