Today Forbes Shire Council has launched it 2025 Traineeship campaign – we are of­fering 15 trainee positions to work at Coun­cil in a range of roles, including outdoors, civil construction, agriculture, town plan­ning, surveying and drone operation, busi­ness support and building surveying.

Each one of these positions is an excel­lent springboard to a long term career with­in council. All trainees, receive training and the opportunity for supported study (time to study) for industry recognised qualifica­tions.

It is a two to four year contract of employ­ment, training and study all while you earn a living. I encourage anyone, of any age, if you are considering a fresh start or a new career to apply for one of these exciting traineeship positions.

The campaign has a host of FAQs and details on our website or you can email any questions to people@forbes.nsw.gov.au or phone our HR team on 6850 2300.

Forbes Shire Council is committed to growing and training our future leaders.

One of our current Directors actually start­ed in one of these positions and is now responsible for one of Council’s main de­partments responsible for Town Planning, Waste, Public Health, Planning and Growth and Economic Development.

Work around the Lachlan Street Trees is progressing with the first of the pavers be­ing laid this week. I am so excited to have this green boulevard developing. This con­cept was the result of comprehensive CBD consultation and will be well established by the summer months.

The trees have all established well in the underground root vault system which will save our roads in the future.

Major work is underway at the Forbes Cultural Centre with cranes and concrete pumps to construct the first floor slab.

Forbes Shire Council is project managing this site to keep it progressing. We have also secured state and treasury support for the remaining budget allocated for the original project and will continue to lobby for a completion budget.

I have been in Canberra this week, repre­senting Forbes as part of the Central NSW Joint Organisation, where we spent the day speaking with Ministers at Parliament House. These events are critical to continu­ing to lobby for support for our Council and community.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

Thursday was the current Council’s fi­nal meeting as we head into elections on Saturday 14 September. This Council has served from 2021 to 2024.

Nominations to run for the 2024-28 Council closed on Wednesday 14 August.

Voting is compulsory for all residents of the Forbes local government area who are registered on the electoral roll. Electors enrolled for federal and state elections are automatically enrolled for their local council area.

There is no absentee voting in local gov­ernment elections. If you are unable to vote on election day you can vote by either prepoll or postal.

Pre-poll voting will be available from Sat­urday 7 September 2024 to Friday 13 Sep­tember 2024 at the Forbes Town Hall, Har­old Street, Forbes. Monday to Wednesday 8.30am – 5.30pm, Thursday 8.30am – 8pm, Friday 8.30am – 6.00pm and Saturday 9am – 6pm.

Polling will take place on Saturday 14 September from 8am – 6pm at:

• Town Hall, Harold Street, Forbes.

• Bedgerabong Public School, North Con­dobolin Road, Bedgerabong

• Forbes High School, 18 Wyndham Ave, Forbes.

• Forbes Tennis Club, Church St Forbes.

You can check your enrolment details are up to date at www.aec.gov.auIf you are unsure where to vote you can type your address into the NSW Electoral Commission website electorate search tool to check the Local Government Council area that you are enrolled in.

I met with Lyn Ward from Neighbourhood Watch last week to discuss the need for more committee members. Still very ac­tive, the group is hoping to distribute a peti­tion to have a 24hr police station in Forbes.

Forbes Police come along to most meet­ings. The group met on Wednesday night and the next meeting will be on Wednes­day 11 September at the Vandenberg Hotel – all are welcome to attend.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

It’s time for another one of my favourite events – Welcome to Forbes to be held on Thursday 15 August. Are you new to Forbes? Is there someone new at work, school or in your neighbourhood – then please invite them to come along. This is a really lovely night for our new residents to get to know our council, service and community groups and other community members. Come along if you haven’t had a chance to attend before and want to be more involved in the community.

This time we will be greeting our new residents at the Forbes Golf & Sports­man’s Hotel, starting at 5.30pm for 6pm.

For further information please email com­munity@forbes.nsw.gov.au. RSVPs closed on Thursday but I am sure we can sneak a few more in. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Final stages of works will begin on Mon­day to complete the surface around the new Claret Ash trees in Lachlan Street. Now the nine new trees have settled, our crews will be on site to complete the paving and will be putting the final touches on the new green boulevard. During the works, expected to take three weeks, there will be traffic control in place and minor traffic delays. Work will start at the northern end of Lachlan Street on Monday with the Pitt Stop side of the road closed. As the work progresses traffic control and conditions will change. We ap­preciate your patience during the work and are excited about bringing more green in into our CBD.

Thank you to those who attended our 14th Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day at the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Our overall aim is to ensure road safety at harvest and this is why we offer the oppor­tunity to learn about current rules and reg­ulations as well as a hands on machinery display. It is always a good morning and a great breakfast. If you missed the event at Forbes you can still attend one of the sat­ellite events at Tottenham on 27th August, Parkes Show on 28th August, Wirrinya on 29th August or Bogan Gate 30th August.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

It is Local Government Week! We hope to highlight Council’s role is so much more than roads, rates and rubbish – although it is important to keep getting this right, but as a progressive council we are driving de­velopment and investment in our commu­nity while including our residents in events, decision making and giving all an opportu­nity to be heard and represented.

On Tuesday night, Local Government NSW had an information session for poten­tial new candidates to run for Forbes Shire Council. The Local Government elections will be held on Saturday 14th September.

I am so proud to represent Forbes as the Mayor, I love everything this amazing town has to offer. Like so many I love walking around our beautiful lake, supporting our local football teams, playing squash or any other sport you want to. We have almost 60 sporting groups and around 30 sports facilities in our town.

The thing that I really love about Forbes though is the lifestyle and our friendly com­munity.

Forbes has maintained a significant spend on major and capital projects to the value of $36 million in the last year. Forbes Shire Council had a record spend on road maintenance – $10 million on State Roads and a further $10 million repairing flood damage.

I have had some feedback from the com­munity about the location of the new toilet block at the former Pitt Stop. You may re­call during the remediation works several underground storage tanks were found and could not be removed. The tanks and a sewer easement through the site resulted in a change of where the toilets were to be located (originally planned closer to the ex­isting building). I think you will all agree, this new green space in our CBD is just lovely.

Have you booked your place at the Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day? This is the 14th year this has been held – now it has become a benchmark event of collabo­ration between road users and regulators.

Our overall aim is to ensure road safety at harvest and this is why we offer the op­portunity to learn about current rules and regulations as well as a hands on machin­ery display. See you there for breakfast on Thursday 8th August.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

Thank you to all those who attended NSW Reconstruction Authority. It is so important for residents to Have Your Say so we can get a housing recovery package that will fully meet the needs of our community.

These sessions will help define the $40 million package to be offered to residents to reduce the impact of future floods to be shared between Forbes, Parkes, Lachlan and Cabonne Shires. Consultation will close on Friday 16 August.

A reminder that there our Recovery offic­ers also have a free mental health session -Tough Times Require Strong Action on 31 July at Town Hall.

The team also is creating an e-newsletter that you can subscribe to through our web­site that outlines all of the latest news in recovery and all of the events that are com­ing up. Contact Council on 0268 502300 if you would like more detail on these events or to supply your email address for the newsletter.

Another big yarding at the saleyards with almost 55,000 sheep yarded on Tuesday morning and around 2000 expected Friday for the Store Cattle sale – no wonder we are considered the best area for primary production in NSW.

Our Community Funding program closes on the 31 July for this round. The Commu­nity Funding program is the way that you can ask Council for in kind or cash support for your event or activity. It’s for not-forprofit groups and clubs and is a competitive process- but you can access up to $5,000 in support. If you need help with the form, we can certainly help you to complete it – just contact our Community Relations of­ficer at Council and they will be able to give you a hand.

There are two rounds a year and we en­courage groups to think ahead. That is – if your event or activity is in the second half of the year, apply for the earlier round of the program – there are two every year. Ap­plications can be made through Council’s Website – just look for Community Funding program – and good luck!

God Bless, Phyllis Miller OAM

I hope that you are all staying warm this week with the icy conditions we have been experiencing. Spare a thought for all of the agents, vendors, buyers and CWLE staff at the Saleyards this week where 46,800 sheep were yarded in awful conditions, but a great top price of $324.20. The CWLE is such an asset for Forbes and is it amazing to see it being used at this capacity.

On the issue of weather I would also like to thank all of the oval using sporting groups for their patience at this time regarding the ovals. We are keen to ensure that they are not damaged to the extent of making re­pairs time consuming and expensive so we appreciate your co-operation in staying off the fields when we ask. Thankyou again for bearing with us and the weather!This week I had the immense pleasure of congratulating Donna Bliss on her Aborigi­nal Health and Medical Research Council 2024 Staff Member of the Year award. Don­na leads an incredible group of profession­als at Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Cen­tre Aboriginal Corporation supporting our community with their huge range of servic­es. We are very fortunate to have Yoorana Gunya in our town and it seems like they are going from strength to strength.

A reminder that there are a number of workshop opportunities and information sessions happening in coming weeks for Community Recovery. Next week Recon­struction NSW will be back in town running information sessions on the Central West Resilient Homes Program. On Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 from 10am to 7pm each day, affected homeown­ers are invited to come along to Town Hall to discuss the next steps in this program.

You can book a meeting by calling Service NSW on 1800 844 085 or just drop in on one of the days.

Our Recovery officers also have a free mental health session – Tough Times Re­quire Strong Action on 31st July at Town Hall and First Aid for Babies and Children course on 25th of July. The team also has a handy little e-newsletter that you can subscribe to through our website that out­lines all of the latest news in recovery and all of the events that are coming up. Con­tact Council on 6850 2300 if you would like more detail on these events or to supply your email address for the newsletter.

And finally a reminder that our Commu­nity Funding program closes on the 31st July for this round. The program is the way that you can ask Council for in-kind or cash support for your event or activity. It’s for notfor-profit groups and is a competitive pro­cess, but you can access up to $5,000 in support. Applications can be made through Councils Website – just look for Commu­nity Funding program – and good luck!

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

This week we are extending our sympa­thies to the family, friends and extended family following the tragic accident on the road to Parkes. Our hearts are with you all at this time.

Reconstruction Authority will be in Forbes Tuesday to Thursday 23-25 July at the Forbes Town Hall to consult with our community about the Resilient Homes Program. These information sessions are for flood impacted locals to shape the pro­gram. Please do not miss these days – you can book online on nsw.gov.au/central-west-recovery, you can simply drop in or to book a session call 1800 844 085.

It is very important to be a part of this pro­gram – you will be able to view maps devel­oped by flood specialists and understand more about the Resilient Homes Program.

Also a big thank you to our Heated Pool users – this winter has resulted in some chronic condensation. After ongoing at­tempts to rectify the issue (including con­sulting a condensation expert) we have increased air input and airflow in the plant room and we have added louvre windows in the main part of the facility.

It has been a learning curve and we are making sure that in the long term we have a functional and well maintained heated pool facility. Now, we hope, the condensa­tion issues has been resolved we will be able to begin repainting and other remedia­tion works needed.

We do need pool users to please be mindful though, the pool can only operate at a temperature range of 24-28 degrees – we have had trouble with it being increased to 32. Unfortunately, this is a heated pool facility not a therapy pool and simply can­not be run at that high a temperature.

Thank you for your understanding.

God Bless
Phyllis Miller OAM

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