What do you think about the recent leadership spill in the Liberal Party and the change in Prime Minister?

“I don’t think it was fair the way it was done. Let’s hope it has turned out for the better.” – Molly Neilson at The Sunshine Club.

“I feel like it’s so important for us to be interested in our country’s leader, for us now and for our children’s future. However it doesn’t seem to matter who our leader is, we still have the same issues arising time and time again. For example refugees, same sex marriage, child care funding, I could go on forever.” – Trudi Smart at Little Extras Lifestyle.

“I personally think that with the way the Government is going in general, the whole country is in trouble.” – Jayne Whitworth at News On Rankin.

What are you doing for Dad this Father’s Day?

“Might cook him breakfast in bed and get him a good present” – Grace Goodall

“I haven’t thought about it. Maybe do a dinner for him and sit around the bonfire with a few home brews” – Sarah Hogan

“Having a family lunch with Dad” – Alicia Sinclair

Be savy with your savings! Research has shown Gen Y has less than $100 per week to spend on food and incidentals, how much do you live on per week?

“I spend less than $100 per week” – Stacey Clarke, 20

“I spend $300 per week” – Emma Gaffney, 26

“I spend $150-$200 per week” – Nathan Murphy 21

With only four weeks until spring, what excites you most about the change of season?

“It’s a nice time of year to go away and we get about three blossoms in the spring, but I do enjoy winter.” – Chris Finkel

“The colour! The whole feel of everything coming to life again, the change of fashion, the sound of the birds, the
bull rushes by the lake, it makes me want to paint.” – Melody Ruhrmund

“The weather changes and you can enjoy your day more.” – Nicole Skinner

What do you think about NSW Premier Mike Baird’s proposed increase to the GST?

“It shouldn’t be on. We don’t need it and it would just inflate the price of things.” – Peter Hayley

“It’s inevitable that we’ll get some increase in GST. 12.5% is possibly acceptable, let’s hope the State Government puts that money back into health and education.” – Marg Duggan

“I think we pay enough!” – Jayne and Lyn at News on Rankin.

How are you keeping warm this winter?

 

“Going to Outback Qld for a fortnight, glorious weather and great fishing for yellowbelly in the Diamantina River” – Jean Hodges

“By my One Teaspoon Defender Jacket (as worn above)” – Kaitrin Lovell

 

“Playing footy, a wood fire and cuddling my girlfriend Jess” – Ben Robinson

With school going back, what are you packing for your kids for lunch?

 

Elisha Woods works at Flannery’s Pharmacy. Her 10-yearold son Kobe attends Forbes North Public and makes his own lunch, usually a nutella sandwich and a piece of fruit. His favourite is a mandarin.

Tabitha Blake is a dental assistant at Forbes Family Dentist. She insists that her daughters, 8-year-old Marnie and 6-year-old Matilda, who attend Forbes North Public, pack a healthy lunch, such as two pieces of fruit each (an apple and a mandarin are high on the list of favourites), plus a ham or corned-beef sandwich and a homemade cupcake.

Bronwyn Everson runs Bron’s Hair Design. Her 15-yearold daughter Stephanie, who attends Red Bend College, usually has something like a piece of fruit, a bread roll spread with vegemite, a biscuit and a small pack of chips.

 

What is it that you like about living in Forbes?

Brian Clarke is Captain of the Forbes Fire Brigade. He’s lived in Forbes all his life and reckons that in a few years he’ll retire here. He likes the town and what it offers, and really can’t see any point in moving somewhere else. His family ties here are very strong and the town has been very solid in providing employment opportunities, firstly
with the Council and then with the fire brigade.

 

Brendon Allegri is a Property Sales and Marketing Executive with Ray White Forbes. He is born and bred in Forbes, and, for him too, closeness to family is a huge factor in keeping him there. It’s a small community and provides a nice place to live. The lake provides a great setting for picnics and general relaxation – something that most nearby towns don’t have.

 

Phyllis Miller is Mayor of Forbes Shire and has been here for just over 40 years. She loves the place because of the loyalty that the other residents have shown her in good times and bad, especially when her son John was killed in
a car accident. They obviously love her, too, since she’s never been run to preferences in a ballot for a position
on Council. She’s very proud of what she’s achieved for Forbes, especially in attracting business to the town.