21 March 2024

Frost and Fire 2024 has officially launched!

We have officially launched Frost and Fire 2024 and I am so excited that Vera Blue is headlining this year’s event. It is so heartwarming to see a well-loved local girl who is so successful in her music career come back and perform in her hometown.

Along with Vera Blue, we have other fantastic artists to serenade us under the stars including Raechel Whitchurch, Cler, Em & Jo, Gracey Denham-Jones and Cameron Sharp. And, of course, we can’t forget about our other entertainment for the evening including fireworks, Cirque Um Navigate fire dancers and Ice Queen on stilts to help us celebrate this year’s Winter Solstice.

Tickets are on sale now via 123 tix so make sure you purchase yours to ensure you don’t miss out on our 5th annual Frost and Fire event.


This week is Harmony Week – a celebration of diversity in our community. This year’s focus is on belonging and bringing together Australians from all different backgrounds.

Forbes has a long history of diversity in our community, and Harmony Week provides the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on this and to celebrate the amazing people who have decided to call Forbes, and Australia, home.

Almost half our nation was either born overseas or has a parent who was and, according to the 2021 Census, 13.4% of Forbes residents were born overseas and 10.5% of us have at least one parent who was. I am really proud of the way our community welcomes newcomers to town and ensures they feel the sense of belonging that Harmony Week is all about.


I would also like to remind anyone who has been affected by the 2022 floods that you can still provide feedback through the housing survey from NSW Reconstruction Authority. This survey will help the NSW Government understand the community’s needs to help them allocate their funding to assist in the Central West’s flood recovery response. Even if you were only slightly affected, I would encourage you to complete the survey – you’ll be able to help yourself and others too!

Hard copy Surveys are available via Council’s office, or you can complete the survey online via www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/Central-West-Recovery or by calling 133 003 227. Council’s Community Recovery Officers will be available to help you complete this survey in Town Hall on Tuesday 26 March between 9am and 4 pm and Wednesday 27 March between 1pm and 4pm.

Enjoy your week, and God bless.

Phyllis Miller, OAM Forbes Mayor