How old are you? I turned 11 this week.

Where do you go to school? I am in Year 6 at Parkes East and I am in Miss Toppin’s Class.

What is your favourite after school activity? Sport! Squash and cricket are my two favourites.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? My favourite food is spring rolls. My favourite movie is Avengers: End Game and my music is playing my drums.

What do you want to do when you grow up? Be a Professional Squash Association (PSA) player and play on the glass court in front of the pyramids in Egypt.

If you could have a super power what would it be? The ability to never hit the tin or cut line when I play squash OR be able to hit a squash nick on demand!

What makes you laugh the most? My friends and my little brother Artie is really funny!

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? The only subject you do at school is sport and craft.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I do a weekly interview for our squash club called People of Parkes Squash. I am also really proud to be the President of the Parkes East Student Representative Council.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes just over 16 years. Having grown up in Cowra and with extended family in Trundle, I like the sense of ‘home’ I feel in the Central West.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? As a home-educating mother of four, my favourite thing is spending time with and learning alongside my children.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? There are many places I’ve read about where I’d like to sample life, but I’m very happy in Parkes.

What makes you laugh the most? There are a hundred things each day I find amusing. I like to have a laugh and a chat about it with my husband Adrian when he finishes work.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I do like to reconnect with the natural environment. Getting out to the beautiful national parks in our area or spending time at the coast.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? It’s hard to choose, but I’ve just been reading about the period of history between Jesus and the Roman Emperor Constantine. It was inspiring to see how the early Christians were true to Jesus’ teaching in extremely volatile times. It would be fascinating to see first-hand how their communities operated, but I wouldn’t fancy being thrown to the lions.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? It is not possible to legislate to make people be truly loving, kind or empathetic, but I would protect the poor, the voiceless and the vulnerable.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Absolutely. I think kindness is underrated as a virtue. My favourite one is the ‘golden rule’ of treating others as we would wish to be treated ourselves.

What is one thing you will never do again? Eat a pre-sucked milk arrowroot biscuit. That’s a parenting mistake you only make once!

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for nine years and I like the people the most. Parkes is full of interesting characters, people who are friendly and helpful with fantastic community spirit. It makes it an amazing place to live.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? They say when you love what you do you never work a day. There is nothing better than helping people to achieve their goals and my role as Country University Centre Manager allows me to do exactly that.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Much to my wife’s unhappiness somewhere sandy and warm!

What makes you laugh the most? Watching my two-year-old son learn about the world in only the way a toddler can, by placing it into his mouth to examine it.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Hobbies. I have far more hobbies than I have hours in a week and to take a whole day with no other responsibilities to do any of them would be amazing.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? May 17th, 1980 to be at the premier of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and be one of the first people to know that (SPOILER ALERT) Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Universal mental health leave for all workers. It’s such a prominent issue in society and needs to be tackled in its own right and not thrown in with other forms of leave.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I do! The pay it forward movement is something I find so interesting and I love seeing the stories. I only hope one day I can be in a position to help someone like that.

What is one thing you will never do again? Eat canned hotdogs! That idea should’ve been shut down before it ever went into production!

Meaghan Kempson
Coach, Trainer or Manager of the year, Australia Day Awards

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for two years and love the sporting community.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? My colleagues make every day so enjoyable, not a day goes by without a laugh!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Adelaide

What makes you laugh the most? People tripping over (without injuring themselves)

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Go to the Australian Open, watch some live tennis and have some drinks with friends/family.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? To 2015, my first year of university. Made so many friends and created some great memories!

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? School hours from 7am to 1pm!

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yeah definitely! I love the idea of visiting aged care facilities and socialising with the elderly.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived here for 23 years and I really like the easy-going country atmosphere. It is so very much home.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m retired and spend my time caring for my home and family and, at the moment, preparing to celebrate our Diamond Wedding Anniversary (60 years).

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Writing, gardening and walking with my dogs.

What makes you proud? My family. Seeing them achieve and watching them help to make the world a better place. Watching my family extend into several great-grandchildren

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A horse. I love the sense of exhilaration and freedom that comes from watching a horse stretch out and run and I would love to experience that.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Music Box Dancer is my favourite piece of music because it causes me to want to dance. My favourite book is ‘This was a Man’ by Jeffrey Archer.

Tell us about your best holiday. My husband and I spent a month travelling up the Red Centre via the Indian Pacific and the Ghan to Darwin and the Top End. The spoiling that we received on both trains was unforgettable, the side trips, the scenery, the mishaps and adventures made it totally memorable and a journey we will never forget.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Born and raised in Parkes. The most pleasing aspect of the town is the friendly and caring nature of its people.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am retired and enjoying the fruits of life. I play golf for relaxation and I love taking Scrubba’s money. Prior to retiring I worked in the motor trade at Col Fletcher Ford & KIA as a salesperson.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Play golf when I have time but I also do the books for the RSL Sub Branch, I’m the current President of the Lachlan Valley District Golf Association, as well as President of the Western Districts Council of the RSL and Secretary/ Treasurer of the Parkes Branch of the RSL.

What makes you proud? The greatest thrill I get is watching kids achieve their goals, especially my two granddaughters who are both excelling at hockey in Queensland.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? An eagle just catching some of those thermals and keeping an eye on everything down below. What a wonderful life that would be.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Any movie that is based on a true story. I believe they are great viewing as long as the end result is what is wanted.

Tell us about your best holiday. Some of the Car Bashes I’ve been on raising money for the less fortunate. I also realised what a wonderful place South Vietnam is especially as I’ve seen it as a war-torn country and now as a civilised nation. On the Car Bashes it’s all about friendships and places that I never thought existed and the wonderful countryside that we have here in Australia.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for 44 years, after discharge from the army. It is a friendly town to be a part of and most of my immediate family are here. It is also a good location to travel from.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work with my brother as Knights Building Contractors. We have been contracting in the Parkes Shire for 42 years. I enjoy seeing people’s building dreams come true.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy tantalizing and spending time with the grandkids.

What makes you proud? My two children’s achievements, five grandchildren and being Australian.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Not sure but maybe an eagle, can cover distance quickly and have a bird’s eye view.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? No real favourites, I enjoy movies with John Wayne or Sandra Bullock. Sweet Caroline or most of Neil Diamond songs.

Tell us about your best holiday. Our last trip to Europe in 2014, including touring the Western Front and watching two stages of the Tour de France.

What is on your bucket list? Retirement of a degree, seeing more of this country and spending more time with family.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived here for 15 years. I truly love the big open skies and fresh air, also there’s nothing like the warmth and belonging I feel as part of this beautiful Parkes community.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m the coordinator of Project Sprouts, under the umbrella of Neighbourhood Central. I am thrilled to be part of a new community led model, connecting children and families with the services they need. I enjoy working with a passionate group of fierce women who care deeply about the children in our community.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I really love an early morning Bodycombat or Xfit class – favourite way to start the day. I also adore time with Jo Laurie in her journal sessions. This year we’ve made smashbooks. Writing in my smashbook, and making something beautiful in that has been a highlight of 2020.

What makes you proud? I’m so proud to be Caitlin, Sophie and Emily’s mum. I’m proud of the way they have responded to so much uncertainty and change this year with their usual mix of delight and love. I’m proud of myself for taking a leap into the unknown, and being brave to try something new.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I remember the first time I snorkelled above a stingray and feeling in awe of what appeared to me as a stingray in flight, while also being in the water – what a wonderful combination.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Right now, “I’m Good?” by the Hilltop Hoods. It’s the first song on our 2020 mornings playlist. It makes me laugh, and is a playful start to the day, it also reminds me that even in difficult times we’re not alone.

What is on your bucket list? A family trip to Paris!