This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nurse Practitioner Day, on Saturday, 12 December.

Western NSW LHD (WNSWLHD) Executive Director Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, Adrian Fahy, said, “It is so important to celebrate and acknowledge the Nurse Practitioners (NP’s) who work across our district.”

“Our NP’s are highly skilled, advanced practice registered nurses who are trained to independently assess patients, order diagnostic tests, interpret the results of these tests, from working patient diagnoses and prescribe certain medications to treat illness.”

This year there were 10 finalists for the Western NSW Local Health District Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award. “It was a difficult choice only selecting one winner,” Adrian said. The 2020 WNSWLHD Nurse Practitioner of the Year is Linda Doherty.

Linda is a Nurse Practitioner who works within Alcohol and other Drug Services to support people manage their addictions across the local health district.

Director of Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Jason Crisp, said, “Linda is extremely deserving of this award. She is an innovator who is always looking to improve the health outcomes for people within the community. Linda is a great mentor to staff, an educator, compassionate, caring nurse and professional.”

Adrian went on to express gratitude for all of the NP’s working across the Western NSW Health District and hopes that the award not only highlights the fantastic work they do, but also recognises the significant contribution they bring to health services and communities.

The team opened the doors of the new local bookstore on Friday morning last week and were thrilled to see so many people pop in to show their support and to peruse the wide selection of books, games and gifts. The feedback from many has been how wonderful it is to finally have a book shop in Forbes.

Nothing beats entering a cosy store to the smell of new books, surveying titles, browsing synopsis and taking on a recommendation from a friendly staff member. The team at The Book Dispensary are very thankful for all of the community’s input, ideas and support.

Business Manager, Debbie Prior, and her team of recruits, have been working around the clock to get the shelves stocked ahead of Christmas and have lots more in store for 2021. “The Book Dispensary will launch a Community Give Back program in the New Year, with a percentage of sales going to a chosen local charity. A loyalty program will also be available so the avid readers of Forbes and the surrounding areas can benefit from buying local. We also plan to set up a book group and host evening events around specific topics or themes,” aid Debbie Prior, “This is just the beginning.”

While Debbie has done her best to provide a range of all of the books the Forbes community would like to read, she appreciates that there will be lots of titles and authors that will need to be ordered in. So, do not hesitate to ask Debbie and her team in-store or via orders@thebookdispensary.com.au.

“This is just phase one of our bookstore business plan, so if you have any ideas to suggest for us to incorporate in the store, drop by and let us know, or email us at info@thebookdispensary.com.au. Thanks so much for your support.”

In the lead up to Christmas, Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to keep farmers in need in their thoughts by hosting Christmas parties with a cause or buying a gift card for a primary producer family as a gift.

CEO of Rural Aid John Warlters says it has been a particularly challenging year for the farming sector and a small gesture at Christmas time can have a major impact on rural families.

“Drought, bushfire and flood are regular and devastating realities for Australian farmers. These challenges create financial, emotional and practical hurdles for this crucial sector of our community and economy,” John said.

“This year has featured all of these challenges. Vast swathes of farmland are still in drought and COVID created new pressures for farmers this year. Domestic border closures impacted the supply chain, and international border closures impacted the workforce of shearers and fruit pickers.”

But this festive season, Australians can make a difference in many ways. Gift cards can be purchased on behalf of a friend or family member that will make a difference in the life of a farming family, see www.ruralaid.org.au/christmas for more information.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils in conjunction with NSW Police are reminding motorists to drive safely and to remember that double demerits are in place for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Double demerits start on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and run through to Sunday, 3 January 2021 and apply for all speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be hit with a $457 fine and 10 demerits.

Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, we all have a part to play in driving down the road toll.”

“Too often, people think it is ok for them to quickly check a text or drive faster than the speed limit because they know the road, or they get behind the wheel when they are tired or have had a few drinks.”

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe Christmas with their families, please obey the road rules and drive safely,” Melanie said.

With state borders now open and COVID restrictions further eased in NSW, authorities are expecting traffic to increase over the holiday period as people drive to see their loved ones and have a break. With that increase in traffic, comes increased risk of a crash.

NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said, “Statistics show that there’s a 30% reduction in casualty crashes when double demerit points are in play.”

“The road toll usually makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons at this time of year. Let’s get it in print for the right reason this year by recording a fatality-free holiday period,” Martin said.

It was a year like no other. In January Forbes High School (FHS) started hearing rumours of a Novel Coronavirus, next thing we knew, the World Health Organisation was calling it a pandemic. Scott Morrison was on the television talking about restrictions, and Gladys Berejiklian was telling school students to stay home if possible. And so began remote learning

Learning from home was not always easy, staying motivated and focused was a challenge. Despite this, Year 12 stayed on task and got through the year with the support of staff and families. Luckily, they are a small group and were able to return to face-to-face teaching early into term two, right in time to begin preparing for the trial HSC. Despite the disruptions to their learning, FHS Year 12 students were still able to participate and engage with a wide variety of the regularly scheduled events for Year 12 at FHS.

Despite the challenges associated with physical distancing and restrictions associated with Year 12 final assemblies, FHS ended term three by saluting the class of 2020 with an adjusted ceremony. Year 12 students were delighted to have a recorded ceremony to share with their families, who despite not being in attendance, surprised the students with recorded messages from loved ones and extended family.
Led by their student leadership team,

Captains Jack Cole and Amy Gallagher, and Vice Captains, Connor Greenhalgh and Kaitlin Turner, this cohort of students have challenged the status quo in more ways than one this year. They made it through their final year of school amid a global pandemic, completed the HSC, and celebrated their graduation in a way never experienced before. They have all demonstrated that with perseverance, respect and positivity you can accomplish anything, and they have surely accomplished a lot. Congratulations, Forbes High School Class of 2020.

Forbes Shire Councils’ Youth Action Team have announced their launch of their Adulting 101 program for 2021. The program is aimed at supporting local young people to increase their skills and to help them gain employment.

“The Council received the Youth Opportunities grant from the State Government to deliver this amazing program,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Adulting can be hard and the courses provided in the program can help up-skill our young people and prepare them for future career pursuits.”

“The program includes things from basic computer skills through to barista training and defensive driving,” Phyllis continued. “These programs are a great way for our young people to develop skills to give them the confidence to take the next step into the world after leaving school, and gain employment.”

The free program begins in February 2021 and runs over ten weeks. The course intake is small with only twenty spaces that are available to Forbes youth.

Weekly sessions will be presented to the children with relevant guest speakers providing essential expertise and knowledge.

“This awesome opportunity is much sought after, so I encourage you to get your applications in,” Phyllis said. “Class sizes are kept small to ensure the kids have that essential one-on-one experience with the instructors.”

“Life skills like this set the youth up to be able to be independent and navigate life, as the saying goes; never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”

Registration is essential for this program. For more information, please contact Sarah Williams, Forbes Shire Council’s Youth Officer on 6850 2300 for more details.

Draw number five took place last week. Supervised by the lovely staff of Cahills Shoes, a winning ticket came out of the big bin, revealing Harry Gault as the winner of a $500 Why Leave Town Card. There are only two more draws before the major draws take place on Thursday, 24 December 2020.

“We are delighted with the Christmas window decorations, thanks to all of the entrants for this years’ competition,” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Marg Duggan. Voting for the Viewers Choice is underway with everyone in the community being urged to vote using the Forbes Business Chamber Facebook page.

“I would like to thank Matt Hunter and Jay-Lee from Hunter Real Estate in Parkes for their support in allowing us to use empty shops for displays. The displays have certainly been the focus of favourable comments from the public,” said Marg.

Next week the Forbes Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council will partner to add another exciting activity to the Christmas program, Find The Elf In The Shop, which will encourage children, youth and adults to wander through the CBD and seek out an Elf that is hidden. Forbes Council has provided three $100 Why Leave Town cards for the winners. “This treasure hunt is taking place from 14 to 21 December, the community has to identify 20 stores with an Elf in their front window or in a prominent position that is visible during and after hours,” said Marg.

Clues will be printed on the back of the entry form. When the Elf is found, the details of his whereabouts are to be completed on the entry form. Entry forms can be collected from News On Rankin, Undercover Sleepwear, and Allure on Main from 14 December. Completed forms can be handed into Made Of Fridays by 21 December.