Forbes has seen many improvements this year which not only enriches the lives of residents, but also draws visitors to the town.

Veterans’ Employment Award Nominations: Riverina and Central West organisations which employ and support members of the Veteran community, or Veterans making a significant contribution to their workplace, are being encouraged to nominate for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards. More than 5,500 people leave the Australian Defence Force each year and the Federal Government’s aim is to ensure they can transition into civilian life effectively and find meaningful employment.

The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program aims to raise employers’ awareness of the enormous value and experience Veterans can bring to the civilian workplace. Nominations for the awards are now open online and will close on 20 November 2020 with winners announced in 2021. For more information go to www.veteransemployment.gov.au.

Regional Tourism Boost: The Morrison-McCormack Government will inject $250 million into regional Australia, encouraging more Australians to travel and experience a home-grown holiday, boosting regional jobs and local economies. The package include two measures, a $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism, and $200 million for an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the package would deliver targeted support for regional tourism. The aim is to help businesses bounce back by attracting more Australians, and then overseas visitors when our international borders re-open. Tourism is crucial in creating jobs which drive many regional economies. It is important that the tourism sector comes out in the best possible shape post COVID-19.

Federal funding has seen the improvement of existing tourism sights in and around Forbes, as well as the creation of many more. The funding has also gone into improving the functionality and aesthetic in town with many projects having come into fruition in 2020 alone.

Spring Photo Competition: Forbes residents have until Friday, 30 October to get their entries in for the Spring Photo Competition. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au.

Saturday is the last day to get your entries in for the Spring Photo Compeition.

With increased road travel predicted for 2021, it is important for businesses to support the ‘Free Cuppa For The Driver’ scheme.

2021 ‘Free Cuppa For The Driver’ Business Registrations Open: Local businesses are invited to help tackle driver fatigue by registering to take part in next year’s ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme. The multi award-winning driver fatigue awareness campaign will run from 1 March to 31 May 2021.

The scheme encourages visiting drivers to stop at participating businesses for a free cuppa and to take a break from driving long distances. Entering its eleventh year, the scheme sees partnerships formed between participating Councils and local businesses. The Councils provide the marketing and administer the scheme whilst the participating businesses provide the free cuppas.

Since its inception the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme has given away more than 27,000 free cuppas in 265 participating businesses across 91 towns, and cities in regional NSW. Organisers are expecting to see a large increase in road travel in 2021 as domestic and international flights remain heavily reduced.

The closing date for phase eleven registrations is Friday, 30 October 2020. If your business would like to participate in the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme please contact Melanie Suitor on 6861 2364 or email Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Spring Photo Competition: It is that time of year again. The Forbes Phoenix is running its annual Spring Photo Competition, and we are looking for your best and brightest spring snaps taken in and around beautiful Forbes. This year, Sarah Hodge from Essjay Photography is sponsoring the competition. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au. Entries are being accepted until the end of October 2020.

COVID-19 Restrictions Eased: Gatherings in outdoor public spaces and group bookings at restaurants will be increased to 30 people under a relaxation of COVID-19 rules. From this Friday, 23 October, 30 people can gather outdoors in public spaces. Previously this was 20. The previous rule of a maximum of 10 customers per table and per booking in hospitality venues has now been extended to 30. Also, as of last Friday, 16 October, corporate functions of up to 300 people can now be held at any appropriate premises, including at restaurants, subject to a COVID-Safe plan.

From 1 December, the number of people who can attend weddings will be lifted to 300 people subject to the four-square metre rule indoors and two-square metre rule outdoors.

Time is running out to enter the Spring photo competition.

Lions Park RV dump point will be moved to Wheogo Park.

Lions Park RV Dump Point Relocation: With regional roads currently full of travellers, RV Dump Points are becoming the latest hot spots to locate. RV Dump Points are sites especially designed for Recreational Vehicles to dispose of their waste, including grey and black water, and sewage in the most environmentally friendly method of emptying waste from a caravan. Forbes has multiple sites available including Caravan Parks within the Shire, Forbes Showground and currently on the edge of Lions Park. The Lions Park dump point is going to be relocated to Wheogo Park in the coming weeks and Forbes Shire Council is advising the community that roadworks will be in place. Work on moving the site will commence Monday, 19 October 2020 and Junction Street will be closed for two days.

Central West Mayors Back Tresillian Residential Service: The Mayors of the Central NSW Joint Organisation are throwing their support behind the campaign lead by the Hon Steph Cooke, Member for Cootamundra for the Tresillian Residential Service at the Cowra Hospital, as part of the new upgrade to Cowra Hospital.

Tresillian is a long-standing organisation for young families and young children with expert parenting advice. They also have helped develop a Sleepwell Baby app for parent concerns such as baby sleep and settling, development, feeding and nutrition. Tresillian began with the Spanish Flu pandemic that reached Sydney early 1919. With 100 years of invaluable service for young families across New South Wales, Tresillian has played an important and unique role in the history of New South Wales. Hopefully, struggling parents and carers will soon have much easier access to this invaluable resource soon.

Pool Closures: This swim season, due to COVID-19 restrictions, new rules have been put into place to ensure all of the community has access to the Forbes Olympic Pool. So that the learn to swim program and squad training can go ahead, the pool will be closed to the public from 3.30pm-4.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. While this may be frustrating from some members of the public, it is important to remember that these rules are in place for the health and safety of the entire community. As a community resource, it is critical that all have access to this wonderful facility.

The Forbes Olympic Pool will be inaccessible to the general public during squad training.

RURAL ROUND-UP… Lot 63 – SSR190016 was knocked down for $11,000.

Australian Senepol Bull Sale Record: On Monday, 21 September Geoff and Alison Maynard and family, from Five Star Senepol at Jambin, Queensland set a new Australian record selling a Senepol bull for $30,000 at the annual sale at Gracemere Saleyards in Queensland. Lot 3, Five Star 190609 was knocked down for a record $30,000 to CAP Genomics from Brisbane.

Five Star Senepol enjoyed a 100% clearance rate with all 66 lots selling and a new all-time high average of $11,273 on sale day. Clayton and Sarah Maynard from Southern Star Rural, Canowindra, sold 11 bulls through the sale averaging $8,300 with two tops of $11,000 for a Senepol and a Senegus (Senepol/Angus) Bull. For future bull enquiries contact Clayton Maynard on 0439 029 204.

Spring Photo Competition: It is that time of year again. The Forbes Phoenix is running its annual Spring Photo Competition, and we are looking for your best and brightest spring snaps taken in and around beautiful Forbes. This year, Sarah Hodge from Essjay Photography is sponsoring the competition. Sarah’s clients are treated as friends, making sessions laid back enough to capture authentic and unique moments. Essjay Photography is located in Forbes and has been operating for over ten years and the business is ever expanding, offering family, wedding, business and personal photography. Winners of the Spring Photo Competition will win a $200 voucher from Essjay Photography. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au. Entries are being accepted until the end of October 2020.

Christmas Carnival Cancelled: For a number of years, the Forbes Business Chamber, in conjunction with Forbes Shire Council, have hosted the Find It In AMAZING Forbes Christmas Carnival which has grown into one of Forbes’ premier community events. After a recent committee meeting, it was decided that the Forbes Christmas Carnival will not go ahead in its usual format for 2020. The Committee are currently working on a new concept that will see a series of smaller events delivered to the community. These events will be located throughout Forbes and will encourage every participant to enjoy themselves in a COVID safe way. The Committee would like to thank stall holders, volunteers, shop and business owners and visitors for their support.

One month remains to get your entries in for the Spring Photo Competition. (image credit: lakakisu instagram).

Centenary Celebrations For Joan: On Saturday, 19 September, Joan Whitworth nee Le Brocque celebrated her 100th birthday. Joan was born on Monday, 20 September 1920 in Brown Street, Forbes and has lived in Forbes all of her life. Joan had four daughters and has 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and six great, great grandchildren. Congratulations to Joan for reaching this incredible milestone, may she have many more years of good health, overwhelming happiness, and peace of mind.

Aged Care A Top Priority For Mayor Miller: Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM recently met with Catholic Healthcare to discuss the recent performance report by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission regarding Jemalong Residential Village. The performance report assessment outlined multiple areas in which the facility can improve to ensure the Quality Standards are complied with. “The problems found at the facility are not insurmountable,” said Phyllis. “Council will work with Catholic Healthcare, as a team, to gain the accreditation needed to provide quality healthcare for our elderly residents in Forbes. With COVID-19 highlighting numerous and alarming flaws within the aged care system, this is an issue on the forefront of many minds.” Performance reports are carried out to discover weaknesses and evaluate their urgency, so any unfavourable findings carry the promise of improvement. Phyllis has invited the community to contact either herself or Steve Loane at Forbes Shire Council if they have any concerns regarding loved ones in the facility.

Spring Photo Competition: It is that time of year again. The Forbes Phoenix is running its annual Spring Photo Competition, and we are looking for your best and brightest spring snaps taken in and around beautiful Forbes. This year, Sarah Hodge from Essjay Photography is sponsoring the competition. Essjay Photography is located in Forbes and has been operating for over ten years and the business is ever expanding, offering family, wedding, business and personal photography. Winners of the Spring Photo Competition will win a $200 voucher from Essjay Photography. Submissions can be made on the Forbes Phoenix Facebook page, or emailed to sales@forbesphoenix.com.au. Entries are being accepted until the end of October 2020.