I cannot express how excited I am to see earthworks get underway at the Multipurpose Equestrian Racecourse Road site.We truly appreciate the support of the government in getting behind our regional communities. It is anticipated that this multipurpose equine sports centre is going to be very beneficial to the horse community and to the town itself with the potential of competition at all levels, training and educational courses. 

Last week we hosted a visit from the NSW Reconstruction Authority and the National Emergency Management Agency. 

People in our region are still recovering from last year’s devastating events, both physically and emotionally. We are compiling a proposal to put to the government so that we can rebuild better or buy back land that is at highest risk. With this in mind I am looking forward to the Disaster Relief Australia’s Big Map exercise being conducted here in Forbes on 11th and 12th August. This big map will collect factual and visible accounts of the 2022 floods to identify risks, share experiences and to better prepare for the future events. 

Finally, I hope you have got your tickets to Sundown Sounds planned for Saturday 5th August. This is a free event, thanks again to the NSW Government aimed at making sure we stay connected. There will be great music, a mechanical bull for the brave and plenty of food vans. Book your tickets at 123tix.com.au and head to Lions Park. It will be a busy weekend with the 2023 Forbes Jockey Club Cup on Sunday. 

Until next week, God Bless. 

Phyllis Miller OAM, Forbes Mayor 

It is almost hard to imagine that eight months ago so much of Forbes was under water. Finally this weekend the doors to the Forbes Museum will be thrown wide open to the public for the first time since November last year. I know we have recognised the roles of volunteers in making this happen in recent months, but I can honestly say that this is the ultimate dedication. Congratulations to everyone involved. 

The lengthy closure of the Newell Highway last year had many flow-on effects, and flood mitigation plans are needed to work towards preventing this happening again. Transport NSW is undertaking community consultation for floodproofing the Newell Highway in Forbes on 18th July. Please make sure you register for your say via Newell Highway Flood Mitigation – West Wyalong to Forbes | Have your say NSW. 

Also in flood related news, the General Manager and I met this week with the NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO, Simon Draper, and the NEMA Coordinator-General Brendan Moon to further discuss flood recovery. We are very keen to use every forum available to us to highlight the needs of our town. 

Council is hosting Forbes and Bedgerebong Year 5 students for Local Government Week next month, and I can’t wait. Students will gain insight into Council and its departments. They will meet with myself and move a motion in the Council Chambers. I am certain those who will lead, build and guide our town in the future will be in this group of youngsters! 

Until next week, God Bless.
Phyllis Miller OAM, Forbes Mayor 

I am honoured to announce that I have been selected as a torch bearer in a relay that will cover 50,000kms over six months to mark 100 years since Legacy was founded. The torch will pass through Forbes on 31 July and I am so looking forward to remembering and honouring those whose loved ones fought for our country and freedoms. My family has a special connection to Legacy and I am very proud to be part of the relay – my father died at a very young age (37) leaving my mother with five children to raise. Legacy stepped in and was very kind and supportive. I congratulate the other torchbearers on their selection. 

Continuing with the theme of gratitude, this week I was able to show our appreciation to vital emergency services for volunteering their time and efforts at our Frost and Fire event. I presented cheques to the three fire brigade units; Yarragong, Forbes and Parkes HQ and a gas cooker with fittings to the Forbes SES unit. Without the service of these volunteers we would not be able to provide such amazing opportunities for our community, so thank you. 

We at Council recognise NAIDOC Week 2023, a chance to learn, celebrate and the history culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Forbes (in collaboration with our NAIDOC Committee) will hold local celebrations later in the year. Yoorana Gunya has an event at the Sports and Recreation Club (the Bowlie!) on 7 July and all the details are on their Facebook page. 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

The year is truly flying, I cannot believe that we have hit the halfway mark, the end of the financial year and term two for school! 

As many of you pack up and head to either warmer or colder climes for a break, I implore you to drive carefully. Please watch your speed and fatigue, wear seatbelts, and drive to the conditions. 

Next weekend will be an exciting one for Forbes as the town plays host to the Football NSW Country Cup for junior girls for the first time! It is exciting to see so many of our talented Forbes players selected in the Lachlan Under 12s, 14s and 16s teams. 

It is yet another opportunity for us to show 

off our amazing sporting facilities and our town; teams are coming from all over NSW – from as far south as Albury to the coast and in between. It is phenomenal to see the growth in female sport, and the talent that is coming through the ranks. 

There are plenty of organised activities for our kids these holidays – head to the Forbes Youth Action Team Facebook page for details, or take advantage of the new BMX track, fishing platform, or launch a kayak on the lake at our new fabulous beach at Lions Park. 

Finally, don’t forget to have your say in the Forbes Disability Inclusion Access Plan survey, which closes 30th June. If you have a disability, or are a carer, family member or service provider, we really want your input. To complete a survey head to our website pageand scan the QR code or download a copy. A hardcopy is available at Council, and links are also available on Facebook. 

Until next week, God Bless.
Phyllis Miller OAM, Forbes Mayor 

What can I say, how amazing was Frost and Fire on the weekend? There is just something special about live music, fires, food and drink, and great company. I really have to congratulate our team for putting on such a wonderful event for our community and its visitors. Gatherings like these are what I really treasure about Forbes. 

I cannot wait to go to our next live music extravaganza – Sundown Sounds at Lions Park on the lake promises to be another great fun family event, and is free to attend. Keep your eye out on all forms of media in the coming weeks for more information on this. Details are already up on our website and you can buy tickets at 123tix.com.au 

I had the pleasure of attending our welcome to Forbes and thank you evening earlier this week. It was wonderful to meet some of our new faces to town, and at the same time show our appreciation to the army of volunteers who all help out in some way or another. Volunteers are a vital part of the true fabric of Forbes, the tight knit that keeps our community what it is, supportive, encouraging, welcoming, nurturing. Now is the perfect time to think about how you can volunteer and get involved. 

The end of the second school term is drawing near and while it may be cold outside, Council is hosting a number of activities to help keep the children entertained – movie night, craft sessions, AFL clinics, fishing workshops, and an excursion to Parkes PCYC. Contact our amazing Youth Action team for more information. 

Till next week, God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor

It was nice to see a fall of rain on Monday, although we could potentially do without the hail, as the region now starts to feel the effects of needing rainfall. 

Winter crops have been sown, and whilst there is an abundance of subsoil moisture we need the soft gentle seasonal rains to get them started. Hopefully there will be a few more smiling faces this week! 

As I write this, I am in Canberra with the Australian Local Government Association for the National General Assembly focusing on ‘Our communities, our future’. I did get the opportunity to have dinner with the Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda at Government House earlier this week which was wonderful. 

I am also pleased to say that though the waters have receded planning for the vulnerability of our town is not being ignored. Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison was in Forbes on Wednesday to discuss Forbes-West Wyalong flood mitigation, so it will be interesting to see what eventuates. It is so important that vital transport channels to and from our town remain viable during these trying times. 

Finally – who could forget Frost and Fire this Saturday – I’m excited. Don’t forget your tickets at 123tix.com.au 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

This week additional roadworks have started on Calarie Road, thanks to Blackspot funding from the National Government. This funding is allocated according to data gathered from accident data and is part of our ongoing target to make our roads safer. 

This time next week we will be warming up for our amazing Frost and Fire event. I really hope you have bought your tickets already (123tix.com.au) and with the opportunity to either pre-order or purchase from food vans on site – you will be well and truly covered. Free buses running between town and the event make it even easier to relax fully in the atmosphere – get carried away by the music and performances. Warm up those beanies! 

Finally, to all our men out there, young and old, International Men’s Health Week runs all of next week, from June 12th to 18th. This year the week is focusing on Healthy Habits. Men’s Health is something the Council takes very seriously – and our staff will attend a dedicated event with an influential and down to earth guest speaker who will focus on ‘Healthy habits of the mind’. The aim of our awareness event is to increase awareness of male health issues and support the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our community –mental health as well as physical health. Talk it over with the males in your life – start the discussion about making healthy habits, whether it be to start a fitness program, lose weight, or spend more time with the family. 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

Forbes Shire Council has received $2 million from the NSW Government under the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program to rollout planning undertaken for the Lake Forbes Activation Plan.

The $250 million NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is the biggest injection of funding for public spaces in a generation and is supporting councils to deliver additional public spaces and improvements to existing spaces across the state.

This funding is a huge boost to Council in its delivery of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan for the community and includes projects like the refurbishment of the BMX track, creation of a beach at Lions Park and better footbridges and pedestrian access around the lake. 

“Development of this plan was undertaken with lots of community consultation –the Forbes community and visitors alikelove our lake and this provides Council withdirection for this asset moving forward,”Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.

“Public spaces are the heart of our communities.They connect us, inspire us and make us healthier and happier, public spaces shape who we are and greatly enrich our lives, public spaces support our health and well-being” Mayor Miller said.

I received some exciting news this week from our marvelous volunteers that the museum should be throwing its doors back open to the general public in the middle of this month after painstaking hours spent restoring the multitudes of historical relics. It has been a mammoth job; the floodwaters that came through the building have left their mark, and it is poignant now that these marks themselves have become a part of history. We just cannot thank the many museum volunteers enough for their tireless dedication. 

I have to take my hat off to the fabulous staff at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange who on Tuesday raised around $1,500 for the Cancer Council from donations and breakfast sales. As CWLE Manager Cassi Walmsley said, we have all been touched in some form by this disease. It also warms the heart to see a pen of 300 donated sheep auctioned off on the day to raise much funds for a young Tullamore wife, mum and teacher who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The sheep fetched $180/head. Bless all who supported both of these events. 

I was in Sydney earlier this week at a tourism conference. The value of the tourism industry to regional areas such as ours can never be underestimated. There is always so much to learn, to share and new ideas to develop. As I love to say, we are proud of our town, and we love bringing in visitors to show off our amazing way of life. 

Till next week, God bless, and enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

This will be a brief column this week – as I mentioned in my previous column I am away attending various conferences and meeting with new ministers, and taking full advantage of this opportunity to raise issues affecting us with them personally. 

Before I left, however, I was thrilled to see the reaction of our first adventurous ‘BMX bandits’ as they tackled the newly redeveloped BMX track over the weekend. 

The track is in its original location behind the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, and whilst there are some finishing touches yet to be done, it is an amazing new asset for the youth of our town. 

We as a Council are so dedicated to looking after our youth, and funding from the NSW Government through programs such as the Public Spaces Legacy fund make these projects possible. If you haven’t already, grab your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and head on down to the track. 

Forbes recognised National Sorry Day this week at Forbes Bowling Club. Held each year on May 26, National Sorry Day acknowledges the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors, and reflects on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our peoples and nation. 

Locally, this was marked by guest speakers, performances, artworks, lawn bowls and food – including johnny cakes. 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor