What an amazing weekend we had on Saturday 25 January and Sunday 26 January celebrating Australia Day in Forbes, and coming together as a community to celebrate Australia – the greatest country in the world.
I was thrilled to announce our three Citizen of the Year Award winners alongside our Australia Day Ambassador, Ange Clarke, at our Gala Dinner at Forbes Town Hall on Saturday night. Congratulations to Maree Yapp, 2025 Forbes Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Helen Smith, and Young Citizen of the Year, Annika Dukes. They are all inspiring individuals who have made amazing contributions to our community and made a difference to the lives of many.
It was great to see so many people enjoying Australia Day the Aussie way – with a BBQ at our Community Breakfast at Lions Park. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Forbes Ipomoea for cooking the BBQ.
Many returned to Lions Park in the evening to enjoy live music from local buskers, food vans and the spectacular fireworks display from Bates Bridge.
We welcomed five new citizens at our Citizenship ceremony on Sunday, with Karunadheera Gamiathge Sugayana Dinithi, Methmi Gamage, Githmi Gamage, Kurt Friedrich Drewes and Alexandra Veryan Drewes making the Australian citizenship pledge. Congratulations on becoming Australian citizens and thank you for choosing to live in Amazing Forbes.
Our two-year flood recovery check-in event has been locked in for 5pm – 6:30pm on Wednesday 26 February at the Forbes Rugby Club. This event is free and is part of the natural disaster two-year recovery stage. Legal Aid NSW, NSW Reconstruction Authority and NSW Ambulance will all be there. If you were impacted by the floods and are still working through the recovery process, you need to attend this event. Please RSVP by texting Phil Worrad, the organiser, on 0436 921 076.
Lastly, our next Welcome to Forbes event is on Thursday 27 February at the Vandenberg Hotel from 5:30pm. If you’re new to Forbes please come and join us! We would love to meet you.
God Bless,
Phyllis Miller OAM
Forbes Mayor