Monica Wren

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I grew up in Forbes, but left when I was 16. I returned when I was 40; and have loved every minute of living back in Forbes. I love the people, the community and especially being around my family and my mother again. It’s a wonderful place to live.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work for Neighbourhood Central. I organise Community Transport and Social Support for my clients. I love coming to work, meeting people and helping them manage their needs.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? I am the least stressed I’ve ever been – so I don’t need to unwind! But if there is one place that I am truly peaceful, that would be working in my garden with the dogs at my side.

What are you really good at? Painting in a straight line! At the moment I am painting our house so I’ve become really good at cutting in.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Not sure – maybe the power to help people; but that’s not a super power – we all have that ability.

What is your pet hate? People being rude or nasty.

Tell us about your best holiday ever: Cruising with my husband and two boys to the Pacific Islands. It was our last family holiday before the boys moved out of home. Lots of great memories but I now look forward to future holidays with my wonderful husband as we plan to travel around Australia together.

Joseph (Joe) Bernardi

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? My whole life which is 36 years. I was born here and chose to work for the family business which is based here in Forbes.

Where do you work? Bernardi’s Supermarkets and Discount Dave’s

What do you enjoy most about your work? I particularly love working in the retail industry as it is so dynamic and the market is always changing. It certainly makes things challenging but I guess that is part of the appeal. I also really enjoy the food retailing as you get the opportunity to be creative especially with seasonal fresh food.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? Sam Walton who the was founder of Walmart in the U.S. but has now passed away. He was probably the world’s most ultimate retailer and he started from scratch. In the world of retail, he is the pinnacle in my view

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? The U.S. probably New York – never been but I’ve heard its awesome. When you get a huge population (New York City has 8.5million people living in it) in a limited geographical area it creates food and retail experiences that are not possible to execute without that population so I’d probably spend a lot of time looking at that – along with some cultural stuff to keep my wife happy!

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? I have lived here most of my life… but not all of it yet. I first moved to Forbes as a Red Bend Boarder in 1965. Red Bend was my Forbes home for six years. I moved back again in 1976 to open my business.

Where do you work? I opened my optometry practice in 1976 – was 40 years ago in July! My practice is now located at 67 Rankin Street, Forbes. I sought higher ground from my Cross Street practice after being flooded out in 1990.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I really enjoy meeting a wide variety of people and hopefully sending them back out to see the world more clearly.

How do you start your day? Nothing beats a dense shot flat white with Girra Girra Sourdough and their free range eggs.

What makes your day? Anything that makes me laugh, or being with friendly, happy people.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? Any or all of my wonderful friends.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? Santorini and the Greek Islands – just to relax.

Sue-Anne Nixon

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? I moved to Yarrabandai in 1979 to commence teaching at Condobolin Public School.

Where do you work? I work as a teacher at Forbes North Public School.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I really enjoy making a difference each day to a young person’s educational journey.

How do you start your day? I start my day by watering the school’s vegetable garden and feeding the chickens before the morning bell!

How do you like your coffee? I prefer tea to coffee. I like my tea super milky.

What makes your day? Being able to play my Euphonium with friends and family. A Euphonium is a brass instrument that is smaller than a tuba but is more melodious.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? Family and friends.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? Pompeii in southern Italy.

Shane Percy

How long have you lived in or around Forbes?
All my life, I love Forbes!

Where do you work?
Forbes Small Engines
Helping people out and our fun work environment.

How do you start your day?
With a shower.

How do you like your coffee?
Hot, two sugars and milk.

What makes your day?
Being with my three girls, Lauren, Ava and Ebony.

Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Family.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday?
Disneyland!

Sabrina Calvani

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? Six years.

Where do you work? Café Aglio e Olio.

What do you enjoy the most about your work? Meeting people and seeing our regulars.

How do you start your day? Green tea, coffee, then the gym, if I have time!

How do you like your coffee? Hot and little froth.

What makes your day? Friendly people who like to chat.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? My family.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? Disneyland with the kids.

Steve Walker

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? 32 years.

Where do you work? Walkers AGnVET.

What do you enjoy the most about your work? Helping customers with their daily challenges and staff interaction.

How do you start your day? Shower, get dressed and straight to work.

How do you like your coffee? Cappuccino with one sugar.

What makes your day? Having a good day at work.

Who would you most like to have dinner with? Steve Waugh, Tim Brasher and Beth!

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? New York.

Stevie Morrison

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? For 23 years. I have always considered Forbes home even when I was at boarding school in Sydney and at university on the Gold Coast.

Where do you work? HE Silos Forbes.

What do you enjoy the most about your work? I enjoy working with everyone on the HE Silos Team but in particular working alongside my dad, Steven, mum, Jenny, and brother Josh every day.

How do you start your day? I wish I could start it with a cocktail in each hand on a beach, however in real life you will find me at the gym with my boyfriend sweating it out.

How do you like your coffee? Depending on my mood but The Brew makes a mean double shot skim latte.

What makes your day? Knowing that I have the ability and the opportunity to work in an industry that manufactures an exceptional product. We build from scratch in the local community with local people, supplying local farmers and other industries, and adding to the local economy. It’s really satisfying!

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? My dream holiday would be going to Tahiti; it just looks absolutely stunning.

David Fitzgerald

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? 12 years

Where do you work? CEO of Forbes Services Memorial Club (FSMC) for 12 years.

What do you enjoy the most about your work? Being part of a community orientated club that assists so many local community and sporting organisations in Forbes.

How do you start your day? Hit the ground running!

How do you like your coffee? A well made SaGaWa Cappuccino from FSMC Café.

What makes your day? Receiving feedback from club members and customers on how friendly and helpful the staff are at FSMC!

Who would you most like to have dinner with? My beautiful wife Tracey.

Where would you like to go on your dream holiday? I have no dream holiday destination but my dream holiday is anywhere as long as it is with my wife Tracey and my sons Jake, Jared and Jhye… that’s my dream holiday.