The Red Cross Blood Service Mobile Unit was in Forbes during the week as part of a campaign to attract more donors. The Blood Service launched their year long campaign at Forbes’ Victoria Park, in an effort to try to attract an additional 115,000 new blood donors during 2016.

The service says it needs to bolster its donor ranks to help combat seasonal donor shortages around long-weekends and cold and flu outbreaks throughout the year.

It also states an estimated nine million Australians are eligible to give blood but only 500,000 actively do so, which is why it is reaching out to those who have never donated before.

The Service’s Mobile Unit was in Forbes between 9:40am and 2:50pm each day between Monday and Thursday this week, with residents lining up to donate their blood.

Blood Service spokesperson Erin Lagoudakis said it hoped the other 8.5 million Australians they estimate could give their blood would jump on board and help out. “Blood donation has been a proud Australian tradition for 87 years and was born out of a need for lifesaving transfusions,” Ms Lagoudakis said.

“The delivery of blood was time critical, and despite many advances that is still the case today, with some critical components unable to be stored longer than one week. “Because there are times when donor numbers are traditionally low, such as long-weekends and cold and flu outbreaks, we need additional donors to come on board between now and the end of the year to continue helping the one in three Australians who will need donated blood in their lifetime.”

Ms Lagoudakis said common tragedies such as cancer diagnoses, road trauma
and blood loss during childbirth were among the regular uses of blood.
“To ensure blood is there when you or a love one needs it, we need more people to sign-up as blood donors. “If more people give blood, then it’s more
likely to be there when you or a loved one needs it later.”

To make blood donations in 2016, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.

Evolution Mining is calling on the community to put forward ideas for Shared Value Projects that will deliver long-term community benefits.

An outline of the initiative was presented to Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes Business Chamber to start a conversation about potential projects. Shared Value Projects are community led initiatives that will continue to benefit the community beyond the life of the mine.

Whilst Evolution may provide funds, skills or equipment to help establish a project, it’s important that any initiative is self-sustaining and not reliant on the mine for ongoing support.

A successful project could take between 1 and 5 years to implement, and must deliver a broad community benefit, rather than only benefiting a small interest group.

A single pool of funds is available across Evolution’s seven operations (approximately $1M/fiscal year but may vary). Money will be granted to projects that deliver the best outcomes for the community and must be based on the community’s needs, not “wants/wish list”. The initiative will operate
in addition to sponsorships and donations (Cowal Partnering Program).

The program has already delivered successful outcomes at Evolution’s Mt Carlton operation through their partnership with Gudjuda Aboriginal Reference Group in Home Hill, QLD. The Shared Value Project to establish a market garden and native plant nursery has created new Indigenous jobs, enabled Gudjuda to deliver new training programs, and generates much needed revenue to grow their training arm. The native plant nursery will also give Evolution access to a local supplier for its regeneration projects.

For more information about Shared Value Projects contact the Cowal Community Relations Department on (02) 6975 3454.

The Forbes PA and H Association will introduce lawnmower racing to this year’s Forbes Show for the first time. The decision to introduce the novelty
event was made at the Association’s recent AGM and Awards ceremony at the Vandenberg Hotel.

Association publicity officer Lucy Pearce said the new event should add a great atmosphere to this year’s show. “It should be plenty of fun for the crowd,
and be something new for Forbes locals to watch, and potentially take part in,” she said.

The event will be titled ‘Show Mow Lawnmower Racing’, and is hoped to be one of the main attractions at this year’s show, which will run on September 9 and 10. The meeting also saw the Association elect their committee and present their annual awards.

‘M & A Dent’ took out the CB Mahlo Shield for Championship Wheat, while ‘Bogabigal Pastoral Co’ won the I Sweeney Shield for the Canola Crop Competition. ‘T & C Morrison Partnership’ won the Greenwood Shield for the Barley Crop Competition, and ‘PM & NG Cronin’ won the Glamis Shield for 1st Cross Ewes.

All other popular activities that have run in the past will also be on show at this year’s Forbes Show, with agriculture, rides, performances and pavilion displays all adding to what is tipped to be a great show this year.

Businesses in Forbes Town Centre have been undergoing improvement works, with at least three shops improving their facilities for customers. Gunn’s Menswear on Rankin Street is undergoing major renovations, and Eyewear

Specs down the road opened for business just this week after renovating their shop. Cint on Rankin Street re-opened on Tuesday after closing while their renovations took place, while the work at Gunn’s have recently started.

Owner of Gunn’s Menswear, Greg Gunn, said renovations at his store would take at least six weeks. “We’re revamping the floors, and the walls are going to go back to their original brick work appearance,” he said.

Mr Gunn also plans to rearrange the items in his store by bringing surf wear from the back to the front right hand side, while work wear and hats will be shifted to the back.

All school wear and embroidery will be moved upstairs, while all mens wear will be located at the front left of the shop, which is the first section currently under renovations. Mr Gunn said he looked forward to seeing the end of the renovations.

“It will be a minimum of six weeks, but there’s every chance it could still be longer, but it will all be worth it at the end of the day,” he said. Eyewear Specs owner Fiona Hayward officially opened her new store on Rankin Street after spending the past few weeks preparing the store.

She said it was great knowing that her store was just one of a handful in Forbes making improvements. “I know Gunn’s and Cint next door are also undergoing renovations, and it’s great to see local businesses making improvements for their local customers,” she said.

“I’m very excited to have opened, but the support of other businesses has been great too.”

Local Red Bend College Teacher, Tony O’Connell has been running for a cause.
With only five weeks remaining in his challenge Tony has been surprised and inspired by the people who have been getting behind the cause and donating money and offering encouragement.

Thirty seven weeks ago Tony began running 42km per week with the aim of repeating this for 42 weeks. So far he has raised $2500 but would love to be able to reach the $4200 mark to help the Royal Far West continue their great work.

Royal Far West is a non-government organisation that has been providing health services to children living in rural and remote New South Wales since 1924. They work in partnership with families and their local health and education providers to complement existing services within the community.

Every year, thousands of country children who have non-acute developmental, behavioural, learning, emotional and mental health disorders benefit from the integrated clinical and educational care provided by the Royal Far West.

Royal Far West’s team of specialist clinicians work together to deliver a comprehensive range of healthcare services. These services, combined with the educational facilities through the Royal Far West School and accommodation facilities at Drummond House, ensure that we offer children an integrated model of care and the highest level of individual support.

Ongoing communication with families and rural service providers builds on this to support long-term change and best outcomes for the children. For children with special needs a respite program is conducted every January. The
week-long program enables the children and their families to have a supported
‘holiday by the sea’.

Help Tony and the Royal Far West close the gap between health outcomes and
children from rural and remote areas by donating online at http://run.gofundraise.com.au/page/42in42.