We were very pleased to meet with NSW Health Minister the Honourable Ryan Park at the Forbes District Hospital on Wednesday.

We lobbied hard for a new operating theatre at the hospital, detailing to the Minister our community’s commitment to support medical professionals in our town.

Forbes Shire Council has a strong history of working with and supporting NSW Health to improve our health services since the 1990s.

Council has long standing initiatives in place to secure and welcome doctors including accommodation support, a major upgrade of the medical practice and medical precinct, offering a work life balance and ongoing professional development opportunities.

We currently offer day surgery, ENT and other specialty surgeries as well as full obstetrics services for the Forbes and surrounding communities including West Wyalong, Condobolin, Grenfell, Eugowa, Canowindra, Parkes and Trundle.

We need to continue these vital services, reducing the demand on Orange and other base hospitals. A new operating suite could also reduce the need for more minor surgical procedures being performed out of town, giving GPs and patients continuity of care we have worked so hard to maintain for over 30 years.

Thank you to Minister Park for taking the time in his busy schedule to meet with us to discuss this crucial service for our hospital.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

Well Frost and Fire was our fifth and fa­vourite. Although we do probably say that every year.

It really was a fantastic night, with almost 2,000 tickets sold for a night, to enjoy the really amazing home grown talent of Cam­eron Sharpe, Gracey Denham-Jones, Cler, Em and Jo, Raechel Whitchurch and of­ course international sensation Vera Blue.

How lucky are we to enjoy that special moment of Celia and Em Pavey singing to­gether? All the performers were fantastic.

I hope you all had the best time.

It really is a credit to the whole team at Council, obviously our Community and Events team but to everyone who helped deliver our premier event. The team is already making plans for next year and I can’t wait.

A big thank you to everyone who attend­ed and especially those who had friends and family from out of town. We loved see­ing you all there.

It was lovely to celebrate two amazing locals this week when Local Member Phil

Donato presented Helen Westwood and Carly Fisher were added to the 2023 Hid­den Treasures Honour Roll. This is a very special award which has been presented to more than 12,000 women as standout community volunteers.

I had the pleasure of visiting one of Forbes’ newest early learning centres, in the former Sullivan’s supermarket. It is a really wonderful facility and I’m sure will be a great asset to many local families. Our population is growing and we need more childcare services so this is a very wel­come investment in our town.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller,
OAM Forbes Mayor

Well our event of the year is finally here – make sure you rug up and come along to Chillfest on Friday night and Frost and Fire on Saturday.

On Friday night – our family friendly Chill­fest event is being held – all ice skating spots have been booked but there will still be two indoor movies – Elemental at 7pm and the Rise of the Guardians at 8.45pm.

There will be a blow up igloo and an out­door DJ. There will be plenty of hot food choices and glow up products for sale.

Frost and Fire tickets are still available – $30 for adults and children free, for a night of live entertainment from fire dancers, a first nations dance group and of course so much of our home grown talent including international sensation Vera Blue.

This year it is absolutely one not to miss.

So much talent, Cameron Sharp will start the night as only he can, with classics that are sure to get you up and dancing, so make sure you get there at 4pm. Better still catch a bus from either Town Hall, the Ren­free Street carpark or Apex Caravan Park.

Free buses are running all night to get you there and back.

Next up entertainment wise we have Em, Cler and Jo and Gracey Denham Jones, before Aria chart topper Raechel Whitch­urch performs. As you all know Frost and Fire is all about fantastic live music, fire buckets and friends so do not miss out.

Tickets are still available at 123tix.

There are 12 food vendors, so plenty of options if you didn’t order a hamper ahead of the night and the effigies will be lit around 7.30pm. There will be fireworks at 8.30pm, so please make your pets are safe and comfortable at home.

So come early and find a spot near one of the 20 fire buckets, rug up and enjoy a really amazing night of live entertainment.

Talking events – make sure you save the date for the 2024 National BBQ Champion­ships on Saturday 9 November and Sun­day 10 November.

We know you will love it – we have made it even bigger and better than ever. There will now be two days of competition – grill­ing and a low and slow smoking event.

There will be a guest chef, entertainment and lots of stalls with some major cash prizes for competitors.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

Exciting things are happening in the north­ern CBD area around the old PittStop pre­cinct as Council prepares for the installa­tion of the new toilet block.

The toilet block will be craned in on Wednesday 19 June, it has a disability ac­cessible cubicle with a fixed adult change table, shower, and toilet as well as two am­bulant toilets and a community kiosk area.

This beautiful little green space is a love­ly improvement in our CBD and as we are successful in gaining more project specific funding for this area we have even more exciting plans.

The four new electronic vehicle charg­ing stations are being installed in Spring Street. Council received funding under the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to sup­port this project – one key component of Council’s Energy Action Plan.

During the works, traffic control will be in place managing disruptions to traffic and parking. Once it is finished, we will have 2 x 1 hour = 120klm range and 2 x 1hr = 300klms chargers. So while visitors to our town leave their vehicles to charge they can head into the CBD and enjoy our shops and a friendly welcome from our community.

Have you got your Frost and Fire tickets yet? There are still some tickets available for this epic event. From our headline home grown act Vera Blue right through to Rae­chel Whitchurch, Gracie Denham-Jones, Cameron Sharpe and the ever popular Em, Cler and Jo. Honestly what can be better than live music, fire pits and excellent food and drink. Book your tickets quickly on 123tix.

Don’t forget if you have friends or family over for the weekend, make sure you book Chillfest tickets on the Friday night for chilly kids fun, ice skating and more to enjoy from 6pm-10pm.

Until next week,
God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

What a productive and exciting few days at the Destination and Economy conference in Wagga last week – we connected with some great networks and gained great in­ sight and inspiration into upcoming events, destination trends and economic implica­tions.

From presenters and information gath­ered from Destination NSW and other ser­vice providers it gave us some great ideas to really ramp up our 2024 National BBQ Championships. We have some really ex­citing ideas and news for this event which is really going to put us on the map.

I cannot think of a better way to show­ case our top quality beef, lamb, chicken and pork produced in this region. If you are producer make sure you get in touch as we are just starting to call for brands and spon­sors for the event. I can guarantee this year it is going to be bigger and better than ever.

It has been a busy week but I was pleased to be able to officially welcome those attending the Local Land Services Regional Weed Committee meeting.

I am a passionate advocate for rural is­ sues and biosecurity.

Biosecurity protects the economy, en­vironment and our community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases, and weeds.

As such, it is vital to the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of our valley of production.

We have such a diverse landscape and that strong local knowledge – from our very own weeds officers right through to the weeds committee is critical to achieve the management and control of invasive weeds.

Currently there are very favourable sea­sonal conditions for a significant weed in­cursion so we need to take practical meas­ures and minimise or eliminate threats to our land, our community and our economy.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

I had the great pleasure to officially open the Local Government NSW Destination and Economy conference in Wagga this week.

There were around 200 Council staff and councillors in attendance from city and rural LGAs across NSW.

We had a really productive time addressing tourism attraction and the economy with great learning experiences from some inspiring speakers and site visits.

Talking tourism and major events, have you booked your tickets for Frost and Fire? It is another amazing line up of performers and entertainers. Frost and Fire never disappoints.

Remember Forbes Chillfest is on for the kids on Friday 21 June and then Frost and Fire is on Saturday 22 June. Book your tickets for both on 123tix before they are sold out.

Work will be starting next week on connecting sewer, water and power at the former PittStop Cafe site in preparation for the kiosk and toilets to arrive later this month.

There will be some traffic delays and parking spaces closed during this work.

That space has become such a lovely green oasis in our CBD. I’m looking forward to the next stage of construction.

We are very excited for the 50th celebrations of Arts Out West this weekend in Forbes. Arts Out West has been the peak arts body for regional arts development in the central west of NSW for over half a century.

It is an honour to celebrate this in Forbes – there is a sold out dinner on Saturday night but also four art exhibitions being opened in and around Town Hall on Saturday between 2-3pm.

The exhibitions will showcase recent work by Forbes Art Society members, Arts Out West staff, board, advisory council members as well as photography from Arts Out West media associates. See you there.

Until next week,
God bless Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

The General Manager and I met with the NSW Premier and current Cabinet Ministers at Community Cabinet meeting in Orange last week. The first time since 2007, the NSW Premier Chris Minns and his Cabinet came to Orange for a host of private meetings with councils and organisations before hosting a community forum to address issues from members of the public.

I was very pleased with our meeting with the Treasurer, the Hon Daniel Moohkey, he was open and interested and really listened to our reports and recommendations.

There were community speakers from Forbes in the forum and it was great to hear the Premier acknowledge Forbes’ projected growth.

Volunteers Week

It’s been a lovely chance to focus on our community volunteers – we hosted a Volunteers Moring Tea in Victoria Park last week to express our heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful community volunteers.

Volunteers are such an important part of our town and our lives and we are grateful to each and every one of you for everythingyou do.

There are many so benefits to volunteering – you help the community and others, learn valuable skills and make new friends.

Here in Forbes we have volunteers and volunteer organisations covering all areas of our community from the arts, education, emergency services, sports and environment to health, community welfare, aged care and disability services.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

Forbes has attracted yet another national retailer to town with the Reject Shop officially opening its doors on Thursday morning. Welcome to Forbes, this is a great opportunity for more jobs and a broader retail selection for shoppers and it is wonderful to have you here. The Reject Shop has over 380 shops across Australia and identified Forbes as an exciting new growth area to open up its newest retail outlet.

I am very excited to announce we have several more blocks under offer at Goldridge Estate. These will eventually be offered as house and land packages. Services such as power, water, gas and sewer are in and available to the stage 2 blocks which are being released now. So if you had your eye on a block north of Federation Boulevard then contact a Forbes Real Estate agent today.

Forbes is perceived by investors as a good return on investment for families and investors. In recent market feedback analysis it consolidated what we know about Forbes. At the moment about 60% of enquiries for Forbes are from outside the central west.

Land in Forbes, particularly Goldridge, is considered still very affordable and when combined with excellent quality education and health facilities – it is no wonder our population is one of the fastest growing in NSW.

Thank you to everyone who came along on Sunday for the walk for Molly to show how very strong and resilient our community can be.

Sunday was about Molly Ticehurst – who was taken from her son, family and friends way too soon. We paid tribute to a beautiful young woman who made everything an adventure and we called for Cabinet to favourably consider the changes to bail laws which were introduced to parliament this week.

These changes were long overdue, and while they are too late for Molly, they will make it more difficult for high risk alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail and if they do, they will be monitored.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

On Tuesday I addressed the Federal Flood Inquiry public hearings in Cabonne. Despite assurances from insurance companies, many have had insurance policies fall well short of what is needed to build back or repair damage, others have been denied future policies or face untenable increases in cost.

We need clarity over rain, storm or flood rulings and insurance needs to be available and accessible for people who want to live in our beautiful town.

Forbes was able to say ‘thank you’ to our most valued community members on Wednesday at the annual Volunteers Morning Tea. We thank you all for the long days and nights, the endless support and for always being there. Thank you one and all. Our volunteers are what makes our community great.

The General Manager and I attended the Local Government NSW Rural and Regional Summit to review a financial model for Local Government. We also reviewed case studies showcasing excellence and participated in a panel discussion and update from the NSW Reconstruction Authority and key NSW Government Ministers.

Country Mayors also met this week with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon Jenny Aitchison and representatives from Regional Futures, Planning, Local Government and Digital Analytics and Insights.

Thank you all so much for all the lovely messages and best wishes for my birthday this week. It was an absolute delight to receive messages from all over Australia.

See you all on Sunday for the Molly walk to honour the life of Molly Ticehurst. It will be a difficult day for many but is a lovely to way to show, we as a community will not stand for violence against women and will continue the fight for Molly’s Law to change bail laws in NSW. The walk starts at 8.30am from Lions Park and will loop back around at 10am. Please join us.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

The loss a young local Forbes woman has sent shockwaves through our community of Forbes leaving immense sadness.

As we come to terms with the loss of a young life, we reflect on her place in our community and her contribution to the fabric of life in Forbes.

We all knew her or knew of her. She was a young mother, a friend, a local woman who had her whole life in front of her. She played a vital role in our community as an early childhood educator, and she will be missed by the whole community.

Together, her memory will be honored by the whole community of Forbes as we stand up and speak out in the hope that no more lives are lost.

Council is working with Lifeline and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMPHP) to provide services to those who need support.

This is another very difficult week for our community, we need to support each other and look after ourselves.

I am here and Forbes Shire Council is here to support our community as we are needed.

Our hearts go out to the families and friends who have funerals held this week. We are griveing your losses with you.

Whether you knew the families or not – our whole community is impacted by the tragic losses suffered.

Check on your mates, hug your families tight and look after yourselves, your neighbours and others our community.

We will continue our push for change with regards to bail and Domestic Violence laws.

The National Cabinet met on Wednesday and Premier Chris Minns has launched a review of Molly’s case and the decision to release her alleged killer on bail.

In NSW, it is estimated 23,000 AVOs were violated in the last 12 months. We need emergency and immediate changes such as digitally monitoring offenders locations and giving victims access to a mobile alert pendant to prompt an immediate response.

If you need support contact:

· Lifeline on 13 11 14

· Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800

· 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 – family and domestic violence counselling

· Family Violence Response Line on 1800 015 188

· 13 Yarn – 13 92 76 for First nations support.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor