Investing in the future of rural and regional communities, the RAS Foundation has se­lected a record 91 students for its 2024 Ru­ral Scholarship program, with nine scholars from the Central West named in this year’s cohort.

Now in its 14th year, the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship program offers financial support to tertiary education students who are helping shape the future of regional NSW by forging careers within rural or re­gional communities.

Record funds of $516,000 will be distrib­uted among this year’s scholarship recipi­ents, with an aim to help ease the burdens associated with pursuing higher education such as relocating to urban centres, study costs, and the inability to work consistently due to study.

The scholarship program is open to stu­dents across NSW and the ACT who are currently enrolled or applying for study in an accredited tertiary course at an Austral­ian university, college, or TAFE, with no limits imposed on age or the types of de­gree that qualify.

Central West scholarship recipients are studying a range of courses, including vet­erinary science, psychology and agricul­ture, and are looking forward to applying their newly acquired knowledge and skills within their local regional communities at the completion of their studies.

The RAS Foundation awards up to $6000 to Rural Scholarship recipients undertak­ing full-time study, or up to $3000 for those studying part-time, made possible with the assistance of generous donors, including The Snow Foundation and UNE Founda­tion.

Over 900 scholarships have been provid­ed to students across Australia, including targeted scholarships for careers in both regional journalism and the Australian wine industry.

Applications for the 2025 RASF Rural Scholarship will open on 1 July 2024. For further information, visit www.rasf.org.au

Saturday 8th June saw the staging of the annual ‘Can-Assist Charity Golf Day’. This is a 4-person Ambrose event open to golf­ers and non-golfers alike, with a field of 116, comprising 85 golfers and 31 non-golfers.

The Scratch winners on the day were the team of Clint Hurford, Shane Sallaway, Damien Kennedy and Kell Becquet, with a score of 62.

The Nett Winners were Peter Mitchell, Andrew Grierson, Cindy Hillier and Grant Tranter, who managed a nett 51 5/8 off their 8 3/8 handicap, and who started the day with four birdies.

As usual, the community were generous in their sponsorship, so the prize list was quite extensive. Other Nett prizes included:

• R-up: C Banks, J Banks, N Morrison, J Sharkey.

• 3rd: D Ashton, Ash Davies, M Inder, N Inder.

• 4th: P Cowhan, L Cowhan, B Robinson, N Greenhalgh

• 5th: P Duke, M Duke, T Duke, Alf DaviesThe NTPs went to:

• Men: 1st J House, 3rd S Brindle, 9th S Sallaway, 18th P Mitchell

• Ladies: 1st nil, 3rd B Duncan, 9th G Bay­ley, 18th S Grierson.

• 2nd shot on 12th: Men Liam Fraser, La­dies Sharon Grierson

• Super Pin on 9th Shane SallawayAt the presentation, organiser Andrew Grierson thanked those who sponsored prizes, and the many players, both golfers and non-golfers, who had travelled to par­ticipate in the event. He also thanked the Can-Assist committee who ran the Half­way House and lunch BBQ and attended to all the other bits and pieces. The money raised amounted to over $3,000 which will help the work of the Forbes Can-Assist branch.

By Short Putt

National Seniors Australia (NSA) has proudly launched the Inaugural Everald Compton Community Champion Medal to acknowledge older unsung heroes while also recognising NSA’s Founding Father.

NSA Chief Executive Officer Mr Chris Grice said the medal honours NSA’s Found­ing Fathers’ long standing and outstand­ing contribution to the Australian commu­nity while celebrating everyday champions whose grassroot experiences and selfless contributions make a significant difference to their communities.

“At NSA, we are constantly reminded of the amazing, yet humble members of our older community. Whether they’re volun­teering, donating time and skills, or caring for others – what they do and how they do it is often so selfless and inspiring,” Mr Grice said.

“The Everald Compton Community Champion Medal is a distinguished ac­colade that acknowledges these unsung heroes among older Australians. It also re­flects NSA’s values of fairness, excellence, and respect exemplified by Everald’s own experience and achievements.”

“Too often and too easily, older Austral­ians get cast aside. But they’re an asset and shouldn’t be ignored. At 92 I am proof age brings with it experience, wisdom and a spirit that should be appreciated and cel­ebrated.”

Mr Grice said he’s keen to learn about and celebrate the inspiring stories of older Australians and encourages people who know an older unsung hero to check for eli­gibility criteria and apply.

To nominate for the Everald Compton Community Champion Medal, visit nation­alseniors.com.au/stories/everald-compton-community-champion-medal.

Nominations open on 23rd May=, close on 15th August and the winner will be an­nounced on 1st October 2024.

This week marks the beginning of this year’s NSW Seniors Festival. The annual two-week festival includes a range of events delivered for the community by Council, local community groups and service providers to celebrate our seniors and give them the opportunity to learn new skills, make new connections or find a new hobby.

If you are interested in joining in on the festivities, contact Council to find out more and register for our events. All of the details for the Seniors Festival events can be found in our weekly What’s On E-newsletter and on our social media pages. If you haven’t subscribed to What’s On you really need to – contact Council to ask to go onto the mailing list!

As you can appreciate repairs to the roads post flood is a massive job. Our teams are working very hard to undertake this work and unfortunately this does take time. There has already been over $10 million spent on repairing our roads this financial year with more to come. Please continue to bear with us as we work away at this massive task.

We currently have crews working on South Condobolin Road, Bedgerabong Road, New Grenfell Road and Lachlan Valley Way towards Cowra with recent heavy patching work undertaken on The Bogan Way and Warraderry Way.

If you are travelling in or around road work sites, please take care and follow the instruction of signs and traffic control officers to keep our community safe. Remember these staff are often our friends and family and they need to go home safely each night.

Until next week, God bless
Phyllis Miller, OAM – Forbes Mayor

Autumn 2024

Easy: (5 to 10 kilometres) Mostly flat to slightly undulating topography. Suitable for those with a minimum level of fitness.

Medium: (5 to 8 kilometres) May be over moderate hills or rough terrain. Suitable for an average fitness level.

Hard: (5 or more kilometres) Walk may involve hilly or mountainous terrain, rough tracks, a trackless route or an extended distance. Walk suitable for above average fitness level.

Thursday March 7 Goobang NP East Boundary Trail south end off Wellington Rd

Meet 9am at Lions Park Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586. Medium 6kms

Thursday March 21 Nangar NP. Glen Echo Trail Medium 6kms Meet Pioneer Park,

The Escort Way Eugowra 9.30am Leaders Liz and Graeme MacRaild Liz 0455 915 989

Sunday April 21. Conimbla NP: Walk to the lookout Meet at 9.30am Gooloogong

Memorial Park cnr Main St (Lachlan Valley Way) and King St (Warraderry Way) Easy.

4km. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586

Wednesday April 24 Meeting 2pm 2499 Amaroo Way Cookamidgera

Thursday May 2 Kokoda North Parkes Mines Offset Block tbc Meet Lions Park

Molong Rd Parkes 9am. Contact: Martin Bell 0429 346 586

Philip Donato

Domestic violence (DV) is a scourge in the community.

Birds in the Bush, a not for profit volunteer organisation will be hosting their annual fundraiser on 2nd May at Banksia, near Orange.

Special guest this year is former international tennis star and commentator Jelena Dokic.

Proceeds will go to The Orchard, Housing Plus Domestic Violence Refuge Facility in Orange for the protection of women and children.

You can purchase a shirt like the one i’m wearing, and tickets to the event online Birds In The Bush and help support this wonderful event and important cause.

Red Bend Catholic College

2024 OPEN DAY – Sunday March 17, 10am-1pm.

Make sure to mark this date in your calendar. Open Day is the perfect opportunity to come and visit the College to see what we have to offer. Oh, and the food is amazing also

Parkes Shire Council

Community groups and businesses in the Parkes Shire will be able to find grants easier with the launch of a free funding platform on the Parkes Shire Council website.

All you need to do is register on the Parkes Shire Grant Finder (grantguru. com) site to give you access to the 364 community grants worth $28.5 billion currently available.

Parkes Shire Council’s Mayor, Neil Westcott, said the platform will be a valuable tool for our community. You can start your new grant journey by registering here: Parkes Shire Grant Finder (grantguru.com)

For information contact Council’s Grants team at grants@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Forbes Uniting Church

A new and exciting event for Forbes Uniting Cafe Church is starting next Saturday!!!!

Sylvia and the team Lachlan Vintage Village Cafe are working on some great food options and we are so blessed that they have come on board to be our venue.

Everyone is welcome to attend and spend time in fellowship and share in the Word of God

Parkes Christian School

PCS enrolments expo – monday, 4 March.

Our High School provides so many opportunities for senior students and thanks to Compressed Curriculum. This system sees students complete three entire HSC subjects in Year 11 and then three more in Year 12.

To find out more about Compressed Curriculum and our school in general, come along to our Expo from 5pm next Monday evening.

Landcare Australia

It’s not too late to take part in Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 3 March, 2024.

It’s Clean Up Australia’s biggest week of practical environmental action and a great way to help improve your local area or a place that needs some TLC.

Go to https://register.cleanup.org.au/ and register now to receive your Clean Up kit of materials.

St Laurence’s Parish School Forbes

We have just announce our 2024 Mission Captains. We’re proud to present the dedicated individuals leading our efforts in Project Compassion this year. Their commitment to serving others and raising funds for Caritas is truly inspiring. Stay tuned for updates on our fundraising initiatives and join us in making a difference

Council has officially opened nominations for our 2024 Citizens of the Year which are announced during Australia Day commemorations in Forbes. Applications are now being taken for Junior Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Citizen of the Year. Who do you know in our wonderful community who goes above and beyond and deserves to be recognised. Whether it’s sporting or academic achievement, voluntarily giving of time and self to keep our town, or someone who is exceptional. Start thinking about worthy recipients and get your nominations in; application forms can be found on our website; www.forbes.nsw.gov.au 

This year’s Citizen of the Year was Paul Faulkner, recognised for his efforts guiding the Bedgerabong school community through the devastating 2022 floods. Shirley Dukes and Max Reid were Senior and Junior citizens, their efforts as dedicated volunteers and just pitching in to give a hand are definitely worth commemorating. 

It was lovely to make presentations to the latest recipients of our Community Funding Program at last month’s Council meeting. These grants are open to groups within the Forbes shire for sponsorship or assistance in a variety of areas – like sports, arts, community services and rural village enhancements. Congratulations to these groups. The next round of funding is now open (two rounds of funding are awarded each year), with applications being taken until January 31 2024. To find out more email community@forbes.nsw.gov.au – I encourage all groups to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to secure funding or sponsorship for their community. 

Until next week, fingers crossed and God bless! 

Phyllis Miller, OAM
Forbes Mayor 

On Saturday 8th July, only 27 players braved the cold, however the arrivals found the game enjoyable. Three wins were recorded by Merv Langfield, Joan Littlejohn, Neville Spry and Rex Toole. Well done to those players and particularly to Merv as he hasn’t been around for a while so great to see him back.

We are looking forward to our home game on Sunday 23rd July 23 at Gaggin Oval. The day is set to be a beauty, with five junior grades. This will see the debut of our under 10’s side which will be made up of our senior Auskicker’s who will transition into junior footy for the first time. Get excited!

Cutting-edge motorcycle detection testing technology has been introduced at Transport for NSW’s vehicle testing and research centre to help make our roads safer for both drivers and motorcyclists across the state.

The newest and most advanced testing technology is aimed at preventing motorcycle collisions and has been rolled out alongside the completion of a new 400 metre intersection at the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre (FMTRC) in Cudal.

The new technology can assess how well a car detects and avoids collisions with motorcyclists. In NSW, motorcycle registrations have jumped by 20 per cent to nearly 280,000 in the last five years, and tragically, on average, 58 motorcyclists are killed and almost 1000 seriously injured on NSW roads every year.

“This new technology upgrade will allow ANCAP to advance to the latest, most sophisticated set of criteria for its vehicle safety ratings in NSW and cements this facility as a world-class autonomous technology testing site.

“The safety testing carried out at this site benefits all road users from families to freight operators, and importantly keeps jobs and knowledge in Australia.” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.

The NSW Government’s expansion of its testing capabilities and on-site expertise in Cudal is critical to the work of Australasia’s independent vehicle safety testing organisation, ANCAP. 

The world-class site is helping the automotive industry and developers realise the next generation of safety enhancements that will benefit all road users.

The new crossroad intersects the existing 1.6-kilometre runway at the former Hazelton airport site. The $1.2 million intersection was constructed by TfNSW teams from across the Central West, along with a contractor’s local crews.

To date the Cudal site has delivered more than 80 test and research programs. Other recent upgrades to the FMTRC include the installation of EV charging facilities, refurbishment of the existing house with fit-for-purpose office spaces for testing teams, and an upgrade to 5G connectivity across the site to facilitate advanced vehicle testing.