This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Forbes and District Historical Society, a wonderful milestone for our community.

Congratulations to all members and volun­teers on four decades of preserving and sharing our local history.

The Society’s dedication ensures Forbes’ stories, heritage and identity are protected and celebrated for future generations.

Their passion and commitment behind the scenes have made an enduring contribu­tion to our town.

As we approach the busy Easter long weekend, Council is encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead and take extra care on our roads. With the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass currently closed due to structural defects, locals travelling to Sydney are urged to use the Hume High­way. Bells Line of Road should be avoided unless travelling north, as traffic volumes are expected to be significantly higher.

With increased travel across the state, NSW Police will be conducting double de­merit points enforcement from Thursday 2 April until Monday 6 April 2026 (inclusive). Council reminds all drivers to slow down,

buckle up and stay alert, particularly on un­familiar roads.

The Lions Club will once again be op­erating the Driver Reviver site in Victoria Park from 3 to 6 April, helping keep motor­ists safe by encouraging regular breaks on long journeys. Council extends sincere thanks to the amazing volunteers for their dedication and service during the upcom­ing busy travel period.

Council’s Administration Office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Mon­day. Essential services will continue over the long weekend. The Forbes Visitor In­formation Centre will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but will be open on Saturday and Monday.

The Forbes Recycling and Waste Depot will be closed on Good Friday only. Impor­tantly, there will be no changes to kerbside waste collection, with all services running as scheduled.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Easter and hope you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

What an amazing weekend we’ve just had in Forbes. Congratulations to the organis­ers of the Amazing Motor Festival at the Showground, which attracted an impres­sive 4,000 attendees, as well as Paint Twirl and Lakeside Swirl in Lions Park, enjoyed by 130 participants. Two fantastic events held in Forbes over the weekend.

The Forbes Tennis Club officially unveiled its brand new LED lights, outdoor kitchen, equipment storage shed and covered out­door area this evening. These upgrades were made possible through a $303,000 NSW Government grant – a significant in­vestment in grass-roots sport.

We’re gearing up for another big week­end, with a full calendar of events across the region including the annual Forbes Rugby Presidents Lunch, Lions Club and Forbes Farmers Markets, Bedgerabong Public School’s 150th anniversary celebra­tions and Sorting and Penning at the Multi­purpose Equestrian Centre.

This Saturday, I encourage residents to take part in two free waste workshops de­signed to help households reduce waste and recycle smarter. Sessions are facilitat­ed by local waste experts from EnviroCom Australia.

The Composting and Worm Farming workshop runs from 10am until 11.15am at the Forbes Riverside Community Gar­dens and covers setting up and caring for compost and worm farms, plus how these systems benefit your garden and the envi­ronment.

The Recycling at Home workshop follows from 12.00pm until 1.15pm at Forbes TownHall, focusing on recycling tips, recognising greenwashing, what happens to our recy­cling and what can and cannot go in yellow bins. I encourage everyone to come along and discover simple ways to make a posi­tive environmental impact at home.

With the Great Western Highway at Vic­toria Pass currently closed due to structuraldefects, locals travelling to Sydney are urged to use the Hume Highway. Bells Line of Road should be avoided unless travel­ling north, as traffic volumes are expected to be significantly higher.

As we approach the busy Easter long weekend, I want to encourage locals to plan ahead, take extra care on our roads and enjoy everything our region has to of­fer safely.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

As the temperature cools off, I am delight­ed to officially launch Frost and Fire 2026.

Now in its seventh year, the event prom­ises to be bigger, brighter and warmer than ever. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors to the Forbes Ski Dam on Saturday 20 June for a truly amazing night filled with fire pits, live music, roving entertainment, fireworks, hearty food, cozy brews and family‐friendly fun.

Frost and Fire continues to play an im­portant role in supporting our local econo­my while celebrating creativity, connection and community spirit. Council is proud to support events that make Forbes such a vibrant place to live and visit.

I encourage everyone to grab tickets to the ultimate winter party via 123tix.com.

Rug up, fire up and see you at Frost and Fire 2026!Council is committed to supporting posi­tive outcomes for children and young peo­ple. I am proud to introduce the Forbes Children and Youth Hub x Your Say plat­form – a new online space designed to am­plify the voices of our young people and ensure they play an active role in shaping

the future of Forbes.

This hub is all about listening. It provides locals with a place to have their say on youth programs, events and opportunities across our community.

You can get involved by sharing ideas on event locations, asking questions or pro­viding feedback at Youth Centre Drop‐In Sessions, signing up for updates, joining the Forbes Youth Action Team, and follow­ing the Forbes Children and Youth Hub on Facebook to stay connected. For more in­formation, head to yoursay.forbes.nsw.gov.

au/children-and-youth-hub.

I am pleased to advise that the resto­ration of Bates Bridge is now complete.

Bates Bridge is an important local connec­tion, and these works were essential to en­sure its ongoing safety and reliability.

I wish to thank the Australian Govern­ment’s Roads to Recovery Program and the NSW Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for their support in delivering this important project.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I am delighted to congratulate Maree Yapp on being named the Local Woman of the Year for the Orange Electorate. This hon­our is a well‐deserved recognition of her decades of service and the profound im­pact she has had on our community.

Maree’s commitment, compassion and tireless volunteer spirit embody the very best of our region. On behalf of Council and the people of our Shire, I congratulate Maree on this outstanding achievement and thank her sincerely for her extraordi­nary contribution to our community.

I am honoured to have been appointed to the Local Government Expert Advisory Panel for a three‐year term. The Panel will provide practical advice to the NSW Gov­ernment as it implements reforms aimed at strengthening councils’ independence and long‐term financial sustainability.

This follows the NSW Parliamentary In­quiry into the Ability of Local Governments to Fund Infrastructure and Services, which highlighted the need for stronger support and clearer pathways for councils across the state.

Local government is at its strongest when communities are empowered and councils have the stability they need to plan ahead.

I look forward to contributing local, practical insights to help shape reforms that support both independence and future sustainabil­ity.

Council has refreshed its youth commu­nication channels to ensure families con­tinue to receive timely and age‐appropriate information.

The Forbes Youth Action Team (FYAT) pages have had a full “glow up,” relaunch­ing as the Forbes Children & Youth Hub – a central, family‐friendly space designed to keep parents informed about local pro­grams, services and opportunities for chil­dren and young people.

While the Facebook and Instagram pag­es will still feature FYAT updates, the new Hub will share a broader range of child and youth‐focused content. This will make it easier for families to find everything in one place, while still giving our FYAT Commit­tee a platform to showcase their ideas and achievements.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

After months of dry winds and thirsty pad­docks, the recent rain has breathed new life into our landscape, and the timing couldn’t be better as we move into sowing season.

We know conditions can still be unpredict­able, and there’s always a need to plan carefully and support each other where we can. But for now, it’s wonderful to enjoy the change. Here’s hoping the conditions continue to be favorable to set us up for a strong and productive year.

Sunday was a fantastic start to Sen­iors Week, with 150 people attending the Seniors Variety Concert in Town Hall. The Seniors “Give It a Go Festival” runs until 15 March 2026, with a full program of activities for our older residents to get involved in.

A highlight this week is Otto’s Seniors Singing for Seniors concert, a free after­noon filled with music, stories and charm with afternoon tea included. Register at events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6850 2300.

This week we are celebrating NSW Women’s Week 2026, a time dedicated to celebrating, connecting with and honour­

ing the women and girls in our lives. The popular International Women’s Day event in Lions Park will round out the week. This is an uplifting and energising morning fea­turing a 6.30am Pilates session followed by a community breakfast at 7am.

We’re lucky to have an inspiring speak­er lineup, and thanks to our generous lo­cal partners, attendees will also receive a complimentary gift bag. I hope you can join us for a meaningful and uplifting morning.

Head to our website to get your tickets.

One of the great strengths of our Shire is the way we honour, preserve and share ourunique story. I’m pleased to share that nominations are now open for the 2026 Forbes Heritage Medal.

The Medal recognises a person or or­ganisation that has made an outstanding contribution to our environmental heritage or to the understanding of that heritage.

Head to our website to learn more and nominate, www.forbes.nsw.gov.au.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Significant progress is underway as part of a major investment to secure Forbes’ long‐term water future. A total of $7.6 million is being invested in this important project, with $4.6 million contributed by the NSW Government and $3 million from Forbes Shire Council.

This work includes the construction of new bores and a 5.3‐kilometre duplication pipeline, both designed to increase our community’s access to reliable, high‐qual­ity water. Once completed, the upgrades are expected to boost capacity by up to 80%, providing a stronger, more resilient water network for residents.

These improvements will play a major role in strengthening Forbes’ drought re­silience, ensuring that during future dry periods our community has the secure, de­pendable water supply it needs.

March is shaping up to be a huge month of events in Forbes, and one of the high­lights is our Seniors Week Give It a Go Festival. It’s a wonderful chance for our older residents to “Live Life in Colour” and explore the many activities and services that help keep our community vibrant.

We’ll kick things off with the much‐loved Seniors Variety Concert on Sunday 1 March at 2pm in the Forbes Town Hall. It’s always a joyful afternoon of music, colour and local talent. Entry is a $5 donation, including afternoon tea, with all proceeds supporting the Vinnies Forbes Conference.

Register at events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6850 2300.

Next Friday, we’ll come together at Lions Park to celebrate International Women’s Day. We’re starting with a 6.30am Pilates session, followed by a community break­fast at 7am. This year’s theme, “Balance the Scales,” encourages us to reflect on fairness, safety and equal access to justice for women and girls.

We’re lucky to have an inspiring speak­er lineup, and thanks to our generous lo­cal partners, attendees will also receive a complimentary gift bag.

I hope you can join us for a meaningful and uplifting morning. Head to our website to get your tickets.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

I recently had the honour of accepting a Community Recognition Award for the 2025 National BBQ Championships. Presented by the Member for Orange Phil Donato, this award acknowledges the incredible community spirit and positive contributions that help strengthen our region.

The recognition was formally recorded in the NSW Parliament through a CommunityRecognition Statement, now part of the of­ficial Hansard record. For me, this award reflects the dedication, hard work, and genuine care shown by so many local in­dividuals who continually strive to support and uplift our community. The momentum generated in 2025 sets the stage for an even larger celebration on 17 and 18 Oc­tober 2026.

Residents will notice changes to the parking layout in Cross Street this week, with the area transitioning to nose‐in park­ing as part of ongoing safety and accessi­bility upgrades. The improvements include new line‐marking for the disabled parking space near Medicine and Mind, ensuring clearer access for those who need it. Up­dated signage will also be installed to re­l

flect the new parking configuration. These changes follow recommendations from the Local Traffic Forum.

I’m delighted to share that we’ve received funding through the Federal Government’s2025-26 Saluting Their Service Commem­orative Grants Program to bring the Lest We Forget Illuminations project to life. For the seven nights leading up to our ANZAC commemoration, the historic Forbes Town Hall will be illuminated with ANZAC image­ry, stories and photos of locals who have served. The display will feature visuals from the Forbes RSL’s nightly ode, along with poppies and other commemorative im­agery, creating a meaningful public tribute that honours service and preserves our lo­cal history.

Our events calendar is absolutely packed, with Clean Up Australia Day, Sen­iors Week, and International Women’s Day all just around the corner. For all the details, visit our website or subscribe to our weekly “What’s On” to have upcoming events de­livered straight to your inbox.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Our community has faced a difficult week with the devastating fire at the Forbes Inn.

Thanks to the rapid and professional re­sponse of NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW and volunteers from our Rural Fire Service, the damage was a lot less exten­sive than it could have been and no injuries were reported. I want to acknowledge the courage of all crews involved, our locals and those that travelled from around the region to assist.

The loss of the Forbes Inn is deeply felt — it served more than 4,000 meals a week, employed 66 staff and supported more than ten local sporting and commu­nity groups. The Hodge family, who have invested so much into this venue, have al­ready expressed their intention to rebuild and I know our community will stand firmly beside them as that journey begins.

While we navigate this setback, Coun­cil continues to look ahead. At the Central West Livestock Exchange, we have com­menced early scoping for a CWLE Master Plan — a long term strategy that will help secure funding and guide future upgrades, technology improvements and operational resilience. This will ensure the CWLE re­mains one of Australia’s leading livestock exchanges and continues to support our region’s agricultural strength.

Council hosted its first free weekly Youth Drop‑In Sessions at the Forbes Youth and Community Centre (YACC) from 4pm to 6pm. on Wednesday nights. These ses­sions offer a relaxed, safe place for stu­dents aged 12–18 to study, unwind and connect. These have been planned as a di­rect response to requests by young people.

Absolutely last call for RSVPs for our Welcome to Forbes event. This lovely night is our special Forbes way of welcoming new members of our community to tour town. It is on Thursday 19 February, from 5.30pm at the Lachie Café, 46 Mary Street.

This is a wonderful opportunity for new residents to meet locals, connect with com­munity groups and learn more about the services, activities and opportunities avail­able across our Shire. There will be light refreshments and plenty of friendly faces, if you have moved to town please come along. RSVP to events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 6850 2300.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

If you’re new to Forbes, I’d love to person­ally welcome you. Council is hosting our next Welcome to Forbes event on Thurs­day 19 February at The Lachie Café from 5.30pm. It’s a relaxed, friendly evening where you can meet locals, learn what’s happening around town and start feeling right at home.

Forbes is a town where there’s always something happening. We want our new­est residents to feel included and confident about getting involved, whether that’s join­ing a local club, attending events or simply meeting friendly faces around town.

I encourage anyone new to our commu­nity to come along to this free gathering.

Please RSVP by Thursday 12 February to events@forbes.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6850 2300. I look forward to meeting you.

I’d like to let residents know about upcom­ing footpath works along Hill Street. From the Dreaming Centre to the Camp Street Bridge, the Hill Street footpath will be tem­porarily closed for around five weeks while a new pathway is constructed.

I understand this may cause some incon­

venience, and I sincerely thank everyone for their patience while the work is carried out. Anyone enjoying a walk around the lake is encouraged to use a different route during this time.

This new pathway is part of our Lake Forbes Activation Plan Footpath Resilience and Betterment Program, a project focused on making our shared spaces safer, more resilient and more enjoyable for everyone.

This upgrade has been made possible through funding from the NSW Community Assets Program, which supports councils in delivering lasting improvements for their communities.

While construction is in progress on the Apex Park redevelopment, the MLAK‐ac­cessible toilet at Apex Park will be una­vailable for the duration of the works. The nearest alternative MLAK facility is located at the Forbes Rugby Club. I look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM

Australia Day provided a wonderful oppor­tunity to recognise the outstanding individ­uals who have contributed to the strength, pride, and spirit of Forbes Shire.

The 2026 Forbes Shire Australia Day Awards were announced at the Citizen of the Year Gala Dinner on Sunday even­ing, where 150 people were in attendance.

We were proud to honour Young Citizen of the Year, Chloe Little, Senior Citizen of the Year, Maureen Field, and Citizen of the Year, John Schrader. Each recipient has made a meaningful contribution to our community, and it was a privilege to cel­ebrate their achievements together.

Forbes Shire is home to so many in­spiring people worthy of recognition, and these awards remind us of the dedication and generosity that make our region such a wonderful place to live. Congratulations once again to Chloe, Maureen, and John, as well as all of the amazing nominees – thank you for helping to make Forbes the vibrant and connected community we cher­ish.

I also wish to extend heartfelt congratula­tions to Nedd Brockmann, born and raised l

in Forbes, on being named the 2026 Young Australian of the Year. Nedd received this prestigious national honour in Canberra in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to combat homelessness, including his nationally celebrated endurance runs and fundraising work. Nedd’s dedication re­flects the strength, compassion and spirit that defines the Forbes Shire, and we are immensely proud of him.

Keeping our community safe is always a top priority. New advanced warning signs have been installed at rail level crossings across Forbes, funded by the NSW Check Point Threat Extraction secured this docu­ment Get Original Government’s Level Crossing Improvement Program.

These upgrades are designed to in­crease driver awareness and reduce the risk of collisions and near‐misses at rial crossings. You’ll now see the new signs at key approaches including Wandary Lane, Herbert Street and other important routes throughout the Shire.

God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM