In what can only be described as another ‘eventful’ year, 2021 still had plenty of local highlights from 151 year gala celebrations to Taste On Templar.

The beginning of the year saw many negotiate their way through COVID restrictions with home-school, flexible working arrangements, QR codes, masks and vaccinations all topics of the day. Most events were postponed or cancelled as local businesses came to grips with new ways to trade as the NSW Governor General Margaret Beazley visited our amazing Mensshed.

We had a change within the National Party after Barnaby Joyce won a spill over our federal member, Michael McCormack. Frost and Fire was a shining light in a long, wet winter as was Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers. KHub also came to town!

Local sports competitions were able to commence, albeit before more restrictions in Spring and then came the floods. Floods that destroyed a potential record winter harvest and put pay to summer returns. Many are still surrounded by water.

Staines and his Panther teammates won the NRL grand final 14-12 over South Syd-ney while our new Premier, Dominic Perrottet popped in not once but twice. So too did Prime Minister Scott Morrison to thank our SES volunteers and cook lunch.

We finally had our council elections, some five years after the last. With numbers still being counted at time of print, Phyllis Miller again is safe with Steve Karaitiana, Jenny Webb, Marg Duggan and Aiden Clarke also in strong positions. Chris Roylance and Maria Willis also look well-placed with only 88 votes separating 8th from 13th. See you in 2022!

For many Australians, pets are important members of the family and they can bring immense joy, but also a lot of responsibility. People are urged to consider carefully before buying a pet this Christmas, said Forbes Shire Council Ranger, Mat Wallis.

“They are cute and cuddly, and everyone loves a puppy,” said Mat.

“But we urge residents to consider the responsibility that comes with a new pet, and the time you have available to look after them properly. In NSW all cats and dogs (except exempt dogs and cats) must be microchipped over the age of three months of age or before being sold or given away. If the owner is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will be deemed the legal owner.”

Similarly, for registrations, all cats and dogs must be registered by six months of age. Registering your dog or cat greatly improves their chances of being returned to you if they become lost.

“It is mandatory you register your dog or cat because if you don’t you are actually committing an offense and action may be taken against you. The registration fee is a once-only payment, regardless of any changes in ownership,” Mat said.

“You need to consider the ongoing costs of having a pet demand. You owe it to your pet to provide them with a quality diet. In fact, the better the food, the less poop they produce, so that is an incentive! Pets are amazing, but they require time, patience, and dedication – not to mention a lifestyle change for your family. They are a lifetime commitment and if given the chance they will love you for life.”

Forbes Shire Council has information on their website regarding pet ownership and registration; www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/animals/pet-registration.

Featured are some of the lovely animals at the RSPCA NSW Orange Shelter waiting to be adopted.

All animals are available for adoption via rspcansw.org.au/adopt

It’s so true what they say – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and there is no truer case of this than with Central Western business Topsoil Organics.

Topsoil Organics, a Forbes based company is revolutionizing the way people think about their food waste and has made it a key mission of their business to focus on educating people on how to ensure their food waste stays out of landfill.

“Once the food scraps are on the ground here at the Central West Nutrient Return Centre – our team works to create a beautiful rich compost which can be used in our agricultural market on farms for crop and feed growth,”

Topsoil Organics Business Manager Dan Nicholson said. Topsoil Organics prides itself on leading the way in agricultural innovation and works on the ground to closely monitor the process to develop a high-quality premium compost from its natural state.

“The product is decontaminated, put into windrows, mixed with green waste, temperature checked, watered and turned over for three months and then tried and tested,” Dan said.

“It’s at this point where it is ready to be returned to the farm to grow our food once again.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While it may not have been the dinner and show with Tommy Jeffs everyone was hoping for, a strong crowd turned out recently in Forbes to support Ronald McDonald House Orange.

Organiser Debbie Roylance was elated with the response from the community considering the challenges of the past year from kind donations to the plethora of generous sponsors.

“It was disappointing not to have the Christmas in Vegas Event with Tommy,” said Debbie.

“Despite that, we have been able to hold this event and I must say we have a very generous community,” Debbie said.

Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Orange, a facility that has helped many Forbes families during times of illness, was also on hand on the day to assist with the raffles and draws. She also acknowledged the great Forbes community spirit and tremendous sponsors after $3600 was raised.

“Big thank you to everyone who has supported Ronald McDonald House Orange,” she said.

Sponsors include – Roylances Tractor Replacements, Flannerys Pharmacy, Willa Blue, Metro Hair, Acheson’s Mitre 10, Made Of Fridays, Allure, Blue Sky, Undercover Lingerie, Robb’s Jewellers, Hair With Style, Little Extras, Hutcheon and Pearce and Platinum Painting.