For those of you that have always intended on learning more about the history of Forbes, there’s no chance like the present!

The Forbes and District Historical Museum located at 11 Cross Street will be having its Open Day on Saturday, 5th May from 11am to 3pm.

The museum has an extensive range of interesting and historical items on display. The dedicated museum committee members will also be on hand to share their knowledge of the antiquities from old machinery to fashions and bushranger history. The museum is open to the public through gold coin donation.

Museum Committee Secretary, Susan Stuart says that this is a fantastic opportunity for families to learn more about early Forbes.

“We would like to encourage all Forbes residents to come and visit the museum on the Open Day to find out a bit more about the history of our town,” said Susan.

Current and ongoing projects at the museum include the installation of a lift. The museum was awarded a State Government Grant at the end of last year as part of the Government’s Heritage Near Me Activation Grants Program.

“The installation of the lift will help us open the upstairs section of the old building. There are many rooms currently used for storage which we want to open up for display,” said Susan.

The museum will also be hosting a workshop meeting with Professor Louella McCarthy and Professor Kath Weston from the University of Wollongong on Thursday, 10th May at the RSL Auditorium at 2pm. The professors are in the process of putting together the history of rural medicine. A virtual museum will be setup by the professors. Anyone interested in attending the workshop or anyone that may have information, photographs or stories about medicine are welcome to contact Susan Stuart on (02) 6852 2034.

Officers from the Central West Police District, Forbes and Eugowra Police Stations and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee on Tuesday, 8th May.

All community members are invited to attend. The events are being held from 11am at Café 51 on Nanima Street, Eugowra and from 2pm at The Bake House in Templar Street, Forbes. Please contact Forbes Police Station on 02 6853 9999 with any questions.

‘Coffee with a Cop’ provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the police work in Central West Police District neighbourhoods.

The majority of contact law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street.

‘Coffee with a Cop’ breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction. The initiative aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Hansen’s Eye Care Plus Optometrists in Orange have teamed up with Healy Optical from Sydney to bring you the Hansen + Healy Mid-Year Style Show on Wednesday, 9th May from 9am to 6pm.

On show will be new season and full collections of eyewear from some of the most beautiful designer frames in the world.

On the day there will be expert frame stylists and consultants from both Healy Optical Services and Hansen Optometrists. There will be giveaways and lucky door prizes throughout the day with a Seiko watch, sunglasses and optical frames all up for grabs.

All frames will boast 20% off on the day and are claimable on your health fund.

A sharp drop in sales for the first three months of 2018 has hit profitability and business confidence according to the latest Business Conditions Survey, conducted by the state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber.

The index measures respondents’ perceptions of the economy’s current performance and, while a drop in revenue and sales activity is typical at the beginning of the calendar year, the result for the March 2018 for Western NSW saw a sharp drop to -8.3 points. The result is in stark contrast to the result in December 2017, which saw an index result of 12.5 points.

On a positive note, Western NSW’s operating cost index was the lowest in the state, with the index decreasing to 30.0 points, down from 41.5 in December and the sales revenue index whilst down, did remain positive at 4.3 points.

“Energy costs, in particular, are a major concern with 43 per cent of our region’s businesses surveyed highlighting it as a key cost control priority. At this point in the economic cycle it is essential that we look at measures to reduce the operating costs of businesses along with measures to increase future economic capacity,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe.

“Although business operators remain upbeat about their prospects, and the economic outlook for the year ahead, profitability and growth are being constrained by the continued decline in energy affordability, business operating costs and skill shortages,” said Vicki.

“Reducing the burden of payroll tax on small business is key to driving investment in capital and increasing jobs growth, but we also need to do more to provide our young people with better and more targeted training so that they can secure employment,” said Vicki.

The Chamber has proposed a minimum payroll tax threshold of $1 million per annum and is championing new incentives for employers to hire young job seekers, along with measures to boost the number trainees and apprentices in NSW.

While the survey identifies a tough first quarter in 2018, local respondents are expecting brighter days ahead with the index measuring expected performance of the NSW economy increasing to 17.5 points.

“Businesses in NSW are ready to invest and have a positive economic outlook but reducing taxes on jobs and investing in skills are a must,” said Vicki.

The State Government has announced four future transport corridors for Western Sydney. The corridors including the Bells Line of Road Castlereagh Connection.

This essential link between Central NSW and Western Sydney connects into the M7 from Kurrajong and includes a tunnel on the western end.

The State Government is seeking feedback on the proposed corridors until 1st June 2018. Here are ways to provide feedback:

• Use the interactive online map to see the location of the recommended corridors at transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors.

• Complete the feedback form at transport. nsw.gov.au/corridors/have-your-say.

• Attend one of the proposed drop-in sessions transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors/community-drop-sessions. All of these are in Western Sydney and Kurrajong.

Cr John Medcalf, Chair of Centroc, is encouraging Councils and communities in Central NSW to have their say.

“It is our people, our friends and family who have to traverse these dangerous roads across the mountains and we are therefore really pleased to see a safer alignment up the east face of the escarpment,” said John.

“While there is no good time to advise people that their homes and livelihoods will be affected by a future road upgrade, it is better to know sooner rather than later.

“Once again I would like to thank the State Government and Minister Melinda Pavey for staying the course,” said John.

Submissions to the corridor can be made until 1st June.

Children across the Central West will be more secure following the training of 12 new Authorised Child Restraint Fitters. The fitters come from across the region – Lithgow, Dubbo, Forbes and Wagga Wagga.

The training was conducted by Mobility Engineering, who have been contracted by Roads and Maritime Service to oversee the Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station network in NSW for the past 20 years.

“Two in three child restraints are not being used properly. If you have trouble fitting or adjusting your child restraint, visit an Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station.”

The free one day training course was comprised of theory and practical sessions. During the theory session participants learnt about the different types of child restraints, the National Laws and vehicle modifications. During the practical session participants were required to correctly install three child restraints with and without gated buckles.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, welcomes the new Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station in Forbes – Forbes Auto Electrical.

“Thanks to Forbes Auto Electrical for attending, becoming a new Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station and helping to keep children safe. They will join our existing Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station in Forbes – Jelbart Dawsons.

“The correct selection and installation of child restraints is vital. It is important to make sure that your precious cargo is safe and buckled up every time they are in the car – whether it’s a five minute or five hour journey,” Ms Suitor said.

Incapacity…Physically And Or Mentally

What might happen when you become unable to look after yourself is something that most people do not want to think about. While that is understandable, not having instructions in place can have unwanted effects.

Most people know about making a will and having instructions in place for when they die, but planning for being incapacitated in some way is very often overlooked.

Unfortunately, although you might be incapacitated in some way and cannot attend to things like paying your mortgage, keeping the car registered and so on, these things do not go away. Doctors and other professionals cannot make decisions about how to treat you and keep things in order when you cannot do so for yourself.

That is why it might be wise to draw up a set of instructions, to be carried out by a trusted family member, friend or professional, about how to manage your financial affairs and health decisions when you cannot. There are any number of reasons why you might not be able to manage: age, sickness, you are going overseas on your trip of a lifetime to climb Mt Everest…

In New South Wales you can appoint someone under an enduring power of attorney to look after your finances and an enduring guardian to make decisions about your health. Both documents are enduring in that they can operate even when you cannot. Both can be tailored to suit the level of care that you think you might require.

If you think that you, or a member of your family, might benefit from this sort of planning, we at MATTHEWS WILLIAMS can help you not only with the formalities, but with advice about the sorts of matters that might matter. Do contact us.

 

The NSW Business Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards. Now in its sixth year, the Western NSW Regional Business Awards recognise excellence in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, business growth and employment practices across the Central West, Orana and Far West regions.

Winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner and Award Celebration on Friday 11 May 2018.

Winners of the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards will represent the region at the NSW Business Chamber’s State Business Awards held in November in Sydney.

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across Western NSW. “These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level.”

The 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards finalists from Forbes include HE Silos and Forbes Family Dentists in the following categories:

Outstanding Young Employee: Stevie- Leigh Morrison, HE Silos. Outstanding Business Leader: Laurence Storm, HE Silos. Excellence in Small Business: ForbesFamily Dentists and Excellence in Business: HE Silos.

Best of Luck!

The Lachlan Valley Caravan Club will be hosting The Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer Council Australia at Kiacatoo Hall on Friday, 25th May.

The club held the same event last year and managed to raise $922 for Cancer Council with the help of some locals calling in for a cuppa and lunch.

Once again, the event will offer morning tea at 10.30am and lunch at 12.30pm.

If you are in the area, feel free to join them for a cuppa, morning tea, lunch or stay for some fun and entertainment during the afternoon. There will be raffles, skits and musical entertainment. Everyone is most welcome.

The Lachlan Valley Caravan Club is based in The Lachlan Valley around Forbes and Orange. The club was formed in 2003 as Forbes Country Caravanners. In 2007 the name was changed to The Lachlan Valley Caravan Club, drawing members from far and wide, including Dubbo, Nowra, Wooli, Molong, Orange, Bathurst, Parkes, Tumbarumba and one member from Victoria.

The club conducts approximately nine rallies per year as well as a roving rally over a three week period. The most popular rally is the week long bush rally in May, usually along a river. This gives members the chance to try their hand at camp oven cooking, often getting very competitive.

The club currently has a membership of 132 and a total of 70 caravans/motor homes and is the fourth largest caravan club in New South Wales.

One of the joys of belonging to a caravan club, are the new friendships that are formed and enabling members to embark on journeys in the safety with others.

If anyone would like to know more about our club and caravanning life, visit our website lachlanvalleycaravanclub.org.au.