Forbes Shire Council NAIDOC Celebra­tions 2025: Our community came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week with pride, re­spect, and unity. We kicked off the day with a powerful march from the South Circle Oval to the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, fol­lowed by a moving traditional fire ceremo­ny, flag raising, and vibrant cultural dances. The afternoon was filled with celebration – from the official ceremony, award pres­entations, and delicious BBQ, to hands-on cultural activities, arts and crafts, and in­teractive displays. Let’s continue to honour and celebrate the oldest living culture on Earth.

Inland Rail: Have you been keeping up with Inland Rail’s progress or would you like to know more about Australia’s larg­est infrastructure project? At Inland Rail, we need your feedback to make sure that what we say and do is meeting the needs and expectations of project com­munities. All we ask is 10 minutes of your time to complete the survey. Please type this link into your web browser https://survey-au.yoursurveynow.com/survey/selfserve/53b/2506202?list=0 Please complete this survey before Mon­day 14 July 2025.

Kerin Health: Calling all Parkes and Forbes families – don’t wait until summer, swimming lessons are available now with Kerin Health so book your child’s place to­day. Kerin Health have just released new classes for swimming lessons and now is your chance to grab a spot and keep the momentum going for your child’s swim­ming skills. ⁠Swimming lessons for term 3 will be held at the Forbes Indoor Heated Pool, commencing on 28 July, running for a six week term. Don’t miss out, follow the link to book now www.kerinhealth.com.au/swimming-lessons

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council is proud to announce the two local groups awarded funding through the 2025 Cultural Grants Program.

• Parkes Community Arts $6,000 to ex­pand their successful Who Is Parkes photographic trail

• Peak Hill Pastoral Agricultural & Hor­ticultural Association $4,000 to deliver Crafting Connections creative work­shops at the 120th Peak Hill Show

Since launching, Council’s Cultural Grants Program has provided almost $95,000 to support over 30 community-led cultural, musical and artistic initiatives across the Shire. To learn more about the program, visit: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

TAFE NSW Forbes: We’re excited to bring you a special pop-up library at Forbes TAFE Campus! This temporary setup en­sures you still have access to all TAFE re­sources while we search for a permanent space. Whether you need study materials, research assistance, or just a quiet place to read, we’ve got you covered.

Parkes Potters: Do your kids want to get creative these upcoming holidays? Parkes Potter’s are running a children’s workshop for the school holidays on Wednesday 9 July. Phone 0427 342 751 for more infor­mation and bookings.

Women NSW: Every day, 58 people will learn they have breast cancer. More than 21,000 breast cancer diagnoses are ex­pected nationally this year, which will in­clude 6,500 in NSW alone. Breast cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death among women. Early detection and access to in­novative clinical trials are critical to improv­ing survival rates and quality of life. Find more information about breast cancer trials by visiting: tacklebreastcancer.com.au

Parkes Elvis Festival: Applications are OPEN to have a market stall at the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival. Apply here: bit.ly/PEFmarkets Applications close 30 July 2025.

Plastic Free July: Forbes Shire Council is proud to be part of Plastic Free July, a global movement helping millions of people reduce plastic waste for cleaner streets, parks, rivers, and communities. From saying no to single-use plastics to mak­ing simple swaps at home or work, every action counts. Are you ready to take the challenge? Join us this July and make a pledge to reduce single-use plastic in your daily life. Together, we can create lasting change. Sign up here: www.plasticfreejuly.org/take-the-challenge

R U OK? Checking in with someone can take away the pressure to reach out for help. It lets someone know it’s OK to not be OK and gives them permission to talk about what they’re going through. For more tips on having meaningful conversations, visit www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

NSW Rock Camp: Parkes High School music students, Bohdi and Huntur partici­pated in the Western NSW Rock Camp in Dubbo last week. All the students in at­tendance had a blast and participated in a week of learning new skills and working with a range of people. What an awesome experience for these talented students!

Parkes Shire Council: While the full de­tails are still to come, we’re hopeful the NSW Budget announcement of $27 million for the repair and restoration of water and sewer infrastructure in the Central West damaged by the 2022 severe weather and flooding may deliver positive outcomes for Parkes Shire. Thank you to Philip Do­nato MP and everyone who has strongly advocated for flood-impacted communi­ties across our region. We look forward to learning more about what this means for Parkes.

Companions Thru Cancer: Companions Thru Cancer Inc held a soup luncheon on Wed 18th June in the Red Cross Rooms. A big ‘thank you’ to the hard working Com­mittee who catered for the event and the volunteers who helped out on the day. Also special thanks to the business houses, shops and the general community for sup­porting the luncheon. The raffle was drawn by Sister Kath and won by Wendy Van Der Wel.

Central West Local Land Services: Farmers across the Central West are invit­ed to join a powerful, 3-year journey toward greater profitability, resilience, and perfor­mance. Through the Farm Benchmarking Project, you’ll gain exclusive access to confidential, data-backed insights compar­ing your business performance with likeminded producers in the region. Whether you’re navigating a tough season or plan­ning ahead, this program brings clarity and confidence to the decisions that matter most. The deadline is June 30 on this sub­sidised opportunity https://bit.ly/4cWt8SX

Central West Police District: Have you heard about the NSW Police Next Of Kin (NOK) Program? The NOK program ena­bles vulnerable people or people living alone to record their emergency contact details with the NSW Police Force. Please consider if this program would benefit you or someone you know. Just complete the NOK Registration form which you can pick up from any police station or download from the NSW police website or via the link: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/572394/next-of-kin-program-application-form.pdf

Evolution Mining Northparkes Opera­tions: The Northparkes Community Invest­ment Program supported the Forbes Men’s Shed to concrete a wide access path for users. Have a project your organisation would like support for? Simply go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDR2TN2

Frost And Fire 2025: Bring the whole crew down for an evening of fun, music, and magical memories the kids will love! Silent disco from 4pm – 7pm and fairy floss by the amazing Forbes Youth Action Team, CirqueUm Navigate – roving entertainment to amaze and excite, bonfires, food trucks and plenty more! It’s the perfect mix of ex­citement and entertainment for all ages! Head along to the Forbes Ski Dam this Sat­urday 21 June.Tickets at: www.123tix.com.au/events/46063/frost-and-fire

Parkes Shire Libraries: Peak Quills’ writers group meet on the third Thursday monthly at the Peak Hill Library. Join us for tips on writing, put your pen to paper and listen to a reading. All welcome, tea and coffee provided.

Western NSW Local Health District: Are excited to announce DanceMoves pro­grams will commence running in Orange, Parkes, Forbes, Molong, Bathurst and Mendooran in the coming monthss. The program is a mix of seated and standing dancing, set to your favourite music. The program is designed to help build strength, balance and flexibility while staying full of energy. The program is designed for more active older adults (50+ years of age). No experience is necessary and suitable for all movement abilities! The classes are free of charge. We invite you to register by clicking this link https://www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/find-a-program

Forbes Youth Action Team: The school holiday program is live, and there is an awesome lineup of activities to keep the kids entertained these holidays – from slime workshops and painting sessions to novelty sports days and more! Spots are limited and filling fast – register now at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services-and-information/families-and-youth-services/youth-programs

The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia: Be part of a powerful conver­sation about mental wellbeing at our NRL Community Scrum in Forbes next Tues­day 24 June at Spooner Oval, with special guests NRL legends Bryson Goodwin and Dale Finucan.

Parkes Shire Council: Between 1 January and 30 April 2025, Parkes Shire Council has helped find loving homes for 54 dogs and 47 cats and it’s all thanks to our com­munity of adopters and supporters! Think­ing about adopting? Visit the website to meet the pets still looking for their forever homes: bit.ly/AnimalsForAdoption

CanAssist Parkes: CanAssist at Parkes secured a grant from Northparkes Com­munity Investment Program to purchase two scissor lift trolleys. CanAssist is a com­munity organisation that provides financial assistance to cancer patients within the Parkes Shire for travel, accommodation and other travel related expenses, funding this support by operating a second hand shop, managed and staffed by volunteers who sort, organise and prepare donated items for sale. The two trolleys will facilitate the moving of heavier stock and enhance safety by reducing physical strain and risk of injury while improving efficiency.

Forbes Family History Group Inc: Have you been thinking about diving into your family history research? Now is the per­fect time to start! Membership renewals are coming up on 1 July, and you can join the Forbes Family Histroy Group for just $35. Becoming a member gives you access to incredible resources and a supportive com­munity, all designed to help you uncover your ancestors’ fascinating stories. Located in Harold St, behind the Library in Forbes.

PCYC Parkes: Book a Safer Drivers Course this month on 28 June. Get 20 hours off your log book and be a step clos­er to your P-plates. In just 5 hours, get 20 hours off your log book and learn how to recognise hazards, identify safe gaps in traffic, and reduce crash risk. Fully funded spots are available for the Parkes Course but you must email the club at parkes@pcycnsw.org.au for voucher number to use this offer. Book now!

Volunteers Morning Tea: Calling all vol­unteers in our community. Come along to Apex Caravan Park on 30 June and let us say thanks. RSVP essential by Wednes­day 25 June to Council on 6850 2300 or by email to community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Landcare Australia: Introducing the first ever Landcare Short Film Festival. Are you a filmmaker, student, community group, or storyteller with a passion for the environ­ment? This is your chance to shine a light on the incredible landcare work happen­ing across Australia. The inaugural Land­care Short Film Festival will premiere at the 2025 National Landcare Conference on the Gold Coast. Submissions are now open and close on 1 August 2025. Find out more: https://ow.ly/m5uZ50W5hZG

Forbes High School: Nginhgau Students are very appreciative of the Art Workshop delivered to them by Kiesha-Lee Bowden, Local Wiradjuri artist and former student of Forbes High. Throughout the workshop, students learnt about Traditional Aboriginal art and how to create stories through art. This engaging workshop spanned the term.

Parkes Picnic Races: Enjoy a day full of fun, flair and fantastic country racing! Sat­urday 7 June, 11.30am at Parkes Race­course. Tickets cost $20 online (+ booking fee) at https://bit.ly/parkespicnicraces or $25 at the gate. Free entry for kids under 16. Thanks to all of the fantastic sponsors for their support.

The Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival Of Arts: Get ready to line the streets of Gren­fell, for the Henry Lawson Festival: 5– 9 June. Featuring art and writing competi­tions, food stalls, market stalls, live music, events, street parade and a street party. All in honour of Henry Lawson and to promote and recognise his works. For more details go to: henrylawsonfestival.com.au

PCYC Parkes: Book a Safer Drivers Course on 28 June to get 20 hours off your log book and be a step closer to your P plates. In just 5 hours you can get 20 hours

off your log book. Fully funded places are available for the Parkes course by emailing the club at parkes@pcycnsw.org.au for a voucher number to access this offer.

Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW: We’ve released $250,000 from our Disaster Relief Fund for drought relief for primary producers in NSW or the ACT in drought or drought affected areas. Drought in South West and Western regions of NSW is leaving many farmers facing a long and difficult winter. CWA of NSW will help with household expenses up to $3,000 for eligi­ble applicants. Find out more or apply at: https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/droughtaid

Beanies At The Corner: Craft Corner in Parkes extend a massive thank you to all the fantastic participants in their “Beanies at the Corner” competition. The incred­ible entries are on display at Craft Corner, showcasing the vibrant creativity of our community. Congratulations to the win­ners, Kids: 1st Maralyn Wise, 2nd Sharyn Preisig, 3rd Sarah Hankinson. Classic: 1st Liz Mulligan, 2nd Mary Ewin, 3rd Sue Rid­ley. Quirky: 1st Sharyn Preisig, 2nd Melissa McIntyre, 3rd Keira Bartrop. Rainbow: 1st Melissa McIntyre, 2nd Keira Bartrop, 3rd Elizabeth Kay. Encouragement: Sarah Hankinson.

Red Bend Catholic College: We were for­tunate to be joined by Aunty Florence Onus for our Sorry Day assembly. Florence is a Birrigubba, Bidjara and Jagalingu woman from North and Central Queensland and is a survivor of the Stolen Generation. Flor­ence spoke about our shared Australian history and her personal family story, and we thank her for her insight.

Women NSW: Are you ready to return to work? Future Women Jobs Academy is a free, year-long virtual program designed to empower women with the knowledge and connections needed to return to work and thrive. The program begins on 4 August 2025 and concludes in June 2026. This program is free, flexible, and self-paced. Applications close on 21 July 2025. Learn more here: nsw.gov.au/fwja

Lock it or lose it! Central West Police Dis­trict continues to see a spike in Steal from Motor Vehicle offences in the Forbes town­ship. The majority are from unlocked vehi­cles, however there have been incidents where the window has been smashed.

Please do not leave valuables in your vehi­cle overnight. Sensor lights and CCTV are also an excellent deterrent.

CUC Parkes: Did you know that the CUC offers a coffee machine, complete with fla­voured syrups, tea, and hot chocolate in the kitchen for students? Every Monday at 10am, we invite students to join us for a Monday Morning Catch-Up at CUC Parkes.

Our Centre Manager, Jacob, and Learning Skills Advisor, Brooke, will be present to engage in friendly, informal conversations.

Companionions Thru Cancer Inc: The Parkes Companions Thru Cancer Group held A Biggest Morning Tea on Wednesday 21 May at the Parkes Red Cross room rais­ing an amazing $843.16. Thanks to all who supported this important event.

Henry Parkes Learning Community: Last term, staff from Parkes High School, Parkes Public School, Parkes East Public School and Middleton Public School, took part in a 10 week exercise challenge. Nine­ty-nine public school staff members took part and each donated $10 to join. The four schools then recorded their accumu­lative exercise hours each week to get an overall champion school. Congratulations to Middleton Public School who took out the honours this year. Middleton staff then chose Ronald McDonald House Orange to receive the funds raised.

Forbes Shire Council: Members of the Humber Car Club gathered at the Forbes Visitor Information Centre with their vintage treasures gleaming in the car park. Julie Ridley had the crowd captivated with tales of the Lachlan Vintage Village about its rich history and its enduring charm. What a way to celebrate 50 years of memories, herit­age, and horsepower!

Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Shire Council advises that, effective Monday 2 June 2025, all customer enquiries and services relating to planning matters will be managed through Council’s main Cus­tomer Service area, located at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Building, 2 Cecile Street, Parkes. This change is part of Council’s commitment to improving ser­vice delivery and ensuring a more stream­lined experience for customers through a centralised point of contact. Council appre­ciates your cooperation and understand­ing. For further information or assistance, please contact Council during business hours on (02) 6861 2333

Trundle Bush Tucker Day: Trundle Bush Tucker Day 2025 is a highly anticipated family friendly event in the Central West. A day full of wholesome entertainment, delicious flavors, and unforgettable memo­ries. Tickets on sale now for Trundle Bush Tucker Day 2025 on the 6th September: www.123tix.com.au/events/46970/trundlebush-tucker-day-2025

Philip Donato MP: Calling all teachers and principals! Take advantage of new travel subsidies for regional schools and bring your students to NSW Parliament for a free, hands-on learning experience. Visit the Parliament of NSW Education website to find out more: https://education.parlia­ment.nsw.gov.au/

Forbes Domestic & Family Violence Committee: Western NSW Local Health District provide a number of amazing ser­vices for those affected by Family and Domestic Violence. – PARVAN (Preven­tion and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect) – Community Health and Social Work. If you or someone you know needs help, call Parkes Community Health on 6861 2400 or Forbes Community Health on 6850 7300. If you are in immediate danger cal 000.

PCYC Parkes: Get 20 hours off your log book and be a step closer. In just 5 hours, get 20 hours off your log book and learn how to; Recognize hazards, Identify safe gaps in traffic, Reduce crash risk. Fully funded spots available for the Parkes Course being held on 23/05/25 – MUST email the club at parkes@pcycnsw.org.au for voucher number to use this offer.

Talk2MeBro Forbes! Talk2mebro’s Con­scious Connection is coming! Unearth hid­den traumas, release emotions, & embrace well-being with Talk2mebro’s Conscious Connection Workshop. Join our intensified workshop and experience breathwork & ceremonial cacao like never before. Limit­ed spots available 6:30 PM – 9:45 PM Date: Fri, 30th May 2025. Get your tickets today: https://events.humanitix.com/talk2mebro-conscious-connection-workshop-forbes-fri-30th-may-2025

Central West Police District: Operation Amarok X is a statewide offender focused operation with Central West Police Dis­trict actively working to arrest outstanding offenders, serve Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) and conduct compliance checks. This operation underscores our unwavering commitment to preventing and addressing domestic and family violence.

Parkes Shire Council: Council is advis­ing that a temporary shoulder closure will be in place to facilitate the construction of kerb and gutter from the intersection of Bogan Street through to the intersection of Ward Street, Parkes. Works are scheduled to take place from 7:00am on Monday, 19 May 2025, through to 5:00pm on Friday, 1 August 2025, weather permitting. For infor­mation visit: bit.ly/44ZZ2vN

Volunteering Australia: Join us for an online celebration as we shine a spotlight on the millions of volunteers making an extraordinary impact on their communities. Friday 23 May, 12pm – 1pm. Register now and be part of this special event. events.humanitix.com/connecting-communities

Parkes Picnic Races: The Parkes Picnic Races committee are thrilled to announce that local legends EasyGoin’ will be hitting the stage at the Parkes Picnic Races on Saturday 7 June. So dust off your picnic rug, gather your mates, and get ready for a fun-filled day of racing, relaxing, and rock­ing out. Book your tickets now at https://bit.ly/parkespicnicraces

Central West Police District: Lock it or Lose it! Please lock your doors at night, fur­ther stealing incidents have been recorded in Forbes and Parkes where opportunistic offenders have gained entry through un­locked doors.

Neighbourhood Central: Keast Park was bursting with colour, laughter and commu­nity spirit at Healthy Harold’s Colour Run. It was fantastic to see the whole community connect to celebrate health and wellbeing. A huge thank you to our local community partners who volunteered and to all that came along and joined in the fun.

CUC Parkes: Our printer has made the journey to our new Centre at 7–9 Court Street. We know everyone learns different­ly — for some, having hard copies of notes and study materials is essential. Come and check out our new Centre, register for free, and enjoy access to free printing

Forbes Blue Sky Outdoor Experts: Mick and Karen Roylance and all the Team at Blue Sky Forbes and their Families would like to thank all the emergency services involved in the devastating fire, which has sadly taken the entire inside of our store.

We would also like to thank the wonder­ful community of Forbes, Parkes and sur­rounds for the many well wishes, flowers and touching comments. We will keep eve­ryone updated with our next steps. We will come back from this stronger than ever.

Northparkes Oval Lighting Update: A light pole at the south-west corner of North­parkes Oval has been removed due to safety concerns. Power to all lights is cur­rently off, but a temporary solution will be in place within two weeks to support night training. Please avoid the area near the removed pole. For information, visit: bit.ly/3YrjMbT

Ronald McDonald House Charities Cen­tral West NSW: Jenni McGee, Nurse Man­ager – Parkes Hospital will be joining us for CEO Walk in my Shoes (CWIMS) Parkes is the number one town where our families come from. Since opening RMHC Central West has supported 356 families from the Parkes Shire, over 2,223 nights, represent­ing accommodation savings of $333,450.

Jenni said: “I am doing this because I know how much it means to have support when you need it most and to make sure that no-one feels like they have to go through things alone.” Learn more and show Jenni your support – visit https://www.ceowalkin­myshoes.org.au/fundraisers/jennimahon

The Forbes Historical Museum: Longstanding and dedicated volunteer, Shane Wode will be selling his book “The Streets of Forbes” on Friday night at The Trial of Ben Hall. If you are one of the lucky 100 people to have secured tickets for this hotly contested trial, please consider bringing some cash to buy a copy of Shane’s book. We will also have CD’s and DVD’s for sale. These items are for sale every day at the Museum.