What does Christmas mean to you?
Jean Sweeney: Mostly family. My first child was born on Christmas Day which was a lovely present as the baby wasn’t due until January
Karen Wright: Spending time with family. This year we are having ham and salad which will be less fuss and give us all more time to relax.
Tara Mann: Family, friends and Jesus’ birthday.
What was your favourite performance at the annual concert of Kristen’s Dance Studio?
Hannah Stewart: That is a hard question. I really loved Rock around the Clock. It was upbeat and the costumes were amazing.
Mary Everson: The whole show was wonderful. I have been watching Kristen’s dance concerts for years and always love them. I am so proud of my granddaughter, Stephanie Everson who performed Bang Bang. Stephanie was the Scholarship Winner in 2015, which is a great honour.
Beth Dickens: My Girl performed by Beginners Jazz, however I am a little biased as my granddaughter performed in this dance. However, I
really enjoyed the whole show.
What is one of your favourite memories about Christmas, and one of your favourite presents?
Sally Spence: As a child going to the Forbes Town Hall for the Carnival, listening to Christmas Carols and then to collect the lollies that Santa threw off the balcony. My favourite present was a book of baby Jesus and the Christmas story… now you have made we want to get it out again.
Barbara Cowled: Sharing Christmas with all my great grandchildren – Christmas is not the same without children. My doll named Joy that my grandparents gave me for Christmas when I was two. I still have her and she is one of my pride possessions to this day.
Dot Male: At the age of 12 I really wanted a camera. We lived on a farm and each Thursday my Dad went into town. I went with him close to Christmas and told him I wanted a camera. He bought me a Kodak ‘Box Brownie’ camera, which was the best camera at the time. When we got home and told Mum she said she had already bought me a camera… My favourite present was a gold cross.
Why did you take part in the White Ribbon Day March?
Tom Boyd, Forbes High School: To take a stand against violence against women and to help to stop it. My contribution will be to respect all women.
Latarsha Johnson, Forbes High School: To represent all people who suffer from domestic violence and to let them know we are here for them and to help stop abuse.
Rohan Webb, Forbes North Public School: To support the no violence against women campaign to ensure all women in Australia are safe and free.
What do you think of the Spring Flood Recovery Cup race meeting?
Dane Millerd with Amy: A marvelous spectacle supporting an important cause.
Toni Hanns: A great community outing, run and organised by volunteers. Hard work certainly pays off. If everyone gives a little – the community gains a lot.
Michele Morley: I think it is great. It is a wonderful family day and an excellent opportunity and venue to hold a Christmas Party. Michele (left) is with Heidi Nicholson.
What did you think of the world premiere of The Legend of Ben Hall?
Peter, Ruby, Matilda, Katie and Georgina Stitt: It was great to see all the actors here. We loved the film. The scenery was very familiar. Our friend now lives in the old police house, where Ben Hall’s body was laid out.
James and Georgia Butt: We own the property where Ben Hall was shot by the police. It was a good movie – it compares well with the book.
Geoff Field, Virginia Mather (nee Hall) and Glenda Stace: Geoff: It was excellent. Virginia: I am a great granddaughter of Ben Hall’s elder brother. It was an excellent portrayal of the story. Glenda: My great grandmother was Ben Hall’s sister. The movie was really, really well done.
How do you feel about the Newell Highway reopening?
Sarah Karaitiana: I think it’s fantastic – it’s had a significant affect on local businesses. I hear a lot of people say it’s been so quiet, it’s easy to forget how many people are just stopping on the highway. I’m hoping it will be good news for local businesses, and for the families they support.
Stacey Miller: It’s great news for the town because the Newell really is the life-line for Forbes and it means travellers can access businesses and services in the town.
Beth Betland (Bits and Bubs): It hasn’t personally affected me that much because I don’t tend to travel that direction, but it’s great for the town to have visitors again.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Michelle Hunt: It would have to be Christmas, on a farm at Coolah. There was lots of games and cousins and fun. We had a really animated aunty who got us all going.
June Dick with her grandson Kye Goldsmith: It would have to be bonfires and cracker nights. It was a really special occasion. We spent a whole six months of the year waiting for bonfire night.
Danny Demosthenous with son James: My favouite childhood memory is probably drinking milkshakes with my dad. He lived in Papua New Guinea, and when he’d come home we’d get a milkshake together. It was really nice, because I only got to see him a few times a year.
Blake Nicholson: The Hunter as I like the foundation and the lines and the symmetry of the lines.
Matilda Den: I like the Lachland Tower as my dad is the sculptor. He is John Den from Eugowra. I like the story behind it and all the hard work he put into it. (Matilda is pictured with her father John Den.)
Lyn and Hugh Ellis: We like the Lachland Tower because it is local and the sculpture is local. We would like to take it home as it would look great on the bank of our dam where we already have other sculptures.
What is your favourite flower and why?
Pat Thomas: Definitely roses – they are the queen of the garden. I love their perfume. I have a lot of roses in my own garden some of which are 60 years old and still beautiful.
Marcia Simmons: Orchids are my favourite flower. My daughter Sharon has some and I am fascinated by the way the flowers just burst out in the most amazing colours. (Pictured are Jenny Dwyer, Marcia Simmons and Pat Thomas.)
Anne Hodges: Always roses – they just say “Hello, look at my happy face” and give you so much joy. I used to have hundreds of roses when I lived on the farm but do not have many in my current garden in town.