Member for Orange Phil Donato MP, has announced grants funding for a total of 16 infrastructure projects courtesy of the NSW Government’s 2025 Community Build­ing Partnership Program (CBP) – totalling $450,000.

The annual grants program ensures local organisations and councils across the state have the facilities to support more vibrant and inclusive communities.

This year, the CBP grants will help bring to life a variety of projects including:

1. Forbes Shire Council: $43,076 for Ninja Park Shade Structure.

2. Canowindra Connections Centre: $54,016 for refurbishment of existing stables for food pantry storage.

3. Lions Club Of Canowindra Incorporated $15,000 for driving the safety of volun­teers.

4. Lidster Public Hall Incorporated: $13,000 for replacement of Nashdale Hall and Community noticeboard with a more visible electronic noticeboard.

5. Boys to the Bush Pty Ltd: $20,000 for boosting Boys to the Bush in Orange.

6. Life Education NSW Limited: $14,152 for enhanced children’s learning envi­ronment – upgrading Healthy Harold Mobile Learning Centre with air-condi­tioning, carpet, and access steps.

7. Eugowra Community Bowls & Recrea­tion Club: $40,000 for the rebuilding flood affected disabled toilets.

8. Cerebral Palsy Alliance Orange: $48,000 for a new roof.

9. River Dreaming Aboriginal Corporation: $26,505 for the fitment of ENDUROCO lift kit to their existing bus.

10. Anglican Property Trust: $25,000 for maintenance to the roof of St John’s Anglican Church, Forbes.

11. Orange City Rugby Club Ltd: $36,500 for disabled concrete paths and specta­tor fencing.

12. Orange City Croquet Club: $25,000 for a ride-on greens mower for croquet courts.

13. Tullamore PA & H Association Incorpo­rated: $13,031 for cementing the future of the Tullamore Showgrounds.

14. Cudal Community Children’s Centre: $22,720 for a shed, shade and safety.

15. Cancer Council NSW: $44,000 for Can­cer Council transport to treatment for people affected by cancer living in Or­ange.

16. Gowrie NSW: $10,000 Newstead EEC – movable outdoor climbing equipment for children’s gross motor development.

“I wish to congratulate this year’s success­ful Community Building Partnership grants program applicants,” Mr Donato said.

“This annual grant program has been an important financial support mechanism, helping to grow and sustain many local community organisations.

“I look forward to visiting each of the suc­cessful applicants in the coming months, to personally congratulate them and learn more about the projects being undertaken with this funding.

“Given the funding cap for each elector­ate and being a highly competitive grants program, there certain to be some appli­cants who were unsuccessful – but they shouldn’t be discouraged from trying again next year.

“I have been hosting annual grant writ­ing workshops to assist local organisations achieve funding success, and I encourage local grant applicants to participate in my next workshop,” said Mr Donato.

Local not-for-profit community organi­sations and councils were eligible to ap­ply for grants ranging from $10,000 up to $100,000.

For more information you can visit the Community Building Partnership website: nsw.gov.au/cbp

The first winter walk-in soup kitchen pre­sented by the Evening Branch of CWA was received favourably by patrons and fi­nancially successful with $235 raised from soup sales. It was such a success that pa­trons requested the event be repeated, so a soup and slice walk-in kitchen has been organised for Wednesday, 6 August.

It was wonderful to see steady stream of patrons enjoy a bowl of soup and bever­age over much chatter with known or new faces from our Forbes community. There was much warmth felt within the hall not only from the warm soup but also a friendly welcome and happy atmosphere.

The next walk-in soup and slice kitchen is to be held on Wednesday 6 August, 12pm at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street, Forbes. The cost will be $10 per head, this will include: a bowl of soup of your choice with a bread roll, finishing with a beverage served with a home created slice or bis­cuit prepared by the CWA Evening Branch members.

The two most requested soup varieties from the July Kitchen, pumpkin plus potato, bacon and corn chowder will be repeated, along with several different varieties. This can also be prepared and sold as a takea­way serve. Funds raised from sales will be utilised by the Forbes Evening Branch to support further causes in our community.

The Mayor of Parkes Shire, Neil Westcott, has expressed strong support for the NSW Nationals’ push to establish another Parlia­mentary inquiry into Energy-from-Waste.

The previous 2017 inquiry, which included participation from the current Environment Minister Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC along with representatives from the Greens and Liberals, led to several rec­ommendations. One of the recommendations was for the Chief Scientist and Engineer to ensure that international best practices were followed in Energy-from-Waste initiatives, which was ad­dressed in the subsequent Chief Scientists report. However, many of these recommendations appear to remain unaddressed.

The Mayor said; “While the 2017 inquiry provided a founda­tion, there remains important questions that are yet to be fully ad­dressed. A renewed Parliamentary inquiry could help clarify these issues and provide the transparency our community is seeking.”

Mayor Westcott has raised the question about the rationale be­hind the proposed location of Energy-from-Waste facilities and that it needs to be clearly explained to the community. Further, Mayor Westcott applauded Geoff Rice’s call for respectful debate which was timely and necessary. “Whether someone holds a different opinion on EfW or simply is not ready to form a view at this stage, that position deserves to be respected. People should feel safe to ask questions, seek information and take the time they need to understand the issue without fear of judgement or pressure.”

To view all correspondence with the State Government on the concerns of Parkes Shire Council regarding this development, please visit https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-mediaand-projects/Projects-and-works/Energy-From-Waste-Facility and refer to the State Liaison section.

Aboriginal early childhood educator Nata­sha Harris is the 2025 Indigenous Person of the Year over 18, an award announced by the Forbes NAIDOC Committee on 4 July. Natasha, who works in CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’s Aboriginal Families as Teachers program, was honoured to receive the accolade.

“I am passionate about my work and deeply committed to supporting families and strengthening our community,” she said.

“My role [with CatholicCare WilcanniaForbes] allows me to walk alongside fami­lies, providing meaningful support in their everyday lives.

“I run playgroup sessions in family homes to create safe, engaging spaces for children and parents to connect and learn.

“I also founded Little Boori Playgroup — a culturally grounded playgroup held on Country for our Aboriginal families.

“This space helps children and their fami­lies connect with culture, language, and land in a meaningful and respectful way.

“I work closely with Elders and local ser­vices to provide holistic support for our fami­lies, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and empowered.”

Natasha has been part of the CCWF team for more than nine years and shares her knowledge and insight with colleagues across the organisation. This year she helped organise a Reconciliation Week event for the Forbes branch to get togeth­er to yarn and eat. “I demonstrated how to make johnny cakes, so everyone there on the day got to make their own johnny cakes,” Natasha said.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Chief Executive Officer Anne-Marie Mioche con­gratulated Natasha, saying: “At Catholic­Care Wilcannia-Forbes, we know Tash as a passionate advocate for her clients, and someone with a calm and gentle approach.”