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

Member for Orange, Andrew Gee and the Lachlan Health Service invite the Forbes community to help decide what contents should be included in a time capsule to celebrate the completion of the new building at Forbes Hospital.

“This is a unique opportunity for the community to help create a historical record that reflects the Forbes community’s health services today, and will hopefully be something that future Forbes community members can appreciate and be proud of,” Mr Gee said. Children aged 12 years or under are invited to draw a picture of what they imagine Forbes Hospital will be like in 100 years’ time. All drawings must be done on a piece of blank A4 paper and mailed to the Forbes Hospital. To be eligible for selection participants must include their full name, age and address on the back of the picture.

People aged 13 years and over are invited to describe in 30 words or less what item or document should be placed in the time capsule and why. The suggestion must relate to Forbes Hospital or health in general and participants must provide their full name, age and address with their entry. Entries open today and will be accepted up until Christmas Eve. All submissions will be reviewed by the Lachlan Culture and Arts Working Group which has representation from the hospital and the Forbes community. Mr Gee and a conservator from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences will also be part of selection process. All applicants must reside in the Forbes Shire.

The winning applicants will have their drawing or suggestion and name included in the time capsule. The time capsule will be buried onsite at Forbes Hospital in

The new building at Forbes Hospital is part of the $113.7M Lachlan Health Service project which included the construction of the new Parkes Hospital.

Australia Day has a new location and program for all to enjoy on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. A family barbecue and picnic afternoon has been planned at Colin McKenzie Park, Lake Forbes (behind the Bowlie). Starting at 4pm, there will be free children’s rides, local entertainment, food stalls, the announcement of the Citizen of the Year and Junior Citizen of the Year and fireworks.

New to the program is the Ben Hall Gift, which is Forbes’ own Stawell Gift with $3000 in prize money up for grabs thanks to the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club and Walkers Ag n Vet! There will be 100m sprint races in the
categories of men, women, juniors, celebrity and league vs union.

Our Australia Day Ambassador for 2016 is actress Tracy Mann, who has been a familiar face on Australian television, film and theatre for more than 40 years. Tracy has featured in a number of TV series including Blue Heelers, All Saints and Wonderland and was awarded an AFI Best Actress Award for her role in the film Hard Knocks.

She will be attending all of the events on Australia Day and we look forward to welcoming her to Forbes!

This year’s Parkes Elvis Festival theme is the Elvis Presley Mexican film classic, ‘Fun In Acapulco’. So grab your sombrero and head out to Parkes for a hot and spicy good time!

Book tickets now for the 2016 ClubsNSW Keno Feature Concert Series starring leading U.S. Elvis tribute artist Donny Edwards. For the first time in its 24-year history, Parkes Elvis Festival will stage a preliminary round of the 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Across the Heats on Friday 8 January and the Final on Saturday 9 January, leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and New Zealand
will compete at Parkes Leagues Club, with the winner to represent Parkes during the Semi Final round of the 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, USA, during ‘Elvis Week’ next August. Heats and finals tickets are selling fast.

The 2016 Parkes Elvis Festival offers the annual free Festival favourites, fun for the whole family. Don’t miss the Northparkes Mines Street Parade on Clarinda Street Saturday 9 January at 10am. With Elvisthemed floats, Elvis and Priscilla look-alikes, vintage cars and marching bands, it’s the highlight of the weekend.

The 2016 Elvis Gospel Service transitions to new venue the Cooke Park Main Stage, on Sunday at 9am. Following the Service is the beloved Renewal of Vows Ceremony at 11.30am, where couples renew their vows before an Elvis celebrant. Talented buskers will line The NRMA Festival Boulevard to wow the crowds, and if that doesn’t satisfy your musical fix, head down to the Cooke Park Main Stage where you can relax, grab a bite to eat at the Festival Markets and enjoy four days of free all-ages entertainment and competitions.

The 2016 souvenir program is $6 and available online or through Parkes Visitor Information Centre on 6862 6000.

Australia Day on Tuesday, January 26 will have a completely new format with a family barbecue and picnic afternoon planned from 4pm at Colin McKenzie Park (also known as Frog Hollow) on Lake Forbes behind the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club.

The inaugural Ben Hall Gift, Forbes’ own version of the famous Stawell Gift, will be a feature of the afternoon with $3000 in prize money to be awarded. Sponsored by the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club and Walkers Ag n Vet, there will be 100m sprint races from 5pm in the categories of men, women, juniors, celebrity and league vs union.

The final of the Ben Hall Gift will take place at 7pm. The official ceremony is to be held at 6pm with live music to follow and a fireworks display from Bates Bridge will light the night sky at the end of the evening at 9pm. Throughout the afternoon there will also be free children’s rides, the CWA Damper Cooking Competition, a range of food stalls and a bar.

The traditional Rotary Community Breakfast will start the Australia Day activities from 7am at Apex Park and the Diggers Family Swim will be at the Forbes Town Pool from 11am. Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said she was looking forward to the celebrations. “While the format is different to previous years for the afternoon activities, the Ben Hall Gift is going to be a lot of fun and there is a great prize pool up for grabs,” Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.

“A barbecue or picnic with family and friends is what Australia Day is all about and we are also encouraging you to bring down your own barbecues (fire ban permitting) shade shelters and eskies to have an enjoyable afternoon out by Lake Forbes.” Council is also reminding community members that nominations are now open for the 2016 Forbes Citizen of the Year and Junior Citizen of the Year awards, which will be presented at the official ceremony.

Nomination forms are available online at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au or you can pick up a form from Council’s administration office at 2 Court Street.

Victoria Park came to life on Sunday night when the Forbes Town Band and Forbes Shire Council presented the Annual Carols by Candlelight event to the delight of the Forbes Community.

The event was well attended by people of all ages and regular attendees said it was the largest crowd they have seen in many years. The standard and quality of the featured artists was top notch and the Forbes Town Band did an amazing job accompanying the vocalists.

Mayor Phyllis Miller welcomed everyone to the perfect evening and wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas. Special guest, Emily Pavey led some of the community carols along with many of our local talents including, James Whalan, new singing teacher with the Mitchell Conservatorium of Music, Emily Ragg and the
delightful trio of Maddison Collits, Paige Ellison and Chelsea Turner. The Youth Band also performed some upbeat numbers which really got the crowd involved.

The inclusion of the Spectacular Screenings inflatable screen which displayed the carol words was a great edition to the event and enabled attendees to see the words even when it is normally too dark to see.

Events such as this are not possible without the assistance provide by council and the hard work of our volunteer organisations, the Forbes Town Band and the Forbes Lions Club who provided hot food, refreshments and battery operated candles.