The Barellan community is preparing for their centenary celebrations from October 2-5, with heritage and home-grown sporting celebrities taking centre stage. The town is expecting up to 3000 visitors for the celebrations, including tennis legend Evonne Gooloogong-Cawley who will officially open the ‘Big Tennis Racquet’ built in her honour. Narrandera-born Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir has also been invited to attend Barellan’s birthday celebration. A wonderful program of activities will be held to highlight the history of the village, which now has a population of 300.

Peak Hill

Well respected Peak Hill farmer and former mayor of the Parkes Shire, Robert Wilson, has died following a car accident. Dawn Fardell, Independent Member for Dubbo, has organised a Condolence Book to honour his memory. Aged 67, Mr Wilson carried out exceptional public duty and recently retired as mayor of Parkes Shire after 23 years in the top. He was a great community person who devoted a life time to public service. He served as a local councillor for 43 years, and was Mayor of the Parkes Shire Council for more than two decades and recently took on new roles as part of the Regional Development Australia Central West Committee and the Newell Highway Taskforce. Many people throughout Central Western NSW and beyond have been shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death.

Hillston

Carrathool Shire Council will continue its financial scholarships to help local students who are attending Charles Sturt University meet their education expenses. Two scholarships, each worth $2500, will be awarded to students enrolled in any year of an undergraduate degree at the university. The Carrathool Shire scholarship scheme started in 2004 and has provided essential financial assistance to local tertiary students over the past five years

Forbes

Forbes Shire Council will undertake investigations into establishing a third water bore to secure town water as reductions to surface water allocations for towns on the Lachlan River were announced by the Department of Water and Energy. Initial estimates are that the project would cost $2 million. With Wyangala Dam at only six per cent capacity, the underground water supply will be relied on more and more as water flow in the Lachlan River could cease. The town’s two existing bores can cater for consumer demand, but if one bore suffered a breakdown, the town’s residents would have to follow unseen restrictions.