Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) recently partnered with Rich Evans, CEO of Central West Media, to host a social media and digital marketing workshop in Forbes.

The workshop, delivered thanks to the support of Evolution Mining, attracted more than 60 people from Forbes, Condobolin, Parkes, Garema, Canowindra, Cowra and Bathurst.

RDA Central West CEO, Sam Harma, said it was fantastic to have such a big response to the workshop.

“To have more than 60 people from Forbes and the surrounding communities attend the workshop speaks to the value local businesses and the community see in effective digital marketing strategies,” said Mr Harma.

“Smart and successful social media and digital marketing is the gateway for small businesses to reach and grow their audience and increase sales. It is also constantly evolving.

“After Rich presented at the Backing Business Forum in 2020 we knew he would be the right fit for this workshop because he is not only an engaging presenter and expert in the field, but is passionate about storytelling and supporting local businesses across the region.

“Small businesses and local organisations are the backbone of any regional community and following the workshop, I hope we will see more business success stories coming out of Forbes and the Central West.”

This workshop was delivered thanks to the support of Evolution Mining.

In further positive news for our parent company the Phoenix Newspaper Group, Parkes Phoenix now has a new dedicated Sales Manager with Emma Henderson taking up the new role last week.

Emma, who has an extensive resume in sales, is also a business consultant and has experience in real estate.

“I am extremely pleased to be joining the Parkes and Forbes Phoenix newspapers,” said Emma.

“I am passionate about our region and as someone born in the area and with ambitions to help improve our rural communities, I am glad I can now also help businesses with their marketing as well,” she said.

Aside from running the Forbes Community Page on Facebook, Emma, a young mother and entrepreneur, also has designs on a tilt with Forbes Shire Council at the elections in September.

“I have lived in Parkes and Forbes and consider both big parts of my life. I love our communities and it’s great to see them thriving,” she said.

Emma joins Forbes Sales Manager Jor-dana Freney and newly appointed Manager of both Parkes and Forbes Phoenix newspapers, Dane Millerd. Maggi Barnard will remain editor of Parkes.

“Both Emma and Jordana have great character and a brilliant can-do attitude,” said Dane Millerd.

“They understand their communities and I can assure you they have a number of exciting concepts for our advertisers including video production,” he said.

“I am under no illusions that with Emma’s appointment, that we can get on track to re-establishing the Phoenix as the premier product it is.”

For Phoenix owner Josh Matic, Emma’s appointment is a real boost. “Emma has a tremendous attitude and vast experience,” he said. “Her skill-set and local knowledge will be an invaluable asset to us.”

To enquire about marketing opportunities in Parkes and Forbes contact Emma Henderson sales@parkesphoenix.com.au or Jordana Freney sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

By Dane Millerd

This week, the Forbes Phoenix caught up with Wicked star Shannen Toole who plays the good witch Galinda in the Parkes M&D production.

Tell us a little about your role in Wicked and who you play?
I play Galinda the Good Witch who is a popular and self-absorbed character who is determined to make everyone love her and she remain the centre of attention.

What do you enjoy about the live theatre?
It’s just magical. Being a part of any musical is always a once in a lifetime experience and putting together a show that can transport you away for a few moments is always something I cherish being involved in.

What is the story about?
It is about the untold story of an unlikely friendship between two girls who meet at Shiz University as students. One is the blonde and popular Galinda and the other is an outcast and slightly misunderstood green girl named Elphaba played by my wonderful friend and cast mate Hannah Symonds. It follows their journey to meet the Wizard of Oz and how their lives take very different paths following this meeting. Galinda is however seduced by power and popularity while Elphaba stays true to herself and to those around her which has unexpected consequences for both the girl’s futures. This in time will see them become Galinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Is acting/ music a passion or hobby or both?
It’s definitely both. I’ve been ‘bitten by the bug’ for musical theatre ever since primary school and music has always been played in our household growing up and has done still to this day.

Wicked is sold out and wraps on May 23.

In a real win for the community, Forbes Shire Council has received $2,445,132 in direct funding under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, it was announced in the Coalition’s Federal Budget last week.

The budget boost is a shot in the arm for Forbes and is one of more than 100 projects across the Tablelands, Riverina and Central West approved for funding.

National’s Leader, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Riverina MP Michael McCormack highlighted the importance of local infrastructure projects in relation to the nation’s recovery from COVID.

“This program is delivering vital infrastructure through local councils (like Forbes) – they know best where this money needs to be spent in their Local Government Area,” Mr McCormack said.

“A broader range of projects will now be eligible for funding under the LRCI, enabling local governments to pursue larger, more complex developments to deliver even greater benefits for their local communities.”

The new program will also support jobs (850 so far across the regions), construction businesses and economic growth, it will also improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, helping Australians get home sooner and safer.

“I will continue to work closely with local councils to ensure local projects get under way, supporting jobs and businesses as soon as possible,” Mr McCormack said.

“It really is a great boost for Forbes.”

Councils will be able to access funding for Phase 3 of this funding program from 31 January 2022, with the program extended until 30 June 2023.

Are you a local farmer, contract harvester or transport operator? Do you think you know load restraints? Load Restraint Info sessions will provide information about the fundamentals of load restraint, your legal requirements as well as tips to safely restrain hay bales, machinery and general freight. The village tour schedule is:

• Friday 21 May: Wirrinya Community Hall at 12pm
• Wednesday 26 May: Bedgerabong Showground at 8am

Registration is required for catering and COVID requirements at https://forms.office.com/r/fuhpfAS0EW

By attending you may be eligible for a Safework $500 Biz Safety Rebate. Attendees will also receive a show bag full of useful information and resources.

The Load Restraint Village Tour is part of the Councils’ current Load Restraint Education Project, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Project partners include NSW Police, NSW Farmers, Transport for NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service.

For further information about the information sessions please call Mel Suitor on 02 6861 2364.

Central Tablelands Water draft 2021/2022 plans are now on exhibition for public comment.

General Manager Gavin Rhodes said the draft financial plans provide for the “ongoing financial sustainability” of Central Tablelands Water and the provision of quality drinking water over the next decade.

“These plans also provide for vital major capital renewals and infrastructure upgrades,” he said.

“CTW does not receive recurrent government grants to fund its operations,” Gavin said.

“CTW’s revenue is derived from its fees and charges, and as a result, consumption charges for financial year 21/22 are proposed to increase by 6.7% from $3.28 per kilolitre (kL) to $3.50kL,” said Mr Rhodes.

“Overall, these proposed increases, will see the average residential water bill of us-ing 182kL paying an additional $44 per year or 85 cents per week.”

The draft documents are currently on public exhibition at Council’s Blayney Office at 30 Church Street Blayney and on Council’s website at www.ctw.nsw.gov.au/publications/documents-on-public-display/

Members of the public are invited to review the draft documents and make written submissions by 4pm, 4 June 2021 to: General Manager, Central Tablelands Water, PO Box 61 Blayney NSW 2799. You can also email water@ctw.nsw.gov.au.

KEY DATES AND INFORMATION

• Next CWA meeting – Thursday 10th June at 11am (note change of date).

• “Stepping on” – exciting and friendly community-based falls prevention program for seniors. Seven week course, two hours per week. Ph: 68504009

• Stephanie Stanhope returned as President, Judy Houghton and Anne Adams vice presidents.

• Next year’s 100 year State Conference will be held at Randwick Racecourse -stand seating for 1100 delegates and observers with a garden party at Government House. Country Women of the Year competition will also be held for the Centenary year.

• Morning tea was supplied by CWA members to Wollongong Bike riders who were doing a ride in the Central West to raise funds to help in the education of women in the Philippines.

• Members had a very busy weekend supplying the Mural Painters with Morning and afternoon tea and lunch on Saturday at Eugowra.

• Members will do Meals on Wheels from 2nd June to 9th June.

• On 17th July members will perform a skit at the Group cultural Day at CWA rooms in Orange.

Last Friday KHub opened in Forbes in the old Target Country building in Rankin Street in what is a real bonus for the community.

The new Forbes store is one of 70 new KHubs being opened by the retail giant across the country with Cowra also getting their own specialty shop in September. In the interim though, neighbouring towns will have to travel to Forbes.

“Strategically we are setting ourselves up as a retail hub here in Forbes,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller.

“It is a real win for our town and great to see the space filled after Target,” she said.

Meanwhile Domino’s Pizza Forbes also got in on the launch, donating pizzas to new staff who had been working tirelessly since the grand opening on May 7.

“We wanted to support KHub and show them how much we appreciate them coming to our town and supporting business here,” said Forbes Assistant Manager Tre Griffin.

It was the sentiment echoed by many as numbers piled into the new store all week since the opening in a great boost for local retail.