How long have you lived in Parkes? All my life – I went away for a little bit but then I came back.

Where do you work? Colouby Creations.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The people that come in, the flexibility of working in my own business, and the support from local shoppers.

What do you do in your spare time? I like to do creative things, like crochet, cake decorating – but most of my spare time is travelling with the kids for their scooter riding.

How do you like your coffee? I don’t drink it, I’m a tea girl.

What makes your day? Seeing people happy, waking up each day knowing my kids are happy and healthy.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? I’m a bit of a vintage lover, so I’m really looking forward to going to Dapper Day at Disneyland for my 40th – it’s all 40s, 50s and 60s

themed, I’m really looking forward to that.

 

Bruce Cobb

How long have you lived in Parkes?
Only two months (moved to Parkes from Horsham in Victoria).

Where do you work? Sincock LVM

What do you enjoy most about your work? I like teamwork. Working with an experienced and professional team every day is satisfying.

What do you do in your free time? At the moment I’ve been exploring the local area – taking trips to places like Cowra, Burrendong Dam, looking around the place.

How do you like your coffee? First thing in the morning – strong and black – a heartstarter.

What makes your day? Happy customers and a friendly work environment.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? I think Germany – I love the history, the friendliness, the food, the beer, the wine.

Jenny Kingham

How long have you lived in Parkes? 26 years – not quite a local yet!

Where do you work? After 23 years teaching IT and Business at TAFE, I now work three part time jobs – Admin at Parkes Show Office, Photographer for the Parkes Champion Post and Reception plus Dance Teaching at Twinkle Toes Dance Studio.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The people – I meet lots of people of all ages and walks of life in my jobs, and love talking to and helping people achieve their goals.

What do you do in your free time? I love to spend time at home with my family, take lots of photos, sew and restore old furniture and volunteer at various events like the Parkes Elvis Festival.

How do you like your coffee? Very strong with caramel flavouring!

What makes your day? Helping to make someone smile.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be? Right here with my family – I love living in the friendly Parkes area and the wide open spaces.

Braden Lindbeck

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved here two years ago from Sydney.

Where do you work? With my parents at Smeaton’s Bakehouse.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Customer interaction – it is the most satisfying part of hospitality work, and when you try out new products and get good feedback about it.

What do you do in your spare time? I enjoy watching sport and movies, and often go back to Sydney to catch up with friends.

How do you like your coffee? It depends on the day and my mood. After making coffee for 20 years, I mostly enjoy a latte standard with no syrup and little sugar not to bastardise the flavour of the coffee.

What makes your day? I am a fairly optimistic person and usually wake up in a good mood and have a good day, so I don’t need something to make my day. It is special though when customers say they like what we do.

What is your favourite food? I enjoy any food that has been made with effort and love!

Khazima Riaz

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved here from Sydney in April 2014.

Where do you work? Richardson Dental Surgery.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Helping patients achieve their desired outcome in a relaxed environment.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Spending time with family and friends.

How do you like your coffee? Weak cappuccino.

What makes your day? Seeing my boys!

What is your favourite food? Thai food

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? Europe! I would love to travel by train through Europe seeing all the colourful cities and the quaint countryside.

Dean Messiter

How long have you lived in Parkes? For the past 20 years. I was born in Forbes.

Where do you work? I have been at Westpac for the two years.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Helping people achieve their dreams and getting their everyday finances under control. I also enjoy the variety of different people I meet.

What do you do in your spare time? I like watching local sport, as well as videoing and editing sport. I generally like having fun.

How do you like your coffee? White no sugar, because I am sweet enough!

What makes your day? My two daughters, Charli and Franki. No matter how bad a day it’s been, when I see them all is forgotten.

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? To the United States for the Superbowl and Wrestle mania.

Kris Kent

How long have you lived in Parkes?
I have been here for more than 25 years as my family moved here when I was little from Sydney.

Where do you work? I am the Regional Manager at Spinifex Recruiting.

What do you enjoy most about your work? Dealing with a variety of people as I like to talk a lot!

What do you do in your free time? I ride motorcycles and I’ve been a bee keeper for the past two years.

How do you like your coffee? With soy milk and no sugar.

What makes your day? Being able to help somebody and making someone smile.

What is your favourite food? I love food, but my favourite is a Czech dish called haluski made from potato dumplings, as I have some Czech heritage in my family.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be? I would go back to Italy for the people, environment and the roads for biking!

Allan Blatch

How long have you lived in Parkes? I was born and raised here, lived in London for five years and moved back with my wife, Susannah, just over three years ago.

Where do you work? I am the owner of AA Blatch. I came came back to buy the family business from my parents to keep a Parkes icon going. We will celebrate 65 years in business in 2017.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Helping farmers solve problems.

What do you do in your spare time? Watching box sets with my wife and gardening. We were both working in TV in London and I had to watch box sets for work.

How do you like your coffee? I prefer flat white with sugar, but I am on a diet and am trying to switch to long black.

What makes your day? When supplies, freight and the weather all come together to make sure a customer is satisfied.

Luke Williams

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved here in 1991 from Gilgandra – that is 25 years.

Where do you work? I’ve been working at Leading Edge Computers as an IT Technician for just over ten years.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Providing a solution that does what someone needs and seeing new technology coming out is always amazing.

What do you do in your spare time?
I play a lot of squash and enjoy reading anything. I also run a youth group with my wife on Friday nights at the Parkes Baptist Church.

How do you like your coffee? Strong – I grew up in an Italian household so I’ve been on coffee for a long time. The stronger the better.

What makes your day? Going home, cooking good food and relaxing after I’ve done something.

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? To Italy where I am going in about two months’ time to visit my mother’s family.