Soup, soup, and more soup, and slices that’s what the public has been calling out for since the recent and very popular Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen held in July.

The ladies at the Forbes Evening Branch of CWA (FEBCWA) are bringing us one more open kitchen while we are still feeling the cold and craving some delicious hot soup.

The ladies found that despite replenishing the soup supply to keep up with customers, the demand for two old favourites continued right up until the last drop at the July ‘Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen’.

Branch members wish to thank all patrons who attended in July. The soup creators are already planning the soup menu for the final ‘Soup and Slice Kitchen’ for the winter of 2026. This will include extra quantities of the two most popular choices to be available, creamy pumpkin soup and corn chowder with bacon.

The Forbes EBCWA wish to extend a very warm welcome to anyone who will be in the Forbes CBD on 20 August to partake in their final ‘Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen’, from 12 midday to 2pm at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street.

The same serve of soup, bread roll, slice and a cuppa, will be available for $15.

“In 2025 the Branch observed the ‘August Soup and Slice Kitchen’ to be the most popular of the three Winter Kitchens and for this reason the Branch is preparing for this possibility again.

“Come and enjoy a delicious meal and great company. We hope to see you there,” said Lorraine Everest Publicity Officer FEBCWA.

Women of all ages are welcome to attend Forbes Evening Branch CWA meetings at 6.30pm on the second Thursday of the month. For more information about the club you can call 0407 002 937 or email forbeseveningbranchcwa@gmail.com

It’s been a busy few weeks around the electorate and in Parliament. During last sitting week I raised serious concerns about the Government’s approach to feral pig management. Farmers across the region are already spending significant time and money trying to control feral pigs, which destroy crops, damage fences, attack livestock, contaminate water sources and devastate the environment.

Yet instead of providing greater assistance, the Government is threatening significant biosecurity penalties for landholders who cannot eliminate feral pig populations from their properties. I argued that farmers should be supported, not punished. I also raised concerns about unnecessary barriers being placed in front of farmers and professional pest controllers seeking access to practical pest-management tools already provided for under the law, including Category D firearm licences for coordinated pest control programs and firearm suppressors for occupational health and safety purposes. Importantly, I highlighted reports of significant feral pig activity within the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area near Federal Falls, questioning why private landholders face penalties while feral pig populations continue to thrive on government managed land.

I called for practical and innovative solutions, including greater involvement of recreational hunters; a feral animal bounty program; competitive tendering for privately operated aerial culling services; and stronger partnerships between government, landholders and pest controllers. I will continue advocating for common-sense measures that help landholders protect their livelihoods, the environment and our agricultural industries.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey recently called on students from Years 10, 11 and 12 from across the electorate of Parkes to enter the very popular My First Speech competition.

This competition, which gives one student from each year group across the country the chance to give their speech at Australian Parliament House, has closed for submissions, but a second competition is now open for young people aged 25 and under.

Mr Chaffey said the 2026 Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign was underway, and he urged young people to take the opportunity to have their ideas heard.

“This competition asks people to write a 90-second speech that answers the question, ‘What is one big issue shaping your future, and what is a meaningful action you want Parliament to take on it?’,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Selected speeches will be read out by elected members in Parliament during Youth Voice in Parliament Week from 12-15 October. It would be great to have young voices from across the electorate of Parkes heard.”

Submissions close on 7 August, 2026. More information can be found on the website at https://raiseourvoiceaustralia.com including a school toolkit.

Maddy is pictured in the centre (wearing a blue shirt) presenting donations to a local school she visited in the Philippines. INSET: Maddy pictured in the centre, along with other volunteers and children from the school she visited.

In July, Red Bend Catholic College student Maddy Morrison travelled to the Philippines with a group of seven teenagers from around the world through International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ).

The purpose of the trip was to volunteer in a rural village, support local schools and communities and experience a different culture while making a positive difference.

Before departing she spent months fundraising, and thanks to the support of family, friends, local businesses and the Forbes Community Maddy was able to raise $3,800.

Maddy volunteered in Tigman Village, two hours south from Puetro Pincesa on the island of Palawan. During her time there, she worked with local children and families, helping at the village elementary school and assisting with community projects.

Maddy said, “Thanks to the generosity of everyone who supported my fundraising, I was able to purchase and donate 60 school uniforms, 60 school bags, essential medical resources, educational tools and a new printer and laminator for the school.

“I was also lucky enough to be able to give a donation to my program coordinator, a young Filipino woman who has worked so hard supporting her community while preparing to begin university.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was spending time with the children.”

The welcome Maddy received was something she said she will never forget.

“Everyone was so warm, kind and welcoming from the moment we arrived. The children were full of excitement and always greeted us with huge smiles and hugs. It was amazing to build such genuine connections with the community, it made leaving incredibly emotional as they made us feel like part of their family.”

Maddy would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported her fundraising journey.

Libby Coles the Forbes Show Young Woman from last year and the Zone winner this year at Eugowra. Libby is pictured at the Sydney Royal representing us in the State competition.

The Forbes Show Young Woman (aka Showgirl) Competition is looking to find someone to represent our town of Forbes.

This competition runs in most towns that have an agricultural show all over the state. Young Women begin their journey by entering the competition at their local agricultural show, where after an interview, they are selected as the Show’s Young Woman.

The purpose of the competition is to identify ambassadors to promote the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and Agricultural Shows across NSW. The program is designed to develop regional young women, to benefit the individual, the local show society, and their communities. Interview, presenting, and networking skills are all strengthened.

The competition attracts over 300 women aged between 18-25 years of age each year. Entrants are to have a connection to their town but not necessarily be involved in agricultural employment or activities.

Libby Coles was our 2025 Forbes Young Woman, selected from three entrants. Libby had entered the competition in 2024 and also been awarded our Young Woman title but did not proceed past the next level to Sydney Royal – at the State level. This year Libby was announced as one of three girls to represent our Zone and had a fabulous week in Sydney at the Easter Show.

It is so easy to apply. Emma Gafney (Young Woman steward) and Susan Earl are the people to contact for an application form. Or alternatively girls can contact the Forbes Show office. For more information contact Susan Earl 0428 445 531 or dsearlx@gmail.com, Emma Gaffney on 0407 198 210 or Emma.Gaffney@outlook.com or Forbes Show Office- forbesshow@gmail.com