Forbes Shire Council held their Mayoral elections last Thursday and from a field of three nominations Cr Phyllis Miller OAM has been elected as the new Mayor.

“I’m really excited about the next two years,” said Phyllis. “Forbes Council should be working closely with the Parkes Council with the Inland Rail providing opportunities from an economic development point of view.”

“Residential subdivisions are needed so people can come and live in our town. Currently there are not very many blocks for sale and not much in the way to rent. Economic development is great but it needs to work hand-in-hand with providing somewhere for people to live,” declared Phyllis.

“I am looking forward to working with General Manager, Steve Loane who has brought wisdom and energy to the Forbes Shire Council team.”

“The relationship between General Manager and Mayor is like a marriage – it must work,” she said.

“The recent restructure and the people we’ve engaged to work for Council has created a nice vibe and I look forward to working with them in putting Forbes on the map.

We want the government to know we’re alive and kicking out here in the Central West.”

Phyllis brings with her a wealth of knowledge about local government. She was also the first woman to be elected to the position of President of the NSW Shires Association in its 100 year history. She has succeeded with these and many other achievements whilst raising five children.

“I’m an experienced Mayor, keen to get back in there and push politically to move Forbes forward,” she said.

This year eight students from the Forbes High School Support Unit will be representing our town in the 2018 Schools Spectacular.

The entertainment extravaganza will be staged at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park on Friday, 23rd and Saturday, 24th November.

The students auditioned in March in the hopes of being selected to participate in the Schools Spectacular. At the beginning of June they were notified that they had been successfully selected as part of the D’Arts Ensemble, a disability program which specifically caters for students with special needs.

One of the students involved, Kendi-Lee Morley-Diggins said: “I was very excited to get chosen to go to Sydney. It will be so much fun and I just can’t wait!”

Due to the school’s rural location, students only have to attend one combined rehearsal in Sydney leading up to the event and all other rehearsals will be undertaken online.

With over 350 schools involved across NSW, Schools Spectacular really is an outstanding showcase of the talent in NSW public schools. In terms of sheer size, scale and scope, Schools Spectacular is unequalled in the world with a 2,700-strong choir, 2,300 diverse dancers, an 80-piece symphony orchestra, a world-class stage band and a huge number of solo performers.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students from a country town to participate in an event of this magnitude. I feel excited to be embarking on such an exciting journey with the students and their families,” said Nikki Patten, FHS Support Unit teacher and organiser of the school’s participation in the event.

The students will be staying in Sydney from 21st to 25th November, during which they will be travelling to Qudos Bank Arena each day. Two of these days will be spent fine-tuning their dances and the students will then feature in four separate performances to sell-out crowds.

The FHS Support Unit have been running a variety of fundraising events to assist with the financial cost of the trip and were delighted to receive a $1,000 donation from the Forbes Lions Club and a $1,200 donation from the RSL Club.

The 2018 Schools Spectacular will be televised on 1st December.

By Gizell van Wyk

The Forbes Show was blessed with perfect weather last weekend with many people coming through the gates to enjoy the attractions, competitions and events.

“A great community event was held and whilst the rain held off it is more than welcome to ‘come on down’ anytime from now on in,” said Forbes Show president Doug Nadin.

Whilst most of us are still reminiscing about the show just past, the Forbes Show committee has already started working on next year’s event.

“Plans are already in place to make the 144th Forbes Show even bigger and better.

“Thank you to all the competitors, exhibitors, indoor and outdoor trade displays and all the businesses and individuals who supported the Show through sponsorship. We look forward to working with you all in 2019,” said Doug.

In true Forbes style, the town once again came together in supporting its community.

“Without a doubt the most support has come from the community of Forbes and the surrounding district. Congratulate yourselves for supporting your Forbes Show!” said Doug.

The dog high jump events and farmers’ challenge both proved to be very popular again this year and the centre ring was full of horses all weekend with show jumping competitions.

The winner of the 2018 Forbes Showgirl competition was Sally Downie, the Junior Miss Showgirl title was presented to Ru Little, Tiny Tot winner was Isabel Pearce and Master Stockman went to Thomas Vonthien.

By Gizell van Wyk

Aboriginal culture and history were celebrated at the annual Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre NAIDOC Day held on Monday. The Forbes Indigenous community were joined in their festivities by various local schools, community members and service providers.

This year’s event was held under the NAIDOC theme ‘Because of her, we can!’. The theme celebrates the essential role that women have played – and continue to play – as active and significant role models at community, local, state and national level.

The celebrations were started off with a smoking ceremony, an ancient custom among Aboriginal Australians in which native plants are burnt to produce smoke to pay respect to the land of country. The smoke is believed to have healing and cleansing properties.

Proving to be very popular, especially among the children who attended, were traditional dances performed by the Lore men from the local Wiradjuri tribe Yarangirri Holmes, Uncle Kyle Baxter and Uncle Blake Baxter. Traditional dances generally portray battles, hunting and animals which were both prey and totems. Children who volunteered, were lucky enough to participate in some of the dancing activities.

The Forbes North Wiradjuri choir also performed and there were many activities to educate attendees about Indigenous culture and history.

The event also included traditional bush tucker, Indigenous games and much more. Forbes Shire Council will be hosting a NAIDOC Day, celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on Wednesday, 12th September from 10:30am to 1:30pm at South Circle Oval.

By Gizell van Wyk

There were countless little scurvy scoundrels that couldn’t wait to dig their fingers into the sand to find possible hidden treasures buried in Victoria Park last Friday.

The ever popular Reading Downtown Day coincided with Book Week and shared the theme, ‘Find Your Treasure’. The theme depicting the search of discovering your next great book and an incredible story feeling like a treasure found.

Children celebrated story books by bringing their favourite characters to life. From pirates to clowns, Spiderman, Little Red Riding Hood and Where’s Wally, approximately 800 very excited children could be seen exploring the park with inspired costumes and makeup.

The Reading Downtown Day is hosted annually by Forbes Birth to Kinder and aims to raise awareness about reading to children from a very young age.

Forbes Birth to Kinder committee member, Maree Yapp said that they were delighted to be having such a successful day.

“This is our 14th year of the Reading Downtown Day in Forbes. The weather is superb and we’re really excited to have all the schools and early childhood centres here, and lots of families with young children,” said Maree.

The day was packed with fun activities at various activity stations to keep the little book-loving ones busy! Among these stations were students of Forbes High School who put on a very entertaining drama of The Three Little Pigs. Familiar faces, such as Member for Orange Phil Donato, captivated the children with theatrical storytelling at another station.

By Gizell van Wyk

The Prime Minister was in Forbes on Sunday to announce further support for drought stricken communities.

“We are ensuring to provide help to farmers right now,” said Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull at HE Silos in Forbes. “We are making changes to ensure farmers are even more resilient, as our farmers are the best in the world.”

The assistance provides immediate relief to communities, tax breaks for fodder storage and simplifying the application form for Farm Household allowance.

An additional $75 million will be given to 60 councils, of which 30 are in NSW to address local needs. “This will mean farmers would be able to pick up water for free from the town stand pipe for instance,” said the Prime Minister.

“Agriculture is a very big part of the Riverina and Central West and we will make sure we continue to closely monitor it and I will too, as the Local Member, make sure we certainly continue to have the farmers’ backs,” said Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The grants will also allow Councils to employ local contractors to undertake repairs and maintenance, upgrade or build new community facilities and hold events and undertake drought-relief activities.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said: “We know drought is felt as hard on the main street as it is in the back paddock which is why our drought response is designed to help farmers as well as the towns and communities that surround them.”

By Maggi Barnard

Former local, Kacie Anderson is again flying the flag high for Forbes in a male dominated trade. The 24-year-old, female fabricator and welder-boilermaker, forms part of a small handful in Australia and has been nominated for yet another award.

This time Kacie has been named as a finalist in the Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year Award. Organised by the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, this is the Northern Territory’s premier training awards.

Last year Kacie received the Advanced Training International Overall Trade Apprentice prize at the School of Trades presentation in Darwin.

The only female apprentice in her trade, Kacie was described as “an outstanding choice, having excelled academically and as a practitioner of her craft,” by Roy Brandner, Head of School of Trades at Charles Darwin University.

Turn back the clock, Kacie started working at Jakes Steel & Welding in Darwin as a labourer nearly four years ago and was offered an apprenticeship within two months. Since then, Kacie has been going from strength to strength, having just completed a Certificate III in engineering and heavy fabrication.

“Lots of women are becoming tradies nowadays. I say to them, ‘Give it a go!’ It may be tough at times but if you’re determined and dedicated, you’ll get there and show everyone what you can achieve!” said Kacie.

Winners of the Northern Territory Training Awards will be announced at a dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre on Saturday, 22nd September.

Each term students in Years 3 to 6 participate in a leadership day held at Forbes Public School. This is an innovative and interactive day where they are equipped, challenged and inspired with skills that will enable them to have success in a number of dynamic areas of personal development.

This term the leadership day was held on Thursday, 2nd August and the school was privileged to feature David Acheson as the guest speaker who started off the day’s proceedings. David is an aboriginal elder involved in the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).

This was a wonderful opportunity for students to gain insight about aboriginal leadership from a local identity. Also on the same day, students who were candidates for the upcoming Junior AECG, delivered speeches to the audience as part of a leadership election process.

“It was fantastic to see the children speak with confidence and clarity to such a large group of individuals,” said Forbes Public School Principal, Dafydd Thomas.

After the formal address in the hall, students eagerly moved on to a great part of the day where they dispersed into constructive workshop groups. These groups had specific focuses to enhance their personal skills in target areas. They gained insight into developing public speaking skills, extending social skills to have success in various settings, resilience training, team building and goal setting.

At the end of the day, students were treated to a warm sausage sizzle on a freezing cold day.

The second White Ribbon Cup held annually between Forbes High School and Parkes High School was blessed with sunny skies and took place at Pioneer Oval in Parkes on Monday.

The rugby league match between Forbes and Parkes High Schools is aimed at raising awareness for domestic violence and to emphasise that domestic violence is not ‘ok’. Approximately 2,500 people came out in support of this worthy cause.

White Ribbon Ambassador and Forbes High School Aboriginal Educational Officer (AEO), Barry Merrit said: “Who said our youth don’t have a voice? Our youth are standing up and saying loud and clear, ‘It needs to stop!’”

The statistics are staggering, said Barry.“On average, one woman a week is murdered in Australia in a domestic violence incident and one in four children has witnessed domestic violence in their lifetime.” The idea to hold the cup first originated within the White Ribbon Supporter Boys group at Forbes High School. Barry’s role as the AEO and team coach was to make it happen. The inaugural cup was held at Forbes High School in 2017.

Although Forbes High School brings the cup home in its second victory against Parkes, Barry marks the day is not about the game itself but about our youth coming together and raising awareness for such a great cause.

“The game was played in great spirit by both teams and sends such a strong message to both our communities that domestic violence is not ok!” said Barry.

By Gizell van Wyk

In an attempt to give some form of relief to struggling farmers during the current drought experienced in NSW, Kim Lowe and Herb Beer of K&H Interiors and Design have partnered with Rural Aid’s ‘Farm Rescue’ campaign to raise money to support local farmers needing assistance.

The entire community is asked to join the endeavour to help drought affected farmers by attending the K&H Rural Aid Farm Rescue fundraising auction which is being held in the Sylo building on Friday, 10th August with arrival from 7.30pm commencing at 8pm.

Tim Mackey from Forbes Livestock Agency has graciously volunteered to be the auctioneer for the evening. Selected goods and services donated to the cause will be auctioned to help raise money to finance the farm makeover activities.

Rural Aid ‘Farm Rescue’ is helping support Australia’s rural communities and Aussie farmers by providing tangible resources to drought affected communities. In this instance the funds are being raised to finance several mini ‘Farm Rescues’.

‘Farm Rescues’ entail a group of volunteers and some trades people visiting remote and rural areas to help fix infrastructure that farmers do not have the skill, time or money to do themselves.

Community members are also asked to nominate a farmer or farmers can nominate themselves as potential recipients of a ‘Farm Rescue’. Farmers being nominated can live within an hours’ drive or less of Forbes, and can register at www.farmrescue.com.au/farm-rescue.

For people wanting to do more, you can donate product, which could either be used for the auction or will be given directly to the farmers. You can also make a financial donation or volunteer to help. For more information visit the official ‘Farm Rescue’ website.

The winner/s of the ‘Farm Rescue’ will be announced at the auction and the entire town is invited to attend! The ‘Farm Rescue/s’ will be delivered during 14th to 20th October.