With nominations closing on Thursday, February 18, residents only have a little over two weeks to nominate a project which has conserved part of Forbes’ heritage.

“The medal makes the general public more aware of what individuals are doing about the conservation of our heritage in our shire,” medal co-ordinator Kathie Tisdell said.

“People are doing some amazing things, and their work is something we can see. It’s tangible evidence of our history”, Mrs Tisdell said.

Categories open for nomination include built, natural, educational and promotional heritage. Projects need to have taken place within the Forbes Shire in the last three calendar years.

“The telling of Forbes’ story is not just about words on a page”, Mrs Tisdell said.

While Mrs Tisdell conceded those who are conserving the history of Forbes would continue to do so, she felt it was especially rewarding for them to receive unexpected recognition.

“Who knows what surprises may be out there”, Mrs Tisdell said.

“Perhaps there is a fascinating photographic work, a family history, a special piece of old needlework, a family bible restoration, maybe a wonderful piece of machinery used in the very early days of our agricultural development”.

Director of Environmental Services and Planning for the Forbes Shire Council, Paul Bennett said he was looking forward to receiving to receiving the nominations.

“We would be happy to see as many nominations as we can get,” Mr Bennett said.

“It’s quite a prestigious award to be given.

“Whether it’s built and restored or research, it shows that the community are supporting the heritage of Forbes and the work that is being done.”

Mr Bennett said he felt Forbes’ history is important to a lot of people and recognition of the work undertaken to preserve this history is important.

“Sometimes if you are living here you lose track of how lucky we really are,” Mr Bennett said.

Past winners have included restoration projects, conservation of musical heritage and written research.”

The winner of the Forbes Medal will be announced during a presentation evening held in conjunction with the Forbes Heritage Festival in May.

Nomination forms are available from Forbes Town Hall, Forbes Advocate, Adam Baker Real Estate, Elders, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Co, Forbes Handicraft Centre and Art Gallery, Forbes Museum, Forbes Railway Arts and Tourist Centre, the Family History Rooms, News on Rankin and Nock’s Newsagency.