Many of us head to the polls and seldom think about who or what we are voting for. Often we pick someone who may only represent a modicum of our views. That said, seldom do we often find anyone that shares all our beliefs anyway.

These local Forbes Shire Council elections however offer real differences in choice and philosophies moving forward. Will we as a river town between bigger regional hubs persist with what has worked – a robust and proactive council that have turned Forbes into the retail hub others could only dream of and the jewel of the Central West. The stats don’t lie, living here in Forbes is head and shoulders above anywhere else in the region and it is still growing.

When you cast your vote take that into consideration because despite floods and drought, Forbes has thrived and our council has played a huge part in that.

Or do we usher in a new brigade, one with fresh ideas and visions for the future? How will a council with new blood and younger faces lead the community into the next term and beyond? What experience do they bring? Any new council will also have to hit the ground running with either a December 21 (or December 24) date for the first meeting being touted.

Regardless, according to the Local Government Act, there are key items of business that must be addressed at the first meeting of any new council.
1. the administration of councillors’ oath or affirmation of office;
2. the election of the mayor and deputy mayor; and
3. a resolution declaring that casual vacancies in the office of councillors will be filled using a countback in the first 18 months following the election, rather than with a by-election.

While most head to the polls on Saturday, December 4, pre-poll and iVote voting opens next Monday November 22nd.

New to Forbes? Then mark down Thursday December 2 at 5:30pm at the Forbes Sports & Recreation Club in your calendar! The Forbes Shire Council run biannual event is a great chance for those new to the area to come along and meet other fresh faces to town.

This fun night is an opportunity for new residents to get to know a little bit more about the community they have moved to as well as meet the councillors and local organisations from the Shire. The relaxed evening makes it easy for even the most reserved people to meet new people and find out a little more about the town you have moved to. The event is a casual affair and a chance to get together with drinks and light refreshments from our local caterers.

When you move somewhere new you have many questions, such as what are the childcare options in town, what sport-ing clubs you can join or who does the best steak! The event gives residents an opportunity to talk with others who are in the same boat. It is always nice to know you are not alone in this community.

Call Forbes Shire Council on 6850 2300 or email community@forbes.nsw.gov.au to book your spot by 5pm Friday November 26 for the next Welcome to Forbes event on Thursday December 2 from 5:30pm at Forbes Sports & Recreation Club, 175 Lachlan Street, Forbes.

Red Bend Catholic College fosters educational excellence within a Christian environment. Through our Marist charism, we engage minds, hearts and spirits, inspiring our students to live well-rounded, ethical lives of respect, service and compassion. The College community invigorates critical thinking and interdependent learning in our students.

Our students thrive in a safe environment which nurtures wellbeing and a sense of belonging. We promote Catholic values through our family atmosphere and community partnerships, where Jesus Christ is known and loved.

Principal’s Message
Red Bend Catholic College offers a Marist-inspired educational experience for boys and girls from Years 7 to 12. As a Marist school, it aims to develop young people of character, integrity and compassion in becoming Good Christians and Good Citizens.

The nurturing learning environment at the College focuses on well-being, resilience, and care, with a deep belief that every student is capable of successful learning. The dynamic Red Bend staff develop professional relationships based on trust and connection with the students, families and carers.

Each student is valued as an individual and we strive to provide them with the best educational opportunities.

A diverse range of co-curricular and sporting activities are offered to enhance the students’ learning experiences and to develop their strengths, talents and character. With extensive facilities, the College is able to offer a range of sporting activities and co-curricular programs that engage the students and extend their experiences.

Students integrate life, faith and learning experiences through outreach service programs such as Meals on Wheels, Gardening for Seniors in the local community and Immersion opportunities.

Red Bend encourages all students to be audacious, digitally informed learners grasping every opportunity that comes their way in the hope that they will be game-changers and make a difference in the world and to those around them.

Mr Stephen Dwyer, Principal

It was the first time in nearly two years there had been a formal occasion in most NSW towns to mark Remembrance Day, and this year was a fitting and intimate acknowledgement of those who have served for us and given the ultimate sacrifice.

Led by local Forbes RSL Sub-Branch members and other dignitaries including Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM, the event was held at the Forbes Cenotaph in front of around 80 people. Those who did assemble for the formalities ranged from our vets who had served in other wars to their next of kin who stood beside them, proud, and yet mindful of what the special occasion was all about – remembering them.

Aaron Parry played a stirring rendition of the Last Post after the moment’s silence and wreath layers included Forbes High School, the CWA, Forbes Public and more. Poppies, the only flower to grow after the end to the bloodshed had been called on the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month, adorned the collars and lapels of all and sundry – as they should, on such a day, Remembrance Day, a day we remember to remember.

The NSW Government will provide Diploma of Event Management scholarships to 20 up-and-coming event managers across regional NSW through a partnership with peak events industry body Meetings & Events Australia (MEA).

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said the scholarships would play an important role in stimulating new business event activity in regional communities.

“The business events sector presents a major opportunity for the visitor economy, particularly for regional NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

“We know that the best way forward is to help to create more jobs and these scholarships will do exactly that – giving people the tools and extra support needed to kick-start their careers,” he said.

“I congratulate the 20 scholarship recipients who are already making valuable contributions to their local communities and wish them every success as they begin their diploma studies and continue their journeys in the events sector.”

The scholarships are an initiative of the NSW Government’s $6 million Regional Conferencing Strategy and Action Plan. The list of recipients for 2021 can be found here: www.meetinnsw.com.au/scholarships

We are only two weeks away from the 2021 Forbes Shire Council LGA Elections – some 12 months in the making and while this year has a diverse range of candidates, campaigning has been anything but easy with COVID and then floods to contend with.

The Meet The Candidates night planned for last night at Club Forbes was sadly postponed due to the floods after the 2020 elections were cancelled due to COVID. It has been about as smooth as a back road to Bourke. As a result, potential council hopefuls now only have limited opportunities to make their case for a position on Forbes Shire Council.

How To Vote During Floods
Postal-voting for flood-affected residents – Local Government Elections on December 4 may be the only option for some after November floods.

Residents who are concerned that lingering flood waters may hinder their ability to vote in the Local Government Election are urged to make an application for postal voting as soon as possible. Applications close at 5pm on Monday November 29th.

Apply online or download an application form at https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Voters/Other-voting-options/Postal-voting

Contact the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 135 736 for further information.

Ballot Order: 1.Aidan Clarke, 2. Margaret Duggan, 3. Jeff Nichol-son, 4. Thomas Dwyer, 5. Chris Roylance, 6. Steve Karaitiana, 7. Phyllis Miller, 8. Brian Mattiske, 9. Graeme Miller, 10. Michele Herbert, 11. Maria Willis, 12. Emma Henderson, 13. Jenny Webb.

The first meeting of the new council will be on December 21 or 24 pending final election results being declared. Nevertheless, the new Council will meet before Christmas.

Any delay to raising the Wyangala Dam wall to enhance water security in the Lachlan River catchment is a delay to future prosperity for the region.

Raising the dam wall by 10 metres to increase the capacity of Wyangala Dam would increase water security for all those communities along the Lachlan River catchment, from Cowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Parkes, Temora, West Wyalong and Young in my electorate to communities further west, such as Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Hillston and Booligal.

The dam upgrade would increase its capacity to a further 650 gigalitres to ensure more water will be available when the next drought occurs.

The Federal Government has a vision for Agriculture to grow to a $100 billion industry by 2030 – for this seed to grow, we need to add water.

But this is not just about water supply for farmers and towns.

Traffic along the Newell Highway – a significant freight corridor of commerce between Melbourne and Brisbane – ground to a halt in for six weeks in 2016 due to the flooding of the Lachlan River, with reports a study finding the closure cost the national economy some $150 million – which has been described as a conservative estimate.

As the Minister responsible for water infrastructure, I established the National Water Grid in 2019 to build dams, to build our nation’s resilience to be better placed to counter the effects of droughts and flooding rains.

From an initial investment of $1.5 billion, a further $2 billion was announced in the 2020 Budget to make the National Water Grid a 10-year, $3.5 billion program – but the Federal Government has to rely on States and Territories to be willing partners to build dams.

I have spoken to the Minister for Water Melinda Pavey, the State Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Cowra Shire Mayor Bill West regarding this issue and will continue to work collaboratively with all levels of government to ensure the best outcomes for the communities which stand to benefit from this important water infrastructure project.

I note the scepticism of the chair of a recent New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry into the viability of two projects the State and Federal Governments were working towards bringing to fruition.

It would be a travesty to start taking advice from the city-centric Greens on what regional infrastructure to build – they have no concept about the needs of regional Australia and they would be content to see our thriving rural communities turn to dust.

They want to tear down, not build up, and they do not understand the value of water projects when it comes to growing agriculture or preventing devastating flooding.

Thursday, November 18 at Club Forbes from 6pm will be a chance for the public to hear from potential council hopefuls before the December 4 elections.

In what shapes as one of the most fascinating and keenly contested elections in memory the final number of candidates is 13 and was confirmed last Thursday at the Parkes returning office after a ballot draw was conducted for the 13 Forbes Shire Council candidates in the upcoming local government elections.

They are (in ballot order):
1. Aidan Clarke
2. Margaret Duggan
3. Jeff Nicholson
4. Thomas Dwyer
5. Chris Roylance
6. Steve Karaitiana
7. Phyllis Miller
8. Brian Mattiske
9. Graeme Miller
10. Michele Herbert
11. Maria Willis
12. Emma Henderson
13. Jenny Webb

The first meeting of the new council will be on December 21 or 24, pending final election results being declared.

Whatever the case, we can only hope this council is as good as the last! Good luck to all candidates!