Lights shining like stars through the darkness of dawn illuminated the streets of Forbes on Anzac Day as neighbours stood at the end of their driveways, holding a light, to commemorate the Anzacs by observing a minute of silence before the Forbes Town and District band members each played ‘The Last Post’ from their driveways and homes.

Many residents of Forbes went the extra mile by decorating their verandas, front gates, and gardens with red poppies. Some of the lakeside walkers and joggers also wore red poppies. These acts not only serve to remind us of the Anzacs sacrifices, but also unites the community by bolstering a sense of pride and solidarity in these uncertain times.

Dane Walsh was one determined resident who peeled himself out of bed on the nippy Saturday morning, wrapping himself in a cardigan and lighting a candle before heading out to the end of his driveway.

Dane stood, a light among many other neighbouring lights, in the dark of Clement Street, “It was a great thing to experience,” he said. “I didn’t know how this Anzac Day would turn out with no ceremony but this was just as, if not more, meaningful.” The Last Post broke the dawn silence and echoed from different parts of the town before people headed back indoors, with some returning to a warm and cosy bed and others to begin their day with a walk around the lake.

This year marked the 105th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, yet even with the passing of over 100 years, Forbes residents honoured the service men and women from the past and the present by remembering them in a unique and meaningful way. The resilience and determination of so many to commemorate, despite the challenges, is testament to the significant and long-lasting effects of the sacrifices made by our Anzacs.

Message From The Forbes Business Chamber Inc

Most businesses have had to alter how they do business, their opening and closing hours and internet usage. In addition, all types of electronic forms of communication have been put into place. The Forbes Business Chamber has been forwarding all relevant information to businesses but are mindful of information overload.

All businesses are finding trading difficult so please try to Shop Local and Support Local where you can. Here is a list of businesses who are Why Leave Town supporters and/or load up stores which are identified by the use of an asterix.

If you have a Why Leave Town card in your wallet or drawer please remember that you can still use the card at any open and participating business. Businesses such as beauticians have a closed shop front but they are still selling products online.

The use of websites, emails, Facebook and Instagram have grown dramatically. It is worth remembering to google a business you are interested in and find out what they have in stock, services they are providing or other important information. I encourage everyone to check what businesses are doing and not assume anything as guidelines and restrictions change very quickly.

If anyone requires business information please don’t hesitate to contact the Forbes Business Chamber by email at forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com or visit www.forbesbusinesschamber.com.au

By Marg Duggan

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Why Leave Town Participating Businesses

If you have a WLT card please remember to use it at one of the following businesses: Acheson’s Home Timber Hardware, Agriwest Forbes, Allure on Main, Anytime Fitness, Bernardis, Blue Sky Outdoors Experts, Blush Organic Beauty, Bowns Sportspower, Brons Hair Design, BWR Accountants & Advisors, C&D Floor Coverings, Cahills Footwear, Central West Diesel, Chapter Two, Findex Pty Limited, Euphoria Road, Eyewear Specs, *Flannerys Pharmacy, Forbes Automotive Services, Forbes Country Bakehouse, Forbes Family Dentist, Forbes Inn, Forbes Services Memorial Club, Forbes Shire Council, Forbes Small Engines, Forbes Smash Pty Ltd, Forbes Veterinary Clinic, Gunn’s Mensland & Embroidery, Power Tools Plus, helloworld Forbes, Hozpots Garden Centre, Jessica’s Essential Beauty, Life Pharmacy, Little Extras, *Loomzy’s Fish N Fix, Made Of Fridays, Mid West Pest & Water Management, Midpro Engineering, *News on Rankin, Painted Daisies Gift, Phillip Wells Optometrist, Robbs Jewellers, Sweet Three Vintage Van, *Terry Bros Carpet Court, Turners Furniture One, *Undercover Sleepwear, Vandenberg Hotel, Walkers AGnVET Services and Woolerina.

*load up stores are identified by the use of an asterix.

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While drivers closer to Sydney are enjoying remarkably lower fuel prices, Forbes residents are still waiting for local petrol prices to reflect that of Sydney and surrounds.

National’s Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is calling on local fuel retailers to do the right thing and pass on savings from plummeting world oil prices to consumers. Since early March, there have been large falls in international crude oil and international refined petrol prices which are flowing through to Australian wholesale prices.

“I am pleased lower wholesale prices are being passed on in some areas, but I am alarmed that there are pockets – including parts of the Riverina electorate – where motorists are being slugged with prices way above what they should be paying,” Michael said.

While acknowledging that there are factors that result in higher fuel prices and the delay in price drops in rural communities, Michael warns that locals’ patience is starting to wear thin, saying “In these tough times when people’s incomes have been cut or they have been thrown out of work, they need and deserve a fair go with petrol prices. We are in this together and now is not the time to make big profits at the expense of people who can least afford to pay.”

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has no power to set prices but it has called out retailer behaviour where there is evidence of excessive prices. The Federal Government will continue to watch the actions of fuel retailers in regional areas closely.