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Forbes Phoenix

Our Gal – Shania Sarsfield Miss Priscilla 2020

April 20, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Where were you born? Wellington NSW.

Were you named after anyone? The name Shania came from my Mum being a Shania Twain fan, and the midwife who helped to deliver me was also named Shania.

What did you enjoy the most about being Miss Priscilla? It’s so hard to pick just one, but visiting the nursing homes warmed my heart. Overall, I enjoyed my role as the Elvis fans are very passionate and it’s amazing to see how it brings everyone together to celebrate!

What is your favourite Elvis song? I get asked that a lot, and I’m pretty sure the answer changes every time! There are so many great songs, and it just depends on what I’m feeling at the time. At the moment I’ve been jamming to “All Shook Up”.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? I’m very proud of being crowned Miss Priscilla and so grateful for the experience, but another accomplishment is that I’m in my last year of studies to become a registered nurse and I cannot wait to go out into the world and start my career.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The fight for social equality and women’s rights. Women in NSW gained the right to vote in 1902. This moment has guided women closer to equality in all aspects of life. From a time when women weren’t even able to drink in a bar!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A hammock, a good book and a lychee mojito!

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would probably send it to the flood effected families.

Our Gal – Bec Ragg

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I moved here in 1987. I love the community vibe, always ready to help each other in times of need.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I work at Club Forbes. I love the atmosphere at the club, the staff are the best and the patrons are lovely.

What was your first job? Tomato Picking.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? Travel, buy a huge farm so I can have all the animals.

What makes you laugh the most? My kids and my grandbabies.

What’s your pet hate? People who are cruel and intolerant to others.

What’s on your bucket list? Las Vegas, see the northern lights in Canada, swim with the great white sharks in South Australia.

If you would live in any time and place, when and where would it be? Present day in the Colorado Mountains.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Talking to animals – would love to know what they are thinking.

What’s your favourite childhood memory? Learning to figure skate.

What’s your favourite quote? Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself… I was the first girl born on my father’s side of the family in two generations.

Be Seen @ Physie Zone Championships

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Danielle Hornery 3rd, Georgie Stewart 1st, and Willow Frost 2nd in the 7-8 year champion girl.

 

Maddi Hornery 1st and Grace McDonald 2nd in the 10-year category.

 

Lexi Herden 2nd and Maya Doyle 1st place in the 11-12 category.

 

Aleigha Hornery 3rd in the 5-6 year category. Emily Rich-ies 1st in the 9-year category.

Lachlan’s Hidden Gem For Sale

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Carranor, one of the Lachlan River’s hidden gems, is on the market with Forbes-based rural property specialists Johnston Rural Group.

Carranor is a unique and highly productive mixed irrigation farm which also provides a wonderful place to live. Ideally located upstream of Jemalong Weir, Carranor enjoys a convenient yet private location under 15 minutes’ drive west of Forbes.

Surrounded by a scenic 270° and 8.25km water frontage, the property comprises approximately 225.91 hectares (558.23 acres) of mostly alluvial river and creek flats of which 60 hectares (150 acres) is developed for border check surface irrigation.

Owned and operated by the same family for over 70 years, the property has a deep and fascinating history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was part of the 16,000 acre Carrawobitty Estate owned by James Collits. In 1948, after World War II, roughly 5,800 acres of the Carrawobitty Estate was resumed for soldier settlement into 17 separate parcels including those that now make up Carranor.

Today, the property is well known locally for its prime lamb and lucerne hay production, high performance pastures and yielding crops, as well as its livestock breeding and fattening capacity.

Do you have an Easter Tradition?

April 14, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Jack de Jong: Going camping for the weekend.

 

Kieran Collits: Spending it with my family.

 

Jacob Howarth: Going to my Aunty’s house for a barbeque.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Sheryl McDonnell: I grew up in Queensland and I loved going fishing with my siblings and my dad. Our family would go for a picnic around the Darling Downs and we fished all day.

Tony Bratton: I went with my friends to the Forbes pool all the time and when we got older, around 13, we rode our push bikes to the river at the caravan park or Four Mile on the Lachlan Val-ley Road to swim in the river.

Monica Wren: Swimming in the Lachlan River with my brother and sisters. We lived on the river and we had our spot where we swam. We had so much freedom.

Be Seen @ Overture

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The soloists on stage after the show (L-R) Lexi Herden (Forbes), Henry Best (Grenfell), Nicholas Gentile (conductor), Jarrod Draper (Orange), Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Lucy Durack, Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott, Josh Piterman, Billie Palen (Dubbo), Holly Hare (Bathurst) and Aimee Ross (Parkes). In front are Jessica Westcott (creative director) and Harriet Snaith (stage manager).

 

James Whalan from Forbes formed part of the program in the run-up to Overture in Parkes on Saturday night. Here he is seen on the big screen performing a Billy Joel cover.

 

Australia’s musical theatre celebrity Lucy Durack with 12-year-old soloist Lexi Herden from Forbes. In her first ever performance before such a big audience Lexi sang “When I Grow Up’ from the musical Matilda.

 

Henry Best from Grenfell was one of two young adult soloists chosen to sing in Overture.

Our Bloke – David Acheson

April 8, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

David Acheson

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? For 66 years. I like that I am living here.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I work as a community advocate. I enjoy teaching and sharing Wiradyuri language and culture.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? I read a lot and go for walks.

What are you really good at? Teaching.

What makes you laugh the most? Childrens’ antics.

What’s on your bucket list? I would love to see a united community (Ngumbaaydyil: Together as one).

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…. I am a qualified builder.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? I would buy a large building by the lake to donate to the community as a meeting place.

What was your first job? Shop assistant at GJ Coles.

Be Seen

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Students from Forbes North Primary School were invited to attend the performance by Sydney band Loretta at Forbes High School last week. Afterwards the students got to meet the band members.

 

Forbes North Public School Captains Corby Slidener and Will Markwort with band members Max Jacobs, Ellis Hoare and Nico Scali.

 

Forbes High School students of the Inclusive Learning Support Hub met Loretta band members after the show.

Our Gal – Sue-anne Nixon

April 1, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Sue-anne with granddaughter Holly Nixon.

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? My husband and I moved to Yarrabandai in 1979 from the Albury area. We sold our farm in 2000 and moved to Forbes.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I have been teaching since 1979. I have taught in 12 different school in 43 years. I have been Learning and Support Teacher at Forbes North Primary School since 2013. Wonderful children and super awesome team of staff.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? I love spending time with my sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Anything where I can be out of doors, although I love playing the euphonium in the town band – it’s a bit of an addiction.

What are you really good at? I love recycling things, being crafty, gardening and travelling with my family.

What makes you laugh the most? Children – big or little they give such joy.

What’s on your bucket list? I would like more time to catch up with friends. It is hard to balance work, family and interests sometimes.

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