Bob Steel

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here? I am born and bred, which means I pretty well know just about everyone and it is a good feeling to know who people are.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I am retired, but I help my son with plastering jobs, although the pay is not very good… I am still on the Elvis committee and my portfolio is the Wall of Fame.

What do you do to unwind in your spare time? I love antique motorcycles and cars. I own a 1926 MG, 1928 Model A Ford, a1951 Holden and several motorcycles. I organise the Parkes Antique Bike Rally.

What are you really good at? I fiddle with old vehicles and get them going.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To know then what I know now.

What is your pet hate? I don’t like political and event posters left around the countryside when events are over. I don’t like vandalism.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. We went to America for about three weeks when our kids were four and seven. Unfortunately we never got to Graceland, but did end up naming our business Gracelands… and that was where the idea for the Elvis Festival was born in 1993!

Cathy Treasure

How long have you lived in Parkes? We only moved here six months ago.

What do you like about Parkes? There’s a lot to like; seeing stars at night is lovely, it only takes five minutes to drive to work, the friendly people, and being closer to my family.

Where do you work? I’m the Parkes Elvis Festival Director.

What do you enjoy about your work? It’s a fun, quirky event. I like the variety that comes with the role. I get to meet a wide range of interesting people, plus I got to know most of Parkes in just six months.

What is your favourite hobby or activity? I love listening to live music, going back to the family farm, playing with my kids, and when I have more time, I like to try to play netball, basketball and squash.

How do you like your coffee? White and one.

What makes your day? My kids when they laugh. It’s corny, but true.

What is your idea of a dream holiday and where would you go? I like to get off the beaten track and explore. I really love Africa, but I desperately want to go to Malaysian Borneo to explore the different cultures and wildlife.

Arne Murray

How long have you lived in Parkes? I have lived in Parkes for about two months, originally from Queensland.

What do you like about Parkes? Nice small town living, but not too small. Residents are also very friendly.

Where do you work? I work at PJL Irrigation in Parkes as Irrigation Manager.

What do you enjoy about your work? Not one day is the same. Interaction with my clients as well as the technical side of my job.

What do you do with your free time? I like reading about my profession as well as attending and spending time in my religion.

How do you like your coffee? Strong good quality coffee always with two sugars – sweet tooth.

What makes your day? Helping others and at least trying to do one good deed for the day.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Somewhere in Italy- enjoying a good Italian meal with my family.

Lisa Wright

How long have you lived in Parkes?
25 plus years.

What do you like about Parkes?
I really enjoy the simplicity of country life.

Where do you work?
I work at Parkes Christian School.

What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy the challenge that each new day brings. Being part of making a difference in the children’s lives. Working with a great team.

What do you do with your free time?
Catching up with family and friends. Being able to help family and friends.

How do you like your coffee?
Soy latte.

What makes your day?
The little things, being amongst happy people and spending time with special loved ones.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be?
Bora Bora or any where with white sandy beaches!

Michael Chambers

How long have you lived in Parkes?
I grew up here, spent ten fantastic years in Sydney, then moved back last year.

What do you like about Parkes? The bush; the pace of life.

Where do you work?
Parkes Shire Council

What do you enjoy about your work?
It’s wonderful and incredibly rewarding to work in a field you’re passionate about. And I get to work with some great people!

What do you do with your free time? Spend as much of it as I can outdoors – bushwalking and birdwatching; reading (all kinds of books) and cooking/baking.

How do you like your coffee?
I never got into coffee.

What makes your day?
A day punctuated with good friends and good food and wine.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Anywhere with some wild national parks and remote, clear-water beaches.

Di Green
How long have you lived in Parkes?
I live about 46km from Parkes in Goonumbla. I was born there, so have lived in the area for all my life, except for the two years I worked at a renal transplant unit in Sydney.

What do you like about Parkes? It would be the people. As a community they get behind things and really care. The people of Parkes are very supportive.

Where do you work? I work for Lachlan Area Health as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

What do you enjoy about your work?
Hopefully that I make a difference, so that people don’t feel so isolated.

What do you do with your free time? I like to spend time with my husband, Tuck, and my daughter Tahlia. I really enjoy just being at home. It’s nice and quiet. If three cars go down our street it’s a busy day.

How do you like your coffee? Bellas make a dairy-free coffee chill, and if I’m having a bad day, that’s what I’ll have. Otherwise I don’t tend to drink coffee, but I am a total chocoholic.

What makes your day? Probably just seeing my daughter happy, and spending time with my family. We’ve all become so busy, that quality time together becomes really special.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? We go to Queensland all the time, but I would have to say Hawaii – if I could just click my fingers and be there – it’s the long flight that gets me.

Brendan Allen

How long have you lived in Parkes? We moved over from Peak Hill two and a half years ago.

What do you like about Parkes? It’s progressive! There’s always improvements being made to local services and businesses.

Where do you work? I’m the owner/manager at Greenlight Collectables.

What do you enjoy about your work?
Finding new things! Learning about vintage items and their purposes.

What do you do with your free time?
Spending time with my wife and kids and reading comics.

How do you like your coffee? Flat white with two sugars.

What makes your day? Finding something I never knew existed.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Machu Picchu.

Sylvie Maloney

How long have you lived in Parkes? I was born in Parkes but left to complete my BA in Advertising and Marketing in Bathurst. I continued on to the Sunshine Coast where I studied Graphic Design and Photography while working in a photo lab, and then moved to Port Macquarie to work in communications. I came back home in 2012 to my family and friends.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? Being a rural kid growing up on a large property, I have a great appreciation for the land and love the friendly, caring nature of the locals.

What do you do for work? I work for the Parkes Phoenix newspaper as an Advertising Executive and run my own Photography business called Chemical Creations Photography.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I really enjoy all the amazing people I get to meet through both workplaces. I love fast paced environments and enjoy creating memories with a camera!

What makes your day? The fact that I enjoy my jobs and have two awesome puppies at home along with a lovely partner, family and friends makes life pretty spectacular!

How do you like your coffee? With a shot of hazelnut.

Who would you like to have dinner with? Either the writer and psychologist Scott Peck or artist Frida Kahlo, I can’t decide.

Daniel Calabro

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved here 15 months ago from Leeton with my family.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? It’s a great place to raise a family and it has great opportunities.

What do you do for work? I am a funeral director and operate JT Cock & Sons.

What do you enjoy most about your work? Every day I have the honour of being involved in a family’s life at one of their most vulnerable times. I find great pride in the trust that these families place in us.

What makes your day? Spending time with my children, going to the park for lunch.

How do you like your coffee? White with two sugars.

Who would you like to have dinner with? Richard Branson, as he is a fantastic entrepreneur and would be a great mentor if you are so lucky to be able to spend time with him.

Helen Magill

How long have you lived in Parkes? I’ve lived in Parkes all my life.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? I love the galvanising community spirit and the freedom of country life.

What do you do for work? I am a professional tennis coach in Parkes, which I’ve been doing for 33 years, and a Coach Mentor for Tennis Australia

What do you enjoy most about your work? Every day I have interaction in young people’s lives and see them grow and develop. I get most pleasure out of seeing the happy faces on children when they work hard and enjoy their time on court with me.

What makes your day? People smiling and being kind to each other – it’s not hard.

How do you like your coffee? Skim Latte

Where would your dream holiday be? Anywhere in the world with my husband and two children without mobile reception.