How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for 30 years. I love living in a town that has such a strong sense of community and safety raising children here. People genuinely look out for one another.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I have an amazing and challenging job with Service NSW where I get to work with fantastic people and get to be part of some great projects.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I have no intention of moving somewhere else. I have great friends, my family are happy here, and we have the benefits of country life with easy access to bigger towns and Sydney.

What makes you laugh the most? Being tickled lol!

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Have a long, long lunch in the Greek Islands with family and friends with lots of wine, awesome views and fabulous food.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? 1997 – I travelled to Europe and in hindsight would love to have taken a year off work and travelled.

What is one thing you will never do again? Lots of things, but you have to have these experiences in order to learn never to do it again.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for almost 30 years and I enjoy the fresh air and friendly people.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? When working in the Department of Community Services, protecting children, and in retirement, visiting people.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Among the green fields of Ireland.

What makes you laugh most? Making four putts on the first tee. Maybe that should be ‘cry’!

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Swim, read and spend time with family.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I have a difficulty with that one. I would choose two events; 16th June 1963, the day I was ordained a priest, and 26th March 1978, the day I married my beautiful, Peg.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Ecology awareness, peace and justice.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes I do, and I enjoy visiting and listening to people.

What is one thing you will never do again? Walk out on the Burrendong Dam retaining wall.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes and have lived here my whole life. The best thing about living here is family and friends, and the many great people I’ve met over the years.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I am a volunteer. I am licenced to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned animals. It can be very demanding and heartbreaking at times, but to save lives and being able to release animals back to their home is my favourite thing.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? The Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It is quiet, beautiful, near Australis Zoo Wildlife Hospital and the beach.

What makes you laugh the most? Road trips with friends.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Turn off my phone, not worry about a thing and spend time away with my husband and kids.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would go back to any Christmas day at my grandparents when my Nanna would cook an amazing hot lunch for everyone, no matter if it was 40 degrees. Being with my whole family were happy years I will never forget.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Much stricter laws for land clearing and habitat destruction.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes, my favourite is the simple everyday things, like holding a door open for someone, letting someone go before you in a queue, or checking on your elderly neighbour.

What is one thing you will never do again? Driving up Mount Hotham in Victoria in heavy snow conditions, fog and wind.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes, and went to school here and in Forbes. I moved away to study at several art colleges and worked abroad. I like bringing back what I’ve learnt to undertake art projects in the shire.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I have always loved art, I have always wanted to do art. I am proud to have followed my passion. I have achieved a lot of my dreams. I’m lucky to feel resolved.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I would love to live in Boho, Northern Ireland where my great, great, great grandfather Thomas was sentenced to death, and later commuted to life transportation to the colony of NSW.

What makes you laugh the most? My nephews and my niece Arlo, Emrys and Tully Cassidy. They have answers for everything.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Learn to play bass guitar adequately in 24 hours!

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? Parkes 1983. Music and films were better. The analogue years were as fun as they were simple, and there were more horses on the streets, ridden, and driven. I loved the sound of hoofbeats on the bitumen.

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

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I believe nature will always create persons scattered throughout a community who have the ability to understand the experiences and feelings of others outside of their own perspective. The acts I love are the ones that need no audience, no ticks to names, no getting into publications, just help when your neighbour is not at their best.

What is one thing you will never do again? Run fast, my knees are done.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? My family relocated from Lithgow to Parkes in October 1989 when the hay fever season was at its peak and a mini tornado caused considerable damage close to the CBD.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? Wow! So many favourite things as a teacher of young children! Being told by a 5 or 6-year-old their latest joke, family adventure, what they’d like to be when they grow up, displaying their most recently learned ball skill or gymnastic trick or just a huge smile and hug made every day special.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Being of an Italian background, I’d like to have an extended holiday along the Amalfi Coast, but would always want to return to my family and friends.

What makes you laugh the most? Kids always make me laugh with their honesty, innocence and excitement in sharing anything and everything.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Relaxing and walking along the beach sounds like fun, exploring the rock pools, collecting shells, listening to the waves and smelling the fresh air.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would like to go back to 1970 when I was completing my teacher training to allow myself more time at becoming more proficient at playing the piano and trumpet.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Not sure that I’d want more rules!!

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Random acts of kindness enhance the wellbeing of both the giver ad the receiver. So, get out there each day and show kindness in some small way.

What is one thing you will never do again? I will never go caving again, besides being too old, I’d not want to be cold, wet and exhausted and have to drag myself to the exit point in a wetsuit and gumboots.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was sent to Bogan Gate Army camp in 1964. I was not impressed, but I grew to love the Parkes area and stayed here. Parkes is a caring community with good people and lots of organisations that I am part of.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I am retired. In my working life I invented things like the wheat sweeping machine at GrainCorp and the escape door on dangerous goods containers at Trans Tank.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Parkes.

What makes you laugh the most? British comedy.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Go to The Goodwood Revival Vintage, Classic Car Day in England.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would like to have dinner with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford And Benjamin Franklin to see what these great inventors thought.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Politicians would have to pass a test for compassion.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes, when I was a young lad, I crashed my car and an old couple drove me home, 100km out of their way.

What is one thing you will never do again? Getting married.

How old are you? 11.

Where do you go to school? Middleton Public School.

What is your favourite after school activity? Jumping on the trampoline and mowing the lawn.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? Food: Sausages; Movie: Rams; Music: Country.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a vet nurse, or build kitchens like my dad and mum.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Teleport, fly or invisibility.

What makes you laugh the most? My brother Riley, or my friend Ashlee.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? Everybody needs to be kind.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I have three scars from a barb wire fence.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in May 2021 from Ballarat in Victoria. I like the small country town feel and how friendly people are here.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? That I’m still fortunate enough to be able to work throughout these COVID-19 lockdowns and the people I work with.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Happy, right where I am here in Australia.

What makes you laugh the most? Stand-up comedians.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Hang glide over the snow-covered Victorian Alps.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? Ancient Egypt, it speaks for itself.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Even time rosters – seven days on, seven days off.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Do unto others you have others do to you.

What is one thing you will never do again? Eat nattō – Japanese fermented soy bean!

How old are you? I’m turning 12.

Where do you go to school? Middleton Public School.

What is your favourite after school activity? I enjoy riding bikes.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? Food: McDonald’s; Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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

If you could have a super power what would it be? A power to make the world a better place.

What makes you laugh the most? When someone pranks you!

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? Everything is for free for nice people.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I usually come second or third in cross country.

How old are you? 11.

Where do you go to school? Middleton Public School.

What is your favourite after school activity? Sport.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? Food: chicken; Movie: Harry Potter; Song: Dancing in the Moonlight.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to work in IT.

If you could have a super power what would it be? To be able to grant wishes.

What makes you laugh the most? Being tickled.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? That there will be no laws!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I love motor bike riding.