CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) is inviting all community members and ser­vice providers to their Thank You, Forbes Community Event on Wednesday, 2 July.

The occasion is a small gesture of ap­preciation for all those the organisation has worked alongside since the 2022 flooding in the town and its surrounds.

At its worst in November 2022, the La­chlan River peaked at 10.7 metres at Forbes, flooding more than 700 residential and commercial properties in the town.

CCWF, in particular its Financial Stability team, has provided practical support and stand with community members as they negotiate the long-term and wide-ranging consequences of flooding in the 2.5 years since.

CCWF Financial Stability portfolio man­ager, Louise Cormie said the organisation was holding the event to thank all the com­munity members who had placed their trust in her team, as well as the service provid­ers who had worked with them to provide the much needed support.

“We want to take a moment to say thank you, and celebrate the wonderful people in our community as they work towards re­covery,” Mrs Cormie said.

“We are grateful to be part of this com­munity, and want the community to know we are with them for the long journey of re­covery from natural disaster.

“Flood-affected residents can continue to contact our financial counsellors for sup­port, advocacy and referrals.”

The event, to be held in the Forbes Town Hall from 11am-2pm, will include a barbe­cue meal, fruit platters and soft drinks, and a gift for every attendee, as well as lucky door prizes. Forbes Shire Council’s GIVIT team and the Disaster Response Legal Service will also be attending and ready to support community members.

“We are looking forward to coming to­gether with the community for a relaxed and enjoyable event on July 2,” Mrs Corm­ie said.

Arts OutWest invites the community to a day of networking and hearing local arts stories at their Regional Gathering and An­nual General Meeting on Sunday 22 June in Condobolin.

“We call the day a regional gathering and AGM because it’s far more than a meet­ing,” said Arts OutWest’s executive director Kylie Shead.

“It’s always a great day of catching up with creatives and arts supporters and connect­ing with the Arts OutWest team. There’s an art exhibition and talks and tours to give an insight into the cultural life of Condobolin.

We also throw in a free lunch.”

“Never seen the Utes in the Paddock public art? Keen to explore Sculpture Down the Lachlan on your drive? Want to see behind-the-scenes at the Wiradjuri Cultural Centre or the Condobolin and District His­torical Museum? This is your chance,” Ms Shead said.

A roving event, the day starts at 11am on Sunday 22 June for coffee at Utes in the Paddock at Lachlan at Shire Visitor Information Centre. Guests then choose between tours and talks at the Wiradjuri Study Centre and their gallery and Con­dobolin and District Historical Museum (11:45am – 1pm).Then heading to Condobolin Commu­nity and Arts Centre for lunch (1-2pm) and viewing the local ‘Showcasing the Lachlan’ art exhibition, followed by Arts OutWest and local artist presentations (2-2.30pm) and the official formal AGM at 2.30pm. The day should wrap up by 3pm.

Attendance is free. RSVP to artsout­west@csu.edu.au or via Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/aowagm-and-regional-gathering

Registrations are open for this year’s Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum, which will be held at the Forbes Inn on Thursday 12 June. Local farmers, contract harvesters, couriers, truck drivers and transport company operators are invited to at­tend.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, who is organising the fo­rum said this year’s event will focus on higher productivity vehicles, safety, compliance and industry case studies and there will be a high productivity vehicle on display.

“Since its inception in 2012, the breakfast forum has brought to­gether the local freight industry to discuss issues affecting them.

“Come along to listen, learn and ask questions of industry ex­perts from NHVR, Transport for NSW, Parkes Shire Council, NSW Police, Essential Energy, Midland and Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds” Ms Suitor said.

You can register online with this link: https://forms.office.com/r/pkPN1Vt4Ji via the Councils’ Facebook pages or call Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

The forum will kick off at 6.30am with breakfast. The official pro­gram starts at 7am. The event will finish at 11.30am. The forum is free, but registration is required for catering purposes.

If you are unable to make it on the day, the event is being re­corded and the link to the video will be available to view on the Councils’ Facebook pages and in follow-up media articles or con­tact Ms Suitor on 0428 400 627 or via Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au to register your interest in receiving the link.

Parents, carers and grandparents of young children are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held next week to provide important safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and La­chlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW. The workshops will be held online via Microsoft Teams, on Tuesday 13 May at 10am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Mela­nie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital to ensure children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjust­ment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for sec­ondhand car seats and much more.

“It will be a great refresher for grandparents, as child car seats and the rules have changed a lot since they had their children, but also for parents and carers as they are navigating their way through their child or children’s growth.

“Local checking day events show that around 80% of the child car seats we checked were incorrectly installed. Transport for NSW research shows that children who are not restrained correct­ly are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured. It’s so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe,” said Ms Suitor.

To book your place, use this link: https://bit.ly/WorkshopRegoMay25 or call on (02) 6861 2364.