Mr Rath has volunteered his time to the Forbes Museum since 1973. He has served as its president, secretary, public officer and historian. 

He has been involved in working bees, building and painting projects – volunteering as well as supervising work under government funding.

Mr Rath was actively involved in the organisation of “Our Anzacs” centenary exhibition – the winner of the 2016 Forbes Medal – as well as the restoration of the 1902 Ivel tractor now on display at Forbes Museum. 

This year’s other nominees for the Forbes Heritage Volunteer Award were: 

Mrs Collits has been involved in many community organisations including Forbes Museum, Ben Hall Festival, Council’s Tourism Advisory Committee, Tourism Promotion Council, Jazz Festival, Railway Arts and Information Centre and Jemalong Retirement village. 

Mrs Collits’ citation states she worked tirelessly to establish the Ben Hall Experience Room at the visitor information centre, which tells the Ben Hall story and includes the Ben Hall family tree this year nominated for the Forbes Medal. 

Pamela Thomson has promoted art and heritage in Forbes for more than 50 years, serving on Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee for 17 years.

She has been a member of the National Trust since 1974 and has served as president of the Lachlan branch.

She has organised bus trips and overseen, as a judge, the adult and school children’s art competitions in Forbes’ Heritage Week celebrations.

Mrs Thomson is also a member of Forbes Art Society, involved with the Platypus Gallery.