Jamal and Zara Alghamdi loved the snow machine at last year’s Frost and Fire night.

Officially Frozen: The much anticipated second year of Frost and Fire has been cancelled. Council voted to cancel the event, at their 16 April meeting, before any more time and money was spent on the event.

Construction Sector Vital to Economy: The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is continuing to work closely with the construction sector during this unprecedented pandemic to ensure longevity and job creation throughout and on the other side of COVID-19. Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said construction is key to navigating Australia out of the pandemic while maintaining jobs and economic growth.

The Federal Government has called on States and Territories as well as the 537 local governments to ask them what infrastructure can be brought forward. The government is now assessing that infra- structure with responses received from three-quarters of the local councils. There are around 160 major projects currently underway including the 1700-kilometre Inland Rail project.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia CEO, Adrian Dwyer, said the focus on keeping construction going has been vital for the sector and the economy. “It’s not just about the 1.3 million people employed in the sector, it’s the flow-on effect to their families and the broader economy which makes it so important that we maintain a strong and viable sector through the COVID-19 crisis and out the other side.”

Inland Rail to Continue: The Australian Government has welcomed additional public health and safety measures implemented by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) on national rail infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, said Inland Rail’s construction would continue with other major construction projects, critical to securing the nation’s freight future. “We all rely on the freight network to deliver the essential supplies such as food, medicine, medical equipment, which are critical now more than ever. Inland Rail will support 5,000 jobs in New South Wales, and we are already seeing the benefits of this in Parkes and the surrounding region, with a boost to employment and supplier contracts flowing from construction”. Find out more at www.inlandrail.artc.com.au.

Ski Dam Revamp: Landscaping has commenced at the Ski Dam and is now closed to all public vehicles. The playground also remains closed however, walkers, joggers and cyclists are still welcome to use the path through this area. Council reminds those using the path to exercise caution in this area.

Upgrades continue to improve the Forbes Ski Dam.

Expect to be checked. Nurses will check your temperature before entering Forbes Hospital.

Temperature Screening: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is implementing screening and temperature testing for all people coming into health services as part of the state-wide response to COVID-19. Health services will primarily be using thermal thermometers. This means that no contact is required to test the temperature of everyone entering a health facility. The testing will apply to all visitors, staff, and contractors.

These measures are being implemented in all NSW health facilities. The screening questions to all people coming to local health facilities will be:
1. Have you returned from overseas travel (or a cruise ship) in the last 14 days?
2. Have you had any close contact with a COVID-19 positive case?
3. Do you have any flu-like symptoms?

The WNSWLHD has previously introduced restrictions on visitors in all its facilities, with one visitor per patient in larger facilities, and no visitors in MPS facilities, where aged care residents may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. These are challenging measures for everyone to adapt to, but at the heart of WNSWLHD response measures is the need to do everything pos- sible to protect the most vulnerable people in the community. For more information on COVID-19 follow the WNSWLHD on Facebook, contact the Public Health Helpline on 1300 066 055 or contact healthdirect online or on 1800 022 222.

Blood Is Still Essential: The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is calling on people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. We need donors now more than ever. The government has made blood donation one of the 16 reasons you can leave your home.

WNSWLHD, Haemovigilance Clinical Nurse Consultant, Karen Beattie said, “There are 800 blood donation cancellations per day, nationally, and blood products shortages are potentially going to be a reality.”

“The need for blood never stops. Blood is needed every day by Australian patients including road trauma patients, surgical patients, medical and orthopaedic patients, pregnant women and cancer patients,” Karen said.

The WSNWLHD is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to make and honour their appointments to prevent a potential shortage of blood supplies. You can make an appointment online or call 13 14 95. Remember the mobile van also visits Forbes from 4th – 6th May and is open from 9.30am-2.30pm.

The mobile blood donor van will be visiting Forbes early in May.

Bernardi’s in Forbes are urging shoppers to wash their hands before entering the store.

On the Ball at Bernardi’s: This week saw the installation of a hand wash basin at the front of the Bernardi’s store in Forbes to help encourage the public to wash their hands and implement further preventative health measures in light of the pandemic. What a wonderful initiative to help protect the people of Forbes from COVID-19.

Livestock Exchange Update: Effective as of 12pm, 26 March every person enter- ing the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) site must complete and provide a signed COVID-19 declaration. A link to the declaration is available on the CWLE website, www.forbes.gov.au.

Without providing a signed declaration, entry will not be granted. The site entrance will be manned, and delays are expected. CWLE recommends that attendees print off the declaration and complete it prior to their arrival to minimise delays. This is a requirement going forward for each sale at the CWLE until further notice.

CWLE staff, CWLE agents and genuine commission/company buyers and carriers are permitted on site. Vendors consigning stock to the sales will not be permitted to stay for the sale. Re-stockers are being urged to contact their preferred agent or commission buyer. Livestock carriers are to vacate the site once unloaded, out loading carriers are to stay at their truck until loading is to commence. Council staff will be disinfecting the yards before each sale to help minimise risk to essential staff.

For more information please contact Saleyards Manager Cassi Walmsley on 0448 998 149.

School Respond to Changes: Over the past two weeks more and more children have been withdrawn from school in order the adhere to social distancing measures and to minimise the risk of illness. The schools in and around Forbes have each responded in their own unique ways and teachers, staff and Principals need to be commended for their creativity and quick planning that has allowed for flexible learning, both at home and on school grounds. The changes engage children while taking as much strain as possible off parents who are faced with the daunting task of teaching their children at home. While staff miss having a school full of students, they are committed to adapting to changes, in order to continue educating their students.

Forbes North Public School have offered online learning as well as take home packs. They also engage with parents and students via social media.

Forbes Livestock Exchange is open to agents, buyers, Council staff and transport operators only.

Livestock Limits: Council is advising visitors to not visit the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange if it is not essential to do so. Only agents, buyers, Council staff and transport operators are to attend. Everyone entering the saleyards will be required to sign in to ensure Council has a complete register of people entering. Please contact Central West Livestock Exchange should you have any further enquiries on 02 6853 3194.

Calm for Kids: Educational psychology and child protection expert, Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, says the need for protective health practices is very real, however, when explaining to children the importance of more frequent handwashing, avoiding handshakes or high-fives, and not touching their face after touching things in public, parents should be clear that these steps are preventative, not doomed steps. For parents, the most important thing is to maintain a sense of calm around your kids. Shield them from too much sensationalist TV news but be honest about what’s happening in the world.

COVID-19 Support For Regional Australia: An initial $1 billion will be injected into regional communities to support businesses, agriculture and tourism impacted by the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Deputy Prime Minister Mi- chael McCormack said many small and medium businesses were the core of regional communities. “Our funding will ensure we provide the right support so industries and businesses keep going and employees can keep their jobs which includes the more than three million small and medium businesses as well as casuals, sole traders, retirees and those on income support.”

Contributions Welcome: With the current COVID-19 pandemic we can’t be out and about in the community. To assist us in bringing you local news each week, please email any articles, Be Seen photos, Stork News, Letter to the Editor or any other ex- citing story ideas to editor@forbesphoenix.com.au or phone 0431 147 754.

Events Cancelled but Not High Spirits: While Coronavirus may be responsible for the cancelation of all events, Currajong Disability Services CEO, Jeff Evans stated that the Currajong team are keeping up to date with the latest medical and government advice to ensure the health and safety of their participants, staff and family.

Scott Salter, one of Currajong’s most experienced support workers with Karen Willis and Jay Crouch reinforcing proper hygiene.

Dolly Allan shaves Fiona McGonigal.

A Shave To Save: Last week, former Forbes resident, Fiona McGonigal took on the challenge to raise $1000 for The World’s Greatest Shave by shaving her head for the cause. This is the second time Fiona has been so brave and selfless as to do this to raise money for Cancer research. So far this year, Fiona has raised $300.

Nominations Open: Nominations are now open for The Heritage Young Artist Scholarship which is offered by the Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes Art Society to support young artists aged between 15 and 21 years to help fund professional development in their creative field. The scholarship of $1000 is open to young artists living in the Forbes Shire and is open to all art forms including, visual arts, dance, design, writing, music, theatre, screen digital arts, curatorial arts and Aboriginal arts. Application forms are available online at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au

Cancellations, Closures and Postponement: As the week has progressed, and with the Federal Government updating their advice to the public daily, there are more and more events, gatherings and functions being postponed or cancelled. The latest advice given by the government, as of Wednesday, has been to ban non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people. This does not yet include schools, hospitals, airports, aged care homes, jails, courts, Universities, supermarkets or workplaces. The Federal Government has also advised all Australians to not travel overseas, advice that is currently in place indefinitely.

Forbes Retail Reassurance: Forbes supermarkets, Bernardi’s and Woolworths have placed limits of purchase on certain items, the major retailers wish to remind customers that while there are many items currently out-of-stock, both stores are working hard to tackle the present situation. The supply of sold out stock has not changed, what has changed is the rate of buying. A more in-depth reminder that there is enough to go around if customers shop responsibly can be found on page 5.

COVID-19 And The Saleyards: Forbes Livestock Exchange advised that all people entering the Forbes CWLE will need to sign in at the front gate and non-sale visitors may be refused entry. Management wishes to remind visitors to consider whether their attendance is absolutely necessary and to stay at home if unwell.

James Cleaver, Tom Norris and Bruce Reynolds at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange.

Regional youth volunteer of the year and MC Elise Dukes, Emily Jack, Mayor Phyllis Miller, Jamie Mitton, Tom Toohey and Business Chamber president Marg Duggan at the 2019 Youth Week awards ceremony.

Final Call for Fabulous Forbes Youth: If you know a young person in the Forbes Shire who deserves to be recognised for their achievements and contribution to the community, now is the time to nominate them for an annual Youth Week Award. This year, the NSW Youth Week will be held from 1st – 9th April.

The awards ceremony on Saturday, 4th April is just one of the events that will be held throughout Youth Week in Forbes, with more events to be announced. Forbes Shire Council is encouraging parents, carers, teachers and employers to nominate their children, students or employees for the awards. Youth from 12 to 25-years- old can be nominated for the following three categories: Youth Citizenship Award, Sports Volunteer Award and the Brighter Future Award. More information on these categories can be found on the Forbes Shire Council website www.nsw.gov.au

Nominations are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday, 20th March 2020. Nomination forms can be returned via email to youth@forbes.nsw.gov.au or returned to Council’s Administration Office.

Works at Jemalong Weir: WaterNSW have been completing fencing work at Jemalong Weir in the Lachlan Valley this week. The fencing work involves replacing the existing fence along the Lachlan River near Jemalong Weir. Jemalong Weir and the adjacent camping site have been inaccessible during this work however, the weir has remained operational throughout this time. The work will ensure that these essential water supply structures continue to meet contemporary standards into the future. This work at Jemalong Weir started 2nd March and is scheduled to finish 6th March. During work hours, expect additional personnel, increased traffic movements in and around the asset site, localised noise and dust impacts. Access to the campground adjacent to Jemalong Weir will be closed during works.

St Laurence’s Parish School Fete: Don’t miss out on St Laurence’s Parish School Fete today from 5pm – 7.30pm. There will be a huge variety of activities, games, entertainment and more for all. A bungee run, sherbet stall, egg and spoon race, sack race, photo booth, crazy cups, putt-putt golf and more are on offer. Do not miss this opportunity to have a fun evening out with friends and family.

Mitch Smith and Marcus Hardy at the 2019 St Laurence’s Parish School fete.

Hilda McPherson, Ros Edwards, John Rogers and Marion McIntyre.

Generosity from The Coast: The Bogan Gate CWA President, Marion McIntyre, welcomed everyone including visitor Kelly Thomas and her daughter Anna to their morning meeting on Thursday 20th February as well as John and Sue Rogers from the Central Coast Freemasons. CWA members were overwhelmed with a very generous donation of $10,000 to the Bogan Gate Community. John and Sue were very pleased to be able to meet some of the members and find out about Bogan Gate and the drought, its effects on local farmers and the small community. The Central Coast visitors and Bogan Gate residents shared stories of their experiences with disasters, with Sue and John sharing their own experience with the smoke and fires.

Seniors Sundowner: There was a friendly and intimate gathering of people at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club on Sunday which allowed Forbes Senior residents to catch up with old friends and to mingle and make new friends. There were drinks and nibbles provided which complimented to flow of conversation. It was a peaceful and enjoyable end to the eventful 10 day affair that was the Give It A Go Festival, part of NSW Seniors Week 2020, which saw a large variety of events, workshops and activities put on daily from Sunday, 16th February to Sunday, 23rd February. The attendees of these events were vocal in their appreciation and praise for Forbes Shire Council for not only offering such a fantastic program, but for all of the events they hold throughout the year.

Join international best-selling author Kelly Rimmer at Forbes Library next Tuesday, 2nd March at 2pm as she launches Truths I Never Told You, a heart-wrenching story of family secrets, motherhood and marriage. Tickets are free, please book your place online via eventbrite or call the Library on 6852 1463.

Kelly Rimmer is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Secret Daughter and The Things We Cannot Say. She’s sold more than one million books, and her novels have been translated into more than 20 languages. Kelly lives in the Central West of New South Wales with her family and fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil. Truths I Never Told You is the unputdownable, unforgettable story of motherhood and marriage.

Don’t miss Kelly Rimmer, who will be at Forbes Library on Tuesday, 2nd March at 2pm.