Our Community

Where were you for the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969?

July 18, 2019 By editor

Christine Ivey: I was working in Sydney at the GPO. I was on a lunch break and saw the broadcast on a television screen that was in the ANZ Bank. I was mesmerised that it was possible to put a man on the moon.

Doreen McKenzie: I lived in Inverell but was in Parkes at the time. I had come down to babysit for my sister who was having her sixth baby at the time and remember watching the broadcast.

Andrew Tom: I was in Sydney at the time with Mum and Dad. I remember Mum saying how powerful it was. Our family knew some of the people who worked at the Dish, which made it all the more special.

Our Young Gal -Tia Dunn (Parkes Public School Captain)

July 18, 2019 By editor

How old are you? 12 How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Parkes my whole life. I like how kind and nice people are here.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Parkes Public School, I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? I love netball.

What is your favourite food and movie? Favourite food is chocolate and favourite movie is Harry Potter.

What music do you listen to? I listen to pop music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to become a famous netball player.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Probably making money to give to the poor and charities.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. Well my brother and sister and I are really good at cross country.

Our Young Bloke – Riley McMaster

July 11, 2019 By editor

Riley McMaster

How old are you? 12

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 12 years and I like Parkes.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School. I have been here since Kindergarten and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? My favourite activity is sport, especially soccer.

What is your favourite food and movie?
My favourite food is lasagne and my best movie is ‘Jurassic Park’.

What music do you listen to? I like listening to country music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up I want to work for my mum and dad in their business.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be extra strength.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am captain of our school this year.

Question of the Week?

July 11, 2019 By editor

What are your thoughts about the proposed Bypass in Parkes?

Laurie Ashcroft: Overall, I’m in favour, however there are some modifications that need to be made. Happy with the consultation, the RMS seem to be listening, lets hope they follow up with action to help those directly affected.

Leonie Guymer: I think it’s a great idea. I don’t know what it will do for business. The only thing against it is whether it will affect the already declining business in the main street, and therefore potential job losses.

Isaac Westcott: Hopefully it will lessen the trucks in town and therefore reduce the noise they make. Hope that its quicker than the Orange bypass!

Our Young Gal

July 4, 2019 By editor

Elsie Orr

How old are you? 11

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 8 or 9 years. Before that I lived in Cowra. I like that I live near my family.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School. I have been here since Kindergarten and I am in Year 6. I am the girl school captain this year.

What is your favourite after school activity?
My favourite activity is soccer training and hockey training.

What is your favourite food and movie?
My favourite food is carrots and my best movies are ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’

What music do you listen to? I don’t listen to music very much but I like to listen to Mr Harris when he sings at school.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be to have wishing powers so I could wish for anything I want.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am quiet but I am actually louder than people think.

What are you doing to ward off colds and flus this season?

June 27, 2019 By editor

Jessica Farrar: Staying clean and warm. Staying away from people who are sick.

Lindy Charlton: I had my flu shot. Keeping warm.

Elizabeth Naveau: Taking vitamins and Aloe Vera juice to build up my immunity. Keeping healthy.

OUR Young Bloke -Luka Parkin (School Captain PPS)

June 27, 2019 By editor

How old are you? 12

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I moved here when I was around 3 months old and have lived here since. I enjoy Parkes because it has great mountain biking tracks and you can have some great friends.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Parkes Public School and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Either building lego or playing soccer.

What is your favourite food and movie? Favourite food is nachos and favourite movie is Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

What music do you listen to? I quite enjoy music from two artists called ‘Imagine Dragons’ and ‘For King and Country’, but I also enjoy electronic music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I would like to be an engineer.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I would love to have telekinetic powers.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I like camping and also multiple day hikes.

Our Gal -Kath Swansbra

June 20, 2019 By editor

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? To appreciate Parkes one has to live here. I have lived here for 25 years. We have a great Council, good friendly people who care about you. Good schools, sporting facilities and the list goes on – I’m proud to be a ‘Parkesite’.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am retired and like the idea of doing things when I like, how I like and if I like. I think I am becoming selfish.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Nothing much – snooze, read the paper, make flowers for cake decorating in front of the TV and sometimes watch my granddaughters cycle. Go to church on Sundays.

What makes you proud? Decorating cakes and sugar art.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? An echidna – echidnas are independent and selfsufficient. When afraid or in trouble they can roll up into a spiky ball and not be noticed.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Lord of the Rings – really impressed by background effects, drama and action, acting and particularly the cinematography.

Tell us about your best holiday. Seine and Rhone River cruise in France. Visited Somme Battlefields of WWI and the D- Day landings on the beaches of Normandy.

What is on your bucket list? Attend the ANZAC memorial service at Villers-Bretonneux France.

What are your thoughts on the potential closure of the Parkes Maternity Unit?

June 20, 2019 By editor

Eliza Carr with Declan Ross: It’s a bit ridiculous. I know lots of people who don’t want to go to Forbes or Orange because it’s too far away from their families.

Jacob and Tiffani Townsend with Creed: We think it’s a bit silly. Why couldn’t maternity staff be on call – only operating when needed. Some births are really quick and it could be difficult to get to Forbes or Orange, and very hard for the mum if she’s having contractions in the car.

Jess Elliot holding Ruby, Lola in front and Isabelle Evans (right): Jess: I had to have Ruby in Forbes. It was a bit overwhelming and didn’t feel right not to have her in my home town where family is close and surroundings are familiar. Isabelle: It just makes me cranky. It’s a waste of money to have the facility and not use it.

Our Bloke -Jacob Foran

June 13, 2019 By editor

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes my whole life. I love the sense of community and being close to family and friends.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have worked at Byrne Clothing for over nine years and love it! I work with a bunch of total legends who are dedicated to making every day enjoyable while delivering a high standard of product quality and knowledge.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Spending time with family and friends, playing cricket with the Honey Badgers, playing drums and watching basketball.

What makes you proud? To be my mother’s son. Sharon is an incredibly strong, kind, loving and generous human that inspires every part of my life. Watching my son, Kyuss, learn, grow and create makes me immensely proud.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Does a Wookie count? Tearing round the galaxy with Han Solo would be epic! If not, a tiger… they are pretty epic.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: Mad Max Fury Road – the cinematography, the score, the acting. It’s just perfect. Closely followed by Blade Runner 2049, Empire Strikes Back, Ironman and Endgame. Song: Muse – Knights of Cydonia. It’s just an epic, climatic masterpiece. Book: Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Tell us about your best holiday. Close call between Europe and the USA, but I have to go with America. As a huge Lakers fan, seeing them play, plus ice hockey, Broadway shows, Disneyland, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Food…the food…yep… USA.

What is on your bucket list? Be an awesome dad and husband; travel China, Japan, Peru and Iceland; live to experience scientific evidence of extraterrestrial life; go to Coachella.