Wake up bright and early on Monday and Tuesday mornings and tune in to Forbes’ new breakfast radio show Monte in the Morning from 6am to 10am. Radio host, James Irvine, aka Monte, aired the first Monte in the Morning program on Monday 13 July, on 2LVR 97.9 Valley FM.

Monte (James) said, “I am wanting to create a morning breakfast show that will get you up and moving with music and energy and interview representatives from local community groups, sporting teams and local community leaders. At the moment I am concentrating on Forbes.” One of Montes guests on his first show was Fobes Mayor Phyliss Miller, “Mayor Phyliss really embraced the idea and was excited to have a regular spot,” said Monte.

The feedback Monte in the Morning has received has been very positive. “I had a couple of calls on Monday and Tuesday saying how much they had enjoyed the show, and I got nice messages from my friends who listened as well. Oh my mum said I did okay.” In 2015 James got involved with 2LVR and he got the bug to follow a childhood dream to do radio. After studying at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, James then spent the next seven years hosting breakfast radio in Inverell and Tamworth. After a short break, he has returned to Forbes and is now back where it all started.

Community groups or organisations who want to get in touch with James to chat with Monte in the Morning , he has created a Facebook page or they can email James on monteinthemorning@gmail.com.

If you tune in at 9am on Mondays you will catch our very own, The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix editor, Roxane, chatting to Monte in the Morning .

It is on again! Forbes Evening Branch of CWA will be presenting their second Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen on 23 July in the CWA Rooms in Lachlan St, Forbes.

Yes, due to the popularity of Soups and Slice they will be served again in July from 12pm – 2pm.

The June Walk-in Soup, Pasta and Slice Kitchen was received well, so popular in fact that the Branch have decided to add to the menu and will now offer four different varieties of soup at the July Kitchen.

For just $15 you will enjoy a serve of soup with a bread roll and slice with a cuppa. The Forbes Evening Branch members look forward to welcoming the elderly, those looking to have a chat over a warm bowl of soup, anyone in the CBD on the day and organisations from our community.

Funds raised from the 2026 Walk-in Soup Kitchens will be used to provide for the homeless in our community along with those experiencing domestic violence.

The Forbes Evening Branch also uses funds to support school projects and the Forbes Rural Woman Competition at the Forbes Show.

New members are always encouraged to join and women of all ages are welcome to attend Forbes CWA Evening Branch for meetings at 6.30pm on the second Thursday of the month. For more information call 0407 002 937 or email forbeseveningbranchcwa@gmail.com

Chapter 1. 1926 Foundational years: A Story of Faith, Vision and Enduring Marist Spirit

The foundations of Marist education in Forbes were laid in 1921 when Bishop Hayden instructed St Laurence’s Parish Administrator, Father Sexton, to purchase a house in Johnson Street, opposite the parish church, to become the residence from which a Brothers’ school might grow.

Early in 1925, Father Thomas Fox, then Parish Administrator, began construction of a boys’ school on the block adjacent to the Brothers’ house. Classes began on Monday 5 July 1926 with fifty-nine day scholars.

Chapter 2. 1930 Boarding begins

From the beginning, it became apparent that a day school alone could not adequately serve the needs of the diocese. In 1929–1930, Father Thomas Fox oversaw a major expansion of the Brothers’ residence, adding a second storey and spacious verandahs. These improvements allowed the school to welcome its first boarders in 1930.

With this development, the Marist Brothers’ School became Marist Brothers’ College.

Chapter 3. 1930s–’40s Growing with Faith and Vision:The Johnson Street Years

While the school had begun chiefly as a primary school, the introduction of boarding in 1930 accelerated the development of secondary education. In 1932, Bishop Fox purchased the “Riverside” property comprising 83 acres along the Lachlan River. The purchase of Riverside, later to become Red Bend, was a remarkable act of faith and vision. In 1939, the College enrolled 166 students, including 46 boarders.

Chapter 4. 1950s—New horizons: The Red Bend site

A defining moment came on Sunday 19 October 1952, when the foundation stone was laid at Red Bend. By 1955, the imposing new College stood proudly upon its rise overlooking the Lachlan River. When classes commenced at Red Bend in February 1956, the College welcomed 206 boarders and 120 day students.

Chapter 5. 1950s–’60s Golden Decades of Growth, Achievement and Marist

Spirit The two decades following the move to Red Bend in 1956 are often remembered as a golden era in the history of the College.

Looking back, the years from the late 1950s to 1975 represent a period of extraordinary growth and achievement. The College expanded its facilities, strengthened its academic programs, excelled in sport, enriched cultural life and deepened its commitment to the formation of young people. Above all, it remained faithful to the vision of St Marcellin Champagnat: to make Jesus Christ known and loved through the education of young people.

Chapter 6. 1975 A New Era Begins: Coeducation

The first step towards coeducation occurred in 1975 when girls were admitted into Year 11 at Marist Brothers’ College and the first Sisters of Mercy joined the staff. In February 1977, full coeducation from Years 7 to 12 commenced, and the traditions of the Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy were formally united on the Red Bend site.

The introduction of girls’ boarding in 1981 accelerated changes already underway throughout the College.

Chapter 7. 1980s–’90s Winds of Change: Growth, Resilience and Renewal

The 1980s and ‘90s were decades of significant change, renewal and growth for Red Bend Catholic College. Having successfully embraced coeducation, the College entered a new phase of its history marked by expanding opportunities, improved facilities and a deepening commitment to the formation of young people. These years brought both challenges and achievements, yet throughout them all the Marist spirit remained the defining characteristic of the community.

Chapter 8. 2000–2020 Renewal, Vision and Transformation

As Red Bend Catholic College entered the twenty-first century, it did so with confidence, optimism and a strong sense of purpose. With building projects that reflected both practical needs and a vision for the future. As curriculum offerings expanded, student numbers increased and boarding evolved, the physical environment of the College adapted accordingly.

Chapter 9. A Future Full of Hope 2020s

As the College celebrates its centenary in 2026, enrolments continue to grow. Facilities continue to develop. New opportunities continue to emerge. Yet the essence of Red Bend remains Unchanged. We give thanks to all who have contributed to this remarkable story over the past one hundred years.

We honour the Marist Brothers, the Sisters of Mercy, staff, students, families and benefactors whose commitment has made Red Bend what it is today.