During the month of August, Jason Wood­house of Forbes will be fundraising in memory of his son Corey Woodhouse, who he lost almost two years ago to suicide. All funds raised will be donated to Kids Hel­pline and Headspace.

Corey was only 14 years old when he tragically took his own life and Jason said to his wife Michelle, “We need to do some­thing. No one should feel this pain.” Jason wants Corey’s short time in this world to mean something and he wants to show Co­rey’s siblings, Kaylee and Jaxon, and other young kids, that help is out there.

“It took too long to get the help Corey needed in the year prior to Corey taking his life, and as parents we didn’t know where to get help. So, I need to help educate parents and kids where to go if they need help,” said Jason.

Corey loved everything about planes – he was always making paper planes and even started flying lessons at the age of 13. The people of Forbes and Parkes can assist during August by purchasing paper planes to write their name on, from their local Bernardi’s Marketplace, Discount Daves Parkes or Coles Parkes. People can also donate raffle or auction items and drop them to Bernardi Forbes (Kathrine Wright) and Coles Parkes (Hope Ross).

The community is invited to an auction being held Saturday 23 August at 5pm for 6pm start at the Forbes Bowling Club, on the bowling ground. Businesses can help by donating items to the auction; all money raised will go to Kids Helpline and Head­space. Forbes Livestock will be assisting on the evening as auctioneer.

Then, on Sunday 24 August, Jason will be holding a free mental health event, where kids and parents, can be educated on the range of services available if they need help. Local service providers will be set up on the day to provide information and speak to people.

It will be a great family day out with givea­ways, face painting, bracelet making, rock painting, a paper plane making and throw­ing activity, and a BBQ run by the Forbes Lion’s Club.

 

For a decade now, Parkes local Kristy Ber­ry and her extended group of friends and family have been raising funds and aware­ness for MND through The Big Freeze. For the last nine years the group have taken to Kristy’s family pool, with the family donat­ing for each person brave enough to take the plunge.

Kristy’s grandfather, great grandmother and a cousin all passed away from MND.

Kristy said “I have very vivid memories of what this beast actually puts sufferers through.”

“I mainly wanted to help not only raise money but awareness of MND. Prior to Neale Denier and the AFL starting the Big Freeze 11 years ago, there wasn’t much awareness around MND”.This year Kristy wanted to up the ante, so she spoke to Terri and Tony from The Coachman Hotel and both were on board to get involved, and make a night of it.

“Then we approached Bella Thom­son and Sammy Dwyer from the Parkes Spacemen to see if they would take to the ice water, and neither hesitated. We auc­tioned off a 2025 signed Spacemen Jersey and a framed Saint George photo collage.

The Parkes Spacemen Old Boys held their meat raffles and donated the takings on the night,” said Kristy.

There evening was well supported by the Parkes Spacemen, family, friends and the community. Bella, Sam, John and Tony all took to the iced pool and freezing water was poured over them. It was topped off with the band Hope Held Hostage. An im­pressive $2,750 was raised and plans are already in place for a bigger event in 2026.

If you want to help you can still donate to the cause by following the link https://sup­port.fightmnd.org.au/s/5655/6228.

The BreastScreen NSW mobile screening van will be in Forbes from Monday 18 Au­gust to Monday 13 October, 2025. Breast­Screen NSW provides free breast screening to all women over 40 to support the early detection of breast cancer.

Deon Adamson, Manager, BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western) says a regular breast screen is one of the most important things women can do for their health.

“Detecting breast cancer early increases your chance of survival while reducing the likelihood of invasive treatment.”

“Around 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.

This is why breast cancer screening is so important.”

Ms Adamson says having a BreastScreen NSW van in Forbes makes it easier for women to attend their recommended twoyearly screening.

“Bringing these vital services to Forbes means more local women can be screened.

Life gets busy and we want women to make their health a priority.”

The BreastScreen NSW van will be lo­cated in Harold Street (near the Ceno­taph), Forbes NSW 2871. An appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes less than 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed. BreastScreen NSW provides free screening mammograms to women over the age of 40. Any woman with a family history of breast cancer should discuss their spe­cific needs with their GP. Anyone with breast symptoms should contact their GP or health worker without delay.

The mobile clinic visiting Forbes is equipped with a lift system to support wom­en with health conditions or disability to have their mammogram. Women with addi­tional needs are encouraged to let us know when booking.

Have your breast screen at our mobile BreastScreen NSW van in Forbes and you will be entered in the draw to win a delicious hamper.

To book a free mammogram visit book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or call 13 20 50.