What a night! By all accounts, the Forbes Christmas Carnival was a resounding success. “We were absolutely delighted with the response to the Christmas Carnival” said Forbes Business Chamber President, Aaron Acheson. 

“There were market stalls, businesses open and out on the street, rides, pre-school performances, dance and music, food and lots of activities,” said Aaron. 

Santa and Mrs Claus arrived on the fire truck and then Santa took pride of place seated on his chair in the middle of the Forbes Youth Group activity center. 

“Thank you to everyone, every contribution, large or small, is of great value. We rely on the generosity of people’s time to make this event a success,” said Aaron. 

There is only two weeks until the big draws take place. Keep supporting the participating businesses who are displaying the Find It In Forbes Christmas Tree. 

Remember to click on the QR code when you shop locally for a chance to be in the draw. Last weeks winner was Tracey Mongan from Eugowra. 

Draws take place every Thursday at 5pm. There are seven $500 prizes drawn weekly up until Christmas Eve and then 10 x $500, 1 x $1,500, 2 x $2,500 and 1 x $5,000 prize which will be drawn on Saturday, 24th December. 

Major Sponsors and participants are: Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Business Chamber. Gold Sponsor is Bernardis, Silver Sponsors are Terry Bros Carpet Court and the Forbes Phoenix. Bronze Sponsors are Flannery’s Pharmacy, Gunn’s Menswear and Embroidery, MD Steel, Steele Technology, Walkers Ag N Vet and WA Knights. 

“All of the sponsor businesses will have a QR code for you to scan when you shop in their business,” said Aaron. For those who need, there will be a sign-on-sheet for you to use. Your details will be entered manually prior to each draw. 

 

The Forbes Mens Shed is putting out a call for new members to come along and join them. Have you ever considered joining? Or wondered what they do? If so, then do not hesitate a moment longer, head along and say hi.

Men’s sheds, or community sheds, are non-profit local organisations that provide a space for craftwork and social interaction. The movement originated in Australia around the 1980s as a way to improve the health and wellbeing of older men. There are over 900 located across Australia, with thousands of active members.

The Forbes Mens Shed are expanding and welcome anyone, regardless of age. Jim Walklate is the new president of the organisation and is hoping to get some new, younger members interested in joining. 

The Forbes Men’s Shed are looking to recruit new members that range from 12 years of age up to retirement age. “It is important to let everyone know that as a club most of us have obtained our Working With Childrens Checks so that we are able to have young men come and join us,” said Jim.

Norm Haley is the current secretary for the Forbes Men’s Shed, recently stepping down having served as president for 12 years. 

A focus on men’s health and wellbeing is the foundation for the formation of the Men’s Shed organisation. “A lot of men suffer from mental health issues and they won’t talk to their wives or their families, but yet they will talk to a mate and open up,” said Norm. 

Jim and Norm invite you to come along to the Forbes Men’s Shed if you have a trade or some expertise to share. If you want to learn, then come along there will be someone happy to take you under their wing. One of Norms favorite sayings is: “We can all still learn.” 

Forbes Men’s Shed are grateful for the community support they have received over the years, recounting a story about a local farmer who sold his property and then donated $125,000 to the Forbes Men’s Shed for the purchase of the land in Union St. They broke ground to begin building on the site on 6th May, 2018. 

The Forbes Men’s Shed is located in Union St. The cream coloured shed with a green fence and large sign reading ‘Forbes Community Menshed’ is hard to miss. The shed is open from 9am to 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call in and check it out, and you’ll be sure to make some new mates while you’re there.

Nine preschools across New South Wales, including Forbes Preschool, will take part in a new study providing free health and development tests for children before they start school.

The state-wide program is an Australian first, with checks assessing hearing, vision, physical and cognitive development, social and emotional development,communication and skills.

The study will help inform the state-wide rollout of the program and will include different types of tests in different locations.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was leading the nation with a $15.9 billion investment in early childhood commitments including health and development checks for children in preschools.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the study will run from late November 2022 until February 2023.Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the program aims to give more families the support they need if it is discovered their child is not on track to meet key milestones.

“A child’s health and development plays an important part in their school journey and these checks will identify issues early so that action plans and support measures can be put in place early,” said Mr Hazzard.

Find the ELF in the Shop is another exciting activity added to this season’s Christmas program in Forbes. 

The Forbes Business Chamber and Forbes Shire Council launched the activity to encourage children, young people and adults to wander the businesses, use the clues and seek out an Elf that is hidden and stand a chance to win 6 x $50 Why Leave Town cards. 

“Basically, this is a treasure hunt reaching across 15 stores with an ELF in their front window or in a prominent position that is visible during and after hours. The competition runs from the 1st to 20th of December” said Chamber President Aaron Acheson.

Clues will be printed on the back of the entry form to direct community members to participating stores. 

When the ELF is found the details, including the name of the store are to be completed on the entry form. Hand your completed form into Forbes Shire Council office by close of business on the 20th December. 

“We would like to thank Josh Matic from the Phoenix Group of Newspapers for his kind sponsorship and support of the Elf in the Shop activity. Together we will add some magic to Christmas for the children in the area.” said Aaron.

Council and the Forbes Business Chamber are encouraging children to write their letters to Santa as soon as possible so he can send a reply to each and every child. 

“It has been a difficult year for some students with the floods preventing time together with friends, so we have partnered with Santa to provide letter templates and a post box in the reception area of the Council Administration building,” said Forbes Shire Council General Manager Steve Loane. 

“We want to bring back the excitement of receiving a letter in the mail, especially from Santa!” 

Santa Letters need to be posted by 20th December at the Council office. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a joint Commonwealth and State Government disaster recovery package this week, which includes $50,000 Small Business Grants. 

“We congratulate both the Federal and State Governments for moving so swiftly to ensure the Small Business Grant is announced and launched and we are particularly pleased to see that the first $25,000 will be paid out quickly” said Vicki Seccombe, Regional Director – Western NSW, Business NSW. 

“Central West businesses are incredibly resilient but these floods have really affected so many businesses and these grants will provide them with the support they need to get the doors back open and running.” 

Forbes Floods Donations and Help 

Forbes Shire Council has set up a GIVIT donation page to match you up with people who need help. If you want to donate go to www.givit.org.au/donate-items. If you need help call 1300 585 054 or email givit@forbes.nsw.gov.au 

Service NSW 

If you need to replace your licence, birth, death or marriage certificates after the flood, Service NSW has set up a mobile service in the Lawler Street car park to immediately help residents. This service will be available from 9am – 4pm until today (Friday) and will then be in the Recovery Assistance hub in the Town Hall concourse from Monday. 

Rotary Ipomoema has confirmed that the 10th Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place as planned from Friday, 2nd December to Sunday, 4th December.

All entries need to be delivered to the Forbes Town Hall from 7am on Friday, 2nd December.

Anyone can enter. No matter how big or small, your entry will brighten our community at this time when the spirit of Christmas is really needed.

Your tree could reflect your organisation, the festive season or have a Christmas message. There are no restrictions. A sewing group could decorate their tree with patch work decorations, for example. A school or pre-school can make paper decorations for a tree, while a choir could decorate a tree with musical notes or carols. A sporting group could make lots of ball shapes in Christmas colours. Welders may wish to weld a tree, or builders may like to nail up an entry. The possibilities are endless. 

The trees will be open for viewing from Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend. By coming to see the Christmas Tree Festival you will also assist Rotary raising important funds to share within our community at this time of need.

For more information call 0427 201 445 or 6851 5197.