Australian and New South Wales rugby league legends Brad Fittler, Nathan Hindmarsh and Steve Menzies will visit Forbes on February 16 as part of their ‘Hogs for the Homeless’ tour. The tour will see the three former National Rugby League players visit local schools, conduct rugby league football clinics, before arriving at the Forbes Services Club for a fundraising dinner.

‘Hogs for the Homeless’ is an initiative formed by Brad Fittler in partnership with Harley-Davidson to support Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets campaign, and aims to tackle homelessness in NSW. Fittler, Hindmarsh and Menzies will ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles across the state on their tour to regional areas. Mr Fittler said in a statement he looked forward to the tour. “It’s a very worthwhile cause and it is always wonderful to see so many rugby league fans throughout this state come together to help out,” he said.

Forbes Services Club manager David Fitzgerald said he was excited to host part of the event at his club. “We anticipate the community at large will support this opportunity to meet some NRL Legends and to help raise funds,” he said. “Our commitment to helping the boys raise much needed funds it is donate $7 from every $20 ticket sold to attend a Q&A dinner at the club.”

Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre treasurer Aileen Allen says funding from the state government to allow it to upgrade its pavilion is much needed. The outdoor riverside facility, designed to host aboriginal cultural events and social functions, had been lacking a barbeque and seating arrangement in it’s pavilion- two essential items for outdoor socialising.

But the Dreaming Centre was successful in obtaining $10,000 of state government funding through a $55,000 grant awarded to community based organisations by member for Orange Andrew Gee late last year. The money will be used to install an electric BBQ as well as two tables with seats on either side of it.

With electricity yet to be installed at the Centre, the cost of the upgrades will total $12,000, but Ms Allen said the grant still meant improvements were possible. “We’ve raised enough money through other grants to put this project together,” she said. “We don’t have electricity here at the moment so the cost has gone up a bit to get it put in.”

“I’d like to thank Andrew Gee for the grant. Before we would bring in a portable BBQ but we really need one that is there all the time.” The Centre has, unfortunately, been subject to vandalism, with the sprinkler system installed last year coming under damage, which the Centre has constantly been left out of pocket paying for.

Ms Allen said because of this it was also important for the Centre to install security cameras before getting the BBQ up and running. “We’re looking at installing two solar powered security cameras to try and stop vandals from damaging the new BBQ,” she said. “Kids that come here have seen them before, but it’s hard to report them without evidence.”

“We’re not allowed to install a fence around the Centre, so it’s the best thing we can do to protect it.”
In another positive, the Centre will receive the services of two people from the ‘Working for the Dole’ program, a federal government initiative that allows people on welfare to accrue skills and knowledge while helping out in the community. Ms Allen said these people would provide valuable help in maintaining the facility.

NSW Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier Troy Grant, Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Member for Orange Andrew Gee officially opened the new $40.9 million Forbes Hospital redevelopment on Tuesday. Mr Baird said the Forbes community now has access to a contemporary hospital that will meet their needs now and in the future.

“Forbes Hospital is part of our record investment in health infrastructure across the state and I’m delighted to see it delivered,” Mr Baird said. The new Forbes Hospital features an emergency department, inpatient unit, birthing suites for maternity services and clinical support services, including medical imaging. Mr Grant said Forbes may be a small community, but it deserves only the very best in healthcare.

“The people of Forbes deserve worldclass facilities and that is exactly what we have delivered as part of this redevelopment,” Mr Grant said. Mrs Skinner said Forbes Hospital now has the best of both worlds, with the new
state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the charming heritage building. “Forbes is one of the most beautiful hospitals I have visited across the state and I’m pleased it can now offer the level of services the community expects,” she said.

Mr Gee said patients and staff have been benefiting from the new building since moving in late last year.

With hot, dry and windy conditions continuing across the State, Essential Energy is calling on landholders to be prepared and alert for bushfire – especially around the electricity network. Regional manager Northern, Mark Summers, said that summer weather could be extreme yet safety measures could help reduce the risk of electrical incidents and bushfire.

“Preparation plays a large part in mitigating bushfire risk, so we recommend completing the Rural Fire Service’s Bushfire Survival Plan which helps identify potential hazards and ways to minimise them,” Mark said.

“Clearing leaves and debris from gutters, removing combustible material from around the home and ensuring vegetation isn’t encroaching on powerlines can help to protect your property from fire risk. “Any trees growing too close to powerlines should be reported to Essential Energy.” In the event of a bushfire, property owners who decide to leave their property are advised to do so early to minimise the risk of encountering fallen or sagging powerlines
across roads and other fire hazards.

“It pays to have a fuel-operated water pump and standalone water source on hand in the event of a power outage,” Mark said. “Never attempt to fight a fire that is burning under the electricity network, as powerlines can be damaged or sag in heat.” If you decide to evacuate your property, Essential Energy recommends turning off the main power switches in your meter box to reduce the risk of short circuits and surges.

In the aftermath of a fire, be alert for damage to the electricity network, stay clear of burning poles and notify Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80 if you come across fallen powerlines. Essential Energy advises that power outages are likely to be lengthier than usual on days of Total Fire Ban as crews need to manually inspect powerlines to ensure the safety and reliability of the electricity network.

For more information on electrical safety, visit essentialenergy.com.au/safety or contact Essential Energy on 13 23 91.

The spectacular growth of Polaris with its huge range of ATVs and Side x Side models continued by out selling every other brand in every month this financial year with Australian farmers selecting Polaris models for their high specifications that belie their reasonable price tags.

Their unique and made for Australia UTE 570 Heavy Duty (HD) has become a sought after commodity on farms Australia wide and is the number one model in the big-bore (451+) ATV category, laying the foundation for the domination of this category with a share of 43.6%. It’s little wonder with its handy tipping Dump Box at the rear, powerful 570 EFI engine, power- steering and a conditional registration ready package to provide an easy option for farmers requiring legal access across roads between paddocks. It even features Australia’s first and only selectable 4-wheel Descent Control on an ATV.

Safety engineering innovations abound on all models and Polaris now boasts a range of twenty models with a Roll-Over- Protection-System (ROPS) with the Ranger, ACE and RZR models. The industry leading safety features include 3-point seat-belts whilst a number of models also include an interlock device, an optional management controlled speed management system (Speed Key), and 4-wheel descent control. These features combined with a range that covers petrol, electric and diesel options, there is little wonder that Polaris has commanded 49.1% share of side by side sales in 2015. The Polaris Ranger Diesel 1000 HD (Heavy Duty) is the number one Side x Side in Australia.

This winning form on Australian farms is paralleled on racetracks with the Polaris RZR XP 1000 winning the Australian Rally Championship for the fourth year in a row (Side x Side Challenge) in the hands of Cody Crocker ably supported by co-driver Greg Foletta.

The annual Forbes Vinnies Christmas Hamper recorded its most successful day last Christmas Eve, delivering hampers to 165 families in need. The hampers, donated by Vinnies together with Bernardi’s IGA, Red Bend Catholic
College, St Laurence’s, The Salvation Army, Forbes Central School, The Catholic Education Office, Eugowra Pre School, Presbyterian Ladies and Mrs Hurford, contained food items and vouchers to receive frozen goods.

The purchased and donated goods were sorted and packed by a team of Vinnies volunteers, led by the dedicated and talented Janet Blowes. During the lead up to Christmas, needy families are visited by the Vinnies team to see who would most benefit from a Christmas Hamper. Other organisations such as Centacare also help with delivery to some
of their contacts.

Event coordinator Rob Rob Priest said last Christmas Eve’s delivery was the most successful he had been apart of. “It was a very successful day. We delivered more hampers than ever, and I’ve been doing it for 10, 20 years now,” he said. The Hampers were delivered directly to the homes of needy families in Forbes, Eugowra and Trundle, on a single trip Mr Priest said took around two hours.

“At 7 am the delivery plan swung into action and another team of about thirty young volunteer drivers were parked at the back door like a line of taxis,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone involved. I’m only one man, but we have 30 people that help out on delivery day.” Mr Priest said he would like to thank all who donated food and made cash donations to supply the hampers. “A special big thank you also goes to those who gave their valuable time in preparing and delivering the goodies.”

A record-breaking 22,000 Elvis Presley fans from across the country and the world gathered in Parkes for the 2016 Parkes Elvis Festival. The event ran from January 6 to 10, with 380 fans arriving on the Elvis Express train that departed Sydney’s Central Station on Thursday 7.

Thousands gathered to welcome the train at Parkes Railway Station at 4.30pm, eager to commence five days of ‘King’-sized festivities. Last Thursday night, leading U.S. Elvis tribute artist Donny Edwards kicked off the
Festival in style with a huge Opening Night Concert, the first of four ClubsNSW Keno Feature Concerts across the weekend. Edwards was backed by the dynamic eightpiece Elvis In Concert Band.

In a Parkes Elvis Festival first, a preliminary round of the 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest was staged at Parkes Leagues Club. Jack Gatto from Victoria placed first, followed by Moses Kassas from NSW in second place and Brendon Chase from New Zealand in third. Gatto will now travel to Memphis, USA, to represent Australia at the Contest Semi-Final during Elvis Week in August.

Last Saturday the highly anticipated North Parkes Mines Street Parade saw over 14,000 people line the streets to enjoy the fiesta of Elvis-themed floats, vintage cars, motorcycles, walking groups and marching bands. Live nonstop entertainment at the Cooke Park main stage kept the party going all day and into the night with well-attended free Concerts in The Park on Friday and Saturday nights.

The 2016 Miss Priscilla, Face of the Festival, was awarded to Helen Rowbotham, of Parkes. She received the sash from outgoing 2015 Miss Priscilla, Ashleigh Smith, at a gala dinner on Thursday night. Festival Director Emily Mann said it was heartening to see locals and visitors come together to celebrate the legacy of The King of ‘Rock’n’Roll’.
“This year’s ‘Fun In Acapulco’ Mexican theme saw everyone get into the party spirit. We are pleased to have delivered a successful and vibrant event for the Central West,” she said.

In 2017 Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the theme ‘Viva Las Vegas’.