How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? On and off since 1969. I moved back about seven years ago. I like the friendly people and fairly laid-back atmosphere.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m a mechanic at Parkes Toyota. I get enjoyment out of the variety of work and working with good people.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Watching videos and reading books on science fiction.

What makes you proud? Parkes Shire Concert Band achieving awards.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? An eagle, because I reckon they’re king of the skies.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It is humorous and touches on many idiosyncrasies of the human race.

Tell us about your best holiday. Family holiday to central Australia.

What is on your bucket list? To go to Scotland to catch up with family there.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? We moved here in 2007 from Sydney when my husband started work at Northparkes mines. I like it here because it’s peaceful like the islands and people are nice.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at Redbend Catholic College in the kitchen, cooking and feeding the students and boarders.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I like doing my volunteer baking for the farmers and frontline workers fighting the COVID pandemic.

What makes you proud? My son and daughter make me proud because they are doing well and have careers and are nice children.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a bird and fly because we can’t fly anywhere with COVID-19.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: Sound of Music. I like the story and the music; Song: Unforgettable by Nat King Cole, it reminds me of growing up in Tonga, my parents used to play it a lot; Book: Any Patricia Cornwell book.

Tell us about your best holiday. Mauritius, because the hotels are beautiful and it reminds me of Fiji but it is prettier.

What is on your bucket list? Go to England and see Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen! Europe to see my penpal in Sweden whom I’ve been writing to since she came to Tonga when she was 15.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes all my life, except for six years at Yanco Agricultural High School. I enjoy the community spirit and great friendships made in the town.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? After leaving school I worked the family farm with my father, at which time I gained my wool classing certificate. I leased my farm some years ago. I now class around the district and help my brother Ken when he needs a hand. What I like most is working with a great team where we all get along and enjoy each other’s company.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I have always enjoyed running, having completed 25 City2Surfs. I also enjoy being involved with the community through groups such as Action Club, PA & H Association, Coradgery Picnic Races, Australia Day committee, Ma- sonic Lodge. Of course, being Town Crier for the last 24 years has been lots of fun and I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people.

What makes you proud? My two daughters. Both girls have grown into fine young ladies with great husbands, giving me four grandchildren and we all enjoy spending time together whenever we can.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A hard one, but I think an eagle. Very few predators and being able to soar over the countryside would be fantastic.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: The Sting, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford; Song: anything from the Beatles or Cat Stevens; Book: any Alistair MacLean or Dan Brown book.

Tell us about your best holiday. A three-week Contiki trip through Europe in 1981 with Heather, my first wife. We were part of a small group, had a great tour guide, and with six nationalities, we all got on really well, with lots of sight-seeing.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? 1981 saw me settle in Parkes. Up until then, as part of a banking family, and with transfers in teaching, I had lived in eleven towns (and 14 houses)! My hubby, Bruce, is a third-generation farmer at Gunningbland. Next year, we’ll celebrate our 40th anniversary, and that’s what I love about the place – our huge, close, caring, forever friendship base!

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m a retired teacher, love retirement – I recommend it!

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy reading, playing lawn bowls, fishing, gardening and walking. I love my Friday coffee gals, they are a Godsend, especially during this COVID year.

What makes you proud? Naturally, I’m extremely proud of three capable, independent, likeable young adults out there who began life as our children on the farm! I’m also very patriotic and proud to be an Aussie.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Wouldn’t it be cool to be a bird, with the freedom of flight (but only in fine weather!)

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I sing along to 70s music in the car – you can understand the words and remember them after almost 50 years! Love to read a good mystery novel, anything by Nora Roberts! Ah, a cuppa and a good book, sitting in the sun!

Tell us about your best holiday. Visiting Egypt, including a Nile cruise, was pretty special. Within Australia, going heli-fishing on the Gulf and catching my first barramundi last year was amazing!

What is on your bucket list? Main plan is to achieve a smooth transition to living in town next year! See more of Australia, enjoy some caravanning. Enjoy time with our two grand kiddies when the family is able to return from the craziness of NYC during COVID. Maybe visit France and pay our respects to my great uncle and others resting there.

How old are you? I am 11 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here all my life and I like that most of my family and friends live here too.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School and I am now in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? My favourite activity is playing video games with my friends.

What is your favourite food and movie? I really like the movie ‘Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse’ and my favourite food is theatre popcorn.

What music do you listen to? I listen to upbeat music, but I really like Bass Boosted music.

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

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be invisibilty!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I spent a year in hospital battling a cancer called Neuroblastoma.

How old are you? I am 11 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Parkes my entire life and my favourite thing about living here is the variety of sports that can be played, inside and outside of school.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Playing Fortnite with my friends, even though it annoys mum. I also like playing sport. My favourite sports are netball and rugby union.

What is your favourite food and movie? My favourite food is when mum makes pizzas for dinner. My favourite movie is ‘Bad Boys’ because it’s an action movie and it’s really funny.

What music do you listen to? I listen to all types of music. My favourite memory is listening to a whole bunch of 80’s and 90’s music with my grandma.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I’m not really sure, but when I was in Kindergarten I wanted to be a nurse so I could work with my mum.

If you could have a super power what would it be? To stop time so I could watch every movie I’ve wanted to see, or read every book I’ve wanted to read, in one weekend.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I’m Mum and Dad’s favourite (Ha! Ha!)

How old are you? I’m 12 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Parkes since 2014. I like it because it is a very peaceful town.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to the best school ever, Parkes Christian School or for short, PCS and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Going outside and playing soccer in my backyard.

What is your favourite food and movie? Enchiladas because they are super tasty. My favourite movie is Avengers Endgame.

What music do you listen to? My favourite artist is Guy Sebastian.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to become a famous soccer player.

If you could have a super power what would it be? If I could have any superpower it would be to fly.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I like Ford cars so, sorry to all those other car lovers but I love Ford the most!

How old are you? I am 12.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes for two and a half years. I like the peace and quietness.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Parkes Christian School and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Some days I do tennis.

What is your favourite food and movie? My favourite food is mangoes and my favourite movie is Call of the Wild.

What music do you listen to? I listen to lots of types of music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a physiotherapist for children.

If you could have a super power what would it be? If I could have any superpower it would be to stop time.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I think in another language but answer in English.

How old are you? I am 12 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 11 years and I like it because of all the friendly people around town.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Mostly soccer as it is so much fun and it brightens my day.

What is your favourite food and movie? I really like the movie ‘Norbert’ and my favourite food would have to be pop tarts.

What music do you listen to? I listen to different music but I really like Bruno Mars.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be a firefighter.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be to grant wishes to others.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I play for the Western NSW Mariners (soccer).