Forbes Shire Council has received the coveted ALMA Animal Welfare Award last week at a presentation in Roma, Queensland.

This win is further proof that animal welfare is a critical priority for Forbes Shire Council and the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE).

The CWLE is a state-of-the-art facility for buying and selling premium quality cattle, sheep and pigs. With 105,000 Cattle and 1,466,900 Sheep throughput at the facility each year and a major driver for the Forbes economy.

“I’m very proud of our Council winning this award, but even prouder of the wonderful staff and facility we have at the Central West Livestock Exchange. The livestock exchange serves an important role for our farming community and we will continue to upgrade and maintain this amazing infrastructure,” says Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller.

Further to external staff training Council has developed and implemented a CWLE induction for all users to the facility which aims to educate and promote responsibilities for all users of the facility.

General Manager, Steve Loane, passionately states; “The CWLE is one of the best facilities I have seen in Australia and to ensure we remain competitive we need to ensure those in charge and running the facility are trained accordingly. I am incredibly proud of the staff and their willingness to undertake the training proposed to ensure the CWLE runs like a well-oiled machine.”

Forbes Lion Peter Bright will take over as District Governor of District 201 N4 at the Annual Changeover event being held on Saturday 20 August, 2019, at the Forbes Services Memorial Club. Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller will attend the event along with around 60 Lions members.

The appointment follows 15 months of intensive training, culminating in a week-long event in Milan, Italy from 5-9th July, where around 800 District Governors from around the world were officially sworn in.

Peter will take over the role from immediate Past District Governor Gavan Ellis, and aims to build on the Lions presence in the region to ensure they can continue supporting the community.

“I want to make sure we can continue to help our communities through tough times, and I’m keen to involve younger people in the idea of voluntary community service,” Peter said.

He already has a strong track record. Peter and his wife, Elaine, have been active Lions since joining in 2006, when the Forbes and District Club was established.

In 13 years, Peter has twice served as Club President, and has led many projects that have made a difference in the community.

Peter is committed to spreading the message that kindness matters, and working with and involving young people in community service. He has been involved in the annual Youth of the Year Quest, bringing the State Final to Forbes in 2017, and he formed the first Leos club in Forbes at the Forbes High School.

In 2017, Peter received the International Presidents Award for his work with the Forbes Flood Relief efforts, during which the club assisted local families with a variety of Australian Lions Foundation vouchers including food, fuel, stock feed and fencing.

He is quick to point out it was a team effort. “Of course, it was an honour to receive the award, but it reflected on the whole club, not just me,” said Peter.

When he takes over as District Governor, he will lead a membership of around 1,000 Lions in 48 clubs across Central, Northern, and Southern NSW. District activities include responding to community needs during disaster events, and regular activities such as the Youth of The Year Quest, Peace Poster Competition, and fundraising for the Lions Foundation to support Childhood
Cancer Research, the Save Sight Institute, and many other causes.

“I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys serving others and being part of a community to talk to us and find out what we’re about,” said Peter.

He describes being a Lions member as the most rewarding time of his life. “I’ll never forget a young mum stopping me in the street after the Forbes and District Lions Club had had Hearing Loops’ installed in the three primary schools in Forbes. She’d just come from the primary school and had seen her hearing-impaired son participate in the classroom for the first time. She
asked me if she could give me a hug, and after she explained why we were both in tears,” he said.

If you are thinking about joining the Lions Club, contact your local Lions Club, or go to the District Lions Website where you will find contact details and a membership application form.

Charles Sturt University are committed to supporting the development of the regions in NSW. This year, CSU have got $125,000 in grant funding available to help communities grow and flourish. Help the community today by applying for a 2019 Charles Sturt University Community University Partnerships (CUP) grant.

If you’re a community group, school, sporting club, Indigenous group or cultural organisation in Forbes, you can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to help boost and support your project.

CUP grants are available in all Charles Sturt University campus cities and University regions including Forbes.

There are five categories to choose from:
• Art and culture
• Education
• Indigenous engagement
• Health and wellbeing
• Sport

Applications are now open for round two grants and close on 9th August 2019. For more information visit the community portal at about.csu.edu.au/community/grants or email community@csu.edu.au

Vietnam Veterans Day will be held at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park on Sunday 18th August 2019.

Some 60,000 Australians served their country in the Vietnam conflict from 1962 – 1975.

Australia suffered casualties with 521 deaths and more than 3,000 wounded during this conflict with many more veterans suffering and continue to suffer as a result of their service.

As young men and women they lived in a time when draft-dodging was a dirty word and the domino theory was a constant theme. Service of country was never questioned.

We must never forget the price that our Vietnam Veterans paid for their service. The bravery, tenacity and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the Battle of Long Tan, and the support provided to them by the RAAF are remembered as one of the Vietnam War’s defining moments. Australian casualties at Long Tan were 18 killed and 24 wounded. That victory has come to symbolise Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

The commemorations held on Vietnam Veterans Day honour all Australians who served their country during the Vietnam War.

Forbes CWA are proud to have junior members. One of the junior members, Olivia Hunt, has been busy helping with bags. Her story is below.

“I make the hospital bags as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award which is an award scheme in which you must participate in a sport, learn a new skill, be involved in community service and also go on an expedition including camping and bushwalking,” said Olivia.

“I decided to make the hospital bags for my community service component, as my Nana who is the President of the CWA mentioned that they needed more hospital bags at Forbes – sewing is also a keen hobby of mine so I thought it would work very well and it was nice to know Iwas helping a small community in country NSW. I’ve been making the bags for the past year,” continued Olivia.

These bags are very popular at the Forbes Hospital. They are filled with immediate needs by the branch and delivered on a regular basis to the hospital.

If anyone of any age feels that they would like to get involved in being part of this and other projects please contact Elaine Bright on 0402 025 888, or speak to one of the CWA members.

My Community Project has been made possible by the NSW Government Generations Fund and six projects from the Forbes Shire have made it through to the final stage where the community votes!
These awesome community projects include:

• Lighting up Lake Forbes: Installing solar lighting around the Lake Forbes walking track to improve safety and accessibility for all members of the community.
• Calarie Hall and Recreation Grounds Upgrades: Upgrades will be undertaken at the Calarie Hall and Recreation Ground including upgrades to the hall, kitchen, pathways and amenities.
• A face lift for Forbes Town Band: The Town Band Hall is weatherboard and in need of repair, with fresh painting and upgrades it will encourage new members to join.
• Forbes BMX Track Refurbishment: Refurbishment and upgrades to the BMX Track for the local and surrounding communities to utilise and enjoy.
• No place like home – Forbes Men’s Shed: This grant will complete the move from under the grandstand at the Forbes Showground to Union Street allowing members access to a new facility.
• Lachlan House with No Steps Community Hub: The development of a Community Hub that can be utilised by people with a disability and the wider Community.

For more information and to vote online please head to the following site https://mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au/

Harold Street in Forbes will once again welcome the BreastScreen Van for a stay from the 16th July to the 21st August. Women aged 40 and over are encouraged to drop in and see the Radiographers for a free 20 minute mammogram. Screening more women means BreastScreen can detect the disease in its initial stages, with early detection providing one of the best chances in the fight against breast cancer.

Deputy Mayor, Jenny Webb is a radiographer at Forbes District Hospital. She said, the risks of developing Breast Cancer is being a woman and being over 50, however the focus is on reducing deaths and detecting the disease as early as possible to maximise treatment options.

“Having a mammogram every two years is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early,” Cr Webb said.

BreastScreen NSW aims to improve the survival rates of women with breast cancer by providing free screening mammograms to women aged 50-74.

Women aged 40-49 and women aged 75+ are also eligible to attend.

BreastScreen NSW is part of a national program, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, and state and territory governments. This service aims to detect breast cancer early, before it has a chance to spread. Early detection of cancer increases the treatment options available  and improves the chance of survival.

Bookings can be made online at https:// book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/ or call 13 20 50.

Amber Holt was driving to work in May this year, when she heard over the car radio that the PM (Scott Morrison) was attending the CWA conference in Albury. The 24-year-old bought a carton of eggs and proceeded to the venue where the PM was speaking with rural women as part of his campaign for the upcoming federal election.

She then walked up behind Mr Morrison and tossed an egg onto the crown of his head, which ricocheted off the prime minister’s skull with its shell unbroken.

Mr Morrison’s security guards tackled his assailant to the ground. Ms Holt was charged with Common Assault for throwing the egg, as well as drug possession, as she was found to have 0.3 grams of cannabis in her pocket following her arrest. Holt explained that she carried out the failed egging in response to the PM’s treatment of refugees in offshore detention.

The offence of common assault falls under Section 61 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

It sets out that the crime involves an assault that doesn’t cause actual bodily harm.

The legal definition of assault differs to its everyday use, where people commonly think of assault as the inflicting of unlawful force upon another. In law the mere threat of it can also constitute an assault, if the subject of it feels fear of violence.

In Morrison’s case, the egging constitutes an assault, as force was inflicted upon him.

If it’s shown Holt meant to subject the PM to unlawful violence, she perpetrated the act intentionally.

If we at MATTHEWS WILLIAMS can help you on any legal matter, feel free to call us.

A group of 16 Chinese animal husbandry students aged between 18 and 22 years old will be touring the Forbes Shire this week to further their veterinary and English skills.

As part of the ongoing partnership with TAFE NSW the students will experience networking with industry professionals and farmers from the various properties listed on the tour. The overall consensus from tour organisers, TAFE NSW, is that Australian teaching methods are much more “hands-on” compared to the education system in China.

“We welcome the students to our amazing agricultural hub here in Forbes,” says Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“This program is a wonderful opportunity for them to get in there and gain livestock and small animal experience they wouldn’t necessarily have access to in China, as well as make great friends along the way,” continued Mayor Miller.

The community are urged to talk to the students if they see them around town. The tour is about students engaging with the public and learning about our culture. The same program visited Forbes last in 2015, which was a huge success.

“It’s been an unforgettable experience for me, I have learned lots of things from study and life that I couldn’t learn in China and other places. It was fantastic,” Chen Jianzhou (Charles) said of the last visit to the area.

Travelling with the students will be two teachers. The group will be based at the Council’s JREC facility during their stay.