The beloved Forbes Bakehouse began in 1990 with one baker and three staff. They offered the traditional products of an artisan bakery, including cakes, pies, breads, and drinks. In the late 1990’s alfresco dining increased in popularity Australia-wide and The Bakehouse was quick to act and meet the demands of their customers, growing their business to include freshly brewed coffee, a salad bar and alfresco dining.

Thirty years on, The Bakehouse operates as a bakery and café that seats 60 and offers an extensive all-day menu, with options to suit all tastes. Whether customers choose to dine in, order online for takeaway or delivery or book for large groups, they can be confident that they are in the capable hands of the friendly team at The Bakehouse.

The Bakehouse currently employs a team of 21 staff, including bakers, chefs, cooks, baristas and wait staff. While employing an enthusiastic and friendly team of local staff members, The Bakehouse has ensured that their staff members are trained through apprenticeships and in-house training.

As the only business in Forbes to host theme nights, including open mic nights, Indian tapas, Mexican fiestas and more, The Bakehouse has transformed into an irreplaceable venue for entertainment and culinary adventures. You can hear Templar Street ringing with the sound of live mu- sic and laughter on their famously festive theme nights.

Staying true to their own style in evolving to cater to the needs and desires of their customers, The Bakehouse boasts funky, modern décor, with European Graffiti art and a comfortable space for customers of all ages, from nine-days-old to 99-years- old, their customers enjoy high quality, traditional and international cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Owned and operated by Kerry Hodder and her family, The Bakehouse takes immense pride in what they offer to their customers. The Bakehouse celebrated their 30th birthday on 19 June 2020.

The staff at Forbes Public School are proud of the culture of care embedded daily at their school and enjoy sharing high expectations, maintaining a tradition of excellence.

Staff work together to ensure students are known, valued, and cared for. The school shares a commitment to the academic and personal growth of all students, delivering a focused curriculum. Forbes Public School offers the opportunity to engage in specialised Sport programs, Enrichment and Engagement programs within and across inter-school settings, Learning and Support programs and Student Leadership initiatives.

Forbes Public School sits within a vibrant learning community of students, their supportive families, and a motivated team of staff, making it an inspiring place to learn, create, play, and grow.

‘Prep 4 Big School’ commences Monday 24 August and Kinder Start Commences Wednesday 28 October.

For many years Forbes North Public School has provided a unique transition-to-school program in the year prior to starting Kindergarten. The ‘Link-Up to School’ program has been operating for 15 years and has provided a strong foundation for the commencement of formal schooling for over 500 Forbes children. Link-Up operates every Tuesday for the entire school year. Students can experience all that Forbes North has to offer, while also learning the skills that will set them up for on-going success at school.

In 2020 Forbes North made the decision to combine all kindergarten students into one class, opening a huge shared learning space. With their combined experience, enthusiasm, and dedication to every student, teachers Mrs Karaitiana and Ms Welsh as well as learning support officer Mrs Ashcroft, are achieving wonderful results with their youngest students.

Forbes North are currently accepting enrolments for Kindergarten and Link-Up for 2021. If you would like your child to be part of this dynamic learning environment, please contact the school on 68522187 or drop into the office in Thomson Street.

Antique Oriental Rugs owner, Solomon Sevinc is having a rug sale in Forbes and welcomes everyone to come in and see what is on offer. Photo: Supplied.

If you’re finding your tiles or floorboards cold underfoot during the winter months, now is the perfect opportunity to fight the cold and decorate your home in the finest quality Persian and Oriental rugs at unprecedented prices.

Owner of Antique Oriental Rugs, Solomon Sevinc has been in the rug industry for over 40 years and is having a two week sale in Forbes. Solomon said that all stock is priced at cost or below with savings ranging from 50 to 90 per cent off.

“After 40 years in the business, I am clearing out my last stock,” Solomon said. “Which means absolutely everything must go”.

Rugs are easily stored away or brought out as needed as well as being a great way to protect floor surfaces from damage and add colour and style to a room. The range on offer at Antique Oriental Rugs has plenty of different styles and designs and the most vibrant colours and exquisite craftsmanship.

“Every piece is unique, so why would you cover your floor the ordinary way when it is so much more rewarding to invest in a genuine quality piece of art,” he said. “A fine rug, like fine jewellery, can actually increase in value over the years”.

VERTO Chief Operating Officer Alyssa Bennett (left) and Employment Services Manager Peta Skinner celebrate VERTO’s 5 Star Disability Services rating in Parkes.

Last week VERTO made the exciting announcement that its Lachlan Disability Employment Services team was awarded a five-star rating by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.

The Australian Government’s Disability Employment Service Program aims to assist people with illness, injury or disability to find and maintain employment. To gain a five-star rating, service providers are assessed on how successful they are in placing participants in sustainable, long-term employment or education. The star ratings system allows both employers and participants to help them chose the right service provider for them.

Ratings assess two of three performance indicators, the first of which measures the efficiency of a service provider, by looking at the average time it takes for providers to achieve employment outcomes for their participants. The second measures the effectiveness of service providers in how many outcomes are achieved for individual clients, including maintaining participants in employment where they may need assistance.

VERTO chief operating officer, Alyssa Bennett, said the Lachlan area, which includes four locations – Forbes, Parkes, West Wyalong and Condobolin – had received a five-star rating, the highest possible ranking from an independent Australian Government assessment.

“The VERTO Lachlan Disability Employment Services team does an outstanding job of assisting local job seekers to find and maintain employment,” Alyssa said.

“The five star rating is indicative of our commitment, dedication, and ongoing reliability in helping the Lachlan community, and ensures that those with illness, injury or disability looking for employment will have the chance to find and maintain meaningful work.”

For more information about VERTO’s specialised Disability Employment Services employment assistance, visit www.verto.org.au or phone 1300 483 786.

Mural artist Nick Stuart was blown away by the awesome murals, sculptures and nature of Forbes.

As part of the ongoing and phenomenally successful calendar of youth activities in Forbes, the annual mural activity was planned for the April school holidays at the Forbes skate park. Due to COVID-19, the activity was postponed, and the children were unable to participate in painting the mural.

With the recent easing of restrictions, mural artist, Nick Stuart of Olas One in Newcastle, was in Forbes last week to paint the mural onto the face of the ramp at the Forbes skate park.

“It was unfortunate we couldn’t complete the mural with the children this year,” says Forbes Shire Council Manager Community and Tourism, Nina Hooper. “The kids really engage with projects such as these and the Coronavirus put a stop to us including them in this particular activity this year. Next mural we do will involve everyone.”

“Our Forbes Youth Action Team undertook a series of meetings to ensure the right location and the right type of mural subject was chosen to suit the space of the Skate Park. Consultation was also taken with the local schools to ensure the youth of Forbes were on board with the project. The children all wanted the artwork to be visible and appreciated by the rest of the community.”

Nick has quite a few skatepark murals under his belt and was looking forward to getting the youth of Forbes involved in painting, “I designed the mural in a way that has a fun and carefree feel to it so that the kids would be keen to get involved, unfortunately I couldn’t hold the workshop but I’m really happy to be here,” Nick said.

The giant mural was painted at the skate park from Tuesday, 16 June through to Friday, 19 June with an anti-graffiti sealant applied over the weekend to ensure the longevity of the piece.