Fair Work Ombudsman: The Fair Work Commission has announced this year’s An­nual Wage Review decision. The National Minimum Wage will increase to $1,004.90 per week or $26.44 per hour. Minimum award wages will increase by 4.75%. The new rates are available at: www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/annual-wage-review/annual-wage-review-2026

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia: Every day, 79 men will hear the words: “you have prostate cancer.” Starting June 15, Walk for Him brings people together across Australia to honour and support the men in your life – lovers, brothers, fathers, and sons. Sign up, set your distance, and Walk for Him this Men’s Health Week. You can also score your free t-shirt when you raise $50. Register at www.walkforhim.org.au.

NSW Reconstruction Authority: Con­necting flood-impacted homeowners and building professionals. Join the Eugowra Industry Connect session to get clear, practical advice on your next steps in your journey with the Resilient Homes Pro­gram. At the Eugowra Community Hub, 41 Nanima Street, Eugowra, on Tuesday 16 June, 4–6pm (drop in anytime). Reg­ister at: https://comms.reconstruction.nsw.gov.au/pub/pubType/EO/pubID/zzzz69fd2718bef4d903/interface.html

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF): CCWF have launched SistaCare peer sup­port and education groups for women at six new locations in western NSW. The first program sites were Bourke, Condobolin, Forbes, Narromine and Parkes. Education sessions could be about the topics of do­mestic and family violence, money skills, women’s health, wellbeing, employment and other topics. Call 1800 067 067 and speak to Bec for more information.

Western NSW PHN: Do you know an emerging primary health care professional who has demonstrated strong leadership? Nominate them for the Emerging Leader Award at the 2026 Primary Health Excel­lence Awards. There are several catego­ries to recognise quality work in Aboriginal health, innovation, leadership and recogni­tion of service across our region. Nomina­tions close 22 June at https://bit.ly/4wttudd

R U OK? You never know what someone’s carrying. A small act of care – be it a smile, a phone call, dropping off a meal, or running an errand – might be exactly what some­one needs. Pay it forward today. Remem­ber to check in with your mates, even when they seem to be managing. If you’re going through a difficult time and need to talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

GETTIN’–A–GRIP Men’s Health Week: Join NSW Independent MP for Orange, Phil Donato in Orange, on Saturday 6 June 2026 for a one-of-a-kind event to kick off Men’s Health Week blending entertain­ment, community connection, and a pow­erful message about men’s physical and mental health. This inaugural GETTIN’–A–GRIP event is a live-streamed amateur arm-wrestling competition designed to spark conversation, raise awareness, and encourage men to prioritise their health — because it matters. Orange Ex-Services’ Club, 8:30am – 12:30pm.

Bowel Cancer Australia: June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and Bowel Can­cer waits for no one. Bowel cancer is Aus­tralia’s second biggest cancer killer but if found early, more than 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. The free athome test is simple, quick, and completed in the privacy of your own home. The test detects blood in the stool which can be an early sign of bowel cancer — often before any symptoms appear. For more informa­tion, visit bowelcancer.org.au

Kidney Health Australia: When a child is diagnosed with kidney disease, their world gets very confusing. That’s why Kidney Health Australia sends newly diagnosed children a comforting welcome pack with a Billy the Kidney plush toy, an activity book and resources designed to help kids and their families make sense of what’s hap­pening. $55 puts a welcome pack in the hands of a child who’s just been diagnosed. Donate before 30 June at https://donation.kidney.org.au/taxappeal2026/donate

National Breast Cancer Foundation: Be­come a Pink Hero, fundraise and get re­warded. Whether you choose to host an intimate afternoon tea, or a big gala din­ner – you will help fund world-class breast cancer research and accelerate progress towards our vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. Click to learn more at htt­ps://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/pink-hero

Thank A First Responder Day: As Aus­tralia prepares for Thank a First Responder Day on 10 June 2026, the national aware­ness initiative led by Fortem is this year focusing on greater understanding, con­nection, and year-round support for first re­sponders and their families. Australians are encouraged to leave a message of grati­tude this Thank a First Responder Day, recognise a first responder who has made a difference in their lives, and support Fortem’s work delivering evidence-based mental health and wellbeing programs. For more information, please visit www.thanka­firstresponder.org.au

Holy Family School, Parkes: Students at Holy Family School came together to ac­knowledge and reflect on National Sorry Day. Students participated in creating In­digenous inspired scratch art hands, which were combined to form a beautiful col­laborative artwork. This meaningful activ­ity provided an opportunity for students to express their understanding, respect and empathy through art.

Forbes Children and Youth Hub: The YACC mural has grown. There are now even more vibrant, quirky creatures on the exterior wall of the Forbes Youth & Com­munity Centre, brought to life with the help of 15 local kids and mural artist James O’Hanlon. From scribble grids to spray paint, the workshop gave young creatives a hands-on role in shaping the design, cel­ebrating inclusion. Check it out the next time you’re passing by.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: Are looking forward to supporting another Mental Health First Aid Course at Peak Hill on 5 and 6 August with workshop provider Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Registrations aren’t up as yet, but you can send through an expression of interest to cwllandcare@gmail.com For more infor­mation, check out the blog at: https://centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/2026/04/30/looking-at-landcare-30-4-2026-peak-hill-mhfa-training-under-building-healthy-communities-challenge/

Western NSW PHN: If your organisation is driving connected, sustainable primary care, nominate now for recognition at the 2026 Primary Health Excellence Awards.

There are several categories to recognise quality work in Aboriginal health, innova­tion, leadership and recognition of service across our region. Nominate today https://bit.ly/4wttudd

Parkes Shire Council: Due to low RSVP numbers, the Welcome to Parkes Event scheduled for Thursday 21 May has been postponed. We are hoping to reschedule the event later this year and will share new details soon. In the meantime, if you are new to town and looking to connect with lo­cal groups, clubs, services and activities, we encourage you to check out the Con­nect the Dots Project – our new social co­hesion community initiative. Find out more here https://bit.ly/4sXQIFA

St Laurence’s Parish School Forbes: St Laurence’s gathered as a school com­munity for our annual National Sorry Day Liturgy, marking the beginning of Recon­ciliation Week. As part of this special day, Aboriginal Representative Council (ARC) students Indi, Quinn, Ava, Oliver, Bella and Harry were formally recognised through a special badge ceremony.

Parkes Shire Council: Did you know Lake Endeavour has reopened ahead of sched­ule? Works are now complete, includ­ing dredging and construction of the new launch area, plus an expanded swimming area with an extra 10 x 20 metres of beach sand and a realigned swimming buoy. PSC looks forward to welcoming the community back to enjoy the improved facilities.

National Breast Cancer Foundation: GO PINK starts next month, and we need you to make a Pink Pledge, because every day, 56 people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer. But you can help save lives by making a pledge to either Wear it, Shave it, or Colour it, to raise vital funds for breast cancer research. Help us achieve zero deaths from breast cancer. Register now at fundraise.nbcf.org.au/event/go-pink/home

Legal Aid NSW: Do you know what you’re legally allowed to do at your age? Grow­ing up comes with new rights and respon­sibilities but it’s not always clear when you can make certain decisions for yourself or get into trouble for doing them too soon. Learn more: https://loom.ly/ztjtVWw

Australian Cancer Research Founda­tion: Bring your community together and help fund cancer research. Host a special event in your local area, fund lifesaving re­search for the 2 in 5 Australians that will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.

Your event could be a luncheon, themed party, sports tournament or anything you choose! Sign up today and register your interest to host at www.acrf.com.au/hostinterest.

Western Local Land Services: Sheep and goats require different eID tags. If you’re ever unsure which species an eID device is designed for, just check the NLIS ID printed on the tag. The secret is in the 10th digit. Here’s what each letter means:
S = Sheep breeder T = Sheep post‑breed­er (pink tags) K = Goat breeder L = Goat post‑breeder (pink tags). Visit the webpage for information https://bit.ly/3JEurvo

Forbes SES Unit Request: The Forbes SES Unit is looking for good quality pallets to place sandbags on during flood opera­tions. If you have any pallets you would like to get rid of, please feel free to leave them outside the unit gates. Your support helps Forbes SES Unit to prepare and respond during flood events and is appreciated by the volunteers who serve the community.

Parkes Elvis Festival: Want to be part of one of Australia’s most iconic celebrations of The King? We’re inviting Expressions of Interest for: local, regional and national businesses, corporate partners and major sponsors, creative agencies and experi­ence providers, community groups and organisations. Whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, create an experi­ence, connect with audiences or simply be part of something special – there’s a place for you. Send your EOI to elvis@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Royal Flying Doctor Service: Every year, the Royal Flying Doctor Service reaches over 330,000 Australians in need. But these aren’t just numbers, every single one is a person with family, friends – a story. Your donation is the blanket around a cold child’s shoulders, the life-saving care hun­dreds of kilometres from the nearest hospi­tal, the hope when all else is lost. Donate at: supportnswact.flyingdoctor.org.au/

Dog Walk For Cancer: Dog lovers, this one’s for you. Walk 50km with your pup this June for Cancer Council. That’s less than 2km a day, easy. It’s free to join and you’ll receive a free doggy bandana. Sign up now: www.doitforcancer.com.au/event/dog-walk-for-cancer-26. Doggy bandanas available to the first 3,000 participants.

The Centre for Volunteering: Every day, volunteers strengthen our communities through their dedication and generosity. Now’s the perfect time to recognise their contributions and showcase the mean­ingful role volunteering plays throughout NSW. Know someone who deserves rec­ognition? Nominate a local volunteer today https://buff.ly/uEGBsJu

Creat A Bright Future For First Nations Children: Wear it Yellow is almost here! National Reconciliation Week kicks off 27 May – there’s still time to sign up. Wear a touch of yellow, raise funds for First Nations-led education and wellbeing pro­grams for children on Country, and be part of something that truly matters. Don’t miss it. Sign up at: wearityellow.org.au/

Raise the Wings Dinner: Secure your tick­ets now for the 2026 Raise Wings Dinner at Club Forbes on Saturday, 25 July. Enjoy an incredible evening featuring dinner, live entertainment, guest speakers, auctions and raffles with amazing prizes, and inspir­ing stories from families supported by Lit­tle Wings. Every ticket helps Little Wings continue providing free flights and ground transport for children in regional NSW to access life-saving medical treatment. Tick­ets are limited: https://events.humanitix.com/raise-the-wings-forbes-2026

Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee: NSW Police created an app called Empower You for Victims/Survivors to record important information and access support services. You can download this app with either the Apple store or the goog­le store. More information and download links are also available on the Forbes Do­mestic & Family Violence Committee Face­book page. If you are in immediate danger, contact 000 for police and ambulance help.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: Thank you to Phil Worrad from Rural Ad­versity Mental Health Program for deliv­ering a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at Peak Hill. This course was possi­ble with funding through the Western NSW Local Health District Building Healthy Com­munities Challenge. Twelve locals are now trained in MHFAl.

Fair Work Ombudsman: All employees in Australia (including casuals) are entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic vio­lence leave per year. Employees who are experiencing family and domestic violence can take this leave to deal with its impacts where it’s not practical to do so outside their work hours. More info available www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domes­tic-violence-leave

Together for Dementia: Join the Crunch­es Challenge this June and help fund vital support for Aussies living with dementia.

Complete 2,500 crunches at your own pace throughout June and make a difference for the 446,500 Australians living with demen­tia. Sign up for free and start fundraising today. https://fundraising.dementia.org.au/event/crunches-challenge

Western Local Land Services: This sea­son many landholders are rethinking plans, adjusting inputs and weighing up whether to act now or wait, with fuel availability var­ying and fertiliser supply uncertain. If you’d like to talk through your situation, contact the Local Land Services team on 1300 795 299. There are also tools, information and resources available at www.nsw.gov.au/lls. Challenging times can take a toll, if you or someone you know needs support, visit www.ramhp.com.au for free resources

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Calling all food vendors and market stall holders. If you are wishing to be a stall holder/vendor for 2026 please send an EOI email to bookforbush­tucker@outlook.com Please keep in mind the committee is run by volunteers and emails may take time to respond to.

Regional Business Supplies: On Thurs­day 21 May, Regional Business Supplies are taking part in Australia’s Biggest Morn­ing Tea, raising funds to support those af­fected by cancer. We all know someone.

A friend, a parent, a colleague, and that’s why this matters. Pop in on the day, do­nate and grab a morning tea goody box filled with homemade treats, or support the cause by donating using the link www.big­gestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/regio­nalbusinesssupplies

Forbes Heritage Week Art and History Competition: Celebrate the rich heritage and history of Forbes by getting creative.

The art and history competition welcomes entries across four categories: Artistic (paintings or drawings), Literary (stories, poems or songs), Photos (photography), Video (video essays or short videos). Winners will be announced at the Forbes Heritage Awards evening. Download entry form at: www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/heritage-week-2026

Generocity Church Parkes: Join Gener­ocity Church for bargains galore at their Op Shop from 9:30am to 12pm, this Saturday 2 May, at 25 Dalton St. All items are being sold for $2 each or just $20 to fill a bag.

There are a mountain of great quality items that need a home.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: Save the Date for National Tree Day events in Forbes, Saturday 25 July and Parkes, Sunday 26 July. Note that if weather condi­tions are not conducive to planting events on National Tree Day, alternate events will be planned. For registrations, go to: https://centralwestlachlanlandcare.org/2026/04/23/looking-at-landcare-23-4-2026-save-the-date-for-national-tree-day-in-forbes-parkes/

Kerin Health Pre-employment Medi­cals: Parkes businesses no longer need to send workers hours away for essential pre-employment checks. Kerin Health now offer pre-employment assessments locally, including spirometry, hearing and vision testing, drug and alcohol testing, plus com­prehensive functional and fitness assess­ments. To enquire or book, contact the Kerin Health team: www.kerinhealth.com.au/corporate-services-kerinhealth

Forbes Shire Council: Got bulky items taking up space? Place them on the kerb this weekend for collection. Collections run from 4 May to 8 May, so putting items out early will help ensure they’re picked up.

Please separate items into the four accept­ed categories: scrap metal & whitegoods, garden organics, e‑waste and general bulky items. Total amount must be no more than 2 cubic metres.

Inkwood & Ivy Books & Curiosities: On Saturday 18 April, Parkes Community Choir, The Reading Bug and Inkwood & Ivy Bookstore performed a sing-along featur­ing songs from the war era, timeless melo­dies that honour courage, history and re­membrance.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc: A massive thank you to our amazing Peak Hill volunteers who shared some of their experiences as part of the Peak Hill Build­ing Healthy Communities Challenge, with Western NSW Local Health District staff. This project wouldn’t have come to life without your contributions. We can’t wait to see the finished product.

Neighbourhood Central: Parkes — don’t miss out on an upcoming two day commu­nity event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A Free Wills Workshop will be held on 13 and 14 May at Neigh­bourhood Central. Get your Will done at no cost. Bookings are essential, call 4704 0207. Plus: Free birth certificates and legal advice (no booking needed).

Talk2MeBro: Join us for our Guys Catch Up in Forbes on Sunday 3 May for a 7.30am start⁠ at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre⁠. Engage in soothing and invigorat­ing breathwork, take a dip in our exhilarat­ing ice baths and connect with others on a deeper level. ⁠Register at: www.talk2mebro.org.au/event/forbes-guys

Legal Aid NSW: The Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline gives young people under 18 who are living in NSW free legal advice. Find out what to do if police want to speak with you, your right to stay silent, and options to avoid going to court. It’s open late and 24/7 on weekends. Save the number: 1800 10 18 10 Learn more about the hotline: https://loom.ly/p5vwG2c

Dolly’s Dream: Bullying doesn’t just hurt kids, it can devastate families, friends and whole communities. Stand with us against bullying – register now to fundraise on Do It For Dolly Day, Friday 8 May. Go Blue to end bullying, register at https://support.dollysdream.org.au/event/do-it-for-dollyday/register-your-fundraiser⁠

Forbes Automotive Services: How cool is this! A Forbes Automotive Services hat was not only on set for the filming of Balls Up, it was worn by director Peter Farrelly! Made in Queensland, the larger-than-life comedy follows rival employees, played by Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser. Balls Up was released on Prime Video on 15 April.

NSW Government: If you’re storing fuel at home, only store small quantities. Fuel vapours are highly flammable, it is best to keep only what you need for things like the mower or generator. Overbuying for any reason or use means friends, neighbours and regional communities could go with­out. Find out more about fuel security nsw.gov.au/fuel

Sheep Producers Australia: From con­cept to on-farm decisions, through the Green Sheep Project, Glenelg Hopkins CMA is helping producers understand their natural capital, improve grazing systems and access future market opportunities.

Need more Green Sheep Project informa­tion? Register for the Sheep Producers Australia newsletter: https://www.sheep­producers.com.au/updates

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council advises there will be temporary road closures and parking restrictions in place for the Light Up Parkes Event and Fireworks Display on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Affected areas include parts of Clar­inda Street and nearby carparks/laneways in the CBD. View the closure details here: bit.ly/4tuoHpo or contact Council on 02 6861 2333.

Cancer Council’s Do It For Cancer: Get fit and raise funds with just 31 minutes of exercise a day throughout the month of May. To support Aussies impacted by can­cer sign up today to the F Cancer Fitness Challenge at www.doitforcancer.com.au/event/f-cancer-fitness-challenge.

The Forbes Inn: The Forbes Inn is now serving dinner 7 nights a week at Sylo. Head along for a relaxed evening, great food and good company.

Landcare Australia: Want to receive the next Landcare in Focus newsletter straight to your inbox? Subscribe to get your copy of this online publication and read inspir­ing stories from across the landcare move­ment. Subscribe today: https://landcar­eaustralia.org.au/subscribe/

R U OK?: You can care deeply and still worry about getting it wrong. But being there for someone isn’t about having the perfect words or solutions to their chal­lenges. It’s about giving them the space to talk about what they’re going through and reminding them they’re not alone. For tips on how to have supportive conversations visit: ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

Improved Access To Lake Endeavour: Parkes Shire Council advises that Lake Endeavour will be closed to the public from Monday, 13 April 2026 while works are un­dertaken to deepen the launch channel. No access to the dam during construction. Road closure at the intersection of Lake Endeavour Road & Bindogundra Road. Expected reopening: 9 May 2026 (weather permitting). This important upgrade will improve safety, accessibility, and usability. Read the full media release here: https://bit.ly/4skURCV

Philip Donato MP: Successive govern­ments have failed to invest in the roadway infrastructure to future-proof our region. Yet this single fragile corridor still carries over 12,000 vehicles a day. When it fails, the re­gion fails with it. With the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway, we are left with a dangerous detour which has proven vulnerable to closure, further impacting our region’s vital connectivity with Sydney and eastern seaboard. Phil’s message is “We cannot rely on a single, outdated route across the mountains. It’s time to invest. It’s time to connect. It’s time to future-proof regional NSW.” Sign the petition https://shorturl.at/GKly8

Forbes Library School Holiday Activi­ties: Join us at Forbes Library to discover the vibrant world of DIY by knotting friend­ship bracelets and mastering the rhythmic charm of French Knitting. We will make a simple friendship bracelet with a spe­cial weaving tool, and then make our own French Knitting loom to get started with a special project. All materials will be provid­ed. This activity is designed for ages 8+. Forbes Library, Friday 17 April 10.30am – 11.30am. Free. To book your spot go to: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1986487616937

Proposed Energy from Waste Facili­tiesPublic Forum: The proposed Energyfrom-Waste facility at Parkes continues to raise serious concerns across our com­munity and it’s critical that local voices are heard. The NSW Parliament’s Select Com­mittee on Proposed Energy from Waste Facilities will be in Parkes on 13–14 April, providing an important opportunity for residents to have their say directly. Public Forum. Many in our region are question­ing why regional communities should take on metropolitan waste—particularly in an agricultural area like Parkes. I encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to at­tend, have your say, and ensure our com­munity’s voice is clearly heard. Register to attend via www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/listofcommittees/Pages/com­mittee-details.aspx?pk=337