Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is calling on Forbes residents to show their support for the charity by simply rocking their Ronald socks off in the lead up to McHappy Day on Saturday 17 October.

For the first time, the all-new Ronald Socks have been added as an item to the fundraising mix and are a fun way for people to show their support for RMHC. Now in its 25th year, McHappy Day raises money for RMHC which creates, finds and supports programs across Australia that help seriously ill children and their families. Their programs help families all the way along the often long journey to recovery, including providing a home-away-from-home for a night or even a year so families can stay together in a friendly environment; through to providing school catch-up services through the Learning Program.

This year, one of Australia’s favourite musicians Ricki-Lee has been announced as this year’s Ambassador for McHappy Day. She is encouraging Australians to get out and about on Saturday to help raise a record $3.4 million for RMCH. Ricki-Lee has had a long and close association with RMHC since she participated in her first ever charity activity – visiting the families at Ronald McDonald House in Sydney in 2004 when she was on Australian Idol.

This visit had a profound effect on Ricki with her commitment to the charity continuing seeing her perform at multiple RMHC Balls and naming RMHC as her charity of choice when she competed in Dancing with the Stars in 2014.

To get involved, Forbes families can share how they are rocking their socks off for McHappy Day on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by using the hashtag #McHappyDay. It can be as simple as showcasing your air guitar skills or best Elvis hairdo!

Forbes own branch of Neighbourhood Watch hosted its first ever Home Security Information Expo at Bunnings on Sunday 11 October. About 45 people attended the event including Mayor Phyllis Miller who opened the Expo by
welcoming the audience and thanking Bunnings for coming to Forbes.

Police Constable Daniel Greef spoke for a while on a range of issues and provided some very good tips on how to improve the security in your home, around your home and when obtaining cash from ATMs. Constable Greef can also offer free home security assessments so if you are interested, feel free to give him a call at the Forbes Police
Station on 6853 9999.

Bunnings staff members presented informative, helpful and entertaining demonstrations on a great range of home security products, including alarms, locks, safes and solar lights. Seven lucky people in the audience also won some fantastic prizes which were generously donated by Bunnings.

After the Expo, a BBQ was hosted by Forbes Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. The organisers would like to sincerely thank the Mayor for attending, the Forbes Shire Council for their financial support for this event, Anita Morrison for her efforts and suggestions, Bunnings for staging this Expo at their Forbes store, Constable Daniel Greef, Bunnings staff members April Townsend, Brenda Weatherall, Sid Zuliani, Jason Godden and the people of Forbes who attended this successful Home Security Information Expo. Enjoy living in Forbes!

The 2015 National BBQ Championships are happening this weekend and Forbes BBQ Society are excited to announce that local folk indie band House of Tribes will be performing on stage.

Forbes BBQ Society President Chris Roylance said that having House of Tribes on board along with well-known Eugowra local, Cath Adams, the BBQ Championships are set to draw in crowds with such a great line-up. House of Tribes are a local band that have played gigs right across the Central West having their songs played on radio station Triple J and recently launching their first album ‘Paint it Red’.

The local four-piece band formed at the Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival in 2013 and since then have played at events in Forbes, Young, Orange, Grenfell and Condobolin. Chris Roylance said that preparations are in full swing with lots to do for everyone. “We also have a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, great food options including tasting plates to sample.”

“Between Relay for Life and the BBQ Championships we are expecting over 2,000 people throughout the day. We are really looking forward to the atmosphere,” said Chris. Along with Fast Ed who will be conducting cooking demonstrations throughout the afternoon, the 2015 BBQ Championships are looking to be the biggest and best yet.

Having joined forces with Relay for life the two events are being held at South Circle Forbes on Saturday 17 October.
Don’t forget to like the National BBQ Championships Forbes Facebook page and follow them on Instagram or visit their website for all the latest news and updates. Team registrations are still open so head to www.forbesbbqsociety.com.au and download a registration form. When complete, email it to forbesbbqsociety@outlook.com.au

On Sunday 15 November at Forbes Town Hall, flautist Phil Braithwaite and Pianist Cindy Fox explore the development of the flute from the Baroque era through to the modern period with the extended techniques exploited by the modern composers.

Ranging from Bach to Schubert, Poulenc and beyond, this concert showcases the full range of the instrument in a program of beautiful baroque classical and 20th century compositions. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for concessions and $80 for families of four. A musical festival is coming to the Central West featuring leading local, national and international musicians encompassing a broad range of musical styles.

The line-up includes Archie Roach & band, Andrew Robson Quintet, Kate Fagan and Jason Walker, Rory Ellis and Andrew Toner, Victor Valdes Trio, Nancy Bates and Robert Champion, and Arabesk. Book tickets at www.bmec.com.au or contact Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on 6333 6161.

October is Mental Health Month and it is a time when everyone is encouraged to put their mental health first. It is a national mental health campaign co-ordinated every October by Mental Health Association NSW to promote good mental health and wellbeing in our local communities.

According to Mental Health Association NSW, each year mental health issues affect one in five Australians with anxiety disorders and depression the most common mental health challenges. Mental Health Month creates an opportunity for people to look at their own mental health and focus on ways to enhance social and emotional wellbeing while building personal resilience and support networks.

Senior Team Leader of Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol (MHDA) Service Terry Buckerfield said Western NSW Local Health District is working in partnership with various nongovernment organisations to host activities
during Mental Health Month with the theme ‘Value Your Mind’. “This year’s theme aims to encourage everyone to think about their own mental health while promoting the need for everyone to make mental health a priority in their daily life,” Terry said.

A number of activities will be held throughout October to highlight the importance of good mental health and wellbeing. “We will be holding training days in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, a Mental Health Forum, walks to raise postnatal depression awareness and suicide awareness, and also a number of fun events including a scavenger hunt, drumming workshops and lip sync battles,” Health Promotion and Prevention Officer Yvonne Muyambi said. “These events are a useful reminder for us all to think about our own mental health and the mental health of those around us – it is also a good excuse to get out there and have fun!”

Anyone with concerns about their mental health or that of a loved one should call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

VANFEST has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the region and will see thousands of music and festival lovers swarming to Forbes Showground on Saturday 5 December. Coming to Forbes on Saturday 5 September, this year there is another stellar line-up, including Aussie electronic duo Peking Duk, stage veterans John Butler Trio and drum and bass giants Rudimental.

“We couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring two of the best live acts to Forbes, the inclusion of Rudimental and Peking Duk fulfils our dedication to bringing exceptional live entertainment to regional NSW,” said VANFEST organiser Matt Clifton. VANFEST is a family run festival created by father and son team Matt and Grant Clifton,
who you might know from the Vandenberg Hotel.

After growing up in Tullamore NSW, Matt saw the need for quality entertainment in the regional area. With the help of his father they are bringing high profile international and local acts to Central West NSW.

Their combined efforts have been a success and have resulted in a strategic partnership with the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and Southern Cross Austereo’s Hit Network, to ensure the continued growth of VANFEST. “We are looking forward to continuing to grow the VANFEST brand for many years to come as it provides an experience that would not normally be found in regional areas.” “VANFEST is a unique platform for major Australian and international artists to experience a different style of music festival in a diverse
location supported by the local community.”

In addition to an amazing line-up of live music and entertainment, VANFEST will offer an array of food and beverage outlets, VIP bars, meet and greet opportunities, extreme activations with partnering sponsors and a multitude of camping facilities including glamping, tent city, phone charging stations, communal common areas with bean bags and much more. Visit www.vanfest.com.au for ticketing information.