The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed an announcement that the Federal Government has committed to in­troducing a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obli­gation (UOMO).

If enshrined by legislation, the world-first proposal means telecommunications com­panies will be legally bound to guarantee basic, outdoor voice and text mobile cover­age across every corner of Australia.

NFF President David Jochinke, who had attended the announcement at the NSW Rural Fire Service HQ, said the obligation would both create and safeguard a right for every Australian to access basic calls and text services from any location.

This announcement is made possible due to Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO­Sats) and the arrival of ‘Direct to Device’ technology.

“Mobile black spots are a huge source of frustration for people in the bush. Coverage gaps can compromise safety and make it harder to run a business,” Mr Jochinke said.

“This new obligation will ensure that the safety of rural Australians, and their access to basic mobile services, cannot be put in the too-hard basket.

The obligation would secure new mobile coverage across an estimated 5 million square kilometres of land, including more than 37,000 kilometres of regional roads.

Woolworths has expanded its low-sensory Quiet Hour to five days a week, an expe­rience designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs.

During Quiet Hour, most Woolworths stores will lower lights, turn down music or radio, turn off beeps at the register and turn off oven buzzers for an hour, every Monday to Friday between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Quiet hour was developed in consultation with disability service provider Life Without Barriers and launched in 2019 one day a week to meet the need in the community for a low-sensory shopping experience.

Since then, the initiative has rolled out to over 900 stores across Australia.

Jeanette Fenske, Woolworths Director of Stores, said: “We continue to receive positive feedback from customers on the initiative, and our teams take great pride in ensuring the stores are quieter and less stressful for customers during this time.

“Quiet Hour is now an integral part of how we aim to assist independence in our stores, in addition to the opportunity pro­vided by Direct to Boot and delivery options for many customers.

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said: “The expansion of Quiet Hour at Woolworths from one to five week days is a fantastic initiative that recognis­es and is actively responding to different needs in the community.

“Life Without Barriers has been delighted with Woolworths leadership to give people more options to do their shopping in store and increase their independence in an en­vironment that is not stressful and over­whelming to them.”

Quiet Hour now runs from 10:30am – 11:30am every Monday to Friday in most stores nationally.

The NSW Return and Earn scheme has hit a new record, celebrating a staggering 13 billion bottles, cans and cartons returned through the return point network since the scheme began. This means over $1.3 bil­lion in container refunds have gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting amazing causes. Over $72 mil­lion has also been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees.

Following a record-breaking summer, with 23 December 2024 setting a record for the biggest single day ever at 10.3 million containers, 2024 ended as our biggest year yet with 2.125 billion containers returned.

“This achievement shows just how im­portant drink container recycling is across NSW. With over 650 convenient and ac­cessible return points, it has never been easier to recycle in our state,” said James Dorney, CEO of network operator, TOMRA Cleanaway.

“Thanks to all the people of NSW, what was once seen as waste is now a valuable resource, delivering significant environ­mental, social and economic benefits. “ “Recycling isn’t just about cleaning up the environment – it’s about turning waste into valuable resources to grow our circular economy. Together, we are contributing to a more sustainable future, where the mate­rials that our bottles, cans and cartons are made of are kept in use and out of landfill,” said Ms. Smalley.

Return and Earn has raised funds for everything from weddings and holidays to free care flights for sick children and meals for people who are doing it tough. Com­munity members can donate their refund to one of over 300 donation partners listed on the Return and Earn app or to the cur­rent statewide donation partner, food relief charity, Foodbank NSW & ACT.

For more information visit www.returnan­dearn.org.au.

The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students in the coming weeks and the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around school zones.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Please obey the parking signs around schools. They are there to keep children safe. There are 40km/h school speed zones around all schools in NSW. The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm. Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns,” she said.

Child restraint laws require children up to seven years old to be restrained in an ap­proved child restraint. For more information visit www.childcarseats.com.au

Some road safety rules to follow

• Where possible, drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road.

• Make sure children use the footpathside door when getting in and out of a car – this is called the safety door

• Use a pedestrian crossing where pos­sible and avoid being distracted by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones whilst walk­ing.

• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.

• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or Skateboard.

• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.

“Road safety around schools is every­body’s responsibility – students, teachers,parents, carers and drivers. We all have a part to play” Ms Suitor said.

Forbes Shire residents who have made significant contributions or outstanding achievements to the community over the last 12 months have been recognised by being nominated for the Forbes Shire Coun­cil 2025 Australia Day Awards. The official ceremony at the Gala Dinner will start at 7pm and include the speeches from Mayor Miller and Australia Day Ambassador, Ange Clarke, and the presentation of the awards.

Young Citizen of the Year Nominees

Sam Mackay: Sam is a 23-year-old local stock and station agent who is heavily in­volved in the Forbes community.

Freya Hooper: Freya is an 18-year-old lo­cal who achieved equal first place in NSW for Primary Industries in the 2024 HSC.

Grace Barbary: Grace is an 18-year-old local girl who has achieved academic suc­cess at Forbes High School, Aurora College and the NSW School of Languages.

Isabella Brown: Isabella is an 18-year-old student who was awarded Dux of Forbes High School in 2024, achieving an impres­sive ATAR score of 92.75.

Annika Dukes: Annika, a 20-year-old lo­cal has worked at Life Pharmacy over the last two years, studying in a Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensing.

Indrie O’Connell: Indrie, 12 years old, was elected as the first Youth Chairperson of the Forbes Youth Action Team, demonstrating leadership and commitment.

Senior Citizen of the Year Nominees

Bob and Freda Drinkwater: Bob and Fre­da have cared for their son, Scott, who is totally blind and needs care and assistance from them 24 hours per day.

Peter and Elaine Bright: Peter and Elaine are stalwarts of volunteer organisations in Forbes and are driving forces of the Forbes Lions Club.

Kevin Dwyer: Kevin is best known for his many years steering the ship for local com­munity radio station Valley FM.

Lloyd Gerdes: Lloyd contributes signifi­cantly to the Forbes community by volun­teering for a number of local organisations, including 40 years with Forbes Probus.

Helen Smith: Helen has volunteered with St Vincent de Paul in Forbes for over 20 years, helping locals facing poverty and making herself available to help people in need.

Citizen of the Year Nominees

Tami Hanley (Stewart): Tami is an integral part of the family business, Michael Hanley Funerals. She shows compassion and care, assisting families during emotional times.

Rosie Johnston: Rosie’s vision and enthu­siasm have shaped the legacy of art and tourism in Forbes. She created the concept for Somewhere Down the Lachlan.

Jack Buckley: Jack is the owner and phar­macist at Life Pharmacy and Flannery’s Pharmacy in Forbes. He was awarded 2024 Pharmacist of the Year at the Independent Pharmacies of Australia Excellence Awards.

Donna Bliss: Donna has made a meaning­ful impact on the Aboriginal community of Forbes in her work at Yoorana Gunya Fam­ily Healing Centre and Binaal Billa Family Violence and Prevention Legal Service.

Tim West: Tim has played a pivotal role in developing programs for vulnerable and dis­connected males in his work as the Forbes Location Manager for Boys to the Bush.

Maree Yapp: Maree is passionate about young people in the Forbes community, working as the Schools as Community Fa­cilitator at Forbes North Public School.

Kim Muffet: Kim is well known in the local arts scene through his volunteer work with the Forbes Arts Society.

Keith Mullette: Keith has had a huge influ­ence on the local art scene and the tourism economy in Forbes through his many years of dedication to the Forbes Arts Society.