Australia Day is fast approaching and plans are almost finalised. Council is accepting nominations for Citizen of the Year and Junior Citizen of the Year. Australia Day festivities start at 7am with the traditional Rotary Breakfast at Apex Park. The Diggers Family Swim commences at 11am at Forbes Town Pool. The afternoon program begins at 4pm at Colin McKenzie Park. Included in the activities is the CWA Damper Competition, the Ben Hall Gift and
the official ceremony with the announcement of the Citizen of the Year awards.

The Big Splash Water World has arrived in the Central West for its second year of operation and Parkes Showground is the venue until Saturday before they move on to Orange on Boxing Day.

Jesse and Alicia McDonald launched the water world last summer travelling from Gunnedah to Tamworth and then on to Dubbo. This year they have begun in Parkes before moving on to Orange then to Mudgee before finishing in Muswellbrook. Their big waterslide, ‘The Triple Dipper’ is the biggest inflatable waterslide in the world measuring 180 ft. long and 55 ft. high which means it’s as tall as the tree line! The middle lane is the fastest with a straight
drop to the bottom and the two outer lanes have some turns making them a slower ride for the less adventurous.

They have 4 other slides for those not daring enough to give the Triple Dipper a go, ranging from the ‘Baby Palm Trees’ for the under five year olds to the ‘Rainbow Slide’ which has 4 lanes made for racing your friends to the bottom. Parkes is very lucky to have this opportunity, what a great way to entertain the children now they have finished the school year and the weather is heating up. Entry for spectators is free and they have amusement games, a massive shaded area to keep out of the sun and slushies and fairy floss available so everyone is sure to enjoy the day out.

Stork News: Welcome to Jimmy Josiah Jones born Friday 25th September 2015, 3.35am, 7lb 12oz, 49cms. Nick and Jolene are proud to announce the birth of their fourth child. Little Brother to Griffin, Ruby and Ivy. Grandson of Henry and Debbie Stavleu and Trevor and June Jones all of Forbes. Great grandson of Mavis Burton.

On Saturday 5th December the Midstate Motorcycle Club in conjunction with the Salvation Army held their annual Toy Run. The parade began at McFeeters Car Museum in Oxford Street Forbes and finished at Bunnings. Around thirty bikes with riders hailing from Forbes, Parkes, Molong, Canowindra and surrounding areas took to the streets to promote the event and provide a little

Christmas cheer to those in need. Troy Munro, from the Salvation Army, was very impressed with the generosity of the cyclists who each donated a toy or toys which will be distributed to identified families this weekend. At present numerous toys have been received which are currently filling a 4 x 4 m room to shoulder height, Mr Munro stated.

Donations are still being taken and items can be left at the Salvation Army store in Rankin Street. Northparkes Mines also support this worthy cause by sending a team of employees to assist the Salvation Army, St Vincent’s De Paul and other community organisations to sort and prepare the toys and Christmas hampers ready for delivery. Other Motorcycle clubs around the State also organise their own Toy Run in their local area and in Newcastle this year there were 3000 participants.

Troy wanted to thank the Midstate Motorcycle Club for organising the event and putting everything together and the toys will be sure to put a smile on the faces of many local children in Forbes and Parkes.

The anxious wait for 2015 Year 12 students and their teachers is finally over with the release of the Higher School Certificate results on Wednesday 16th December. Our Year 12 HSC students 2015 have produced outstanding results as a cohort with Band 6’s received across several subjects. It is not only about band 6s but about students achieving their potential and this group of students have produced ‘personal bests’ across all subject areas.

The Senior Science class performed exceptionally well with all students receiving band 5’s and 6’s. Excellent individual success was achieved in many subjects including PDHPE Senior Science, Primary Industries, Agriculture, General Mathematics, Early Childhood, Biology, Visual Arts and Industrial Technology with marks reflective of
the effort students applied and the support and dedication of their teachers. Of course the staff are all thrilled with these results which has certainly inspired drive and commitment in the Year 12 students and teachers for 2016.

Industrial Technology student, Isaac Wren along with the school, has recently been notified of his nomination for inclusion in the InTech 2016, annual exhibition of outstanding Major Design Projects developed by 2015 HSC Industrial Technology students. In addition to this his project will be part of a combined HSC Technology project display at the Powerhouse Museum from Friday 26th February until Sunday the 8th May. Isaac designed and produced an interactive first person 3D puzzle game with 7 unique and challenging levels. This is a
great achievement as only a limited number of projects are chosen for this display.

Overall staff are pleased with the student’s results throughout the year with their assessment tasks and commend them on the study and preparation they completed prior to the commencement of the HSC examinations. Year 12’s achievements and contributions were recognised and celebrated at the annual graduation assembly in September which was a time for family, friends, staff and peers to reflect upon six years of secondary education and the experiences had along the way. Year 12, 2015 also celebrated their HSC exam completion with a Graduation Dinner on the 20th November. Congratulations Year 12, 2015 on a fantastic year, we are very proud of you. For those of you who are intending to attend University the school wish you every success as you enter the next chapter of your
lives and look forward to hearing of your progress in the future.

Sam Leonard, owner/manager of Forbes Smash Repairs is extremely thrilled, albeit somewhat shocked to learn that she was selected as a finalist in the Australasian Panel and Paint Magazine, Women in Smash Repairs.

The Women in Smash Repair Awards, sponsored by NRMA Insurance, are an industry initiative that celebrate the roles women play in the running of Australia’s smash repair shops. The magazine which comes out bi-monthly, asked Sam to complete a questionnaire online. Following that, they then sent her an email and asked some more questions, which resulted in Sam being selected as one of 5 finalists.

Sam was to attend the Awards lunch, however due to her plane not getting into Sydney on time, she missed her connecting flight and thus the lunch. Sam has been in the business of smash repairs now for over nine years, and has
owned Forbes Smash Repairs for the past six years. She started out doing painting, and it is through her love of cars that she managed to get an apprenticeship out of it in Forbes with Kevin Vale.

Sam said, “I have absolutely loved every minute of it. I am also the youngest ever nominated for this award, which is a great honour. I have continued the tradition of employing women in my business, and have with me at the moment, Raine Piercy, who is a first year apprentice.” “My aim is always to create a friendly work environment for staff, exceptional customer service, high quality repairs and refinishing and having a reputable name. I do this by ensuring the staff are enjoying their work, allowing them to have an input on the business, continuously looking for  ways to improve the business whether it be by advertising, keeping up to date with where the industry is heading and involving the business in community events.”

In addition, Sam employs three other people in the business, so you know where to head if you have a bingle over Christmas.

Member for Orange, Andrew Gee last week announced eight projects from the Forbes area would receive a share in $200,000 for community infrastructure under the NSW Governments’ Community Building Partnership program.
As mentioned in last week’s paper one of the projects to receive funding is the Forbes Dragon Boat Club, receiving a $10,000 grant.

“The Community Building Partnership program allows for community infrastructure to be built, refurbished or enhanced, making an important impact on the day-today lives of our local communities,” Mr Gee said. “In many cases the funds go to much needed social infrastructure with sporting, youth, cultural and community clubs all
benefiting from this year’s funding. “Projects range from $10,000 to $3,000 and will see community infrastructure improved as well as encouraging the enhancement of local community based activities that create more vibrant and inclusive communities.

“Local businesses and construction jobs will also be supported which is a welcome boost in improving local investment in the community,” Mr Gee said. Projects to receive funding in the Forbes area include:
• Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre: Development of the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre adjacent to Lake Forbes
– $10,000
• Forbes Basketball Association: Upgrade of Forbes Basketball courts – $3,949
• Forbes Dragon Boat Club Inc: Erection of a new dragon boat shed – $10,000
• Warroo & District War Memorial Hall Association Inc: Replacement of outdated kitchen facilities at Warroo Hall
– $4,378
• Forbes Pony Club Inc: Erection of large steel panel multi-use area – $10,000
• Forbes Amateur Swimming Club: Semi-automated timing system – $5,000
• Forbes Croquet Club: Repainting of the clubhouse – $3,361
• Forbes Rugby League Football Club: Additional lighting installation at Halpin Flat – $10,000