AMAZING EFFORT: Lachlan Valley Vets were on hand for the Forbes Spring Races last weekend and as always they did another marvellous job looking after all the wonderful horses. Top work!

HARD WORKING VOLUNTEER: John ‘Tractor’ Rennick, the former Forbes Jockey Club President, was recently awarded Life Membership and had a Maiden Plate in Race 5 named after him last Saturday as a sweetener. You’re a legend!

WE ALL FLOAT DOWN HERE: This cracking photo by local lenswoman Lauren McConnell is a worthy finalist in the Australia-wide Will and Bear and Sony Australia ‘Moments Captured 2021’ competition and if it is up to us this pic will take some beating! Lauren you are a star and good luck!

VAX PROOF: Proof of Vaccination Certificates are available online via Medicare and My Gov as well as in hard copy forms from the administrator of your vaccine shot. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more info. Pictured – Paul Toole.

TASTE ON TEMPLAR: Taste On Templar is on again on Saturday October 30 from 6:30pm. Get your tickets so you don’t miss out! See story on Page 3 for more.

THE WAY WE WERE: Lachlan Street, Forbes in 1906 still holds many similarities to today with the same architecture including the famous Forbes Post Office. If you have any old photos, stories or memories we’d love to hear them. Please email editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

OUT AND ABOUT: Councillors Graeme Miller and Steve Karaitiana were one of many in the Forbes CBD this week enjoying the easing of restrictions by the Perrottet-Toole government on Monday. Both men were checking out FSC beautification works on Templar Street.

SHEARING TIME: This cracking pic by Vince Kirk depicts shearing time in our shire – a region synonymous with sheep and wool.

NOW AND THEN: John Barilaro (middle) with Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM and NSW National’s Sam Farraway at the Forbes Ski Dam. Barilaro resigned from parliament on Monday, three days after former premier Gladys Berejiklian. Paul Toole is the new NSW Nats leader.

FRESH PRODUCE: Forbes Riverside Community Garden volunteer Leo Curran displays some of the fresh produce from the gardens. Membership is only $10 and anyone can join and start their own garden. The garden is open on Saturday mornings for anyone interested from 9am.

DATE NIGHT: Claudia Hart and her hand-raised cockatoo were out after lockdown restrictions were ended for a drink and a quiet meal at the Commercial Hotel in Forbes last week.

ARTWORK AVAILABLE: Mahlah Molloy of Inkheart Designs has a number of artworks available for pick up or delivery including the artist lab range on Australian made high quality canvas prints. You can check out more here – https://inkheart.net/collections/artist-lab-range

WINNER: Haylee Redfern is kicking serious goals in kettlebell and long cycle events – see story back page in sport.

RETIRED: Assistant Deputy Police Commissioner for Western Region Geoff McKechnie retired last week after 33 years in the force.

THANK YOU: Numerous businesses from The Bake-house and Domino’s to countless others have all donated time, gifts and energy as a thank you to all our essential workers during the pandemic.

SNAKES ALIVE: More and more brown snakes are coming out of hibernation and residents are warned to keep an eye out.

CARRAWOBITTY SUNRISE: This photo by local Monica Wren at Carrawobitty is from the RDA Central West Photography Competition that closes today. The theme for 2021 is ‘there’s no place like home’ and applicants are encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown and enter via – www.rdacentralwest.org.au

CORDIAL MOMENT: The J & R.A Genge cordial factory was established in Forbes approximately 1950. With brothers John (Jack) and Roy Genge. Following Roy’s death in 1968 John went into partnership with his brother-in-law Allan Bullock. John then passed away in 1983 with Allan moving the factory from Dowling St to Farnell St. The name then became Lachlan Valley Cordials. Photo courtesy of Forbes Museum.

VINTAGE EFFORT: Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller with Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance checking out the progress of the new Visitor Centre at the Lachlan Vintage Village site.

MEERKAT MANOR: New Meerket pups have been born at Taronga Western Plain Zoo in Dubbo to the delight of staff. Photo courtesy of TWPZ.

FULL: Forbes shire is experiencing mild/ moderate flooding after more rain and water released from Wyangala recently. Photo by Sarah Williams.

CURRENT NSW LOCKDOWN Shaded areas such as Forbes remain in lockdown for now while others such as Cowra have enjoyed more freedoms since last weekend.

DONATION: Forbes Domino’s strike again this time donating pizzas to Forbes SES volunteers for all their tireless efforts the past few weeks as Forbes braces itself for flooding.

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.