Have you seen the three new murals at the skatepark and adorning the walls of amenities blocks at two of our popular public spaces, Apex Park and Forbes Ski Dam? It is amazing to see these murals bring new life and colour to these popular areas, each bringing their own meanings and stories. Hats off to our artists for a fantastic job. 

This week has seen the national spotlight on Road Safety as we keep striving to reduce the deaths and injuries on our roads. Forbes Shire Council as always supports such an important campaign to keep those we love safe on our roads. To mark National Road Safety Week our staff are wearing yellow lapel ribbons and our vehicles bear a yellow sticker – free lapel ribbons and stickers are available at the front counter for the general public. Our beloved Town Hall has also changed colour – to yellow of course. 

Our team was also invited to take part in railway level crossing safety sessions held during the week at Town Hall. We encourage you to take the pledge to ‘drive so others survive’ at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au 

Next week, the NSW Joint Organisations will meet in Canberra with Federal ministers to discuss various issues vital to regional areas I will also be attending the Country Mayors Association general meeting at Parliament House in Macquarie Street, another opportunity to meet new government ministers and members of the opposition. I will bring news of these meetings once we return. 

Till next week, God bless, enjoy your weekend – and drive safely. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

How disappointing was it to wake up on Monday morning and see the damage to our beloved Gaggin oval? The fields were looking amazing again after last year’s flooding. If you know anything or have any information contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Forbes Police on 6853 9999. 

Damage such as this is so costly – in emotions, in costs of redirecting staff and funds for repairs, and the effects on the various sporting and community groups that use these facilities. 

At the moment there are range of career and job opportunities available at Council closing this Sunday and another recruitment campaign with many project, capital and major road repairs works being undertaken. At a time when the cost of living is climbing, a job at Council offers so much – security, attractive wages, opportunities for career advancement, most positions are for a nine-day working fortnight, and flexible work schedules/school hours will be considered for excellent local candidates. More information is on Council’s website. 

The cooler months are upon us, definitely time to retire the shorts and whip out the winter woollies. Speaking of cold – have you bought your tickets to Frost and Fire yet? I can’t wait for this annual celebration of winter and the solstice, for the fantastic entertainment and the chance to catch up with family and friends. All the details are on the Amazing Facebook page. 

Finally, I wish all our mothers – past, present and future – a happy Mother’s Day for Sunday. 

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

Well what a week we have had! The staging of the annual NSW branch of the ALGWA conference here in Forbes was nothing short of amazing. We hosted a line-up of phenomenal speakers and emcee, but perhaps it was the heart- wrenching personal accounts of last year’s flooding disaster from locals that made a lasting impression. Over the three days, delegates shared and learned so much about leadership through disasters of all realms. Let’s pray that we don’t have to put this shared knowledge to use any time soon. 

A massive congratulations to volunteers of the Forbes Historical Museum for their well-deserved Forbes Heritage Medal win. To think of the hours of backbreaking work that they have already undertaken and the hours that are left ahead of them to repair the damage done to great historical items by last year’s devastating floods.Suffice to say that these physical memories are in very safe hands. 

I cannot let the other nominee, Forbes Family History Group, go without a mention – their work is just as amazing and just as much a labour of love, and we know that they too are safe custodians of our shared stories. 

As for the remainder of Heritage Week activities, it is not too late to sign up to the Cemetery Ghost Tour which starts at 5.30pm Friday (contact council to register), or attend Saturday’s Collectables Fair or St John’s Anglican Church open day. 

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

I am so looking forward to this week’s ALGWA NSW conference being held here in Forbes, and to showing off our beautiful town and people to an amazing line-up of guests –Tracey Spicer, Matina Jewell, and Shane Fitzsimmons just to mention a few. The conference finishes on Saturday and focuses on disaster resilience and recovery. 

Last week’s Council meeting saw the presentation of a number of community funding program grants for provision of services and staging of events. Congratulations to Forbes Rodeo Inc, Riding for the Disabled, Meals on Wheels, Small Winemakers, Forbes and District Tennis Club, Forbes Sports and Recreation Club, Forbes Family History Group, Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Junior AFL, Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival, Forbes Arts Society, CWA, Bedgerabong PA and H, Forbes Business Chamber, Town Band, and Havannah House. Applications are open for the next round of community funding, you make an application from our webpage, or contact Council’s Community Officer for assistance. 

Keep your eyes on our Facebook page, website and local media next week for details of Heritage Week celebrations, including the annual Heritage Awards Evening which this year will recognise the work of our amazing volunteers in preserving our town’s story. Other events include the Convict Footprints Knees Up stage show, cemetery ghost tour and collectables fair. 

Our history was honoured in another way this week at our Anzac Day commemorations. Those who have served, or who are still serving, will not be forgotten. 

Enjoy your weekend, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM 

Next Tuesday is one of the most important days on the Australian calendar, the commemoration of Anzac Day. I say this as Anzac Day epitomises the true Australian spirit, the sacrifices of those gone before us in securing our ability to live as we do now, in this hard-fought country, with hard-fought freedoms. 

Anzac Day traditions will be honoured in Forbes. Meet at 5am at Club Forbes for the dawn march and service at the Victoria Park Cenotaph. The mid-morning march will assemble at Cross Street at 10am, and the commemoration will follow at 11am at the Cenotaph. Lest We Forget. 

I want to bring to your attention free one-on-one sessions with Council’s planning department for those navigating the rebuilding process after last year’s unprecedented and extensive flooding. It can be hard to know what to do but these sessions will provide tailored and specific advice on navigating the planning approval process or the NSW Planning Portal. 

The Forbes session was held earlier this week but appointments can be made on request. For those in the Wirrinya/Garema and Bedgerebong areas, sessions are being held next week and can be booked through 123tix.com.au or alternatively, via an appointment made through Council on 6850 2300. 

Finally we hope to see plenty of local and regional guests at the Australian Local Government Womens’ Association Conference in Forbes starting Thursday. 

Enjoy the remainder of the week and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller OAM 

The weather held, storms refrained and weather over the Easter weekend was beautiful. How wonderful was it to see visitors and locals using our lovely parks again, particularly the ever-loved Apex Park. A shout-out to our Council staff for working on getting the park’s equipment, grounds, toilets and barbecues, fully functional in time for all our Easter visitors and festivities. I am also happy to see how popular our new footbridge is and am hearing great feedback on the fishing platform and the number of carp being pulled out of Lake Forbes! 

I encourage all of our community organisations and sporting groups to apply for our latest round of Community Funding. This is a wonderful opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 to help in planning and putting on events for our community. Applications must be submitted online via Council’s Smartygrants portal on our website, or contact our Community Relations Officer on 6850 2300 for information or assistance. 

Keep an eye on our social media and website – there are plenty of activities in Forbes for children of all ages these school holidays – roller skate disco, resin workshop, skateboard workshops, painting the skatepark to name a few. 

I want to reinforce how important it is as a community to stand together against all the break-ins that have been reportedly happening across Forbes of late. It is so important that if this happens to you, or you see any suspicious behaviour, to report it to the police on 6853 9999 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Enjoy the remainder of the week, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM 

Can you believe it is Easter already, in just a blink of an eye. Our beautiful community has, as always, organised an Easter weekend that is jampacked of goodies. We have the Big Bowls Carnival being held Friday through to Sunday, the popular Easter Festival at Nelson Park on Saturday morning (and who could forget one of the biggest egg hunts I have ever heard of)! On Saturday the Falcon 4WD Owners Group will be on show at Lions Park, and whilst there, call in to the Rotary Ipomoea markets. 

If that’s not enough, take advantage of the cooling weather – go camping, go fishing – better yet, why not check out the newest installation on the Lachlan Sculpture Trail. ‘Between the Silence and the Heartbeat’ by Clancy Warner. Magnificent, and with a truly poignant message behind its imposing presence. 

Speaking of our wonderful town, keep an eye out on television media for the beautiful Come Out, We’re Open regional campaign, in which Forbes definitely features! 

Please do be mindful on the roads these Easter and school holidays. We want you to arrive alive, and NSW Police will be out in force to make this a reality. 

I was excited last week to launch this year’s Frost and Fire at the Forbes Ski Dam. This event keeps growing in popularity, and sells out quickly so I urge you to make sure you get your tickets early at 123tix.com.au. 

Enjoy your week, and God bless. May this Easter bring you lots of joy, happiness and blessings in your life. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

After couple of huge weeks in Forbes, and with Easter on our doorsteps, it actually looks like this weekend may just be a well-earned breather for all. Congratulations to all the clubs and volunteers and locals for putting our best foot forward on the social stage over the past weeks, it has been spectacular – especially the amount of money that has been raised by our beautiful town for some truly worthy projects!! 

Perhaps the timing could not be any more perfect for a quieter weekend considering we are all going to gain an extra hour’s sleep on Sunday! Daylight saving will come to an end on Sunday, 2nd April so don’t forget to put your clocks back an hour before heading to bed on Saturday night. 

We are so pleased to see our new footbridge over Lake Forbes, near the Dreaming Centre, is open and being used. It seems that every time I drive past there is someone fishing off the new platforms – a challenge for lots of extra fishing to dent the numbers of carp that are invading our beautiful riverine system at the moment. 

The end of this week saw the official launch of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan survey (DIAP), an exciting review to ensure that we make Forbes as ‘liveable’ as possible for people of all abilities. 

Keep your eyes glued to the Amazing social media channels on Friday as one of Forbes’ most popular annual winter events is officially launched. Tickets to Frost and Fire go on sale 30th March through 123tix. com.au 

Enjoy your week, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

Did you know that your Council hosts, or is involved in, putting on over 250 events a year? You cannot count the economic, social, emotional benefits of the visitors that are drawn to our region by these and other privately staged events. 

Take this weekend for example – the town will be well and truly alive with people for the Forbes Auto Sports event, the annual Rugby Club’s President’s lunch, even a deb ball. It is the 10th and last year for the Stubby Collitts rugby league match between the Magpies and Bathurst’s St Pats. 

It is also NSW State Election, the time where you get to have a say in who makes the decisions on running our state. Don’t forget to vote, there are polling centres around town if you are unsure head to the website, elections.nsw.gov.au 

If you are organising an event and would like Council’s assistance in promoting it on our what’s on mailout please do not hesitate to get in touch with our wonderful events team on 6850 2300 or email events@forbes.nsw.gov.au 

Another way in which Council is working to make this region even greater for those who live in it is the launch next week of a survey to update Forbes’ Disability Inclusion Action Plan. The survey has been designed to gain input into making Forbes’ a more ‘liveable’ place for those who have a disability, care for someone with a disability or provide services to this sector of our population. We will provide information on how you can access this on our website, Facebook page and through the media. 

Enjoy your week, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM 

Well for a country town, we sure know how to pack our weekends! This weekend the Forbes Dragon Boaters are staging their annual invitational regatta, taking advantage of our famous, beautiful Lake Forbes. Come down and feel the beat of the drums as boaters take to the water on Sunday to fight for the reign of the lake. 

Saturday will see the Masters of the Mandagery football carnival and fundraiser extraordinaire. Proceeds will help the devastated village of Eugowra get back on its feet after last year’s ‘tsunami-like’ event. Not only will it feature entertaining league with teams from all over the state and ACT entered, but also some headline performers such as the Bon Jovi tribute band. 

This week I spoke at the IPWEA (engineering) state conference about the infrastructure challenges facing local government. I hardly need to mention the blatantly obvious in that the state our roads have been left in after the flooding events of last year and managing large scale repair in a timely manner, is perhaps NSW’s largest challenge right now. But there remain other wonderful opportunities, such as how we do build better communities using data and technology available to us now. 

We understand for many the experiences of last year’s flooding are traumatic and ongoing, but we are seeking your input in guiding best planning for future events. Town residents will receive a survey in the mail, or it can be completed via our website. Comments will be received until April 30. 

Enjoy your week, and God bless. 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor