Forbes Phoenix

New Land Valuations For Regional NSW

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Land values across Regional NSW have reached a record $342 billion, marking a 0.7% increase from $340 billion in 2024.

Property sales are the most important fac­tor valuers consider when determining land values.

The new land values will be used by Rev­enue NSW to calculate land tax for land­owners who are liable. Registered land tax clients will receive their assessment notice from Revenue NSW starting January 2026 for the 2026 land tax year. For more infor­mation visit revenue.nsw.gov.au.

Local councils receive updated land values at least every three years and use them as just one of a number of fac­tors when setting rates. About two-third of councils will receive new values this year. If a council is receiving new values in 2025, residents will be sent a notice of valuation between November 2025 and April 2026.

Landholders have 60 days from the issue date printed on their notice to object to their land valuation if they believe it is incorrect and can provide recent sales evidence to support their claim.

For information on land values and theNSW valuation system, visit www.nsw.gov.au/valuergeneral.

Big Mac Burgers, Big Donations, Bigger Purpose: Mchappy Day 2025 Raises $4.8 Million

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The results are in, and Aussies have once again rallied behind McHappy Day, and shown their generosity in a big way, raising an extraordinary $4.8M for Ronald McDon­ald House Charities (RMHC) Thanks to the generosity of Macca’s crew and customers, more than 30,000 nights together will be provided to families supported by RMHC across Australia.

The funds raised through McHappy Day will help RMHC deliver its full range of vi­tal Programs including Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and support to fami­lies when and where they need it most.

Aussies showed up in incredible num­bers to support McHappy Day 2025 by:

Rocking Silly Socks – Grimace and Ham­burglar designs brought smiles and style, Wearing Bucket Hats – Showing heart from head to toe, Purchasing Helping Hands – Coloured in and displayed proudly in res­taurants and homes, Donating online – Every click made a difference and Buying a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose – $2 from every Big Mac sold on McHappy Day went directly to RMHC Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for RMHC Australia, said: “It’s truly heartwarming to see the incredible generosity shown on McHappy Day. We couldn’t have achieved this result without the support of Australians everywhere – from Macca’s crew and Licensees to every customer who bought a Big Mac, a pair of Silly Socks or a Helping Hand for a cause that means so much to families with children who are ill or injured.

“Every dollar raised makes an impact.

Thanks to you, we can continue to ease the journey for families.”

McHappy Day is the largest annual fund­raiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $83 million, helping RMHC support more than 69,000 families every year.

Visit www.mchappyday.org.au

New Free Toolkit Helps Manage Money And Support Mental Health This Festive Season

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With the festive season approaching and cost-of-living pressures continuing to af­fect households across the country, Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia have launched a new free resource to help people manage their finances and look after their mental health.

The Money and Mental Health Toolkit in­cludes practical tips for managing thoughts and emotions, budgeting, having conversa­tions with banks or utility companies and finding the right support when you need it.

Its launch comes as demand for finan­cial support via the National Debt Helpline phone service remains high, with almost 170,000 calls and chats in the 12 months to the end of October.

Recent results from Beyond Blue’s Aus­tralia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check found financial pressure was the leading cause of distress for nearly half (46%) of all respondents.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said the festive season could be a par­ticularly challenging time for many people, when financial and emotional pressures of­ten intensified.

“There are so many expectations around this season and that can bring added pres­sure, especially when money is tight,” she said.

Ms Harman encouraged those experienc­ing distress not to wait. “There’s always a way forward. Talking to someone can help lighten the load and give you hope that you can get through this.”

The Money and Mental Health Toolkit is available now on the Beyond Blue website beyondblue.org.au

The North Pole Mail Express Arrives In Forbes

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Santa’s North Pole Mail Express is making its annual stop at Forbes Shire Council.

From Monday 17 November, children can drop off their letters to Santa in his special red mailbox, located in the Council Admin­istration Office.

To receive a personalised reply from San­ta himself, make sure your letter is posted by Wednesday 10 December 2025. Don’t forget to include your name and return address so Santa and his helpers know where to send their response.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the North Pole Mail Express has be­come a much-loved local tradition that captures the joy and wonder of the festive season.

“It’s always heart-warming to see the ex­citement on children’s faces as they post their letters to Santa,” the Mayor said.

“We’re thrilled to help keep the Christmas magic alive in our community.”

So, get your pens ready and let Santa know what’s on your wish list this year.

Santa letter templates and envelopes are available from Council’s Administration Of­fice, or can be downloaded from Council’s website, www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/santa-letters-2025.

For more information, visit www.forbes.nsw.gov.au or follow @ForbesShireCouncil for updates.

Forbes Garden Club Report

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October hosts were Jane and Darryl Hurley.

Our hosts for the October meeting, Jane and Darryl Burley, welcomed 36 members and provided us with a roomy shed out of the rain.

President Marg Dent asked for apologies and Lloyd Gerdes presented the financial report.

The next meeting will be our Christmas Luncheon and Marg has booked the Van­denberg Hotel at a cost to members of $30 payable to Treasurer Lloyd. This will be for 12 – 12.30pm on Tuesday 25 November for a two course meal. Members are asked to dress with a touch of Christmas. This will be our last meeting for the year.

Noel Hocking thanked all those who vis­ited their garden to view the irises and sup­ported Can Assist with donations. Noel is walking from Bedgerabong to Forbes to raise funds for CanAssist and it was decid­ed to donate $100 to help.

Our guest speaker was Wendy Muffet who spoke on her life moving to a farm at Wirrinya. On retirement, she and her hus­band bought a small block of land, built a home and started a bed and breakfast. They planted trees and vegetables using organic methods to control pests and composting to keep weeds at bay. Lee Sanderson thanked Wendy with a small gift.

Flower of the month winners were first Denise Thurston (Hippeastrum), second Clare Haley (Bauhinia) and third David Sanderson (Begonia). The raffle was won by Meg Scholefield, second prize went to Sue Robinson.

After the meeting, members enjoyed walking around the garden. Janette Thomas invited members to her garden across the road to view her roses .We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Vandenberg Hotel on Tuesday 25 No­vember.

By Green Thumb

Leading Frontline Voices To Reveal Realities Of Domestic Violence In Rural, Remote NSW

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CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche says the Hidden No More symposium on November 28 will bring the focus to domestic violence in regional, rural and remote NSW, with a goal of improving the safety of women and children.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes will bring together leading voices and frontline work­ers in domestic violence this month to un­cover the realities of the issue across re­gional, rural and remote NSW.

‘Hidden No More: shining the light on do­mestic violence in rural communities’ will seek to drive lasting change when it takes place at Narromine on 28 November.

Its keynote speakers are The Hon. Ste­phen Lawrence MLC, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin, author, professor and investigative jour­nalist Jess Hill, NSW Police Incident and Emergency Management Commander Su­perintendent Greg Moore, and Magistrate Aaron Tang, Local Court of New South Wales, Dubbo.

Orana and Far West had the highest rate per 100,000 population of domestic vio­lence-related assaults in NSW in the year to June 2025, the latest update from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows.

In Orana and Far West, domestic vio­lence-related assaults have consistently occurred at more than three times the state rate per 100,000 population for at least the past two years, BOCSAR’s quarterly re­ports also show.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes oper­ates across 52 per cent of NSW and is a lead domestic violence service provider in Forbes and Bourke, also managing the women’s refuges in both towns.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said the extent of per­petration in regional and rural communities should not be ignored.

“Levels of domestic violence continue to remain at unacceptable levels,” Ms Mioche said.

“Women and children have a right to live in safety and without fear.

“Domestic violence causes deep and long-lasting emotional, social and financial effects on victim-survivors, their families and wider communities,” she said.

The 150+ capacity symposium, which will be MC’d by Emma Alberici, is already at full capacity, highlighting the collaborative and collegial commitment of regional frontline DFV service providers to drive meaningful, trauma- and survivor-led change.

How To Help Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West

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Get involved at Ronald McDonald House Central West – volunteer, donate, become a corporate partner or find out if you or a close friend or relative is eligible to stay with us.

Staying close to treatment when a child is ill or injured is vital for families when they need it most. Our accommodation, programs and services are provided free of charge to the families of sick and injured children, and women experiencing a high risk preg­nancy – helping them when they need it most. We strive to serve more families, better and enable parents and carers to stay close to each other and vital treatment in the Central West.

Our purpose built House is located on the Hospital grounds in Orange and our Hospitality Cart in Dubbo visits families at their child’s bedside in the Paediatric Ward and Special Care Nursery so that they can close and together.

Our families come from across the region so that their children can receive treatment in our major hospitals in the Western Health District in Orange and Dubbo.

We rely on fundraising for 79% percent of our funding to keep the House and our programs available to families when they need it most – caring for a sick or injured child needing treatment in our region.

To find out more about what Ronald McDonal House Charities Central West do, or to get involved, please follow the link cwn­swfundraising.rmhc.org.au/event/redtember-2025 or visit www.rmhccwnsw.org.au

Central West Locals, Get Ready To Celebrate Mchappy Day

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Macca’s is inviting Parkes and Forbes lo­cals to join the fun this Saturday, 15 No­vember, and help raise vital funds for Ron­ald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  From now until midnight on Saturday, 15 November, Central West locals can pick up Silly Socks for $6.50 and on McHappy Day you can buy a Big Mac, with a BIGGER purpose with $2 from every Big Mac sold (solo or in a meal) going directly to RMHC.

That’s a smile with every mouthful. 

Organised by McDonald’s Australia, McHappy Day is the largest annual fund­raiser for RMHC. Since launching in 1991, McHappy Day has raised over $79 mil­lion for RMHC, helping support more than 69,000 families every year – but with thou­sands more families needing support each year, McHappy Day donations are more important than ever.

Supporting McHappy Day helps fund essential RMHC Programs like Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospital­ity Carts and the Learning Program – all designed to provide comfort, care and sup­port to families when and where they need it most.

Want to get involved? Visit: www.mchap­pyday.org.au. Want to donate? Visit: mchappyday.org.au/donate

Public Drop-in Sessions To Help Shape The Future Of Central West Transport

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Residents across the Central West and Or­ana region of NSW are invited to have their say on the future of transport in their area through a series of public drop-in sessions.

“The Central West and Orana population is expected to grow by 11 per cent up to 2041 and we want to hear people’s ideas on how transport services and networks can change to support that growth.” Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partner­ships and Integration West Holly Davies said.

Residents are invited to view the draft SRITP and speak with Transport for NSW staff at the following public drop-in sessions:

• Forbes: Town Hall, 4.30pm-7.30pm on Thursday 27 November

• Parkes: Cooke Park Pavilion, noon-3pm on Thursday 4 December

The draft Central West and Orana SRITP and supporting materials are available at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/central-west-and-orana, while copies of the draft plan are available at local libraries.

Submissions on the draft close at mid­night on Sunday 14 December and can be made via the Have Your Say webpage, www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/central-west-and-orana by emailing engage.srit­ps@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Genuine Conversations About Mental Health

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Mental health and suicide prevention charity Talk2MeBro will host another of its regular Ladies Catchups in Forbes at the Ski Dam, this Sunday, 9 November, from 7:30am. The Ladies Catchups are cas­ual gatherings specifically designed to bring women together to re­connect with themselves, share, and build meaningful connections.

This Sunday’s Ladies Catchup provides mental health support through relaxed conversation, breathwork exercises, ice bath ex­periences, and authentic connection in a safe, non-judgmental en­vironment. All elements of the session are optional. Participants can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.

This gathering offers an opportunity for any women seeking stress relief, wanting to try new wellness practices, or simply looking to connect with other like-minded women in Forbes.

Women from all walks of life are welcome, whether attending alone or with family members. Register at talk2mebro.org.au

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

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