Chris Sweeney

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
Forbes has been my home for 56 years, and it never ceases to amaze me how the Forbes people and businesses support our community both in good times and bad.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I am self- employed as a lamb feed lotter and am proud to supply a quality product.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy all facets of rugby, playing badminton, dragon boating and spending quality time with my family and friends. I also enjoy a beer every now and then.

What are you really good at?
Organising lunch for a few people… Also, rugby refereeing as I always try to finish in the top five referees on the field during the game. (PS: There is only one referee in rugby!)

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To change the minds of the worst leaders of the world so people can live in their own country if they choose, so then there would be no refugee issues.

What is your pet hate?
My pet hate is selfish people who don’t contribute to either business or the community but then expect everything to be provided for them.

Aidan Clarke

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Forbes my whole life, 21 years. Forbes is my home and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Forbes Learning Ladder as a room lead- er. The thing I love most about my job is watching the children grow and learn each and every day.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
Well I am going to be completely honest and say if I am not fishing or having a few tips at Randwick on a Saturday, then I will be parked in front of the TV watching something sporty.

What are you really good at?
I am happy to be an average guy. That said I am really good at caring for and educating kids and received acknowledgement for the 2017 Junior Citizen of the Year.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be a genius and to help find a cure for some of these dreadful dis- eases on our planet.

What is your pet hate?
My pet hate without a doubt would be leaving the toilet seat up! I am a bloke, but you must remember I work with women and have to keep my eye on it!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Like I said I love Forbes! Well…. we took a drive to Bogan Gate once!

Cheryl Newsom

How long have you lived in Canowindra and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Canowindra for five years. It is very quiet, although sometimes a little too quiet, but I am close to my two grandchildren. They make my day, every day.

What did you enjoy about your job and what are your plans now that you are stepping down as publisher?
I have been the publisher of the Phoenix Group of Newspapers for four years, and have really enjoyed the weekly challenges. I love meeting the business people and learning more about their business. I plan to do a lot of travelling, and will be available for businesses and big media clients for consul- tancy initiatives.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I do a lot of reading, and love my garden.

What are you really good at?
I believe that one of my strengths is my sales ability – this still continues to give me a buzz.

What is your pet hate?
People who do not respond to emails and phone calls.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I have had a lot of exciting holidays, al- though some of my best holidays would include, time in Italy at Easter with my two girls and a wildlife game drive north of Dur- ban in South Africa. I am looking forward to my holiday this year to Italy, Spain, Portu- gal and London.

Rob Willis

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
More than 70 years. I like the people and the place. I suggest that everyone go for a walk around our beautiful lake and envi- rons, and have a chat to people along the way and you will see what I mean.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
The National Library of Australia in Canberra is the base for my work, however I travel Australia wide recording people’s stories. What is there not to enjoy about this?

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
Listen to and play music – a wide variety from Rock, through to Irish and traditional to Classical. I love my music!

What are you really good at?
Getting people to open up and tell me their life stories for the archives… also radio and theatre production.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Is wisdom a super power? If so I would gift it to our world and local leaders.

What is your pet hate?
I don’t hate any- thing! I dislike negativity and elitism.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
All holidays are good. Favourite places visited would have to be Scandinavia, as well as Ireland.

Gwen Barnard

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
Since 1978… nearly 40 years. I love Forbes (except for the heat) for the ease of driving around without too much traffic and finding parking easily; walking around Lake Forbes; our medical services; head- ing to the supermarket for bread and milk and walking out an hour later with a full trolley because I ran into so many people I know; and the genuine concern people have for each other.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Catholic Healthcare Jemalong Residential Village (JRV). I love all the different personalities that help make our unique culture. There is a lot of laughter in our corridors, and yes there are sad times, however they are special for those who live at JRV and the family and friends who visit. I truly love being able to meet people when they are in human need.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
Time with family and friends, road tripping and researching with Mr Google for new travel destinations.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
That is a no brainer! Through faith I am strong in God’s mighty power.

What is your pet hate? Snoring! Other people snoring! I don’t snore, at least I have never heard myself snore. Another one is slamming doors!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
My best and most memorable holiday was to Antarctica. We sailed for 22 days and had 32 landings and crossed Drake Passage, the worst ocean crossing in the world. I will never forget the ice-covered mountain peaks, the iceberg crystal cit- ies, the storms, whales, the hundreds of thousands of penguins, the isolation – it all took my breath away.

Rowan Woods

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I moved to Warroo from Parkes when I was 3. I went to primary school in Warroo and attended High School in Forbes. In 1992 I moved to Forbes so have lived in town for 25 years.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Jemalong Wool. The best thing about my work is the people I work with and our clients.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
To unwind I drive the boat whilst friends and family water ski, fly my Pilot Cherokee when I get the chance, and pottering around my garden.

What are you really good at?
That is a hard one… I am told I am good at diplomacy and my kids love my poached eggs.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To fly like a bird.

What is your pet hate? Disloyalty and rudeness. In addition, people who mispronounce kilometres.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. The best holiday ever was in 1987 when Sue and I backpacked for five months through Europe and the British Isles. We stayed with friends in Scotland, swam in Loch Ness, drove around England and Ireland and got a EuRail train pass and travelled in Spain and Greece. We loved it as the weather was hot like here, and it was as cheap as chips.