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Forbes Phoenix

Our Young Gal – Rachel Bilsborough

April 6, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Rachel Bilsborough

How old are you? 11 years old.

What School do you attend and what year are you in? Forbes North Public School, Year 6.

Were you named after anyone? No.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? Chips, muffins and sandwiches.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? Professional goalkeeper.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Food, clothes, iPhone and a house deposit.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Sliding down a giant waterslide andsnorkelling with Banjo Shark and Flathead.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? The Queen.

What makes you feel like dancing? Music, with someone else, being happy.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? To be famous, to overcome my fears, write my wishes on a piece of paper and wish them all to come true.

Our Young Bloke – Benjamin Hodges

March 31, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Benjamin Hodges

How old are you? 11.

What School do you attend and what year are you in? Forbes North Public School, year 6.

Were you named after anyone? No.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? Dominos pizza, Coke and chocolate.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? Carpenter.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Lots of devices and a park for my back yard.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Snorkelling with sharks.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Nathan Cleary.

What makes you feel like dancing? Hip Hop music. 

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? I would write all my wishes on a piece of paper and then wish that every wish would come true. To be Captain at High School and to become famous in some way.

Our Young Gal – Maely MacGregor

March 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

How old are you? 17.

What School do you attend and what year are you in? I’m in year 12 at Parkes High School.

Were You Named After Anyone? No I wasn’t, my parents just liked the name.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? A yogo, rice crackers and chocolate.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? A flight attendant so I’m able to travel the world as a part of my job.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would buy car.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Went on the slingshot.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Whitney Houston.

What makes you feel like dancing? The Spice Girls. 

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? 1. Good health, 2. Happiness throughout life and 3. Own a tropical Island.

Our Young Bloke – Toby Collins

March 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Toby Collins

How old are you? 17.

What School do you attend and what year are you in? I am in year 12 at Parkes High School. 

Were You Named After Anyone? No. Although my middle name is the same as my dad’s.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? A block of chocolate, pizza and apple pie.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? An actor in Outer Banks. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would buy a car.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? I was snorkeling and saw a shark.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Elvis Presley.

What makes you feel like dancing? Elvis music and a fun vibe.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? A billion dollars, perfect health and to compete in the Olympics. 

Our Bloke – Damian Walsh

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Damian Walsh

Where were you born? Parkes, New South Wales.

Were you named after anyone? No. However it’s a pretty awesome name hey!

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? The only accomplishment I’m proud of is being such an awesome person, 365 days per year.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? I’d have to say, living through two flood events, which were both one in 100 year floods, was the biggest historical moment I’ve ever come across. However, Messi winning the world cup last year was pretty big too.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I don’t take risks, Risks are risky.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A fishing rod, camping chair and an esky.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Well, Blue Sky would see a decent chunk of that.. but I’d probably buy the missus something nice too.

When are you happiest? When I’m with my kids. 

Our Gal – Barb Chislett

February 17, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Barb Chislett

Where were you born? Trundle. 

Were you named after anyone? No. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My children. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Man landing on the moon. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? To be honest. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Coming to Hay’s Hardware LOL! 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A boat, food, and water. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? On a nice holiday. 

When are you happiest? At home with my family. 

Our Bloke – Lorne “Bams” Cassidy

February 10, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Lorne “Bams” Cassidy

Where were you born? Gods country, Penrith…raised out west here in Eugowra.

Were you named after anyone? Nah, mum just liked the name but a lot of people think it was after Lorne Greene from bonanza. Bams started as Bambi and that one is a long story!

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Probably making it this far alive or sharing the floor and stage with some of the country’s best barbers and hair dressers over my career.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Probably 9/11, I was young and that was the first really big tradgedy that I remember, it changed the world…and there were no cartoons that morning either.

Whats the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The three P’s, practice practice practice!

Whats the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Wayyyy too many to even choose!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A dog, a knife and a beer…or maybe just three dogs.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Tattoos, shoes, Zappos and Korean BBQ.

When are you happiest? On the floor behind the chair sharing a laugh!

Our Gal – Katie Spence

February 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Katie Spence

Where were you born? Windsor, NSW. 

Were you named after anyone? No. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My children, my husband and all that we’ve achieved together in 15 years. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11, COVID, Russia invading Poland…. There’s too many!! 

Whats the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Things always, always happen for a reason. Whether you need to process it in the moment or years that, you will look back and see and understand why things happen the way they do. 

Whats the greatest risk youve ever taken? Buying a butchers and being a farmer. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Insulin, beer and nachos 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Probably on my kids, or even a new bathroom. 

When are you happiest? Friday afternoons having a beer out the back with hubby and watching our kids play or going on hikes at the Blue Mountains. 

Our Bloke – Brett Thomas

January 27, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Brett Thomas

Where were you born? Sydney.

Were you named after anyone? My initials BJ after my grandfather.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Getting married and having two great kids. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The recent Eugowra flooding. Helping clean up over there and listening to the stories of survival. They are a strong community.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? There’s always a reason and there’s always a solution.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Sky diving solo.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A boat, fishing gear and a pallet of beer.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Build a patio at the back of the house.

When are you happiest? Playing golf and having a few beers with the boys.

Our Gal – Ashleigh Smith (Miss Priscilla 2022)

January 4, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Ashleigh Smith (Miss Priscilla 2022)

Where were you born? I was born in Parkes. 

Were you named after anyone? No. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Giving birth to my son. 

What did you enjoy the most about being Miss Priscilla? I enjoyed being amongst the festival and meeting new people, it always is a fun time. 

What is your favourite Elvis song? Hound Dog. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Starting my own beauty business back in 2018. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would use it to take my family on a big holiday overseas.

When are you happiest? I’m happiest when I’m at home relaxing with my family. 

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