IMAGE: Pictured at the last Forbes Neighbourhood Watch Meeting, seated next to Bruce Adams are Chief Inspector Adam Beard from Forbes and Crime Prevention Officer Senior Constable Sara Tabb who is based in Orange

The Forbes Neighbourhood Watch group has been running for over 30 years now, but the group has dwindled down to around 10 members and a number of those members are in their 80’s and 90’s.

The group is putting a call out for new members to come along and join in and share ideas. The group works in conjunction with police to strive for a safe community. Let’s all be vigilant in locking up our cars and houses, and if you see something suspicious, call Forbes police or crime stoppers.

The Forbes Neighbourhood Watch group go along to school fetes, they hold BBQs at Bunnings etc, they are keen to get out amongst the community and spread the word about ways to stay safe and who to contact in case of an emergency.

Neighbourhood Watch isn’t just about stopping local crime, it is also about checking on your neighbours and making sure they’re okay.

Please contact Lyn Ward 0417 536 619 our President of Forbes Neighbourhood Watch, with any questions regarding joining up.

The group meet up on the second Wednesday of each month at The Vandenberg Hotel and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

There are plenty of volunteer positions available. We need helpers at BBQ events, helpers to liaise re our meetings and outings, we need someone to take photos, hand out pamphlets, make coffee, welcome people. We have the position of secretary and treasurer available. We also need a social media coordinator. If you don’t want a job, come along anyway, your input is welcome.

Sculpture Down the Lachlan

Construction of the final sculpture to feature along the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail is nearing completion. ‘Brumbies Run’ by Brett ‘Mon’ Garling will feature four life-sized brumbies, and will be installed at Warroo later this year. Find out more at sculpturedownthelachlan.com

Forbes Painting Group

Forbes Painting Group invites you to view their latest exhibition, ‘Environmental Echoes’. The exhibition is on display at the Grenfell Gallery until 24 July. The exhibition consists of portrayals of landscapes, flora, fauna, still life and creative explorations into fantasy landscape. The Forbes Painting Group meets each week at Northside Chapel. Shared skills enable each other to advance their ability in the use of acrylics, oils, pastel watercolour and mixed media. More information and opening times at nsw.gov.au

Calling all Artists

Arts OutWest is calling for new artwork to refresh the corridor display at Lachlan Health Service. The theme is ‘Where You Are At’. Paintings can be any size, on stretched canvas or framed with D-rings. Space is limited so only 15 pieces will be selected. Artists wishing to sell their work must include contact details and painting details including price on the back of the work. Contact hello@forbesartssociety.com

Regional Arts Fund

Applications for Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Project Grants officially opened on July 1, 2024. The Project Grants of up to $30,000 will fund high-quality arts projects benefitting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. The focus of the project could include any area of creative practice, multiple art forms or cross-disciplinary practice. Find out more regionalartsnsw.com.au

The Greater Bank Finance Academy is proud to announce that teachers across the Central West can deliver the High School Fi­nancial Literacy Program in 2024.

The free program allows teachers to deliver the full course cur­riculum in their classrooms – empowering Year 9 and 10 students to access crucial financial literacy.

Covering topics such as budgeting, saving, planning for the fu­ture, and understanding financial products like credit cards and loans, the program also addresses modern financial trends, giv­ing students a comprehensive understanding of the financial world they will navigate.

Greater Bank Chief Distribution Offer, Emma Brokate, said the teacher-led lessons aim to inspire students across the state with vital money management skills. “Financial literacy is not just about managing money, it’s about encouraging individuals to make in­formed decisions that enhance their financial stability and wellbe­ing,” said Ms Brokate.

“Enabling teachers to deliver the full program ensures that more students can access essential money management skills directly within their educational environment.”

Dean of the University of Newcastle Business School, Professor James Skinner, highlighted the partnership’s benefits.

“We are proud to enhance the financial literacy in our communi­ties and offer our students practical experiences that prepare them for the future” Professor Skinner said.

Schools interested in participating in the Greater Bank Finance Academy can visit www.greater.com.au/uon to get in touch.

Year 3 & 4 winners: Frances Pereira 2nd (St Laurence’s Catholic School Forbes), Maddison Pratton HC (St Augus­tine’s Catholic School Narromine) and George O’Brien 1st (Cumnock Public School) with judges Greg O’Malley, Robyn Miller and Jan Kerr.

Students in Years 3 to 10 from Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Ba­thurst, Orange, Cowra, Cobar, Warren, Narromine, Bourke Tottenham, Cumnock and Trundle gathered at Trundle CWA Hall on 17th June to participate in the CWA In­tergroup Public Speaking.

This annual competition highlights the public speaking skills of students in Far Western, Oxley and Central Western CWA Groups. Each Group holds their own com­petition for students within their Group ar­eas. Only four students per section are se­lected to go to the Inter Group competition.

ARTC Inland Rail’s generous support of the CWA Inter Group competition en­courages the participation of hundreds of students across these three CWA groups.

Public speaking skills help students to de­velop their confidence, resilience, relation­ships, independence and interpersonal skills.

The judges were Greg O’Malley, CWA State Vice President, Jan Kerr from Canow­indra and CWA State Executive represent­ing Oxley Group, Robyn Miller from Forbes.

CWA State Vice President, Jan Kerr said, “It’s really pleasing to see the depth and ex­tent of research competitors have put into their presentations. It really did make it dif­ficult to select a winner”. Congratulations to all students who participated on the day.

Year 5 & 6 winners: Belle Bardwil HC (St Francis Xavier Lake Cargelligo), Peter Elias 1st (St Joseph’s School Condobolin), Lavinia Cain 2nd (Cobar Public School Cobar), with judges Greg O’Malley, Jan Kerr and Robyn Miller.

Year 7 & 8 winners: Abby Rout HC (Red Bend Catholic College Forbes) and Sophia Byrne HC (Red Bend Catho­lic College Forbes), Grace Mayo 2nd (Parkes Christian School), and Joelin Fernando 1st (James Sheahan HS Orange) with judges Jan Kerr, Greg O’Malley and Robyn Miller.

Year 9 & 10 winners: Bella Starr 2nd (St Raphael’s Catholic School Cowra), Abbey Browne HC (Forbes High School) and Gabriella Pereira 1st (Red Bend Catholic College Forbes) with Judges Greg O’Malley, Jan Kerr and Robyn Miller.