Destination Central West (DNCW) is con­tinuing to work with industry, councils and government partners to support the region following the diversion of the Great Western Highway.

Transport for NSW has advised that the closure is expected to remain in place for at least three months while stabilisation works are undertaken. During this period, the Cen­tral West remains open and accessible via several alternative routes, and businesses across the region continue to welcome visitors. We recognise that this situation is evolving quickly and that many businesses are already responding to visitor questions and travel concerns.

DNCW is continuing support industry during this period, including; Monitoring visitor economy impacts through industry feedback and survey data, Providing clear visitor messaging and industry communica­tions resources, Working with councils and regional partners to support coordinated messaging Advocating to Destination NSW and NSW Government on behalf of the re­gion’s visitor economy. DNCW will continue providing updates to industry as the situa­tion evolves.

Businesses are encouraged to continue promoting events, experiences and regional travel while sharing clear information about alternative travel routes. For the latest road conditions, visitors should check:Transport for NSW and Live Traffic NSW

Last Saturday, over 70 people journeyed to celebrate the launch of the Promise Faith Centre Churches International Official Launch at its new headquarters at the for­mer Mamre Farm in Alectown.

Bishop Barry Cunnington, who leads this ministry, said he was thrilled with the day and the number of people who travelled far and wide, some from as far as Qld and Vic to celebrate their launch and learn more about the exciting things that are planned for the Central West.

“It was a wonderful day.” Bp Barry said.

“We were delighted to have the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Marg Applebee welcome us to this region and share her heart.”

He went on to share that this new head­quarters brings him back to his Central West roots, as he grew up in a farming fam­ily near West Wyalong.

“I have a real heart for the people of this region,” he said. “I’ve been there, in droughts, and dust storms, good crops and bad, and I know there are hurting people out there who need hope – hope that only Jesus Christ can truly give.”

Their first event coming up, however, is a 72hr, non-stop Prayer, Praise and Worship time in May with many coming from other states to join in worship and prayer to the Lord.

On the October Long Weekend, they are establishing an annual Camp Meeting with the focus to ‘Mobilise Aussies for Christ’ – to encourage and equip for mission – “To go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Interested in finding out more? Please head to their website www.promisefaith.com.au

Pictured at the official opening of the extensions to Forbes Family History Group rooms by the then Premier, Bob Carr, which took place on Monday, 23rd February 1998. Names from left to right are – Mayor John Mahlo, Caryl Slattery (FFHG), Premier Bob Carr, Member for Lachlan Ian Armstrong, Tony Kelly MLC and Cr. Dianne Decker.

Forbes Family History Group will be cel­ebrating their 40th birthday this month, and invite everyone to their Open Day on Wednesday, 25 March from 10am until 3pm in the Family History Group rooms be­hind the Library.

Their first meeting held at the Jemalong Retirement Village on 26 March 1986 was attended by eight people – Marj Ticehurst, Dianne Lambert, Kim Smith, Hazel Mad­den, Jean Little, Leila Collits, Jill and Les Peasley. At the meeting, the following of­fice bearers were elected – President Jill Peasley, Vice-President Jean Little, Treas­urer/Secretary Kim Smith, Publicity Officer Dianne Lambert and Research/Librarian Mildred Churchill.

The group’s first few meetings were held at Jemalong Retirement Village, before the Forbes Historical Society allowed the group to use a spare room above the museum.

As membership grew, space became a problem, so the group approached Forbes Council for permission to use a room at the back of the Library which was being used for storage of library books. Permission be­ing granted, the group held working bees to clear the room and repair the floor to get the room ready for use. On 17 April 1987, the group moved from the room above the museum to their present location behind the library.

In 1997, Forbes Council completed ex­tensions to the group’s rooms and these extensions were opened on 23 February 1998 by the then Premier Bob Carr.

In 2026, Forbes Family History Group membership stands at 99 which includes five Life Members. Membership of Forbes Family History Group is open to any­one. Their rooms are open for research on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 11am and 3pm.

Pictured from left to right is Justin Fleming, Tara Kelly, Chris Ryan, and Richard Fleming.

Flemings Property Services has expanded its footprint across regional New South Wales, entering the Central West through a new alignment with respected real estate leader Tara Kelly. Her established Forbes and Parkes offices are transitioning from the Century 21 franchise and will now oper­ate under the Flemings brand.

The move reflects Flemings’ continued confidence in the strength of regional prop­erty markets and its commitment to provid­ing greater opportunities for clients through stronger brand recognition, expanded re­sources and enhanced support for its coun­try-based teams.

Founded in Boorowa in 2000, Flem­ings has steadily grown its presence and now operates across Harden, Cootamun­dra, Young and Cowra. With the addition of Parkes and Forbes, the company now spans seven thriving regional communities and employs a team of more than 40 peo­ple.

Managing Director Justin Fleming said the expansion represents a natural next step for the business, which has always been built around the communities it serves.

“Our business has grown out of the places where we live and work and com­munities we care deeply about,” Mr Flem­ing said. “We’re proud of the business we’ve built, the service we provide and the way we contribute locally. The Forbes and Parkes offices are a perfect fit for our net­work and we’re proud to welcome Tara and her team to the Flemings family.”

Principal Tara Kelly said joining Flemings felt like a natural progression, with the com­pany’s values closely aligned with the way her team operates.

“This move allows our clients to continue working with the same local team they know and trust, now backed by a strong, country focused leadership and support network,” Ms Kelly said.

Over the coming weeks, locals will see new navy-and-white Flemings branding ap­pear across the Central West, representing trust, reliability and strong country values.

For information follow link https://linktr.ee/flemingspropertyservices

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP has re­sponded with strong criticism of Transport for NSW following the agency’s announced indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. The independent MP has called on the NSW Government for urgent action to address the fragility of the transport corridor linking Sydney to West­ern NSW.

The closure is already disrupting freight movements, businesses and regional com­munities that rely on the highway as the primary east–west connection to the state’s capital.

The MP has warned that the problem will only worsen as freight volumes grow with projects such as the Inland Rail and the ex­pansion of the Parkes freight hub.

“If we don’t start planning long-term solu­tions now, this corridor will become one of the biggest freight bottlenecks in Australia,” Mr Donato said.

“For decades we’ve seen massive in­frastructure investment in Sydney — pro­jects like WestConnex and NorthConnex — while regional transport corridors are left struggling with ageing infrastructure.”

“Regional communities contribute enor­mously to the state’s economy, particularly through agriculture and mining, yet we are still relying on a single vulnerable corridor to move goods and people between West­ern NSW and Sydney,” said Mr Donato.

Trundle Branch volunteers Stefanie Deaman and Joanne Coster pictured at a Branch conference in 2023.

Joanne Coster has been a member of the Royal Far West for 15 years and President of the Trundle Royal Far West Branch for around 10 years. Royal Far West is a spe­cialist child development service providing vital support to improve the health and well­being of children in rural and remote areas.

Her voluntary role involves overseeing the branch, running branch meetings, or­ganising events and fundraisers, and over­seeing the manager in the Op Shop.

Jo has four children and her second eldest child, Chelsea, needed some or­thodontic work when she was 14, back in 2010. Chelsea received a referral from the school’s visiting dentist, to see the Royal Far West Orthodontist at Manly, Sydney. Jo and Chelsea visited Manly every six weeks and stayed in Royal Far West’s Drummond House.

Jo was inspired to become a volunteer with Royal Far West after this positive ex­perience and can’t imagine not doing it now. In fact, there are some members in her branch that have been volunteers for around 50 years.

“In Trundle, we’re only a community of 350, but we have lots of little communities around us – Bogan Gate, Condoblin, Tul­lamore, Peak Hill, Parkes – and their com­munities come out for our events.”

“Coming up, we have a High Tea in July, and it’s our Debutante Ball in September for girls aged 15 years and over. I’ve been running the Deb Ball since 2008. We usual­ly have around eight girls for the Deb Ball, and it’s become a tradition. We also have Christmas bingo.”

Royal Far West’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of children who live in rural and remote communities, so when you support the Royal Far West Op Shop you support local children. Come have a browse and a chat at Shop 7, 22 Forbes Street, Trundle.