Parkes Phoenix Editor

Bankruptcy: What Happens?
When you are declared bankrupt, your house may be sold and most of your other assets will become the property of your trustee. These include your bank account (if it has credit funds), business, shares, any tools of trade above $3,700 and any other assets, except personal items and most household goods. The trustee will try and convert all assets into cash and after deducting fees, will distribute such funds (if any) to creditors.

You will no longer be allowed to be a company director, nor stand for public office or continue in public office. You may work for a wage or salary, but might have to make regular repayments to the trustee. Bankruptcy lasts for three years unless extended by the court. After discharge your name will appear on the National Personal Insolvency Index
forever and on credit reporting agencies’ records for two years from the date of discharge, or up to five years from the date you became bankrupt, whichever is later.

If there is property vested in the trustee and it has not yet been dealt with, you don’t automatically get it back. The administration of your bankruptcy may continue after discharge. According to the Bankruptcy Act says a discharged bankrupt must still assist the trustee to finalise administration of the bankruptcy, advise the trustee of any change of address, provide information about financial circumstances and pay outstanding income contributions. You also have to give up secured assets if required by the relevant secured creditors and pay debts that are not released by bankruptcy, such as penalties and fines.

For further information contact Matthews Williams Solicitors and Conveyancers.

He has a solid and tangible presence in Forbes, from a statue and exhibitions in a museum and information centre to his gravestone in the cemetery, but tomorrow night Forbes will be the first place in the world to see the story of one of the most wanted men in Australian outlaw history come to life on screen. “Many attempts have been made to tell
Ben Hall’s story, but it is a hard nut to crack,” Matthew Holmes, director of The Legend of Ben Hall told The Forbes Phoenix.

“His life story is very unconventional and it would not work if told in a conventional manner. I was in the fortunate position to be able to make the film as I wanted it to be. I did not want to portray him as a good or a bad guy, but leave it to the audience to decide.” Matthew said he had always loved stories of people in the landscape, in an environment untouched and pure. “Ben Hall is such a fascinating character and his story is so unique. He is very different to other outlaws as he did not do it for money or power as such, but had more personal reasons – a broken heart after his wife left him.”

Matthew said though he did not see Ben Hall as an Australian Robin Hood. “That title has been grafted onto him incorrectly, although he was very decent and compassionate at times.” While some isolated scenes were filmed around Forbes, the majority was shot in regional Victoria. “The Forbes environment has been modernised too much and does not look like the time of Ben Hall any more.” Ben Hall (1837 – 1865) roamed an area from Bathurst to Forbes, south to Gundagai and east to Goulburn, leading the most notorious gang in Australia’s colonial past which included John Gilbert, John Dunn, John O’Meally and John Vane.

While viewers would not recognise any local landmarks, Matthew said they had a lot of support right from the start from Forbes, which was why the town was chosen for the world premiere. “Forbes is the heart of Ben Hall country. The Forbes audience can expect to see a tale told as faithfully as possible. I hope you will embrace the film.” Tomorrow night will be even more special as the audience will be able to meet the director and the actors.

The Legend of Ben Hall will be released in cinemas nationally on 1st December. Purchase tickets at https://www.stickytickets.com.au/44586. The film is rated M. Showground gates open at 6.30pm and screening
starts 8pm.

By Maggi Barnard