As the Screenwest and Lotterywest supported feature film thriller Avarice wraps its final week of principle photography in Perth, Western Australia this weekend, it will mark a big step forward for local screenwriters and producers Adam Enslow and Dane Millerd, our very own Head Editor of the Forbes and Parkes Phoenix Newspaper team.

The multi-million dollar action thriller, helmed by John V. Soto (The Gateway, Needle) and produced by Tim Maddocks (Terminus), stars Gillian Alexy (The Americans, NCIS: New Orleans, Damages) and Luke Ford (Animal Kingdom, Red Dog, The Mummy III). The story follows a woman (Alexy) as she attempts to rescue her cryptocurrency trading husband (Ford) after he is abducted during a vicious home invasion.

For Millerd, it is his second feature film having written, produced and directed Bounty Film’s 2015 found footage horror indie monster film There’s Something In The Pilliga (Amazon Prime) while Enslow is hard at work with film, music and his sound recording studio in Forbes where he also resides.

“It’s humbling and exciting seeing it all come to fruition,” Millerd said. “John and all the team have been tremendous and we can’t wait to see it all done,” he said.

Are there any plans for more films? “We are already onto the next one!”

Forbes Shire Council recently engaged OS Trees Pty Ltd to create twenty nesting hollows in existing dead trees at Gum Swamp to create new homes for the increasing birdlife in the area.

“This is such an important project for our region and the sustainability of the birdlife in our natural wetlands area,” said Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.

“Forbes is becoming well-known for its incredible birdlife and we want to build on the work currently being conducted in partnership with the Forbes Art Society at Gum Swamp with the installation of new bird hides around the waterway.”

The hollows project coincides with the refurbishment of the existing Bird Hide at Gum Swamp and the adding of several two-storey bird hides surrounding the wetlands. The bird hides are set to open to the public in later 2021.

“The man-made bird hollows utilise existing dead trees in the area which are stabilised and hides cut into the tree,” Mayor Miller said.

“A number of limbs have been removed to ensure the trees have suitable balance with the view to assisting the trees to remain standing for a very long time. Any limbs that were cut have been left onsite, for ground habitat.”

The project was funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and the execution was coordinated by the Central West Councils Environment and Waterways Alliance.

“Tree hollows are so important to our native wildlife,” said Mayor Miller.

“One reason in particular is the length of time that it takes for a tree hollow to form. In Australia, there are no animals that are able to create tree hollows (e.g. woodpecker), which is why humans sometimes have to step in to give nature a helping hand.”

Gum Swamp Wetlands is located five kilometres southwest from Forbes along the Newell Highway.

Forbes Shire Council is committed to the improvement of infrastructure within the community, with a focus on the safety and wellbeing of all members of the community, evidenced through the latest investment in fixing Browne Street.

“The safety of our youngest most vulnerable community members is most important – we need to make sure that children are able to get to school safely,” the FSC statement read.

“There are safety concerns for Council and the community currently, and this project will help to address these”.

Council has applied for and been successful in obtaining a grant from the Federal Government, School Zone Infrastructure Sub-Program (administered by Transport for NSW), which is part of the $540million federal stimulus (NSW) Road Safety.

Stage 1: Upgrade and widen the existing footpath on the school side of Browne Street, this stage is expected to take 2-3 weeks and will be commencing during the week of Monday 5 July. Stage 2 will see the installation of pedestrian fencing on the school side of Browne Street, while Stage 3 will take place in September.

For more information on this project, please contact Council’s Project Manager, Michael Todd on 02 6820 2300.

With more lockdowns in NSW, local business Bernardi’s Marketplace Forbes have launched “Mega Meat July” and are providing amazing value in their meat department, in a time where industry prices have increased.

Bernardi’s will deliver a whole month of activity and launch their new ‘value pack’ range that promises to deliver value to its customers all year round with a focus on providing families with affordable meal solutions.

Further to this, Bernardi’s will be offering a 10% discount off their entire meat range every Wednesday when customers spend over $30 on meat. They will be holding BBQ tastings every Thursday and Friday from 3pm-6pm and every Saturday from 10am-2pm to showcase their new meat range and to demonstrate the quality of the meat on offer. It will also give more people food prep ideas while at home.

“We really want to provide our customers with value for their families & obviously meat is a staple for most household dinners,” CEO Joseph Bernardi said.

Bernardi’s launched the activity on 1 July and invite customers to come in-store to try the new value pack range. Visit bernardis.net.au/mega-meat-july for more information.

Forbes Shire Council is encouraging business owners to register for a free Bin Trim Waste Assessment to help take the hassle out of waste management.

“Commercial waste is such a burden on businesses,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“It’s expensive, takes up valuable space in your premises and it’s not very good for our environment. Bin Trim is a great NSW Government initiative that helps businesses reduce waste sent to landfill and maximises recycling through waste assessments and rebates. This scheme can arm businesses with essential recycling equipment to make their jobs easier and save the planet,” Phyllis said.

“Around 70 percent of the materials in a business’s general waste can be recycled or reused. This includes cardboard, paper, plastic and even food waste,” said Mayor Miller. “Your business may also be eligible for a rebate of $1000 – $50,000 to help with the purchase of recycling equipment.”

On completion of the assessment by Bin Trim, each business will receive a custom-made action plan that identifies waste streams that can be diverted and recommendations on how to get there.

For more information contact Council’s Waste and Environmental Specialist on 6850 2300.

In welcome news for Eugowra residents, the NSW Government will provide $16,753 for a new undercover seating area for the Eugowra Showground in the latest round of the COVID-19 showground stimulus program in what is a real boost for sport and community groups in the town.

Newly promoted NSW National’s Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said the latest allocation is part of $16.7 million being distributed state-wide for the benefit of many communities.

“Local showgrounds are multi-use facilities used for a variety of activities such as agricultural shows, rodeos and horse clubs, markets, festivals, men’s sheds, sport and recreation, and caravanning and camping as well,” Mr Farraway said.

“During bushfires and floods, many also serve as emergency centres for residents, animals, firefighters and other support services, so we want them in good shape.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said a total of $72.47 million

Clarissa Peasley, 18, and Campbell Rubie, 16, are the New South Wales state finalists at the 2021 Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges finals to be held at the Royal Queensland Show in August.

Clarissa will be smack bang in the middle of her HSC during the competition, leaving her English exam to fly to Brisbane and return in time for her Chemistry exam.

Hailing from Forbes in NSW, Clarissa has always had a passion for agriculture. “I’m off a mixed enterprise farm which is where I found my natural passion for agriculture and livestock. I am currently in year 12 doing my final months before I graduate,” Clarissa said. “I have a strong passion for the sheep industry and ten years from now I hope to have made an impact in the agricultural industry,” she said.

“I started doing shows with my show team in high school at Red Bend Catholic College, my previous high school, then in year 10 I moved schools to St Pauls College in Walla Walla for their amazing agriculture program and started on their sheep show team,” Clarissa said. “Emma Finemore, my previous show team teacher, has also been incredibly influential”.

When she went to her first Sydney Royal in 2019, she became the youngest to place in the competition. “I was awarded fifth and I only just got into the age bracket because I was turning 15 in the next month. I was still 14 when I competed,” she said.

“I hope my involvement in shows and competing helps me to establish a career once I graduate this year”.

For Campbell Rubie meanwhile, who is in Year 11 at Red Bend, to be a finalist was equally as humbling. “My dad and brother have been a great influence on my judging and I am very grateful”.

NSW businesses impacted by COVID may be entitled to small business grants according to NSW National’s Sam Farraway MLC.

“As a member of parliament who ran a small business in the region for many years before entering parliament, I know firsthand how our small businesses are the backbone of our regional communities,” Mr Farraway said.

“I understand how important it is to support our small businesses to get through the restrictions imposed during the current COVID outbreak in NSW. I have been in discussions with the Deputy Premier over the past two days about appropriate pack-ages of support,” he said. “I welcome the NSW Treasurers strong and swift support package announced today”.

The NSW Governments Small Business support package includes numerous benefits for small local businesses and operators are encouraged to check if they qualify:

• Dine & Discover vouchers extended to 31 August, and can now be used for takeaway – including where food is di-rectly delivered to your home from the venue;

• Small Business Support Grant for businesses and sole traders employing less than 20 FTE, depending on turnover decline. -$10,000 for a 70% decline -$7,000 for a 50% decline -$5,000 for a 30% decline;

• Hospitality and Tourism Grant, available to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an Australian wages bill of below$10 million, depending on turnover decline. -$10,000 for a 70% decline -$7,000 for a 50% decline -$5,000 for a 30 % decline;

• More than $11 million for increased support for people at risk of homelessness;

• Optional deferral of payroll tax payments due in July 2021.

“I would encourage impacted businesses to contact Service NSW to gain access to this support package”.