Last Friday December 3rd was International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) and while it wasn’t held at the Forbes Olympic Pool like previous years, many providers and organisations across the region chose to acknowledge the day in a variety of ways.

“At Aussie Biscuits today and in fact every day, we celebrate and appreciate our amazing Aussie Biscuits team,” a statement from the Aussie Biscuits Facebook page read.

In 1976 a delightfully small and very Aussie biscuit business began in regional NSW with a single mission: to create employment for people with a disability. The same opportunity most of us don’t even think twice about.

“From a single Jam Drop, lovingly made with a recipe donated by Forbes local Noelene Hudson, Aussie Biscuits grew and grew. In 1976 their employees hand-made 600 Jam Drops a day. By 2018 they had outgrown their original factory and moved into a brand-new location, creating more jobs, and even more delicious bikkies!”

Previously known as House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation – two great organisations, with over 100 years of combined experience, both came together in 2018 to form Aruma and run Aussie Biscuits.

“Today Aussie Biscuits produce thousands of biscuits a day, in six different flavours – still made with love – for the retail market, hospitality industry and fundraising groups.”

Aussie Biscuits employ more than 30 people with a disability and some of them have been making yummy bikkies for over 40 years! “Our biscuits have changed lives. We’re living proof of the difference a humble biscuit can make. You are simply awesome Team Aussie! Happy IDPwD!”

 

Mrs Wilma Hepburn left an indelible imprint on the Forbes community with her long and outstanding humanitarian commitment to the Australian Red Cross.

Wilma first joined as a volunteer with Emergency Services in 1989, later joining as a member of the Forbes Branch, then Club in 1999. During this period Mrs Hepburn held executive roles of Secretary, Vice President and President of Forbes Branch, then Liaison Officer since 2008 when the Branch became a Club. She was also a Life Member.

On World Red Cross Day in May 2010, Mrs Hepburn’s dedication was recognised with a NSW Service Award. She received a National Outstanding Service Award in 2014, followed by a Special Mention Certificate for the John Fries Award in 2019.

In October 2020 Mrs Hepburn received her 30 Year Service Bar.

Mrs Hepburn instigated and gladly supported Branch activities and was a dedicated fundraiser for the community. She connected with the local community and other organisations working together to raise the profile of the Red Cross.

She also led the Emergency Services team and supported the community through all flood events during her leadership. Wilma Hepburn will be sadly missed by friends, and the broader community alike for her significant contributions to helping those in need.

 

Cabonne Shire will soon benefit from infrastructure improvements and programs that help the community thrive, thanks to the NSW Government’s $75 million Resources for Regions Round Eight.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway today announced $2,621,696 for the Activation of Cabonne’s Town and Villages. “This project focuses on town activation works for Cabonne’s two population centres Molong and Canowindra as well as the replacement of town and village entrance signage throughout the shire”

“These upgrades will leverage off each town and village’s unique characteristics, to improve wayfinding whilst also providing residents and visitors with access to improved community infrastructure.”

It is envisioned that these upgrades will ensure that the offerings of the region continue to appeal to locals and that Cabonne leaves a positive, memorable impression on visitors to the LGA, promoting the growth and prosperity of Cabonne and encouraging returned visitation,” Mr Farraway said.

For more visit: www.nsw.gov.au/resourcesforeregions.

 

Last Saturday December 4th, a presentation morning tea was held at the Forbes Riverside Community Gardens to acknowledge and donate to five special community groups as well as recognise two new life members for their selfless contributions over many years.

In front of a massive crowd the Forbes Riverside Community Gardens Committee, fresh from elections of a new Executive and Committee, were all on hand to give back to the people and organisations of Forbes who have supported them. From assisting with planting tips to selling local produce, everything was covered however the main purpose of the day was to celebrate and they did it in style with flummeries, music from the Forbes and District Town Band and all things gardening.

Committee member Heather Moore was ecstatic with the response after a tumultuous year that has involved a COVID pandemic and floods.

“The purpose of the morning tea was to present five local community groups with donations from the profit raised from our Costa Open Day on May 29, 2021,” said Heather Moore of Riverside Community Gardens.

Forbes and District Town Band and Forbes Toy Library both received $1000 while 97.9 Valley FM Community Radio was awarded $500. Both Forbes Lions and Forbes Rotary Club received $250 each.

The Riverside Community Gardens also presented Anne Hodges and Graham Falconer with Life Membership presented by Leo Curran.

“Both have been tremendous contributors to the gardens,” Mr. Curran said.

The day also showcased bright “new look” T-shirts and promotional flags that you can see at the gardens each weekend on display.

With just two weeks to go until Christmas, Council is urging children to get their letters to Santa as soon as possible so he can check he has all those gifts in stock and send a reply to everyone.

“Santa is always very careful with his gift-giving to ensure he is being fair to all children in the Forbes Shire,” said Forbes Shire Council General Manager, Steve Loane.

“It has been a particularly difficult year for some students with home-schooling and now the floods preventing time together with friends. Council has partnered up with Santa to provide letter templates and a post box located in the reception area of the Forbes

Council Administration Building. We encourage the children to tell Santa how they have been good this year,” he said.

“This simple activity is a great way for children to practice their literacy skills and bring back traditional communication methods of letter writing, which has quickly disappeared from our society,” said Mr. Loane.

The template letter can be downloaded from Council’s website; https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

Santa requires all letters to be posted prior to 20 December to ensure a reply.

With counting resuming Monday, over two thirds of the votes have been tallied in the Forbes Shire Council elections with Phyllis Miller OAM receiving an extraordinary 1731 of those 4663 (37.12%) formal votes so far. Jenny Webb (10.17%) and Steve Karaitiana (10.14%) sit second and third while Marg Duggan (7.96%) and Aidan Clarke (7.76%) round out the top five and while nothing is official, should be safe.

Maria Willis is next with 4.85% of the vote while a real gridlock has developed with all remaining candidates still with a chance to take a spot on the next council. Over 2.8% didn’t register a formal vote.

For Phyllis Miller, who has campaigned on an outstanding track record of achievement, the vote is a strong vindication of the progress made by the last council during the pandemic and floods. Since the 2016 elections, ironically also during floods, Forbes has become a regional retail hub and the envy of many rural towns. Miller and

the previous council, as well as those former councillors running in these elections such as Jenny Webb, Chris Roylance, Jeff Nicholson, Graeme Miller, Michele Herbert and Steve Karaitiana can also lay claim to this success as well.

Count at time of publication is as follows:
Aidan Clarke: 362 or 7.76 per cent
Margaret Duggan 371 or 7.96 per cent
Jeff Nicholson 123 of 2.64 per cent
Chris Roylance 213 or 2.85 per cent
Steve Karaitiana 473 or 10.14 per cent
Phyllis Miller 1731 or 37.12 per cent
Brian Mattiske 136 or 2.92 per cent
Graeme Miller 139 or 2.98 per cent
Michele Herbert 120 or 2.57 per cent
Maria Willis 226 or 4.85 per cent
Emma Henderson 162 or 3.47 per cent
Jenny Webb 474 or 10.17 per cent.

Go to Forbes – Councillor Election results (nsw.gov.au) for virtual updates