The Advocate sat down with Nadia Parkinson and Emma Ridley to talk about the early days in their roles in light of all that's happening globally.

Nadia, Forbes Shire Council Tourism and Destination officer, moved to Forbes from Port Stephens at the start of this year - and to say she's had an unusual start in her role would be an understatement.

She first came to Forbes last year as a visitor, following her partner here for his work.

"I was so surprised by how picturesque and beautiful the town is," Nadia said.

"I was really lucky when I came, we had beautiful weather and I just thought the whole Victoria Park, with the heritage architecture, was absolutely stunning."

She found Lake Forbes, with its walking paths and surrounds, just beautiful.

It's not hard to spend a day in Forbes, enjoying the surrounds, having something to eat and exploring the specialty shops in town.

"Forbes is so lucky we are a one-stop shop, it's so convenient with our specialty shops and the homemaker centre," Economic Development Officer Emma adds.

"Our beautiful lake is a walking destination and we have really strong customer service from our retail industry."

If you've recognised Ridley as a local family name, you're right, Emma grew up here and attended Corinella Public School.

After studying in Sydney her career has taken her all over the world, from marketing in the United States to working with small businesses in developing countries.

Her return to Forbes, just as the pandemic brought travel to a halt, has turned out to be "just so timely".

"I fell in love with Forbes, I realised that it's just such an easy lifestyle," Emma said, also loving the strong sense of community.

Emma has launched into her role as Economic Development Officer, taking a long-term view of drawing people and employment opportunities to Forbes.

One of the tasks for our Economic Development Officer is marketing Forbes' industrial land, particularly Landrace Estate and the blocks around the livestock exchange.

While the pandemic has caused instability and uncertainty, there are also opportunities for Forbes, especially as people discover just how much work they can do remotely and how much business can be run from outside major centres.

"There is lots of potential for business to relocate," Emma said, "to attract more value-adding agricultural business, transport and logistics.

"We are so strategically positioned on the Newell Highway.

"We're super lucky in Forbes to have such great facilities around education and great sporting events and activities so I think it's very attractive to families wanting to move from the rat race," she added.

"The pandemic is proving that workplaces can decentralise and people can work from home."

Tourism and Destination Officer Nadia's day-to-day role pivoted the day that COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the types of big events that draw people to Forbes, but she certainly hasn't been idle.

She is also focussing on the big picture that is ensuring Forbes will be in people's minds as a destination as travel restrictions ease - developing the "amazing Forbes" billboards to be placed on major roads at Yass, Bathurst, Young, Marsden, Cudal and West Wyalong.

"We want to capitalise on the travel that's going to be happening domestically before international travel is going to become available again - encouraging people to stop here," she said.

While she is keen to see Frost and Fire take its place on the calendar each winter solstice, she's looking to raise the profile of the sort of attractions that will draw visitors to Forbes all year round.

The lure of the outdoors and the arts are in focus, wrapping around the emerging sculpture trail and the birdlife of Gum Swamp with the visitor improvements to take place there.

With that focus on the great outdoors, there's also our proximity to a number of national parks.

Forbes is a great place to base yourself to visit Nangar, Weddin and Goobang, Nadia points out.

"With the way things are, there's a lot of focus on being outside and in nature, it's good for your wellbeing and mental health," she said.

Then there's Forbes' unique retention of its early architecture and insight into regional history.

With so many people active on social media, Nadia would love people to photograph their local adventures and share them with the hashtag #amazingforbes to inspire others to do the same.