The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on every­one to keep safety top of mind this summer, whether you’re plan­ning your trip, heading out on the road, or enjoying our beautiful countryside at your favourite camping spot.

As we approach the major holiday period of the year, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is encouraging caravaners this holiday to focus is focusing on Pre-Planning: Emphasising the importance of vehicle servicing and safe towing practices. Road Safety: Highlighting measures for staying safe while travelling on the roads, and taking regular breaks. Water Safety: Promot­ing awareness around staying safe in and around water. Caravan Holiday Park Shared Spaces Safety: Encouraging responsible be­haviour and safety in communal areas within caravan parks.

We know from the rising death tolls on our roads, 1063 Austral­ians have lost their lives on our roads this year alone, up 12% on 2023 (ABS). The top three contributing factors leading to this loss of life is the fatal three, inattention, speed and fatigue.

Road Safety Research indicates: Road users are most likely to have a crash on Monday or Sunday as drivers return from their holidays. Crashes are most likely to occur between 10am and mid­day. Whilst crashes are more likely to occur in urban centres, fatali­ties are more likely to occur on regional roads.

We want to make sure caravan and campers have the most amazing summer break, but most importantly, we want everyone to get back home safely . Towing handbooks are distributed free of charge each year. https://www.letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au/safety/ https://coexist.org.au/

With temperatures rising into the thirties across the state, SafeWork NSW is urging workers and businesses to start planning now for how they will stay safe during the heat this summer.

Employers have the primary duty of care for employees and are encouraged to de­velop a workplace heat management plan in consultation with their health and safety representatives and workers to ensure everyone stays safe when the temperature rises.

Heat related illnesses happen when the body starts to overheat due to working too hard. Symptoms can include a range of progressive conditions such as dehydra­tion, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Employers who have workers completing tasks outside must do their best to elimi­nate extended periods of sun exposure.

This can be achieved by providing shade, rotating tasks to reduce exposure, sched­uling work to cooler times of the day and providing personal protective equipment such as hats, long sleeve shirts and also sunscreen.

Any worker who feels that their work­place is unsafe can make contact anony­mously and report their concerns directly to SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or via the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app.

Forbes Shire Council has partnered with men’s mental health service Talk 2 Me Bro to host its first International Men’s Day event and lake walk at Lions Park on Fri­day 29 November 2024.

International Men’s Day aims to bring men together to recognise and raise awareness of the social and health issues men face.

This theme for this year is “Men’s Health Champions” which highlights building healthy communities, looking out for your mates, taking action to stay healthy and building a healthier future.

The 2024 event will include speeches from Forbes Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Chris Roylance, Brad McMillan from Talk 2 Me Bro, a BBQ breakfast, ice baths and a walk around Lake Forbes.

Cr Roylance said it was important for lo­cal men to come together to socialise and talk about the issues they face.

“In Australia 50 men per day under the age of 75 die from preventable causes.

On average, men die seven years younger than women in Australia and three out of four suicides in Australia are men,” he said.

“Men’s health is everyone’s business, and we can all be men’s health champions by looking out for our mates, particularly when they’re doing it tough, and a group walk like the one planned is a great way of starting a conversation.”

We are encouraging all men from in and around Forbes to attend this event which will run from 7:30am to 10am, with the lake walk starting at 9am. For more information you can contact the Forbes Shire Council Events team at community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or alternatively you can phone them on 6850 2300.

Join The Creative Community

The Forbes Painting group meets each Thursday at Northside Chapel, between 11am and 3pm. The cost is $5 per week which includes morning tea. Bring along your own art supplies. For more informa­tion, reach out via hello@forbesartssociety.com

Sculpture Down the Lachlan Opens

Final sculpture unveiled, “Brumbies Run” by Brett Garling. the bronze sculpture fea­tures four wild horses running, kicking, far­ing nostrils and leaping – representative of the freedom, spirit and enthusiasm of Aus­tralians. Sculpture Down the Lachlan fea­tures 25 permanent installations and can be viewed all year round for free.

Funding Opportunities

This funding supports creative develop­ment and presentation of new work by in­dividual artists, arts and cultural workers.

Applicants are encouraged to drive and develop partnerships with arts and cul­tural organisations to support their new works. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000. Find out more at www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/creative-steps-new-work

CFC Foundation Community Grants

The Foundation is responsive to requests that contribute to increasing access to op­portunities and is dedicated to supporting charities, non-profit organisations, and so­cial enterprises that work within the Arts & Culture area. Find out more at cfc.com.au/foundation/

Forbes Community Funding Program

This program provides financial and in-kind support to encourage and assist commu­nity groups and organisations to make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community’s wellbeing, cultural life and environmental sustainability. Funding is available for Culture and the Arts projects.

Community groups and organisations can apply for up to $5,000 per project. Find out more at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-support/community-funding-program

Active Kids Voucher

Eligible families can now apply for a sec­ond $50 voucher to use towards sport, rec­reation, creative or cultural activities with a registered provider. Any eligible families who applied for voucher 1 and have not yet redeemed it, can apply for voucher 2 and combine these to save $100. Find out more https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/active-and-creative-kids-voucher