A $2.9million cash injection for roads in Forbes Shire will create jobs and boost the local economy at a time when it is needed most. The Federal Government has committed $191 million to build on the New South Wales Government’s Fixing Local Roads program.

Riverina MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, who visited Forbes last week, said the Federal Government continued to deliver on its commitment for regional Australia.

“I am proud to be a part of a Government which has supported our regional areas so much as this COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded,” Michael said.

“I know regional and rural residents rely on roads much more than our city counter- parts which is why I took our fight to the Cabinet table to deliver for residents in the Forbes Shire. Forbes Council submitted a shortlist of projects which they deemed as shovel ready and from there I have worked tirelessly in my role as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development along with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole to ensure our regional roads receive the funding they deserve.”

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway joined Michael’s visit to Forbes and said that the improvement of local roads was vital to better road safety for our regional and rural communities.

“We’re turbocharging this funding to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities, in what has been a difficult period for all. Projects like patching Wirrinya Road may seem small, but they will make a big difference to the overall safety and experience of daily commuters and visitors to the region,” Sam said.

The Federal and NSW Governments will deliver a total of $3.26million towards projects across the Riverina and Central West

The successful recipients from round one of the China Molybdenum Co Ltd (CMOC) and Northparkes Mines Community Investment Program have been announced. The program has two rounds annually, with $40,000 donated each round. Since its inception, over $760,000 has been invested in the Parkes and Forbes Shires.

Northparkes Managing Director Hubert Lehman said, “The Community Investment Program has been one of the successful programs we have used to support the sustainability of the Parkes and Forbes Shires. Despite the COVID-19 health pandemic, we want to ensure we are still able to support our local community through this investment program.”

The successful applicants for round one in the Forbes Shire were Aruma Disability Services, Bogan Gate Golf Club, Forbes District Soccer Club, Forbes Golf Association and Forbes Rugby Union Club Inc.

“Congratulations to the successful recipients and thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. It is always a very challenging task for the committee to select the successful recipients when there are so many quality applications,” said Hubert.

The Community Investment Program has an independent committee, made up of local community members of Parkes and Forbes to review the applications and allocate the available funding. This involves ensuring the applications meet the economic, social, environmental, cultural, recreational, and educational needs of the local communities.

Round two of the Community Investment Program is now open, visit www.northparkes.com to apply. For more information, please contact Ali Standen on 02 6861 3621 or ali.standen@au.cmoc.com.

There is currently $10million of extra arts funding available nationally through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund (RAF). Arts OutWest is offering a free, online workshop to help people in the region prepare applications for the RAF.

The free workshop will be held via Zoom on Friday, 31 July from 10.30am-12pm and participants are encouraged to bring their project ideas or beginnings of their applications to discuss.

The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government Program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia: designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities. The standard 2021 round of the Regional Art Fund is now open and closes 21 August 2020.

The funding recognises that the creative industries are central to thriving and healthy communities across regional, rural and remote Australia and that arts and culture activities are vital in the recovery and renewal process. The Recovery Boost grant program will be implemented in three stages moving from Relief to Recovery and Renewal.

RAF Relief is currently open for quick turn-around grants; expressions of interest for the Renewal program are also now open; and Recovery projects funding closes 29 October.

“Between the standard Regional Arts Fund funding program and the special Recovery Boost program there are significant funding opportunities for artists, arts organisations and communities in our region, but from the outside it can look like a bit of a maze,” said Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan. “Our workshop is about unpicking the options and designing projects that match the opportunities.”

To register for the Arts OutWest funding workshop, email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au, or call 6338 4657.

As the cooler weather brings chainsaws out of sheds, and firewood collection be- comes high on the agenda for many families, Forbes residents are being reminded that the removal of trees from council land without permission is illegal.

“We were shocked to see the amount of damage in the Wildlife Reserve area at Gum Swamp,” say Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “Countless trees have been felled recently and some are even close to the water’s edge.”

“This whole area is a protected wildlife reserve and we cannot and will not allow this to happen. Some of the recent State Government funding received by the Forbes Art Society has been allocated to this area for the construction of new bird hides and improving the existing bird hide. People travel from all over Australia to admire our amazing diversity of birds who occupy this region and we cannot afford to have this prized habitat destroyed.”

Council rangers will be patrolling the area regularly with on the spot fines of $3000 issued to those caught cutting and collecting timber from the area. If Council deems it necessary court-imposed fines of up to $500,000 can occur.

“It disappoints us greatly that people would disrespect this beautiful wildlife refuge,” says local resident and Forbes Art Society project manager, Kim Muffet. “Taking timber from this area is criminal given it provides habitat for so many species of birds.”

Illegally acquired firewood has already been seized and donated to the Men’s Shed for fundraising.

Originally due to run until 27 September 2020, the Australian Governments JobKeeper wage subsidy will now continue to be available to eligible businesses, those who are selfemployed and not-for-profit organisations until 28 March 2021. In addition, the rate will be dropped from $1,500 per fortnight to $1,200 from 28 September 2020.

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says the confirmed extension to the JobKeeper wage subsidy will be welcomed by the Western NSW business community.

“Many of the changes to the JobKeeper wage subsidy are in line with what we have been advocating for and part of our recommendations we made in our recent “Back on Track” report,” said Business NSW, Regional Manager Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“JobKeeper has been a critical pillar of the response to the economic crisis, but it did come with some adverse effects for our businesses which have been addressed with the announcement.”

“The extension and targeted changes will support those industries most heavily impacted by restrictions and consumer demand, as well as providing much needed confidence for all businesses to plan for the next 6 months.”

The Forbes Art Society (FAS) with support from Evolution Mining and the Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils have commenced a remarkable, large scale art project in the Lachlan Valley NSW. This large-scale sculpture project has huge potential to inject much needed tourism dollars into the communities of the Lachlan Valley.

With State government funding received in 2019 from the NSW Regional Growth Tourism and Environment Fund, the project will see the installation of large-scale sculptures over an area of 100km through the Lachlan Valley to create an art trail of international recognition. The project will be undertaken over the next 18 months.

“We are so excited to see this project finally underway in our Shire,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “This is an amazing opportunity for all partners involved and we are looking forward to its implementation for the growth and well-being of our shire and our region as a whole.”

The project has the potential to be a significant economic contributor to the Lachlan Valley and will help attract tourists to the region from far and wide.”

The Forbes Art Society’s vision for the project is to establish the Lachlan Valley as an iconic tourism destination featuring unique public art with 20 large sculptures placed along a trail extending from Forbes to Condobolin, recognised by their size and artistic merit.

“Our vision is that the trail will become an inland ‘Sculptures by the Sea’. But only permanent and sculptures much larger,” says Forbes Art Society Sculpture Committee Chair and co-creator of the trail, Dr Keith Mullette. “We are passionate about including all of the Lachlan Valley in this project and bringing people to our area as a destination and not just passing through.”

“We are working toward partnering with Sculptures by the Sea to enable us to promote artists and events to a wider audience. Encouraging coastal tourists to head inland and see incredible art in a very different but equally spectacular environment.”

The first sculpture to be installed is a 22-metre-long, 5.5-metre-tall galvanised steel Goanna named Varanus crafted by northern NSW sculptor Glen Star. “Anyone who has been camping in the bush has probably seen a lace monitor,” explains Glen.

“The second largest goanna, it grows up to 2 metres in length. The goanna is of special significance to the Wiradjuri people as a totemic animal, and a food source particularly during tough times.”

Glen Star began creating his own style while working as an industry technical specialist. He handcrafts each individual piece of quality steel completely by hand and eye, to ensure the sculpture is a truly unique showpiece.

The overall project will also see improvements at Gum Swamp, where, in addition to sculptures, three new bird hides will be constructed and a fourth improved. The site which is already a popular one for twitchers and ornithological fans, will see the experience for these visitors vastly improved, with boardwalks and walking tracks constructed. Also, part of the project is the rejuvenation of the former ambulance station into a cultural arts centre and café, hosting visiting artists and tourists alike.

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) is investing in the future of strong and vibrant regional NSW communities by supporting the next generation with the announcement of its 2020 Rural Scholarship program recipients.

The scholarships, awarded to regional and rural students who are studying at a New South Wales University or TAFE, aim to support those seeking further education with the goal of injecting their new skills back into rural areas.

Cameron McMillan of Forbes received his scholarship for Certificate III in Electrotechnology, and travels 160kms each weekend to work alongside his father. Cameron has hopes to put his newly acquired knowledge to good use when he is a fully qualified electrician.

RASF Manager Cecilia Logan believes all 2020 scholarship recipients are particularly well-deserving and represent a bright future for rural and regional NSW.

“It is not an easy task to uproot your life and move away from home to reach your goals, however, it is often the journey regional and rural NSW students have to undergo to achieve further education and training,” Cecilia said.

“The Rural Scholarship program was designed to support this journey; giving students the freedom to study without the stress and financial challenges brought about by the need to relocate.”

The RASF Rural Scholarships offer financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study and $3,000 for part-time study to assist students who are passionate about contributing to the future of rural and regional communities with help from generous supporters such as the UNE Foundation, ASC, NSW Stud Merino Breeders, ChemCert, Regional Australian Bank and The Snow Foundation. The 2021 Scholarship rounds open on July 1 2020. For more information visit www.rasf.org.au