DRIVER REVIVER WORKS: Works are well and truly coming to a conclusion at Victoria Park for the Driver Reviver Centre.

VARIETY CLUB DROP IN: Last weekend Papa Smurf and the gang dropped into have a drink, a bite to eat and a sing-a-long or two with Judd and the team from the Fat Parcel Food Van in Eugowra – home of the best pulled pork burgers in the Central West!

LIONS AWARENESS DAY: Last Friday Forbes Lions celebrated Lions Awareness Day with the public by holding a barbeque at Forbes Bunnings. The day also served as a membership drive for the group.

YANDHARRA BREAKFAST: Kate Shaw and Jacinda Acheson from Acheson’s Mitre 10 at the Forbes Business Chamber Yandharra Breakfast hosted by Rose De Jong among the gums at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre.

DOCTOR DOCTOR: Dr. Mitchell Somes, Principal GP Dr Neale Somes and Mr Melvin at Forbes Medical Centre. Photo supplied.

PROMO WINNER: Plan B Win A Swag promotion winner Debbie Brown at the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club.

COFFEE FIX BY LARZ: Lara Constable with her coffee van last week at the Crimestoppers National Firearms Amnesty presentation at Victoria Park in Forbes.

LAST DAY OF SUMMER: While many wouldn’t realise it, the last day of summer was this week and one of the wettest on record. Photo courtesy of Amazing Forbes.

THANK YOU: Residents of Tonga have taken to making thank you signs for Forbes Jemalong Retirement residents and staff who, along with Sharnie Morris, have been instrumental in sending vital provisions to the disaster ravaged Pacific island nation. Photo supplied.

WINNERS: Forbes Diggers dominated last weekend winning the 100 metre 10-man relay, the 50 metre and the 100 metre in a scintillating display. Well done!

WATER VIEWS: This cracking shot courtesy of the Amazing Forbes Facebook page perfectly sums up Forbes life in one shot. Send us your photos for our Be Seen section to: editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

BACK AT THE TRACK: Race goers from even as far away as Darwin turned up for the 2022 edition of the Total Wear Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup but for local Cam Shepherd (left) and his friends, it was only a short bus ride to the racecourse.

COLOURFUL ENSEMBLE: The Ladies Fashions In The Field was again another hotly contested event with judging proving extremely difficult for the local judges.

PICKING WINNERS: Adam Molloy and Matthew Corliss trying to pick a winner at the Bedgerabong Picnic Races on Saturday. Apparently their picks are still running.

AND ANOTHER ONE: Forbes resident snakecatcher snaffles another one. More snakes are expected out and about over the next few weeks as conditions dry out. Photo supplied.

RECOGNISED: Keith and Dorothea Croker are remembered at the Forbes Croquet Club for all their dedication and hard work to the sport. Photo by Elvy Quirk.

CATCHING UP: John Carey, Jeanette Lovett, Karen Willis and Brayden Dukes (back) from Currajong Disability Services enjoying the fun and the sun at Forbes Olympic Pool for the FSC supported International Day of People with Disability event.

LOOKING TO PLAY AFL: Forbes Junior AFL, Forbes Swampies and Parkes Panthers have all been making huge strides growing AFL in the region with more and more juniors and women taking up the sport. Follow them all on Facebook for regular updates including clinics, training times and match day info.

BACK TO SCHOOL: All school students like these from Forbes High School, have now returned over the past two weeks under new COVID-safe conditions. Mask wearing when applicable and RATs are just some of the requirements under the new system. Photo supplied.

NATURE ESCAPE: Girragirra Retreat is up and running after floods slowed the normal Christmas rush. The bluechip natural night stay featured on Better Homes and Gardens last week.

BIG TURN OUT: Massive crowds attended the Australia Day festivities at Lion’s Park last week. Aerial courtesy of Josh Gavin.

CELEBRATING OUR NATION: Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller with Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack and his wife, Catherine, along with recent addition to the Australia Day Honours list, Forbes Shire Council GM Steve Loane and his wife, Lisa. Mr Loane accepted his award for his contribution to the livestock industry.

POLLY WANTS A YABBY RACE: Polly and his trusty canine companion Airy, were on hand at Bogan Gate pub for the yabby races which sadly didn’t materialise this year due to smaller attendance numbers.

COTY WINNERS: Senior winners John and Christine Gorton with Mayor Phyllis Miller and Forbes Citizen Of The Year, Laurie Norris, Forbes Ambassador and Para-lympic gold medalist Lindy Hou, junior winner Benjamin Barnard and MC and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance.

RAISING THE WALL: Raising The Wall advocate Tom Green with Federal National’s MP and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack discussing the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall after the region suffered it’s third devastating, generational flood in a decade. Photo supplied.

YOUTH CENTRE FUNDING: Some $52,143 will be invested into the Youth and Community Centre to create access to the existing mezzanine level to improve storage, installation of a rock wall, widen the access ramp at the front entrance to ensure accessibility and compliance with the Council’s Disability Inclusion Plan as well as the installation of new lounges and a TV according to Sam Farraway (left) with Mayor Phyllis Miller and Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance.

PHILING UP IN FORBES: Member for Orange and NSW Shooters Party MP Phil Donato with shoppers at Forbes Handicraft Store doing some last minute pre-Christmas shopping on his quick stopover as he toured the electorate.

RUGBY FUNDING: Sam Farraway was on hand recently with Mayor Phyllis Miller and Deputy Chris Roylance to announce significant funding for South Circle and Grin-stead Oval. They will receive $200,000 to construct two new female change rooms as well as the refurbishment of the existing male change rooms.

SELECTED FOR OCEANIA CUP: Sam Drane (front row) has been selected as part of the Oceania Junior Cup team for 2022. The young Forbes rider has a massive calendar of events this season and will be looking to continue his podium form from the last round of the ASBK Australian Superbikes before Christmas.

SAVE THE DATE: February 7 will see the rescheduled International Day Of People with Disability celebrated and recognised at Forbes Olympic Pool from 10am – 2pm. There will be free pool entry, a BBQ, sport, games and entertainment for everyone! Contact community@forbes.nsw.gov.au by February 2 to RSVP.