Forbes Phoenix

Town Hall Christmas Projection Returns With A New Festive Story

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The much-loved Forbes Town Hall Christ­mas Projection is once again illuminating the local Landmark, and this year’s projec­tion has debuted a heartwarming new story titled, ‘Nedd and the Late Santa Letter’.Each year in Forbes, children write let­ters to Santa and post them through the North Pole Mail Express. These treasured messages are collected at Forbes Shire Council and whisked away on their magical journey to the North Pole.

But this year, one special letter has been accidentally left behind, and it’s up to someone truly extraordinary to get it to Santa before Christmas Eve.

The 2025 projection is voiced by mem­bers of the Forbes Youth Action Team (FYAT) and features real letters written by local children, making this one of the most personal and engaging Christmas projec­tions ever showcased on the historic Town Hall façade.

Mayor Phyllis Miller said, “For four years, families have gathered in the heart of town to enjoy this magical storytelling experi­ence. We’re thrilled to bring a new chapter to life while also featuring the creativity and Christmas wishes of our youngest resi­dents,” the Mayor said.

Created by lighting artist Stephan de Wit, the projection will run nightly, 8.30pm until 11.30pm from Monday 8 December through to Boxing Day.

The narration will be broadcast locally on FM 88.7 so be sure to tune in via your car radio to enjoy the full audio-visual ex­perience of lights, colours and the magical Christmas story.

Snippets…

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Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Cor­poration is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation: A friendly re­minder before the Christmas break, that the last day of 2025 is Friday 19 Decem­ber. We reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. Please make sure if you require an appointment call us on 6850 1222.

Parkes Shire Council: Feedback on the Draft Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan clos­es this Sunday, 14 December. Don’t miss your opportunity to help shape the future of transport across our region. Last chance to have your say https://bit.ly/4hOvTIi

R U OK? When someone is struggling you might be tempted to try and cheer them up. But sometimes what they really need is for you to show that it’s safe to be sad. Re­member to check-in and ask how you can best support those you care about.

Forbes Youth Action Team: Free Holiday Movie. Join for a fun screening of Elf these school holidays on Monday 22 December, from 2pm – 4pm (Movie starts 2:10pm), Ages 6+, Free Zooper Doopers. Seats are free, but tickets are required – www.123tix.com.au/events/50750/christmas-movie-afternoon

Parkes Elvis Festival: The countdown is on – just 1 month to go until the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival kicks off. Get ready for unfor­gettable shows, iconic tribute artists, com­petitions, parades, and more. Don’t miss out on being part of this rockin’ celebration of The King. Grab your tickets, plan your outfits, and make your travel arrangements now – let’s make this festival the most elec­trifying one yet. https://www.123tix.com.au/events/parke­selvisfestival

Lifeline: If you find the holiday season challenging, you’re not alone. For many people this time can bring up a range of difficult thoughts and feelings. Explore tips and support for coping with loneliness this holiday season: ll.org.au/holidays

Forbes Flying Club: Why stay on the ground when you can take to the skies? Turn school break into a real flying ad­venture at Forbes Flying Club. Perfect for teens, parents or anyone who wants to fly. Holiday intro flights are now open, call 0428 343 866 to book your flight!

Georgie’s Hub – Anglican Parish of Parkes and Peak Hill: Christmas spirit is alive and well at Georgie’s Boutique. Lots of laughter and fun with our great custom­ers. Drop in between 10am – 4pm and pick up fabulous bargains.

Georgie’s Boutique is located at 275 Clarinda St, Parkes. Drop in between now and Christmas for a bargain.

Hidden No More Shines The Light On Domestic Violence In The Bush

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CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes has brought together frontline workers, community advo­cates and leading voices to explain the re­alities of domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW.

Hidden No More: shining the light on domestic violence in rural communities brought together more than 100 committed people as an important step towards lasting and practical change.

Its keynote speakers were NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, the Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC, author, professor and investigative journalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Superintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of NSW.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes team members from Forbes and Parkes were part of the program’s panel discussions, joined by other community leaders, frontline workers and advocates.

Orana and Far West continues to record domestic violence-related assault rates more than three times the NSW average. In remote areas, women experience assaultrelated hospitalisations at 43 times the rate of women in major cities.

“Those are statistics, but for our team, we see real women and children, and the dam­age domestic violence does,” CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said after the symposium.

“We’re trying to protect women and their children in areas with very few services,” Ms Mioche said.

“Services that are available in rural com­munities are often seeing two to three times the number of women they are funded to support.

Ms Mioche said she wanted both the fed­eral and state governments to reassess funding allocations for regional and remote communities.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is a pro­vider of the Men’s Behaviour Change Pro­gram, which Ms Mioche describes as hav­ing “huge potential to transform behaviour”.“For the men who really embrace the pro­gram, it is not unusual for them to participate again by choice,” she said. “We need more programs like this, giving men the tools and strategies to stop that behaviour.”

Serendipity Studio Open Day

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Serendipity Studio recently held an open day to show off their pottery wares, and they also had stall holders all promoting their wares and talents. Throughout the day they raised money for CanAssist. Pictured are Corallie and Laurie Crouch and Michelle Herbert presenting $400 to John Schrader from CanAssist.

Forbes Sport and Recreation Club Support CanAssist

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Once again the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club have shown what great supporters of CanAssist they are. Pic­tured is John Cutler, one of the main organisers of the re­cent Legends bowls day presenting $1,000 to CanAssist. CanAssist relies heavily on donations from the wonderful community of Forbes to provide the level of assistance that we do for residents undergoing treatment for cancer.

As Christmas Draws Near, There’s A Particular Kind Of Hush

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Church lawns fill with folding chairs for car­ols, kids rehearse their nativity lines with tea towels on their heads, and once again we pause at the old, beautiful story of a baby born in a stable — God choosing the simple and the small to show us He is with us.

At Kerin Health, the lights are still on. The tinsel on the front desk is slightly crooked.

Someone’s brought in shortbread. The tree in the corner is looking a little droopy after a month of being “reorganised” by many tod­dlers – mostly my own two-year-old, a tiny interior decorator with very big opinions.

Most mornings begin the same way — a deep breath at the door, mustering energy for another day amidst the juggle of school presentation nights and Christmas parties.

We wouldn’t have it any other way. Be­cause between the carols and the chaos, there are quieter moments. A farmer com­ing in straight from the paddock, hat in hand, finally making time for his sore shoul­der. A Mum in thongs and a messy bun, baby on one hip, whispering that she’s not just tired, she’s overwhelmed. An older gent who “hates a fuss”, leaving his appointment standing taller, with a joke for the girls at the front desk.

These are the stories of this year. Of bodies worked hard and hearts stretched thin. Of neighbours checking in. Of country people doing what they’ve always done — showing up for each other.

Christmas, for Kerin Health, is less about perfect tables and more about full ones.

Less about having everything “sorted” and more about being together, sharing food, stories and second helpings.

Our team will be taking a break over Christmas to rest with our own families, so the clinic will be closed for appointments during that time, reopening in early January refreshed and ready for a big year ahead.

Behind the scenes, there are plans on whiteboards, new faces joining the staff, and some exciting announcements coming in the new year — more support for rural families, more women’s health and preg­nancy services, more ways to care for the bodies that carry our stories.

From all of us at Kerin Health: thank you for trusting us with your aches, your tears, your hard days and your hopeful ones. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

The Parkes Elvis Festival Is Back In 2026 With A King Sized Celebration

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The Parkes Elvis Festival 2026 is gearing up to be one of the most exciting celebra­tions the town has ever seen, bringing five unforgettable days of music, energy and pure Elvis magic to Parkes, from 7–11 Jan­uary. Each year, tens of thousands of fans travel from across Australia and the world to honour the King, and this year’s theme, Love Me Tender, promises a heartfelt and immersive tribute to Elvis Presley’s most iconic ballads.

Across the festival, visitors can expect a vibrant program packed with world-class concerts, street parades, competitions, workshops, family activities and late-night entertainment. From the sparkling perfor­mances of renowned tribute artists to the charming retro atmosphere that transforms the town, the experience is unlike anything else in the country. In 2026, new additions including expanded Family Fun Zone and enhanced fan experiences will give both first-timers and returning festival-goers more to explore than ever before.

The official program will be available for purchase from Elvis Central, the Parkes Visitor Information Centre, and several lo­cal retailers.

What makes the Parkes Elvis Festival truly special is its sense of community, celebration and shared nostalgia. Wheth­er you are singing along to the classics, browsing the themed markets, or soaking up the electric energy on the famous Elvis Festival Street Parade route, you will feel part of something bigger, an annual tradi­tion that continues to grow.

With demand increasing each year, tick­ets are selling fast. If you want the best seats at headline shows, exclusive experi­ences or accommodation close to the ac­tion, now is the perfect time to secure your place.

Do not miss the chance to start your year with five days of music, memories and pure joy. The King is calling, grab your tickets today and be part of the 2026 celebration.

https://www.123tix.com.au/events/parkeselvisfestival

Parkes Solidarity Walk: One Community, One Voice, No Incinerator

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Pictured Is Ben Stead of the Parkes Clean Future Alliance and Aunty Frances Robinson who is a Traditional Owner from Peak Hill

Wiradjuri groups from across the area are concerned about the Energy From Waste Incinerator proposed for Parkes, and are inviting everyone to join the Parkes Solidarity Walk which will take place on Saturday, 6th December.

Traditional owner Aunty Frances Robinson, working within the Aboriginal Consulting Group, together with Parkes Clean Future Alliance, said after going to a meeting about the proposed incinerator and “not seeing any Koori people present. It was obvious that no-one had engaged with the Aboriginal community as to how this will affect our culture and heritage. We have too much that we are passionate about that we need to protect not only for our ancestors but for the continuation of our culture. Impact on our medicinal plants, bush tucker, song lines, our river systems, our air quality, our food and fibre industry, our general health and well being.”

Aunty Frances said the Parkes Solidarity Walk was organised for “Everyone and anyone who is concerned about the impacts that this incinerator will have on our environment and our health. United we stand. This is not just one community group, we are many community groups, all with our own concerns, all standing together to fight this.”

Get a group of friends, family, co-workers together, you can even get creative and make a sign and come along to the Parkes Solidarity Walk. Meet at 10.30 at Sir Henry Parkes Statue and the walk will conclude at Cooke Park

Snippets…

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Pictured on The Morning Show Couch with Larry and Ky­lie are Elvis tribute artists Anthony Petrucci, Paul Fenech and Charlie Gaylard.

Parkes Elvis Festival: Elvis fever is start­ing to ramp up. The Parkes Elvis Festival celebrated all things Elvis on national TV on Tuesday, 2 December on Channel 7’s The Morning Show. Hosted by Larry Em­dur and Kylie Gillies, the segment featured interviews and a performance from three popular Elvis Tribute Artists Paul Fenech, Anthony Petrucci, and Charlie Gaylard. Parkes Elvis Festival tickets available here: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/parke­selvisfestival

R U OK? ‘Tis the season to remember that some of us find this time of year tough. Our free Calendar of Connection has ideas to help you reach out and lend support to friends, family and colleagues. Download now ruok.org.au/holiday.

Legal Aid NSW: The Legal Aid NSW Do­mestic Violence Unit is here to help. They’re a compassionate team of lawyers, case workers, mental health professionals and financial counsellors working together to support people impacted by domestic and family violence. They can help with Family law (parenting, divorce, financial matters), Child protection, ADVOs and DFV-related legal issues and Emotional and financial support If you would like more informa­tion about the services we provide, please phone 1800 979 529. Read more here: www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/my-problem-is-about/my-family-or-relationship/domestic-and-family-violence/domestic-violence-support-services/domestic-violence-unit

NSW Government: New laws make it eas­ier to find ethical, accountable dog breed­ers in NSW. Breeders must have an official breeder ID number, ads must include the puppy’s microchip and breeder ID, female dogs can only have up to 5 litters (up to 3 by caesarean) in their lifetime, limits on the number of dogs per premises, breeders need enough staff to give all dogs proper care. These changes help protect animals and give everyone confidence when buy­ing a puppy. More info: https://bit.ly/NSWDog-Welfare Apply for a breeder ID here: https://bit.ly/NSW-Breeder-ID

TAFE NSW Forbes: TAFE NSW Forbes campus are looking for expressions of in­terest in some new courses they are look­ing to offer in 2026 should they get suffi­cient interest. These will be short courses that will run for several weeks and may lead to further study options. The courses are: Automotive, Animal Studies and Com­puting for Seniors. If you would like to ex­press your interest in any of these courses, ring the campus on 0438 565 918 or call in to the campus.

Drop into the TAFE Forbes campus and ask about courses on offer for 2026.

Storytime Came To Life For Reading Downtown Day

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The Forbes community had so much fun celebrating Reading Downtown Day on Monday 24 November at the Forbes Town Hall, with a special live performance of Mr Huff.

The performance was brought to life by Meerkat Productions, Mr Huff is an awardwinning children’s book about the clouds and the sunshine in each of our lives.

Through music, movement and storytell­ing, children discover positive coping skills and practical wellbeing Strategies. This adaptation of Mr Huff supports schools in creating a strong wellbeing culture and aligns with the Australian Curriculum focus on Personal and Social Capability.

The program is designed to help stu­dents recognise, name and manage their emotions, building resilience, self-aware­ness and emotional intelligence in ways that stick.

The special event was a partnership be­tween Forbes Shire Council, Forbes North Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) and Forbes Birth to Kinder, bringing the community together to celebrate literacy, learning and wellbeing.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said it is won­derful to see local partnerships supporting fun and meaningful events for families.

“Reading Downtown Day is such a spe­cial event because it inspires children to discover the joy of reading. It’s so wonder­ful to be able to do something different this year for the community that’s interactive and fun,” Mayor Miller said.

Hosted annually, Reading Downtown Day aims to raise awareness about the im­portance of reading to children from a very young age.

This year marked the 21st year of the event in Forbes. Forbes North Schools SaCC committee member, Maree Yapp, said the group is proud to be celebrating over two decades of encouraging early lit­eracy.

“It’s amazing to see how the event con­tinues to grow,” Mrs Yapp said.

“Reading Downtown Day is all about showing families how powerful reading with children can be. It builds connection, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.”i

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