The annual free child restraint check day is Thursday, 5th July from 8am to 11am at Forbes Pre School Kindergarten.

Forbes Shire Council are making sure that children are safe and secure on car journeys with free child restraint checks provided by RMS authorised child restraint fitters next week.

Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said that the free child restraint checking day is important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“There will be a parents/carers session from 8am to 9:30am, followed by an open session from 9:30am to 11am,” said Melanie.

The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we checked last year had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, such as tightening straps, checking clips and replacing loose bolts,” said Melanie.

Bookings are essential, phone 6861 2364 to secure your place.

There will also be free barista coffee and a colouring-in competition with a $50 prize.

Forbes Shire Council has collaborated with well-known local business, Cenwestours to promote Forbes in a way that is sure to be noticed.

Mayor Graeme Miller said the eye-catching design is brand-lead and the partnership with Cenwestours increases awareness of Forbes’ new identity.

“’Amazing’ Forbes will be promoted on highways and in major cities across New South Wales. In essence this is a travelling billboard promoting Forbes,” said Graeme.

The ‘amazing’ brand represents Forbes, its rich agricultural sectors, its strong and connected community and our Shire’s key lifestyle attributes and rich natural resources.

The strength of the ‘amazing’ brand will help to promote Forbes as a place to visit, live and invest.

Owner of Cenwestours, Mel Sinclair said: “We are very proud to partner with Forbes Shire Council to help promote our town. We travel the length and breadth of the Central West and beyond and as far as Sydney.”

“The bus is due to travel to Leeton for the McLeod’s Daughter’s reunion and will soon be heading to Sydney for a cruise ship transfer. We will be promoting Forbes everywhere we go,” said Mel.

It might be a ‘mystery train’ for the uninitiated, but thousands of fans would happily attest to why the Elvis Express has been awarded the top spot globally.

The extremely popular train journey from Sydney to the Parkes Elvis Festival has been named the top one-of-a-kind rail journey across the globe.

Escape.com.au has revealed the nine top train trips that offer travellers a unique experience with the Elvis Express journey listed as number one.

“Though departing only once annually, the Elvis Express is undoubtedly among the most unique train rides in Australia,” according to the Escape.com.au website.

“Transporting hundreds of Elvis fans each January to the Southern hemisphere’s biggest Elvis Presley festival, the train is a moving celebration of the life and career of rock ’n’ roll’s beloved King.

“Once the doors close on the legendary TrainLink service passengers can expect non-stop performances, games and dressups over the seven hour, 365km ride. With a raft of hip-thrusting Elvis impersonators and bee-hived ‘Priscillas’ singing and shimmying their way to Parkes.”

Parkes Elvis Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “It’s wonderful to have the Elvis Express experience recognised as the most unique train ride. We work year round with NSW TrainLink to ensure the service offers festival visitors a one-of-akind journey.”

NSW TrainLink Acting Chief Operating Officer Candice Heine said: “We’re very proud to be able to support the Parkes Elvis Festival by offering a unique way to travel to the five-day extravaganza.”

The Elvis Express will once again form part of the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival with tickets going on sale on the day of the festival program launch on 10th September.

Forbes community members took advantage of the wonderful opportunity to attend a visit from the dynamic Blue Mountains based author and motivational speaker, Julie Ankers at the Forbes Library on Tuesday afternoon.

Forbes librarian, Bronwyn Clark whom had previously hosted Julie with the launch of her first book, said that the talk by Julie was enthusiastically received by guests attending and was followed by a beautiful afternoon tea.

Julie is currently visiting libraries across the Central West to promote her latest book ‘Call Me Frank’. It is a collection of 20 autobiographical stories of men over 50 telling it like it is at this stage of their lives. The stories are honest, sometimes confronting and always inspirational. These heartfelt narratives are also a magnificent response to those sceptics who said that this book would never happen because men don’t reveal their feelings. Julie, along with co editor Kerry Chater, had the men tell their stories in their own words.

‘Call me Frank’ is the companion book to ‘Feisty, Fabulous and 50+’, a collection of 21 “warts and all” autobiographical stories of women navigating their way through their 50’s and beyond.

Julie is an entrepreneur with a passion for promoting and developing people which is why she started a speakers and trainers bureau 25 years ago as well as a company focusing on retraining mature age workers and building effective age-inclusive workforces. This kick-started her interest in the over 50’s.

Five years ago Julie decided to make a tree change and currently lives in the Blue Mountains. She divides her time between presiding over a community radio station, her various board/committee commitments and writing. Not forgetting her obsession with beautifully designed hand-crafted jewellery, her love of a good book with a glass of red, theatre, cinema and the exquisite beauty of the Blue Mountains.

International Wrestling Australia (IWA) Pro Wrestling Live is returning to Forbes tonight on the Wild West Tour as part of its 20 Year Anniversary celebrations. It promises to be a great family fun-filled two-hour show that is a slick combination of comedy, athleticism and drama – the physical embodiment of comic book superheroes and villains! The performance includes crowd favourite Cowboy Chris Abbott, who grew up in the western region of NSW, as well as Australia’s most talented and accomplished performers, some of whom have performed for the global juggernaut WWE, along with other major wrestling companies from around the world. The cast of characters will appeal to the whole family from terrifying heavyweights, to awe-inspiring aerial artists, tag team specialists and even battling femme fatales!

All the glitz, glamour, pageantry, posing and spandex of wrestling’s yesteryear remain, but presented in a fresh, family-friendly format relevant to modern audiences complete with gripping storylines of tragedy and triumph and stage production that provides an experience you’ll never forget.

Don’t miss out tonight at the Forbes Services Club at 7:15pm VIP doors, and 7:30pm general doors, show at 8pm. Tickets $25 VIP, $18 adults and $14 kids.

The Forbes Business Chamber is looking forward to bringing renowned author Nicole Alexander to Forbes for their Girls Day Out event and they are offering a few options for you to enjoy the experience.

For a fun filled cocktail evening join Nicole Alexander, the Forbes Business Chamber Executive Committee and members of the Forbes Art Society at the Platypus Gallery on Thursday, 21st June from 6pm to 8pm. Nicole spent a number of years working in Australia and abroad in divergent fields before returning to agriculture. Her writing has been published in various countries and she is the bestselling author of eight novels.

During the cocktail party, Nicole will mingle with guests and do a short presentation about her life, writing and her awards.

All guests will receive drinks, grazing table and the opportunity to speak with Nicole during the evening. Tickets are limited to just 40 guests and available from Little Extras, ChapterTwo and Undercover Sleepwear at $45 per person.

The exciting Forbes Shopping Frenzy will coincide with the Nicole Alexander visit to Forbes. Participating businesses throughout Rankin, Templar, Lachlan Streets and Parkes Road will be offering a variety of specials, discounts and quirky rewards on Friday, 22nd June from 9am to 12pm. Look out for the pink balloons, streamers and posters displayed in windows.

Be sure to make your way to News On Rankin for a book signing opportunity with Nicole between 9.30am to 11.30am, free of charge. Following will be the ‘Lunch with an Uncommon Woman’ where Nicole will present her story. The luncheon will be held at the Forbes Golf Club at 12pm and catered by Eat Your Greens. Cost is $75 per person, tickets available at Little Extras, ChapterTwo and Undercover Sleepwear.

 

Most local councils have a policy of notifying neighbours of any proposed development to an adjacent property. All councils are required to have the proposed developer affix a notice at the street frontage of the property notifying the public of the proposed development.

Such developments can range from demolition and new construction to the building of a pool or a garden sunroom. It’s quite frequently a difficult time for neighbours.

You may think that you get on very well with your neighbours in chatting over the fence or having a cup of tea or a beer every now and then. But wave a development notice in the wind and things can change dramatically.

If you are thinking of a major renovation or extension, which will require council approval (and even redecoration that most of us do at some stage), have a chat with your neighbours. Listen to their concerns about any impact on their property. The great probability is, if their concerns are well-founded, that minor concessions by you will resolve the issue. Most problems are loss of view, overshadowing, or loss of privacy.

Land is an expensive commodity. Houses are the same. People are justified in protecting what they have earned. You don’t want hostile neighbours. Stick to council guidelines and recommendations. It usually leads to a development approval.

If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Grazing Down the Lachlan’ has been successful in securing $20,000 funding under round two of the NSW’s 2018 Incubator Event Fund.

Mayor of Forbes, Graeme Miller said that he was delighted about the announcement. “This is the second year that the event has received funding from Destination NSW under its Regional Flagship Events Program,” said Graeme.

“The ability of the ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’ committee to apply and be successful two years running is testament to the quality of the event. It also demonstrates the skills and commitment of individuals on the committee to create and deliver a successful event.”

‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’ is quickly becoming a destination event for Forbes.

Not only does the event showcase local food and wine but it also promotes Forbes’ Wiradjuri heritage and captures the Shire’s stunning natural assets.

Graeme encourages the Forbes community to get behind ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’ by encouraging family and friends to attend the event on Saturday, 22nd September.

“The visiting friends and relatives market is a key visitation segment for the Shire. What better time to host a visit than on the weekend of ‘Grazing Down the Lachlan’,” he said.