Where were you born? In the capital city of Peru, Lima.

Were you named after anyone? My parents used to work at a school, so they named me after an English teacher.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Becoming the mother of two special girls, Hannah and Vanessa.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? In 2014 I witnessed the signature ceremony for Parkes to become a “ Refugee Welcome Zone” after our Parkes Shire Council didn’t hesitate to accept a recommendation from Mayor Ken Keith: “These wonderful people are bringing with them a broad range of skills and talents needed by our communities,”

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? It was given to me by my Dad: “Listen and learn.”

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Leaving my birth country and consequently, leaving my family and friends.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A device to play music, a tutorial book of how to survive on a deserted island (while I listen to music), some firecrackers to make some noise and be rescued in case the tutorial book doesn’t work or if the music is bad.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Booking flight tickets to visit my parents and bringing them here for a visit.

When are you happiest? When I’m surrounded by happy and smiling people.

Where were you born? I was born in Brisbane. My parents lived in Tumbarumba but mum had to go to a large hospital for the birth so she went and stayed with an uncle in Brisbane.

Were you named after anyone? My middle name is Campbell. It the family name on my mother’s side.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My four daughters, proud of each of them. Playing rugby for 43 years. Photographing 800 birds in Australia. Writing a book.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? As an historian many stand out, but as a kid I remember the 1967 referendum and the landing on the moon.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Don’t touch that!”

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Too hard to choose one: Photographing birds in the mangroves at Cape Leveque, Western Australia – there were big crocodiles in there! Being in a small boat in a cyclone and micro-chipping lions in South Africa come pretty close. It was also scary being charged by elephants, but the scariest of all was being driven on mountain roads in the Himalayas in Nepal. That was a time I really thought I was about to die.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? A new camera.

When are you happiest? Travelling around Australia photographing wildlife.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved back to Parkes about three and a half years ago. I like being close to my ageing mum. I also like the usual dry climate of Parkes, and quiet of country life.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? Feeling useful and meeting community members.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? A quiet corner in the countryside, surrounded by nature.

What makes you laugh the most? I love a good joke, clever memes, people who can laugh at themselves, and films that make me laugh even after having seen them half a dozen times, such as Back to the Future and the Bud Spencer and Terence Hill spaghetti westerns.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Magically learn to play piano in a day.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would willingly peek into the early 20th century, to experience what it was like growing up then.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?

The protection of human basic freedoms for all.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness, and which is your favourite one? Kindness always moves the heart, doesn’t it? Courtesy is kindness. Kindness received has the ability to open the heart and make one want to share that kindness with others.

What is one thing you will never do again? Never stop trying.

Eric Lensson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve been here over ten years. I just love the Parkes climate, people and country atmosphere.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I feel very fortunate in finding employment in my favourite areas of science and technology. Working for CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science is the best job I’ve ever had, challenging yet personally engaging and rewarding.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Here in Parkes is good, on 11 acres close to town and the airport, the Parkes Aero Club and Aviation Museum, with excellent Rex connection to Sydney and the world…including my arctic hometown.

What makes you laugh the most? The reactions I get when I translate Aussie jokes to ’foreigners’.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Skydiving … I love motorcycles, aerobatics, and Michelle and I scored a hot air balloon ride at 50th anniversary of ‘The Dish’ (Murriyang) Open Day. But yeah, skydiving for a day should not tempt fate too much.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would avoid going back in time, that could lead to problems. But if I could quickly duck forward in time to peep at next week’s Lotto results that would be awesome!

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Free Tim Tams!

What is one thing you will never do again? ‘Never say never’…climb the summit of Cradle Mountain.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? When you reach the checkout with one or two items and the stranger in front with a full supermarket trolley says ’you go first’, but of course you incur a future debt… to return the favour to someone else.