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Question of the Week:

June 15, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Do you think it’s still important to celebrate the Queen’s birthday?

Sisters Marlene Burton from Forbes and Joyce Nash from Eugowra:
Joyce: Yes, of course it’s important. She deserves it. I’m amazed she can get to this age and do so well.

Geoff Suttie and Brian Collits
Brian: Yes, it is. And I can tell you the story of driv- ing my horse and sulky down the main street on the day of her coronation!
Geoff: I don’t think about the Queen’s birthday until that time of year comes around. It was good to see Colin Hodges get the Order of Australia. He’s a good bloke.

Michael Rush and Jeremy Markwort:
Michael: No. I don’t really see the point. What do the royals do for us as a country?
Jeremy: It’s not as relevant as it used to be. And if they’re looking at changing Australia Day, why celebrate the Queen’s birthday? I think we should just combine them all into Anzac Day and have one celebration.

Our Gal

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Maree Yapp

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Forbes most of my life and love the country life, wide open spaces and friendly people.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at the SaCC – a Schools as Community Centres at Forbes North. I get to do fun things like playgroups, mums groups, Birth to Kinder, real food tasting (for little people), and at the moment I am loving our FoodREDi course because the mums are awesome cooks!

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy a good stomp on the treadmill at the gym to unwind and spend my weekends following my kids at sport and music.

What are you really good at?
I’m really good at “having a go” because I am not really good at anything.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Sometimes I would like to be at two places at once, that would be super!

What is your pet hate?
I hate to see waste, food, clothes, anything that can be re-used.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Beach front holiday house at Kiama with nowhere to be, with a good book, wine and my hubby looking after the kids.

Question of the Week

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What is important to you about events during Reconciliation Week?

Fiona Blyth and Kerrianne Mundy:
Fiona: It’s a beautiful culture and we can learn so much from each other. Hopefully days like this can make a difference.
Kerrianne: All the coming together of community

Patrick Bowden and son William: Days like this make a big difference. It’s great so see so many people here.

Melody Ruhrmund: Being part of breaking down barriers and celebration of community.

Meet the Team: Raen Fraser

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

How long have you worked with the Phoenix?
I started working with the Phoenix in August last year, so that’s about 10 months now.

What is your role?
I’m a reporter.

What does your usual day look like?
My work days vary depending on what is happening. Some days I’m interviewing or attending events and taking photos. Other times I’m sat at my desk writing up my stories. I’m pretty adaptable and enjoy having a varied routine.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Parkes, but I have been known to wander over to Forbes from time to time.

Best thing about your job?
This job has been great for getting to know the town and meet people. I was fairly new to the region when I started with the Phoenix, so it’s been fantastic to get out and talk to so many different people and see what happens in Parkes. I’ve been impressed by so many of the people I’ve interviewed, it’s great to see the real diversity of talent and triumphs within our community. Everyone has a story, and it’s great to be able to share some of them with our readers.

Future ambitions.
I’ve got a few screenplays at various stages of development – but my big passion project at the moment is a young reader’s novel. The challenge is to balance my time against my responsibilities and make some decent progress on my narrative work this year.

Best Holiday.
I just spent a week training a brumby out near Cobar. It sounds like a very rugged cowboy kind of activity, but the method is more like “How to train your Dragon”. It’s all about establishing trust, it was incredibly gentle and unbelievably easy. My brumby was following me around by the end of the first day, and under saddle by the end of the week. If that wasn’t magic enough, the stars out there were incredible!

Favourite place?
Mon Repos; it’s a sea turtle rookery just near Bundaberg in Queensland. I spent quite a bit of time there in my youth, and we took the kids up a couple of years ago. It’s magical to watch the turtles come up the beach to nest, and to see the tiny little hatchlings dig themselves out of the sand and skitter into the surf. Sometimes there’s luminescent algae in the ocean, and the waves twinkle like blue fairy lights. It’s spectacular.

Favourite food?
Home-cooked meals shared with friends.

How do you spend your weekends?
Sometimes I have to wear my reporter hat, but mostly I kick about with the kids and animals and reluctantly do a bit of housework. My favorite weekends are out with the kids and pony, making pizza, and watching a movie.

Question of the Week

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What’s your favourite thing about Autumn in Forbes?

Monica Morrison (Post Office): The warm days and the cool nights.

Bronwyn Clark (Library): The change of seasons, and the colours in the foliage.

Susan Hodges (HaCC): The beautiful in-between weather, and having a change from the heat of summer.

Our Bloke

June 1, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Brian Clarke

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I was born in Forbes and have lived here all my life. I like living in a country town. Forbes has a lot going for it. I like the sense of community and my lifelong friends.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I retired from the Council in February. I’m still retained by the NSW Fire and Rescue at Forbes Fire Station. I like being able to do something for the community. Being a fireman can be a bit of a buzz. It’s al- ways changing, and there’s a real sense of achievement in being able to help. It’s a privilege.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I like meeting up with friends for a beer. I’ve taken up golf again after 30 years, I go and watch rugby union and rugby league.

What are you really good at?
When I was nominated for the Australian Fire Service Medal, the nomination referred to my leadership and mentoring skills. When I was awarded the medal and read the ci- tation I was a bit shocked because I didn’t see myself that way.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I’d change the Australian political landscape, and the way politi- cians are doing things.

What is your pet hate?
South Sydney at the moment.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I went to New Zealand in 1974. I was three years out of school and went with a school mate. That was my first trip away, and I had the best time. I’m keen to go back there.

Our Gal

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Elaine Bright

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I moved here 12 years ago and like the friendliness of the people and how our old buildings are being preserved and our picturesque lake.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I am re- tired and find being involved in the Lions Club and CWA very rewarding. I am a volunteer at the Railway Information Centre and find that helping our visitors is also very rewarding.

What do you do to unwind after work and during the weekend?
Gardening and find weekend outings with the caravan club are very enjoyable.

What are you really good at?
Filling in time at the sewing machine or with the crochet hook and knitting needles.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Being a cancer survivor, I would love to have the power to find the ultimate cure for all people suffering this affliction.

What is your pet hate?
People who do ‘circle work’ on the lawns at Lions Park and think it is their right to damage com- munity facilities in this way!

Tell us about your best holiday ever?
In November 2000 we left on a 12-month trip around Australia in our second hand caravan. We travelled approximately 45,000km. During this time we explored lots of nooks and crannies but left a lot unseen for the ‘next time’. We met wonderful people doing the same thing and made some lasting friendships. What a wonderful country we have and don’t feel the need to travel overseas again as we have everything we need and more right here in Australia!

Question of the Week

May 25, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What is your favourite food to have in your lunchbox?

Naomi Klingner – Forbes North Public School: Crepes, because they’re yummy.

Kaileiha Skinner – Forbes North Public School:Sultanas. I like the outside of them. They are chewy.

Charlie Bridge – Forbes North Public School: Fruit. I like grapes because they’re healthy.

Our Bloke

May 18, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Bruce Adams

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve lived in Forbes all my life, which is almost 75 years. I like the sense of belonging and community that we have here.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I was a farmer until I retired about 20 years ago. Now I’m busy with voluntary work. I’m President of the Forbes Historical Society, and Secretary of the local Neighbourhood Watch, among other things. Meeting people and learning about the history of Forbes is what I enjoy most.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I don’t really stop. If I do, I might read a book. My wife, Margaret, and I also like to travel.

What are you really good at?
Probably organising people. I like bringing people together to get things done. It probably comes from being the eldest of five kids.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
That’s an interesting question. I think I’d like to be able to persuade governments to be more responsive to the will of the people.

What is your pet hate?
People who are intolerant of other people.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
The most interesting holiday was our visit to Iran last year. The people were lovely, and we felt very included.

Question of the Week

May 18, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

What is the best thing about Mother’s Day?

Abbey Browne (8) with Mum Heidi Browne:Surprising Mum with presents because she does so many jobs for me, and she gives the best hugs.

Tom Greenhill (9), Laura Greenhill (7) with Mum Trish Greenhill: Laura: Mum gets presents and gets to have time to herself. Tom: That we get to make Mum breakfast in bed and we don’t annoy her.

Emily Phillips (17) with her Grandmother Yvonne Shaw and Mother Sandra Phillips: Celebrating your Mum. It’s to give back for all the things that she’s done for you, and to say thanks.”

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