Vice Captain Middleton Public School

How old are you? 11

Where do you go to school? Middleton Public School

What is your favourite after school activity? I like to play after school sports.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? My favourite food is steak, my favourite movie is Backtrack Boys and I like lots of different music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I would like to become a barber.

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

What makes you laugh the most? My dad.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? No fighting.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I play just about every sport.

The Late Jim Harper 3 RAR Infantry Korea attending an ANZAC parade in Parkes in 2010.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what is the best thing about living here? We (the Harper Family) moved here in 1965. I’m very fond of the community spirit in Parkes, and the surrounding countryside and available space to switch off.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I established my own business in Parkes six years ago – Jo Laurie Healing Arts. I’m passionate about sharing Intentional Creativity workshops for people in my studio so that they remember the joys and benefits of creating with a mindful, process not product driven attitude. I also hold weekly Women’s Circles, and offer Lomi Lomi, Hot Stone Massages, and I’m a Reiki Master.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Dance with my paintbrush!

What makes you proud? Thinking about Anzac Day approaching, I’m proud and grateful to these men in our family:
• Uncle George Hamon killed in action aged 22 in 1917 in France;
• Poppo: Charles Harper Infantry WW1 and Intelligence WW2;
• Uncle Adrian Harper Rat of Toobruk, and 2nd Battalion WW2;
• Uncle Kelly Harper Rat of Toobruk, and 2nd Battalion WW2;
• Uncle Arthur Harper 3rd Battalion Ack Ack WW2 and 3rd Battalion Korea;
• Uncle Jack Harper 3 RAR Korea;
• Dad: Jim Harper 3 RAR Infantry Korea.

What will you do on Anzac day? I have never missed a Dawn Service, and always lay a wreath in gratitude for my family. I attended a Dawn Service in Bargara, Queensland and marched there for Dad one year – it was a memorable event. One of us will march for Dad this year and we’ll have a family bbq lunch.

Vice Captain Holy Family Primary School

How old are you? 11

Where do you go to school? Holy Family Primary School

What is your favourite after school activity? Art and sport

What is your favourite food, movie and music? Food: gelato; Movie: Airplane mode; Music: Rock – Pop.

What do you want to do when you grow up? A singer

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Teleportation

What makes you laugh the most? My friends.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? Everyday you can get gelato for free!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. My middle name is Louise.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Our family moved from spending 2.5 years in Canada to Parkes in June 2019. We love being closer to our family and friends, and how close Parkes is located to other major regional centres.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? Working at the Parkes Pharmacy brings me joy in many ways. I love engaging with the community, and getting to know our customers whilst being able to help them for their medical needs at the same time.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I really enjoyed living in Canada, even though the winters were cold and long. I really enjoyed the people and the landscapes of the North.

What makes you laugh the most? I laugh a lot when I am with my children, but I think I laugh most when I make fun of myself for doing something silly.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? So many desires and thoughts flashed through my mind but I would want to spend my time with my parents (who currently are overseas) and just chat about life history to get to know them more.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I would go back to our wedding day in May 2010. It was such a special time and I could do it all over again.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Be kind to others.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes, it rings close to my heart. I appreciate ones when a person offers to pay for the next person’s coffee or even their groceries.

What is one thing you will never do again? Take things (or people) for granted.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in 1994. I was born in Roma, Queensland, lived in Cobar before moving to Parkes. I like country living, not the hustle and bustle of the city.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? My wife and I run the squash centre and I also have my own fibreglass business. With squash, I enjoy coaching and meeting lots of people each day. With fibreglassing, it would be making over pools and seeing a big difference in the before and afters.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I am pretty happy living in Parkes.

What makes you laugh the most? With three kids aged 11, 7 and 3 – conversations are pretty funny most days in our house.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? My son, Henry’s dream is to play squash on the glass court in front of the pyramids in Egypt. I’d probably offer to be his hitting partner.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? 2011 – I rolled my ankle picking up the ball in the Squash Club Championships semi-final. If I could redo that one – I haven’t lived that match down!

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Probably work weekends and have weekdays off.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I believe in trying to do the right thing all the time.

What is one thing you will never do again? Lose a squash match against Richard King – he only beat me by default in 2012 and hasn’t let it go!

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived here all my life, but went away for some years. I like the friendly people.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? I loved living on the farm. There was always something to do and seeing the crops, and animals grow. It was very rewarding, despite the droughts and other challenges.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? We loved travelling in Western Australia with our caravan, and I particularly like the Kimberley, Broome and Kununarra.

What makes you laugh the most? Jokes in magazines and newspapers, especially the jokes in Peter FitzSimons’s column in the Sunday paper.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I would love to go to the beach and swim in the ocean. I haven’t done that for years.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? To 1958 when I got my general nursing certificate in Sydney after four long years of very hard slog. It was a good feeling.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Bring in much stricter penalties for murderers. It’s all too lenient these days, and people think they can do just what they like.

Do you believe in acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes I do. My two favourite charities that I support are Assistance Dogs Australia and The Royal Flying Doctor Service.