Articles Archives - Page 169 of 412

Taste On Templar Sold Out

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

SOLD OUT: The 2021 Hazell & Field Accountants and Advisors Taste On Templar event is sold out in a real boost for organisers and the community after 18 months of uncertainty. Photo courtesy of Forbes Business Chamber.

Taste On Templar is sold out much to the delight of organisers from the Forbes Business Chamber and community.

“We are absolutely delighted that the response to the Hazell and Field Taste On Templar, it has been so positive,” Marg Duggan, President of Forbes Business Chamber said.

“Tickets have been dispatched to people from Forbes and its surrounding villages, Cowra, Orange and Canberra. The committee has worked tirelessly towards making this event a reality to raise funds for CanAssist Forbes Branch and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation,” she said.

“Initially the committee were very concerned about going ahead as everyone was working and functioning in a fluid and fragile COVID environment,” said Marg.

Plans for Taste On Templar began 18 months ago with the event cancelled twice then rescheduled again. Not to be deterred, the committee continued on and are very excited to present this gala event to Forbes.

“Taste On Templar would not go ahead without the support of Hazell & Field Accountants and Advisors who are our naming rights sponsors, Hughes & Co Lawyers and Conveyancers and Forbes Shire Council both being gold sponsors. Silver sponsors are BWR Accountants and Advisors, Forbes Pre-School, Mark Willis and Ona – Fiona Ferguson Consultancy,” Marg said.

This year, McMillian Industries, Made Of Fridays, Michael Robinson & Co, The Book Dispensary, CWA Evening Branch and Central West Credit Union also came aboard as Bronze sponsors.

Roylances Forbes Sets New Standard For JCB

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Roylances Forbes

For 66 years the Roylance name has been synonymous with the automotive and agricultural industries in Forbes, but more recently their focus has been on farming with the development of their Tractor Replacements business in Sam Street.

Now regional distributors for such iconic names as Kubota and Krone, in 2020 they added the globally recognised JCB brand to their list of products. Renowned for their earthmoving equipment – the iconic yellow and black backhoe, and their great selection of Skid Steers – JCB’s range of agricultural equipment is also well recognised around the world, the Fastrac range of tractors the fastest on the market, whilst their Agri Telehandler range provides farmers with immense flexibility across a range of applications.

Of importance for Roylances – who pride themselves on customer service – was to ensure that they had complete customer support for all their products.

From initial contact with Justin Roylance (grandson of company founders Jim and Nea Roylance) and Sales Manager Barry Cusack, to their after-sales service department and team of service technicians that can provide not just first-class service at their Forbes workshops, but also valuable on-site service in case of setbacks on the farm.

For anyone looking to upgrade their existing machines, or looking to take advantage of the various financial support pack-ages on offer from the Federal Government and JCB, call Roylances Tractor Replacements Forbes on 6852 2020, drop in to Unit 10, 42-46 Sam Street, Forbes or email enquiry@roylances.com.au

Public Servants Hit Paddock For Record Harvest

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

More than 4,500 staff from the Department of Regional NSW, including Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will be able to access five days’ special leave to assist farmers for an expected bumper harvest season in 2021.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said special leave entitlements rolling out for the very first time will allow departmental staff to lend a much-needed hand as farmers struggle to find workers to bring in the crop.

“Agriculture and farming play a pivotal role in our economy, so providing harvest leave to staff to provide an extra set of hands in the field helps get produce to market and dollars into farmers’ pockets,” Mr Toole said.

“Nearly 80 per cent of staff from the Department of Regional NSW already live and work in regional NSW, so chances are most of them know their way around a header or a chaser bin and how important this busy time of year is for regional communities. We’ve had a tough run in the regions over the past few years with prolonged drought, and COVID-19, which has significantly impacted seasonal harvest worker availability, right at a time when we need all hands on deck to get crops off.”

“These workers can volunteer to help out with any harvest, anywhere in the state – from harvesting blueberries in Coffs Harbour, oranges and table grapes in the Riverina and Murray, to cherries in the Central West or helping bring in a bumper grain harvest.”

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the unprecedented move was another example of the good work this government was doing to help farmers source the workforce they need for another record harvest.

“Drastic times call for drastic measures. There is no silver bullet to solve the COVID exacerbated workforce shortage, but this is another step we are implementing to support industry,” Mr Marshall said.

Staff can use local contacts or the Help Harvest NSW website to help find suitable opportunities to assist in this year’s harvest. There is no cost to farmers getting help from departmental volunteers, as staff will be paid at their standard leave rate by the Department.

Leave will be managed to ensure there will be no impact on services provided by the Department.

The NSW Government has implemented a range of measures to overcome the agriculture workforce shortage, including subsidies for quarantine costs of 2,500 overseas agricultural workers, the Ag Workers’ Code and the ‘Help Harvest NSW’ website to connect agriculture employers with out of work Australians.

No More Playing Mice As Online Tool Helps Farmers

October 29, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

NO MORE MR MICE GUY: NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall is leading the charge to tackle the burgeoning mice problem with the launch of new online tools to assist farmers effectively measure and manage numbers.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall is encouraging farmers throughout NSW to use the online tool to report mouse activity and crop damage to assist their fellow landholders to respond quickly to increasing populations through Spring.

The NSW Government’s innovative new monitoring tool developed by CottonInfo and the CSIRO was designed to both help farmers manage mice population numbers ahead of another record harvest and provide a live snapshot of on-farm rodent activity across the state.

The technology has proven popular and trialled successfully in the NSW northwest since July.

“By asking farmers to use mouse chew cards once a week and record their results by filling out a quick online form, not only can we closely track any rise in numbers, but also see what level of damage is occurring in particular crops. These results are fed into an online dashboard so farmers can see when populations are increasing in their area, which will help them quickly respond,” Mr Marshall said.

Farmers can find the form, dashboard, and instructions on how to report their own mouse activity on the Local Land Services website at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/mice

TAFE NSW Forbes White Card Course

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

TAFE NSW Forbes is running a White Card course on Wednesday 10th November 2021. If you meet the below criteria, you can enrol in this White Card course fee free:
• Live or work in NSW
• Be 15 years of older
• Have finished school
• Be an Australian Citizen or Humanitarian Visa holder

This course provides the mandatory work health and safety training required prior to undertaking construction work in NSW. To enrol call in the Forbes Campus.

$21 Million To Boost Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

The NSW Government is investing $21 million to expand the Aboriginal mental health and suicide prevention workforce as part of $131 million mental health recovery package. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin said the four-year investment will allow for the recruitment of 18 FTE Aboriginal Care Navigators and 18 FTE Aboriginal Peer Workers across NSW.

Eugowra Timber Mill Converts To Steel

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

MAN OF STEEL: Light Steel Structures Manager Daniel Relyea with the modern steel fabrication machine situated in the old timber mill in Eugowra.

The Mill at Eugowra is producing frames and trusses again.

No, it’s not the old timber machines firing up again, this time round it is steel made by Light Steel Structures.

Modern, efficient and 100% recyclable, the light gauge steel outweighs the timber option on the weight to strength ratio. Each project is custom produced to maximise speed and minimise cost.

Light Steel Structures is filling a void in the market throughout the Central West with its focus on looking after local builders, many of whom were left high and dry when the timber shortage hit home.

Light Steel Structures Manager, Daniel Relyea says “it’s great to be able to service the most important market sector, the lower volume builders. Together with the latest in machining technology and powerful design software, we can design and produce custom frames and trusses with a short turnaround time.

“I have spent many years in the building and construction industry and always used timber, but now having seen just how advanced steel framing can be, I’m a convert to steel.
The dimple and rivet allow for a flush wall frame meaning fixing linings like gyprock sit flat.”

“With steel frames being much lighter than timber, the system suits owner builders and those with small crews to work efficiently. It will be great to see money staying in the region with a new local business pro-viding building products as well as jobs,” said Daniel.

Contact Daniel at Light Steel Structures on 0477 195 438 or by email: info@lights-teelstructures.com.au

$25 Million Funding For Ag Shows

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Agricultural and royal shows have received a much-needed funding lifeline with Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud MP recently announcing $25 million to agricultural show societies as they recover from the cost of COVID-19, ensuring they can continue in 2022 and beyond.

Colloquially known as ‘ag shows’, these long-running events in country towns and cities across Australia are staples in the annual community calendar.

There are 580 ag shows held in Australia each year providing a significant contribution of over $1 billion to the Australian economy. Around 6 million people attend an ag show each year.

“The financial support announced by the Australian Government last week will enable ag shows to plan and implement shows in 2022 and the confidence to proceed with their shows for next year,” Agricultural Shows Australia Chair Dr Rob Wilson said.

“This announcement recognises the im-portant role of agricultural shows and the financial impact COVID,” he said.

“We have seen hundreds upon hundreds of shows cancelled in 2020 and 2021 at great cost to communities, agricultural exhibitors and the 50,000 volunteers who underpin show societies.”

Agricultural Shows Australia encourages local shows, their committees and showmen and women to prioritise their grant applications before the deadline.

Sammy’s Smashing It

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

SMASHING IT AND FIXING IT: Sammy Leonard of Forbes Smash is branching out into more custom and boutique jobs as her business continues to go from strength to strength. Give Sammy a bell – custom job or not at Forbes Smash on 6852 2272.

In 2009 when Sammy Leonard started her own business Forbes Smash at 27 Rankin Street, she never imagined she would still be going… and growing!

While the garage has serviced nearly everyone in the Forbes Shire and surrounds, it is her next foray into more custom work that is sure to whet the appetite of every petrol head and his Datsun.

“Neil Merchant from the Harley Davidson shop Unique Cycle Service Forbes often ships some work to us and it is something that I really get a kick out of – especially after his garage does their thing,” she said.

“I prefer cars but I have a great appreciation for bikes too and love to work on both!”

Forbes Smash now has more staff and are looking at custom and niche related projects too as Sam continues to be a trail-blazer in a male-dominated industry.

“We will also continue to service the Forbes community and keep everyone safe,” Sammy said.

“We do love to be creative and have some fun though too!”

Starting as a spray painter with the late Kevin Vale in the 2000s, Sammy can’t imagine herself doing anything else.

“To be honest I think I will be doing this until the day I die,” she said.

“Ever since Dad got me into tinkering with cars it’s been in the blood and I can’t see it changing.”

“So if it ain’t broke …”

Operator Please!

October 22, 2021 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Arts Society are seeking an operator for their new gallery café – a contemporary food and beverage enterprise with flair, creativity and imagination that meets the demand for quality regional cuisine in the Forbes Shire area. That’s the Forbes Arts Society’s vision for the café to be located within the new Forbes Cultural and Arts Centre at 110 Lachlan Street, Forbes.

FAS are currently seeking expressions of interest from individuals or businesses looking for a unique opportunity to develop their operations in the hospitality industry by running the Centre’s café. With construction set to commence in the coming months, the former Forbes Ambulance Station will soon be transformed into a vibrant, civic hub. The Centre is scheduled for completion in late 2022.

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “we are really excited about the prospect of working closely with the preferred café operator over the next 12 months to create a contemporary eatery that’s welcoming, accessible and complements the Centre’s other creative and collaborative spaces.”

In its current design, the café accommodates seating for 25 people inside, and has an expansive outdoor courtyard with seating for upward of 50 people.

To obtain an Expression of Interest package or to find out more, contact forbesartss@gmail.com. Submissions close 5pm, Friday 29 October 2021.

The Forbes Cultural and Arts Centre development is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

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