FLOOD VISIT: Chris Roylance, Phyllis Miller, Steph Cooke, Scott Darcy, Bridget McKenzie, Michael McCormack and Dugald Saunders at Darcy’s flood-ravaged Bedgerabong property at the end of 2021. The Australian and NSW Govern-ments are jointly committing more than $80 million to make assistance immediately available for eligible local primary producers across the State.

Riverina and Central West farmers and primary producers impacted by recent floods will have access to grants of up to $50,000.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack joined both the Commonwealth and NSW Ministers responsible for emergency management, services and resilience, Senator Bridget McKenzie and Steph Cooke as well as recently appointed NSW Minister for Agriculture, Dugald Saunders, to announce the disaster recovery funding.

The announcement was made at “Traversdale”, the Bedgerabong property of Jackie and Scott Darcy at the end of last year, who hosted the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Premier Dominic Perrottet on their visit.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack thanked the Darcy’s and other local Central West farmers for their input into the development of the assistance. Financial assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Mr McCormack said local farmers in the Riverina and Central West, especially Forbes and Weddin Shires, have been hit hard by the recent severe weather across regional NSW.

“Eligible farmers and primary producers, from six of the 12 Local Government Areas in the Riverina electorate, will now have access to grants of up to $50,000 to help them get back on their feet,” he said. “In our part of NSW we’ve seen farming communities dealt blow after blow from drought to the mouse plague and more recently, devastating floods.”

“After my most recent visit to Forbes, with the Prime Minister and the Premier, I raised the concerns of farmers about issues they were experiencing directly with the Co-ordinator General of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, The Hon. Shane Stone AC QC. I am pleased, following those meetings that the Government has compiled this package,” Mr McCormack said.

For assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-grants

KIND DONATION: Chris Phillips, Carolyn Neilsen, Maureen Field, Carolyn Morrison, Cheryl Barton, John Schrader and Rex Barton, Justin Walker, Sheryl Garner, Stephanie and Daisy Hughes, Marg Duggan and Debbie Prior.

In more positive local news, the Forbes Business Chamber has donated a percentage of the proceeds from the Taste On Templar evening Forbes Can Assist and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, with both community groups receiving $9000 each.

Fiona Ferguson from the Forbes Business Chamber was delighted to be able to present on behalf of the Chamber and said the funds were vital as the groups have been “stretched to their maximum throughout the pandemic with many families struggling due to COVID and the restrictions required throughout this period.”

Forbes Can Assist’s John Schrader described the donation as “amazing,” after his group had been finding it “difficult like everyone else to raise funds during the pandemic.”

Funds for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation will continue to work towards creating more education, awareness and protection for women from ovarian cancer where no woman will feel endangered by one of our biggest killers.

The funding donation will also allow researchers to continue to fight the scourge of ovarian cancer – a silent killer among our nation’s women.

“Thank you to all those who also volunteered their time and effort during Taste On Templar 2021 and over Christmas,” Fiona said.

The release of Stage Two, Goldridge Estate comes after the record sales of Stage One, selling in under 48 hours upon their release. Stage Two consists of 65 lots, ranging in size between 743 square metres up to 1333 square metres.

“Council has developed a carefully considered land release strategy. The Estate will be sold in phases as to not flood the market and impact property values,” said Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane.

“The first phase will include thirteen lots with a mix of lot sizes and characteristics to appeal to different prospective buyers, from young couples, singles and families. The prices also vary depending on size and street appeal. They range from $160,000 to $179,000 and are based on Stage One price modelling, real estate valuations and current market conditions.”

Property will be sold on the open market and be facilitated by local real estate agents, including Century 21, Elders, Michael Robertson & Co and Ray White.

“Council will apply a first in, first served process to the sale of the lots,” said Mr Loane. “This is to ensure the fairest possible system for all.”

Council are targeting Easter 2022 for completion of Stage One civil works, with water and sewer construction well underway. Road and stormwater infrastructure will commence following the Christmas break.

Each lot has power, NBN connectivity and gas supplied to the lot, ready for connection. Land shortages in the Forbes township have been addressed by Forbes Shire Council in developing this estate.

More information on the Goldridge Estate can be found on Councils website: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/moving-here/goldridge-estate. For sales information or inspection contact your preferred real estate agent.

Get ready for what could arguably be the biggest week in Canowindra’s event and tourism history.

The internationally recognised and iconic hot air ballooning festival is once again taking place from 2 – 10 April, 2022 with some exciting inclusions, guaranteed to bring the crowds.

The much-loved community event, including the Street Parade and The Cabonne Community Glow, will be held on 9th April, 2022, and with thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, this year will also see an extra night of entertainment and a new signature event.

Enliven Music Festival, will be held on 2nd April, 2022 and is bringing two of Australia’s top rated award winning artists, Jon Stevens, with the INXS and Noiseworks Collection and Eskimo Joe, sharing the stage with Country Rock up and comer, James Johnston, along with The Robbie Mortimer Band and Clancy Pye. Phat Brass, a fresh funk-pop style of brass band, rounds up the line-up for the much anticipated event.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge is building on the success of its 2021 event to host an expanded festival in 2022.

“Supporting big ticket events like this in regional NSW is what brings our economy into gear and back up to speed, and I can’t wait to see the benefits this festival will bring for communities not only in the Central West but right across the region.”

FREE CUPPA RETURNS: Registrations for the 2022 scheme are now open and close on Monday 31 January 2022, go to www.freecuppa.com.au to sign up and find more information about the scheme.

Local businesses are invited to help tackle driver fatigue by registering to take part in this year’s ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme.

The multi award-winning driver fatigue awareness campaign has been saving lives on country roads since 2010 by encouraging drivers to take more breaks and avoid fatigue-related crashes. The scheme runs each year from March 1st to May 31st.

Entering its 12th year, the scheme sees partnerships formed between participating Councils and local businesses. The Councils provide the marketing and administer the scheme whilst the participating businesses provide the free cuppas. The campaign is supported by Transport for NSW.

Registrations for the 2022 scheme are now open and close on Monday 31 January 2022, go to www.freecuppa.com.au to sign up and find more information about the scheme.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said since its inception the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme has given away more than 27,000 free cuppas in 265 participating businesses across 91 towns, villages and cities in regional NSW.

“Times have been anything but ‘normal’ these last few years. We know that some Local Government Areas have been in lengthy lock downs and many small businesses are struggling. We delayed our registration from the usual October deadline until Monday January 31, 2022, to allow for more clarity about what travel might look like and what COVID restrictions might be in place. We expect that with most state borders open, there will be a lot of people travelling to and through regional NSW,” said Ms Suitor.

Visiting drivers are entitled to a free cuppa at participating businesses if they are more than 100kms away from the address on their license.

The scheme is operational across most of Western NSW and parts of the Hunter and South-West.

Local Jobs and Careers Expo

The Forbes Local Jobs and Careers Expo is an opportunity for local businesses to promote current or upcoming job opportunities and to showcase the range of careers in their industry sector.

Each attending business will be allocated a space to set up a small information stand or banner. At least one representative from the business or company must be in attendance to talk to expo attendees.

This event is free of charge for all exhibiting employers and organisations. The expo is open to community members and job seekers of all ages.

Club Forbes Auditorium, Thursday 17th March, 2022, 5.30 – 8.00pm. Contact Janice Little at janice.little@det.nsw.edu.au

Citizen Of The Year Awards Gala Dinner

The 2022 edition of the Citizen Of The Year will be held at Forbes Town Hall on Tuesday January 25. The semi-formal, ticketed event will begin at 6pm and finish at 9pm and will comprise of a gala dinner and ceremony to recognise some outstanding local individuals and their contributions throughout the past year. For more info contact community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or 6850 2300