AMAZING TALENT ON SHOW: It may not have been the Forbes Show as we have come to know it, but that didn’t stop a plethora of online entries coming through for a range of categories from children’s landscape photography to cooking and decorating cupcakes. Full winners list and photos on the Forbes Show NSW Facebook page.

NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK: It’s National Child Protection Week and NSW Police are encouraging people in their community to ensure every child is getting a fair go. ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with po-lice and industry partners to prevent online child exploitation. Stay informed about online safety by visiting – www.esafety.gov.au or www.thinkuknow.org.au/ #noexcuseforabuse #speakup

MEALS ON WHEELS: Did you know that anyone can buy meals from Forbes Meals on Wheels? Ask them about their meals today as they have a solution for you! Call 6851 4204 or call into 7 Harold Street – the building with the green picket fence. For more info go to their website www.nswmealsonwheels.org.au

R U OKAY DAY: R U OKAY Day was held this week on Thursday September 9 in a more subdued fashion than previous years due to COVID restrictions. The theme for 2021 was Are They Really Okay? In light of burgeoning numbers of people relying on mental health services – especially since the most recent restrictions, people are encouraged to stay connected online to avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation. Eight people commit suicide in Australia every day. For more info go to – www.ruok.org.au/get-involved

LEARNING LADDER LOOKING FOR CAMERAS: Got any old cameras you no longer need? Forbes Learning Ladder Echidna Room is looking for old digital cameras for the children to make a museum. There will be a box out the front until today for those who have cameras. Ensure all SD cards and cords are removed before delivery.

VALE CAPTAIN BRUCE ACRET: Retired Captain Bruce Acret (1545) formerly of 294 Station Forbes passed last week. He will be sorely missed with the local station whirring the siren in respect for Bruce who served from October 1963 until his retirement in July 2001. Our condolences to the families who bid farewell to Bruce in a private family funeral service.

 

 

MAKING BUYING LAND FAIR: Forbes Shire Council has taken the steps to address housing shortages in the Forbes region by opening up a new residential estate on the edge of town, Goldridge Estate. The first release will be offered for sale off the plan through a ballot system. The ballot system is the fairest and most transparent way the Council can sell residential lots to the public.
“Phase one will see seven lots up for grabs and the lot prices are set at market value of $149,000, which allows the buyer to purchase the lot without the risk of a higher bidder obtaining the lot,” said Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM.
“To participate in the ballot residents must talk to their preferred real estate agent. Once the registration form has been submitted, the potential buyer is then entered into the ballot and given a unique ballot number. It will be just like a lottery draw!” Registration for the ballot opens 9am Friday 3 September and closes 4.45pm Friday 24 September.

FEEDBACK AND IDEAS WANTED: Let’s get creative Forbes! Tell us what you would like to name a street in our latest Industrial land development, Central West Industrial Park. Choose your favourite agricultural related name for us to use as a street name. Head over to our Your Say platform for more information and to make your name suggestion count. https://yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.au/name-the-central-west-industrial-park-street

UPDATE TO THE SINGLE BUBBLE RULE: If you live alone – which means there are no other adults who live in the same home – you can have a nominated visitor and you do NOT need to register your nominated visitor. A nominated visitor is: One person (and their dependent children, if there is no alternative care) can visit you on more than one occasion, is not a nominated visitor for another person and lives in a stay at home area in regional NSW (allowing travel between regional LGAs).

DOMINOS SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR ADF: Domino’s said a massive thank you to the ADF on the weekend for traveling to us and providing the vaccine for over 79% of Forbes population “After hearing the ladies at the front saying they worked all weekend and long hours providing vaccine for us, we wanted to brighten up their day by providing ten large free pizzas to say thanks,” said Marketing Manager Tre Griffin.

 

Tip Times During Lockdown: Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM has expressed her gratitude for the patience of Forbes residents while the Forbes Landfills have been closed this week to residential rubbish disposal. The details of the opening hours and special conditions can be found on the Forbes Shire Council website at – www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/news/august-2021/tip-times-during-covid-lockdown

Permits For Travel To Regional NSW: A permit system for some travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW has taken effect from 12.01am on Saturday 21 August. Permit applications will be made available on the Service NSW website. Due to ongoing concerns about community transmission in some regional areas, stay-at-home orders in place for regional NSW have been extended until 12.01am on 28 August 2021, in line with orders for the Greater Sydney area. Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. NSW Health urges people to continue to be tested immediately with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms. There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit the NSW Government website: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.

Donato: Survey Says We’re Still Second-Class Citizens: Member for Orange Philip Donato MP yesterday shared survey results which, disappointingly, indicate that frontline workers and vulnerable people from country NSW are exposed while waiting for the call to have their COVID-19 vaccinations rescheduled.

“Following the foolish decision by the Premier and her Deputy to redirect Pfizer vaccines from regional NSW to the city, I received a flood of messages from country folk whose scheduled COVID-19 vaccination had been cancelled,” Mr Donato said.

“Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro’s decision to redirect Regional NSW’s much-needed vaccines to Sydney for year 12 school students, knowing that many vulnerable people and frontline health workers were still waiting to be vaccinated – was entirely reckless.”

“To get a more accurate snapshot of the vaccination interruptions caused, I recently launched a survey,” he said. “I thank the hundreds of respondents for participating. The results support the feedback I was receiving but are very troubling to me”. The survey shows nearly 80% of respondents had their scheduled vaccination cancelled.

FORBES PHOENIX STILL PUBLISHING DURING LOCKDOWN: During the lock-down over the next seven days, our publishing will not be impacted. We will still be delivering community news in print and online via our website, Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as our weekly email subscription. News and media services are considered an essential service and permitted to keep trading under the Public Health Order.

“Whilst our printed newspapers will only be able to be delivered to businesses that remain open, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and newsagencies, our posted copies to rural roadside mailboxes will be unaffected, and will continue as normal,” said owner Joshua Matic (pictured above).

To subscribe to our weekly email news distribution, visit www.forbesphoenix.com.au and fill out the online form.

We are your only fully locally owned and operated and greatly appreciate your support during this time.

Most importantly, please remember to support our local businesses that remain open at this time, such as hospitality venues still offering takeaway, and local retailers still offering delivery and “click and collect”. #lovelocallovelocalsupportlocal

SCIENCE WEEK: It may be home-school this week but Science Week is upon us. Given the state of the world, our next scientist or developer of a life-saving vaccine might be among us. Check out the link – https://www.scienceweek.net.au/schools/

RED NOSE DAY LAST WEEK: Last Friday August 13 was Red Nose Day and while 2021 may not have been like other years it was a time for people to reflect on those who have lost a baby or child. The organisation was founded in Victoria in 1977 with the first national Red Nose Day held in 1988. In 2020, Red Nose was awarded $1.5m from the Federal Government to deliver a national stillbirth awareness campaign to reduce the high rates of stillbirth in Australia.

STAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LIONS PARK: One of the centrepieces of Forbes, Lions Park, continues its redevelopment with a new stage for entertainment being constructed. In what is sure to get extensive use, the stage will support a great number of local events including live music like this years community awards where numerous young local musicians graced a make-shift stage. Hopefully we can get plenty of use out of it this summer after the madness stops! Great work to Forbes Shire! It is looking amazing!

 

Thank You RFS And SES: Forbes Shire Council recently held a presentation of donations to RFS and SES as a thank you for their generous contribution to Frost and Fire. “We have great pleasure in making this donation to the local RFS and SES in appreciation of the amazing work they do for the community and in particular for Frost and Fire,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller.

The RFS provided 15 volunteers to look after the safety aspects of Frost and Fire event. The crew helped with overseeing acts that included fire and the lighting of the magnificent effigy. Cheques of $250 for both Yarragong and Forbes Central Station. Presentations were made to the Captain of Yarragong Brigade, Andrew Barnard and Forbes Central Captain, Ron Hocking.

The SES were also at the event with their boat to oversee water safety during the event with Rocky Walshaw and two other local members with a donation of a pair of binoculars to thank them for their contribution.

Farewell To Two Forbes Institutions: Two of Forbes best kept secrets are now public knowledge with first Grant Clifton selling the Vandenberg Hotel and then Marc Wright doing the same with the Pit Stop in a few months time. Congrats to both of you and your families for looking after the people of Forbes! Thank you! Enjoy your retirement and we hope to see you around town. The Pit Stop reopened last week.

Calls To Kids Helpline Increasing In Numbers Since COVID: Data from Kids Helpline six monthly report identifies a 200% increase in counselling contacts from 5-year-olds over the first six months of 2021 when compared to 1st January to 30th June 2020. Citing issues including emotional wellbeing and loss or grief concerns, national numbers spiked from 14 contacts from 5-year-olds in the first six months of 2020, to 42 counselling contacts to Kids Helpline in the first six months of 2021. The number of answered contacts requesting counselling support have all increased in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2020.

Works Continue Around Shire: From Lachlan Vintage Village to Lions Park – Forbes Shire Council continues to beautify our amazing town with a number of projects being undertaken at the moment. Along with all the recent rain the town has never looked as good!

 

 

 

Forbes farmer part of award-winning photo: Forbes farmer David Kalisch (pictured) is the centre of a remarkable drought photo taken by Sydney-based photographer Joel Brian Pratley.

Pratley has since accepted the National Photographic Portrait Prize from isolation in Redfern for the image taken in drought-affected western New South Wales last year.

He told ABC in an interview – “I was in Forbes in central NSW in January 2020 helping to create a film to raise funds for those doing it tough on the land, as both drought and bushfires caused devastation across the country. All at once, a huge dust storm swept over, obliterating the horizon.

“We were on the edge of Dave’s property and what you could usually see was fence line in the distance, the cattle, a bit of vista, but all of that kind of swept over and [there was] this kind of uncertainty,” Pratley said.

“We got Dave to walk off into the distance because his cattle were just out of frame and I just feel like that was a really strong moment when he was striding off with that kind of stoicism.”

Judges of the National Photographic Portrait Prize agreed.

“The vastness of the landscape turns farmer David Kalisch into an anonymous presence, leaving a space for us to consider our own place inside nature,” they said.

Farewell Emma: The Phoenix Group of Newspapers would like to say farewell to Emma Henderson who after only a short stay has decided to pursue other opportunities. Emma left quite an impression in such a short amount of time and we are sorry to see her go. All the best!

Scammer Alert: At least two businesses and one resident have been impacted by scammers the past week with everything from fake social media pages taking payments through to fake QR codes and phony ATO calls. Locals are asked to stay alert and contact police if they feel they have been targeted by scammers.

Local Government Week This Week: Local Government week is this week August 2-8 and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the community. This year’s theme is “Locally Led” and Forbes Shire Council has been celebrating the role they play in the community by sharing some of the amazing locally led projects and programs they are doing.

 

 

Dr Dan’s Flying Skin Cancer Visit: Dr Dan recently travelled solo to Parkes, Tottenham, Condobolin and Forbes. Liz Mitchell in Parkes and Forbes helped navigate COVID risk assessments and secure the clearance so Dr Dan could still conduct skin cancer checks and treatments in their towns. Unfortunately, RN Sammy was stuck in the Sydney lockdown, checking in patients from afar. Dr Dan saw 63 patients, and one-third required skin cancer treatments. In metro areas, about one in 10 people need skin cancer treatment. In rural Australia, the rate is much higher, mainly because people don’t have the same access to advanced skin cancer services.

Goldridge Estate Cable Laid: It’s the new development that will go a long way towards addressing housing challenges and the sewer mains for the new Goldridge Estate should be laid by the end of August, with works on water mains to begin immediately thereafter according to councils’ engineering department at the July council meeting. The report said the construction team had started making some good progress after some wet weeks and delays laying almost 200 metres of sewer main each day. Goldridge Estate is a council land release that will feature 221 residential blocks with a central green space for parkland. The first stage will have 25 blocks available for purchase off the plan by Spring all things being equal.

An Easy Way To Donate To CanAssist: Commencing on February 22 this year, Forbes CanAssist will become a donation partner on the Forbes Return and Earn vending machine in Sam Street, Forbes. This means that anyone using the machine from then will be able to donate their proceeds directly to CanAssist Forbes by pushing the appropriate button on the vending machine. Forbes Canassist will be a donation partner for 6 months from February 22nd until August 22nd. We hope you will consider this and help CanAssist continue to provide assistance to Forbes and district residents living with and/or receiving treatment for cancer.

 

McCormack Welcomes Dedicated National Referral And Support Service For People With Disability: Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is urging those with a disability in the Riverina and Central West to take advantage of a new national referral and support service. Mr McCormack said the dedicated one-stop service would provide advice and up-to-date information.

“This is an important service for those with a disability, as well as their loved ones, across the Riverina and Central West,” Mr McCormack said.

The Disability Gateway can assist with a range of support, from locating advocacy services, finding a sporting team that meets the needs of a person’s disability or identifying local disability-related events.

It is available at www.disabilitygateway.gov.au or by calling 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm AEST.

Conditions Of Entry For Bird Sale And Poultry Auction: Central West bird sale, community markets and poultry silent auction will be going ahead as planned on Saturday 14th August (pending further COVID restrictions). At this stage all sellers and the public will be subject to the following –
1. COVID check-in meaning you must have access to a smart phone;
2. Masks MUST be worn (a COVID Mar-shall will ask anyone to leave who is not complying);
3. A proof of address such as license will be checked. Anyone from a current hot spot including any area subject to COVID restrictions will be refused entry.

Other precautions we will implement include:
• We will have several sanitising stations throughout the venue;
• The toilets and hi-touch areas will be sanitised every 30 minutes;
• Three sheds will be used for selling of birds to lessen crowding;
• All market stalls will be outside;
• All sellers will enter via rear gate; (Racecourse Road) and general public by main entry (Show Street);
• All sheds will have entry and exit doors.
• Sharon 0406 512 851 for more info.

Mitre 10 Ladies Night: Ladies night is on again at Acheson’s Mitre 10 in Forbes. The blue chip event will be held on Thursday August 26 from 6-8pm. There will be promotions, prizes, info, refreshments and much more! Check their Facebook page for more info and latest COVID announcements and restrictions.

 

 

Woodfired Eugowra Saturday August 7: Will you be heading to Woodfired Eugowra this year? At this stage we are still plan-ning to run this fantastic event on Saturday 7th August 10am – 5pm, following COVID guidelines at the time. Along with the cooking competitions and demonstrations, there will be market stalls, food vans, live music and free entertainment for the kids, like face painting! Book your tickets now! https://www.123tix.com.au/events/18448/woodfired-eugowra See you there!

Anything Goes Exhibition runs to 29 July: The rules are out the window for the mid-year members’ exhibition at the Platy-pus Gallery. The ‘Anything Goes’ exhibition opened at the Platypus Gallery last week, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks from Forbes Arts Society members. Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “Anything Goes is exactly what it implies. Without boundaries or restrictions, our members have the opportunity of creating work in any style, mediums or size of their choosing.”

“When it comes to art, creativity is limitless.” The ‘Anything Goes’ exhibition will run until Thursday 29 July 2021. All art-works will be available for purchase. The Platypus Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am until 2pm and Saturdays, 9am until 1pm. In line with the current public health order, visitors are reminded to please check in using the QR code and wear a mask. For more information, visit www.forbesartssociety.com or follow the Platypus Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.

Waste Wednesday – Time to clean out the Garage! The next Bulky waste collection drive will be conducted the week of the 3rd – 7th August 2021. You can put your bulky waste out the weekend before for collection. The Contractor and Council have the right to reject any items that they consider unacceptable. For further information on what is acceptable or unacceptable visit Forbes Shire Council website https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-and-recycling/collection or phone our Waste & Environmental Specialist on 6850 2300.

Congrats to Topsoil Organics: Big congrats are in order for Topsoil Organics who have been announced as the major winner in the Regional Job Creation fund set up to create future job opportunities in Forbes!

Grazing already sold out! Grazing Down The Lachlan 2021 has sold out in 2 hours! There’s still a limited number of tickets available to Sundowners by the Lake if you fancy being part of the Grazing weekend fun. View the full program of events here: https://bit.ly/3wpM1qu

 

 

NAIDOC Week This Week: NAIDOC Week is being held from 4-11 July nationwide. Forbes Shire Council will hold its celebrations in Spring to include our youth in these very important celebrations (they are on school holidays at present). We do however recognise this special week now and the chance to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, locally and across the country. This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country, heal our nation’ and it calls for us to recognise, protect and maintain First Nations culture and heritage.

National Tree Day July 31: Join us on Saturday 31 July at Daroobalgie Landfill site, this project will create a buffer between the road and the landfill site. Volunteer registrations can be located and completed here: https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10023148 For more information contact Council’s Waste and Environmental Specialist on 02 6850 2300.

Skin Cancer Check? We’re heading back to Parkes, Tottenham, Condobolin & visiting Forbes for the first time for skin cancer checks & treatments in July. Don’t miss out! You can book now to see Dr Dan in Forbes on 15 July at the Forbes Hospital, Elgin Street. To book an appointment for yourself or a loved one (or both), visit this link: https://bit.ly/FSCD3nL or call 1300 754 637. No referral is required. Skin cancer checks cost $125, and you’ll receive a $38.75 Medicare rebate. If you have any questions give us a call. Note that due to COVID-19, we take extra measures during our clinics to maintain patient and staff safety.

Bowel Cancer Screening Reminder: WNSWLHD Director Cancer Services and Innovation Dr Ruth Jones, has urged men and women aged 50 to 74 to screen for bowel cancer. “Around 81 people in WN-SWLHD will lose their life to bowel cancer this year. My message to everyone in our community is do the test when it comes in the post. Don’t put it off. This piece of mail could save your life. We need people to stop putting the test away in a drawer and forgetting about it.”

Forbes Heated Pool Progress: The Forbes Heated Pool is progressing well and to schedule. A reminder to neighbours and users of the area to be aware that there are heavy vehicles around the site. Any concerns please raise them with Council’s Project Manager Aaron Parker on 6850 2300.