The NSW Government announced $400,000 to support grass roots projects that make a lasting positive impact in our multicultural state.

Through Multicultural NSW’s Stronger Together Project Grants program, local or­ganisations can apply for grants between $20,000 and $50,000 for projects that fos­ter community harmony and build capabil­ity in culturally diverse communities.

The Government is seeking applications from community-led projects that: assist with overcoming language barriers, deliver programs or services to multicultural com­munities, build capability and resources for diverse communities, strengthen resilience through network building, assist people who have recently arrived in NSW, build intercultural and interfaith networks.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said “This program empowers lo­cal groups to create meaningful change in their communities, so people from different cultures and faiths can thrive.

“If you’ve got a project that will make a positive impact for people from culturally diverse backgrounds, get your application in now.”

Funding is for projects that will be rolled out from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 15 September.

Visit https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/project-grants/ for info or to apply.

The recent “Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day” held at the Forbes Central WestLivestock Exchange was a massive success with a record-breaking 90 people attending.

Attendees were a mixture of farmers, con­tract harvesters, transport companies, ag­ricultural machinery retailers, grain receival sites, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations.

The event was supported by the Nation­al Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, the Grain Transport Safety Network, NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service, Pa­cific National, Essential Energy, local agri­cultural machinery retailers, NSW Farmers and the Australian Custom Harvesters As­sociation.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Coun­cils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Of­ficer, Melanie Suitor, said anecdotal feed­back from attendees on the day was very positive.

“Rules and regulations do change and events like this are important to ensure peo­ple are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period.

“Thank you to Forbes Machinery Cen­tre, Hutcheon and Pearce, O’Connors, Bob Wythes, Luke Magill, Greg Dunn and Rich­ard Nixon who were very generous in loan­ing us the equipment for the displays.”

If you missed out on attending the field day, a free satellite event covering the same content will be held in Tullibigeal, Jemalong and Alectown in the coming weeks (with din­ner/breakfast provided). Details are as fol­lows: Monday 25 August from 3pm – 6pm at the Tullibigeal Community Hall, Tuesday 26 August from 7.30am – 10.30am at the Je­malong RFS Shed, Wednesday 27 August from 7.30am – 10.30am at the Alectown Memorial Hall.

Registration is free but spaces are limited, so you need to get in quick. Register via the Parkes, Forbes or Lachlan Shire Councils’ Facebook pages or this link: https://forms.office.com/r/MmMPU3D2Y1

Following much lead-up work and consulta­tion with numerous volunteer organisations in Forbes, along with fellow CWA Branches in the Oxley CWA area, the Forbes Evening Branch of CWA hosted a first aid information afternoon on Saturday 26 July.

Mr Tod Healey from Tod Healey First Aid training presented an overview of key first aid topics to the gathered participants. The topics were focused on those that people may encounter in everyday life; asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetic care (hypo and hy­per events), CPR, the differences between bandaging for injury, bleeding and snake bites.

Practical demonstration and practice by participants was encouraged to understand the use of a spacer for administration of asthma medication, how to use an EpiPen, and the application of bandages for varying reasons.

The emphasis of the presentation was to show, demonstrate and participants to prac­tice using the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) machines that are available in both Forbes and Parkes.

Participants were shown the AED’s that exist in both towns, encouraging everyone to observe where they are located in their town along with our neighbouring town of Parkes, due to the number of Forbes resi­dents that travel to Parkes for various rea­sons.

It was stressed that the access to Forbes and Parkes AED’s is different. Forbes AED’s are accessed by keying in the Forbes post­code 2871, where in Parkes the AED is opened by lifting the cover lid.

At the completion of Tod’s presentation participants were invited to the prepared af­ternoon tea by the members of the Forbes Evening Branch members.

Much chatter was entered into over the cuppa session about the importance of Tod’s presentation. Women of all ages are welcome to come along to the Forbes CWA Evening Branch meetings, held at 6.30pm on the second Thursday of the month.

New South Wales’ love affair with Return and Earn recycling has reached a new high, with the 14th billion container officially returned.

The positive environmental impact of re­turning 14 billion bottles and cans for re­cycling instead of making new containers with virgin materials includes: Water sav­ings equivalent to 32,840 Olympic swim­ming pools, energy savings equivalent to powering 191,100 homes for an entire year, carbon emission savings equivalent to taking 1,017,400 cars off the road annu­ally. This impressive milestone means over $1.4 billion in container refunds has gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living” said James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.

Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coor­dinator, Exchange for Change, said over $82 million has been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees, supporting their important work from providing food and shelter to environmental conservation.

The 14 billion milestone coincides with Return and Earn releasing the latest Local Government Volume Report, which shows the enthusiastic community participation in container returns by council area in the last six months. For information visit returnan­dearn.org.au.