School students from across drought-affected NSW have the opportunity to take a break and spend a night with the stars.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell encouraged Principals to nominate students for the first ‘Wish Upon a Star’ initiative, which will bring 150 students from drought-affected schools to see the Schools Spectacular and enjoy a fun weekend away.

Wish Upon a Star is an initiative of the NSW Government, involving the Department of Education, Transport for NSW and the Office of Sport, and will be a no-cost treat to families battling the unrelenting drought.

“We want to give 150 kids a fun weekend to take their minds off the challenges of the drought for a few days,” said Sarah.

“They will share the exhilaration of the Schools Spectacular and have a mini holiday at our Sport and Recreation centres.”

The students will travel from hubs at Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga on Friday, 22 November, to stay at Sport and Recreation Centres at Narrabeen, Broken Bay and Berry, and attend the Schools Spectacular matinee on Saturday, 23 November.

“It will also be a rare chance for these country kids to splash at the beach and try water sports and other activities at the Sport and Recreation Centres,” said Sarah.

School Principals are encouraged to select students who would benefit most from this initiative. Nominations for this weekend away close today, 8th November through the Department of Education.

Schools can nominate up to four drought-affected students, who have been experiencing particularly challenging times.

The Minister acknowledged the support of RØDE Microphones, who will assist with accommodation and catering costs as Rural Initiative of Schools Spectacular 2019.

The Schools Spectacular will be staged over four performances at the Qudos Bank Arena on Friday, 22 November (11am and 7.30pm) and Saturday, 23 November (1pm and 7.30pm).

Regional NSW remains the hardest hit when it comes to operating a business, according to the latest Business Conditions Survey, released by the state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber.

“While this survey reveals some signs of stabilisation compared to previous quarters, business conditions remain challenging across the state,” said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager, Western NSW Business Chamber, “our survey shows industries such as construction, retail and food services are among the weakest.”

“Record low interest rates, a more competitive exchange rate and income tax cuts may eventually boost growth, however business conditions remain subdued and are clearly being affected by the drought and concerns with respect to international trade. The drought also continues to highly impact our supply chains and communities right across Western NSW.”

“The Chamber is again calling on all levels of government to recognise the challenges of drought affected areas of regional NSW. We need measures and initiatives to ad- dress immediate water requirements, but also investment in measures that ensures greater water security and economic sustainability.”

“It’s why the Chamber has advocated that the full 30% of funds raised from the long- term leasing of the poles and wires and promised to be spent in regional areas actually happens.”

“The cost of energy for businesses is one reason the NSW Business Chamber is pleased to partner with the Australian Government on the recently launched Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP), which helps businesses find a better energy deal, and then uses data to advise on best practice energy efficiency. NSW is an economy that depends on small business so we need to heed the warnings from those on the frontline,” Ms Seccombe said.

Beginning on 4th November, Forbes Shire Council will be undertaking ongoing improvement works at the Forbes Cemetery.

These works are vital to ensure the cemetery is kept in optimal condition despite the current drought conditions facing the Shire. Every care will be taken to ensure minimal disruption throughout this period.

“The Cemetery is such an important place for many of our residents,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller. “It is so important that our loved ones have a wellcared for place to rest. These works will ensure our cemetery looks and feels beautiful despite the tough times many of us are facing at the moment.”

The works to be undertaken include filling of sunken graves with additional top soil throughout the lawn cemetery to improve appearance and safety, the utilisation of a

travelling irrigator, top dressing and fertilising lawn areas to improve turf cover and health, replacement of dead rose plants and installation of paved edgings to beds and replacement of damaged beam to repair cracking and allow for the installation of memorial plaques.

“Every care will be taken to ensure these works are as unobtrusive as possible,” Mayor Miller said. “As always, our team will schedule their work around funerals to make sure no disruption to families fare- welling their loved ones.”

Cemetery works are anticipated to be completed before Christmas, however irrigation will continue throughout the summer months. All queries around these works should be directed to Urban Services Supervisor David Ramsay on 02 6850 2300.

The Forbes Heated Pool has won a $550,000 Crown Land Grant to upgrade its facilities.

President of Forbes Heated Pool Inc Dianne Decker was excited to announce the news, “Yes, I am very excited to have this grant from the Crown Lands Department. Very exciting. We are now working to have an early meeting with the Council to get it underway.”

The grant will provide funds for a number of upgrades to the pool. “This will allow us to greatly improve our pool and allow us to improve the access to the pool for everyone. The money will allow us to upgrade the pool, put in a lift for access and to replace the steps leading into the pool with a ramp.”

Other upgrades being looked at are relining the pool, better ventilation, a new shell toilet and shower improvements.

The upgrades will be of great benefit to those throughout the area who use the pool. “We have over 700 people use the pool every month, users come from Parkes, Condo, West Wyalong, Peak Hill, Tichbourne, Caragabal and of course, Forbes. We have wanted to improve the pool and have pursued funding for a few years now,” said Dianne.

The devastating impact of the drought in rural Australia has prompted several initiatives to see the light over the last month in support of country town businesses and entrepreneurs.

Go Country for Christmas was launched last week to encourage fellow Australians to support rural and regional communities by purchasing their Christmas presents from a business based in the country.

A new social media campaign called #buyfromthebush has also been started. It targets people in the city, encouraging them to buy from regional areas in the lead up to Christmas.

Liberal Senator for NSW, Hollie Hughes, encouraged Australians to think outside the box when buying presents this Christmas at the launch of Go Country for Christmas. “We don’t need to buy from the usual suspects, just go to gocountryforchristmas. com.au and get the same thing you had in mind but buy it from a small regional business,” she said.

The website gives consumers an easy and accessible directory enabling them to buy Christmas presents from a registered country business.

Businesses that have an online presence and haven’t yet registered on the website, can go to www.gocountryforchristmas.com.au. Consumers and retailers taking part in Go Country for Christmas, can use the #gocountryforchristmas on your social media accounts to spread the word.

Grace Brennan, who started #buyfromthebush, never expected the campaign to take off the way it has. She told the ABC some business owners said they were already reaping the benefits, as the campaign has gathered more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

Grace created #buyfromthebush to shine a light on drought-affected towns struggling to maintain their businesses. “Small businesses in the region depend on money coming from the agricultural industry, which is diminishing in the drought,” she said.

Grace saw this as an opportunity to draw in new customers using social media. “It’s incredible what you can do with Instagram and Facebook.”

Members of Rotary Ipomoea are inviting residents to make and decorate a Christmas tree for exhibition in their 9th community Christmas Tree Festival.

There are no restrictions on the theme of your tree, it could reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. For example, a school could choose classes to make paper decorations for a tree to reflect their school’s recent projects or messages for the people of Forbes at Christmas.

There are also no size or material restrictions. It’s requested a Christmas greeting is placed on or under your tree from your family or organisation.

The fee for entering a tree in the exhibition is $5, which is used by Rotary Ipomoea to support local Rotary Ipomoea projects. RSVP your intention to enter to Sue-Anne Nixon on 6851 5197 or at sueanne.nixon@hotmail.com or Helen Pitt on 6851 4930 or 0427 201 445. Trees will be accepted right up until the opening, but the requested time to deliver trees for exhibition is between 8am and noon on Friday, 6th December.

The exhibition begins 6.30pm on Friday, 6th December at the Forbes Town Hall with the official opening. Viewing will be open all weekend, with the exhibition open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, 7th December and 9am to 3pm on Sunday, 8th December