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Forbes Phoenix

Our Bloke -Dylan Johnson

August 29, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived in the area for around 8 years. It’s always a great place to come back to where everyone is friendly and up for a chat.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I manage Anytime Fitness and love the work because of the social aspect and the ability we have to transform people and change lives.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? Mostly working on my own businesses or having a few drinks with friends or family.

What are you really good at? Making cocktails, weightlifting and procrastination.

What is your pet hate? People walking slow (not so much of an issue here rather than Sydney).

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? Super strength, so I wouldn’t need to lift as many weights.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? My best holiday ever would be an adventure holiday trying some of the most dangerous activities like base jumping, wing gliding, mountaineering and survival treks.

What makes your day? Good people, great vibes and smiles.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I’ve done some acting for commercials previously in Hong Kong and Australia

Our Gal -Nadika Vidler-Mckeown

August 22, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what is the best thing about living here? I’ve lived in between Forbes and Parkes my whole life. Forbes has great places to take kids, we especially love the park by the Pre-School.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m a stay-at-home Mum at the moment. I don’t think anything could be as challenging yet rewarding at the same time. It really is the best job.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Get out and about with my son and partner! We love going to different community events.

What makes you proud? Watching my son learn new things! Every new word or gesture is something to celebrate.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Lion King, it reminds me of my childhood and it makes me smile and laugh and cry all at the same time!

What is on your bucket list? Snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef! Especially since it is quickly deteriorating.

What are you really good at? I can make a really good chicken carbonara!

What makes your day? When Jye gets home from work, my little boy is always so excited to see him and kick the footy together.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I’m due to have a baby in the next few weeks!

Our Bloke -Blake Goodsell

August 15, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I moved here when I was 9 – so I’ve lived here 24 years. Forbes is a great place to bring up the kids, we love it!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work at Bernardi’s and have done for over 20 years. I work with great people and enjoy chatting with the customers.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? There is no time to unwind with 4 kids! On weekends we take them to sport and after work I’m straight home to cook dinner for the family (Larissa doesn’t cook)!

What are you really good at? There’s not much I’m not good at! Look at me I am perfect!

What is your pet hate? When people don’t answer a call on a mobile phone. It’s called a mobile for a reason people – take it with you and answer it when people call!

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? I’d have dinner cooked for me every night because my partner doesn’t seem to know where the kitchen is.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? My best holiday was recently when I travelled with my eldest son to Port Hedland WA. We spent our time visiting family, touring national parks, fishing and relaxing. I loved spending one on one time with him because it doesn’t happen often enough.

What makes your day? When I come home to a cooked meal!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I will not use a towel more than once!

Our Gal -Matilda Den

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what is the best thing about living here? I have lived in Eugowra for the past 11 years and recently moved to Forbes nine months ago. Living in Eugowra there was such a sense of community and family that was extremely comforting.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I currently work at the Central Hotel Eugowra helping my family manage and run the pub. This has been a recent adventure for us something that has been extremely enjoyable and rewarding. I am also studying through Charles Sturt University to be a Technology and Applied Studies Teacher.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love walking around the beautiful town of Forbes with my dog. We take full advantage of the beautiful lake on sunny days.

What makes you proud? My family. This adventure of us taking over the pub in Eugowra recently has been a major project for us all and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A whale, I wish I could travel and see as much as they do.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie would have to be Tomorrow When The War Began. Book, anything by John Green and music, I love all of Ed Sheeran’s music.

What are you really good at? I’d like to say photography and cooking, they are major passions of mine.

Our Bloke -Daniel “Swanny” Swanston

August 1, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I was born and raised in Forbes, so 23 years, I enjoy the friendly nature of everyone and how gorgeous a place Forbes is.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work for Forbes Shire Council as a Sewer Plant Operator. The thing I enjoy most about work are the people I work with.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? Footy of course both Union and League, Fishing, Camping, walking the dogs and don’t mind a bit of amateur photography too.

What are you really good at? I believe I’m really good at being a good bloke and helping others when they need a helping hand.

What is your pet hate? When there’s an empty car park and people still park right next to my Clubby.

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? Teleportation because then I could skip the long plane rides for holidays.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Most difficult question that’s been asked but I’m going to say my first trip overseas where I ticked off a life long dream of visiting Egypt and more specifically seeing the Pyramids.

What makes your day? Coming home from work and seeing how excited the dogs are to see me.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? Swanston Street in Melbourne is named after a family ancestor.

Our Gal -Lucy Cole

July 25, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what is the best thing about living here? I’ve lived in Forbes for 16 years! Particularly over the last few years I’ve noticed a major boost in the Forbes community, there are so many fantastic events and things to do and see.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’ve recently started as a Sales Executive for the Phoenix! I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with. I get to spend my working days doing what I love most; being out and about and talking to people!

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Spending time with my little family. I also like going to the gym and drinking way too much coffee.

What makes you proud? Seeing my time and effort pay off! I love seeing results; whether it be my own results or my family’s.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A bird! Imagine never having to deal with traffic or potholes in the roads!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I’m a sucker for the Harry Potter series. My dad introduced them to me when I was younger, so they’ve become almost sentimental to me.

What is on your bucket list? New Zealand is next on my bucket list! Renting a caravan and exploring for a few weeks with my other half, what could be better!

What are you really good at? Talking! And I love decorating cakes. I’m the least physically creative person you’ll meet but somehow I can whip up a pretty good cake!

Tell us about your best holiday ever? A month long trip to England! I have family around Brighton and it blew my mind how much the environment can change within such a short distance. And trying to pronounce town names in Wales was interesting!

Our Bloke -Billy Spence

July 18, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? About 30 years. I love the small country town feeling. The people here are friendly and supportive.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I own the Forbes Central Butchery. I enjoy building my relationship with customers and love how versatile meat can be, so many different cuts and flavourings.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I love a nice cold beer and playing with my kids. We head out to our family farms whenever we get the chance.

What are you really good at? Talking! And I’m a pretty good cook, especially camp ovens.

What is your pet hate? Without a doubt, liars and thieves. But I also hate people chewing with their mouth open!

If you could have a super power what would it be and why? If I could choose, I would like to be able to fly. I’d love to take in the view from way up there.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Affie Station. We go there annually as a family for a camp oven weekend.

What makes your day? Happy wife, happy life! Everything is better when she’s happy!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I’m pretty well-known for my camp ovens using mum’s secret recipe. Although I think mine might be a little better than hers. I won my first competition over the weekend!

Our Gal – Gabrielle Sands

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Gabrielle Sands

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what is the best thing about living here? I live in Parkes and have done for 6 years, however I work in Forbes. The best thing about living here is the community, the people are friendly and always willing to help out.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m an office assistant for HE Silos. Not only do I have fantastic work colleagues, but I’ve been given wonderful opportunities to grow as an individual and study. I have great people to learn from and fantastic customers to keep me busy.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy going to the gym whenever I have the chance. Apart from that, binging Netflix on lazy days.

What makes you proud? Seeing my hard work pay off. Since being at HE Silos, I’ve completed my Cert IV in Business in well under the completion time and I’m really proud of myself for sticking it out.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? I would definitely be a monkey. Not only are monkeys smart, but they’re also really funny. Best of both worlds!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Hungry Caterpillar! I’ve never found another book that is more relatable.

What is on your bucket list? I really want to go to the Maldives. I want to get my scuba diving certificate, so I can enjoy it all and experience the ocean in peace.

What are you really good at? I can talk my way out of any situation! That counts, doesn’t it?

Tell us about your best holiday ever?
Definitely Bali for the girls trip of a lifetime. Nothing better than sipping on cocktails on a sunny, tropical beach.

What makes your day? Waking up knowing I’m going to a rewarding job, with people I enjoy spending time with. Then coming home to spend quality time with my friends, family and I can’t forget the cat, Yumi.

Our Lil Bloke -Jackson Markwort

July 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How old are you? I am 7.

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? Ummm I don’t know. 7 years I think.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Forbes North Public School and I am in Year 2.

What do you love most about school? Playing with my friends.

What is your favourite sport and why? Soccer, because I like playing it.

What is your favourite food? Tomatoes.

What do you do in your spare time? Watch TV and ride motorbikes.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Ummm be super speedy!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I like doing maths.

Our Gal -Coralie Crouch

June 27, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what is the best thing about living here? I came to Forbes in 1968 as an Art teacher. I left in 2000 and we returned to retire here in 2017.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am now retired but I taught at Forbes High School until 2000 and in Newcastle until 2017. I now work in my pottery studio Serendipity and take occasional classes. What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I like to read and engage in creative writing. My main passion is pottery and other forms of art. I also play squash and tennis for fun.

What makes you proud? I feel proud when I meet past students who remember the experiences and good times they had in my art lessons.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? I would be a dog because dogs give the best example of how to behave in a humane manner. Fidelity is their motto.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The opening line is very revealing and still relevant.

What is on your bucket list? My bucket list is to stay active, to continue sharing my pottery knowledge and not to lose my sense of humour.

What are you really good at? I am good at trying to achieve my goals which are to stay healthy and creative.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? My best holiday was when I backpacked with my friend around Europe visiting many famous Art Museums.

What makes your day? My day is made when I share my studio with enthusiastic students and visitors. My other best time is when I have an occasional glass of wine with long time Forbes friends.

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