Every day 35 people are diagnosed with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorders and they’ll turn to the Leukaemia Foundation for help. This October, thousands of Australians nationally will come together at the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night to help more people beat blood cancer.

Now in its ninth year, Light the Night aims to raise $2 million to give affected families the emotional support they need and to fund vital blood cancer research which focuses on delivering better outcomes for patients and improving their quality of life. The Leukaemia Foundation is also calling on community-minded people in Forbes to volunteer to join the Light the Night Walk committee.

Last year 30,000 people attended walks around the country, each person shining a special lantern: Gold, to remember a loved one; White, for their own blood cancer journey, or Blue, to support others.

Join a Light the Night walk, please visit lightthenight.org.au/event/forbes or call 1800 500 088.

Well now we have a field of people prepared to put themselves forward to serve on Forbes Shire Council: 11 men and how delightful to see six good women putting themselves forward – an opportunity for us to select a balance in the new council.

Then let us not forget that we are firstly a rural council – as every farmer must have a good road to be able to get their important products to markets and then their families safe access to education and health services. An important opportunity choose your nine wisely.

Regards, DIANNE DECKER AM JP

Premier Mike Baird and his deputy Troy Grant have broken the hearts of thousands of good men and women across the state by banning Greyhound racing. To punish the many good owners, trainers and breeders for the actions of a few, reeks of a Government no longer in touch with the community.  

From the greyhound ban to forced council amalgamations, this government no longer thinks it is necessary to listen to its community. Do not let this government go unpunished for its arrogance.

Luke Foley, leader of the NSW Labor Party

Congratulations to the Forbes Art Society and of course artists Pammie Thomson and Sompa Bhakta for the wonderful exhibition, “A journey in art”, currently being displayed at the Platypus Gallery.

I was fortunate enough to officially open this exhibition on Friday night and receive a guided tour through the gallery by both artists. The quality of the work on show combined with the enthusiasm and passion of the artists set up a fantastic night.

The Forbes Art Society has also done a marvellous job so credit to them and the 90 odd people who turned up for the event. Our clubs and organisations such as the Art Society are vitally important to the social fabric of Forbes. They encourage people to come to the town and they make them want to stay. They build on the liveability of our towns and also provide an ideal social outlet and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet some wonderful people myself.

Hats off to the gifted Pammie and Sompa and well done to Keith, Leone, Karen, Klara, Helen and Tony and all others involved with the Forbes Art Society and the current exhibition. 

Scott Barrett, Nationals candidate for Orange