Where were you born? Forbes Mater Hospital. 

Were you named after anyone? No, but I did adopt a nickname 45 years ago that has stuck. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Being married for 36 years, my four children and still refereeing rugby at 61. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The Bali bombing. It had a huge effect on the whole community. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t die wondering what you can achieve. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Jumping off the big board at the Forbes pool as a nine year old. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My wife, a rum still, and a solar panel. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? At a party with my friends and family. I love parties! 

When are you happiest? At rugby or dragon boating with my mates. 

Where were you born? Caringbah, NSW. 

Were you named after anyone? Yes, my grandmother. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My children. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Granville train disaster and the Bali bombing. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Never think you are too old to learn something new. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Forbes away from my family. I have been here for 35 years, and I still love living here. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Plenty of food, Scotch and friends! 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? A holiday on the Ghan. 

When are you happiest? Being with my grandchildren. 

Where were you born? Ararat, Victoria

Were you named after anyone? My grandfather, my father’s father.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My family, my kids.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11 – It was crazy!

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Knowledge is power.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I jumped out of a plane once!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Lawn bowls, smokes and Jack Daniels stubbies.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? On my wife… happy wife, happy life, she deserves it.

When are you happiest? When I’m with my family or when I’m playing lawn bowls.

Where were you born? At Manly in 1955.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Since leaving teaching, which I still dabble in, working as the coordinator for Project Sprouts with the most dedicated and wonderful group of ladies committed to giving every child the best start they can to schooling.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The passing of Princess Diana sits in my memory. She was an outstanding example of generosity, kindness and resilience. Her humanitarian work and inclusivity was to be admired. The way she was treated, pursued and harassed was abominable.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My late husband once said to me: “That was the past. This is now, move on”. I know he made me a more resilient person.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Parkes with my late husband for business. But I don’t regret a minute. I have made so many wonderful friends and had so many special opportunities. Parkes is where I live now, and I can’t wait to get back home when I go away.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My cats, some wine and good books.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? That is the drawn-out saga of my life. I would renovate my whole backyard that at the moment is a construction site.

Where were you born? Coonabarabran in NSW.

Were you named after anyone? Kind of, my middle names were given to me after relatives in my dad and mum’s family.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My children’s.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The Twin Towers on September 11.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? You have to be able to eat dinner with the queen, but also sit in the gutter and make friends with people that want the best for you.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Not sure – I am not much of a risk taker.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Bear Grylls, matches, fishing supplies (and would sneak in a book too).

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? A couple of big Lego sets, some Holden parts, clothes, watches, plants and just go shopping.

When are you happiest? When I am with my family and friends.

Where were you born? Hay.

Were you named after anyone? Not that I know of…

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Mmmm… besides my great tomatoes, spinach and beetroot crop last season, my wife and I are very proud of our children and their own accomplishments!

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Not so much a ‘moment’, but visiting the Australian war cemeteries in Europe and attending the daily ‘Last Post’ service in Ypres, Belgium are life lasting memories.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? ‘He who hesitates, is lost!’

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Jumping out of a plane, hoping to keep calm enough to pull the chute ripcord in time, which I did, just in time!!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Water, a couple of books and my glasses!

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Fill up both cars with petrol, pay the chemist bill, get some bowls coaching and share what is left over amongst our family.

When are you happiest? Spending time with our granddaughter!

Where were you born? Mungindi, Queensland (Go the Blues, however!)

Were you named after anyone? Judy Lea, not after anyone.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Chosen as an exchange teacher to London in 1980. Also our three successful children. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The moon landing watched on a small black and white television by the whole school in the school hall at Tenterfield! 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My dad’s favourite saying: “Everything in moderation”.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Thinking I was a better snow skier than I actually was, resulting in a terrifying minute sliding uncontrollably on my stomach on a steep icy slope, stopping just short of the chair lift pylon. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A desalination kit, my handy hubby and a fishing rod. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would book a tropical holiday.

When are you happiest? Seeing our grandchildren; sharing a drink/cuppa with friends and family. 

How long have you lived in Forbes? Since 1977 – 45 years!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about where you work? I’ve been retired since 2010. I’m very involved with Forbes Rotary, vintage cars, and family and grandchildren. I sometimes envy people who get bored.

What do you do to unwind on weekends? When you’re retired every day is like a weekend, however I do enjoy watching rugby union and summer sports on weekends.

What are you really good at? Cooking breakfasts.

What makes you laugh the most? Faulty Towers and a good joke.

What’s on your bucket list? A visit to South America and Antarctica.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself? I was born in Washington DC, USA.

If money was no object, what would you do with your time? Create a foundation to assist disadvantaged people.

What was your first job? I was a bank teller with the Bank of NSW (now Westpac).

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Sailing through the Louisiade Archipelago to Rossel Island in PNG.

Where were you born? Peak Hill Hospital.

Were you named after anyone? My mum’s friend.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My teaching career, managing our garden and farm organically for the past thirty years and my children.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Watching the Moon landing.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My dad always said ‘the harder you work the luckier you get’.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Marrying a farmer!

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A tent for shelter, a satellite solar phone and my husband.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Book a train trip on the Ghan.

When are you happiest? Travelling with family and friends. 

Where were you born? Lithgow, NSW

Were you named after anyone? No, my mum said I was the very first Peter ever born.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Making my children happy.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? 9/11, I remember they cut Cheese TV to broadcast it live. I was devastated. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Stop making money with your hands and start making it with your head.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I’m taking it right now…

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My wife, children, and an aeroplane. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Honestly. It would just pay bills.

When are you happiest? This would have to be a two-part answer: Happiest emotionally – when I’m having a picnic with the family kicking back under the sun, eating some jam and cream on scones. Happiest intellectually – talking business with like-minded people.