It is busy in January with celebrations and activities. This week there has been plenty of school holiday fun with two movie nights and the new inflatable at the Forbes Pool. My personal thanks to all staff who keep the Shire operating during the holiday season and those who have been hard at work planning and organising our upcoming events.

Council has had its first Saleyard Advisory Committee meeting and is looking forward to further expansion and growth of the facility. There have been good numbers for the new year sales with fantastic prices after preg tested ewes fetched $335 and first cross ewes topped $298 last week.

I hope you are planning to get down to our Amazing Forbes Elvis Breakfast tomorrow. Starting at 7.30am, come down and enjoy a fun and festive breakfast complete with Elvis entertainment, trivia and more.  Many thanks to the local business who are catering and supporting this event. It will be a great opportunity for friendship and to share the economic benefits of the iconic Elvis event. It is an excellent opportunity to pop down and do some early shopping before the heat of the day.

I personally cannot wait to meet our extraordinary Australia Day Ambassador, marathon swimmer James Pittar. Not only is he an incredibly accomplished athlete to have achieved it after losing his sight is remarkable. I certainly hope he will enjoy all our Australia Day festivities centred around our beautiful lake. Don't forget to come and celebrate with us at the Australia Day breakfast, the Digger's Swim and celebrations and entertainment at the lake in the afternoon. Looking forward to many more good things to come in 2018.