Outdoor Gym: Forbes Shire Council is installing new outdoor gym equipment after receiving funding from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Fund for the Lake Forbes Activation Plan. There will be two stations at Lake Forbes. One behind Forbes Public School and another on the other side of the lake at Lions Park with five pieces of equipment at a station. The installation will take approximately two weeks to complete. The area will be fenced off but will not disrupt walking around the lake.

Faulty Streetlights: You can now report a faulty streetlight and receive updates through Essential Energy’s website. With the new easy-to-use reporting tool, you can help make your streets safer by letting them know when there’s a streetlight that needs to be repaired. Seen a flickering light? Click this link to report it: www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages/streetlight

Nominate A Tradie: Our Tradie of the Month competitions in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively, continues this month. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear with your nomination, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

Digital Seniors Card: Seniors in NSW are continuing to embrace the digital card with more than 100,000 people now taking advantage of the digital Seniors Card. While there would always be a non-digital version, many seniors are taking advantage of the digital option to access discounts and benefits on dining out, entertainment and travel. The Seniors Card has become the largest program of its kind in Australia since it was first introduced in 1992. To learn more visit service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/nsw-seniors-card-program

Mullets for Mental Health: Serious warning! Mullets are set to take over local communities in an 80s influx you won’t be able to resist! The Black Dog Institute’s Mullets for Mental Health campaign is officially back for 2022 and Aussies are encouraged to start growing those luscious locks for the month of September to raise much needed funds for mental health research. Almost 80% of Australians claimed their mental health had worsened due to the pandemic.

Nominate A Tradie Today: Today, 29th July, is the closing date for this month’s Tradie of the Month competitions in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear to nominate a tradie, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. 

Community Funding: Not-for-profit organisation in the Parkes Shire can apply for funding. Round 1 for the 2022/23 Community Financial Assistance program is now open! The Parkes Shire Council is encouraging groups and organisations to apply for a donation, a waiving of fees and charges, seed or growth funding. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 13th August. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3yIjI9W 

Charity Ball: Northparkes Mines will be hosting a Frontline Charity Ball at the Parkes Leagues Club on Saturday, 20th August to raise funds and celebrate the emergency services within our local communities. The evening will consist of a sit down dinner, live music by Gabemusic and auctions. It will also feature special guest hosts The Eighth Mile Consultancy Pty Ltd. Tickets available via: https://bit.ly/3uTGIlh 

Aboriginal Language For Personal Use: TAFE NSW Forbes is taking Expressions of Interest in Certificate I in Fundamental Aboriginal Languages for Personal Use. TAFE is looking at starting a part time course on a Wednesday night that would run for 17 weeks at the Forbes campus. This would be a fully subsidised course and is open to all students. Learn the foundations to reading and writing in your local language and join your community in protecting and promoting traditional languages for generations to come. Register your expression of at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage 

AFL Trees: Fans of AFL and the environment will be pleased to hear that Planet Ark and National Tree Day major sponsor Toyota Australia are teaming up with the AFL to plant trees around Australia. During rounds 17-19, the AFL’s sustainability rounds, a native Australian seedling will be planted for every point scored across all games! 

Downloaded the iRecycle Forbes app: The app helps you keep track of which bin is collected on which day and has all the info for annual and special event collections in Forbes. The next Bulky Waste Collection is in the first week of August. Download the app to find out what can and can’t be collected. The app also has easy to read A to Z waste info, bin info and forms at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/irecycle-forbes-app

Does your organisation need funding? Time is running out to get your applications in for Forbes Shire Council’s Community Funding Program. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 31st July. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5,000 as cash or in-kind support (or a combo). For more information and the application form go to the SmartyGrants portal at https://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au/ 

Parkes Customer Request System Upgrade: Parkes Shire Council has upgraded the Customer Request Management (CRM) system to improve the customer service experience. Residents are now able to report issues and raise requests online at any time from any device. Customers can track their request and receive updates as they progress. To use the new customer request system, visit Council’s website. 

Have you heard about Snap Send Solve? The free app allows customers to notify Parkes Shire Council of issues in the shire. Simply capture and send photos with a report via the app wherever you are, on the spot. The issue will be sent directly to Council and entered into the new CRM system. Visit www.snapsendsolve.com 

Trundle ABBA Festival: Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Trundle ABBA Festival on 15th October for over nine hours of family-friendly entertainment headlined by Bjorn Again, the World’s No. 1 ABBA tribute band. Go to www.trundleabbafestival.com.au. 

New Venue For Parkes Community Choir: The Parkes Community Choir is changing its practice venue to the Parkes Public School Hall. Access is via Hill Street. The Parkes Community Choir will begin Term 3 on Thursday, 21st July from 7pm until 8:30pm. Term 3 will run for eight weeks. This is a free, fun activity and everyone is welcome. You do not need to be able to sing, you just need to love to sing. 

Does your organisation need funding? Forbes Shire Council’s Community Funding Program is open for applications until midnight on Sunday, 31st July. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $5,000 as cash or in-kind support (or a combo). For more information and to view and complete the application form head to the SmartyGrants portal at https://forbesshire.smartygrants.com.au/ 

Nominate A Tradie – Forbes & Parkes: Remember to nominate your favourite tradie in our exciting Tradie of the Month competitions running in Forbes and Parkes, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Totally Work Wear respectively. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear or Totally Work Wear to nominate a tradie, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or editor@parkesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Friday, 29th July. 

Record Apprentice Intake: A record number of new apprenticeships and trainees will be hired to work on vital road and transport infrastructure in the regions. Applications are now open for 135 placements – an 80% increase on last year. Opportunities will be available across 10 disciplines, including civil construction, bridge construction, painting and blasting, electrical, heavy diesel mechanic, business administration, project management and three new programs in marketing and communications, finance and safety, environment and quality. Applications close midnight 7th August. For more information: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/apprentice-trainees 

RSPCA Cupcake Day: RSPCA NSW is encouraging supporters to sign up and host a Cupcake Day event at home, school, or work, on any day in August. Over 100,000 animals turn to the RSPCA looking for help, every year. RSPCA Cupcake Day is the chance raise funds to fight animal cruelty. Signing up is a piece of cake, head to www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au and start baking for a pawsome cause. 

Free Flu Shots Extended To 17th July: There is still time to get your free flu shots available to all NSW residents until 17th July. According to Health Minister Brad Hazzard only one in four children aged under five had a flu shot, while the figures are even lower for kids aged five to 15. He urged families to use the school holidays to book in for a free flu shot. The low uptake in the Central West has been of concern to health authorities. 

NSW Seniors Festival Grants: Local councils, not-for-profit organisations and community groups can apply for grant funding to host events and activities as part of the 65th annual NSW Seniors Festival. Grants up to $10,000 are available to ensure older people remain active and connected within their communities no matter where they live, the language they speak and irrespective of their abilities. The Seniors Festival will run from 1 to 12 February 2023. Applications for grants are open to 1st August. To apply and for more information about the grants, visit www.nsw.gov.au/seniors-festival 

Stop It And Swap It This Plastic Free July: To mark the beginning of Plastic Free July, the NSW Government is partnering with 17 organisations to help communities stop using single-use plastic. NSW EPA and the Great Plastic Rescue will support businesses with excess lightweight single-use plastic bags by offering a service for collection and reprocessing of that stock. OzGreen and Green Music Australia will work with music festivals and food vendors to introduce more sustainable ways of doing business, and education campaigns will be launched through Girl Guides and Men’s Sheds across the state. From 1 June, lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned in NSW. From November, the NSW Government is banning additional single-use items, including plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds, expanded polystyrene food ware and cups, and rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60% of all litter in NSW. The ban will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in NSW over the next 20 years. For more information about the NSW plastics ban, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban For ideas on how to stop it and swap it this Plastic Free July, visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/environment-heritage/plastics-action-plan/stop-it-swap-it 

Happy 105th Birthday Billie: Many happy returns to Jemalong Residential Village resident Isabelle Mattiske, who celebrated her 105th birthday on 24th June. Isabelle who likes to be called Billie, moved from Sydney to Forbes as a young woman to work as a Home Economics teacher. Soon after arriving in Forbes she met Edwin Mattiske (Eddie) and they courted, going to dances and movies before they married, and Billie became a farmer’s wife. She has one son, two grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Billie was a great cook, renowned for her ginger fluff sponge and Anzac biscuits. She loved having family, friends and neighbours visit the farm and entertaining visitors for morning tea. 

Billie was always very active in the community, and took great joy in socialising with others and giving back to people. She 

was the President of the CWA, involved in the Red Cross and enjoyed playing bowls, tennis, and cards. Billie enjoys having a glass of red wine and she had one for her birthday. Cheers to Billie! 

Nominate A Tradie: Remember to send in your nomination for our popular Tradie of the Month competition, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear, by email: editor@forbesphoenix.com.au stating your favourite tradie’s name, workplace and contact number. You can also pop into Gunn’s Menswear to nominate someone. We would love to see some female tradies going in the draw too. The winner each month wins a fabulous prize from Gunn’s Menswear, Forbes! 

Exciting STEM Program For Local Schools: Schools in the Central West can be part of an exciting new STEM partnership. Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West has partnered with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO for the Generation STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP). The initiative connects teachers and students with local employers, showcasing the relevance of STEM in everyday life and increases student engagement in related subjects. All high schools in the region are invited to get behind this fantastic opportunity for students in years 9 and 10. The mid-year intake program has opened.For more information, contact: Sophie Lountain on 6369 1600 or email projects_grants@rdacentralwest.org.au. 

Grazing Down The Lachlan: Celebrating its fourth year in 2022, Grazing Down the Lachlan returns to the banks of the Lachlan River in Forbes on Saturday, 17th September. Chair of the Grazing Down the Lachlan committee, Wendy Muffet said: “We’ve spent the last two years working behind the scenes to make our multi-award winning event even more exciting, with a full line up of events and activities celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, entertainment, art, culture and history.” To view the full program and plan your Grazing weekend, head to www.grazingdownthelachlan.com. 

Pay Your Vouchers Forward For Kids In Need: Don’t let your unused NSW Discover Vouchers go to waste. It is so easy to perform a random act of kindness and help kids in need. One Discover Voucher will issue your selected Children’s Charity with two entry passes on your behalf to pass on to children and families in need. The charities include Starlight Children’s Foundation, Variety Children’s Charity, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and KidzWish Foundation. Go to https://symbiozoo.com.au/paydiscoverforward/ 

Big News For All Super Troupers: Trundle ABBA Festival is going ahead on Saturday, 15th October with Australia’s leading ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again (AUSTRALIA), headlining the festival. The events team at Parkes Shire Council will be taking over the management of the festival this year. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 4th July at https://bit.ly/Abba2022 or ring 6881 8632. You can use your Parents NSW vouchers. 

Nominate A Tradie: Remember to nominate your favourite tradie in our exciting Tradie of the Month competition, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize from Gunn’s Menswear. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street to nominate a tradie, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Monday, 27th June. 

Are you a volunteer? Forbes Shire Council is organising a Volunteers Morning Tea to say THANK YOU. Whether you are a volunteer or you just want to say thank you to a volunteer, join the morning tea in the Forbes Town Hall on Tuesday, 28th June at 10am to recognise some of the hardest working people in our Shire. Please RSVP to events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or call 6850 2300. 

Free Child Restraint Checks: The annual free child restraint checking day will take place on Saturday, 25th June in the Bunnings carpark from 10am tp 2pm. Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor said: “The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash. Bookings are essential, phone 6861 2364 to secure your place. Information about the national child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will be available. 

Nominate A Tradie: Remember to nominate your favourite tradie in our exciting Tradie of the Month competition, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear. Readers can nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw and the winner each month will win a prize from Gunn’s Menswear. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street to nominate a tradie, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Monday, 27th June. 

Calleen Art Award: The Cowra Regional Art Gallery has announced that entries are now open for the prestigious Calleen Art Award 2022 of $25,000.The Calleen Art Award is a national acquisitive painting prize in any subject and style (there is no theme). The award was founded in 1977 by Patricia Fagan OAM and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust. Selected finalists will be exhibited at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery from 9th October to 20th November. The winner of the Calleen Art Award 2022 will receive $25,000 and the winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery. A non-acquisitive People’s Choice Award of $1,000 is awarded at the end of the exhibition. Entries Close: 25th July 2022. 

Long Term Grazing Permits: Livestock producers in the Central West have are invited to make a tender submission for long-term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) for periods longer than 12 months. Tender submissions will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 6th July. For more information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/tsr and follow the links. 

Double Demerits: A reminder to all motorists that double demerit points will come into force this long weekend from today, 10th June until Monday, 13th June (inclusive) for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences. Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling said Police would also be targeting the ‘four Ds’ – drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving. “Our message is to be patient, obey the road rules and drive to conditions. “There will be more Police on the road which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing.” The illegal use of a mobile phones will be picked up with mobile phone detection cameras with fines of $352 and 10 demerits. Restricted licences holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders are not permitted to use their phone at all, including the use of hands-free and Bluetooth functions. 

Mayors Agree On Changes for Rural Health: A total of 15 positive changes were agreed upon when the Mayors of Central NSW met at the end of last month for the Country Mayors Association (CMR) Rural Health Forum in Sydney. They discussed the recommendations of the Legislative Council report into health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote NSW. Chair of the Country Mayors Association Cr Ken Keith OAM of Parkes said: “We would like the government to consider including short-term measures to improve rural health including the development of systems to maintain the retention of internees in rural areas and to get international doctors into rural communities. In the long-term, we need to look at establishing more medical schools to train doctors in rural regions.” It was resolved that the government will collaborate on the issue of doctor shortages in the rural health system. 

Nominate A Tradie: Our exciting Tradie of the Month competition, sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear, kicked off last week. Readers are invited to nominate a tradie, male or female, to go into the draw for the Tradie of the Month. The winner each month will win a prize from Gunn’s Menswear. Simply drop into Gunn’s Menswear at 83 Rankin Street to nominate a tradie, or message the Gunn’s Menswear facebook page, or send us an email at editor@forbesphoenix.com.au. The closing date for this month is Monday, 27th June. 

New Number For Women’s Health: The Western NSW Local Health District Women’s Health Service has a new 1800 number. You can reach the service by calling 1800 008 422 between Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm to get in contact with your local women’s health nurse, and to book appointments directly. A referral is not required. 

Real-Time Weather Forecast For Farmers: Farmers and regional communities in the Central West can now access detailed, real-time weather observations received by the new Doppler radar at Yeoval. The radar’s information will revolutionise how weather-dependent decisions are made, and will enhance the productivity of rural communities. The new radar enables the Bureau of Meteorology to provide accurate, real-time data, determining rain and wind velocity, raindrop and hail size, and the height of bushfire plumes up to 200km from the radar site. The addition of Yeoval to the radars at Brewarrina and Hillston-Ivanhoe means an area covering approximately 30% of NSW now has access to real-time weather warnings and forecasts. Data from the Yeoval Doppler radar is available on the Bureau of Meteorology weather app or at www.bom.gov.au. 

New Wyangala Water Treatment Plant: Work to deliver up to 800,000 litres of clean drinking water every day has started at the new $5.1 million Wyangala Water Treatment Plant. The plant will be owned and operated by Cowra Shire Council when work is finished in early 2023. The project’s principal contractor, Enviropacific Services, aim to employ one-third of its workforce locally. 

Testing And Research City at Cudal: The NSW Government has unveiled its vision for regional NSW to become the Southern Hemisphere hub of cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology, with a testing and research ‘city’ to be built at Cudal, near Orange. The government announced a $9.5 million upgrade to the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre – once the local airstrip – which opened in 2019. The goal is to develop Australia’s first certification site for driverless vehicles. 

More Return And Earn Points: More return points are being added to the NSW Government’s popular Return and Earn scheme after a new contract was signed with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. The container deposit scheme has seen more than 7.4 billion containers returned since it began in 2017, and more than $30 million raised for charities and community groups. This resulted in a 52% reduction in the volume of drink container litter and recycling more than 672,000 tonnes in materials.