A male cane toad has been positively identified in Dubbo. DPI believe it is most likely a stowaway but vigilance is important. For people travelling from known cane toad areas or collecting feed or machinery, be aware cane toads can hitch a ride and they can have a devastating impact on local biodiversity if allowed to establish in our region. Here’s what to do if you think you’ve spotted a cane toad:

• Always wear protective gloves and eyewear. Cane toads extrude (and sometimes squirt) poison from glands behindtheir head.

• Catch the animal and hold it in a closed,well-ventilated container with some water.

• Do not kill it until we confirm what it is(some native frog species look similar tocane toads.) Photograph the animal.

• Report it to NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries through the online form at https://bit.ly/3Ju0Jnp or call 1800 680 244.

You can also contact a Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer on 1300 795 299 who can assist you with identification and submission of the online form.

Sammy Leonard, owner of Forbes Smash keeps kicking goals with a nomination as one of the finalists in the Owner/ Manager category for the 2021 Australasian Paint and Panel Women in Collision Awards. Sammy made the top 5 from well over 40 nominations in the category.

Women escaping abusive relationships who are currently residing in domestic violence shelters across NSW will be offered grants of up to $5,000 to purchase equipment, education and training, transport, childcare, and other associated costs to help them re-enter the workforce.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the second phase of the NSW Government’s $10 million Return to Work Program will help more than 740 victim-survivors of domestic violence to return to work.

“This program is about empowering these courageous victim-survivors of domestic violence to enter or re-enter the workforce by providing them with the financial support to secure a job, regain independence and feel optimistic about what their new future holds,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We know that some victim-survivors of domestic violence are financially controlled and do not have access to funds. These grants will remove key financial barriers.”

Eligible women will be supported by Service NSW Return to Work Coordinators to develop a Return to Work Plan which sets out the resources that will assist them getting back in the workforce.

The initial roll out of the Return to Work program in 2021 provided grants of up to $5,000 to more than 1400 women. Eligible applicants will be able to register interest until February 21, 2022 and Service NSW will accept applications from women on the registration list from February 22 to May 2, 2022. Government funded refuges, supporting women victim-survivors of domestic violence, will be contacted directly with further information. Further information about the RTW Program is available by emailing RTWProgram@facs.nsw.gov.au

Fourteen organisations delivering critical free legal services will share in a Commonwealth funding boost of $52 million over four years to support vulnerable communities across NSW including Western NSW Community Legal Centre.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the investment would assist legal services to support groups including domestic and family violence victim-survivors, people with mental health issues and workers who have experienced sexual harassment and discrimination.

“This funding will help ensure people who are doing it tough have access to legal support when they need it,” Mr Speakman said.

“The dedicated lawyers and staff or our legal assistance sector provide an invaluable contribution by delivering much needed help to disadvantaged communities where many people are feeling the impact of COVID-19.”

The organisations were selected following a rigorous panel assessment. This $52 million investment is in addition to the total of $43 million already allocated to Legal Aid NSW and Western NSW Community Legal Centre as part of the extra $95 million funding under the National Legal Assistance Partnership Agreement 2020-25 (NLAP).

Councils, schools, not-for-profit organisations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils are encouraged to apply for grants to deliver projects that support recovery, boost resilience and support mental health and wellbeing for regional young people.

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin today announced the $10.3 million Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative that will help regional youth recover from the impacts of natural disasters and COVID-19.

“These grants will support projects that build resilience of young people for future adverse events and help regional youth bounce back stronger and be more connected with their peers and communities than ever before.”

“The types of projects funded by larger grants include things like community events, peer support groups, cultural connection or partnership programs, while smaller grants will fund initiatives like sporting programs and barbecues,” Mr Franklin said.

“Regional Youth Community Coordinators are available to assist regional communities to identify projects that will boost resilience and strengthen community and youth networks across regional NSW.”

$1.5 million is available for small grants across regional NSW and $5.2 million for larger grants through Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative program, as part of the NSW COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy. The NSW and Commonwealth governments have made a 50:50 contribution for storm and flood affected areas with a further $3.6 million available from the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Small grants are for up to $10,000 and larger grants are for between $10,000 and $50,000. Applications are open now and close on 31 December 2022 or when fully allocated. For program and eligibility guidelines, visit nsw.gov.au/YouthWellbeing

THANK YOU FROM TONGA: Residents of Tonga impacted by tsunamis and volcanic eruptions with a Thank You sign to JRV for their kind donations; INSET: Sharnie Morris outside her home with another shipment of drums ready to go.

Local Forbes resident Sharnie Morris had been a regular visitor to Tonga, travelling twice a year before COVID struck. More recently, Sharnie has had to sadly watch on as the humble people of the tiny south-Pacific nation deal with not only the aftermath of the tsunami on 15 January but active volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai as well.

Not one for the spotlight, Sharnie along with some work colleagues have already shipped eight drums of necessities to the fledgling nation with 14 more to be transported. Transport costs have been generously covered by Brian Hogan of Telescope Tyres in Parkes. Inside the precious cargo, includes a raft of items purchased from KHub and donations from Jemalong Retirement Village residents and staff through to communities in Forbes, Parkes and Eugowra.

“I thought drums of clothes, shoes, toiletries and kitchenware items were a good place to start,” Sharnie said. “It has been a fantastic effort from everyone.”

Malakai Ahokava, an athlete for Team Tonga is assisting with the freight and has jumped on board, minimising shipping costs. The drums will leave Sydney on 11 March for Tonga and are expected to arrive on 11 April.

The volcano north of Tongatapu unexpectedly erupted on January 14, lasting more than 12 hours, with volcanic ash and gasses reaching more than 44kms in the air and creating waves 50 feet high. It was visible from a satellite in space.

The Weigelli/ Orana Haven Hub project is relatively new to Forbes, but the team is growing and their mandate is to provide support and prevention measures to Aboriginal people experiencing drug and alcohol dependence.

The Hub is now open at 42 Templar Street and it is clear from the first meeting that Nita Mala, senior alcohol and other drugs case manager, is passionate about what she does.

“A lot of the time they’re not going to look after their health; they may have legal issues, they may be homeless,” Nita said.

Hub caseworkers are there to support each person in identifying what areas they need to work on, and then each step of the way. Nita and her colleagues keep in regular contact with their clients; they will attend appointments, offer transport, help with applications, whatever it takes.

They can also connect people to residential rehabilitation, working with Orana Haven Detox and Rehabilitation in Brewarrina, and The Weigelli Rehabilitation Centre near Cowra.

The Western NSW Primary Health Network and the National Indigenous Australians Agency are funding the hub project and it’s allowed unique community-based responses to drug, alcohol and related issues to be developed in each location.

The Hub team works closely with health and mental health services, other service providers, legal, and rehabilitation services.

The Hub is based in Forbes, with regular outreach in Parkes, Peak Hill, Grenfell, Eugowra, Condobolin and surrounding communities. Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation 0448 852 112 or nitam@OranaHaven.com.au