To all the wonderful resident of Forbes shire, Merry Christmas. I wish you and your family peace and joy and all of God’s blessings. 

This past 12 months has seen our beautiful Forbes Shire rise up from the flood devastation of the end of last year. It is with such pride that I watch as our community face up to its challenges with dignity, resilience and compassion, lending helping hands to others who need it and continually working on making Forbes its best. 

It has been a year of joy and achievement at Council as well, as so many projects starting and taking shape or reaching completion – just for example the start of works at the Multipurpose Equestrian centre and Spooner Oval redevelopment, the ongoing growth of new homes at Goldridge Estate, all of the action at the Central West Industrial Park and the relocation of the Visitors Information Centre and the now the much-anticipated opening of a cafe at that very location in the very near future. 

Forbes has welcomed influencers, dignitaries, television crews, and staged events that have drawn thousands over the 12 months to our piece of paradise, and will continue to do so, showcasing ourselves on the wider stage. 

As we inch closer to 2024 I wish you all the sparkle and joy of Christmas, may your hearts and homes be full this season and pave the way for a 2024 that is brighter and better. This time of year can mean so many things to so many and can be a difficult time for others, so however you choose to celebrate the following weeks make sure you take the time to relax, remember what is special and important to you and those you love. Please, please if you are travelling at all this holiday season, please do so safely, we want to spend this next 12 months making 2024 the best 12 months. Don’t be tempted to take any unnecessary risks on the road. 

I also invite you all to a full calendar next month – including the much-loved and very colourful Elvis Festival breakfast in Templar Street on Friday 12 January. Our amazing events team has also put together a calendar of holiday activities that are not to be missed – including the much-loved paddle boats on Lake Forbes and lots more school holidays fun. All the details, as always, can be found on our website or Facebook pages (also featured on the Forbes Youth Action Team and Amazing Forbes pages). 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

God Bless,
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor 

 

This week was a huge week for our community as the first sod was turned signalling the construction phase of the Spooner Oval redevelopment. A larger grandstand will be warmly welcomed by spectators at sports and events staged there, and new changeroom facilities is a definite nod to the growing popularity of, and recognition for, females in sports. Early earthworks should be completed by Christmas and tenders will be called for the remainder of the work to start next year. 

Council is proud to support development of facilities like these in Forbes – it is well supported by studies that sports and the sense of community is so important to mental and physical health and wellbeing, and we love that Forbes is so active! 

Congratulations and thank you to all involved in the running of last week’s Christmas Carnival and Carols by Candlelight, especially the dedicated Events team here at Council. It was exceptionally hot and trying conditions on both days, but the events were, as always, amazing and was a true celebration of the season and our community. So many people out enjoying the entertainment, catching up with friends, shopping and supporting local. 

Investigation works by Martinus on the Inland Rail expansion between Parkes and Stockinbingal have also started at Forbes’ Wyndham Ave, and will continue into February next year. Anyone looking for further information can contact Martinus directly or check out their socials. Such a massive project that will only bring further development and transport solutions to our regions – a boon to farmers, graziers, manufacturers and the like, and also for Council’s Central West Industrial Park development. 

We are running the last of our employment recruitment campaigns to fill positions in a Council that is growing with the town. This is a great time for you to kickstart your career in local government, there are always opportunities for growth and learning, we are a flexible employer and our staff are second to none. 

For more information on the positions that are available head to our website. Until next week, God bless 

Phyllis Miller,
OAM – Forbes Mayor

It should really start to feel like Christmas this week – not only as the weather heats up for the traditional Aussie Christmas feels, but also as we celebrate the annual Christmas Carnival put on by the Forbes Business Chamber and Carols by Candlelight hosted by Forbes Town & District Band. 

The Street carnival is being held in Templar and Rankin Streets on Friday December 8, from 5pm to 9pm. 

Do a spot of Christmas shopping at the market stalls, entertain the children with amusement rides, see who is the latest to win a Why Leave town cash draw, watch the live performances and of course, see Mr and Mrs Claus in person!! 

The following evening is Carols by Candlelight in Victoria Park, which looks absolutely stunning at night with all the decorations ablaze. This is the 53rd year of carols in Forbes and for so man it is a much-loved season tradition, a time for the community to gather and celebrate not just the birth of Jesus, but the close knit community we have. Relax and enjoy the evening’s entertainment which kicks off at 7pm. Santa will make an appearance, and food, drinks and glow sticks will be available for purchase. 

I love Christmas time, and I especially love the interactive festive scene on Forbes Town Hall at night. I love that you can pull up, tune your radio to 88.7FM and listen while the North Pole comes alive in your car. 

Did you know that the iRecycle Forbes app has been updated? This is an extremely handy app that you can use to make your life so much easier – work out which bins go out on what days for your street (even better, set a notification to alert you), keep up to date on holiday collection arrangements, put in enquiries or report stolen bins – so much more. Make sure you download – or update – the app today, it is just another wonderful tool Council offers our residents. 

Until next week, God bless 

Phyllis Miller,
OAM – Forbes Mayor

This Friday marks for many the official start of the festive season! It is the time to officially put up your Christmas tree and decorations (if you haven’t already), revel in the sounds of Christmas carols everywhere and look forward to time with family and friends. 

For our young residents now is the time to start penning letters to Santa telling him just how good you have been over the past 12 months! Letters can be posted in the special Santa Mailbox at Council’s front office – all letters will get a letter back, so please don’t forget to include your postal address. 

Don’t forget the ingenuity of Rotary Ipomoea’s annual Christmas Tree Festival in the Forbes Town Hall this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I just love seeing what people come up with – there are so many clever people creating some amazing masterpieces get along and have a look. 

Don’t forget too FREE child car restraint fitting checks will be held in Forbes’ Lions Park car park on Wednesday 6 December. This is perfect timing as so many prepare to travel this festive and end of year holiday season. Details on booking your spot are on our Facebook page and website. 

The way we treat each other personally, professionally and socially is a basic right. At our meeting last week Council passed its Customer Service Charter and Statement of Business Ethics, which outlines what you as our customer can expect when dealing with any member of staff. It also outlines what we, as a provider, should expect from you and our obligations as an employer. It may seem like common sense, but if you are keen to know more, please head to our website or get in touch with our staff. 

I want to mention again the annual Citizen of the Year Awards – plus Junior and Senior citizens. 

Nominations are being taken now, forms can be downloaded from our website and returned complete via community@forbes.nsw.gov.au or to Council’s office. We all know someone who has given so much to our community whether it be as a volunteer or has excelled in sporting or academic fields. We love the people of our community – visiting dignitaries, tourists everyone who comes to Forbes always comments 

White Ribbon Day is being held in Forbes at Lions Park on Friday 24 November, a day focussing on bringing an end men’s violence towards women. This year already 58 women have been killed by a current or former partner, that’s around one wife/ friend / mother / daughter / niece / every 9 days. It is a national crisis. 

White Ribbon Day starts at 10am and includes a march around the lake, guest speakers, support services and a free barbecue lunch. Make sure you RSVP to show your support to this important issue by getting in contact with Council’s Community team on 6850 2300 or email community@forbes.nsw.gov.au. 

Talk2mebro is bringing a community support and suicide prevention session to Forbes Ski Dam this Saturday morning, and I urge everyone to take part in this free event. Council is proud to sponsor this as it promotes important conversations that we need to have, our whole community is impacted when we lose someone to suicide. The morning will see beginner breathwork, ice baths (not compulsory!), coffee, breakfast and a chat with the Talk2mebro team.

For more information and to register please head to Eventbrite, or to our website. 

Lifeline Central West is also hosting an Accidental Counsellor Course on Monday 27 November, aimed at giving you skills if you find yourself in the position of supporting a family member, friend, customer through a crisis – focussing on recognising, responding and referring. To register for this free course: 

https://lifelinecentralwest.org.au/event/W03_AC/

I am honoured to have been elected to the LGNSW Board as Regional/Rural Vice President at the recent annual conference in Sydney. It is another avenue that I am excited to explore in advocating for all issues regional and rural, and I am excited about ensuring that our country voices are heard, our issues are raised and I look forward to representing this vital sector of NSW. 

Finally, this week is Asbestos Awareness Week. With all the ongoing repairs and renovations after last year’s devastating floods, please be mindful and careful of any work you are undertaking yourself. If you are not sure, check it out, and if you do happen to have asbestos – please for your own health and that of others, get professional advice and dispose of it legally. 

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

Last week was a week to pause and remember. Forbes marked the anniversary of the armistice of World War I – something history should never forget, with a small ceremony and the minute’s silence to remember the sacrifices in the past and of those who are still serving their country. 

We also remember the horrific floods of last year, and the terrifying inland tsunami that hit Eugowra and days later ravaged an already flooded Forbes. Two lives were lost, hundreds of homes and businesses, livestock and people in both towns are still living with the fallout – so many in pods still waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. To the people of Forbes and Eugowra, our hearts are always with you. There was a great flurry of activity this week in the Harold Street car park next to the former church as an established palm tree was removed and replanted in the new Goldridge Estate – a new home just like you could have in the beautiful new estate! Council and local contractors worked on removing the tree – which I believe weighed around 9 tonne give or take a tonne. 

It is another big couple of weeks politically and locally. I have been in Sydney for the Local Government NSW annual conference (131 motions have been listed for debate covering almost 300 issues – including the housing crisis forum) and on Tuesday Parliamentary Secretary Janelle Saffin visited Forbes and spoke with support agencies to help develop a plan for the distribution of the $100m of flood support funding package. 

It was our monthly Council meeting today Thursday 16 November and Reading Down Town Day tomorrow (Friday 17 November) – the power of the written word on minds of all ages, especially in building the blocks of our young ones, should never be underestimated. Forbes celebrates 70 years of Meals on Wheels on 23 November, such a wonderful service for the community – just imagine how many hot and nutritious dinners have been delivered over those seven decades! The Forbes Domestic and Family Violence Committee will host White Ribbon Day at Forbes’ Lions Park on 24 November – march around the lake, listen to guest speakers, sign the pledge, enjoy a free lunch and support services. Contact our Community team at Council on 6850 2300 to RSVP or for more information 

Until next week, God bless! 

Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor 

Fantastic news this week with the announcement from our Premier Chris Minns that $50 million has been earmarked for our region for rebuilding after the devastation of the 2022 floods. I have long been lobbying for this – our residents need to be able to raise their buildings or rebuild and retrofit with materials that can withstand future floods. There will be more floods, and a home is a huge investment that one cannot just walk away from. It will give me no greater pleasure than to bring such good news to people whose lives have still not had the chance to return to normal. The finer details of the funding will be worked out between affected area, but it is a solid start Now we just need the Commonwealth Government to come to the party.

Last week spoke of Forbes being innovative and progressive, and this week further proves my point At the start of the week, I had the great pleasure of welcoming the Rural Doctors Network for a workshop and tour. Forbes was the venue of choice in recognition of how proactive Forbes Shire Council is in attracting and retaining medical services over the past two decades. We recognise how important it is to have these facilities and opportunities here for those who are not well enough to travel, or are not able to travel, and as a hub for our smaller towns. There is always so much room to grow and improve and networks such as this are so important in keeping the focus back on rural health.

I also spoke at a parliamentary inquiry into the mining sector last week, and whilst this topic can be divisive, it is important to understand that for many regional areas, mining is the backbone of a community, and its importance cannot be downplayed. We do all want however for this to be done safely and sustainably, and as consciously of environment and culture as possible, and this is what we need to keep in mind. These companies invest so much in employment, infrastructure, community support each and every year.

Finally, what an amazing day at the National BBQ Championships on Saturday. The atmosphere was amazing, the cooking demonstrations second to none, the entertainment was spot on – and how proud are we to keep the title of the BBQ champs in Forbes, congratulations Station 294! Both our visiting teams (one from Rockhampton, and another from Emu Plains) both said they will be back – bring on the challenge i’ say!!! I look forward to what next year will bring.

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

 

This week I had the pleasure of hosting AR Bluett judges, an award that is presented to an innovative and progressive council every year. It was no trouble to show them everything that we are proud of here, and the progress that we as a Council are making to ensure our community continues to thrive, with or without challenges.

Of course there were the obvious highlights – the relocation of the Visitor Information Centre to the former Lachlan Vintage Village and all the work that is being done in partnership with the local government around our Lake Forbes precinct – but there is a lot of innovation behind the scenes as well.

The Water Treatment Plant has had a major upgrade, we are working with our local businesses to aid them in adapting to changes in liquid trade waste compliance, the manner in which we dealt with communications to you, our beloved and resilient community, during the devastating floods last year, just to name a few.

These amazing achievements, only made possible by our dedicated and professional staff, support from the community, business and government, have seen Forbes short listed for the Regional Category-one of two. The winner will be announced on 12 November.

The gloves are off, the tongs are shining and the heat is definitely on at Grinsted Oval this Saturday. Who is the champion barbecuer? Will the title stay in Forbes, or will it head north to our Queensland foodies? This Saturday the much anticipated National BBQ Championships is set to sizzle, and just as with the majority of our events, there is sure to be something for everyone – I can’t wait to meet our celebrity chef Hayden Quinn’ All the details can be found on the National BBQ Championships Forbes Facebook page or the Forbes Shire Council website. Spectating at this event is FREE but make sure you register your attendance at 123tix.com.au

Finally, the state’s housing crisis is still in the spotlight. Forbes is no stranger to housing shortage, and is continually working towards addressing this, for example by releasing land at Goldridge Estate, and working with the government for housing solutions in north Forbes. It is important however, to understand councils are not to blame for the crisis – we approve 97 per cent of applications submitted, it is a complex issue and There is so many contributing factors – not the least shortages of materials and labour, rising interest rates, falling house prices.

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

October is a special month for raising awareness of so many important issues, and amongst these is National Safe Work Month. Council takes this so very seriously and are continually monitoring and improving workplace safety. This October we are urging our employees to ‘Just Ask’ – when it comes to safety no question is too silly, and our employees can ask for help or training, or clarification – anything. We would love to see other businesses in Forbes follow – all we ask is ‘just ask’, for everyone’s safety.

This Saturday sees the return of Teddy Bears Picnic, a favourite event in our community! Make sure you grab your favourite stuffed toy and head on down to Lions Park from 10am to 2pm. There is so much to see and do and so many community groups – including schools – have joined in to help us celebrate Children’s Week, bringing home just how important our little people are and how important it is for them to have access to play, leisure and activities. There will be a jumping castle, special guests – Bluey and Bingo – (but shhhh keep that a surprise for the children!!), balloon twisting, giant games, face painting and so much more.

Myself and Mayors from Parkes and Condobolin have held talks with REX Airlines after it recently announced a reduction in the number of services to Parkes. We all know how reliant we are on this service for quick, safe transport to Sydney as a destination or through point. It is so important for business, medical, and leisure, so it was quite a blow to hear this announcement. Whilst we would love to see the service remain as it is and we are assured that it will be reviewed in March next year, we are adamant that it if it must be reduced, the timeslot needs to be acceptable for country residents. At the moment it seems to be a midday timeslot.

Finally, I urge you to stay aware of weather conditions, particularly for total fire bans. Hot, windy days combined with a greater amount of grass fuel after the wet year last year, are causing great concern. Please remember that a total fire ban means no fires in the open, or doing any activity that may spark a blaze (for example welding, grinding or slashing). Fines and penalties apply.

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM

This Saturday will see Australians make their choice on the Voice referendum. Regardless of which way you choose to vote, voting is compulsory – but please be aware there isn’t any voting at the Town Hall for this referendum. Instead, polling will be at 42 Templar Street (the old Elders building!) or at the other traditional locations such as Forbes Tennis Club in Church Street, Forbes High School in Wyndham Ave and Bedgerabong Public School. Pre-polling is of course available at 42 Templar Street until 6pm on 13 October. Every vote counts. 

While you are out and about voting, why not take the extra time and check out the eight magnificent gardens entered into Forbes’ annual Open Gardens. Open on Saturday and Sunday, come and get some inspiration, stop for refreshments catered for by the Men’s Shed, and help support numerous charities. It is heart-warming to see the recovery and the beauty of our town even after the devastation major floods can bring. Well done – and thank you – to the eight gardeners for welcoming visitors into their realm this weekend. 

There should indeed be visitors alike too – aside from the above, Forbes Jockey Club is hosting its Spring Races on Saturday complete with six races, Fashions on the Field, bar TAB and canteen facilities, and Forbes Autosports Club is holding a motocross and dirt track ride park day on Sunday 15 October. 

If you are organising an event, please get in touch with our Events/Communication team at Council. We can help you get the word out, not just to the general public but to other businesses in town that may benefit or assist you – food outlets, accommodation, shops that may like to extend trading hours for your event and so on. Indeed, make sure you sign up to our weekly what’s on newsletter (send an email to events@forbes.nsw. gov.au) so you can stay in the know. 

Finally, I urge you to get your team together for the National BBQ Championships at the end of this month – 28 October, and you could be in the running to win part of the $10,000 prize pool and a BBQ. Take advantage of the early bird registration discount which will apply till 18 October. I am so excited to meet our celebrity chef judge Hayden Quinn. Spread the word. 

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM