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Parkes Phoenix

“You Can’t Replace People Like Joyce”

November 30, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Pictured are staff from Cunningams IGA farewelling longtime staff member Joyce Sofant who is third from left .

Those of us who are regular customers at Cunninghams IGA in Parkes may have noticed a very familiar face has been missing as of late. Joyce Sefont, who has been a long term employee and a very recognisable face at the local IGA supermarket, has recently taken her retirement. The staff at Cunningams IGA held a morning tea at the store to farewell Joyce and then a more formal dinner to celebrate her long service. 

We spoke to Joyce and she recalled ”I started working here in Feb 2010, and I have been here ever since. I have enjoyed my time here, yes, I am sad to go but my back needs a rest. People don’t realise that I am nearly 70, because I don’t act it.” 

Joyce also went on to say “I’ve always worked in this type of business, even when I was in NZ, I spent 8 years in the supermarket there in a supervisor role. It’s the customers that I enjoy”. 

Cunninghams IGA Store Manager Steven Langlois had to say “Joyce has been such a great help to us, especially when the store transitioned from being owned by Janine, to being our store. Since I have been here for a year now, Joyce has been a massive help, she’s great with the customers, everyone loves her, people come in here just to have a chat. We just want to thank Joyce for all her hard work.” 

Our Gal – Courtney Hodges

November 2, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Name: Courtney Hodges 

Where were you born? Forbes 

Were you named after anyone? No 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Sounds cliche, but my children. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The COVID-19 pandemic – to watch the world grind to halt and then slowly put itself back together again made for an interesting time to be alive. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Follow your heart, but take your head with you. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Deciding to ‘go again’ and rebuild our general practice after floods in a rural area where there are chronic workforce shortages during a time of extreme inflation. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Three rambunctious children, wine and a good book. 

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

When are you happiest? When I’m with my siblings and our ever-growing families! 

Our Bloke – Sam Parish

October 26, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Sam Parish

Name: Sam Parish

Where were you born? Dubbo NSW

Were you named after anyone? Not that I know of

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Becoming a 2 time National Junior Cattle champion

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Going around Australia with my family for 6 months when I was 6

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “If you’re worried about the cost of failure, wait till you get the bill from regret”

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Buying my house at 20 years old

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? A plane, a pilot and maybe a 6 pack of beer while I wait for take off

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? On a holiday to South America

When are you happiest? Travelling and catching up with good mates

Our Gal – Donna Ross

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Where were you born? Sydney.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Marrying my beautiful husband.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Always wear clean underwear.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Going paragliding in Fiji.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My husband, my dogs and my friends.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Go on a holiday.

When are you happiest? Sitting on a beach on holidays. 

Our Bloke – Steven Langlois

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Steven Langlois

Where were you born? Wollongong.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Stepping up to retail management after many years as a number two.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? St George Illawarra winning the 2010 grand final.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Never let people know how smart you really are.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Parkes to manage Cunningham’s IGA.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Beer, books, music.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would put it towards a new car. 

When are you happiest? Sitting back with friends and family, having a couple of refreshments and talking rubbish. 

Our Bloke – Chendu Jiang

September 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Chendu Jiang

Where were you born? Sichuan, China.

Were you named after anyone? Not at all.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Finishing the uni that I always hated!

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? I got detained by police for a toy gun as a 10-year old.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Give it a go, it’ll be alright.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I went to Iran as a backpacker at 19.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Ship, fuel, Starlink.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Stock shares …

When are you happiest? Cooking my comfort food.

Our Gal – Sophie Heraghty

September 21, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Sophie Heraghty

Where were you born? Parkes.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Being shortlisted for the NSW Health Youth Mental Health Advisory Group, I am waiting to find out if I was selected to make up the final group.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The COVID-19 pandemic because it had such a profound impact on not only us but the rest of the world. Everything shut down.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How your life feels is more important than how it looks.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Leaving my job in childcare for a career change at Forbes Shire Council.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Plane, pilot and a book.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would book a long holiday or pay my car off.

When are you happiest? When I’m with my people who I can comfortably be myself around. 

Our Gal – Danielle Ann McDonald

September 7, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Danielle Ann McDonald

Where were you born? Parkes Hospital. 

Were you named after anyone? My middle name, named after my Nana. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Winning my first ever Australian Mx title this year. 

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Travelling to France with the Australian team to watch the ISDE. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Just go out there and have some fun and just never give up.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? I take risks everyday when I ride my motorbike. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My motorbike, family and friends and my pet dogs. 

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I’d put that money into the Aussie Girls gofundme page so we can race over seas for Australia. 

When are you happiest? When I’m at the racing at the track surrounded with my family and friends doing the things we love most. 

Our Bloke – Dylan McDonald

August 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Dylan McDonald

Where were you born? Parkes, NSW. 

Were you named after anyone? I wasn’t named after anyone. 

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Coming second in the Australian off-roads.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? When we travelled to Sweden and Finland for the world enduro. 

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Always tell the truth and send it. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Lying to dad. 

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Toilet paper, a lighter and Barbecue sauce.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Upgrade my plane ticket to first class when we go to worlds. 

When are you happiest? When on the dirtbike. 

Our Gal – Kohbe Whitehouse

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Where were you born? Caringbah (Sydney).

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Completing two (and almost three) university degrees.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Watching the Matilda’s penalty shootout last Saturday.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second best time is now. 

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Packing up my life in Sydney to move to the country.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Food, water and a boat!

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Go on a holiday.

When are you happiest? Spending time with my friends, family and animals.

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