In more positive news for the Forbes Shire and Central West region, the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says the extension of the Commonwealth Government’s apprentice subsidy is great news for Western NSW’s skilled workforce. The extension is especially important given the effects of COVID-19 over the past year on industry especially regional Australia.

“The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements policy has certainly lived up to its name,” said Business NSW Regional Manager Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“The Commonwealth Government hit the right note with this initiative, with reports from right across Western NSW of unprecedented demand for new apprentices and trainees,” Ms Seccombe said.

“Last October, our report Skilling Australia for a better future: Sup-porting apprenticeships through COVID-19 forecast a reduction of 54,000 new apprentices and trainees from 2019 to 2020.”

“Since that time, there is the very real prospect that commencements in 2020 will outstrip 2019. This is a great result and testament to the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to supporting businesses and young people through this very challenging period.

When the subsidy was announced, no one could have envisaged it having such a huge impact. In fact, it became a victim of its own success, with the 100,000 places exhausted well before the anticipated ending in September.

“This is why we called for an extension of the subsidy in our 2021 Commonwealth Pre-Budget Submission. This initiative helps gives businesses the confidence to invest in training someone for four years and helps create jobs for our young people so they are able to stay and work locally.” Ms Seccombe said.

WONDER WOMAN: Sarah Hodge will be showcasing the Wonderful Women Exhibition this Saturday at Platypus Gallery.

The Wonderful Women Photographic Exhibition will be launched by Tracey Callinan, Executive Officer of Arts Out West at 6.30pm on Saturday, 20 March at the Platypus Gallery, 111 Lachlan Street in Forbes. The event has been co-organised by the Forbes Business Chamber to coincide with the International Women’s Day celebrations.

Wonderful Women showcases women from Forbes and surrounds. Our photographer, using black and white film, has photographed 27 groups of like-minded women and/or individual shots of women with up to four generations in one frame.

Participants are from all cultures and will include: Women who have strived to make Forbes home, women of colour, those with disabilities, women that work in male dominated industries, are aboriginal or Torres Straight islanders, lesbian and gay women, and women from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Each photograph is accompanied by a story of these wonderful women.

Drink and nibbles provided. COVID restrictions will apply. Please enter through the Lachlan Street door of Platypus Gallery where you will be required to sign in. No refunds apply to all tickets purchased.

Immersive road safety exhibition, SafeT360, recently came to Forbes to educate young road users around the state about how they can share the road safely with trucks. Statistics show 16-25 year olds are the most overrepresented group of drivers involved in crashes on our roads. SafeT360 puts young road users in the virtual driver’s seat to show them how to stay safe on the road, giving insight they don’t get from learner driver logbooks.

Proudly supported by Transport for NSW and Interlink Roads, SafeT360 visited students at Forbes High School on Wednesday 17 March as part of the exhibition’s NSW tour. Developed by the Australian Trucking Association, SafeT360 is an interactive custom-built road safety exhibition that uses virtual reality and interactive messaging all packed into a real travelling truck and trailer.

SafeT360 Marketing and Engagement Coordinator, Kayla O’Brien said that 16 to 25 year old road users are the most over-represented group of people involved in crashes on our roads. “This must change,” Kayla said.

“SafeT360 has one clear goal – to save lives. Whether in a regional or urban area, we all have a role to play in road safety and need to understand how to share the road safely with trucks.”

BOGAN MOBILE: Organiser of ABBF Luke Acheson in Forbes driving around the bogan mobile promoting this year’s festival. Acheson confirmed Houso’s star Pauly Fenech will be attending in 2021. INSET: Pauly Fenech with Benny Bogan.

In a real bonus for organisers, Pauly Fenech of Houso’s and Fat Pizza fame, has been confirmed as one of the special guests for the second edition of Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival (ABBF) at Bedgerabong Racecourse from June 11-13.

The event, which was previously held at Bogan Gate in 2019, like many events was postponed in 2020.

“We have been lucky that we have many who want to see this work and this year’s event happen from business operators to volunteers and more including Pauly Fenech,” said co-owner/ organiser Luke Acheson in Forbes for a promo shoot on the weekend.

“We are calling on all bogans far and wide to get behind this event. With your support, your ticket purchase allows you entry into up to 15 events, see some live music and comedy as well as go into the draw for a number of prizes,” said Mr Acheson.”

“Plus we will be doing some fundraising for charity so it’s a chance to donate to those less fortunate.”

Already the event is shaping into something sensational with Chris Franklin, Hype Duo, Benny Bogan – the fairdinkum Aussie, Balls N All and The Noll Brothers plus other special guests.

“We may have some more surprises yet,” said Luke. With rumours abound of a bogan wedding, lawnmower racing and more special guests Mr Acheson advises punters to get their tickets early.

“Tickets are going like pies at Spooner’s Oval on footy day and ticket prices include options such as bus travel and camping.”

“There’ll be a number of stalls there as well as new events and some old favourites,” he said. “It should be a cracker and we can’t wait to see you all there!”

Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival is an 18+ event