Melissa Gaffney
How long have you lived in Forbes? I was born in Forbes and moved to Sydney when I was 4. We moved back to Forbes when I was 10.

What is your favourite thing about Forbes? How friendly everyone is. Forbes locals are always happy to help out.

What are your passions/hobbies? Beauty therapy, horse riding, netball, going to the Races and competing in fashions on the field.

What is your biggest fear? Heights.

What is your worst habit? Over thinking everything and worrying about little things.

What is your favourite music to listen to right now? Anything, I like all types of music.

If you won the lotto, how would you spend it? I would buy a property and a few more horses. I would also shout myself and my family on an overseas holiday.

Who inspires you the most? My dad. He is a hard working kind and generous man, everything I aspire to be.

How long have you lived in Forbes?
For about 30 years. I was schooled in Forbes at Forbes North and Forbes High, went to university, worked on the Queensland border for a time and then moved back to Forbes.

What is your favourite thing about Forbes?
My family, the community spirit and the river.

Do you have any hobbies or other passions?
Sport, fishing, gardening and punting.

What is your biggest fear?
People failing to realise their potential.

Where is your favourite place in the world?
My home which is just a few acres on the river. It’s always nice to travel but I am happy when I come home.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive, dead or fictional, who would it be?
Provided they cook and clean up I would share a meal with almost anyone!

What is the biggest change you would like to see in the world?
Acceptance of all cultures/religions.

Our Gal – Janet Callaghan
How long have you lived in Forbes? All my life.
Where do you love to eat? I can eat anywhere in Forbes but my special place would be the Forbes Inn for a Chicken
Stir Fry Cashew Nuts.
What are your passions or hobbies? I’m passionate about my business, love hearing that people love our town. I’m passionate about being a good mother, wife and friend and living life to the fullest. I enjoy boot camp and walking the lake with friends. My favourite hobby is water skiing in summer.
What is your favourite music to listen to right now? Love all music! I’m always on the dance floor.
If you won the lotto, how would you spend it? I’d buy a resort and go on a very long holiday with family, friends & Billie.
Who inspires you the most? My parents – they have helped me make something of myself & supported me in my
choices. I would want to follow in their footsteps with being compassionate and kind to others.
Who is your favourite football team? Bulldogs.
What’s your favourite thing about Forbes? The country lifestyle and the people.

Ian Simpson
Where do you work? Owner and Director – Ray White Rural Forbes
What got you into selling rural real estate? I fell into it by chance after an opportunity was given to me. Haven’t looked back!
What do you love most about your job? Undoubtedly, having the opportunity to help farmers in our region, the excitement of finding buyers, the unique and diverse farms we have in these regions.
What ranking do you hold in Ray White rural sales? As of March 2015 ranked 15th of the entire Ray White Rural group.
How do you start your day? Shower, coffee and cuddles from my daughter Ava.
Where is your favourite place in the world? My family’s farm at Tottenham, “Yarran Grove”.
What are your plans for the future? Continue to improve and work on our business. Launch our new business 4WD, FISH & CAMP NSW. Buy my own farm one day.
What is the biggest change you would like to see in the world? The end of terrorism and a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

Leigh Bartholomaeus Owner of Local Boutique Little Extras Lifestyle

How long have lived in or around Forbes? Since 1983

What do you love most about your work? Everything! I love the Fashion and Accessories Industry, to supply and serve a wonderful community with THE BEST staff.

How do you start your day? At 5.45 am with exercise and a hot lemon water, then it’s off to work.

What do you do in your spare time? Work haha. Learning new things for my business to grow. Catching up with family and friends, enjoy nice food and wine. Travel, ‘I wish there was more of it’.

How do you like your coffee? Skinny Cappuccino.

What makes your day? Nice people with a nice attitude.

Chris Roylance Forbes Shire Councillor and Managing Director of Roylance’s Automotive, Industrial, Earth-Moving & Mining.

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? All my life — since 1955.
What do you love most about your work? Every day is a challenge and there’s always a new problem to tackle, whether it’s working for Roylance’s or for the Forbes Shire.
How do you start your day? My day starts at 5am with the morning news and a mug or two of tea. Then it’s into the emails and off to work as quickly as I can.
What do you do in your spare time? Spare time is rare, but I spend as much as I can
with the grandkids and the rest of the family, or travelling with Deb. But a game of golf is rewarding, especially since the Forbes course has been revitalised.
How do you like your coffee? A mug of cappucinno is good, but mostly I drink tea all day.
What makes your day? When everything I have been trying to achieve comes to fruition. But if it doesn’t I’m content to try another day.

Phyllis Miller, Mayor of Forbes Shire Council

How long have you lived in or around Forbes? Just over 40 years.
What do you love most about your work? I love giving back something to a community that has given just so much to me. How much they cared about me when I lost my son in a car accident was just so special.
How do you start your day? I start the day early, usually 5.30-6am, getting the reading done of all my official stuff. And have a pot of tea. I’m very much a morning person. I’ve written some of my best speeches at 3am.
What do you do in your spare time? I have six grandchildren and a seventh on the way, so I try to spend as much time with them as possible. I’m also a keen gardener and I love cooking. I also play squash and took it up again after a break of nearly 15 years.
How do you like your coffee? I usually have a skimmed-milk cappuccino, with no sugar, but I’m also partial to a piccolo when I need a pick-me-up. We have a coffee machine at home and when I go out I like to spread my business around as much as possible.
What makes your day? I reckon any day above ground is a good day, but the most rewarding time is time spent with my children and grandchildren.