The Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre will triple in size after $270,000 in funding was announced last Friday. It will see the installation of nine new sculptures, an amphitheatre, interpretive panels, additional Wiradjuri artworks and
the planting of 200 native shrubs and trees on the Lake Forbes foreshore. It also includes the erection of a building to display Wiradjuri artefacts and host workshops and cultural activities.

Deputy Mayor Grant Clifton said the expansion would be a significant boost to tourism and culture in the Forbes Shire. “From an economic and tourism point of view this will really put Forbes in the spotlight.” The Forbes Art Society, in conjunction with Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre Incorporated, led the project application with assistance from Forbes Shire Council’s Grants Officer Andrew Rawsthorne.

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant, who made the announcement, praised the Forbes Art Society for the quality of their proposal. “The funding is highly sought after but this project stacked up on a number of fronts,” he said. President of the Forbes Art Society, Dr Keith Mullette, said work on the project would start early next year and would be completed within two years. He said the Art Society had worked hand in hand with the local Aboriginal community to create the idea.

The funds will be provided under the NSW Government’s ClubGRANTS category 3 scheme for arts and culture.

The Forbes Shire Council will receive $1.5 million for much needed upgrades to expand the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) increasing througout capacity, productivity and turnaround times. “It was third time lucky,” said Forbes Mayor, Graeme Miller, and thanked the Grants Officer of the Council for his persistence in applying to the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).

Graeme said numbers at the CWLE had grown over capacity and that the expansion would allow for another 600 to 800 head of cattle. “This would be a lot better for the presentation of vendors, as well as animal welfare.” The CWLE is one of three projects in the Central West to share in more than $4.2 million in Federal funding unveiled by the Small Business Minister and Riverina MP, Michael McCormack, last week. The other two projects are extensions to the Parkes Regional Airport and Wagga Wagga’s Kurrajong Waratah.

Michael said the three projects would deliver a vital economic boost to the region, as well as enhance future job and
investment opportunities throughout the Riverina and Central West. “I know the investment in Parkes and Forbes is critical in giving the region’s small businesses – a third of which are farmers – the infrastructure and services they need to continue to grow into the future,” Michael said.

Under Round 3 of the NSRF, 67 projects across the nation will receive funding. The Central West has received $17.7 million in Rounds 1, 2 and 3.

The Forbes floods were big news nationally and internationally last week, however once the headlines stopped many people forgot about those still suffering. One farmer from Forbes, Brad Shephard is using his love of flying and photography to bring awareness of the devastation and isolation of people on farms by posting regularly on Facebook. “There are lots of sad stories out there,” Brad said, who has lost 80 to 90% of his barley and wheat crops. “Unfortunately these floods are a long way from over and in some areas will linger on for months. Floods can be just as bad as droughts.”

As a survivor of depression, Brad said he had noticed as a result of the horror of the floods, people were showing signs of the onset of depression. “If you’re not feeling right, you’re tired or low, not sleeping well, talk to a mate or family member and seek help,” he posted, and offered some tips to help people feel better.

Brad said he had many people talking to him about the isolation and loss of crops. “People have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars of income with no likelihood of getting that back for at least another 12 months.” More assistance has come to the community with the Australian Taxation Office announcing help by fast tracking tax refunds for people affected by floods, and offering additional time to lodge income tax returns. Visit www.ato.gov.au for more information.

Forbes not only experienced a deluge of floodwater over the past week, but also an influx of politicians to see the flood affected areas. The outcome of these was the announcement of disaster assistance to affected communities
in Forbes and other towns in NSW. Another important message is that Forbes is open for business. “Forbes is up and running,” said Chris Roylance, President of the Forbes Business Chamber. The Forbes Phoenix want to encourage residents and visitors to support Forbes and live local, love local and support local.

While floodwaters were slowly starting to recede by Wednesday, Mayor Phyllis Miller said: “We now wait with anticipation what the next lot of water does in the catchment. We are well prepared with all our services remaining operational. Please call the SES on 132 500 if you need help.”

She said residents would hopefully be able to return to their homes by the weekend. Evacuation orders have affected more than 230 residential properties and some businesses. By mid week 97 requests had come in for rescues and more than 2,300 requests for assistance. “Emergency services and volunteers have been doing an incredible job,” said NSW Premier Mike Baird when he visited Forbes on Monday.

While farmers have experienced extensive crop losses, Rob Whelan, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, said it would take several weeks for the full extent of the losses to be known, but it could be in the tens of millions of dollars.

The newly elected Forbes Shire Council has four women and four new faces. The results were confirmed earlier this week following the Local Government election held on 10th September.

The councillors are in order of the position they were elected in starting at number one Phyllis Miller, Grant Clifton, Steven Karaitiana, Susan Chau, Graeme Miller, Jenny Webb, Michele Herbert, Chris Roylance and Jeff Nicholson.

Five councillors were re-elected and the first time councillors are Steven Karaitiana, Susan Chau, Jenny Webb and Michele Herbert.

“I look forward to working with the new council,” said Danny Green, General Manager of the Forbes Shire Council. “The mix of female to male councillors is an example for our more senior government sectors and together with the introduction of four new councillors will provide a good representation from the community.

“A new council is timely as we consult the community on the long term direction they would like to set, and we shape the organisation to achieve this.”

“I congratulate all unsuccessful candidates on their conviction in nominating and our retiring councillors for their efforts during their term,” said Danny.

The voter turn out was 81.67% with 5,738 votes counted out of 7,026 enrolled voters in the shire.

The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions will take place on Thursday September 29. At the start of the meeting, all Councillors will take an oath of office or make an affirmation of office as part of changes to the Local Government Act. The Mayor will be elected for a two year term.

 

While Forbes was almost turned into an island last weekend by floodwaters, the town’s community spirit was not dampened for the 141st show. The first female president of the Forbes P.A. & H Association, Jan Facey, said although
numbers were down by about half a lot of people got out in the rain and wet. “We are quite happy and grateful for the support, and would like to thank everyone who joined in the fun.”

One of the highlights this year was the new entertaining Show Mow event, which became extra spectacular with so much mud around. According to Jan, Show Mow consists of a club of people who travel around the country to race at shows on their lawn mowers. Although entries in the different categories were unfortunately down, because of
people flooded in, entries were of a high quality. Only the cooking category budged the trend with a lot more entries.

One of the show’s major events, the ring events, had to be postponed to the Spring Horse Show on the weekend of 22nd and 23rd October, when the dog high jump and yard dog display will also take place. The dairy cattle judging could also not take place and will now be on Monday. Jan said she was happy not to be stuck in the show office this year. “It was a real treat to get out and talk to people. The feedback has been very positive.”

Mayor Phyllis Miller welcomed 11 new Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony held in the Forbes Town Hall on Tuesday. The Mayor read a welcome message from the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, in which he said: “People of all backgrounds and religions strengthen our country and only together, united will our future be as strong as our present and past. Thank you for taking this important step today. Australian citizenship confers on you great benefits; but equally rights and obligations. Congratulations and best wishes.”

The 11 new citizens are Valarie Currington and Frances Parry from England, Bryan Huynh and Thanh Nguyen from Vietnam, Hendri, Marno, Melandri and Linda van Coller from South Africa, Erlinda, Virgilio and Rain Terrado from the Philippines. The ceremony was conducted as prescribed in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 with the candidates reciting the oath to the Mayor who is authorised as a person who may receive the pledge.

Each candidate received an official citizenship certificate and a bunch of flowers from the Mayor. It was a happy occasion for the new citizens who invited friends and family to celebrate such an historic event with them. Most of them agreed becoming a citizen made them feel part of the community.

By Maggi Barnard

The public is invited to a community open day at the newly refurbished Forbes Hospital tomorrow to see the $40.9 million redevelopment work done before patients and staff occupy the building. Visitors will be able to walk through the Ambulatory Care, Oral Health and Renal units between 10am and 1pm.

Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell said: “Staff and Health Council
members will be on hand during the day to show visitors around the refurbished facility. Everyone is very excited to be moving back into the building and planning has been underway for several weeks to ensure minimal
disruption to services during the move.” The big move to the refurbished units will start after the open day. All the health services that were provided at Ford House and the JREC building will be relocated.

This also includes renal patients who were temporarily treated in the Forbes Hospital Inpatient Unit. A date will soon be announced when the new units will open, but posters with dates will be placed in and around JREC building, Ford House and the Forbes Hospital. The refurbished building will provide a range of outpatient services including community and allied health services, which focuses on maintaining patients’ health such as physiotherapy, dietetics, healthy lifestyle exercise groups, occupational therapy, speech pathology, child and family health and women’s health. Counselling services including mental health, drug and alcohol will also be available along with visiting specialists and pathology services.

Judging at the 25th Annual NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show concluded on Wednesday afternoon with judges commenting on the high quality of the wine exhibited. This resulted in a higher than normal number of medals being awarded.

Of the 550 wines entered, a total of 290 medals were awarded, consisting of 34
gold, 53 silver and 203 bronze. That’s a 52.5% strike rate, which is one of the highest over the past shows. The Best White Wine of Show went to Coolangatta Estate 2009 Wollstonecraft Semillon. The Best Red Wine of Show went to Horner Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Other trophies were awarded to McLeish Estate 2009 Semillon, McKellar Ridge 2015 Shiraz Voigner, Robert Stein 2016 Riesling, Borodell 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Two Rivers 2015 Stones Throw Semillon, Colmar Estate 2015 Chardonnay, Bimbadgen 2013 Signature Chardonnay, Angullong 2015 Fossil Hill Vermentino, Borodell 2012 Gewurtztraminer, Lilly Pilly 2015 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Noble Blend, R. Paulazzo 2014 Shiraz, Two Figs 2013 Barrel Select Shiraz and Melange Wines 2015 Shiraz Durif.

Wines from Orange, Young, Griffith and Canberra did very well this year. There are medal winning wines in all the varieties on show, so there should be wines to suit everyone’s preferred style. All of the wines exhibited will be available at the public tasting on Friday night from 6.30pm at the Forbes Youth & Community Centre. Tickets are $25 per head and are available at the door.

By Mark Watts

Seventeen candidates will be contesting for the nine Councillors positions in Forbes in the Local Government Election on Saturday, 10th September.

The candidates are Michele Herbert, Grant Clifton, Michelle Mahlo, Dennis Booth, Aidan Clarke, Mark Pietsch, Phyllis Miller, Susan Chau, Brian Mattiske, Dianne Decker, Jeff Nicholson, Grant Neilsen, Steven Karaitiana, Graeme Miller, Jenny Webb, Chris Roylance and Michael Jelbart.

Of the 17 candidates, eight are current councillors; Graham Falconer is the only councilor not standing again. Councillors will vote to elect the mayor
at the first meeting of the new council on Thursday, 15th September.

The Forbes Business Chamber will be running a Meet the Candidates night on Tuesday, 30th August at the Forbes Services Memorial Club at 6pm. This will be an opportunity for the community to hear what each candidate wishes to present for their campaign. Each candidate will have two minutes to speak with question time at the end.

Voting is compulsory for all residents of the Forbes local government area who are registered on the electoral roll. Electors enrolled for federal and state elections are automatically enrolled for their local council area.

There is no absentee voting in local government elections. If you are unable to vote on election day, you can vote by either pre-poll or postal. Voting on 10th September will be at the Forbes Town Hall between 8am and 6pm.
The new council will serve for the next four years