Articles Archives - Page 24 of 424

Snippets…

December 18, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Thanks for helping make everyday living brighter in Forbes this Christmas – your support is appreciated.

K-HUB Forbes: The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is back at K-hub Forbes. If you are in the position to brighten someone’s Christmas this year, you can drop a new, unwrapped gift under the tree in store which will then be collected by our local Salvation Army for local children in need this Christmas.

R U OK? As all of us process recent distressing events, please know that support is available. It’s normal to have feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, or to feel overwhelmed. You can find a full list of free and confidential support services at https://bit.ly/3Me8D6Y

Rural Women’s Network: Know someone doing great things in vocational education and training? Nominations are open for the 2026 NSW Training Awards. From learners to teachers, apprentices to organisations – there’s a category for everyone. Apply today! https://education.nsw.gov.au/skillsnsw/nsw-training-awards/how-to-enter

NSW Health: If someone is experiencing mental health distress, or you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, contact:

• Lifeline (24/7) crisis support 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline (24/7) support for children or young adults 1800 55 1800

• Beyond Blue (24/7) for mental health advice and support 1300 22 4636

• Mental Health Line (24/7) on 1800 011 511 for advice and connection to specialist mental health services

• Transcultural Mental Health Line (Mon to Fri, 9am – 4.30pm) 1800 648 911.

In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000). For more: www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/services.aspx

WIRES: Every year, WIRES assists many orphaned animals whose parents have perished on our roads. This is a difficult and time consuming responsibility shouldered by our carers. It is one they graciously accept. But without your support, many animals would not receive this life saving care. Learn more at https://hubs.la/Q03Y4Vqt0

Parkes Clean Future Alliance: With your help we can fight the NSW Government’s plan to send Sydney’s red-bin waste hundreds of kilometres to Parkes, to a waste incinerator near our farms, schools and homes. The Public Health Association of Australia states new incinerators should not be located near areas of food production and food grown near these facilities should not be consumed. Donate if you can and please share www.parkescleanfuture.org/action/donate

Forbes Garden Club Final Report For 2025

December 18, 2025 by Green Thumb

Claire Haley, Michelle Mahlo and Robyn Liebich at the FGC Christmas luncheon.

Forbes Garden Club held our last meeting for the year at the Vandenberg Hotel recently, as we celebrated with a Christmas Lunch. President Marg Dent and helpers on the day had the Christmas decorations looking very festive, and over 30 members arrived, all dressed with a touch of Christmas.

The best dressed prize on the day went to Dave Sanderson with his marvelous Christmas hat.

Once everyone was seated Marg entertained with lots of jokes, presents and fun filled competitions, and all of our members showed their amazing skills whilst playing along.

The winners of the monthly flower competition for the year were Denise Thurston who took out 1st place, Lee Sanderson with 2nd place and Noel Hocking with 3rd place, each were presented with a lovely gift.

Our members were rewarded with a baked dinner served by our hosts at The Vandenberg Hotel, followed by a delicious apple crumble and ice cream. Not one person left hungry at the end of the celebration.

The Forbes Garden Club will now be in recess until the next meeting which will be held at the Forbes Men’s Shed on 24 February 2026 at 2pm, this will be our AGM.

Members of the Forbes Garden Club want to wish everyone happy gardening over the summer heat, and are looking forward to more rain.

A big thank you to club President Marg Dent, Secretary Robin Lyell, Treasurer Lloyd Gerdis, Programme organiser Denise Thurston and all of the committee members who made this a very enjoyable year.

Wishing all of the Forbes Garden Club and the Forbes Community a Happy Christmas and safe New Year.

By Green Thumb

Wild Summer Fun At Taronga Western Plains Zoo

December 18, 2025 by Roxane Manley

New arrivals are making a splash at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – NSW’s Best Major Tourist Attraction – this summer. The Dubbo Zoo, which claimed the gong at the recent NSW Tourism Awards, has welcomed four Black-handed Spider Monkey babies, three African Lion cubs, two Quokka joeys and a critically endangered Scimitar-horned Oryx calf this year.

“Lion cubs Kaari, Mzuri and Nguvu have turned into quite the handful for parents Marion and Lwazi as well as their four big sisters,” said Director Steve Hinks. “They love playing with and pouncing on their siblings, as well as anything they find in their exhibit from balls to sticks and even tree roots!” The best time to see the cubs is between 10am and 10:30am.

The Black-handed Spider Monkey troop has welcomed four new arrivals to the Primate Islands on Savannah Lake, and the awesome foursome can be spotted from Cafe Wild. The best time to see the troop is at the Spider Monkey feed between 12:30pm and 1pm daily.

The final new arrival is a Scimitar-horned Oryx calf. “This calf is a fantastic little ambassador for his species, which is a true conservation success story. Once extinct in the wild, Scimitar-horned Oryx were reintroduced to their native Chad by a coalition of zoos from the USA and Europe in recent years and have since been reclassified as critically endangered,” Mr Hinks said.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open every day of the year including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All tickets are valid for two days and include access to more than 10 free keeper activities, The Waterhole waterplay area, Waterhole Cafe and Frozen Coke Kiosk between 10am and 3pm. You can buy tickets online at taronga.org.au

Meals On Wheels Parkes And Forbes Donate 220 Meals That Matter

December 18, 2025 by Roxane Manley

When local families are forced to travel for medical care, something as simple as a hot meal can make an overwhelming time easier. A local fundraising effort by Meals on Wheels Parkes and Forbes has resulted in more than 220 meals being provided to Ronald McDonald House Orange.

The idea for the fundraiser came from a conversation about how often people from the Parkes and Forbes communities rely on Ronald McDonald House Orange when travelling for medical care.

Similar to Meals on Wheels services, the house relies heavily on volunteers and community support to help provide meals for those staying there.

Recognising the shared values between the two services, Jamie Webb and Carolyn Rice from Meals on Wheels Parkes and Forbes proposed a simple but meaningful way to help — inviting Meals on Wheels clients and volunteers to donate the cost of just one meal to help fill the house’s freezers in the lead-up to Christmas.

Running throughout October, the initiative raised $1,780, which directly funded more than 220 meals. These meals will help ease daily pressures for families who are often far from home, supporting loved ones through

illness.

On 15 December, Jamie Webb and Carolyn Rice visited Ronald McDonald House Orange, where they met with Rebecca Walsh, Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West NSW, to witness the arrival of the first delivery of meals.

The meals were kindly delivered by Sarah Thomas, Manager of Bathurst Meals on

Wheels, who generously supported the initiative and will continue supplying meals as required by the house.

A tour of the facility provided an opportunity to share stories, experiences, and the strong sense of community that underpins all three services.

This fundraiser shows how small ideas supported by local communities can make a real difference during difficult times.

Town Hall Christmas Projection Returns With A New Festive Story

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The much-loved Forbes Town Hall Christmas Projection is once again illuminating the local Landmark, and this year’s projection has debuted a heartwarming new story titled, ‘Nedd and the Late Santa Letter’.Each year in Forbes, children write letters to Santa and post them through the North Pole Mail Express. These treasured messages are collected at Forbes Shire Council and whisked away on their magical journey to the North Pole.

But this year, one special letter has been accidentally left behind, and it’s up to someone truly extraordinary to get it to Santa before Christmas Eve.

The 2025 projection is voiced by members of the Forbes Youth Action Team (FYAT) and features real letters written by local children, making this one of the most personal and engaging Christmas projections ever showcased on the historic Town Hall façade.

Mayor Phyllis Miller said, “For four years, families have gathered in the heart of town to enjoy this magical storytelling experience. We’re thrilled to bring a new chapter to life while also featuring the creativity and Christmas wishes of our youngest residents,” the Mayor said.

Created by lighting artist Stephan de Wit, the projection will run nightly, 8.30pm until 11.30pm from Monday 8 December through to Boxing Day.

The narration will be broadcast locally on FM 88.7 so be sure to tune in via your car radio to enjoy the full audio-visual experience of lights, colours and the magical Christmas story.

Snippets…

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation: A friendly reminder before the Christmas break, that the last day of 2025 is Friday 19 December. We reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. Please make sure if you require an appointment call us on 6850 1222.

Parkes Shire Council: Feedback on the Draft Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan closes this Sunday, 14 December. Don’t miss your opportunity to help shape the future of transport across our region. Last chance to have your say https://bit.ly/4hOvTIi

R U OK? When someone is struggling you might be tempted to try and cheer them up. But sometimes what they really need is for you to show that it’s safe to be sad. Remember to check-in and ask how you can best support those you care about.

Forbes Youth Action Team: Free Holiday Movie. Join for a fun screening of Elf these school holidays on Monday 22 December, from 2pm – 4pm (Movie starts 2:10pm), Ages 6+, Free Zooper Doopers. Seats are free, but tickets are required – www.123tix.com.au/events/50750/christmas-movie-afternoon

Parkes Elvis Festival: The countdown is on – just 1 month to go until the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival kicks off. Get ready for unforgettable shows, iconic tribute artists, competitions, parades, and more. Don’t miss out on being part of this rockin’ celebration of The King. Grab your tickets, plan your outfits, and make your travel arrangements now – let’s make this festival the most electrifying one yet. https://www.123tix.com.au/events/parkeselvisfestival

Lifeline: If you find the holiday season challenging, you’re not alone. For many people this time can bring up a range of difficult thoughts and feelings. Explore tips and support for coping with loneliness this holiday season: ll.org.au/holidays

Forbes Flying Club: Why stay on the ground when you can take to the skies? Turn school break into a real flying adventure at Forbes Flying Club. Perfect for teens, parents or anyone who wants to fly. Holiday intro flights are now open, call 0428 343 866 to book your flight!

Georgie’s Hub – Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill: Christmas spirit is alive and well at Georgie’s Boutique. Lots of laughter and fun with our great customers. Drop in between 10am – 4pm and pick up fabulous bargains.

Georgie’s Boutique is located at 275 Clarinda St, Parkes. Drop in between now and Christmas for a bargain.

Hidden No More Shines The Light On Domestic Violence In The Bush

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has brought together frontline workers, community advocates and leading voices to explain the realities of domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW.

Hidden No More: shining the light on domestic violence in rural communities brought together more than 100 committed people as an important step towards lasting and practical change.

Its keynote speakers were NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, the Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC, author, professor and investigative journalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Superintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of NSW.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes team members from Forbes and Parkes were part of the program’s panel discussions, joined by other community leaders, frontline workers and advocates.

Orana and Far West continues to record domestic violence-related assault rates more than three times the NSW average. In remote areas, women experience assaultrelated hospitalisations at 43 times the rate of women in major cities.

“Those are statistics, but for our team, we see real women and children, and the damage domestic violence does,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said after the symposium.

“We’re trying to protect women and their children in areas with very few services,” Ms Mioche said.

“Services that are available in rural communities are often seeing two to three times the number of women they are funded to support.

Ms Mioche said she wanted both the federal and state governments to reassess funding allocations for regional and remote communities.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is a provider of the Men’s Behaviour Change Program, which Ms Mioche describes as having “huge potential to transform behaviour”.“For the men who really embrace the program, it is not unusual for them to participate again by choice,” she said. “We need more programs like this, giving men the tools and strategies to stop that behaviour.”

Serendipity Studio Open Day

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Serendipity Studio recently held an open day to show off their pottery wares, and they also had stall holders all promoting their wares and talents. Throughout the day they raised money for CanAssist. Pictured are Corallie and Laurie Crouch and Michelle Herbert presenting $400 to John Schrader from CanAssist.

Forbes Sport and Recreation Club Support CanAssist

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Once again the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club have shown what great supporters of CanAssist they are. Pictured is John Cutler, one of the main organisers of the recent Legends bowls day presenting $1,000 to CanAssist. CanAssist relies heavily on donations from the wonderful community of Forbes to provide the level of assistance that we do for residents undergoing treatment for cancer.

As Christmas Draws Near, There’s A Particular Kind Of Hush

December 11, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Church lawns fill with folding chairs for carols, kids rehearse their nativity lines with tea towels on their heads, and once again we pause at the old, beautiful story of a baby born in a stable — God choosing the simple and the small to show us He is with us.

At Kerin Health, the lights are still on. The tinsel on the front desk is slightly crooked.

Someone’s brought in shortbread. The tree in the corner is looking a little droopy after a month of being “reorganised” by many toddlers – mostly my own two-year-old, a tiny interior decorator with very big opinions.

Most mornings begin the same way — a deep breath at the door, mustering energy for another day amidst the juggle of school presentation nights and Christmas parties.

We wouldn’t have it any other way. Because between the carols and the chaos, there are quieter moments. A farmer coming in straight from the paddock, hat in hand, finally making time for his sore shoulder. A Mum in thongs and a messy bun, baby on one hip, whispering that she’s not just tired, she’s overwhelmed. An older gent who “hates a fuss”, leaving his appointment standing taller, with a joke for the girls at the front desk.

These are the stories of this year. Of bodies worked hard and hearts stretched thin. Of neighbours checking in. Of country people doing what they’ve always done — showing up for each other.

Christmas, for Kerin Health, is less about perfect tables and more about full ones.

Less about having everything “sorted” and more about being together, sharing food, stories and second helpings.

Our team will be taking a break over Christmas to rest with our own families, so the clinic will be closed for appointments during that time, reopening in early January refreshed and ready for a big year ahead.

Behind the scenes, there are plans on whiteboards, new faces joining the staff, and some exciting announcements coming in the new year — more support for rural families, more women’s health and pregnancy services, more ways to care for the bodies that carry our stories.

From all of us at Kerin Health: thank you for trusting us with your aches, your tears, your hard days and your hopeful ones. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Subscribe