The new Goldridge Estate is set to help manage the growing population in Forbes. However, the estate will have no social housing properties included in it despite there being a major need for it. Forbes Shire Councillor Steve Karaitiana is pushing for more social housing in Forbes however, has so far come up against resistance within Council. Steve has been trying to include social housing development on Goldridge Estate, amongst the nearly 400 new houses that will be built, suggesting pepper-potting, an urban housing strategy where social housing is sprinkled amongst different residential areas across town. However, the land was given to Council under the proviso that there will be no social housing build on the land, which was donated to Forbes Shire Council by the Forbes Jemalong Aged People’s Association (FJAPA) after the group disbanded in 2019.

“We disbanded. All the money that was from the sale of the old village, we bought that paddock initially to put up the new retirement village with, which is there now. Independent living units was another bit of land that we gave to Catholic Healthcare, and the land that was left we decided, because it was community money that bought the land, what better community organization is there than Forbes Shire Council,” said Alister Lockhart, former Chairman of the Forbes Jemalong Aged People’s Association. It was included by the FJAPA as the association felt the inclusion of social housing would affect the sale value of the land. “It’s quite a big area, and it was thought that it would be quite a long time before residential could get established. And it was thought there might be some social housing that might pull in there with caravans. And that’s what the thinking was, and it was to stop that from happening because it would make the rest not sell well if there were caravans,” stated Alistair.

According to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), as of June 2020 Forbes had 206 social housing dwellings, down from 213 in 2015. The latest statistics available on waiting times from the DCJ website indicate that as of 30 June 2019, there were 20 applicants waiting for social housing within Forbes, with less than five of those on the priority list. Expected waiting times for social housing within Forbes at that time ranged between up to two years, and five years. As of July 2020, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes were dealing with approximately 45 cases of homelessness in Forbes, and throughout the year had helped 120 people at risk of living with homelessness. Specialist Homelessness Service Team Leader for CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, Andrew Bament, said homelessness is a serious ongoing issue in Forbes and believes there is a need for additional social housing. Full article available online https://katherineeverest.com/2021/01/27/councillor-pushing-for-more-social-housing-in-forbes/

Winners are grinners, the Christmas Window Competition was judged by Denise Richards of Appleyard B&B, Nadia Parkinson, Forbes Shire Council Tourism and Destination Officer, and Brendon Allegri from Ray White Real Estate.

The competition saw 19 entries over three categories. Forbes North Public School and Forbes Public School shared first prize for Innovation, Mitre 10 won the Best Display, followed closely by Allure On Main. The Viewers’ Choice saw 35.9% of votes for News On Rankin. Congratulations to everyone for their great displays and all of the effort that they put in.

Debbie Beer from Robbs Jewellers drew ticket number six from the bin. The winner received their tickets from Little Extras Lifestyle. The big draws are on 24 December. Tim Redfern of Lachlan Readymix Concrete has generously donated one of his trucks for the Christmas Eve major draws. There will be 10 $500, one $1,500, two $2,500 and one $5,000 prizes drawn out of the truck from 11.30am onwards. Come to the corner of Battyee Lane and Rankin Streets to witness the fun.

Elf In The Shop began on Monday this week and will finish 21 December. Entry forms are available at Allure On Main,Undercover Sleepwear, News On Rankin, Sportspower and Loomzys Fish N Fix. “I encourage everyone to collect an entry form and use the clues to seek out the Elf that is hidden in the 20 shops. This is a treasure hunt with three $100 Why Leave Town cards for the winners. The Forbes Business Chamber is pleased to partner with Forbes Shire Council to deliver this activity to the community,” said Marg Duggan President of Forbes Business Chamber.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) Evening Branch celebrated the 20 years of service Robyn Miller has achieved as a CWA member at a recent Christmas function. She was presented with her 20-Year Badge by the outgoing 2020 President, Mrs Karen Wright.

Robyn was recognised for her long service to the community through the CWA with a presentation of a 20-year badge and congratulations from members of both the Forbes Evening and Forbes Day Branches of the CWA.

Robyn joined the Forbes Country Women’s Association Day Branch in December 1994 and served the community with this branch until 2009. With a few breaks in her membership to travel, work, and live in other locations, Robyn re-joined the Forbes CWA Evening Branch in 2012 and has continued to serve as a member to the present day. At the AGM in October 2020 Robyn was elected President of the Forbes Evening Branch for 2021.

Outgoing President Karen said that Robyn is “Always one of the first women to put up her hand to join in, and assist with the many and varied projects the CWA NSW and the local Evening Branch are organising or participating in.” Robyn has been a volunteer working at the Royal Easter Show CWA Tea Rooms for several years, involved in making and serving tea and those famous CWA scones.

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Orange received a beautiful surprise when the Principal of Kristen’s Dance Studio in Forbes, Kristen Woods, arrived at the house last week with a generous donation of boxes of games, activities, toiletries and vouchers for families and sick children.

“We just had a knock on the door and were greeted by Kristen with boxes and boxes of donated items for our family, it was wonderful,” said Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange, Rebecca Walsh.

Kristen said her family has a special connection with Ronald McDonald House Charities as her sister was treated for several months at Westmead, with her family staying nearby at Ronald McDonald House many years ago.

“The donations for the Orange house are the result of the students dressing up for Halloween and donating,” Kristen said.

“We decided to split the donations between Orange and Westmead houses.”

“We are just so fortunate that we have a house in Orange now that is closer for our families,” she said.

Since Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange opened, 75 families from Forbes have stayed for a total of 235 nights while they access specialist care for their child at Orange Hospital.

All accommodation and services are provided to families free of charge for as long they need. This includes emergency meals, complimentary breakfasts, grocery items for families to self-cater, toiletries, and food and travel vouchers.

Over half of the 790 Central and Far-Western families that have stayed with RMHC Orange, have had a child or adolescent experiencing a mental health crisis requiring urgent treatment in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health ward located within Orange Hospital. It is the only specialist unit of its type located outside of Sydney.

Rebecca said due to the centralisation of specialist obstetric services to Orange, the
house in Orange had also experienced a marked increase in the number of women who need to come to Orange to give birth or be monitored during pregnancy.

“If pregnant mothers are sent to Orange for their check-up, they are offered overnight accommodation, so they don’t have to drive down and back in one day. Closer to delivery these women and their partner or family member stay with us for as long as required so they are close to hospital services,” Rebecca said.

Harvest is well and truly underway across the region, with a record number of trucks transporting grain to local silos.

Drivers are being reminded about the extra truck movements with 20 new signs installed on roads throughout the Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Council areas.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the signs were the first of their kind in NSW.

“The fold-down harvest truck warning signs were designed and approved by Transport for NSW.”

“They are a pilot and based on the feedback we receive, may be rolled out in other locations on the regional road network next harvest,” Melanie said.

The Caution Grain Trucks signs have been installed on roads where grain trucks travel, and near silos in Parkes, Forbes, Trundle, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Tottenham.

“The safety of all road users during harvest is very important, especially this year as we see record numbers of truck movements following many years of drought.”

“The signs are currently opened and will be closed at the end of harvest.”

“By displaying the sign only at times when trucks are likely to be present, the credibility and hence the effectiveness of the sign is maintained,” Melanie said.

There is double the excitement for the latest additions to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) public art trail.

Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said: “Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the next instalment since the unveiling of Varanus in July, which has already clocked up over 15,000 visitors. So, we are delighted to continue the roll out of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan expansion with not one, but two new installations.”

Tower, by Walcha-based sculptor Stephen King was officially unveiled last week along Wilbertroy Lane, 33 kilometres from Forbes on the Lachlan Valley Way towards Condobolin. King is renowned for his distinctive timber structures and carvings and was recently awarded the Helen Lempriere Scholarship at the 2020 Sculpture by the Sea and first prize at the 2020 Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival.

“The tower represents our need to control our resources. The water tower has almost been made redundant,” Stephen said.

“Advances in technology continue to change the way we store and use water. The old water towers stand as sculptural relic and reminders of what we leave behind in our attempts to meet the challenges of life on earth.”

Arhab Bik Bialhabi, I Welcome You with Love, by Western Australian-Iraqi sculptor, Ayad Alqaragholli arrived in Forbes last month, finding its permanent home in Albion Park. The bronze couple symbolises loyalty, love, and a sense of belonging.

To appropriately accommodate the new addition, Forbes Arts Society have teamed up with Forbes Shire Council to give Albion Park a makeover, which includes an underground irrigation system, new bench seating and pathways, as well as upgrades to the toilet block and signage.

Albion Park will be home to three sculptures in total. Anta Omri has taken the place of The Hunter which will be relocated to Gum Swamp.

The SDL extension is part of the $7 million Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project, it includes the construction of a new cultural and arts centre on the corner of Lachlan and Church Street and the Gum Swamp redevelopment.

The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW program through the Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining. The project aims to promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

Popular lifestyle program Better Homes and Gardens will showcase some of NSW’s spectacular towns and tourism businesses with the entire 90-minute program filmed on location around the state.

The Channel 7 program filmed the Epic Adventure across NSW earlier this year, with each presenter exploring a different area of the state including the Forbes and Parkes region.

The exclusive NSW episode was secured by the NSW Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW to support the recovery of the state’s visitor economy.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway, said both Parkes and Forbes had many unique experiences on offer to visitors. “It’s really exciting for regional communities to be featured on Better Homes and

Find it in Forbes this Gardens, beaming into living rooms around the country where holidaymakers may be planning their next NSW escape.”

Better Homes and Gardens Ed Halmagyi went fishing with Brayden Stephens from Loomzy’s Fish N Fix before cooking up a Golden Perch that Brayden caught. Brayden said: “It was really good, we just went down to Cottons Weir, they wanted to go somewhere close. We caught a Cod but were after a Yellow Belly, luckily I caught one the day before that was used in the show.”

Better Homes and Gardens Executive Producer Russell Palmer said: “The NSW Road Trip episode expands that focus to show the heart and soul of New South Wales, why so many Aussies love hitting the road, and the people and places they encounter along the way.”

It is that time of year again, the Forbes Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council’s Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas Promotion is on again, bigger and better than ever.

Evolution Mining have stepped in as this year’s gold sponsor as part of their COVID recovery assistance program.

Steph Wills from Evolution Mining said, “It has been a disappointing time for small business so being able to help where we can, it is beneficial to support this Forbes Business Chamber’s initiative.”

The Business Chamber will be drawing $20,000 in Why Leave Town cards between Monday, 9 November until Christmas Eve.

“The cards have a special brand and are only redeemable at the participating stores until 30 June 2021. Winners need to collect their prize at the time of the draw,” said Marg Duggan, President of the Forbes Business Chamber.

• Silver Sponsors: Bernardi’s and Terry Bros Carpet Court.

• Bronze Sponsors: Undercover Sleepwear, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Central West Diesel, Steele Technology, Michael Robinson & Co, Superbee Honey, C & D Floorcoverings, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Loomsey’s Fish and Fix, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Co, Forbes Betta Home Living, Walkers Ag N Vet, Baker Ag Advantage, Central West Diesel and MD Steel.

• Participants: Forbes Shire Council, Bernardis, Terry Bros Carpet Court, Blush Organic Beauty, Forbes Small Engines, Gunn’s Mensland, SportsPower Forbes, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Turners Furniture One, Life Pharmacy, Chapter Two, Jessica’s Essential Beauty, Euphoria Road, Robbs Jewellers, Little Extras, Painted Daisies Gift Shoppe, Allure On Main, Vandenberg Hotel, News On Rankin, Cahills Shoes, Made Of Fridays, The Bakehouse, Agri-West, Forbes Automotive Services, Jelbart Dawson & Co, Hozpots Garden Centre, Walkers Ag N Vet, Superbee Honey, C & D Floorcoverings, Flannery’s Pharmacy, Loomsey’s Fish and Fix, Forbes Betta Home Living, Undercover Sleepwear, Acheson’s Mitre 10, and Steele Technology.

• Supporters: BWL Accountants, Forbes Livestock, Matthew Williams Solicitors, Court Press and McCarron Cullinane and Chudleigh.

 

Each year the United Services Union seeks nominations for the prestigious award of Trainee of the Year. This year Council union members of Forbes Shire Council nominated Samantha Street, their Biosecurity Trainee, to recognise her enthusiasm and commitment to her Council sponsored traineeship.

Samantha Street joined Council in May 2019 and has embraced her role as Trainee Biosecurity Officer, studying Certificate III in Conservation and Management.

“It was a huge move for Sam to relocate from her home city of Newcastle to join our Council,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller, “but straight away she made herself known and began assisting community groups and volunteering her services. Sam’s sunny personality also makes her a popular work colleague and she puts 100% in all that she does.”

After finishing high school Sam worked in the retail sector while looking for a career to move into, then the opportunity arose at Forbes Shire Council for a Trainee Biosecurity Officer.

“It was such an exciting move for me,” said Samantha. “I wasn’t worried about leaving Newcastle and couldn’t wait for the chance to get my hands dirty!”

“I have been so fortunate to get loads of training whilst I have been here at Forbes Shire Council. I am completing a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.”

Sam regularly visits family back in Newcastle, and loves the simple pleasures of going camping with friends and playing local sport on the weekends.