• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Council Comments
  • Special Interests
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
    • What’s On
    • What’s Hot
  • Features
    • Women in Business
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Loving Local Living
    • Wellness Wise
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Classifieds
  • Competitions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Forbes Phoenix

Forbes Phoenix

As a business owner, what are some positives you have taken away from operating in lockdown?

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Moana Duggan from Lakeside Takeaway: It has forced us to budget more, consider where our income comes from in terms of sales. While our lifestyle hasn’t changed too much, seeing our customers each day has kept us balanced and sane and vice versa. It has been great to see customers from different situations, like those home-schooling and enjoying it, and not enjoying it, farmers who are celebrating the rain we’ve had, those who have lost work, come together (at a social distance) to talk and form new friendships on their morning coffee run. There is a real sense of community and of being in this together.

 

Janet Callaghan from Painted Daisies Gift Shoppe: It has given me the chance to put more effort into my business online. I never would have done it otherwise. I think our locals also realise that times are tough, and they are shopping. We don’t get visitors anymore so local support is more important than ever.

Our Gal – Donna Cain

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? We have been in Forbes for 11 and a half years now. I like the small, quiet, country town.

What was your first job? I was working as a legionnaires and water tester, a long time ago.

What makes you laugh the most? My kids.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Spend every day like it was an adventure.

Describe your dream holiday? A nice long road trip all around Australia, stopping any and everywhere.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Hanging out with my cousins on the farm.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I would still live in Australia, but in the early colonial days. I would like to see it for myself.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My Father, my Grandmother and Great Grandmother West.

Be Seen

April 24, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Rosie Hurford celebrated her 10th birthday at home on Monday, iso style.

 

Josh Picker helping out on his grandparents farm, scanning ewes and giving much needed lamb cuddles.

 

Kyal Sauer busy at work, washing trucks at Wallace Haulage.

Our Bloke – Grant Dukes

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I am a born and bred Forbian. I love the river and country living lifestyle.

What was your first job? I was a paperboy with Nock’s Newsagency when I was 10 years old.

What makes you laugh the most? Good humour and my own jokes.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? I’d camp, hunt, fish and travel.

Describe your dream holiday? The Maldives for sure.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? World Expo in Brisbane, 1988.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I’d live in the 1930’s, the mafia and gangster world back then.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? My dad, my mum and my son Beau.

Have the rules on social-distancing and lockdown been made clear enough?

April 17, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Umima Austral: Yes and no. I think the rules outside are clear but there is still some confusion with rules around the household and visitors.

 

Sienna Sukkar: No, not initially anyway. I think Scott Morrison delivered a confusing series of press conferences but thanks to the media, no one really has an excuse not to know what the rules are, unless they live under a stone.

 

Be Seen

April 9, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Hottest place to be as Forbes cools down

Sarelle Blow and Craig Dwyer make the most of the beautiful weather on an afternoon walk.

 

Forbes mother Phoebe Costello gets her sons Tom, George and Max out of the house for some fresh air and exercise.

 

Heather Davidson is determined to keep active and fit under the current restrictions.

 

How do you plan to survive and thrive over the Easter period?

April 9, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Tina Bray: I work and walk around the lake a whole lot more than usual.

 

Tiarna Clathier: I’m going to exercise and I bought a colour-in book to keep me busy.

 

Our Gal – Ally McCleary

April 9, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? We moved here in 2016, into our fifth year in Forbes now. I love the lake, the family-oriented culture and small-town community.

What was your first job? I’m a chef by trade and worked in hospitality since leaving school, spending 10 years in the industry.

What makes you laugh the most? My own personal jokes, I laugh at myself a fair bit. My boys’ sense of humour makes me laugh and so does being with friends.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? I’d probably travel the world.

Describe your dream holiday? The one I just had. I went to Prague, Dresden, Berlin as well as a friend’s wedding in Ireland. I enjoyed catching up with friends, eating great food, shopping and sightseeing.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Family camping trips in the camper trailer, bonnet surfing on an old car, going to youth group and being silly with friends.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I think God has got me right where he wants me right now, so I am happy to be where I am.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Jesus, Bono from U2 and my husband.

Our Bloke – Alister Lockhart

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? Lived here for 40 years, more or less. I came out from Scotland in 1980. To begin with, I like farming and the town of Forbes with the lake is beautiful.

What was your first job? I was brought up on a farm in Scotland and worked on that farm in my teens with my father and brother until I bought my own farm.

What makes you laugh the most? Some things that I see on television makes me laugh but they aren’t supposed to be funny.

If money were no object, what would you do with your time? Well I’ve got no wish to go on a cruise ship. If I could make everything could go back to normal for everyone I’d be happy.

Describe your dream holiday? I’ve been back to Scotland a fair few times and I love going back there.

What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Playing in the snow with my friends. We made our own fun back then.

If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I enjoyed my teens thoroughly, so throughout the 50s in Scotland.

If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Winston Churchill, to pick his brains, Scott Morrison and Neil Armstrong.

Be Seen

April 3, 2020 by Maggi Barnard

Police and Council staff at the CWLE ensuring the health and safety of the public.

 

Forbes Public School staff are modelling a safe social distance.

 

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • …
  • 108
  • Next Page »

Click here to download the recent issue (202) of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix (1.9MB PDF) – 14th August 2026

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

STAY CONNECTED

The Forbes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

Recent Articles

  • Disability Inclusion Matters In Central West NSW August 20, 2026
  • Mayoral Notes August 20, 2026
  • Snippets… August 20, 2026
  • Forbes Garden Club Report August 20, 2026
  • Protecting Our Environment And Agriculture August 20, 2026

Phoenix Office 7/113-127 Rankin Street, Forbes NSW 2871

Editor 0432 337 278
editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Sales 0432 337 278
sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

View our Privacy Policy. View our Conflict Resolution Process. View our Ethics and Complaints Policy. Want to advertise with us? Information on our Community Promotions.

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

nsw government logo

The Forbes Phoenix's Digital Diversification of Free Regional Media project is proudly funded by the NSW Government Regional Media Fund