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Forbes Phoenix

Our Gal – Louie Hodder

July 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Louie Hodder

What school do you go to and what do you like most about it? I go to Forbes Public School and I like the teachers and the students around me.

What is your favourite subject at school and why? My favourite subject is art be- cause it is creative, and I enjoy using lots of colours.

What makes you laugh the most? My friends.

What is your dream job? To be a gymnastics coach.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? It would be teleportation so I can go to places whenever I want.

What is something you are really good at? I am really good at gymnastics, athletics, swimming and netball.

What is your pet hate? When people dribble from their mouth.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? I would live in America because that’s where most famous people are.

Our Lil’ Guy – Stirling Francis

June 26, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

What school do you go to and what do you like most about it? I go to Forbes Public School and what I like most about it are the people around me.

What is your favourite subject at school and why? My favourite subject at school is Sport because I get to compete in events, going away to play against other schools.

What makes you laugh the most? When other people are laughing.

What is your dream job? A farmer.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? If I had superpower, I would want it to be super strength.

What is something you are really good at? I am really good at football, swimming and athletics.

What is your pet hate? My pet hate is when people make scratchy sounds.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? I like Forbes because I have my friends and family in Forbes.

Our Gal – Julie Hurkett

June 19, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Julie Hurkett

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived here all my life; I like that I can walk up the street and know lots of people. It’s a great community when anyone needs help.

What was your first job? My first job was tennis coaching. I played a lot of tennis and used to help with coaching.

What makes you laugh the most? My husband and grandchildren.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Play golf.

Describe your dream holiday? Family and friends by the sea.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Probably our family holidays down at Narrabeen.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I think I would love the Sunshine Coast, maybe 10 years ago, before COVID-19. Forbes is a lovely spot, but the coast would be great for the weather.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My Nana Toole, my husband, and my father-in-law.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To make people in the world more tolerant of other people’s choices.

What is your pet hate? People who judge others without trying to understand.

Our Bloke – John Clarke

June 12, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? All my life, I like that it’s a friendly country town.

What was your first job? I was an apprentice butcher. I started a long time ago too.

What makes you laugh the most? My girls and my grandchildren, anything makes me laugh really.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? I’d move to Wagga Wagga to spend more time with my daughters and my grandchildren.

Describe your dream holiday? Anywhere with my family.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Going yabbying with my dad.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Forbes, and now really. You get used to the place you live.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My wife and children.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To be able to see into the future.

What is your pet hate? People with no manners, no please and thank you.

Our Gal – Lily Tayla Walsh

June 5, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes since I was two years old. I’ve enjoyed growing up here and the childhood I was able to have. I love the community and how everyone knows each other and in tough times everyone comes together.

What was your first job? My first job was at Bernardi’s Marketplace where I am still employed, going on five years now. I am grateful to work for such an amazing family run company.

What makes you laugh the most? My friends, family, and animals.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? I would travel everywhere!

Describe your dream holiday? Going to the beach or a warmer, sunnier place.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Summertime with my friends, riding our scooters to the pool or river.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? In the 1960s when my Pop, Ian Walsh played football.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Kylie Jenner.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To be able to read people’s minds.

What is your pet hate? People who snore.

Our Bloke – Shannon Bray

May 29, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? All my life, and I like that my family and my girlfriend are here.

What was your first job? I worked at Forbes Pizza House, just rolling dough.

What makes you laugh the most? Billy Spence and Dean Besham, who I work with.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? I’d still work every day at the Butcher’s.

Describe your dream holiday? Japan, to see Tokyo.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Getting up to mischief with my friends.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Right here and right now.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My Pop, my Nan and my girlfriend.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To be able to click my fingers and be wherever I thought about being.

What is your pet hate? Untidiness.

Our Gal – Julie Blume

May 22, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here all my life. I love the laid-back country lifestyle and Forbes is a very beautiful town.

What was your first job? I worked on the check-out at Bernardi’s.

What makes you laugh the most? My kids.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Nothing different to what I do now, money isn’t everything.

Describe your dream holiday. Skiing in Canada.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Bike rides with Dad down to Nan and Pop’s farm and going fishing at Cottons Weir.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Just live in the moment each day, the world is a crazy place so we should be grateful for the time we have now.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Ryan, Mum, and someone who has no family.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? To read people’s minds, because sometimes people expect you to.

What is your pet hate? Untidiness.

Our Bloke – Brett Slessor

May 15, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I grew up here and have been back and forth my whole adult life. I like that my family is here and country towns are awesome.

What was your first job? Woolworths in Forbes.

What makes you laugh the most? My friends.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Travel, I would get a bunch of friends together on a private jet, country hopping and partying.

Describe your dream holiday? I have had my dream holiday, meeting Britney Spears in Las Vegas.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Holidaying every year at Sussex Inlet with my family.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Sydney in the 80s or the 90s.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Britney Spears, Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga.

Our Gal – Jenny Sullivan

May 8, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived here my whole life and it’s the most beautiful town in Australia. I love it, I always tell people that.

What was your first job? Working with children, I’ve done that all my life. I’ve been a special education teacher’s aide for 26 years

What makes you laugh the most? The team I work with at school.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? I don’t know, never thought of that but I’d probably spend more time with grandchildren and do more volunteer work.

Describe your dream holiday? Either Hawaii or Port Douglas.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Going to the trots with Mum and Dad and my sisters to race horses.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I’d just keep things as they are living in the time and place I am in now.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My twin sister Angie and my Mum and Dad.

Our Bloke – Ian Bown

May 1, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here all my life. It’s a strong little country community town, with a great golf course.

What was your first job? I worked with my father in the Shell fuel depot.

What makes you laugh the most? A good joke with friends.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Travel the world and watch every major sporting event in the world.

Describe your dream holiday? Spending weeks and weeks with my grandson.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Saint George winning the ‘77 Grand Final.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Now, I could not change it or make it any better.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My grandson, table one and family.

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