The NSW Government is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion. More than $300 million has been awarded to over 13,800 projects through the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program since 2009.

In 2019, there is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each electorate. Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $300,000. As a guide, the average grant awarded is around $20,000.

“I have had the pleasure of announcing many CBP grants successfully applied for throughout the Orange electorate which benefit many people throughout our communities.

I would encourage your club, group or organisation to apply,” said Phil Donato, Member for Orange.

Eligible projects will be assessed against four equally weighted program criteria:

• Enhancing facilities: the project develops a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community through the enhancement or construction of community infrastructure.
• Meeting community needs: the project supports activities and services needed by local communities.
• Increasing community participation: the project encourages participation in activities or services needed by a broad section of the community.
• The organisation’s capacity: the applicant has the capacity to deliver the project on time and within scope.

Applications are now open and close on 27th September at 5pm. The announcement of successful projects will take place in late March 2020. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projectsand-initiatives/community-building-partnership/

The 144th Annual Forbes Show was a huge success last weekend despite the four seasons of weather experienced during the Show. The weather certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of show goers who filed in the gates from Friday morning.

The Forbes North Public School Dance troupe enjoyed dancing in the sunshine entertaining their parents and many show goers.

This year the show celebrated its 56th year of the Showgirl Competition. Molly Fuge, a local farmer who works at Lawson Grains was sashed Miss Forbes Showgirl for 2019, taking over from Sally Downie who was the Showgirl for 2018.

“By being a part of the Showgirl Competition, I hope to improve my confidence, develop friendships and gain experiences from new challenges,” said Molly.

The show pavilion was packed to the brim with fruit and vegetable entries from locals throughout the shire, with entries for 2019 up in the lego and preserves sections.

The home baked goods in the cake section looked delectable too.

The 2019 Farmers Challenge was a spectacle to watch with participants showing off their skills by rolling up a swag, eating a spoonful of vegemite, tossing a boot and guiding calves around.

The fireworks on Friday night did not disappoint either filling the Forbes sky.

The 145th Forbes Show will be back in 2020 on Friday 11th September and Saturday 12th September.

Guitarists, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation having developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with
the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.

The Grigoryan Brothers will visit Forbes Town Hall on Friday 27th September to perform.

Between them, they have received 4 ARIA awards and an incredible 24 ARIA Award nominations. As a duo they have recorded 14 albums.

They have been touring internationally since 2003, regularly performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA, Brazil, South Africa, India and the Middle East.

Their diverse repertoire continues to present new opportunities for performances in traditional and unconventional settings, from projects with orchestras to duo performances in iconic venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, the Sydney Opera House and Beacon Theatre in New York.

To purchase a ticket head to www.trybooking.com/BDSJM

Last Friday KFC and Caltex representatives were at the official sod-turning ceremony of Stage Two of the Homemakers Centre on the Newell Highway with Mayor, Phyllis Miller.

Construction will commence in two weeks’ time, with fencing and sheds going up this week. The build will be 30 weeks in total and we should see them opening at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

The new centre will cater for a number of heavy vehicles that use the Newell Highway day and night. Both Caltex and KFC will front the Newell Highway just north of Bunnings and Spotlight, with the Caltex offering facilities for both male and female transport industry workers.

Mayor Miller is very excited about the new development.

“This is a project that started about threeand- a-half years ago,” said Mayor Miller.

There will also be a large emphasis on supporting local tradespeople throughout the build which is great for Forbes.

Further blocks in the Homemakers Centre area are available for development.

With Spring now upon us residents will be looking to take part in a bit of Spring-cleaning and renovation work around Forbes.

Forbes Shire Council offers free professional advice from a Heritage Advisory Service, to assist with any amendments building owners may have. The advisory service is available to owners who want to renovate or redevelop private homes or commercial buildings, occupiers of buildings with historical significance, or owners of movable heritage items who want to undertake conservation work.

“Forbes Shire Council wants to assist local residents to preserve our town’s amazing heritage,” says Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM. “Heritage assets are fundamental to the economy of Forbes as a tourism asset as well as celebrating our wonderful history.”

Small grants are available from a local heritage fund, established by Forbes Shire Council with the assistance of the NSW Heritage Office. These funds can be accessed for a variety of uses, including painting, signage, repairs and purchase of historical data. Funding is usually on a dollar for dollar basis with Council contributing up to $3,000.

Owners of heritage buildings and movable objects in the Forbes Shire Council area are invited to apply. For more information call 6850 2300 or email development@forbes.nsw.gov.au

If you think a day of grazing, tasting and meandering through vineyards to savour delectable organic food and wine sounds like an itinerary item for a trip around Tuscany, you are on the wrong continent!

Cowra Tourism will be running half day guided Wine & Forage Tours of the Cowra and local wine region this spring giving you the opportunity to experience the very best of local organic food and wine.

Antonio D’Onise of Antonio’s Vineyard, formally Gardener’s Ground, kicks off the tour with a wine ‘treasure’ wander through his vineyard to not only fill up on very interesting facts about organic and vegan wines, but also taste his latest imaginative shiraz and chardonnay releases.

Taking over from Antonio is Sam Statham who takes the group on a wander through Canowindra’s first organic vineyard and farm at Rosnay. Along the way there is a tasting table with a range of fig and olive products.

The last stop is at Wallingtons, with its unique straw bale cellar door. Sitting under the pergola tasting the Bald Hill wines with breathtaking views over the valley, while lunch is being prepared in the wood fire pizza oven, it is easy to imagine yourself in Tuscany…

After a successful three days at The National Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo the Forbes High School Show Team came away with the following awards:

• Champion Commercial Team of Three Wethers for Combined Sheep Valuation.
• 3rd Combined Wool Valuation.
• 2nd Combined Carcass Valuation.
• 4th Overall Individual Wether.
• Bridie Hughes placed 3rd in the under15’s Junior Fleece Judging.
• Nat qualified for the final Open FleeceJudging.
• Of the two teams, Team 1 placed 2nd,with Team 2 placing 9th overall.

The Perfect Day Starts Here

Are you recently engaged and planning a local wedding in Forbes? Forbes has all the local suppliers you need to make your special day amazing!

Essjay Photography is run by Sarah Hodge, a lady who is a storytelling genius, who loves adventure and finds great joy in savouring your special moments! Essjay Photography is located in Forbes and are well known for weddings.

“Over the last 9 years photographing I have learnt weddings are many things: a celebration, a ritual, a gathering of loved ones, a dinner, a dance, laughter, tears, smiles, memories, a future, a party, a dress, awesome food, dancing and 1000 other tiny details….

BUT most simply, a wedding is between two amazing humans, claiming their love to the world and that they choose each other forever. Simple. That is all that matters, your wedding should reflect who you both are as individuals,” said Sarah.

Blush are quite simply the wedding makeup specialists right here in Forbes. The team at Blush take pride in their work, with extensive training and qualifications ranging from special occasion makeup to cosmetic tattooing, and almost everything in between.

Blush focus on providing the highest quality service, using some of the most natural products on the market.

Blush can care for all of your beauty needs in the lead up to, and on your big day. To see the range of services, check out the Blush Facebook page or visit www.blushorganicbeauty.net or call 6851 6088.

At Helloworld Travel Forbes a unique and unforgettable experience for your honeymoon to your destination wedding is provided, you also have the option of utilising the wedding registries service.

The wedding you’ve always imagined in the location of your dreams can easily become a reality with Helloworld Travel’s selection of amazing wedding packages. Whether you’re planning an intimate affair for 10 or an extravagant event for 50, the team can help with stunning resorts in breathtaking destinations.

To start your new life together, we have a range of Honeymoon getaways available in some of the most idyllic locations in the world – The Maldives, Tahiti, Greece, Fiji and Thailand. Helloworld Travel also offer a wedding register service.

The Forbes community will be celebrating its 144th annual Show starting next Friday at 9am at the Forbes Showgrounds. “On behalf of the Forbes PA&H committee, I have much pleasure in extending a warm welcome to the Forbes community to come and join us on the 6th & 7th September to celebrate the 144th Annual Show,” said Doug Nadin, Show President.

“The Motorbike Club is back again as one of our many entertainers on Friday evening as is the ute barrel racing on Saturday,” continued Mr Nadin.

Again, there will be the traditional attractions of yard dog trials, Champion Dog Show, Dairy and Beef Cattle, Poultry, Caged Birds, Harness Racing and the very popular Animal Nursery, Pet Show and Antique Machinery. Keep your eyes peeled for the Grand Parade too.

Don’t forget about the Forbes Show Fireworks which will go off with a bang on Friday 6th September at 8pm.

“I would encourage the public to visit the trade displays and support these businesses that make a huge effort to exhibit at the Forbes Show. To all the businesses and individuals who support the Show through sponsorship we thank you all very much, your support is much valued and allows our Society to present a community event that the Forbes people can be proud of,” said Mr Nadin.

This year the show will also be celebrating its 56th year of the Showgirl Competition. Molly Fuge one of the Forbes Showgirl entrants said “By being a part of the Showgirl Competition, I hope to improve my confidence, develop friendships and gain experiences  from new challenges”.

Forbes Public School will have a stand at the Forbes Show and is excited to meet prospective families and students. At Forbes Public School dedicated and expert teaching staff, the school chaplain, and school learning support officers work collaboratively with a supportive parent body to set a positive school tone. This generates an open, safe and caring learning environment where students are supported to be future focused and reach their full potential.

Don’t forget to enter our Forbes Show competition at www.forbesphoenix. com.au and you could win a Family Pass to the show!

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop which will be held at Forbes High School on Tuesday 3rd September 2019.

The free two hour workshop, Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Lachlan Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Belinda Coe, says the workshop offers practical advice to parents and supervisors on how to help learner drivers become safer drivers.

“Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why Parkes Shire Council have teamed up with Roads and Maritime Services to hold these FREE two hour workshops. The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more,” said Mrs Coe.

“Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop in the past have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors,” Mrs Coe said.

The Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers workshop will be held at Forbes High School on Tuesday 3rd September commencing at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be available during the workshop.

Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Belinda Coe on 6861 2364.