As we move through another busy and ex­citing period in Forbes Shire, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge some outstanding individuals and encourage everyone to get involved in the fantastic events happening across our community.

Firstly, congratulations to Juley Clarke OAM on receiving one of Australia’s high­est honours. This recognition is a testa­ment to Juley’s longstanding dedication, service, and contribution to our community and beyond. It is always wonderful to see local people recognised for the positive im­pact they make, and on behalf of Forbes Shire Council and our community, I extend my sincere congratulations.

I would also like to recognise Ken Har­rison from Reconstruction Australia. Ken is well known to many people throughout Forbes and the wider region for his com­mitment, professionalism and support of communities during challenging times. His work has helped strengthen recovery ef­forts and support residents as they rebuild

and move forward. Thank you, Ken, for your ongoing contribution to our region.

As winter settles in, one of the high­lights on our community calendar is fast approaching. Frost and Fire promises an­other wonderful celebration of our region, bringing together locals and visitors to enjoy great entertainment, delicious food, local produce and the unique atmosphere that makes Forbes such a special place.

I encourage everyone to secure their tickets early and be part of this fantastic event. Frost and Fire continues to show­case the very best of our community spirit while providing an important boost to local businesses and tourism.

Thank you to the volunteers, organis­ers, businesses and community members who continue to make Forbes Shire such a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and visit.

Until next week,

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I’m proud to share another positive sustain­ability milestone for our Forbes community.

So far this financial year, more than 87 kilo­grams of blister packs have been diverted from landfill through the Pharmacycle pro­gram.

These items, which are often difficult to recycle, are instead being transformed into new products, helping reduce waste and supporting a more sustainable future for our town.

This achievement reflects the everyday actions of our residents and the support of our local businesses. I’d like to thank Flannery’s Pharmacy and Life Pharmacy Forbes for providing convenient drop-off points and for their ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility. I encour­age everyone to continue taking part by dropping off empty blister packs at either pharmacy.

Council is encouraging parents and car­ers to take advantage of a free child car seat inspection this Friday 5 June at the Li­ons Park carpark between 11am and 3pm.

You can have your child car seats and booster seats checked by with a Transport for NSW Authorised Restraint Fitter to en­

sure they are fitted correctly and safely. It’s free and no booking is required. Just drop in and give yourself peace of mind knowing your child is travelling safely.

With Frost and Fire just around the cor­ner, I’m encouraging our local businesses to help create a warm, welcoming atmos­phere across town. It’s a fantastic opportu­nity to showcase what makes our business community so special, with thousands of visitors, along with locals, in town for the event on Saturday 20 June.

Whether it’s decorating your shopfront window, offering a Frost and Fire-themed special, or hosting a simple in-store activa­tion, every effort helps build excitement.

The more there is to see and do, the more likely visitors are to stay for the weekend, explore the wider area and spend locally.

This event is about more than just one night. It’s a chance to drive economic activ­ity, highlight our local character, and work together to make Frost and Fire a memo­rable experience for everyone. Get your tickets now at 123tix.com.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

A new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has been installed at the Forbes Cemetery (toilet block near Attlee Street) to help improve emergency response in the community. This life-saving equipment is part of Council’s ongoing focus on safe­ty. All public AEDs are registered on the GoodSAM app. I encourage all residents to download it and consider becoming a reg­istered responder.

We’ve been making some exciting changes at Apex Park, and while the old shelter has been removed to make way for a new, more accessible space with mod­ern facilities, we didn’t want those wellloved barbecues to go to waste. Instead of sending them to landfill, we’ve given them a second life at Forbes Pool, where locals and visitors can continue to enjoy them for years to come. The Apex Park redevelop­ment is part of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan (LFAP) Parks and Amenities Resil­ience and Betterment project funded by the NSW Government under the Community Assets Program.

The latest round of Forbes Community Funding is now open. Not-for-profit groups

can apply for up to $5,000 for projects and initiatives that will make a positive impact in our community. We’re here to help if you need support with your application. Ap­plications for this round close 31 July via SmartyGrants.

Just one month to go until this year’s Frost and Fire on Saturday 20 June at the Forbes Ski Dam. For the first time ever, we’re running return bus services Parkes, Cowra via Gooloogong, and Canowindra via Eugowra. These buses will drop you right at the Forbes Ski Dam.

If you’re local or staying in Forbes, we’ve got you covered too. A free hop-on, hop-off shuttle will be running all night with 10 stops around town, making it super easy to get inand out of the event.

There’s no public parking at the site, so the bus is definitely the best way to go.

Prams, camp chairs, picnic blankets and your warmest winter woollies are all wel­come on board. Get your tickets now at 123tix.com.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

National Road Safety Week (17–24 May) is underway, a timely prompt to check in on our own driving habits. Road safety isn’t just about big changes; it’s the small choices every day that make the difference – slowing down, staying focused and plan­ning ahead so you’re not driving tired or distracted.

Across the week, you’ll see Council showing support in the community, with yellow ribbons on Council vehicles, staff wearing lapel ribbons, and Forbes Town Hall lit up in yellow throughout the week. To learn more or to take the Drive So Others Survive pledge, head to roadsafetyweek.com.au.

This week is also National Volunteer Week, celebrating the contributions of vol­unteers under this year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer.”

On Wednesday, Council hosted a Volun­teer Recognition Event at Apex Caravan Park to thank our local volunteers. It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening, bringing volunteers together and acknowledge the time, care and skills they generously give to our community every day. Council re­mains committed to supporting volunteer­

ism into the future and encourages anyone to consider getting involved in the many rewarding opportunities available.

Work continues on the southern end of the Johnny Woods Crossing. Our crews have now moved to the western side, fo­cusing on connecting the existing Lake Forbes pedestrian loop to the crossing, while also delivering additional car park­ing for the area. This project forms part of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan Footpath Resilience and Betterment Program and is proudly funded by the NSW Community Assets Program.

Council has announced its biggest-ever food and beverage line-up for Frost & Fire 2026. Held at the Forbes Ski Dam on Sat­urday 20 June, this year’s event will feature four bars, 13 food vendors and a pre-order option. We are delivering more choice than ever, from hearty comfort food to sweet treats and warming drinks for the longest night of the year. Check out the full food and drink line-up at amazingforbesnsw.com. Get your tickets now at 123tix.com.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Forbes welcomed an international delega­tion from Kazakhstan this week, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase our strong agricultural industry and build inter­national connections.

As a major wheat producer, Kazakhstan shares a deep agricultural foundation with our region. During their visit, the delegation explored local facilities, including the Cen­tral West Livestock Exchange, highlighting the scale, efficiency and professionalism of our livestock sector.

Council was pleased to share insights into our thriving agricultural sector and the partnerships that support it. We look for­ward to continuing discussions and explor­ing future opportunities for growth, innova­tion and collaboration.

Next week is National Road Safety Week (17–24 May), reminding us of the impact ofroad trauma and the simple steps we can take to stay safe.

Council has proudly supported the initiative since 2017, encouraging everyone to take the Drive So Others Survive pledge – avoid distractions, slow down and never drive un­der the influence.

You’ll see our support across the com­munity, with yellow ribbons on Council vehicles, staff wearing lapel ribbons, and Forbes Town Hall lit yellow for the week.

As driving remains a key workplace risk, our staff will also take part in driver fatigue awareness sessions.

It’s officially bonfire season, which means Frost & Fire is just around the corner. Tick­ets are now on sale for Forbes’ favourite winter celebration on Saturday 20 June.

Leave the car at home and hop on a shut­tle, with 10 stops across Forbes running to and from the Ski Dam.

For the first time, return bus services will also run from Parkes, Cowra (via Gooloo­gong) and Canowindra (via Eugowra), making it easier for our neighbours to join in. Bus tickets are just $10, and with a new family pass available, there’s even more reason to round up your crew.

Secure your tickets from 123tix.com, rug up and get ready for a night of fire, food and winter fun.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Wasn’t that rain a great way to start the week. We have had reports of between 30–70mm across the shire, it was such a relief and great timing for those who have dry sown and for those yet to crop. After a dry start to the year, this rainfall has made a real difference and lifted spirits right across our community. There were a lot of smiles on the street on Monday.

In town, the rain has also delivered a much needed boost to our sporting fields, parks and green spaces.

There are lots of home games this week­end, so it will be great to see a nice fresh green flush on the grounds at the Red Bend Junior League, croquet, rugby and soccer on Saturday.

The Rotary Markets will be on at Lions Park and the Fire and Rescue open day at Rotary Park, near the lake are also on.

On Sunday it will be Magpies first home game at Spooners – I can’t wait to enjoy it from the new grandstand. Don’t forget – entry is in Linda Street. A formal opening

of the new grandstand and facilities will be held later in the season.

Council has had number of questions about the temporary fencing in place on Templar Street. The fence needs to stay in position while demolition work is completed at the Forbes Inn.

As soon as this work is finished and the precinct is declared safe, the fencing will be removed and normal traffic flow and ac­cess will resume.

Finally, I was proud to represent Forbes Shire Council at the LGNSW Rural and Regional Summit, on Thursday. The 2026 Summit brought councils and community leaders together to discuss key issues for rural and regional NSW, including health, water security, Special Rate Variations and strengthening community resilience. It is important that Forbes has a voice in theseconversations to represent our commu­nity’s interests.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

ANZAC Day 2026 was marked by an im­pressive turnout across our community, with residents coming together in strong numbers to honour the service and sac­rifice of defence personnel, past and pre­sent. Council was proud to support this im­portant day of remembrance and reflection.

Seeing people of all ages attend dawn ser­vices and commemorations throughout the day was a powerful reminder that the AN­ZAC spirit of courage, mateship and ser­vice continues to be deeply valued within our community.

We extend our sincere thanks to the RSL sub-branches, veterans, service organisa­tions and all who attended and paid their respects. Your presence ensured that the legacy of those who served and those who continue to serve was honoured in a mean­ingful and enduring way.

Our annual bulky waste collection is next week. Residents are encouraged to take the opportunity this weekend to do a mind­ful clean-out and responsibly dispose of unwanted household items. Please place your bulky items on the kerb this week­end. Collections will occur from Monday 4 to Friday 8 May, so having items out early

will help ensure they’re picked up. Please remember to separate items into the four accepted categories and keep the total amount to no more than 2 cubic metres.

Head to our website for more information.

You may have noticed work currently underway at the Johnny Woods Cross­ing. Funded by the NSW Community As­sets Program, this final stage of the project will connect the southern footpaths to the Lake Forbes loop and includes drainage upgrades, new kerb and gutter, a new car park, safety median strips, line marking and site rehabilitation. The footpath in this area will be closed at times during construction.

Step back in time and celebrate the rich history of our region during Forbes Herit­age Week 2026 running from 11 to 15 May.

Our Heritage Committee has put together an amazing program of special events de­signed to educate, entertain and connect the community with Forbes’ past.

Register via our website, drop into Coun­cil, or call our Events Team to be part of any of the activities. The full program is avail­able on Council’s website.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Our town glowed this week with communi­ties all across Australia leaving a front light on to mark the anniversary of our beauti­ful Molly Ticehurst. It has been two years since Molly was murdered and her family asked us all to leave a front light on for Molly from Wednesday night to show our love and support. We will never forget Mol­ly, a beautiful early childhood educator who touched so many lives and was the impe­tus for much needed reforms in Domestic Violence Orders in our state. I look forward to a time when we have universal tough laws across all states to protect our women and families against violence.

Talking respect, all residents and visi­tors are invited to attend the ANZAC Day commemorations in Forbes on Saturday 25 April. The Dawn Service will begin at 5.30am at the Victoria Park Cenotaph (please assemble at 5.15am in front of Club Forbes).At 10.30am will be the AN­ZAC March followed by the service and wreath laying. Assemble at 10.15am in Cross Street. The service will conclude at 11.30am in Victoria Park.

Have you watched the ANZAC com­memorative illumination being projected on the Forbes Town Hall? It is another amaz­ing light show, featuring faces from our very own Forbes enlisted, it has been on all week and finishes Saturday night. Don’t forget to tune into 88.7FM for the audio and music.

I am very pleased to announce Forbes Shire Council is a finalist in three catego­ries of the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. These awards cele­brate innovation and excellence across Lo­cal Government – being recognised at this level reflects the dedication, professional­ism and pride our staff bring to serving the community.

Congratulations to the Amazing Visitor Information Team, the Street Dreams event and our commitment to being a healthy, safe and connected workplace. Congratu­lations to all the staff involved and thank you all for your amazing efforts. A reminder also that Forbes has been nominated in the Top Tourism Awards. You can vote for Forbes by following the link on our website.

Thank you everyone for your support so far.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I am proud to share that Forbes has been officially nominated for the 2026 Top Tour­ism Town Awards, recognising destinations that excel in welcoming visitors, delivering memorable experiences and showcasing what makes their community unique.

Forbes is nominated in the 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards in the category for towns with a population over 5,000, along­side Ballina, Moree, Shellharbour, Coffs Harbour, Kiama, Orange and Wollongong.

Tourism plays a vital role in supporting lo­cal businesses and jobs. I encourage eve­ryone to get behind Forbes by voting. The winners will be announced on Wednes­day 27 May 2026 at the Local Govern­ment NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland. Head to Council’s website to vote.

It’s been fantastic to see such strong attendance at the first week of Council’s School Holiday and Youth Week program, with activities proving very popular among local young people and families.

There’s still plenty to look forward to, with a great range of activities coming up including a family movie night, interactive

makeup class, mural painting, Youth Lead­ership Summit and the Course Anglers Fishing Workshop. These activities offer opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, and are a wonderful way for young people to stay engaged during the holidays. Places are limited, so bookings are essential. Head to Council’s website to book in and secure your spot.

Young people aged 16+ from Forbes are invited to audition for this year’s Mock Crash Demonstration. Running since 2009, the program has helped reduce crashes in­volving young drivers by 27%, showing the real‐life consequences of unsafe driving.

Auditions will be held on Tuesday 12 May from 5pm to 8pm at the Parkes SES Shed on Boyd Circuit in Parkes. To register, con­tact our Road Safety Officer on 6861 2364.

If you’re successful, you’ll take part in both pre‐recorded videos and a live mock crash demonstration alongside local emer­gency services at Parkes High School on Monday 17 August 2026.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an amazing Easter long weekend we had here in Forbes, with warm autumn weather inviting people outdoors to make the most of everything our region has to of­fer.

Many locals and visitors took the oppor­tunity to spend time in nature – camping, fishing and kayaking, while others enjoyed slower moments reconnecting with family and friends. It was wonderful to see parks, campsites and local spots so well ultilised and appreciated.

Easter marked the beginning of the April school holidays and Youth Week. The theme for NSW Youth Week 2026, ‘Dream.

Dare. Do.’, encourages young people to dream big and take real steps to make those dreams a reality.

In line with this theme, Forbes is hosting a mix of free and low-cost activities includ­ing painting workshops, barista training, music workshop, vision board sessions, resume workshop, makeup class, fitness classes, a mural painting workshop and Youth Connect Day.

Event details, session times and regis­tration information are available via Forbes

Shire Council’s website. Spaces are lim­ited.

Our annual bulky waste collection is coming up in early May, giving residents a chance to dispose of large household items. Please place your bulky waste neat­ly on the kerb between Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May 2026. Collections will occur throughout the following week, so items must be out by Sunday evening to ensure they’re collected. Head to Council’s web­site for full details on what is accepted in the bulky waste clean‐up.

Congratulations to Aussie Biscuits on 50 years of business and service to our com­munity. Since 1976, the organisation has created meaningful job opportunities for people with disability, showing what inclu­sive employment can achieve.

From right here in Forbes, Aussie Bis­cuits bakes around 60,000 biscuits every day, shipping their products to customers across Australia. Their success is a credit to their skilled workforce, strong values and commitment to regional manufacturing.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM