Community groups and charities in Forbes are being asked to make themselves known to the local Westpac branch, as it looks to find the right organisation to give $500 to.

The ‘Community Cash’ project was undertaken by the banking giant to celebrate its 200th birthday a year early. Each branch across regional NSW will be giving away $500 to community groups and charities that write to them to express interest in claiming the cash. A group of local staff from each regional branch will take each expression of interest in to consideration, and determine which organisation would benefit the most with the money.

With the Forbes branch of Westpac looking to determine a winner in Forbes at the end of next week, local organisations are being encouraged to get their expressions of interest in as soon as possible. These should included details about the organisation, what they do, and why they need the money.

Forbes branch Manager Shannon Crowley, the person organisations need to email, said the project was a great concept, as it was local people who decided the winner of the money. “These expressions of interest are not going to be sent off to Sydney or anywhere else. They’ll be judged by staff at our branch, who are locals, and who have a good idea of how this money could be best used,” he said.

In a statement, Westpac said: “The oldest bank and company in Australia turns 200 next year, and they are giving away cash through local branches to celebrate. Westpac Bank completes the milestone in April next year and has decided to help out a local Forbes charity or not-for-profit community group.”

Email Shannon on shcrowley@westpac.com.au or if you have any questions call him on 68501554.

The second annual Mother’s Day walk will be held this Sunday at Lake Forbes, and will be raising money for the Breast Cancer Support Group. The walk, which raised around $2000 in it’s first year in Forbes last year, will start at Lions Park, and make its way around Lake Forbes along a 4km route.

With 71 walkers participating in the annual event last year, Forbes Breast Cancer Support Group Coordinator Yvonne Shaw said it was hoped a similar number would walk again this year. “It’s a great walk for a great cause, and
all proceeds go towards the Breast Cancer Support Group,” she said.

“Everyone who participates will also receive a medallion for their efforts. Besides the walk, on the day, we will also have a raffle, and prizes will be on offer for the best dressed couple and the best dressed boy and girl.”

While pre-registration online ended on Wednesday night, people can still register for the walk on the day, with adult entry fees selling for $25, while children and concession can participate for $15. Family passes are also available. The event will start at 9am.

The Forbes Phoenix would like to congratulate Melanie Suitor, Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer for the Parkes, Forbes & Lachlan Shire Councils, on the recent birth of her baby girl! Felicity Jane McKenzie born the morning of April 27, weighing 7lb. “Mum and Bub are doing well,” Mrs Suitor said. We wish Melanie and Felicity all the best, and look forward to welcoming Melanie back after her maternity leave!

On Saturday 30th April, six stunning young ladies and their handsome partners took centre stage at the Charity Debutante Ball which they organised to provide support for Forbes CanAssist. The group conducted fundraising barbeques at Woolworths and Bernardi’s as well as drawing the Monster Garden Raffle on the night. Through their fundraising efforts they have raised in excess of $1700 dollars and a cheque presentation will be arranged once profits have been finalised. Rachel Wythes choreographed the groups dance and their performance delighted their family and friends.

Sophie Nash and Lewis Little were the perfect Flower girl and Page boy as they led Tahlia Nash & Warren Baxter, Grace Quirk & Hamish Coles, Isobelle Herbert & Daniel Ashcroft, Jessy-Lea Byrnes & Nicholas Mulligan, Finnlay Bennett & Issac Carlisle and Chelsea Turner & Cody Banks for the presentation ceremony to Damian Byrne.

Finnlay Bennett drew the raffle with Karen Norris winning first prize. Grace Quirk spoke on behalf of the group and thanked all of the people who helped to make the night so memorable. She spoke of the origins of their chosen charity, CanAssist, and the support that the Forbes branch provides to local cancer patients and their families.

It may be happening three weeks after the actual event, but Forbes will be celebrating NSW Youth Week next week with three massive events for the town’s youth. The real NSW Youth Week run from April 8 to April 17, however in Forbes, that particular week clashed with exams at Forbes High School and Red Bend College.

With the following two weeks being the school holidays in between terms one and two, Forbes Shire Council decided to push its Youth Week events backwards, to next week.

Events will be taking place on May 4, 5 and 7, with each day providing a different range of activities to celebrate the young people of Forbes. Forbes Shire Council Youth Development Assistant Clarissa Stewart, who is the main organiser of each Youth Week activity, said holding each event next week was the best way to ensure Forbes’ youth could get involved. “The actual week of NSW Youth Week was at the same time as the exams period, and then there were the school holidays after that, which lots of people go away for, so we decided to bring it back three weeks,” she said.

“We thought this would be the best way to get the town involved, plus the schools will also be involved, so it needed to be at a time they could do that.” The week’s activities will kick-off at Forbes High School next Wednesday with the ‘Super Mega Fun Day’, which will be held at the school between 1pm and 3pm.

Activities will include a bungy run, a bucking bull ride, and a gladiator ring. The bungy run involves two people racing against one another on a jumping castle, while being restrained by a bungy rope. Competitors must fight against the rope, and the first to reach the end of the jumping castle is declared the winner.

The gladiator ring involves competitors standing on inflatable platforms, in an inflatable ring, and using a padded stick, they must fight one another until one falls off their platform. The last one standing is declared the winner.

Various providers of youth services will also be on deck to give information. The Youth Awards Night will be held at Town Hall from 5.30pm next Thursday night, while ‘Youth Fest’ will be staged at Nelson Park the following Saturday.