Clayton Maynard recently caught this kingfish off north head in Sydney.

The NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, last week delivered the state’s budget. The following excerpts are just a few that are pertinent to the Forbes Shire.

DROUGHT
$355 million to extend critical drought assistance measures for farmers and rural communities, $170 million for the Drought Stimulus Packages, and $185 million in onfarm Emergency Drought Relief measures including continuing transport cost rebates and waiving annual land rates

ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER
$2 million over four years to establish an independent Agriculture Commissioner, with legislated powers to protect the Right to Farm, allowing farmers to undertake lawful agricultural practices whilst reducing conflict with other land users.

IMPROVING QUAD BIKE SAFETY FOR NSW FARMERS
$2.8 million over two years to extend the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, including rebates for farmers who prefer drones as alternatives to quad bikes.

ROADS AND TRANSPORT
Significant roads and infrastructure programs in 2019-20, including:
The $52.4 million allocation for continued delivery of overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway, and $200 million to reduce flooding on the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong.

STRONGER COUNTRY COMMUNITIESFUND

$100 million allocated for round three of the Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects and programs in the regions, including $50 million aimed at supporting young people.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BOOST

$30 million over four years to co-fund new on-demand clean energy projects with the private sector through the Emerging Energy Program, including $10 million to pilot initiatives to recycle and re-use materials in solar panels and battery systems.

Develop plans for projects to improve water security in regional communities, including fast tracking regional water strategies, with environmental and economic studies to commence this year. Investigate potential mass water infrastructure projects that will drought-proof Eastern Australia in the spirit of the Bradfield Scheme, contingent on matched funding from the Commonwealth and other states.
$170 million reserved for a special purpose Drought Infrastructure Package to fast track critical water and infrastructure projects.

Many local businesses, including Forbes Shire Council, closed their doors on June 20, to join together in the Rally at Forbes Hospital to protest recent changes to services at Parkes Hospital.

“You have full support from Council in keeping all our medical services here at Forbes,” declared Deputy Mayor, Jenny Webb, Radiologist with the Forbes Hospital.

“We are passionately against the downgrading of any services both here at Forbes or at Parkes Hospital.”

“WNSWHEALTH Management is suggesting that maternity services be downgraded at Parkes leaving Maternity patients to come to Forbes for delivery, and that Forbes Elective Theatre cases be performed in Parkes, leaving emergency surgery including caesareans at Forbes. Is this a trade-off, or a compromise?” Councillor Webb asked the crowd. “Downgrading both Forbes and Parkes Hospital has the potential to put birthing women at risk in emergency situations as it will reduce the availability of theatre services to the Forbes community, and cut the level of experienced and skilled theatre staff.”

Councillor Webb pledged that “Forbes Shire Council has and will continue to advocate at all political levels to ensure that there are no cuts to any of our medical services.”

Forbes local Allan Hicking has provided us with this wonderful class photograph that was taken at Forbes Catholic School when he was just eight years old. This photograph was taken around 1942.
Have you got an old photograph of a local person or a photograph of Forbes way back when? If so we would love to see it for our new feature “Way Back When”, simply email your photo and information to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

To celebrate the Scots All Saints College vision of developing well-rounded, community- minded young men and women of purpose who strive for excellence in all their pursuits All-Rounder Scholarships have been launched. Scholarships allow new students entering Years 5 through to 12 in 2020, the opportunity to showcase their commitment to doing their best in a range of activities including music, sport, agriculture and academics.

Scholarships are now open and students are invited to apply in writing with copies of their latest school reports, NAPLAN results, references and a short letter on why they would like to join our College community.

We understand that choosing a boarding school can be a challenging decision so the College is offering students to come for a visit to ‘Try us’. A ‘Try Boarding Sleepover’ will be held on Sunday 23 June, 2019, to give students the idea of boarding, followed by a ‘Try Senior School’ day on Monday 24 June. These events allow students to experience the facilities that are available on our senior campus, talk with teachers and discover a day in the life of a boarder.

All-Rounder Scholarships and the Extended Boarder Family Package are now available for a limited time only. Places are limited for try day experiences, so please register your interest now. Please go to www.scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au/tryus

 

The Fair Work Commission announced recently its annual wage review under the Fair Work Act 2009. All Australian employees who are on Federal Awards will be affected by this rise:

• the National minimum wage is set to increase to $740.80 per week or $19.49 per hour (up 3%);
• Modern Award minimum wages will increase by 3%;
• The National Training wage will increase by 3%;
• Modern Award minimum wages for those employees with a disability, and for those with training arrangements will increase by 3%; and
• Classifications under the various awards will also increase.

Employers – Who is affected, what do they need to do and when?

Employers will be required to review the employment contracts of any employees that are paid wages at the minimum wage (or within 3% of that), or are under a modern award or other industrial instrument such as an Enterprise Agreement.

This increase must take effect in the pay period on or after the 1st July 2019.

Employers should also make sure that they are paying their employees under the correct Award and are paying under the correct classification under the award.

Failure to comply may not only incur large payments of back pay, but in some cases employers may also suffer a large fine imposed  by the Courts.

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

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says the Liberal and Nationals’ Government continues to deliver on improving regional communications services. Mr McCormack attended the official opening of the new mobile base station at Wantabadgery, which is Telstra’s 550th site to benefit from the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

“I am delighted to have helped deliver a mobile base station as well as a small cell for the Wantabadgery community,” Mr McCormack said.

“But I know there is more to be done to continue delivering improved coverage for rural and regional Australians, which is why the Government has invested a further $160 million to secure two more rounds of the successful program which will build on the more than 1,000 towers across regional Australia,” continued Mr McCormack.

“I strongly encourage people to identify mobile black spot areas and to engage with their local council, state MPs and my office so mobile network operators and infrastructure providers can be effectively lobbied,” Mr McCormack said.

“Councils and local stakeholders can also financially support applications for mobile black spots within their regions, so I also encourage a proactive and collaborative approach to engage telecommunication providers so our region receives the service we need and deserve.”

Mobile network operators and infrastructure providers have until 26 July 2019 to submit their applications for Round 5 of the program.

Applications will be assessed through a competitive process conducted by the Department of Communications and the Arts. For more information, visit: www.communications.gov.au/mbsp.

Nadine Muller visiting from Germany caught this Murray Cod on the Lachlan River near Bedgerabong.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards have grown to become one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across the country.

The Awards are now in their 13th year and celebrate the efforts of the state’s volunteers across seven different award categories.

More than 2,500 special guests, families and friends attend ceremonies at 20 locations across regional and suburban centres to celebrate the regional winners of the volunteer awards.

Finalists are invited to the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney to announce the final winners and overall NSW Volunteer of the Year.

More than 112,000 people from over 500 organisations were recognised with awards and certificates at last year’s awards, with special messages of support received from the NSW Governor, our Prime Minister and the NSW Premier.

“Please nominate those special volunteers in our communities so they might be recognised for all they do for us,” said Member for Orange, Phil Donato.

Award Categories:
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Adult Volunteer of the Year
• Senior Volunteer of the Year
• Volunteer Team of the Year
• Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Individual)
• Corporate Volunteer Team of the Year
• Excellence in Volunteer Management

People or teams can be nominated for judging or just for recognition in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

All volunteers in the recognition stream will be acknowledged with a certificate at one of 20 regional ceremonies to celebrate their contribution to their local community.

You can also nominate your local volunteer or volunteer team for inclusion in the final judging for a Regional and State Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations close Friday 12 July, 2019. For more information head to www.volunteering.com.au/volunteer-awards/

The NSW Government announced a further $185 million to continue the NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package last week, to help farmers manage the effects of the drought. Included is:• $70 million to continue Drought Transport Subsidies for fodder, stock and water
• $50 million to waive Local Land Services rates
• $30 million to waive fixed water charges in rural and regional areas
• $10 million to waive Farm Innovation Fund interest fees
• $15 million for emergency town water supply assistance
• $10 million to reduce the cost of farming, including apiary fee waivers, wild dog fence fee waivers, stock welfare panels and donated fodder

The NSW Government committed to new programs and increased funding in other critical areas, including:
• $7 million for exemptions for agricultural vehicle registration fees
• $8.2 million for counselling and mental health programs
• $5.2 million to support preschool children and their families facing hardship due to drought
• $5 million for training to upskill farmers and contractors
• $1 million in grants to local sports organisations

The package comes into effect on 1 July 2019.