How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived here all my life – my family has been around Parkes for about six generations! What’s not to like about living and working in a great community like Parkes, where even the bad guys aren’t really that bad! No traffic, close to work, great people, amazing events, quality sporting facilities and a great range of sporting options.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I enjoy working for Parkes Shire Council and have recently been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Being involved in projects that I see materialise in the community gives me great satisfaction.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Renovating my house and garden although the drought has knocked the gardening thing around a little lately. I also enjoy a weekend in Sydney to see a show or concert.

What makes you proud? I’m also involved with the Parkes Sports Council so I’m proud of the wonderful sporting facilities and the great heights that our sports persons have achieved from their humble beginnings running around on our parks, fields and courts.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I have a Labrador called Jessie but I wouldn’t want to live a dog’s life! Maybe I could be a wedge-tail eagle and sore to great heights looking around at our great country side.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I’m a sci-fi fan and have enjoyed watching the last three Star Wars movies as well as the Marvel Universe with my kids.

 

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Lived in Parkes 22 years and I really love the relaxed pace, the friendly people and the size of the town.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a physiotherapist and I run my own practice in Parkes. I really enjoy the work and it’s been a great way to become part of the community.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I freely admit that I have too many hobbies so it’s hard to pick my favourite thing to do, but it’s probably cycling on my mountain bike, touring bike or penny farthing!

What makes you proud? Definitely my two girls. Watching them grow into happy, young adults with a life of their own makes me enormously proud.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I have absolutely no idea what animal I’d like to be. I think I’m way too practical for that, but probably a mountain goat – my trekking mates will understand why!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? All-time favourite song has to be My Sharona by The Knack. I’m a tragic for a one-hit-wonder!

Tell us about your best holiday. Best holiday is hard to choose – it has to be an adventure holiday for me so probably riding penny farthings in Thailand.

What is on your bucket list? My bucket list is always full but I think travelling to Antarctica would be at the top.

 

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I am proud to be a Parkes girl. Parkes has always been a warm, welcoming community spirited town.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? My husband Don and I own and operate the Greenparkes Garden Centre. We are proud to have provided Parkes with a first-class venue, a first-class nursery, and a wonderful café in the grounds.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Time spent with my family.

What makes you proud? My beautiful children, their partners and my five grand- children.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? My love of dogs is well known to my children as we often grand-dog sit.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My taste has adapted with time, but I still love Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music from my youth.

Tell us about your best holiday. A driving holiday around Tasmania with all our children (before they were too old to holiday as a family).

What is on your bucket list? A style of retirement suited to us, busy but at a better pace. Continue to live in Parkes Shire.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I grew up in Parkes through the Eighties, and moved back with my family in 2013. I enjoy the close and supportive community and find it an ideal place to raise a family.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? My wife Marty and I own and manage Regional Business Supplies. I love finding solutions for our customers’ needs and the flexibility of running my own business.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I am an avid Lego collector and builder with my daughter Alex.

What makes you proud? Being part of a regional community that looks out for one another.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I think a kookaburra has my ideal outlook on life. A bit of food, a bit of travelling around and a whole lot of laughing.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I really enjoyed Matt Damon in “The Martian”, especially his adaption to his solitude and per- severance to protect his own life.

Tell us about your best holiday. We had a fantastic Hawaii and Disney World holiday in 2014, and are very keen to repeat it with the new Star Wars park opening soon.

What is on your bucket list? Travelling and experiencing Egypt and the ancient ruins by cruising down the Nile is a trip I’ve always liked to make.

How long have you lived in Parkes? I have lived in Parkes for 13 years.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at Target as a customer service assistant. I enjoy working with all my team.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I hang out with my friends and animals, and paddle with Parkes Dragon Boat Club!

What makes you proud? Seeing our foster animals find their forever homes.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be a dog so I can lay in the sun and sleep all day.

What is your all-time favourite movie? I don’t know what my favourite movie is as I have a few that I love. A Dog’s Purpose is one of the best!

Tell us about your best holiday. Going to the snow with my mum, sister and brother.

What is on your bucket list? To travel as much as I can and see the world.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes and grew up in Young. I have been in Parkes on and off for around ten years and our family has decided that here is where we will stay.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Club Manager at PCYC Parkes. It is a fantastic place to work as we have a great group of staff and volunteers but it’s the effects that we can have on kids through our programs and building positive experiences which is really satisfying.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? My favourite thing to do is to play with my two kids, Tilly and Edison.

What makes you proud? My family, in particular, my wife who does a great job raising our two kids.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Honey badger, always up for a challenge.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Days of Thunder – over dramatised racing, questionable acting, crashes, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman – it’s a winning formula.

Tell us about your best holiday. Heading somewhere outdoors, camping with the family.

What is on your bucket list? Becoming a paramotor pilot.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I actually live between Parkes and Dubbo, close to Yeoval. I grew up in Molong, married a farmer and moved here about five years ago. I’ve worked in Parkes for the last five years and I love it. It’s got a small-town community vibe, yet the conveniences of a large centre.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I own Kerin Physio Co, which I started about three years ago. We now have a team of 12 amazing ladies and we offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and exercise physiology services. I absolutely LOVE what I do – I have a passion for rural healthcare and love seeing our clients receive high quality services from professionals who genuinely care.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love a long bath with a wine and good book. Or being outside in the garden, there is nothing quite like the morning sun on your shoulders and the smell of freshly cut lawn. Or a stroll up the paddock during golden hour in the late afternoon, with my baby in the carrier, husband beside me and the dogs running around us excitedly.

What makes you proud? Seeing people go outside their comfort zones and achieve amazing things.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I’ve always thought meerkats look like they have a lot of fun! Although if I’m being honest, all my Meerkat knowledge comes from the series, Meerkat Manor (which I was far too emotionally invested in…)

Tell us about your best holiday. South America: snorkelling with the incredible animals in the Galapagos Islands, hiking the ancient Inca Trail and overlooking Machu Picchu at sunrise, enjoying a delicious seven-course lunch with paired wines in Mendoza (Argentina) – the perfect holiday.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I am from Tonga and have been in Parkes for approximately three years. I like Parkes because it is quiet and warm like my country. Most of all I like the people who have welcomed me in the community, especially members of the Parkes M&D Society and the Anglican Church. I feel comfortable in Parkes.

Where do you work or what do you do currently? I am looking for a job. I would like to work in aged care as I think my personality would suit a job in this sector.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I do like singing, and my involvement with the Parkes M&D has been great. I have been having singing/guitar lessons. I also love gardening and at the moment I am busy planting a lot of succulents because of the weather and lack of water in the future.

What makes you proud? I am proud of my heritage and my Tongan culture, and I am proud to be living in Australia with my Australian family.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? I would like to be a cat – we have three in our house hold and they run the place.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movie is “King Arthur” as it is about royalty and we have a royal family in Tonga.

Tell us about your best holiday? I went to Eden in 2017 with my Australian family. A lovely little town, but a long drive to get there, especially when I discovered I get car sick.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes since 1983. The best thing about living here is definitely the people.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a teacher at Middleton Public School. I used to be Assistant Principal but I now do release teaching. I enjoy the kids, and teaching art and science.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love to catch up with friends (over a few wines), read, play golf (very badly though) or go for a walk.

What makes you proud? My family. When I look at my kids and the really good people they are, I know I have done something right in life! I’m also proud of my teaching career. I have always loved what I do!

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be a butterfly. They are colourful and free!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movies are anything that has a ‘feel good’ ending. I love a good romance! My favourite book is ‘I Am Pilgrim.’ I couldn’t put it down and it has the most amazing story ever!

Tell us about your best holiday. I have loved going to Canada, USA and Alaska but I just love Europe, especially Italy! If I could afford it, I would travel overseas every year!

What is on your bucket list? My bucket list is getting longer every year. Mostly the places I want to visit…Europe (again), South America, Africa, Asia and, of course, travel around Australia, especially Western Australia.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for the past 37 years. The friendly atmosphere and pace of the town is great.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have worked at ORIGIN LPG (previously WESTGAS) for the past 36 years. Best part of the job is getting out dealing with our many and varied customers and great bunch of blokes I work with. Plus nightfill at Woolies.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Dragon boating with the Parkes Endeavour Dragons – a truly top group of people.

What makes you proud? My three daughters and their achievements in life.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Eagle, so I can soar high and look down from above.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Castle, a truly Australian classic about life in general; any music by David Bowie and Animal Farm by George Orwell, which was my Year 12 text.

Tell us about your best holiday. Ten days exploring Perth with my late wife Lynne.

What is on your bucket list? Live long to annoy my daughters and grandchildren; ride the Indian Pacific; make an awesome home garden; restore an old car (I don’t hold a driver’s licence) and dragon boat in China.