One of the many families who attended on the day.

On Saturday 10th August Forbes hosted a free community festival of arts, creativ­ity and wellness. In keeping with the theme ‘Ripple’ Forbes Public School created a Healing Through Art installation to show­case how we utilised art to recover from the devastating 2022 floods. Ivy and Lauren, who are both in stage 3, created a mov­ie that included Emily reading a beautiful poem that was written by Ms Staples.

These are our Healing Dots®

Each dot is a hug, soft and warm, Helping to heal after the storm.

When we’re sad or feeling blue, These dots are there, like friends, it’s true. They glow so softly, whispering low, “You’re not alone; let your worries go.”

Healing is like a long, gentle walk, Step by step, like a quiet talk. Like stars above they show the way, Guiding us to a brighter day.

Every dot is like a magic stitch, Mending our hearts, making us rich. They tell a story, bright and true, Of courage, love, and what we can do. With each bump, they help us feel and see That healing is possible for you and me.

The poem was played over images from our whole-school Healing Dots® work­shops with Aunty Cheree Stokes. They then played a recording of two songs per­formed by FPS Year 2 choir at the Forbes Eisteddfod (2023/2024) over images of students creating our Bush Tucker Garden, Coolamon Indigenous tool, Bee and butter­fly habitat boxes and NAIDOC Community event art.

It was great to see numerous families come along to visit the art installation and watch the seven minute video while their child pointed out their Healing Dots®. The large painting in the picture was created by Auntee Cheree using symbols and words provided by the FPS community to repre­sent our Journey Story.

August is Tradie Health Month, which SafeWork NSW says is the perfect time for tradies to review and speak up about any work health and safety (WHS) concerns to ensure they can have a long and healthy career.

Young tradies need appropriate training, support and supervision. From 2017-2021, approximately 20 percent of incidents re­ported to SafeWork NSW were the result of an injury to a young worker. Just last month, a 19-year-old cabinetry apprentice fell approximately three meters in a stair void, breaking his ribs.

Construction businesses must ensure they are creating environments where workers are protected and where young tradies receive the correct training, super­vision and are empowered to speak up.

For young workers, SafeWork’s message is that if you are not sure about something, stop and check – it’s the safe way, or no way. If you see something that isn’t safe on a worksite and are worried about raising it, you can speak up anonymously using the Speak Up Save Lives app.

SafeWork has also developed a Young Worker eToolkit for employees and workers, containing tips and training materials about work safety rights and responsibilities.

Have you seen the Parkes Trishaw getting around town with happy passengers?

Neighbourhood Central’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is teaming up with Cycling Without Age, Parkes Trishaw, to help continue reducing social isolation for the elderly in Parkes.

Most locals would be familiar with the sight of the Parkes Trishaw taking passengers sightseeing around our beautiful town. Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit charity that connects those no longer able to ride for themselves with the Parkes community, by providing free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by amazing volunteer cyclists.

The aim is to bring something to the elderly that they may no longer be able to do, all while creating meaningful friendships.

The ACVVS is a free program that supports volunteer visits to provide friendship and companionship to older people. Visits are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Package (HCP) services who are socially isolated or lonely. This includes care recipients approved or on the National Priority System.

ACVVS accepts referrals from aged care service providers, health professionals, family members and friends. Older people can also refer themselves. While the program excludes those accessing ser­vices from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), we have all bases covered, as Neighbourhood Central can help through our Social Support (Individual and Group) aged care ser­vices.

Neighbourhood Central are also in need of more volunteers across both Parkes and Forbes. If you would like to brighten the days of older people as a valued volunteer, you are invited to join us as we bring this opportunity to those who need a visitor. If you would like any further information, to request a visitor, or know of someone who would benefit from this service, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with Brooke at Neighbourhood Central on phone: 1300 810 771 or email: admin@ncentral.org.au

Denise Thurston, Irene Ford and Marie Langfield showing their prize winning entries in flower of the month.

Forbes Garden Club met on 25th June at the Men’s Shed for their monthly meeting whereby President Margaret welcomed 32 members.

The guest speakers on the day were Da­vid and Kate from Forbes Shire Council, who provided a great coverage in relation to the aspect of gardening, tree planting etc within the Shire. During the meeting there was discussion about the possibility of a day trip later in the year, with the Com­mittee to meet before the next meeting to share ideas.

Elvy congratulated Denise Thurston on being the proud mother of a World Cham­pion, with her daughter Haylee recently re­turning from a competition in Poland as the WKSF Kettlebell Sport World Champion.

The Friendship Luncheon is to be held at Young on 13th October at a cost of $60 per person, which includes lunch and an inspection of Clifton Gardens.

The raffle was won by Jan Stewart and second place went to Loris Molloy.

Flower of the month by popular vote of members was won by Denise Thurston with an Abraham Darby rose, second to Irene Ford with a beautiful yellow succulent and third to Marie Langfield with a Red Hot Poker. Please don’t forget that your contri­bution to flower of the month is an asset to the meeting. Please bring along one stem of a flower for entry into flower of the month, with your name and the name of the flower underneath the container.

The next meeting will be at the Men’s Shed on Tuesday 23rd July at 2pm. Please arrive by 1.45pm so you can secure a seat before the meeting starts. Please bring a mug for a shared afternoon tea.

By Elvy Quirk