DOG DAY AFTERNOON: With a record harvest on the horizon, every man, woman and his dog were on hand on the farm on the weekend.

HALLOWEEN FUN: Lindy Colvin and Kerry Locke at the Commercial Hotel enjoying Halloween shenanigans and holding the fort for Chris Hodge behind the bar.

FAIR-LY GOOD DAY: Paige Nicholson with son Miles Wren at the Forbes Fair last weekend. From all reports the little man had a great time and shoots better than dad!

SCHOOLS OUT, YOUR SHOUT: Even some of our favourite teachers and childcare educators turned out for Taste On Templar last Saturday night.

ACHO’S DOING IT RIGHT: Acheson’s Mitre 10 held
a BBQ last Saturday along with Forbes Lions to raise funds for the global charity in another positive initiative by Acheson’s who have also opened a new garden centre and are offering a variety of amazing shopping experiences for locals.

PERFECT DAY FOR IT: There were plenty of boats and kayaks on the lake over the weekend as well as plenty of fishing. Pic by @nautiquesport_200.

NO CLOWNING AROUND: Ruben and Luke Molloy couldn’t wait to have a crack at the clowns at the Forbes Fair last weekend.

TASTE BUDS READY: Mayor Phyllis Miller with patrons at the Hazell and Field Accountants and Advisors Taste On Templar event last Saturday night to raise vital funds for the Forbes CanAssist Branch.

BREAST CANCER MONTH: Central West Credit Union went all pink last week to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month held every October. Pic courtesy of CWCU Forbes.

WELL-EARNED REST: Vince Kirk and his trusty furry companion have a well-deserved break from farm work. See Rural Round Up for more on this year’s bumper harvest. Pic courtesy of Vince Kirk.

THEY’RE HANGING AROUND: Last week we reported Paul ‘Boo’ Newcombe, Forbes Snakecatcher had caught 33 so far this Spring – Clive brings the total to 35… and counting. Clive Hocking caught these two near his garden across from Hughie Wilson Oval.

FARMERS MARKETS RETURN: Forbes Farmers Markets returned last weekend with people coming out in their droves to support local vendors after a disruptive 18 months for trade. Pic courtesy of FSC.

LEGO MASTER: Congratulations Clara (pictured) and Harrison on being the winners of the FSC Lego Masters Competition! Well done and thank you to everyone who participated in our online School Holiday Program! #SchoolHolidays2021 #legomasters #winnersaregrinners

NEW HOURS: The Forbes Toy Library will be closed on Thursday and open every second Saturday until December 1. As a result of varied hours, the volunteer organisation will waive all late fees.

WORTHY RECIPIENT: Congrats Forbes Medicine and Mind Nurse Manager, Nadine Moxey, who accepted the winners trophy at the Pen CS Awards in the ‘CAT Plus Super User’ category via an online ceremony for some amazing work in data analytics.

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.