Australians are being encouraged to recognise the dads and father figures who keep local sport moving, with nominations now open for the 2026 Community Sports Dad of the Year.

The national award recognises the people behind community sport: the dads coaching from the sidelines, managing teams, fundraising, driving kids to training and taking on the countless jobs that keep local clubs running.

Nominations are open now and the winner will be announced ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday, 6 September 2026. The winning dad will receive a Philips Reverse Osmosis Water Station valued at $1,299 RRP, while their community sporting club will receive a $5,000 Rebel Sport voucher for new clothing or sporting equipment. The person behind the winning nomination will also receive a Philips Multi-groom 7000 grooming kit, valued at $229 RRP.

Community Sports Dad of the Year founder Paul Masluk said the award was created to recognise the people whose contribution to local sport often happens quietly.

Submissions close at midnight AEST on 27 August 2026. Nominate a deserving dad in 100 words or less via www.sportsdads.com.au/community.

Soup, soup, and more soup, and slices that’s what the public has been calling out for since the recent and very popular Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen held in July.

The ladies at the Forbes Evening Branch of CWA (FEBCWA) are bringing us one more open kitchen while we are still feeling the cold and craving some delicious hot soup.

The ladies found that despite replenishing the soup supply to keep up with customers, the demand for two old favourites continued right up until the last drop at the July ‘Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen’.

Branch members wish to thank all patrons who attended in July. The soup creators are already planning the soup menu for the final ‘Soup and Slice Kitchen’ for the winter of 2026. This will include extra quantities of the two most popular choices to be available, creamy pumpkin soup and corn chowder with bacon.

The Forbes EBCWA wish to extend a very warm welcome to anyone who will be in the Forbes CBD on 20 August to partake in their final ‘Winter Walk-in Soup and Slice Kitchen’, from 12 midday to 2pm at the CWA Hall in Lachlan Street.

The same serve of soup, bread roll, slice and a cuppa, will be available for $15.

“In 2025 the Branch observed the ‘August Soup and Slice Kitchen’ to be the most popular of the three Winter Kitchens and for this reason the Branch is preparing for this possibility again.

“Come and enjoy a delicious meal and great company. We hope to see you there,” said Lorraine Everest Publicity Officer FEBCWA.

Women of all ages are welcome to attend Forbes Evening Branch CWA meetings at 6.30pm on the second Thursday of the month. For more information about the club you can call 0407 002 937 or email forbeseveningbranchcwa@gmail.com

It’s been a busy few weeks around the electorate and in Parliament. During last sitting week I raised serious concerns about the Government’s approach to feral pig management. Farmers across the region are already spending significant time and money trying to control feral pigs, which destroy crops, damage fences, attack livestock, contaminate water sources and devastate the environment.

Yet instead of providing greater assistance, the Government is threatening significant biosecurity penalties for landholders who cannot eliminate feral pig populations from their properties. I argued that farmers should be supported, not punished. I also raised concerns about unnecessary barriers being placed in front of farmers and professional pest controllers seeking access to practical pest-management tools already provided for under the law, including Category D firearm licences for coordinated pest control programs and firearm suppressors for occupational health and safety purposes. Importantly, I highlighted reports of significant feral pig activity within the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area near Federal Falls, questioning why private landholders face penalties while feral pig populations continue to thrive on government managed land.

I called for practical and innovative solutions, including greater involvement of recreational hunters; a feral animal bounty program; competitive tendering for privately operated aerial culling services; and stronger partnerships between government, landholders and pest controllers. I will continue advocating for common-sense measures that help landholders protect their livelihoods, the environment and our agricultural industries.