A new youth event to be held in Forbes this September, aims to celebrate young people and strengthen community connec­tions. Youth Connect will take place at the Forbes Skatepark and Stephen Field on Tuesday 30 September from 12pm to 3pm.

This free event will bring together servic­es, activities, and opportunities for young people and their families, featuring: Food vendors and a BBQ, giveaways, NRL clin­ics, inflatables and information and en­gagement with local youth services.

Youth Connect is about creating a safe, welcoming space for young people to enjoy positive activities, while connecting them with the services and support networks available in Forbes.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said “The event is proudly funded by Forbes CDAT, a subcommittee of the Forbes Inter­agency. Forbes CDAT has played an im­portant role in building safe, healthy, and resilient communities through education campaigns and community events.

“Forbes CDAT has been making a real difference in our community for over two decades. Through education campaigns, youth programs and local events, we’ve worked to reduce the harms associated with alcohol and drug use and strengthen the health and wellbeing of our communi­ty,” the Mayor added.

Forbes is set to glow with colour and crea­tivity when the brand-new Street Dreams Festival lights up the town this September.

Taking place on Saturday 27 September from 5pm to 9pm, Street Dreams is a cel­ebration of art, light, storytelling and com­munity spirit.

The free event will transform Harold Street, Victoria Park, and Town Hall into vi­brant cultural spaces filled with interactive light displays, creative installations, live performances, and delicious food options.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said the Street Dreams Festival strengthens Forbes’ grow­ing reputation as a regional hub for creativ­ity and culture.

“Street Dreams brings light, art and sto­rytelling together in an immersive and inti­mate experience unlike anything else in the region. A night of wonder that’s uniquely Forbes,” she said.

“The event offers locals and visitors a chance to experience the heart of Forbes in a whole new light – literally!”Minister for Transport, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said “We’re backing Forbes Shire Council to reclaim the streets for a night of food, art, and culture.”

“The NSW Government is proud to pro­vide more than $100,000 in funding to sup­port this new festival.”

Get ready to fire up the grill! Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated 2025 Forbes National BBQ Championships.

Returning to Grinstead Oval in Forbes on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025, this sizzling competition will once again bring together the best barbeque talent from across the country, with teams set to battle it out across four mouth-watering categories:

Chicken, Beef, Lamb Rack and Pork Loin.

Last year’s event drew teams from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, along with more than 1,500 spectators who turned out to enjoy the smoky spectacle, food, live entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere.

“This event just keeps growing. It’s a real celebration of Australian barbeque culture and a fantastic way to showcase Forbes as a destination for food, fun and great commu­nity spirit,” Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.

Sunday’s smoking competition is sanc­tioned by the Australian Barbecue Alliance, ensuring top-tier competition standards and judging, and adding extra prestige for those chasing points on the national circuit.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a passionate backyard grill master, the Na­tional BBQ Championships offer a chance to test your skills, showcase your flavours, compete for serious bragging rights, and $20,000 worth of prizes.

For more information and to register, head www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events or follow National BBQ Championships Forbes on Facebook.

We are also putting on a vibrant market area, and we are on the lookout for stall­holders!If you sell handmade goods, arts, crafts, sweet treats, clothing, local produce, or any­thing fun and fabulous – this is your chance to be part of a bustling event that drew over 1,500 spectators last year…and growing.

Spaces are limited so don’t miss out on this smokin’ opportunity to showcase your prod­ucts. Submit your Expression of Interest: https://shorturl.at/C01lc

You are all invited to join Mr Phil Donato MP, Patron of the Henry Parkes Museum, for the official opening of the newly restored Black­smith Shop. Come along on Wednesday he 13 August from 10:30am to 11:30am at he Henry Parkes Museum, 66-78 Peak Hill Road. Entry is just a gold coin donation.

Step back into Parkes’ early foundry days as you explore some of the historical signifi­cance, such as, Earl Symonds, who estab­ished the original blacksmith shop on this very site, Richard Venables, of Venables & Co, a pioneering blacksmith engineer, Iron ounder John Westcott, Carriage & Coach­building Factory contributions to regional transport and many other local blacksmiths, foundries and carriage builders, including Arthur Cheney, Robert Turnbull and Charles Smart to name a few.

Our exhibit features authentic tools, pe­riod-correct machinery and the fascinating stories behind each artifact and the oppor­tunity to participate in an interactive ropemaking display.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the vol­unteers whose tireless efforts have brought the Blacksmith Shop back to life. Their dedication has made this project possible.

Please confirm your attendance by Friday, 8 August by email: shpm15@outlook.com

Head along to Forbes’ newest eatery, The Lachie Cafe next Mon­day 4 August, and meet the owners Kenneth and Christine. The couple started Just Eat Me Grazing in November last year, with Christine saying: “It was purely because my baby was very at­tached and I needed to ensure our bills were getting paid. We ex­pected so little, but it just blossomed to the point we needed to find a permanent shop.”

The Lachie Cafe is situated inside the Forbes Lachlan Vintage Village Information Centre. “The Lachie Cafe has always been a dream of mine. Driving past the Lachlan Vintage Village for the last three years after moving here from Canberra, I’ve always loved the space. So when the opportunity came up, we took it and ran with it! Opening the cafe door on Monday is beyond exciting and I’m eager to show Forbes what we offer,” said Christine.

Locals and visitors who experience The Lachie Cafe can expect friendly faces, freshly prepared food in the grab and go, a carefully thought-out menu, along with daily specials. Customer service is a priority for Kenneth, Christine and the staff, and serving spec­tacular food and beverages to customers is their first and fore­most goal.

Cristine lives by the philoso­phy of ‘good food done well’ and that’s exactly what customers will find at The Lachie Cafe. Every­one is invited to the grand open­ing on Monday 4 August from 7am – 4pm, with 20% off every­thing on the day!

Members of the Forbes Community are invited and encouraged to drop into the Forbes Evening Branch of CWA’s ‘Winter Walk in Soup Kitchen’ on Wednesday 2 July. The soup kitchen will be held at the CWA Rooms, Lachlan Street, Forbes from 12:30pm.

Members of the Forbes Evening Branch are looking forward to serving members of our Community, especially our elderly and employees of business houses in the CBD of Forbes, as well as anyone wishing to en­joy a warm bowl of soup.

The cost will be $5 per bowl, and each serve will be accompanied by a bread roll and a hot beverage. This service offers an opportunity for elderly community mem­bers to sit, have a chat and enjoy the com­pany of others.

Funds raised from the soup kitchen will be utilised by the Forbes Evening Branch to support further causes in our community.

The Forbes Evening Branch operates un­der the Guidelines of the Country Women’s Association of NSW. The CWA was formed in 1922 when country women were fighting isolation and a lack of health facilities. The CWA is the largest women’s organisation in Australia and aims to improve conditions for country women and children.

Would you like to make new friends and make a difference in our community? Some of CWA values include supporting each other, advocating on community is­sues, sustainable development and the protection of the environment and social issues.

The Forbes CWA Evening Branch meets the second Thursday of each month at Club Forbes. Time is 6pm for dinner and the meeting begins at 7pm. All are wel­come. For further information please email forbeseveningbranchcwa@gmail.com