Ryan Webber, his partner Samara Fox and their two daughters Abigail and Zoey Webber.
A single social media post is not usually enough to stop someone scrolling, let alone convince a family to make a life changing move.
For Ryan Webber, a 30 second Instagram reel was enough to stop him mid-scroll and start considering a future in Forbes, five hours west of Sydney in the heart of NSW.
Ryan, his partner and their two young daughters, aged two and four, had been considering a move to regional Australia for some time. From their home in Western Sydney, they had researched and visited other regional centres, looking for a community that offered affordability, opportunity and a better lifestyle for their young family.
After seeing the reel as part of the Live Forbes Financial Gap Year campaign, Ryan submitted an enquiry through the website and was contacted by Forbes Shire Council’s Economic Development team. A suggested weekend itinerary and welcome pack were organised, giving the family the opportunity to experience Forbes highlights firsthand.
The visit confirmed what they had been searching for. “From our first visit to Forbes, we were met with welcoming people, fresh country air and safe places for our kids to play,” Ryan said.
“We were able to find a rental and work quickly. We are looking forward to raising our children in a great community.”
Having landed himself local employment, Ryan and his family have relocated to Forbes in early October. Ryan’s family story is exactly the outcome the Forbes Financial Gap Year campaign was designed to achieve. For Ryan and his young family, that chapter has just begun. For Council, it is proof that one simple message can have a lasting impact.