Connecting with our community is one of the most important parts of local government, and our upcoming Councillor CatchUp is a great opportunity to do just that.

Join us at Bedgerabong Hall on Friday 24 July from 5pm for an informal chat with your elected Councillors and our new General Manager. Getting to speak directly to our community helps us stay connected and ensures local perspectives remain at the heart of our decision-making.

We are partnering with Central West Lachan Landcare for a Community Planting Day at Forbes Cemetery from 10am to 12pm as part of National Tree Day. I encourage locals to join us this Saturday 25 July to help plant Yellow Box, White Box and Spiny Bursaria – all native species. Just bring a hat and water bottle, with gloves and planting materials supplied on the day. A free BBQ lunch will be provided afterwards as a thank you.

Next week we will celebrate NAIDOC 2026 at the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre. Originally planned for earlier this month, the event was postponed due to

wet weather. So we’re pleased to be able to celebrate together next Thursday 30 July instead. Gather at the South Circle from 9.45am for the Community March, which will make its way to the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre for a morning of celebration, connection and cultural pride.

Council will be out at Goldridge Estate this week planting perimeter trees at the new park, helping shape the future look and feel of this growing community space.

We’re grateful to have three tree-planting specialists from Skillset’s Land Works team assisting with the project. The trees being planted include Acer ‘Crimson Sentry’ and Fraxinus ‘Cimzam’, selected to provide shade, character and structure to the park as it matures. While the benefits won’t be seen overnight, these plantings are an investment in the future, ensuring residents can enjoy a greener, more welcoming park for years to come. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I’d like to remind motorists to park nosein along Cross Street. Nose-in parking has been introduced throughout the CBD to improve safety for road users and pedestrians. It helps drivers leave parking spaces more safely and reduces potential risks in this busy area. Please take a moment to check the signage and ensure you’re parking correctly when visiting town.

Next week brings a few community events that are well worth putting in the diary.

The annual Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day will be held at the Central West Livestock Exchange on Thursday 23 July.

This is a great opportunity for farmers, contractors and machinery operators to hear from industry experts about road safety, signage requirements and travel conditions ahead of harvest. The event runs from 8am to 11.30am, with breakfast available from 7.30am.

One of the things I enjoy most as a Councillor is the chance to chat directly with members of our community, which is why I encourage residents to come along to our next Councillor Catch-Up on Friday 24 July at Bedgerabong Hall from 5pm. This is a great opportunity to have a chat with your elected Councillors and meet our new General Manager. Whether you’d like to share an idea, ask a question or simply find out more about what’s happening around the Shire, we’d love to see you there. These catchups are a great way to stay connected and ensure community voices are being heard.

Then on Saturday 25 July, we are partnering with Central West Lachan Landcare for a Community Planting Day at Forbes Cemetery from 10am to 12pm as part of National Tree Day. I encourage locals to join us to help plant Yellow Box, White Box and Spiny Bursaria – all native species. Just bring a hat and water bottle, with gloves and planting materials supplied on the day. A free BBQ lunch will be provided afterwards as a thank you.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Good news! Our new indoor pool furnace has now been installed and the water temperature is back up to a comfortable 28°C.

We were very fortunate that the replacement unit arrived so quickly, allowing us to get it installed promptly. Thank you to everyone for your patience while the work was completed. We look forward to welcoming you back to enjoy the pool.

I’m proud to launch the Forbes Financial Gap Year campaign, encouraging young professionals from Western Sydney to spend a year in Forbes and get ahead financially.

The campaign speaks directly to people feeling the pressure of the rising cost-of-living. Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll be sharing what makes Forbes such a great place to live, work and raise a family.

We’re proud of our community and look forward to showing more people from the city why making the move to Forbes could be one of the best financial decisions they make.

If you’re visiting Lake Forbes over the coming weeks, please be aware of construction works taking place in the area. As part of the Johnny Woods Crossing redevelopment, Wambat Street between James Street and Gordon Duff Drive will be closed during the school holidays. The Apex Park car park will also be closed until the end of August while the playground upgrades are completed, including new kerb and guttering, footpaths and a new barbecue shelter.

Both projects form part of the Lake Forbes Activation Plan (LFAP) – Parks and Amenities Resilience and Betterment Project, funded by the NSW Government through the Community Assets Program.

The annual ‘Be Road Ready for Harvest’ Field Day returns to Forbes on Thursday 23 July out at the Central West Livestock Exchange. This is a great opportunity for farmers, contractors and machinery operators to hear from industry experts about vehicle dimensions, signage requirements and travel conditions, as well as a handson machinery display and a range of interactive activities. Breakfast will be available from 7.30am, with the event running from 8am to 11.30am.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What a fantastic day it was at the Forbes Soccer Gala Day on Sunday, with an in­credible 1,500 players from across the region converging on Forbes. Events like this highlight our ability to successfully host large-scale sporting gatherings locally. It’s wonderful to see so many young players, families and supporters come together to take part in and enjoy grassroots sport.

Congratulations to the Forbes & District Soccer Club Incorporated for delivering an­other hugely successful and well-run gala day.

Just a quick update on the Forbes Indoor Pool. The heating furnace has unfortu­nately had a major fault and will need to be replaced. A replacement unit is expected to arrive this week and will be installed as soon as possible. Once the unit is replaced, the water temperature is anticipated to re­turn to 28°C by the weekend. We know the indoor pool is especially important during the colder months and appreciate your pa­tience while we work through this.

It is with a mix of sadness and heart­ felt gratitude that we mark the closing of Woolerina this week, after an extraordi­nary 20 years of service to our community.

Through its dedication to wool and the sus­tainable fashion industry, it has celebrated our region’s rich agricultural heritage while championing innovation, creativity and en­vironmental responsibility. I sincerely con­gratulate and thank Warwick, Pip and Pen­ny for their dedication and vision in building such a valued and inspiring business. I per­sonally love my Woolerina garments; they are a true testament to the quality and care behind the brand. On behalf of the commu­nity, thank you for 20 remarkable years and wishing you all the very best for whatever comes next.

School holidays kick off next week and our Youth Team has put together a fun line up of creative, active and social activities to keep young people busy and entertained.

Spots are limited, so make sure you book via Council’s website.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an incredible Frost and Fire festival! We were so lucky with the weather, which­helped bring out a fantastic crowd. Over 2,000 people rugged up to be part of the winter solstice celebrations at the Forbes Ski Dam. It’s great to see the event continu­ing to grow evolve. An estimated $300,000 was injected into our local economy, which is a huge win for our businesses and com­munity.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and to all who came along.

Particularly our sponsors and special events crew. You made it a night to remem­ber. We’re already working on some new ideas for next year.

This week I’ve been in Canberra attend­ing the National General Assembly of Lo­cal Government. It’s the largest gathering of council leaders, with around 1,000 dele­gates from across Australia and overseas.

It’s a valuable opportunity to advocate for stronger federal funding, smarter policy and better partnerships for our communi­ties. This year’s discussions focused on ten key priorities, with financial sustain­ability emerging as the major challenge.

As councils take on more responsibilities, the pressure on local budgets continues to grow. At the same time, Financial Assis­tance Grants have fallen from 1% of Com­monwealth taxation revenue in 1996 to just 0.5% today. To address this, Australian Lo­cal Government Association (ALGA) is call­ing for funding to be restored to 1% over the next three years. We’ll keep pushing to ensure communities like Forbes are better supported into the future.

Plastic Free July kicks off next week, and it’s a great chance to make a simple change. Why not give up one single-use plastic item like your daily takeaway cup, plastic bottles or packaged produce and see how you go? You can do it on your own or challenge your friends, family or colleagues. Make your plastic-free pledge at www.plasticfreejuly.org. You can also go in the draw to win an amazing plastic-free prize. Just head to Council’s social media pages and share your pledge in the com­ments. Every small step adds up to a big difference for a more plastic-free future.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

It’s finally here – the amazing Frost and Fire winter celebration is happening this Saturday – starting at 4pm until 10pm with a major live music lineup for six solid hours of fun.

This is one of Forbes’ premier events and a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and embrace the winter season.

Get into the spirit of winter, rug up, bring your chair and jump on a bus to our pre­mier destination event. All you have to do once you arrive is get a drink, choose from a delicious range of meal options and set­tle in to enjoy and kick back and enjoy the live music, roving and cultural entertainers.

There are children’s activities, fireworks and more – it really is the best night to spend time with your friends and family at Forbes Ski Dam. See you there.

Next weekend – soccer fever will de­scend for the Forbes Soccer Gala Day. This incredible event will see around 1,500 play­ers and children, more than 100 games,

and games spread across 12 fields. It’s a huge undertaking and a wonderful exam­ple of our community coming together to support grassroots sport.

Events like these don’t just showcase lo­cal talent—they bring families, visitors and energy into our town and that’s something we can all be proud of.

I’d like to thank the organisers, volun­teers, coaches and families who make days like this possible. Your efforts create opportunities for young people to stay ac­tive, build friendships and enjoy everything that community sport has to offer. Well done Forbes District Soccer.

On behalf of the Forbes community and especially Forbes Shire Council we extend our thoughts and prayers to Bolam family in this difficult time. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

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