Forbes Shire Council held a community meeting at the Council Chambers on Monday night with over 150 community members attending. “I will take up the fight in Macquarie Street for Forbes Shire Council to stand alone, if that is what the ratepayers want and it is the wish of the Council,” said Member for Orange Andrew Gee. “I will do this in the strongest terms.”

There was an overwhelming show of support for Forbes Council to stand alone, and this was reinforced by the Micromex Research Survey conducted with 304 residents. 72% of those surveyed said they supported Forbes Council standing alone, compared to 28% saying they wanted to merge. Mayor Phyllis Miller gave an overview of where the Fit for the Future Plan was at, outlining reasons why Forbes was declared ‘unfit’.

This revolved around the population of the Forbes Shire as it applied to scale and capacity. Mayor Miller commented that the figures, taken from 2013, were incorrect and that this matter of population has been an ongoing battle and discussion with the Department of Planning. Forbes Shire Council has discussed the possibility of merging with surrounding Councils, including Cabonne, Weddin, Lachlan, Parkes and Cowra, but none of these Councils want to merge with Forbes.

The NSW Government can force Councils to amalgamate under the Local Government Act, however Council has until 18 November to respond. Andrew Gee said that a final decision will hopefully be made before Christmas, after
the NSW Government responds to IPART. “There is no question it will be a tough fight,” said Mr Gee. “Politics is about taking up the difficult causes. It’s certainly not about running up the white flag and blindly accepting a report written by Sydney bureaucrats against the wishes of the community.”

Mayor Miller reiterated that the Councillors will always strive to do what is best for the ratepayers who have elected them to this Council. As one attendee commented, “if it’s not broken, why fix it?”

Young All Western Breeds Association (YAWBA) based in Forbes held their Lope for a Cure Show to raise money for breast cancer research. Set in a beautiful setting amongst the trees and fresh green grass is the undercover arena located in Young. The warm, sunny Saturday set the tone for the day, with excited and beautifully decorated horses and rider handlers.

Members attended from all over NSW and ACT, and the YAWBA team were both honoured and proud to announce that they raised over $1,200 for research to find a cure for breast cancer. YAWBA ran their normal program, with the
inclusion of four specialty pink classes.

“We would like to thank the following sponsors: Stallions Southern Cross Appaloosa’s, Craiglea Paints, Iron Horse Stud, Ellenjai Dun Dreaming, Ziggi Jones, Kathie Garner Cakes, Thomo’s Camping, Pops Fudge factory, Dakota Gorrie Cowgirl Creations, Jewelz n Things, Kinloch Park, Giddy Up Gags & Bits, Afternoon Delight, Skipamaxistar, Brumby Horse Wear, Green Partnership Forbes, Amber Helwig, John Evans, Zelvin Creations, Samantha Cameron, Bette Thatcher, Amanda Madden, Guyson Ranch, Tuff Rugs Australia, McDonnalds Saddlery, Debbie Taylor, Zelvan Photography, Peasley Haulage, Young Pony Club, Sammy C Designs, Ronarker Chaff Mill Forbes, T&G Horse Rug Repairs, Eveready Performance Horses, Green Partnership Forbes, Wind Roper Saddlery, Amanda Madden, and Chris and Jennifer English.”

The Children’s Christmas Markets in Parkes are coming up on Saturday 7 November at Cooke Park. Now in its fifth year, the Australian Breastfeeding Association Parkes/Forbes Group annual Christmas Children’s Markets are the perfect place to sell your children’s ware and start your Christmas shopping.

There are many commercial and handmade baby and children’s items for sale, helping to support local stallholders and helping to raise funds for the local ABA group. This will allow them to continue to provide support to local mums on their breastfeeding journey. This year, Jenny’s Classroom has again donated the major raffle prize so remember
– you’ve got to be in it to win it. You will find a treasure trove of beautiful décor items, unique fashion pieces and
adorable accessories you won’t find anywhere else.

There are plenty of new stalls to browse through with amazing items and treats including children’s clothing, giftware, accessories, food and drinks and so much more! For more information, contact 0428 922 499 or 0411 105 164. Support the Australian Breastfeeding Association and spend your Saturday morning at the Children’s Christmas Markets.

The Forbes Inn hosted the Pamper the Parents Ladies night on the 24th October, with all attendees receiving a pamper pack on arrival. Guests were treated to the services of the visiting Butlers in the Buff – Tom and Christian.

Although the butlers were a little bit “cheeky”, they were still tasteful and a lot of fun. Local talents, Cath Adams and Tom Quigley provided entertainment for the night and Michele Quigley kept the event running smoothly as MC.

The evening raised $5000 which will be a huge boost towards the total fundraising total of $13000 raised at Westmead in September. After visiting a friend and her child at Westmead’s Children’s Hospital, Nicole Cassidy
made it her business to design an event that would not only raise valuable funds to support the hospital but support the families utilising the services as well.

Pamper the Parents held its first day in 2011 and focused on giving a special day to the mums, dads and families with kids at the Children’s Hospital. These parents, grandparents, and family members who put life and creature comforts on hold while their most loved possessions receive treatment, are given the opportunity to take time out to have their hair done, relax with a massage or just have some “me time”.

This year all funds raised will be used to purchase a children’s Heart Lung Machine, life-saving equipment specially designed for newborns to 12 year olds. During cardiac surgery, sometimes the medical team need to stop the child’s heart to make repair easier, and this is the machine that takes over this crucial role. At a cost of half a million dollars, every cent donated counts.

Perfect spring weather and an exciting new location proved the right combinations for the Forbes Farmers Markets held on Saturday. The markets, which are held on the fourth Saturday of each month, saw new stall holders and an increased number of people in attendance at Victoria Park.

The central location was also popular with morning walkers, stopping to have coffee and peruse the many stalls. The addition of children’s activities such as face painting and colouring in, is making the event ‘family friendly’ and was well received by local families who were able to purchase fresh produce while their children were being entertained.

The markets have a strict charter of guidelines that stall holders must comply with to enable them to join the growing number of regular attendees. Producers must reside within the Central West, an area reaching as far south as Wagga Wagga, Dubbo in the north, Bathurst to the east and Condobolin heading west.

All produce must be home/farm grown and must be fresh or a bi-product of the fresh produce. Producers are on hand to answer any questions you may have about their wares so you know exactly what you are buying and eating.

Farmers Market coordinator, Melissa Ross, was very pleased with the change of venue which will continue for the summer months. In March next year organisers will reassess the situation for winter and decide whether or not to make the move back to the showground and the all-weather facilities of the Ben Hall Shears complex.

This month the Biz Viz organised by the Forbes Chamber was hosted by Steve Walker of Walkers AGnVET. The AGnVET Services business has evolved over the past 100 years from a single focussed retail outlet started by Harry Walker in 1915 in Forbes NSW to a network of businesses with over 60 locations and 100 specialist advisors in agronomy and animal nutrition, strategically located throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Through the iconic brands of AGnVET Services, IK Caldwell, M.I.A. Rural Services, Darling Irrigation, The Wheelhouse Group, Howard Martin & Co and AGnVET Agribusiness these businesses play a key role in supporting their local rural communities. AGnVET Services today remains a proudly Australian independent agribusiness
owned by four families.

Steve Walker gave an overview of the background of the company which was started in 1915. Both Michael and Steve
Walker believe that it is the unique culture of the company and their people which gives them a point of difference in the market. Michael said, ‘We have good people that are committed to ensuring our customers receive the best advice and quality products to ensure they maximise their profitability in their individual farming enterprises. Our agronomic team are the best in providing a range of valuable services including on farm advice, farm mapping, soil moisture monitoring, nutrition advice and a suite of analytical services through our agronomic platform BettaCrop.

We have tremendous relationships with our suppliers and are looking forward to many of our local clients participating in a study tour to the USA in July 2016. In addition to this we will also be hosting this year’s Big Bucks Bonanza night next Friday November the 6th. This is traditionally a great night where our clients can take home some exciting prizes in the auction conducted by local identity Col Hodges.”

As part of the 100 year anniversary this year Michael said he and his fellow directors, David Walker and Mark Giffin were proud to host a dinner for the staff that were able to travel to Forbes on Saturday night. Steve believes that the ongoing success of the AGnVET business is built on the strong relationships and value adding that our staff across the branches have and provide to their local clients on a daily basis.

The Central West Livestock Exchange is a state of the art facility and a proven choice for buying and selling premium quality cattle, sheep and pigs. The complex opened in 2006 when the brand new $10.4 million cattle auction facility
was completed. The $15 million sheep auction facility was opened in late 2010 and $1.2 million pig auction facility in 2011.

Deputy Mayor Graeme Miller is the Chairman of the Saleyards Advisory Committee, which is the governing body of the Central West Livestock Exchange. Also on the committee are Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM, Councillor Brian Mattiske, Saleyards Supervisor Cassi Walmsley, Council senior staff, representatives from the local stock and station agents, vendors, a local carrier and a member of Local Land Services.

Cr Miller said in terms of numbers through the Central West Livestock Exchange, it was ranked second for sheep sales last year and was ranked in the top 10 for cattle sales. The facility is one of two pig selling centres in NSW and has the highest ranking for pig sales. Council has recently submitted an application for grant funding to expand the
cattle yards to cater for the larger numbers coming through the yards.

“When the facility was built nine years ago, the plan was to take us into the next 20 years, however the business has
grown to the point where we need to expand, which has exceeded all expectations,” Cr Miller said. “At the moment Council is completing a master plan for future development and an overall look at the site to take it into the next 20 years. “We will be looking at market trends and the usage of the yards.”

Cr Miller is also a member of the Australian Livestock Marketing Association Board, which is the peak national industry body in relation to conducting saleyards business and lobbying with interest groups and governments. “We are always looking at different ways that we can optimise the centre,” he said. The Central West Livestock Exchange also has canteen facilities, a six-bay high pressure truck wash, amenities including showers, ample truck and car parking and grazing paddocks for holding stock and resting stock.

State of the Art Facility is what the Local Agent’s have to say. Murray Reid from V.C. Reid and Son said, “The new livestok centre is a great asset to the town and also to all of the agents, buy ers, and vendors who use the facility each
week.” Geoff Rice, Landmark Langlands Hanlon, said,” the new livestock centre is a terrific centre to work from, and is just such a great improvement compared to the old one. With these improvements, it has attracted more and more business which is benefitting all of the local agents. It is one of the only Council owned saleyards left in the state, and a big benefit to this are the fees which the vendors pay, making it more attractive than other centres.”

Tim Mackay, agent from Forbes Livestock & Agency Co said,’ the centre is so much more superior than the previous one, and whilst we still get a little congested when the numbers are high, the sheep yards are working magnificently.” He agreed with Geoff Rice, that there are now more stock coming to Forbes since the new selling centre has been in place. Tim said,” there are now better facilities for the people handling the livestock and for the buyers and vendors.”

Luke Whitty, director of KMWL said, “Having worked at the old yards for a very long period of time, I view the new centre as state of the art. The hard cover over the cattleyards, along with the sawdust floor gives this centre a big advantage over other centres. It means that the cattle are very comfortable, and don’t get lame or sore footed whilst in the yards. The buyer’s walkways enabling them to view the cattle prior to purchase is an added advantage.

The sheep facility enables the agents to present the sheep in a better environment, and overall is just fantastic for vendors and carriers. I believe that we are attracting more business from further afield with this facility since we moved here.”