How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes in 1940 and moved to Goulburn in 1960. I came back for a promotion in 1974 as a train driver where I worked for 47 years. Parkes is like all small towns they are only what you make them yourself.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I retired in 2002. I’ve been a volunteer at Parkes Tennis Club since 1978.

What makes you proud? I am very proud of the tennis club, which I have rebuilt. I have received an OAM for my work at the club.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I don’t have any spare time as I’m busy at the tennis club, men’s shed and car club.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a bird so I could fly anywhere I liked.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Any John Wayne movie because he always gets the bad ones!

Tell us about your best holiday. Going caravanning anywhere in this great country.

What is on your bucket list? No bucket list, just enjoying life as it comes.

How long have you lived in Parkes  and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes my whole life, with a few short stints in Newcastle, Geraldton, and Rockhampton. I enjoy living in a regional town, where during tough times, the community comes together to support those in need.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am currently studying a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Public Relations, through correspondence.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Spending time with my friends and family, taking photographs, baking, playing sport, listening to music. The list could keep going!

What makes you proud? My family. We’ve gone through so much, but have always been there for each other.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be a Quokka, as they are one of the happiest animals. Despite its vulnerable status
of extinction, they aren’t scared of humans. Plus, they are great at selfies!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Right now my list includes: Movie: My Best Friend’s Wedding; Song: Soon You’ll Get Better –
Taylor Swift; Book: The Year of the Farmer by Rosalie Ham.

Tell us about your best holiday. Spending three months travelling around Europe with my Mum in 2012 visiting my eldest sister, Steff. I particularly loved Scotland and Germany!

What is on your bucket list? I would love to go swimming with pigs in the Bahamas! No one is certain of how the pigs first arrived there. When the pigs hear the motors of the boats, they come running out of the forest, across the beach, and into the turquoise waters.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in October 1979 from Ivanhoe. I enjoy living here as it is friendly and a great place to live.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? Started working at the Parkes Services Club in October 1979 and still work there, l enjoy the customers and the people I work with.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I like to watch movies.

What makes you proud? My family makes me proud.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A horse, because they are a majestic animal.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: Gone With The Wind as my favourite time in history is the Civil War; Song: Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis); Book: Reach For The Sky – a true story about a British World War 2 fighter pilot.

Tell us about your best holiday. I’ve had a few trips to the USA and loved every minute I’ve ever been there, especially the visits to Elvis’s home Graceland.

What is on your bucket list? To live long enough to see the Dragons win another grand final!

Rose Jones

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have lived in Parkes for 49 years and love living here being close to most of my family as well. I also enjoy the friendly and community spirit.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I volunteer at Henry Parkes Museum, and love the research, restoration and preservation of history and meeting people from all over the world.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? My favourite things are craft and creating items from sewing quilts to crocheting clothes.

What makes you proud? I am very proud of my family and friends and love to share their personal achievements.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a kangaroo, because I love Australia and the freedom and wilderness we have in this country.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite books are history and ancestry and local history.

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was a tour of England with two siblings and a nephew staying in the villages my ancestors lived in before they immigrated to Australia, and going on a Taste of Britain Bus Tour.

What is on your bucket list? I want to go on a cruise and historical tour.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes for the position of Drought Response Officer in February, so only seven months. I like the rural lifestyle, sense of community and the people have been very welcoming.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? As Drought Response Officer I coordinate an effective drought response for the shire and collate and disseminate relevant information regarding drought support. I really enjoy the diverse nature of the role and developing this newly appointed position.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Some farmers have taken me to the local camp drafts and I have become hooked on horse riding. I have a small recording studio to record music for myself and some people in the Shire, especially the youth.

What makes you proud? When I see a community coming together to help each other out and knowing that I have had a small part to play in it.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a Pelican! To be able to fly would be great. They spend time in both the country and the ocean, the best of both worlds.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Man From Snowy River – it captures a great part of Australia’s history and culture. There should be more movies about our history.

Tell us about your best holiday. Living on a boat for a few weeks surfing around the islands off the West Java Coast, Indonesia. Big waves, crystal clear water and standing up in barrels that you can fit a car into. Biggest barrels of my life. Such an incredible feeling to be able to surf waves like that with good mates.

What is on your bucket list? 1)Ride in a camp draft competition; 2) Ride a Brumby through the Snowy Mountains; 3)Buy a farm; 4) Raise a family; 5) Buy some land on an island in the Pacific – preferably around Fiji.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in 1989.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m retired so I just swan around.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I have several favourites. I read, of course! Watch old western and musical movies, research war and Jewish history and do cryptic crosswords.

What makes you proud? Hearing from ex-students about the way they are nurturing their children, especially in brain development, from birth.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A bear, so I could hibernate in winter.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movies: Sound of Music and Friendly Persuasion. Song: How Great Thou Art (especially when Barb Newton sings it!) Books: The Source, Winnie-The-Pooh, The Bible, All Quiet On The Western Front. These are my choices because they all reflect my passions.

Tell us about your best holiday. On a group tour, lead by my brother, to Turkey in 1999 when we started an impromptu street dance with some uni students at Canakkale, attended the Dawn Service at Gallipoli when it was held at the original spot, on the beachfront and then, the service at Lone Pine Cemetery.

What is on your bucket list? River cruise from Budapest to Bucharest.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born and bred in Parkes and spent my early years on a farm 30 km outside of town. I have spent some time in Sydney, Canberra and Cairns, and moved back about seven years ago. I like the easy-going speed of life here.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work as a Financial Controller at Neighbourhood Central. I enjoy working with good people and contributing positively to the community I live in. The work we do makes a significant difference in the lives of others.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Getting out in nature and spending time with family. I haven’t hunted or fished much for a long time, and would like to do more of that. I also enjoy making my wife laugh – with three kids under nine, it can be a challenge sometimes.

What makes you proud? Watching my children grow and develop and participate in the world around them. I also like seeing people stand for something.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be an eagle – they do life almost unnoticed and one needs to look closely to appreciate their nature and beauty.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Bible is my favourite book – it is unlike any other book, and the author has saved my life and changed me in ways that truly amaze me. My favourite movie would probably be No Country for Old Men.

Tell us about your best holiday. This year I had my first holiday in twelve years. We spent 10 days in Newcastle swimming at the beach, fishing, shopping, relaxing and having a good time.

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.

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.