General Interest Archives - Page 7 of 311

New Free Toolkit Helps Manage Money And Support Mental Health This Festive Season

November 27, 2025 by Roxane Manley

With the festive season approaching and cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect households across the country, Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia have launched a new free resource to help people manage their finances and look after their mental health.

The Money and Mental Health Toolkit includes practical tips for managing thoughts and emotions, budgeting, having conversations with banks or utility companies and finding the right support when you need it.

Its launch comes as demand for financial support via the National Debt Helpline phone service remains high, with almost 170,000 calls and chats in the 12 months to the end of October.

Recent results from Beyond Blue’s Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check found financial pressure was the leading cause of distress for nearly half (46%) of all respondents.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said the festive season could be a particularly challenging time for many people, when financial and emotional pressures often intensified.

“There are so many expectations around this season and that can bring added pressure, especially when money is tight,” she said.

Ms Harman encouraged those experiencing distress not to wait. “There’s always a way forward. Talking to someone can help lighten the load and give you hope that you can get through this.”

The Money and Mental Health Toolkit is available now on the Beyond Blue website beyondblue.org.au

March Against Violence: Forbes White Ribbon Day

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Forbes community is invited to once again come together on Tuesday 25 November 2025 for the annual White Ribbon Day event, raising awareness and showing support for ending violence against women.

Chairperson of the Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee, Stevie Darcy said, “By joining together at this event, our community will stand united against violence and show our commitment to supporting one another.”

The day will begin with a community march through the CBD, assembling at 9.30am in Spring Street, followed by an official ceremony in Victoria Park commencing at 10.15am. Local services and community groups will host stalls and activities.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to come together as a community, united in our stand to end domestic and family violence.

“As we march together, we will walk not just in solidarity, but with purpose. This is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building a safer, more respectful future for everyone”, the Mayor said.

“I encourage everyone to continue the conversation – in our homes, schools, workplaces, and throughout our community. Together, we will build a future where respect is the norm, and where every person can live free from fear and violence.”

To ensure the safety of participants, Spring Street and surrounding streets along the march route will be temporarily closed from 9.30am to 11.00am. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during this time.

Snippets…

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Arts Out West are calling all artists with disability in Central Western NSW to submit their work for POV: art | disability.

Arts Outwest: Final Call Out. POV: art | disability closes this Sunday 23rd November. If you’ve been thinking about submitting your work, now is the perfect time to complete an application. POV: art | disability is all about celebrating diverse perspectives and showcasing the incredible talent within our community. Whether you’re an emerging artist or have been creating for years, we would love to see your work represented in this year’s exhibition. Apply here: socialfutures.org.au/service/pov-art-disability/

Forbes Business Chamber: Make sure you have Friday 12 December, 5pm – 9pm locked in your diaries. Templar and Rankin Streets will be closed off for a night of entertainment, food, market stalls and kids rides! Plus a special guest will be making an appearance…

PCYC Parkes: Massive shout out to Bunnings Forbes and Discount Dave’s Parkes. Our Halloween Disco was an absolute spectacular success — and it wouldn’t have been the same without their amazing donations. Lollies thanks to the legends at Discount Dave’s. Decorations thanks to the awesome team at Bunnings. Your support helps us keep creating fun community events just like our Halloween Disco. We’re so grateful.

NSW Government: Plastic bread tags, non-compostable fruit stickers, unrecyclable sushi takeaway containers and singleserve condiment bottles packages will be phased out. Safer, recyclable alternatives are coming. We’re also requiring takeaway food and beverage packaging items to be recyclable, redesigning takeaway containers, regulating harmful chemicals in packaging, and banning helium balloon releases. Find out more: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Plastics/plastics-plan-20

Forbes Youth Action Team: Got your P1 (Red Ps) and aged 17–20? Sign up now to start collecting rewards! Here’s how to join: Download the app and sign up, fill out a quick 10-minute survey, drive as you normally would and complete the post-trial survey to get paid. Your information is kept secure and will only be used by the University of Melbourne for research. For more info or to sign up, visit: https://feedbacktrial.net/#faq

Visit Parkes Region: Escape to the Parkes Region and discover the charm of Trundle. A town rich in heritage, heart, and a pub that’s impossible to miss! From its welcoming community to its iconic landmarks, Trundle offers a slice of country life you won’t forget. For information on the Parkes Region visit: bit.ly/4fWlQzW

Trundle is situated 65km north-west of Parkes on “The Bogan Way”.

Storytime Comes To Life For Reading Downtown Day

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

This free, family-friendly event is perfect for little ones, parents, carers, and anyone who loves a good story!

The Forbes community are all invited to comae along and celebrate Reading Downtown Day on Monday 24 November at the Forbes Town Hall, with a free, special live performance of Mr Huff.

Brought to life by Meerkat Productions, Mr Huff is an award-winning children’s book about the clouds and the sunshine in each of our lives. Through music, movement andstorytelling, children will discover positive coping skills and practical wellbeing strategies. The program helps students recognise, name and manage their emotions, building resilience, self-awareness and emotional intelligence in ways that stick. This production directly supports the goals of the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2021) — helping schools embed lifelong wellbeing skills through engaging arts experiences.

This special event is a partnership between Forbes Shire Council, Forbes North Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) and Forbes Birth to Kinder, bringing the community together to celebrate literacy, learning and wellbeing.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said it’s wonderful to see local partnerships supporting fun and meaningful events for families.

“Reading Downtown Day is such a special event because it inspires children to discover the joy of reading. It’s so wonderful to be able to do something different this year for the community that’s interactive and fun,” Mayor Miller said.

Hosted annually, Reading Downtown Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading to children from a very young age.

This year marks the 21st year of the event in Forbes. Forbes North Schools SaCC committee member, Maree Yapp, said the group is proud to be celebrating over two decades of encouraging early literacy.

“It’s amazing to see how the event continues to grow,” Mrs Yapp said. “Reading Downtown Day is all about showing families how powerful reading with children can be.

It builds connection, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.”

The North Pole Mail Express Arrives In Forbes

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Santa’s North Pole Mail Express is making its annual stop at Forbes Shire Council.

From Monday 17 November, children can drop off their letters to Santa in his special red mailbox, located in the Council Administration Office.

To receive a personalised reply from Santa himself, make sure your letter is posted by Wednesday 10 December 2025. Don’t forget to include your name and return address so Santa and his helpers know where to send their response.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the North Pole Mail Express has become a much-loved local tradition that captures the joy and wonder of the festive season.

“It’s always heart-warming to see the excitement on children’s faces as they post their letters to Santa,” the Mayor said.

“We’re thrilled to help keep the Christmas magic alive in our community.”

So, get your pens ready and let Santa know what’s on your wish list this year.

Santa letter templates and envelopes are available from Council’s Administration Office, or can be downloaded from Council’s website, www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/santa-letters-2025.

For more information, visit www.forbes.nsw.gov.au or follow @ForbesShireCouncil for updates.

Forbes Garden Club Report

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

October hosts were Jane and Darryl Hurley.

Our hosts for the October meeting, Jane and Darryl Burley, welcomed 36 members and provided us with a roomy shed out of the rain.

President Marg Dent asked for apologies and Lloyd Gerdes presented the financial report.

The next meeting will be our Christmas Luncheon and Marg has booked the Vandenberg Hotel at a cost to members of $30 payable to Treasurer Lloyd. This will be for 12 – 12.30pm on Tuesday 25 November for a two course meal. Members are asked to dress with a touch of Christmas. This will be our last meeting for the year.

Noel Hocking thanked all those who visited their garden to view the irises and supported Can Assist with donations. Noel is walking from Bedgerabong to Forbes to raise funds for CanAssist and it was decided to donate $100 to help.

Our guest speaker was Wendy Muffet who spoke on her life moving to a farm at Wirrinya. On retirement, she and her husband bought a small block of land, built a home and started a bed and breakfast. They planted trees and vegetables using organic methods to control pests and composting to keep weeds at bay. Lee Sanderson thanked Wendy with a small gift.

Flower of the month winners were first Denise Thurston (Hippeastrum), second Clare Haley (Bauhinia) and third David Sanderson (Begonia). The raffle was won by Meg Scholefield, second prize went to Sue Robinson.

After the meeting, members enjoyed walking around the garden. Janette Thomas invited members to her garden across the road to view her roses .We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Vandenberg Hotel on Tuesday 25 November.

By Green Thumb

Leading Frontline Voices To Reveal Realities Of Domestic Violence In Rural, Remote NSW

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche says the Hidden No More symposium on November 28 will bring the focus to domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW, with a goal of improving the safety of women and children.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will bring together leading voices and frontline workers in domestic violence this month to uncover the realities of the issue across regional, rural and remote NSW.

‘Hidden No More: shining the light on domestic violence in rural communities’ will seek to drive lasting change when it takes place at Narromine on 28 November.

Its keynote speakers are The Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, author, professor and investigative journalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Superintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of New South Wales, Dubbo.

Orana and Far West had the highest rate per 100,000 population of domestic violence-related assaults in NSW in the year to June 2025, the latest update from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows.

In Orana and Far West, domestic violence-related assaults have consistently occurred at more than three times the state rate per 100,000 population for at least the past two years, BOCSAR’s quarterly reports also show.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes operates across 52 per cent of NSW and is a lead domestic violence service provider in Forbes and Bourke, also managing the women’s refuges in both towns.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said the extent of perpetration in regional and rural communities should not be ignored.

“Levels of domestic violence continue to remain at unacceptable levels,” Ms Mioche said.

“Women and children have a right to live in safety and without fear.

“Domestic violence causes deep and long-lasting emotional, social and financial effects on victim-survivors, their families and wider communities,” she said.

The 150+ capacity symposium, which will be MC’d by Emma Alberici, is already at full capacity, highlighting the collaborative and collegial commitment of regional frontline DFV service providers to drive meaningful, trauma- and survivor-led change.

How To Help Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West

November 20, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Get involved at Ronald McDonald House Central West – volunteer, donate, become a corporate partner or find out if you or a close friend or relative is eligible to stay with us.

Staying close to treatment when a child is ill or injured is vital for families when they need it most. Our accommodation, programs and services are provided free of charge to the families of sick and injured children, and women experiencing a high risk pregnancy – helping them when they need it most. We strive to serve more families, better and enable parents and carers to stay close to each other and vital treatment in the Central West.

Our purpose built House is located on the Hospital grounds in Orange and our Hospitality Cart in Dubbo visits families at their child’s bedside in the Paediatric Ward and Special Care Nursery so that they can close and together.

Our families come from across the region so that their children can receive treatment in our major hospitals in the Western Health District in Orange and Dubbo.

We rely on fundraising for 79% percent of our funding to keep the House and our programs available to families when they need it most – caring for a sick or injured child needing treatment in our region.

To find out more about what Ronald McDonal House Charities Central West do, or to get involved, please follow the link cwnswfundraising.rmhc.org.au/event/redtember-2025 or visit www.rmhccwnsw.org.au

Our Nedd Named NSW Young Australian Of The Year

November 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Nedd Brockman pictured after receiving the NSW Young Australian Of The Year award.

Nedd Brockman, born in Forbes and raised in Bedgerabong, has been named NSW Young Australian Of The Year for his continued efforts to raise money and awareness for homelessness in Australia.

In 2020, Nedd decided to run 50 marathons in 50 days to raise $50,000 for homelessness. Then in 2022, Nedd set himself the challenge of running 4,000km across the country from Perth (Cottesloe Beach) to Bondi (Bondi Beach), raising money and awareness for the homeless along the way.

But he didn’t stop there, he kept showing up for the cause, and in 2024, Nedd started “Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge” and set off again, with a 1,000 mile running challenge at a track at Sydney Olympic Park.

Nedd and his team have so far raised over $8 million for Australians experiencing homelessness.

Upon being named 2026 NSW Young Australian of the Year, Nedd said, “I feel honoured and very grateful for the award, but I equally feel a little bit disheartened because I wouldn’t be getting the award if there wasn’t homelessness in this country.”

“I don’t love running, running is just the tool I use in order to push my limits and show people that if you’re willing to commit to something wholeheartedly and throw yourself in the fire good things will come of it if you’re willing to go all the way. It is my tool that allows me to champion the desire to help end homelessness in this country,” concluded Nedd.

Central West Locals, Get Ready To Celebrate Mchappy Day

November 13, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Macca’s is inviting Parkes and Forbes locals to join the fun this Saturday, 15 November, and help raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  From now until midnight on Saturday, 15 November, Central West locals can pick up Silly Socks for $6.50 and on McHappy Day you can buy a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose with $2 from every Big Mac sold (solo or in a meal) going directly to RMHC.

That’s a smile with every mouthful. 

Organised by McDonald’s Australia, McHappy Day is the largest annual fundraiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $79 million for RMHC, helping support more than 69,000 families every year – but with thousands more families needing support each year, McHappy Day donations are more important than ever.

Supporting McHappy Day helps fund essential RMHC Programs like Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and support to families when and where they need it most.

Want to get involved? Visit: www.mchappyday.org.au. Want to donate? Visit: mchappyday.org.au/donate

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