All the businesses are winners in our eyes as you keep our town going through good times and the tough times.

The individual winners will feature in other articles I’m sure but I must congratulate the overall winner Flannerys Pharmacy. Not only did they clean up at the BOSCARS they are in for a national award also. I wish them all the very best in their next award competition.

READ ALSO: Flannery's named Business of the Year, all the winners, photos from the Boscars

I would like to end the rumours circulating at the moment that Bunnings is closing. Contact has been made with the company and they have confirmed they aren’t.

We thank the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack for giving the Newell Highway study a $2 million boost.

Hopefully the study will show we desperately need to do something about the stretch between Forbes and West Wyalong, which saw diversions in place for over six weeks in the last flood. We look forward to participating in the study and having our voices heard.

We are pleased to hear the great response we are getting regarding upgrading the Community Halls in our Shire. The first Hall to have a community consultation was Wirrinya. Calarie, Garema, Bedgerabong and Waroo are all having visits by Andrew Rawsthorne, Council’s Grants Officer, over the coming weeks. We want to hear your “wish list” for your Hall.

I would like offer a warm welcome the new doctors in town. We have the greatest respect for the doctors in Forbes, both past and present.

This coming Heritage week we will see the final of the nine Doctor’s Panels unveiled at the celebrations. These panels cover the history of doctors who practiced in Forbes from the Harold Street Medical Centre and Cross Street surgeries.

Rain and a cool change has been welcomed this week. Let’s hope this is the start of the drought breaking rain we so desperately need.

God Bless.

Your Mayor Phyllis Miller

READ ALSO: Your amazing photos as dust storm rolls through Forbes