Not-for-profit community organisations are invited to apply for a 2019 Australia Post Community Grant, with funding of up to $10,000 available to each recipient. The initiative aims to support projects and services that address locally identified needs that strengthen social connections and reduce barriers to participating in community life.

Speaking on the launch of the program, Australia Post Executive General Manager Community and Consumer, Nicole Sheffield said it was another way for Australia Post to help communities thrive and prosper.

“With so much change to the way we live, work and shop, it’s more important than ever that we have strong, vibrant local communities where people can connect to shape our shared future,” said Ms Sheffield.

The 2019 Australia Post Community Grants will support initiatives that:
• Help people connect with each other through group activities (e.g. volunteering programs, civic engagement and environmental activities);
• Reduce barriers to participation in community life (e.g. transport, ability to pay, or access to community spaces);
• Develop skills and leadership capability to strengthen community networks.

The launch of the 2019 Community Grants program follows the completion of this year’s Australia Post Workforce Grants which saw over 400 recipients receive $500 each towards community projects across Australia as nominated by Australia Post’s local staff members.

Eligible community organisations can apply for an Australia Post Community Grant for up to $10,000 via www.auspost.com.au/grants. Applications close on Sunday 4 August and all applicants will be notified of theoutcome in October 2019.

Following a sellout event in 2018, Grazing Down The Lachlan has been named as a finalist in the Regional Tourism Awards for Destination Country and Outback. The Regional Tourism Awards are held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism in regional NSW. Entrants are made up of tourism businesses, events, marketing organisations, clubs and individuals.

Grazing is a finalist in the Festivals and Events category, alongside Bathurst Winter Festival (Bathurst), Deni Ute Muster (Deniliquin), Field to Forest Festival (Oberon), Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth) and Trundle ABBA Festival (Trundle).

Regional Tourism Awards Chair, Jane Barnes, announced the final contenders that include tourism businesses, events, marketing organisations, wineries and accommodation providers among an impressive cohort.

“This year’s finalists showcase the best of the region’s tourism industry and some amazing individuals and operators. Each of these finalists is now in the running to be named a winner in 19 award categories at our gala awards ceremony on July 27 in Dubbo”, said Ms. Barnes.

Chair of Grazing Down The Lachlan Committee, Wendy Muffett said, “we are truly excited that Grazing is among such a stellar line up of regional events”.

“Grazing would not be possible without our amazing tribe of volunteers, sponsors and the support of our local community,” continued Wendy.

“With our event still in its infancy, the Awards are an opportunity for us to connect and learn from other event organisers, gain industry insights from the best in the business, and help to promote Grazing and our ‘zero-waste, no impact’ philosophy to new audiences,” said Wendy.

Would you like to have a real say in the things that matter to young people in regional NSW? Are you aged between 12- 24? The NSW Government is now recruiting for the Regional Youth Taskforce.

For the first time, the NSW Government is offering regional young people the opportunity to share their voice on issues such as getting a job, mental health and wellbeing, getting around and having things to do. The Regional Youth Taskforce will be solutions-focussed, having a say on ways the NSW Government can try to improve outcomes for regional youth.

The Regional Youth Taskforce advises Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Regional Youth on issues that affect young people living in regional NSW. The taskforce will also have input into the way the NSW Government will act on these issues.This is a voluntary position but flights and accommodation will be covered. The taskforce is expected to meet about four times a year, twice in person and twice through Skype. Meetings are likely to take place on weekends or in school holidays.

Two young people from each NSW region including Central West and Orana which includes Forbes will be selected to be on the Taskforce.

The NSW Government is looking for young people who understand and want to tackle the big issues facing young people in regional NSW. These issues include the impact of drought, youth unemployment, mental health and drugs, lack of things to do, and difficulty accessing services. Taskforce members will be young people who want to make a difference, bringing their best and brightest ideas to solve local issues.

Applicants will be asked to create a 300- word pitch to solve an issue in their region.

Applicants will be assessed on whether they demonstrate a good understanding of issues affecting young people in their region and how innovative and effective their solutions are.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo probity checks, including identity checks. This includes proof of age, proof of address, and a NSW Police Check. Applicants under 15 will not be required to submit to a Police Check.

This volunteer position gives young people an opportunity to see how governments work and how big decisions are made. This is an opportunity to build the leaders of tomorrow and for you to meet other passionate young people from all over NSW.

Forbes Shire Council would like to thank residents of Forbes for helping us host the very first Frost and Fire Festival in June. The event launched with a bang, and it brought back the spirit of bonfire night.  A crowd of over 2,000 people gathered at Forbes Ski Dam to celebrate winter in the country. The event included many bonfires, great food and amazing performances both on and off the stage.

The Council events team were very proud to be able to bring such an amazing event to the community. We would like to send a special thank you to all of the wonderful members of the community who helped us along the way to bring this great event to Forbes.

Starting the line-up of live music for the night were local girls Georgia Sideris and Lily Gaffaney. Triple J unearthed band Young Monks were next to take centre stage with their amazing performance setting the mood. Internationally renowned Lior wooed
the crowd next with his beautiful voice and playing his much loved timeless classics.

Council would like to make a special mention of the wonderful Lions Club members who helped with parking, the wish candles, manning the fire buckets and assisting with parking on the night. Your help was amazing and we can report a sum of $250 was collected
during the night to go to the Australian Lions Foundation Drought Appeal.

Thank you to the Forbes Men’s Shed for building the amazing effigy. It definitely turned heads and provided warmth to the crowd as the temperature dropped.

Thank you John Den from Aussie Fire Buckets for supplying four of the fire displays, including two magnificent fireballs.

A special thanks to our Urban Services crew who ensured we had plenty of firewood on hand during the night to keep those fires burning.

The Lachlan Dragon Boat Club provided a wonderful spectacle on the water with their boats lit up. Thank you to the crews who braved the cold on the water to give us a great show.

Thank you to our food vendors for the night; Smoking Brothers, Twisted Chip, Franklin Road, Arcadia Saltbush Lamb, Cold Rock Ice Creamery and Vandenberg Hotel.

The food was a sell-out and for next year’s event more will be available.

The entertainment was not only on stage but throughout the crowds with a performance by Aboriginal dance troupe, River Spirit Dance Group. The wonderful fire performers
Emma Van Veen, Sam Mulligan and Rianna Weller wowed the crowd with juggling fire batons and Kristen’s Dance School supplied two powerful dance performances for the crowd.

Our event was kept safe by the wonderful teams from the Rural Fire Service and SES which fortunately their services not needed.

It was a truly magnificent night for our community and one we hope will be even bigger and better next year.

Sam Johnston and Jim Honner from Thank A Farmer For Your Next Meal have one goal – to showcase where Aussie food and fibre comes from, who makes it and how it’s made. They do this one photograph at a time, using the power of social media to spread their message and have close to 60,000 followers on Instagram and more than 30,000 on Facebook. All in an attempt to help bridge the gap between producer and consumer, city and bush.

After great success earlier in the year with their well-received ‘Phone A Farmer Day’ initiative the pair are at it again, this time with the likes of a social media photo competition that is aimed at putting the spotlight on the younger generations, and Australia’s future farmers.

The #WhenIGrowUpIWantToBeAFarmer campaign is aimed at exactly that – recognising how important these young boys and girls are for the future of the Australian agricultural industry whilst also acknowledging the level of passion these youngsters have for the sector.

The concept of the campaign came from someone who knows the saying all too well, Thank A Farmer Co-Founder, Sam Johnston. Sam grew up on a mixed farming property called ‘Merriment’, roughly 50km west of Forbes. He attributes his passion for the sector to his rural upbringing and explains that his earliest childhood memories are from that farm, helping his Dad.

Sam said, “as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a farmer. I always wanted to follow in my Dad’s footsteps and one day be just like him. It just gave me so much enjoyment and satisfaction working on our farm, and I loved seeing raw inputs be progressively shaped into a marketable product”.

Affectionately known within the business as ‘The Man Behind The Caption’, Thank A Farmer Co-Founder and Jugiong grazier Jim Honner is one of the few fortunate ones that has been able to turn this childhood dream into a reality, now operating his family farm in Southern NSW. At just 24, Jim runs a self-replacing merino flock of just under 4,000 ewes. “I grew up immersed in agriculture. I was fortunate enough to learn about ag and production from my Father from an early age. I then got to experience different sectors through a year at Newcastle Waters in the Northern Territory, and then university holidays at Hay and Tilpa.

I’ve since returned home to run our family business with my Mum Jackie, in what I see as an exciting time within agriculture.” He explains.

The campaign itself has received some impressive backing with well-known brands such as Hutcheon & Pearce, George the Farmer, Akubra Hats, Ringers Western and What Does A Farmer Look Like? all jumping on board to support the initiative.

To get involved the boys encourage people to upload their photos to Instagram and Facebook using the #WhenIGrowUpIWantToBeAFarmer hashtag. They encourage you to dig out your old childhood photos, snap some new shots of your kids, submit multiple entries, and to nominate/challenge your friends and family to do the same.

Moogenilla Angus will hold its 10th Annual Bull Sale on Friday 2nd August 2019 at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange.

Moogenilla Angus bulls have headed to Far North Qld, SW Qld and the Northern Territory in 2017 and 2018.

Among the local, Western NSW, Central Tablelands and Eastern Riverina beef breeders, Consolidated Pastoral Company has been competing to take the Moogenilla Angus bulls north.

Troy Setter, CPC said “The Moogenilla bulls are balanced and well suited to the Northern Australian environment. Moogenilla bulls have also settled in to the Mulga country in SW Qld and the dry plains in Far West NSW, equally with the cold Tablelands and the local mixed farming areas.”

“Moogenilla Angus Bulls are a tough, adaptable bull with a good temperament, growth and carcase. This is what we will provide to the breeders on Friday 2nd August in Forbes,” said Sarah Wrigley, Moogenilla Angus. To download a copy of the 2019 sale catalogue head to www.angusbull.com.au