Pull out your frocks and put on your favourite socks for one of the blue-chip events of the year, Hazell & Field Accountants and Advisors Taste On Templar on Saturday October 30 with funds raised to go to Can Assist Forbes Branch and the Ovarian Re-search Foundation. Gates open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and tickets are available through 123TIX. They can be purchased in-dividually or as a group of 10. Hurry up and don’t miss out!
NEW PROMOTION: Marg Duggan, President of Forbes Business Chamber with Shirley and Esme. These ladies are from a team of 54 including 8 different ages, stages, cultures and backgrounds and will be utilised by business owners in Forbes as part of a promotion to drive more buzz and business in town throughout October. Pic courtesy of Forbes Business Chamber
Introducing Shirley to Esme’ – these diverse female caricatures will become part of the Forbes business landscape as of this week until the end of October. Originally, the ladies were a part of a NSW Women’s Gathering Celebration which was postponed due to COVID. They are available for collection via the Forbes Business Chamber at the display shop next to KHub.
Local government elections are on December 4 with candidate registrations opening from October 25 and closing November 12. As a result of postponements due to COVID, the current councillors have now served nearly six years, and accordingly, the next term will be a reduced one. All FSC councillors will stand for re-election except Cr Grant Clifton and Cr Susan Chau who has since moved. If you are running for council let us know! Email: editor@forbesphoenix.com.au
Further support is available for primary industries in the Riverina electorate affected by storms and floods earlier this year through the $80 million Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program, which is now open for applications. Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack urged eligible industries affected by the February and March 2021 storm and flood events to apply for support. For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/StormFloodRecovery Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au
It’s National Carers Week and this year’s theme is ‘Mil-lions of Reasons to Care’ which aims to bring attention to the 2.65 million carers around the country who provide outstanding care and support to their loved ones. Find out more at: www.carersweek.com.au
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be hosting an online workshop for parents and other supervisors of local learner drivers, full of practical advice and information about completing the 120 hours of supervised driving.
The free ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ workshop is scheduled for Wednesday 27 October from 5.30pm and 75mins long.
The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Log-book including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.
Agricultural machinery owners and operators are invited to get ‘road ready’ ahead of the 2021 harvest season, by picking up a free ‘Moving Harvest Machinery’ USB from all agricultural machinery retailers and rural supply stores in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires areas in the coming week. The USBs will also be available at the Councils’ Administration Offices.
The ‘Moving Harvest Machinery’ USBs contain all of the relevant notices for safely and legally moving agricultural machinery, combinations and trucks on the road along with other useful harvest safety information.
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says it is imperative that all operators be aware of their responsibilities whilst operating over-dimensional vehicles this harvest.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be another great harvest across the region this year, which means lots of extra truck movements and agricultural machinery will be using local roads.
“Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to. Regulations do change and this USB will help to ensure that people have up to date information.
“There is also a live ‘link’s’ document, which provides the web address for the attachments on the USB. It is advisable to regularly check the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s website (www.nhvr.gov.au) for updated notices and/or changes to operating conditions.
“The USBs are always very popular. This year there are 1,000 available. Let’s work together to have a safe harvest,” Ms Suitor said.
After a trying few years for everyone, it is great to see that the Hazell & Field Accountants and Advisors Taste On Templar event is going ahead on Saturday October 30 with funds raised to go to Can Assist Forbes Branch and the Ovarian Research Foundation.
Gates open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and tickets are available through 123TIX. They can be purchased individually or as a group of 10 with a new layout and menu on the cards for the 2021 edition of the popular event.
Naming rights sponsor for this year is Hazell and Field Accountants and Advisors with Gold sponsors Hughes and Co Conveyancers and Forbes Shire Council.
Forbes Business Chamber also welcomed BWR Accountants, Forbes Pre-School, Mark Willis and Fiona Ferguson – 2021 Silver sponsors.
The Book Dispensary, Michael Robinson and Co, McMillian Industries, the Forbes Branch of the CWA and Central West Credit Union are 2021 Bronze supporters.
Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie, HelloWorld, Terry Bros Carpet Court, ChapterTwo and Forbes Livestock Agency are table sponsors with WIN News media sponsor of the event.
So get your tastebuds ready for one of Forbes best events on the calendar!
BEST IN THE CENTRAL WEST: Forbes Emilie Rogers has claimed first prize with this fantastic pic called ‘Ancestors Watching’. Emilie claimed the top gong in the Open section while Peta Allen was runner-up in Juniors.
Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) received close to 400 entries in this year’s Central West is Best Photography Competition. ‘There’s no place like home’ was the theme for 2021, with applicants encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown.
Entries came from across the region with Forbes figuring prominently with both Emilie Rogers (Open winner) and Peta Allen (Junior runner-up) performing admirably against some tough competition.
RDA Central West Chair, Ruth Fagan, said the competition, now in its third year, continues to grow and celebrate the region.
“We had an overwhelming response to the competition this year, receiving a total of 392 entries across the Junior and Open categories,” said Mrs. Fagan.
“This year we wanted to focus on why the Central West is a great place to live – after all, it’s home to 180,000 people and is made up of some terrific towns and villages and beautiful landscapes. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who entered the competition – the judges certainly had a tough decision but we are thrilled to announce this year’s prize winners.”
The 2021 Central West is Best Photography Competition winners are:
• Junior (Under 18 years) Winner: ‘Rory in the hay’ taken by Amelia O’Reilly at Tullibigeal;
• Runner-up: ‘Endless fence’ by Peta Allen at Forbes;
• Special mention: ‘Sisters are the best’ taken by Ella Gibson at Baldry.
• Open (18 years and over) Winner: ‘Ancestors watching’ taken by Emilie Rogers at Forbes;
• Runner-up: ‘Shining crown’ taken by Samantha Ellis at Capertee Valley;
• Special mention: ‘Belubula River rapids’ taken by Warren Lloyd at Junction Reefs.
A gallery featuring all of the entries from the 2021 competition can be viewed on the RDA Central West website at www.rdacentralwest.org.au/projects/central-west-is-best-gallery/
With the Forbes property market in over-drive especially since the release of allotments at the new Goldridge Estate, the Ray White Rural Annual Awards were held with Ray White Parkes/ Forbes/ Condobolin ranked the number three regional office in Australia – a fantastic achievement in uncertain times.
The team were also acknowledged for excellence in customer service.
Based on settled commissions, the top offices were recognised at the awards and the agency were also acknowledged for their commitment to their clients by being awarded the coveted Client’s Choice Award.
Rural property and water sales specialist Kim Watts was the second highest performing agent nationally, ranking her in the top one percent.
Other gongs included rural property specialist Paddy Ward and residential sales specialist Brendon Allegri who were recognised at elite performers.
Ray White Rural chairman Paul White said the rankings illustrated the energy within the group.
“So many of our offices are achieving and exceeding personal bests, which sees some exciting results for our group overall.”
Anna from Equine Osteopath NSW will be doing the rounds again across the region for those with horses or dogs that need attention.
If your horse suffers from reduced performance, gait issues, short stride, stiffness, reluctance to trot/ canter, problems with heads carriage or changes in behaviour – Anna at Equine Osteo can help.
Those interested in booking are encouraged to do so early. Dates for October are as follows:
• Eugowra/Forbes: Tuesday the 19th
• Cowra/Canowindra: Thursday the 21st
• Bathurst/O’Connell: Tuesday the 26th
• Dubbo: Thursday the 28th
• Orange: Every Wednesday
Current COVID rules apply. Masks and social distancing will still be required and full vaccination is encouraged for those who seek a consultation appointment.
If you’d like to book horses or dogs in for a treatment, call Anna 0469 949 131 or email anna.prins@hotmail.fr. Or visit the website www.equine-osteo.com.au
IT’S A BOGANS WORLD: Jeremy Markwort who runs the popular Bogans World page on Facebook was interviewed for You Can’t Ask That? on the ABC this week. Markwort is also doing a series on Australia’s Best Man Caves.
When television producers from ABC’s You Can’t Ask That? contacted Jeremy Mark-wort about being interviewed; he couldn’t believe it. The series is synonymous with tackling tough and taboo issues and the question they asked the Forbes local and Bogans World social media founder was – what is boganism and what are the roots of it?
“They wanted to know are bogans nor-mal or actually really different?” Jeremy said.
“There is a lot of confusion about it as some say bogans are larrikins and others think they are something far worse – which they aren’t.”
The episode (aired last Tuesday) asked a raft of people across the class divide including Bloke singer and comedian Chris Franklin, this very question and in the process tried dispelling some myths surrounding boganism.
“We certainly wouldn’t have the shoey,” said Jeremy.
“It’s bogan origins stem from racing cars when the winner would drink from his shoe. There’s loads of positives and the show touches on all that,” he said.
The social media channel Bogan’s World is on Facebook and Markwort is currently collaborating on a series on Australia’s Best Man Caves.
Image credit: https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/
Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM is excited to announce the Councils Heritage Assistance Program is now open for 2021. The program’s aim is to support the reinvigoration of the town’s unique built heritage and historic character through the conservation of the Forbes’ heritage buildings and heritage conservation for the benefit of present and future generations.
“We love protecting the historical elements of our beautiful town and this grant program helps to support the maintenance and preservation of locally heritage listed buildings in the Forbes Shire,” said Mayor Miller.
“The grant can cover repairs, maintenance or the reinstatement of missing heritage elements. The program also supports studies and reports necessary prior to undertaking any work on a heritage item or building. This assistance can be used for anything Heritage Listed across our Shire or a building within our CBD Heritage Precinct and the grants can be applied for work completed since May 2021,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller.
“It also can be for work you are planning on undertaking by April 2022. The grant funding is dollar-for-dollar, up to the amount of $3,000,” she said.
“Demand for heritage grants such as this is consistently high, so I encourage those thinking of doing work to consider speaking with our staff to see if we can help with this financial assistance.”
Preference will be given to buildings or sites identified within Schedule 5 of the Forbes Local Environmental Plan 2013. These include fences, verandahs, roof cladding and decorative details. Projects include structural work through to final painting.
Applications can be made on Councils website:www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/building/heritage/grants-and-assistance. For more info contact FSC on 02 6850 2300
This week has been dubbed Freedom Week by our State Government but I know many of you are feeling less free than you were before.
We understand your frustration but we ask you bear with the changes as it won’t be for long. Our vaccination rates are looking very strong and when the State gets to 80% you will see a lot of the new rules disappear.
Some of our Council facilities require you to prove your double vaccination status. This is stated in the Public Health Order. The facilities include; Forbes Visitor Information Centre, Forbes Library, Forbes Olympic Pool and the Youth & Community Centre.
Town Hall and the Central West Livestock Exchange are currently exempt from the double vax rule but do have capacity limits of 1 person per square metre indoors and 1 person per square metre outdoors. We will keep you updated as the rules change.
I would like you all to get excited about Australia Day 2022 and start nominating people for the prestigious Citizen of the Year Awards. There are three awards; Citizen of the Year (any age) Young Citizen of the Year (25 years or younger) and Senior Citizen of the Year (65 years and older).
Next year we hope to be able to all come together to party! Then on Australia Day we will have a full day of fun.
Take care and God Bless.
Your Mayor,
Phyllis Miller