The Morrison Government is investing more than $65 million from January 1, 2022 to boost bulk billing rebates and provide more affordable healthcare for patients in regional, rural and remote areas.

A new, progressive incentive schedule will be applied that increases the value of the Rural Bulk Billing Incentive (RBBI) based on remoteness. This will enhance the financial viability of practices in rural and remote areas as well as reducing the gap paid by patients.

The more remote the area, the greater the incentive payment they will receive per eligible consultation to recognise the greater challenges and cost pressures.

Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the Coalition Government is delivering the progressive rural bulk bill-ing incentives in recognition of the ongoing need to provide the right incentives for the health workforce in rural, regional and remote areas.

“Australians in rural and remote areas have poorer access to and use of health services, compared to people living in metropolitan areas,” Minister Coulton said.

“The new Rural Bulk Billing Incentive will support those GPs providing services to people in greatest need and who have the lowest propensity to pay for healthcare.”

 

Better known for his exploits on ABC’s Gardening Australia or as Costa the Garden Gnome on Get Grubby TV, Costa Georgiadis, will be coming to the Forbes River-side Community Garden for their open day on Saturday, 29 May. It will cap what has been a huge month for Central West Land-care and Forbes Riverside Gardens.

Aside from being a television personality and presenter, Georgiadis is a landscape architect, an environmentalist and producer. He has helped created Costa’s Garden Odyssey for SBS and also picked up a Sil-ver Logie for his Gardening Australia work.

Costa is also involved with regenerative agriculture and holistic practices that deal with the issues arising from a rapidly urbanising world. His passion for plants and biodiversity is all-encompassing.

The event has been organised by Central West Lachlan Landcare, who have invited the popular green thumb to participate in the Schools’ Eco Day on Friday, 28 May and speak at the Landcare dinner that night.

While it isn’t a Costa look-a-like competition, pre-school aged children are encouraged to come to the Open Day dressed as garden gnomes and to take part in the Gnome Parade at 11am. Each gnome will be presented with a token gift as a memento of the day.

To help raise funds for Landcare’s Schools’ Eco Day, the Community Garden is raffling two tickets, total value $200, to the Landcare Dinner on Friday, 28 May.

Raffle tickets are only $5 each (prize – two dinner tickets) are available at the Community Garden between 9am and 11am each day, except Sundays, and at various retail outlets around town. Forbes Riverside Community Garden is at 59-71 Reymond Street, Forbes.

Please pre-register if you are coming to the Garden on Open Day. Tickets are a COVID requirement. Go online to www.stickytickets.com.au/YQZMK to book.

The NSW Nationals are pleased to announce Federal Leader, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has been pre-selected to be The Nationals’ candidate for the Electoral Division of Riverina at the next federal election. Mr McCormack was chosen to be The Nationals’ representative at the party’s pre-selection meeting on Sunday, 9 May 2021 at Cowra.

The Nationals’ Riverina Electorate Council Chair Barney Hyams said “Mr McCormack has been a fierce advocate for rural and regional Australia.”

“Michael is doing a wonderful job as the Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister and I am proud to have him endorsed as our candidate,” Mr Hyams said.

“He has been a strong voice for the Riverina electorate and, more broadly, rural and regional communities across Australia.”

Mr McCormack said it was a great honour to be The Nationals’ Federal Member for Riverina and remained committed to continue working hard for his constituents and their local communities.

“I am deeply humbled to have served this wonderful electorate for more than 10 years. I have lived my whole life, worked in and raised a family in the Riverina electorate and I am proud to have done so,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am privileged and delighted to be given the opportunity to continue to serve the great people of the Riverina and Central West as The Nationals’ candidate for Riv-erina at the next Federal election,” he said.

“We give all our members the opportunity to participate and have their say on all of our processes – it is this grassroots democracy which is a significant strength of The Nationals. This great party has been standing up for regional and rural Australians and being their voices in Parliament for more than 100 years and I am looking forward to continuing this important duty into the future.”

The 2021 Grazing Down the Lachlan program was officially launched this week, with a full line up of events and activities celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, entertainment, art, culture and history.

Chair of the Grazing Down the Lachlan committee, Wendy Muffet said, “after the challenges of 2020, Team Grazing are delighted to be bringing this unique foodie adventure back to Forbes from Friday September 17.”

“We spent last year working behind the scenes to make our multi-award-winning event even more exciting,” Wendy said.

“While we are looking forward to the weekend-long festival, the health and safety of our community and visitors is first priority. As such, our program has been developed in conjunction with a robust Cov-id-safe plan so that your adventure ‘down the Lachlan’ is a safe and enjoyable one,” Wendy added.

Grazing Down the Lachlan Celebrating its fourth year in 2021, the multi-award winning foodie adventure returns to the banks of the Lachlan River on Saturday, 18 September. This unique long lunch celebrates produce native to the Central West NSW region, prepared by local restaurateurs and caterers. The special event offers a plethora of dining options as you walk along the banks of the Lachlan.

To view the full program, head to www.grazingdownthelachlan.com which will also give you all the latest updates and ticketing information. You can also sign up to Grazing e-newsletter via the website.

Grazing Down the Lachlan is proudly supported by Evolution Mining, ABC Radio, Forbes Shire Council, Central West Diesel, Jemalong Irrigation, Girragirra, Outback Soils, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing, Flannerys Pharmacy and Woolerina.

It has been a massive month with Seniors Week, ANZAC Day and other events all falling within April. The Youth Week Awards were held in a special ceremony at Lion’s Park in tandem with Super Mega Fun Day to also recognise Youth Week.

There was a plethora of activities and a hive of excitement for Forbes kids organised by the Forbes Youth Action Team including workshops, sporting events, fishing, cooking, Obstacool, movie nights, pedal boats and the awards to cap the week.

It was the girls who dominated with many heavily involved in the local community via charity, sport and the arts.

Scarlett Garland was announced the recipient of the Brighter Future Award, while local basketball and hockey referee Annika Dukes won the Sports Volunteer Award.

Forbes Public School’s Laura Chudleigh was awarded the highly commended Forbes’ Youth Citizenship Award at the ceremony.

Annika has a passion for sports and has mentored and assisted many young people throughout the Forbes community. She has also received numerous other awards for her efforts.

Annika also assists with the Forbes Hockey Club where she lends a hand setting up and around the courts, including refereeing duties.

Scarlett Garland was also recognised for her commitment to both her TAFE work and school work where she has maintained high levels of achievement to go along with her diesel mechanic apprenticeship.

Scarlett has been an outstanding role model for young people wanting a career in a male dominated industry and has demonstrated her passion and determination to succeed in her chosen field the award citation read.

Congratulations to all winners!

Forbes Toy Library is a not-for-profit organisation run by a hardworking group of volunteer parents with a passion for making sure the kids of Forbes have access to an amazing range of great toys at an affordable price!

The collection of toys at Forbes Toy Library is carefully considered to ensure maximum fun combined with learning. There are literally hundreds of toys for kids aged 0 – 8 years so there is something for everyone!

Six month memberships are only $25 and 12 month’s is only $40 and there is an option of three year memberships for $100, each payable in cash and in person at the library.

Located at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC) next door to the heated pool at the corner of Press and Battye Streets, the Forbes Toy Library has been a popular and welcome addition to the community with many coming along and joining up as new members.

For more information, to get involved or to enquire about opening times and terms and conditions you can find them on Facebook or Instagram or at their website – www.forbestoylibrary.com