Name: Barb O’Brien.

Do you have a nickname? No, I don’t have one!

Where did you grow up? In Sydney – I lived my early years at Ramsgate and was a real water baby who went swimming every afternoon in the summer. My sister and I used to find bottles and redeem them to buy ice-creams.

Why did you move to Dubbo? I retired to Dubbo in 2014 as I needed to be nearer to medical services. I trained as a nurse at the Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney in 1958-1962. In my first-year holidays I travelled to Gulargambone with a friend and met her older brother Ernie – we started to date. I then spent a year in Broken Hill to study midwifery and then married Ernie. We lived in Gulargambone where Ernie assisted in managing a farm for 10 years, and we had four children. I completed some casual work at the hospital and started some refresher courses and further training. In 1994 I became the Director of Nursing, and then in the late 1990s I became the Health Service Manager. I have always encouraged and supported staff to keep training and updating their skills. After my husband’s death, I left work, and a few years later I was elected onto the Coonamble Council as a Councillor.

What have you enjoyed about living in our region? I spent time volunteering as part of Two Eight Two Eight which is a community tourism project located in Gulargambone. I have many wonderful memories, especially the Dinner Under the Stars events. It was also wonderful to help establish the Rural Transaction Centre and petrol station in Gulargambone. I have really enjoyed working as part of a team to help encourage growth and development in our region. In 2014, it was an honour to receive an OAM for service to the Gulargambone community.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I mostly read. I spend a lot of time now volunteering and working with Vinnies, University of the Third Age (U3A), Country Women’s Association (CWA) and Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association (CPSA).

If you could do anything and be anywhere, what would you be doing? I think I am happy with my present life.

What are you watching at the moment? Reruns of Doc Martin.

What would you be lost without? My car.

What music do you like to listen to? Easy listening.

Favourite song of all time? Eagle’s Wings by Hillsong Worship.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring with you? Three good books.

What is your all-time favourite movie? Bridget Jones's Diary.

If there was a movie all about you, what genre would it be and who would play you? A comedy starring Renée Zellweger.