Hasn’t this short week gone quickly after the long weekend on Monday. The whole town was buzzing with visitors over the weekend – like many, I had my family home and we enjoyed a lovely lunch out at the refurbished Forbes Inn – it was packed. 

Talking local businesses, congratulations to Turner’s Furniture One’s move to larger premises in Lachlan Street. Watch this space as there is more exciting CBD business news coming up. We are very lucky in Forbes to have so many exceptional small businesses. 

October is Small Business Month, so please go out and support all our amazing small businesses in town. We are also in the enviable position of having large major retailers in town and interest from more. 

I think the ‘Bunnings is moving’ rumour is swirling again, so just to reassure everyone, Council is its landlord and we have not heard anything about it closing or moving. 

Forbes has now had visits from major portfolio ministers such as Planning and Emergency Services, Roads and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, who after discussions with our Council has extended the completion date for further local and regional road funding. 

Minister Aitchison has announced a further $4.6million to improve the local and regional roads network for road repairs to local and regional roads. We are extremely grateful for this money with the extended deadline for all works to be concluded by June 2027. This extension represents a realistic and fair opportunity for natural disaster impacted communities to complete permanent road repairs. 

Our roads and works crews working really hard at the minute, so please bear with us while we continue this mammoth task to repair and rebuild our local roads. Please continue to contact Council to report any serious and dangerous road issues. Council is working hard to keep up the short term fixes until more permanent and extensive road repairs can be undertaken on our local roads. Thank you for being our eyes and ears while our teams are busy. 

October is Small Business Month and this year it aligns with Mental Health Month; a great opportunity to promote mental health and wellbeing in small businesses. According to research, those in small business have an increased risk of concern due to the unique stressors faced. Our Forbes shire has so many wonderful small businesses and it is important to look after them and for them to have places they can turn to for help. A website, funded by the Australian government is available with information, free training, resources and contact numbers; please visit www.aheadforbusiness.org.au Importantly for our area, this website also covers agribusiness. If you are a small business owner, please take a look – we have had our fair share of stresses over the past years, and are sure to face more. 

The Forbes Challenge Cup last Saturday which saw a pre-season game between Canberra United FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC was a huge success. Going down to a penalty shootout, the atmosphere and sportsmanship on show was amazing. I give full credit to the players for their willingness to mingle and share their love of the sport with all who converged on the Botanical Gardens. I have absolutely no doubt that those youngsters left with an even greater love for their sport. Congratulations to all involved. 

Don’t forget there is still plenty to do for the last week of school holidays – the outdoor movie night on Friday night, Children are Stinky theatre night, the opening of the town pool on Sunday and so much more! 

Did you notice the colour of our Town Hall at night? This week it turned purple to highlight ITP Awareness (Immune Thrombocytopenia), a platelet disorder – find out more on the website www.itpaustralia.org.au At many different times throughout the year, our Town Hall changes colours for varying causes and reasons. Keep your eyes fixed on our beautiful landmark! 

Enjoy your week and don’t forget to put your clocks forward before you go to bed on Saturday night for the arrival of Daylight Saving! 

God bless 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

The end of this week also means the end of Term 3 for our school students – and it also means the end of the classroom world for our latest Year 12 students. For this group of young men and women embarking on the 

HSC study period, hang in there – there is only a little while to go!! Maintain your study program, but most importantly remember to keep up your self care, check in on your mates and if you are celebrating the end of 

formal schooling, please make sure to do it safely. 

For parents of all other school aged children, Council and other businesses in town have organised so much for your children to do these holidays there is no way they can be bored! I know we are kicking off with a mural workshop – how amazing would it be to leave your mark in town? We also have the very popular fishing workshops, craft days, Children are Stinky theatre show, Creative Community Concepts, Magic Festival, and outdoor movies. But don’t forget all the other great stuff we have here too – skatepark, BMX track, the town pool which 

will open on 1st October, library and more. Please make sure you support these wonderful events, we are so lucky to be able to secure so much for our young people. 

The community has so many other events coming up – the Forbes Challenge Cup between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United at Botanical Gardens. I am so excited to see a game of this level being played here! And a bowls carnival too. 

I am also pleased to announce that rebuilding works at the Homemaker Centre have started, as too has remediation works on Pitt Stop corner. Both of these projects may seem a long time in the making but there is so much work that goes on behind the scenes with many agencies involved, planning, securing of contracts and so on. 

Enjoy your week – enjoy your school holidays! God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

Today we welcome CMOC Northparkes executives to Forbes to see firsthand where their community funding is going. Northparkes recently celebrated its 25th birthday with a funding gift to us, and this money was put into barbecue, shade and seating facilities at Forbes Ski Dam, which we know will be well-used especially over the summer months! Their support of our community is greatly appreciated. 

We received the amazing feedback from a new-ish resident last week thanking Council for its commitment to its community, and I have to say that it is so gratefully received. Our staff put so much effort into events, service provision, asset maintenance and so on, knowing that as residents 

ourselves how wonderful it is to live in this community. So to our resident, thank you for your kind words, it has lifted our hearts, and we hope you continue to enjoy our community and all its magnificence! 

It is exciting every week to sit here and think about what is coming up for Forbes – both Council run and community driven! There never seems to be a dull moment. This weekend for example the renowned Grazing Down the Lachlan will return to the Goanna sculpture, more sports presentations will be held and on Thursday Council hosted its RUOK Day with special guest Robbie Farah, a former professional rugby league footballer. 

Next week an Industry Development Workshop introducing Destination Central West NSW is on Monday, a Sustainability Workshop for recycling warriors – and I truly hope I am not missing anything. Keep your eye on our website and socials for more details, or send an email to events@ forbes.nsw.gov.au to sign up for our weekly newsletter. 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

With the official arrival of Spring comes a calendar jam-packed with things to see and do. 

It is another case of so much to choose from in the coming weeks – Forbes Show, Wine Show Dinner, sporting presentations and a fundraiser for Little Wings. Grazing Down the Lachlan returns for another year, we get ready for school holidays and Open Gardens and so so much more. This week we have had NAIDOC Day and the Resilience Project was in town to address schools and the community. 

What a weekend just gone too of more grand finals – congratulations to all teams for your efforts over the past season. So now we gear up in preparation for the start of the summer sports! 

To stay on top of what is happening in our region, make sure you visit the Events section on our website; www.forbes.nsw. gov.au or to receive a weekly newsletter of events send an email to community@ forbes.nsw.gov.au 

The end of this year has the potential for a tough bushfire season; after the wet end to 2022 there has been lots of vegetation growth which is now drying out quickly. 

I encourage you all to make sure you are prepared for this year’s storm and bushfire season – take the time to plan with your family, housemates just what you need to do in an emergency, have an emergency kit ready and clear evacuation plans. Know your risk this summer and make sure on hot, dry and windy days you get informed through radio, television, RFS social media. 

We truly do live in Dorothea Mackellar’s magnificent sunburnt country … “of droughts and flooding rains”, the land that gives us all life. Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website for more information – and stay safe this summer season. 

Until next week, God Bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes May 

By now most of you will have noticed there has been activity around our beloved Vampire jet on Lake Forbes. Council has taken steps to ensure that this much-loved icon remains at its post, a permanent testament to the courage and sacrifice during years of war. Local tradespeople have been involved in this lengthy restoration of a jet that was essentially originally built to last between five and 10 years! And so Aeroplane Park gets to keep its aeroplane! 

Resilience is a word we hear so much of nowadays, and I fully believe it is not just the latest buzz word. Resilience can mean so many things to so many people, and in these times we all need whatever resilience we can muster. Everyone has their own story, will at some stage face their own battles and we need to learn how as individuals, communities, parents and friends, how we support those we know and love. 

Most people have heard of the Resilience Project and its approach to mental health and building resilience and happiness. Former Aussie Rules player, Martin Heppell will be in Forbes delivering his key messages to school students of all ages, and to the community. Definitely worth checking out – tickets are available at ticketbo.com.au 

Take the time out this week to enjoy the arrival of spring, and the beauty that it brings. Our phenomenal staff have been working hard to put on our best face for travellers and locals, including the installation last weekend of a shelter and bike rack at the BMX track down near the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre! 

Until next week, God Bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM 
Forbes Mayor 

It is that time of the year … grand final season is upon us! There are a number of sporting codes holding grand and semi finals this weekend and all I can say is … Go Forbes!! I wish you all the best of luck, play hard and do yourselves proud! 

I quite often mention just how much there is to do in Forbes, it just never ceases to amaze me. This week to the NSW Small Winemakers Show has been based out of our Town Hall and will conclude with a public tasting on Friday and a dinner on Saturday night. And there is so much yet to come!! Do you believe in magic? We have just released early details of a magic festival on 7 October, and who can forget the National BBQ Championships at the end of October. 

How amazing does the new Forbes Visitor Information Centre look? For those of you who haven’t checked it out yet, I urge you to do so. The former Vintage Village has been lovingly restored and renovated, and there are still so many plans for the building that will be revealed as they come to fruition. What a stunning welcome to visitors to our town, and I cannot wait to see a café/restaurant operator take up residence in the fully renovated kitchen. If you know of any foodie looking to fulfil their dreams, point them in this direction. 

Finally, don’t forget to register for one of the free ‘Be Road Ready for Harvest’events being held in preparation for the harvest season. More information or to register your attendance visit our website or Facebook page. 

God bless, and enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

Are you coming down to Town Hall on Saturday 12th August to see and be a part of the Big Map? Run by Disaster Relief Australia – the map will be about 10metres x 20 metres and is made up of drone photos ready for you to add information you witnessed during the 2022 floods. The purpose of this big map is to collect factual and visual accounts of the 2022 floods and will lead to better preparation, responses and resources in future emergencies. 

Just as this year has sped by, this season’s crops are coming in quickly with this weather, so Forbes Shire Council’s Road Safety officer Mel Suitor will be hosting the Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Days starting at the Central West Livestock Exchange on Thursday 17 August. Satellite events will be held at Bedgerebong on 29 August, Parkes 30 August, Derriwong 31 August and Trundle on 1 September. 

Council’s draft Sporting Field Masterplans have been completed and are available on our website for public exhibition until 4 September. Submissions must be in writing, or for any further enquiries please contact Manager of Town Presentation Patrick Woods on 6850 2300. 

Finally, it was our absolute delight to host over 100 primary school aged children during our celebrations of Local Government Week this week. Congratulations to all involved it was a fantastic day to help educate our future leaders about what is actually done here by council on a daily basis. 

Till next week, God bless and enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller OAM
Forbes Mayor 

I am looking forward to seeing firsthand the Big Map experience being brought to Forbes by Disaster Resilience Australia (DRA). The Big Map is literally that – a map that will cover the entire Town Hall floor and allows a community to take off their shoes, stand on their chosen location, whether it be home or business or area, and talk about their experiences. It will enable our community to be heard, feel valued and take ownership of the disaster and prepare for future events. More information about the Big Map is available on our Facebook page and website, so please take the opportunity to register and be a part of this cathartic experience. 

Nominations for the 2023 NAIDOC Awards have opened and provide the opportunity to recognise achievements of individuals within our Indigenous community and to foster greater understanding of Indigenous culture. I encourage you to make a nomination, forms are available on our website at; Wiradjuri Culture | Forbes Shire Council (nsw.gov.au). Once completed, these can be mailed to, or dropped off at, Council offices or emailed to community@forbes.nsw.gov.au 

Finally, there is a huge weekend ahead of us with something for everyone. Aside from all the traditional plans of sport, washing and garage sale spotting, take advantage of the Central West Bird Expo, the exciting first ever staging of Sundown Sounds at Lions Park and then the Forbes Cup races on Sunday – birds, music, food, horses, great company – it is all happening in Forbes!! 

Till next week, God bless, 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

As our ratepayers are all aware the NSW Valuer General recently undertook a revaluation of rated land, and for some landowners there have been some changes in value. Forbes is not alone in seeing a growth in this area as land values in the Central West have increased by 21 per cent. 

We as a Council are limited by legislation as to how much we can increase rates (currently pegged by IPART at 3.8 per cent), unless we seek a special rate variation, which we did not do this year. Rates are calculated on the value of your land. 

Landholders received notice of valuation results in February and were provided 60 days to submit an objection. This period has closed but I am urging any resident with concerns to write to the Valuer General and raise their objection. Some circumstances can allow for a review, so it is definitely worth trying. 

If you have concerns regarding your rates it is so important for you to reach out – via phone or make an appointment to see one of our staff members and we can discuss matters personally with you. If you are 

having trouble paying your rates you can speak with our rates officer to discuss hardship and support. We also have a great deal of information on our website, www. nsw.gov.au/council/rates-fees-and-charges which outlines the facts and the process used by the Valuer General to value land. 

Many of you may not be aware that rates form less than a quarter of Council’s income, and we too are facing the same inflationary pressures, both as a Council and as ratepayers ourselves. 

Until next week, take care and God bless 

Phyllis Miller OAM
Forbes Mayor