Julie Kearney: Safety. We are safe from the rest of the world.
Glen Kearney: It means everything to me, I’m proud to be Australian.
Dan Wright: The great part of being Australian is that my family and I are safe wherever we go. We have so many opportunities and experiences at our fingertips.
Lee and Lachlan Reynolds were pleased to watch the Australia Day Parade.
Macey and Lilly Schrader had fun down by the lake.
Eddie White, Caitlin Lewis, Jack White and Audrey White looking fun and fabulous on Australia Day.
Brett and Christy Thomas enjoyed the carnival atmosphere at Lions Park on Australia Day.
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I’ve been here for three years. I like the convenience of everything.
What was your first job? I worked in a fish and chip shop on the promenade in Blackpool, England.
What makes you laugh the most? My 18-month-old daughter, she’s a lunatic.
If money was no object, what would you do with your time? I’d spend my time travelling the world and I’d hire a nanny to come with me and take care of the kids.
Describe your dream holiday? I’d like to go back to America with my husband Patrick and our kids and take a campervan on Route 66.
What is a favourite childhood memory of yours? Riding my horses and being at the stables with all my horse friends.
If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? I’m quite happy with when I’m living now and I like living in Australia.
If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Manu, Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver so that they can make me an amazing dinner.
Young Citizen Lilyann Mason-Spice and Deputy Mayor Jenny Webb.
Senior Citizens Allan and Pamela Toole.
Citizens of the Year Wendy and Kim Muffet.
Forbes residents gathered in Lions Park to celebrate Australia Day.
Jacinta Slaven: I don’t have one because I’m perfect.
Daryl Mowbray: To go on a big overseas trip.
Graeme Mowbray: I don’t have one.
Lenny Lyer is one the Garden Club’s younger members.
Sophie Jones provided backup vocals during a performance at A Night on The SS Mississippi by the lake.
Local toddler Florence Alghamdi braces herself for the approaching dust storm on Sunday.
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for three years now. I love how people care about each other and how friendly they are. It’s a clean and pretty place with the lake and old buildings.
What was your first job? I’m a Priest, that’s my first job.
If money was no object, what would you do all day? (Laughs) What I am doing now.
Who is your hero and why? I suppose John Paul II inspires me because of his courage and the way he faces opposition. He remained Pope until death to show people the beauty in aging and death. He overcame communism and helped open a new branch of philosophy, he was the greatest man of our century.
What makes you laugh the most? Everything.
Describe your dream holiday. I don’t have a dream holiday but I love going home and seeing my family in Chile. I did a spiritual retreat in Italy and went to Ireland recently to find more about Saint Laurence O’Toole who is the patron Saint of the church here. Both holidays were amazing.
If you could share a meal with any three people, past or present, who would they be? Moses, Jesus and Elijah. There are a few great people I admire; they are Priests and nuns, but I see them all of the time. There are two Priests who are really close friends and a Nun in Chile, I love them, but if I can choose Jesus… (laughs) I think he (Jesus) was strong and kind and would have been a fun guy to party with.
What is a childhood memory of yours? When I sang. Since I was a kid I sang. I have always loved music.
If you could live in any time or place, where and when would that be? Now! Today I think we have a better life (than ever before); this generation is the most comfortable generation in the Western world.
Kadence, Donna, Kaltia, Robert and Kalasin Cain enjoy their Christmas Carols tradition of festive shirts and yummy snacks on the grass.
Nicole Blinco and Sienna, Layla and Patrick Sukkar got into the festive groove when they attended their first Forbes Christmas Carols in Victoria Park on Saturday.
Dorelle and Bill Scott taking some time to enjoy a snack in the shade at the Christmas Carnival on Friday.
Rosie, Sally and Alice Gorman taking in the carnival atmosphere.
How long have you lived in or around Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here since May 2018 and I love the muted colours of our landscape, grey misty winter mornings and the beautiful community of Forbes.
Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work as Editor for the Forbes Phoenix. I love that it puts me in touch with so many interesting people and events happening here.
What do you do to unwind after work on weekends? I walk around the lake, take instaworthy photos of our landscape and hang out with my family.
What are you really good at? I love cooking and if I wasn’t writing I’d probably open a butter chicken bar in town.
What is your pet hate? Being stuck behind vehicles driving 30km below the speed limit and seeing dangerous take-overs on our little two-laned highways.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? To control time, pause everything around me or speed it up depending on where I am and what I need to get done.
Tell us about your best holiday ever? Ein El Sokhna on the Red Sea in Egypt. Very relaxing with breathtaking scenery, especially the contrast between the desert and sea.
What makes your day? When all three of my children eat their dinner without complaining.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I lived in Egypt for a year in 2017 and speak two dialects of Arabic, poorly.
Ruth Elphick and Doddy Englert take time to see the Rotary Ipomea Christmas Tree Festival every year.
Brodie, Emily and Kate Garther escaped the heat while checking out local creative talent.
Kevin and Jenny Dwyer were impressed by the festival.
Margaret Herbert and Fran Townsend look on at the festival’s edible entries.