An afternoon tea was held on Wednesday to farewell Forbes Railway Arts and Visitor Information Centre volunteers Yvonne Collits, Nola Sams, Pearl McGuire, Merle Churchill and Dorothy Findlay. On behalf of Council I thank these five women for the time and effort they have put into the centre.

The General Manager and myself are attending the National Congress of Local Government early next week. This is a very important conference as we will be brought up to date on Local Government trends Australia wide. 

Last Friday Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall was in Forbes to announce $20,000 support from the NSW Government for the inaugural Grazing Down the Lachlan, which is on September 23 this year. This is great news and recognises the work of the committee who have created the event.

The third fountain has been installed in Lake Forbes in between Wheogo Park and the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club. It looks fantastic and is a terrific backdrop for both of these locations. Last week Forbes Shire and Parkes Shire Councillors and executive staff got together for an evening meal in Parkes. It was a great way for all of us to discuss ideas and get to know each other better. We will reciprocate and host the dinner in Forbes next year.

Congratulations to Col Hodges who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday for his services to the horse racing industry. I went to school with Col and he always had a passion for horse racing.

Our June Council meeting was held yesterday. I will update you all next week. Tonight is a Cambodian Multicultural Dinner and everyone is welcome, from 6pm at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman's Club.