INLAND RAIL PRESENTATION: Recently Inland Rail reps completed a detailed presentation for Forbes CWA. CWA Forbes Evening Branch President Robyn Miller here with Inland Rail’s Amanda Dunn.

WINNER: Condobolin artist Robert Sloane’s painting Mirri (dragonfly) was awarded first place in the 2021 Catholic-Care Wilcannia-Forbes – CCWF Aboriginal Art Competition (judged before lockdown). Judges Wilcannia-Forbes Bishop, Columba Macbeth-Green, CCWF CEO Anne-Marie Mioche and artist Raymond Thorpe pictured.

HOMESCHOOL: Children from across the Forbes region are homeschooling with the rest of NSW during lockdown.

PROGRESS: The team from Darren Cowan along with FSC have been hard at it at Lion’s Park the past few weeks building a new stage.

BIG CROWDS: Large numbers queued on Saturday and from mid-morning Sunday to get their first or second dose vaccine. While numbers were slower on Monday, around 70% of Forbes has had at least one vaccination.

HELPING OUR COMMUNITY: McDonalds Forbes like Dominos and other businesses, have rallied together to support the local community during the latest Stay-At-Home lockdown.

FLOODING: With Wyangala over 101.7% capacity last week after more recent rains, water has begun to be let out of the dam.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS: Forbes SES is looking for local volunteers to join to help boost numbers after two years of COVID, bushfires and now floods.

COVID TESTERS: COVID testing in Forbes hasn’t been as impressive as vaccination rates while an ADF run Pop Up Vaccination Clinic will be set up from tomorrow August 28-30th.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: NSW Shooters Party MP Phil Donato in Orange last week where he launched a comprehensive mental health directory for everyone in the electorate to receive over the coming weeks.

BUSY TIMES: Forbes Medical Centre staff Rebecca Cassidy and Bronte Everingham with Practice Manager Dave Borger last Saturday at the clinic administering COVID-19 vaccines to the Forbes community.

UNDERWAY: Last week work was underway on the new lighting at Spooners. Along with a raft of other works, Spooner Oval one day may be able to make a case to host NRL games.

TIM LYNCH SNAP: Shooters are encouraged to follow the Forbes Sporting Shooters Facebook page for all the latest updates.

CANCELLED FOR 2021: Grazing Down The Lachlan is an unfortunate casualty of COVID after the committee made the heart-wrenching decision to cancel the 2021 event. There are plans to pick-up again next year.

ABSTRACT ART EXHIBITION: Forbes Art Society and Platypus Gallery are holding a number of COVID-safe exhibitions this month including an exhibit for first time local female artists like Shelly Borham, called Abstract Distractions until August 29. All art will be available for purchase.

END OF THE RAINBOW: This brilliant snap by resident photographer Vince Kirk captures our beautiful town after recent showers. Winter 2021 has been among the wettest in recent history with the potential of more to come in the back half of the year.

FUNDING BOOST: NSW National’s Sam Farraway with Aileen Allen from the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Cr. Steve Karaitiana and Bruce Adams at the announcement of funding for a native bush garden last week.

BOOK PARADE: Children and staff from schools across Forbes participated in a COVID-safe Education Week and Book Week series of activities recently. Children across all schools had a blast.

GREAT DAY: Forbes North Public School celebrating a great day at the recent Lachlan PSSA Championships in Parkes.

OUT AND ABOUT: Forbes Shire Council’s Sarah Williams was out and about in the Forbes Shire last week assisting the community along with other FSC staff and providing info during Local Government Week.

FILLING UP: Matthew Corliss standing on the banks of Bundaburrah Creek outside Forbes. Water levels continue to rise in the region after heavy winter rains.

FJC ENGINE ROOM: Some of the amazing volunteers from Forbes Jockey Club that made the recent running of the Forbes Cup one of the best yet.

PARTY TIME: Forbes Magpies and Post Office Hotel connections enjoying the Forbes Cup last Sunday in cold and wet conditions.

DAY OUT: Dakota Doyle and Brad Hines enjoyed a day out at the Forbes Cup on the weekend.

ROUND TABLE: Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller with Shan Hodge, Jesse Newcombe and councillor Chris Roylance sharing race tips at Forbes racecourse last weekend at the Forbes Cup.

POSTPONED: The Agribusiness Today Forum Committee has announced the postponement of this year’s event due to the increased risk related to the latest COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales. The forum will take place next year at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel on Thursday, 4 August and will be followed by a local field visit on Friday, 5 August 2022. Photo by Ebony Hewitt.

CW LLS UPDATE: A Local Land Services vet alert has seen increased mastitis in lambing ewes. If you have any questions about mastitis you can get in contact with us by calling the Central West Local Land Services Forbes Office on 6850 1600. Photo courtesy of Megan Rutherford.

NEW RDA COMMITTEE: RDA Central West Committee (L-R) Tracie Robertson, John Magill, Ian Sanders, Ruth Fagan, Peter Bishop, Christine Weston, Reg Kidd, Diana Fear and David Sherley.

RAINBOWS AT WAROO: With all the rain comes rainbows as Vince Kirk discovered at Waroo where he took this great pic of a rainbow. Rainfall for July 2021 is already past this time last year with more predicted.

GOTCHA: Forbes children enjoyed a revamped activities program last holidays but despite the restrictions had loads of fun!

QUICK STOPOVER: Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Forbes Shire Councillor Jenny Webb inspecting a raft of works conducted via Forbes Shire Council.

QUICK VISIT: Member for Riverina and National’s MP Michael McCormack making a sweeping visit to Forbes this week to update Forbes Shire Council on a number of projects.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN: Despite COVID coming back to parts of NSW, Forbes children were able to participate in a number of COVID safe events put on by the Forbes Youth Action Team.

LADDER TO LEARNING: National’s MP Michael McCormack with Learning Ladder Forbes, Aiden Clarke, on his whirlwind tour this week.

WINTERY CONDITIONS: Along with almost matching last year’s rainfall with two weeks to go, Forbes has also been cold with the lowest temp nearly -2 degrees back on July 8. Photo courtesy of Therese Faerie.

TAKING EUGOWRA BY STORM: The Fat Parcel Food van in Eugowra is fast becoming the best little eatery for those looking for a weekend bite to eat.

B AND B: Brushes and Bubbles was a massive hit among Forbes children during the July school holiday period.

CLAY KEY CHAIN FUN: Despite COVID restrictions in the school holidays, some activities still went ahead including Key Chain making.

OUTSTANDING ORG FINALIST: Forbes PreSchool has been nominated for a prestigious HESTA award for Outstanding Organisation.

FUNDING BOOST: Topsoil Organics has been announced as a major winner in the Regional Job Creation fund which is set to create future opportunities and industry in Forbes and turbo-charge their expansion and most importantly, jobs for our locals.

FUN AND GAMES: A watered down, COVID friendly school holiday program ran across Forbes through the winter break.

STORM AND WATER TRAINING: Last week units across the region joined with Forbes members to take part in four days of Storm & Water training. Members spent days 1-3 learning about what to expect during storm and water damage operations, tools and equipment, ropes and knots, temporary repairs and working at heights.