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Forbes Phoenix

OUR Bloke -Gary Hodges

April 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? Apart from 1986 to 2000 when I left to join the military, I’ve lived in Forbes for the rest of my 50 years. I like the lack of crowds and traffic.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m a self employed farmer. I like the wide open spaces and fresh air.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I fly aeroplanes and race go karts occasionally. I also pit crew/co-drive for my son, Jeremy in his race car.

What makes you proud? I’m always extremely proud of both my kids, Jeremy and Alyssa.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book? Movie: Topgun. Song: Don’t stop me now by Queen. Book: General Chuck Yeager’s Autobiography.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? An eagle because they get up nice and high.

Tell us about your best holiday. Representing Australia at the World Skydiving Championships in 1997 in Turkey. Then travelling home via America with my girlfriend (now wife), Kerry after not having seen her for three months.

Our Gal-Sarah Williams

April 4, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Forbes for pretty much my whole life. I love the small community and how everyone knows everyone!

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work for Forbes Shire Council as the Youth Officer. It’s very rewarding to be able to offer fun and educational programs/events to the youth of our community.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? To spend time with family and friends.

What makes you proud? My son and my family, especially my twin sister for all she has achieved.

What is your all-time favourite movie? My favourite movie is 8 Seconds!

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was to Darwin with my entire family. It was so beautiful and my first time on a plane.

What is on your bucket list? To travel the world, especially America!

Our Bloke-Sam Mackay

March 28, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes? I have lived in Forbes all 17 years of my life.

What do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a Year 12 student at Red Bend Catholic College. I am enjoying it but am keen to knock it over.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy relaxing and  watching movies as well as spending time with friends and family.

What makes you proud? Having a great family and coming from a town like Forbes.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? That’s a hard one! I have thought about it before and I’m pretty sure I decided on an eagle because it can go wherever it wants.

What is your all-time favourite movie and why? That would have to be Star Wars or Uncle Buck. I have fun memories of watching both of these movies.

Tell us about your best holiday. My favourite holiday would have to be the US. I would go back in a flash, in particular Hawaii.

Our Gal -Jenny Webb

March 21, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? Tim and I moved to the Warroo/Bedgerabong district in 1990. My great grandparents owned the Mulguthrie pub some 100 years earlier so I felt I was already a local. I enjoy that on the whole Forbes is a kind and tolerant community.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have a few hats… a radiographer, Deputy Mayor of Forbes and a farmer’s wife. The best part of work are the people that surround me.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy walks around the lake, extreme gardening and patchwork.

What makes you proud? I’m proud to feel that I am a valued member both at work and on council and that the community sense that I am someone they can approach and engage with.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? My dad calls me Jenny Wren and believes I have some of their characteristics. They are very active, inquisitive birds that sing all of the time… just like me.

Tell us about your best holiday. A family trip to New Zealand, hot air ballooning over Christchurch, hiking up Fox Glacier and extreme sports in Queenstown.

Our Bloke -Sam Johnston

March 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Forbes in 1995 and spent much of my early childhood living about 50km west of Forbes on a property called ‘Merriment’ near Corinella. What I like most about being part of the Forbes community is that everyone is very supportive, friendly and interested in what you are doing even though I no longer live in the area.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am currently working as a Sales and Marketing agent for rural property specialists Meares & Associates. I enjoy most the ability to meet so many different successful people and to be based in a metropolitan area but still having the opportunity to get out to the country a couple of days each week.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy spending my free time doing activities with mates and family.

What makes you proud? I’m proud of being part of the Australian agricultural industry. It has always played a pivotal part in my life and been my passion.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A working kelpie! They work hard, are full of energy and get to be involved with ag!

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was a horse ride through the Andes in Argentina in late 2017. It was some of the most amazing scenery that I had ever seen and a ripper boys trip that tested even the most experienced riders in the group.

Our Gal -Kate Ralph

March 7, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? This is my eighth year in Forbes after I moved here from Newcastle in 2011. I love being involved in the community and the friendships and connections I have made.

Where do you work or what do you currently do? I work at Red Bend Catholic College as a visual arts and dance teacher. I also started my own business last year, Elevate Dance Studio.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? The lake is my favourite place in Forbes, so beautiful and peaceful. I love going for walks with friends, enjoying the yummy Sweet Three waffles or riding my bike around.

What makes you proud? I’m so proud of all the students I teach. I’m also proud of my business. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to have my own dance studio and I’m finally making it happen.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? Probably a dolphin because I’m from the beach and might have been a mermaid in a previous life.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Centre Stage! I love it because of the determination and passion the dancers in the movie have. Truly inspiring!

Tell us about your best holiday. I went to Europe in 2015 to study at the Royal Academy of Dance. That was such an amazing experience. I was in so much awe to be there! On that trip I spent the days studying and dancing and then cramming in as many tourist adventures as I could!

Our Bloke – Justin Hoy (with his son, Cheyse)

February 28, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 16 years. I love the community spirit, the way people are always pulling together to support a great cause or help someone in need.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have worked at Forbes High School in the PDHPE department since I moved to Forbes. I love seeing students set goals and then working towards achieving them.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love to go fishing, play sport or head out on any adventures with my family.

What makes you proud? I’m really proud of my family. My wife raises our three kids whilst running her own business ventures. My kids look after each other and all have big hearts and personalities.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A Wedgetailed eagle. They’re intelligent, powerful and majestic.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movie would have to be Rocky. It’s the ultimate story of an underdog who became a champion.

Tell us about your best holiday. Culburra Beach in 2018 with my family and my father- in-law.

What is on your bucket list? I’d love to visit Kakadu and Arnhem Land whilst on a caravan trip round Australia with my family.

 

Our Gal – Jill-Ann Borger

February 21, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Forbes my whole life. I love living in a town where I can walk down the street and people know my name and want to stop and have a chat.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at Power Tools Plus in office administration. I love the job as it is such a friendly and supportive environment and just great people to work for.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy walking around the lake as it is both beautiful and peaceful. I also love to watch anything my kids are doing.

What makes you proud? I am very lucky to have two beautiful 15-year-olds as well as a supportive family.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? I would be a parrot so I could continue my love of talking!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Amazing Grace is my all time favourite song which my dad used to sing to us as kids.

What is on your bucket list? To retire happy and healthy with my husband, Darren

Our Bloke -Ben Gear

February 14, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I haven’t been living in Forbes for very long. Having grown up in the city, the lack of traffic here is awesome.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I’m the Head Professional at the golf club, and easily the best part of my job is helping people to improve or learn the game of golf.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I unwind by reading soccer reports, fishing or having a hit of golf.

What are you really good at? I’m really good at housework…

If you could have a super power, what would it be? The power of flight.

What is your pet hate? Politics is my biggest pet hate.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Trekking in the Himalayas, although I got sick with the altitude. Seeing Mount Everest and the village people in Nepal was unreal.

Our Gal -Gayle Williams

February 7, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I moved to Forbes 37 years ago. I like the friendly locals and attractive country town atmosphere.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at Red Bend College and enjoy the great staff and variety that the job brings.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? To unwind I enjoy reading, travelling, playing badminton and volunteering with the local Lions Club.

What are you really good at? I’m really good at reorganising things.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Teleporting, to avoid long haul flights.

What is your pet hate? Rude people.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. A fly/drive holiday through Ireland and Scotland, where we got off the tourist track and into the countryside.

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