General Interest Archives - Page 121 of 317

ATO Priorities For Tax Time 2022

June 17, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced four key focus areas for Tax Time 2022.

The ATO will be focusing on:

• Record-keeping

• Work-related expenses. To claim a deduction for working from home expenses, there are three methods available depending on your circumstances. You can choose from the shortcut (all-inclusive), fixed rate and actual cost methods, as long as you meet the eligibility and record-keeping requirements.

• Rental property income and deductions. If you are a rental property owner, make sure you include all the income you’ve received from your rental in your tax return, including short-term rental arrangements, insurance payouts and rental bond money you retain.

• Capital gains from crypto assets, property, and shares.

Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh said: “It’s important you rethink your claims and ensure you can satisfy the three golden rules.”

The golden rules are:

• You must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed.

• If the expense is for a mix of income producing and private use, you can only claim the portion that relates to producing income.

• You must have a record to prove it.

Queen’s Birthday Holiday Is Not Really Her Birthday

June 17, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Queen’s Birthday Holiday was celebrated on Monday in NSW following the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from 2nd to 5th June. (Photo: Geo News)

Why did we celebrate the Queen’s Birthday Holiday on Monday, 13th June, when Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21st April 1926?

Even more confusingly, why is it that the ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tasmania and Victoria celebrate the Queen’s Birthday Holiday on the second Monday of June each year, but in Western Australia and Queensland the holiday is celebrated in October?

It turns out that the holiday has origins long before Queen Elizabeth II. The holiday tradition started in 1788 when Arthur Phillip, the Governor of NSW at the time, established the holiday to celebrate the birthday of King George III, the first European king of Australia.

The birthday was always celebrated on the actual date of the monarch’s birthday until 1936, the year of the death of King George V, Elizabeth’s grandfather. His birthday was 3rd June and the date has since stayed around early June.

Western Australia chooses to forgo the holiday in June since the previous Monday is already set aside for Foundation Day. In Queensland, the Labor Bligh government changed the Queen’s Birthday in 2012 from the traditional June date to the first weekend of October to better spread out the public holidays in the second half of the year.

Honour’s lists are proclaimed twice a year in Australia. The Australia Day list is on 26th January, and the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List is proclaimed on the June date each year.

Do You Recycle Your Receipts?

June 17, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Check if receipts are thermal. Run your fingernail firmly across the paper and if its thermal it will leave a mark. Make sure you check both the front and back side of the receipt.

Thermal receipts cannot be recycled. The ink used on the ‘thermal’ type paper contains BPA (now banned in specific types of plastic) and is tricky to remove during the recycling process. Due to the type of ink used that contains BPA it is easily transferrable and contaminates what it comes into contact with.

Unfortunately thermal receipts need to go into general waste, or you can refuse receipts and ask the business to email them if you need to keep them for record purposed.

Actor Sam Webb In Forbes For Mental Health Expo

June 17, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Actor and mental health champion Sam Webb will be speaking at a free mental health event in Forbes on Tuesday, 21st June at Forbes High School from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Actor and mental health champion Sam Webb will be the guest at a free mental health event in Forbes on Tuesday, 21st June.

Community members are invited to the Forbes Mental Health Expo organised by CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes at Forbes High School Hall from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Sam, who is known for his appearances in Home and Away, Neighbours and Australian Survivor, co-founded the mental health charity LIVIN in 2013 after the death of a good friend to suicide.

“We’re thrilled that Sam Webb has come on board,” said Kate Shambrook, CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes mental health programs manager.

“He is committed to helping people and organisations understand the importance of mental health and making wellness a priority. We think the community will gain a lot from his talk. “Mental health as an issue is growing in communities, especially in young people and it is an area of concern.”

Kate invited schools, parents, carers, students and other community members to the expo. Representatives from mental health support providers at Forbes will also be at the event for community members to meet and talk to. It is free to attend, but people are asked to register through Eventbrite.

22 Junior Platypi Players At State Championships

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

STRONG CLUB…The Forbes Rugby Union Club has 22 Central West representatives playing at 2022 NSW State Championships this weekend. They are at the back (L-R) Zac Fraser (15s), Patrick Ryan (15s), Oliver Walker (15s), Reece Matheson (14s), Harry Whitty (16s), Angus Irvine (14s) and Jack Smyth (14s). Middle (L-R) Thompson Hurford (13s), Ash Kennedy (13s), Mitch Stocks (12s), Snow Hodder (12s), Will Watson (12s) and Aurora Farrelly (14s girls). In front are (L-R) Teddy Mundy (13s), Bobby Mundy (13s), Mac Glasson (12s), Beau Wheeldon (12s) and Matthew Wallace (12s). (Absent: Geordie Duncan (16s), Beau Stocks (15s), Alice Mattiske (16s girls), Dempsey O’Connell (14s).

A large contingent of junior players of the Forbes Rugby Union Club will be flying the flag for our town this long weekend at the 2022 NSW State Championships held in several locations including Dubbo and Orange. No less than 22 junior Forbes Platypi players were selected in seven Central West Representative sides.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had so many representatives in the club’s history,” said Craig Bruem, Junior Club President.

“We have a lot of talent in our club, and having so many representatives come as a result of the club’s long history of a strong culture of representation.”

Craig attributed the success of the talented youngsters also to the club’s coaches and countless volunteers who helped out every weekend. “Representing the Central West is a huge achievement and a great honour as teams are formed from all over the region,” said Craig.

In the Boys 12s team are Matthew Wallace, Mac Glasson, Mitch Stocks, Snow Hodder and Will Watson; Boys 13s: Thompson Hurford, Ash Kennedy, Teddy Mundy and Bobby Mundy; Boys 14s: Reece Matheson, Angus Irvine, Jack Smyth and Dempsey O’Connell; Girls 14s: Aurora Farrelly; Boys 15s: Zac Fraser, Patrick Ryan, Oliver Walker and Beau Stocks; Boys 16s: Harry Whitty and Geordie Duncan; Girls 16s: Alice Mattiske.

They will be playing up to five games in the round robin tournament over the course of the weekend.

‘Brooklyn’ Garden Party A Success

June 10, 2022 by Sue Cunningham

Amy, who was in charge of selling raffle tickets, with the winner Ann Nixon.

We all know that plants are good for us. They help purify the air, boost our moods, and can even help us focus better.

Oftentimes, growing plants is a complicated process that discourages some of us to pursue the hobby.

On Saturday, 21st May, Helen and Kingsley Green threw open the gates of their property Brooklyn to allow lovers of nature, unsuccessful gardeners and green thumbs alike, to spend an afternoon walking, relaxing and socialising in their lovely expansive garden.

The event was a fundraiser for Forbes CWA Evening Branch to raise desperately needed funds for local projects which the branch supports and for the NSW CWA Flood Relief fund assisting those devastated by floods in northern NSW.

“It was a great opportunity for many to reconnect with friends, get out of the house or just look at a beautiful garden and amazing garden art created by Kingsley,” said vice-president of the CWA Evening Branch Karen Wright.

“We were lucky to have such a lovely afternoon. Guests were able to vote and then relax”, she said.

Branch members made cakes and slices for the afternoon tea provided for the garden lovers who attended to support our cause.

“It was fantastic to see so many visitors,” said Lesley Teale, CWA member. “It’s a tribute to the Greens and we want to thank them for their generosity in allowing us this opportunity.”

Thanks also to Inland Rail for providing some much-needed resources.

By Sue Cunningham

Off-Leash Dog Park At Lake

June 10, 2022 by Brett Sale

The site for the off-leash dog park is proposed to be situated next to Colin Mackenzie Park.

That pup of yours could soon score a whole bunch of new places to sniff, socialise and play with the Forbes Shire Council announcing plans to create an off-leash dog park.

The proposed site is located off Riley Street, corner of the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club, and next to Colin Mackenzie Park.

“I am really excited by the potential of this location for the dog park, it is a large, long space which is accessible from the walking track and close to Wheogo Park for campers,” said Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “We are so pleased to be able to commence with this project as it is a community priority.”

The Mayor said a dedicated dog park was another valuable addition to our beautiful lake and recreation facilities in town. “To have this so close to our Lake Forbes precinct is a value add for the community and visitors alike.”

Forbes Shire Council’s Planning and Growth Department will develop a plan for the 22m x 44m location to include fencing, safe entrance points and dedicated areas for large and small dogs.

“This site can be fenced in, it is very accessible and suitably sized. I think dog owners will welcome this excellent space with plenty of trees and shade,” Phyllis said.

Council will be talking to key stakeholders, user groups and neighbours to ensure the design and use of the park is compatible with how this part of the lake is used currently.

By Brett Sale

Sydney’s Hottest Men Live On Stage!

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

IMAGE CREDIT: https://sydneyhotshots.com/

The hunks from Sydney Hotshots will be in Forbes to sizzle and seduce for one night with a brand-new killer show at the Forbes Services Club on Thursday, 23rd June!

The two-hour production is a visual feast, choreographed and developed by Australia’s leading professionals. The hand-picked selection of dreamy guys will have the ladies up from their chairs, screaming for more.

A high energy production, the show boasts the perfect mix of killer dance routines, eye-catching costumes, acrobatics and jaw dropping athletic male physiques. The smorgasbord of sexy guys were selected from hundreds of men nationwide and put though an intensive “Hotshots Bootcamp”, all graduating with an A+ in hip thrusting! The fellas come from various backgrounds from tradies, cops, farmers and even fireman to tour Australia and entertain the ladies!

Hosted by seasoned professional Paul Reynolds (original cast member of Manpower Australia and Las Vegas headliner), his showmanship and cheeky banter with audiences makes for an extra entertaining evening.

You can win a VIP double pass to see The Sydney Hotshots Live by entering the competition on this page.

Author Talk At Library

June 10, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Author Justin Smith will be at the Forbes Library on 21st June at 1pm to talk about his book Cooper Not Out.

Forbes bookworms have something to look forward to when author Justin Smith will be in town to talk about his book Cooper Not Out on 21st June at 1pm.

The book is a heart-warming tale about an unlikely hero and is part of the One Library One Book innovative community reading program that encourages everyone in the region to read and discuss the same book at the same time. Books have been distributed across the Central West Libraries network including Forbes.

Pick up a copy at Forbes Library, read it and join in the conversation. There’s no better time to curl up and read a good book now that winter is upon us.

Cooper Not Out is a funny, heart-warming novel set against a backdrop of real events in the summer of 1984 when the West Indian cricket team was touring Australia. It is moving and highly original tale about friendship and belief, and the joy of being true to yourself and discovering your greatest potential.

“I’m thrilled Cooper Not Out has been chosen for the One Library, One Book initiative,” Justin said.

Please call Forbes Library on 6852 1463 or book online via Eventbrite.com.au.

Who Is Your Favourite Tradie?

June 3, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

We all need a tradie in our lives at some stage, and the time has come to acknowledge the work they do and how important they are in our daily lives. The Forbes Phoenix and Gunn’s Menswear are collaborating to shine the light on the tradies in Forbes.

The Forbes Phoenix is starting an exciting competition sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear in Forbes. Our readers are invited to nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw for the Tradie of the Month. The winner each month will win a prize from Gunn’s Menswear.

Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street to nominate a tradie, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page with your nomination, the tradie’s workplace and contact number. The closing date for this month’s nominations is Monday, 27th June.

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