National Road Safety Week (17–24 May) is underway, a timely prompt to check in on our own driving habits. Road safety isn’t just about big changes; it’s the small choices every day that make the difference – slowing down, staying focused and plan­ning ahead so you’re not driving tired or distracted.

Across the week, you’ll see Council showing support in the community, with yellow ribbons on Council vehicles, staff wearing lapel ribbons, and Forbes Town Hall lit up in yellow throughout the week. To learn more or to take the Drive So Others Survive pledge, head to roadsafetyweek.com.au.

This week is also National Volunteer Week, celebrating the contributions of vol­unteers under this year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer.”

On Wednesday, Council hosted a Volun­teer Recognition Event at Apex Caravan Park to thank our local volunteers. It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening, bringing volunteers together and acknowledge the time, care and skills they generously give to our community every day. Council re­mains committed to supporting volunteer­

ism into the future and encourages anyone to consider getting involved in the many rewarding opportunities available.

Work continues on the southern end of the Johnny Woods Crossing. Our crews have now moved to the western side, fo­cusing on connecting the existing Lake Forbes pedestrian loop to the crossing, while also delivering additional car park­ing for the area. This project forms part of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan Footpath Resilience and Betterment Program and is proudly funded by the NSW Community Assets Program.

Council has announced its biggest-ever food and beverage line-up for Frost & Fire 2026. Held at the Forbes Ski Dam on Sat­urday 20 June, this year’s event will feature four bars, 13 food vendors and a pre-order option. We are delivering more choice than ever, from hearty comfort food to sweet treats and warming drinks for the longest night of the year. Check out the full food and drink line-up at amazingforbesnsw.com. Get your tickets now at 123tix.com.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Forbes welcomed an international delega­tion from Kazakhstan this week, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase our strong agricultural industry and build inter­national connections.

As a major wheat producer, Kazakhstan shares a deep agricultural foundation with our region. During their visit, the delegation explored local facilities, including the Cen­tral West Livestock Exchange, highlighting the scale, efficiency and professionalism of our livestock sector.

Council was pleased to share insights into our thriving agricultural sector and the partnerships that support it. We look for­ward to continuing discussions and explor­ing future opportunities for growth, innova­tion and collaboration.

Next week is National Road Safety Week (17–24 May), reminding us of the impact ofroad trauma and the simple steps we can take to stay safe.

Council has proudly supported the initiative since 2017, encouraging everyone to take the Drive So Others Survive pledge – avoid distractions, slow down and never drive un­der the influence.

You’ll see our support across the com­munity, with yellow ribbons on Council vehicles, staff wearing lapel ribbons, and Forbes Town Hall lit yellow for the week.

As driving remains a key workplace risk, our staff will also take part in driver fatigue awareness sessions.

It’s officially bonfire season, which means Frost & Fire is just around the corner. Tick­ets are now on sale for Forbes’ favourite winter celebration on Saturday 20 June.

Leave the car at home and hop on a shut­tle, with 10 stops across Forbes running to and from the Ski Dam.

For the first time, return bus services will also run from Parkes, Cowra (via Gooloo­gong) and Canowindra (via Eugowra), making it easier for our neighbours to join in. Bus tickets are just $10, and with a new family pass available, there’s even more reason to round up your crew.

Secure your tickets from 123tix.com, rug up and get ready for a night of fire, food and winter fun.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Wasn’t that rain a great way to start the week. We have had reports of between 30–70mm across the shire, it was such a relief and great timing for those who have dry sown and for those yet to crop. After a dry start to the year, this rainfall has made a real difference and lifted spirits right across our community. There were a lot of smiles on the street on Monday.

In town, the rain has also delivered a much needed boost to our sporting fields, parks and green spaces.

There are lots of home games this week­end, so it will be great to see a nice fresh green flush on the grounds at the Red Bend Junior League, croquet, rugby and soccer on Saturday.

The Rotary Markets will be on at Lions Park and the Fire and Rescue open day at Rotary Park, near the lake are also on.

On Sunday it will be Magpies first home game at Spooners – I can’t wait to enjoy it from the new grandstand. Don’t forget – entry is in Linda Street. A formal opening

of the new grandstand and facilities will be held later in the season.

Council has had number of questions about the temporary fencing in place on Templar Street. The fence needs to stay in position while demolition work is completed at the Forbes Inn.

As soon as this work is finished and the precinct is declared safe, the fencing will be removed and normal traffic flow and ac­cess will resume.

Finally, I was proud to represent Forbes Shire Council at the LGNSW Rural and Regional Summit, on Thursday. The 2026 Summit brought councils and community leaders together to discuss key issues for rural and regional NSW, including health, water security, Special Rate Variations and strengthening community resilience. It is important that Forbes has a voice in theseconversations to represent our commu­nity’s interests.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

ANZAC Day 2026 was marked by an im­pressive turnout across our community, with residents coming together in strong numbers to honour the service and sac­rifice of defence personnel, past and pre­sent. Council was proud to support this im­portant day of remembrance and reflection.

Seeing people of all ages attend dawn ser­vices and commemorations throughout the day was a powerful reminder that the AN­ZAC spirit of courage, mateship and ser­vice continues to be deeply valued within our community.

We extend our sincere thanks to the RSL sub-branches, veterans, service organisa­tions and all who attended and paid their respects. Your presence ensured that the legacy of those who served and those who continue to serve was honoured in a mean­ingful and enduring way.

Our annual bulky waste collection is next week. Residents are encouraged to take the opportunity this weekend to do a mind­ful clean-out and responsibly dispose of unwanted household items. Please place your bulky items on the kerb this week­end. Collections will occur from Monday 4 to Friday 8 May, so having items out early

will help ensure they’re picked up. Please remember to separate items into the four accepted categories and keep the total amount to no more than 2 cubic metres.

Head to our website for more information.

You may have noticed work currently underway at the Johnny Woods Cross­ing. Funded by the NSW Community As­sets Program, this final stage of the project will connect the southern footpaths to the Lake Forbes loop and includes drainage upgrades, new kerb and gutter, a new car park, safety median strips, line marking and site rehabilitation. The footpath in this area will be closed at times during construction.

Step back in time and celebrate the rich history of our region during Forbes Herit­age Week 2026 running from 11 to 15 May.

Our Heritage Committee has put together an amazing program of special events de­signed to educate, entertain and connect the community with Forbes’ past.

Register via our website, drop into Coun­cil, or call our Events Team to be part of any of the activities. The full program is avail­able on Council’s website.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Our town glowed this week with communi­ties all across Australia leaving a front light on to mark the anniversary of our beauti­ful Molly Ticehurst. It has been two years since Molly was murdered and her family asked us all to leave a front light on for Molly from Wednesday night to show our love and support. We will never forget Mol­ly, a beautiful early childhood educator who touched so many lives and was the impe­tus for much needed reforms in Domestic Violence Orders in our state. I look forward to a time when we have universal tough laws across all states to protect our women and families against violence.

Talking respect, all residents and visi­tors are invited to attend the ANZAC Day commemorations in Forbes on Saturday 25 April. The Dawn Service will begin at 5.30am at the Victoria Park Cenotaph (please assemble at 5.15am in front of Club Forbes).At 10.30am will be the AN­ZAC March followed by the service and wreath laying. Assemble at 10.15am in Cross Street. The service will conclude at 11.30am in Victoria Park.

Have you watched the ANZAC com­memorative illumination being projected on the Forbes Town Hall? It is another amaz­ing light show, featuring faces from our very own Forbes enlisted, it has been on all week and finishes Saturday night. Don’t forget to tune into 88.7FM for the audio and music.

I am very pleased to announce Forbes Shire Council is a finalist in three catego­ries of the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. These awards cele­brate innovation and excellence across Lo­cal Government – being recognised at this level reflects the dedication, professional­ism and pride our staff bring to serving the community.

Congratulations to the Amazing Visitor Information Team, the Street Dreams event and our commitment to being a healthy, safe and connected workplace. Congratu­lations to all the staff involved and thank you all for your amazing efforts. A reminder also that Forbes has been nominated in the Top Tourism Awards. You can vote for Forbes by following the link on our website.

Thank you everyone for your support so far.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I am proud to share that Forbes has been officially nominated for the 2026 Top Tour­ism Town Awards, recognising destinations that excel in welcoming visitors, delivering memorable experiences and showcasing what makes their community unique.

Forbes is nominated in the 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards in the category for towns with a population over 5,000, along­side Ballina, Moree, Shellharbour, Coffs Harbour, Kiama, Orange and Wollongong.

Tourism plays a vital role in supporting lo­cal businesses and jobs. I encourage eve­ryone to get behind Forbes by voting. The winners will be announced on Wednes­day 27 May 2026 at the Local Govern­ment NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland. Head to Council’s website to vote.

It’s been fantastic to see such strong attendance at the first week of Council’s School Holiday and Youth Week program, with activities proving very popular among local young people and families.

There’s still plenty to look forward to, with a great range of activities coming up including a family movie night, interactive

makeup class, mural painting, Youth Lead­ership Summit and the Course Anglers Fishing Workshop. These activities offer opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, and are a wonderful way for young people to stay engaged during the holidays. Places are limited, so bookings are essential. Head to Council’s website to book in and secure your spot.

Young people aged 16+ from Forbes are invited to audition for this year’s Mock Crash Demonstration. Running since 2009, the program has helped reduce crashes in­volving young drivers by 27%, showing the real‐life consequences of unsafe driving.

Auditions will be held on Tuesday 12 May from 5pm to 8pm at the Parkes SES Shed on Boyd Circuit in Parkes. To register, con­tact our Road Safety Officer on 6861 2364.

If you’re successful, you’ll take part in both pre‐recorded videos and a live mock crash demonstration alongside local emer­gency services at Parkes High School on Monday 17 August 2026.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an amazing Easter long weekend we had here in Forbes, with warm autumn weather inviting people outdoors to make the most of everything our region has to of­fer.

Many locals and visitors took the oppor­tunity to spend time in nature – camping, fishing and kayaking, while others enjoyed slower moments reconnecting with family and friends. It was wonderful to see parks, campsites and local spots so well ultilised and appreciated.

Easter marked the beginning of the April school holidays and Youth Week. The theme for NSW Youth Week 2026, ‘Dream.

Dare. Do.’, encourages young people to dream big and take real steps to make those dreams a reality.

In line with this theme, Forbes is hosting a mix of free and low-cost activities includ­ing painting workshops, barista training, music workshop, vision board sessions, resume workshop, makeup class, fitness classes, a mural painting workshop and Youth Connect Day.

Event details, session times and regis­tration information are available via Forbes

Shire Council’s website. Spaces are lim­ited.

Our annual bulky waste collection is coming up in early May, giving residents a chance to dispose of large household items. Please place your bulky waste neat­ly on the kerb between Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May 2026. Collections will occur throughout the following week, so items must be out by Sunday evening to ensure they’re collected. Head to Council’s web­site for full details on what is accepted in the bulky waste clean‐up.

Congratulations to Aussie Biscuits on 50 years of business and service to our com­munity. Since 1976, the organisation has created meaningful job opportunities for people with disability, showing what inclu­sive employment can achieve.

From right here in Forbes, Aussie Bis­cuits bakes around 60,000 biscuits every day, shipping their products to customers across Australia. Their success is a credit to their skilled workforce, strong values and commitment to regional manufacturing.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Forbes and District Historical Society, a wonderful milestone for our community.

Congratulations to all members and volun­teers on four decades of preserving and sharing our local history.

The Society’s dedication ensures Forbes’ stories, heritage and identity are protected and celebrated for future generations.

Their passion and commitment behind the scenes have made an enduring contribu­tion to our town.

As we approach the busy Easter long weekend, Council is encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead and take extra care on our roads. With the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass currently closed due to structural defects, locals travelling to Sydney are urged to use the Hume High­way. Bells Line of Road should be avoided unless travelling north, as traffic volumes are expected to be significantly higher.

With increased travel across the state, NSW Police will be conducting double de­merit points enforcement from Thursday 2 April until Monday 6 April 2026 (inclusive). Council reminds all drivers to slow down,

buckle up and stay alert, particularly on un­familiar roads.

The Lions Club will once again be op­erating the Driver Reviver site in Victoria Park from 3 to 6 April, helping keep motor­ists safe by encouraging regular breaks on long journeys. Council extends sincere thanks to the amazing volunteers for their dedication and service during the upcom­ing busy travel period.

Council’s Administration Office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Mon­day. Essential services will continue over the long weekend. The Forbes Visitor In­formation Centre will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but will be open on Saturday and Monday.

The Forbes Recycling and Waste Depot will be closed on Good Friday only. Impor­tantly, there will be no changes to kerbside waste collection, with all services running as scheduled.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Easter and hope you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an amazing weekend we’ve just had in Forbes. Congratulations to the organis­ers of the Amazing Motor Festival at the Showground, which attracted an impres­sive 4,000 attendees, as well as Paint Twirl and Lakeside Swirl in Lions Park, enjoyed by 130 participants. Two fantastic events held in Forbes over the weekend.

The Forbes Tennis Club officially unveiled its brand new LED lights, outdoor kitchen, equipment storage shed and covered out­door area this evening. These upgrades were made possible through a $303,000 NSW Government grant – a significant in­vestment in grass-roots sport.

We’re gearing up for another big week­end, with a full calendar of events across the region including the annual Forbes Rugby Presidents Lunch, Lions Club and Forbes Farmers Markets, Bedgerabong Public School’s 150th anniversary celebra­tions and Sorting and Penning at the Multi­purpose Equestrian Centre.

This Saturday, I encourage residents to take part in two free waste workshops de­signed to help households reduce waste and recycle smarter. Sessions are facilitat­ed by local waste experts from EnviroCom Australia.

The Composting and Worm Farming workshop runs from 10am until 11.15am at the Forbes Riverside Community Gar­dens and covers setting up and caring for compost and worm farms, plus how these systems benefit your garden and the envi­ronment.

The Recycling at Home workshop follows from 12.00pm until 1.15pm at Forbes TownHall, focusing on recycling tips, recognising greenwashing, what happens to our recy­cling and what can and cannot go in yellow bins. I encourage everyone to come along and discover simple ways to make a posi­tive environmental impact at home.

With the Great Western Highway at Vic­toria Pass currently closed due to structuraldefects, locals travelling to Sydney are urged to use the Hume Highway. Bells Line of Road should be avoided unless travel­ling north, as traffic volumes are expected to be significantly higher.

As we approach the busy Easter long weekend, I want to encourage locals to plan ahead, take extra care on our roads and enjoy everything our region has to of­fer safely.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

As the temperature cools off, I am delight­ed to officially launch Frost and Fire 2026.

Now in its seventh year, the event prom­ises to be bigger, brighter and warmer than ever. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors to the Forbes Ski Dam on Saturday 20 June for a truly amazing night filled with fire pits, live music, roving entertainment, fireworks, hearty food, cozy brews and family‐friendly fun.

Frost and Fire continues to play an im­portant role in supporting our local econo­my while celebrating creativity, connection and community spirit. Council is proud to support events that make Forbes such a vibrant place to live and visit.

I encourage everyone to grab tickets to the ultimate winter party via 123tix.com.

Rug up, fire up and see you at Frost and Fire 2026!Council is committed to supporting posi­tive outcomes for children and young peo­ple. I am proud to introduce the Forbes Children and Youth Hub x Your Say plat­form – a new online space designed to am­plify the voices of our young people and ensure they play an active role in shaping

the future of Forbes.

This hub is all about listening. It provides locals with a place to have their say on youth programs, events and opportunities across our community.

You can get involved by sharing ideas on event locations, asking questions or pro­viding feedback at Youth Centre Drop‐In Sessions, signing up for updates, joining the Forbes Youth Action Team, and follow­ing the Forbes Children and Youth Hub on Facebook to stay connected. For more in­formation, head to yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.

au/children-and-youth-hub.

I am pleased to advise that the resto­ration of Bates Bridge is now complete.

Bates Bridge is an important local connec­tion, and these works were essential to en­sure its ongoing safety and reliability.

I wish to thank the Australian Govern­ment’s Roads to Recovery Program and the NSW Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for their support in delivering this important project.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM