Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the Forbes Arts Society’s Painting Group.

Join The Creative Community

The Forbes Painting group meets each Thursday at Northside Chapel, between 11am and 3pm. The cost is $5 per week which includes morning tea. Bring along your own art supplies. For more informa­tion, reach out via hello@forbesartssociety.com

Sculpture Down the Lachlan Opens

Final sculpture unveiled, “Brumbies Run” by Brett Garling. the bronze sculpture fea­tures four wild horses running, kicking, far­ing nostrils and leaping – representative of the freedom, spirit and enthusiasm of Aus­tralians. Sculpture Down the Lachlan fea­tures 25 permanent installations and can be viewed all year round for free.

Funding Opportunities

This funding supports creative develop­ment and presentation of new work by in­dividual artists, arts and cultural workers.

Applicants are encouraged to drive and develop partnerships with arts and cul­tural organisations to support their new works. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000. Find out more at www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/creative-steps-new-work

CFC Foundation Community Grants

The Foundation is responsive to requests that contribute to increasing access to op­portunities and is dedicated to supporting charities, non-profit organisations, and so­cial enterprises that work within the Arts & Culture area. Find out more at cfc.com.au/foundation/

Forbes Community Funding Program

This program provides financial and in-kind support to encourage and assist commu­nity groups and organisations to make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community’s wellbeing, cultural life and environmental sustainability. Funding is available for Culture and the Arts projects.

Community groups and organisations can apply for up to $5,000 per project. Find out more at https://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-support/community-funding-program

Active Kids Voucher

Eligible families can now apply for a sec­ond $50 voucher to use towards sport, rec­reation, creative or cultural activities with a registered provider. Any eligible families who applied for voucher 1 and have not yet redeemed it, can apply for voucher 2 and combine these to save $100. Find out more https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/active-and-creative-kids-voucher

Dolly’s Dream School Workshops. Online safety and anti-bullying workshops for students of all ages, delivered in schools nationally. www.dollysdream.org.au/what-we-do/school-workshops.

We know that bullying can cause deep and lasting harm, affecting a young per­son’s confidence, mental health, and even their future. Dolly’s Dream was founded in the wake of tragedy in 2018 when 14-yearold Dolly Everett took her life because of relentless bullying, and we are saddened by the recent tragic loss of more young lives due to bullying.

“We established Dolly’s Dream because we didn’t want other families to ever have to go through the heartache we have ex­perienced. It breaks my heart to hear more precious lives have been lost due to bully­ing and more families are suffering,” said Kate Everett, Dolly’s mother and founder of Dolly’s Dream.

A report from The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) found that Australian school students were most bul­lied among comparable English-speaking countries with around one in six students saying they’ve been made fun of by peers.

A recent survey of our Dolly’s Dream audience via social media revealed that 89% of the 2,214 respondents said they had been bullied at school, with 74% be­ing teenagers. Evidently, the problem is not going away.

Dolly’s Dream has worked tirelessly for six years delivering support and education to communities and will continue to fight to put an end to bullying – in memory of Dolly and the other lives that have since been lost.

So far this year, Dolly’s Dream has deliv­ered over 450 workshops, reaching more than 19,500 students across all year levels, in metropolitan, regional, and rural areas.

Visit our website to learn about Dolly’s Dream www.dollysdream.org.au

Image of the White Ribbon Day March in 2018.

Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes Do­mestic & Family Violence Committee are encouraging the community to get involved in the White Ribbon Day march and com­munity event on Monday 25 November.

As part of White Ribbon Month in Novem­ber, White Ribbon Day raises awareness of men’s violence against women and edu­cates men and boys to be part of the solu­tion.

The march will start at 10am from Victo­ria Park, proceeding along Court and La­chlan Streets, and arrive at Lions Park at 10:30am.

Selected participants in the march will be given a card displaying a victim of domestic violence which they will carry with them and place on display at Lions Park.

Businesses along the route of the march are also being encouraged to stand along the side of the street.

The main event at Lions Park will run from 10:45am until 12pm, including speeches from Forbes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Chris Roylance, Member for Orange Phil Donato, Guinevere Dickie, who has experi­enced domestic violence in her family, and Barry Merrit.

There will also be stalls from service pro­viders and a BBQ available for a gold coin donation.

During the event all male attendees will be asked to make a pledge to never com­mit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women.

Forbes Shire Council Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM, said domestic violence is an issue the Forbes community holds dear.

“Our community knows all too well the devastating effects domestic violence can have, and this is a great opportunity to unite and take a stand against men’s violence against women,” she said.

“Everyone is welcome to march and at­tend the event, so please get involved if you can.”

Meet at Victoria Park at 9:30am on the day. For more information you can email community@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Return and Earn has partnered with food relief organisation Food­bank NSW & ACT to raise $250,000 to help fund half a million meals to feed families in need this summer.

The six-month recycling appeal was launched this week. From now until 21st April 2025, every eligible bottle and can donated to the Foodbank NSW & ACT appeal at a Return and Earn machine or on the Return and Earn app at participating return points, will raise 10c toward the $250,000 goal to support their important work.

Foodbank NSW & ACT is the state and territory’s largest and most trusted food relief organisation, providing much needed food as­sistance to individuals and families across NSW and the ACT.

John Robertson, CEO of Foodbank NSW & ACT said: “At Food­bank, we believe everyone should have access to the food they need, and we are here for everyday Australians who are going without. We currently provide more than 26 million meals each year for those in urgent need.”

This year’s Foodbank Hunger Report reveals food insecurity in Australia has reached a critical point, with one in three NSW households facing hunger. This equates to one million households facing food-insecurity in NSW alone, with 75 per cent of house­holds saying cost of living is the primary cause.

“Donating just five bottles or cans helps fund one meal, so I en­courage everyone to get behind this cause and help us reach our target of $250,000,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change.

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

The 2023 Canowindra Christmas Night Market was a resounding success and organisers are hoping for even bigger crowds this year.

Get ready for a fun night out in Canowin­dra. On Friday, 29th November, the town will come alive with the Christmas Night Market, offering something for everyone in the heart of the community.

Local businesses will also be open, with special Christmas deals and discounts to make your Christmas season even brighter, while over 40 stalls will line Gaskill Street, offering a variety of unique goods perfect for Christmas shopping. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift or indulging in a little treat, there’s something for everyone.

Families will be entertained with plenty of fun activities for the kids, including face painting, a jumping castle, and more. The CWA will be on hand selling delicious Christmas cakes and other homemade goodies, while food trucks and stalls will serve up a variety of tasty eats to keep everyone fueled for the fun. To keep eve­ryone entertained, there will be live music performed by Nerida Cuddy, Sik As and more.

The Lions Club will have their popular BBQ sizzling and will also run a Choco­late Wheel, along with raffles offering the chance to win hams and meat trays—per­fect for your Christmas celebrations.

It’s not too late to book a stall, if you would like to be involved in the Canowindra Christmas Night Market you can register online at www.123tix.com.au. For further information please email canowindrapro­gress@gmail.com.

Gaskill Street will close at 3pm for setup, with festivities kicking off at 5pm and continuing into the evening. It promises to be a wonderful night filled with Christmas cheer, great food, and family fun.

Mark your calendars and come along to kick off the party season in style!

On Tuesday 22nd October the Forbes Garden Club held their last meeting for the year at the home of Evelyn Mahlo. Evelyn spoke on her garden and how she and her late husband Peter moved into their new home in 2007, started planning their garden, and with the help of the late Denis Irvine in some aspects it came together.

The garden consists of many rooms and is picture perfect with plantings of Buxus hedges etcElvy, spoke on the recent Friendship Day hosted by the Young Garden Club, held in the beautiful setting at Clifton Gardens. Four of our members Therese Davis, Janette Thomas, Joyce Morrison and Elvy Quirk attended. Our final speakers on the day were Mi­chelle and David Mahlo. Michelle firstly spoke on how she and her husband David have started their own business named Daves Yard Care which provides all aspects of garden maintenance, Da­vid later spoke on the control of weeds such as Winter grass etc.

Flower of the month was won by Anne Reade with a beautiful red rose, 2nd to Robyn Mattiske with a geranium and 3rd to Denise Thurs­ton with a bearded Iris. Raffle prizes went to Robin Lyell, Sylvia Glasson, Annette Thornton and Gail McKay.

Our final get together for the year will be the Christmas luncheon which will be held at the Vandenberg Hotel on Tuesday 26th November com­mencing 12pm. If you are wishing to attend the cost is $40 for a two course meal and you should have your mon­ey to Lloyd our Treasurer before or on 15th November.

By Elvy Quirk

The latest employment figures show Inland Rail has created jobs for 434 people on the project.

Newly released figures from Inland Rail show the project is creating jobs and driving economic growth in regional NSW commu­nities.

Delivering Inland Rail between Albury and Parkes has resulted in $7.4 million spent across 86 local businesses between July 2023 and August 2024 and 135 workers employed on the project this year, taking total numbers of workers employed to 434.

Construction has been progressing strongly on the section from Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) and the latest data shows how that is boosting employment and local economies. First Nations business across Australia are contributing to the S2P pro­ject, supplying more than $161,000 worth of services. Of the 135 local workers, 24 are First Nations people, making up more than half of the 40 First Nations people who have relocated to the area to work on Inland Rail.

And women make up almost 10% of the workforce, with 40 employed on the project in the period July 2023 to August 2024.

From July 2023 to August 2024, Inland Rail between Albury and Parkes

• 434 people employed, of whom 40 are First Nations

• 135 local residents employed, of whom 24 are First Nations

• 40 women employed

• 33 tradespeople employed

• 86 local businesses engaged

• $7.4 million spent with local businesses

• $161,860 spent with First Nations busi­nesses Australia-wide

Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Direc­tor Program Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability, said: “Inland Rail is bringing benefits to regional communities throughout construction, with local content key to the program’s success.

“A major focus of Inland Rail has been to build skills in communities along the align­ment, so local communities can participate and benefit from in this once-in-a-genera­tion project and others in the future.”