David Thompson

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I was born in Parkes and then we moved to Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory for five years. We came back and I have been living in Parkes ever since.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at McPhersons Parts and Service as a Dealer Principal. I enjoy working in the agriculture industry, our customers and our staff.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? When we can, we take my boys camping – they love fishing and skiing. I know that sounds busy but I really enjoy that time with them.

What are you really good at? Reading peoples personalities.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Superman – I am learning to fly at the moment, so I suppose that would make it a bit easier.

What is your pet hate? People who abuse children, whether mentally or physically. I have no respect for them.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? My wife and I won a trip to Europe and got to drive vintage cars along the French Riviera! That was one of the best holidays.

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? In total I’ve lived here for about 30 years. It’s a great place for kids to grow up and experience the wide-open spaces.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? Parkes Christian School. I love seeing kids get interested in classic texts like Hamlet and The Great Gatsby.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I have done a lot of M&D shows. I’m hoping to see the Eels win a premiership one day and I love hanging out with my family. (Greg currently plays the lead male role of Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Little Theatre – Ed.)

What are you really good at? Quoting Star Wars.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I don’t think I’d want one. Batman is the best superhero and he has no powers.

What is your pet hate? Being late.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? I took my wife to London and Paris for her 30th birthday. Seeing the smile on her face when we visited some of her favourite places made it pretty special.

Barbara Newton

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I have lived in the Parkes Shire for just on 19 years, in the town of Tullamore. I enjoy living here because of the people. It is so lovely to have a sense of real belonging. We support each other when required and people acknowledge each other. I also love the
space around me.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I have ‘retired’ from my profession as a registered nurse – a profession I have always been very passionate about and continue to be so. I was also in professional theatre – a great time of my life with very cherished memories. I would have to say my work now is as a shire councillor, currently in the position of Deputy Mayor. My time on council has been very challenging and rewarding. I am very proud of the council and all staff. Parkes Shire Council really is an exemplary council.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I like my happy hour! I think to spend time with my husband and family and friends is my usual relaxation. I do enjoy a good book and a murder mystery on TV.

What are you really good at? I suppose the skill I have that stands out is that I sing. This is something I have done since very small. I must say my repertoire has changed since moving out west.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I think I would love to be able to fly, very fast so I could get to my family in London and Sydney quickly whenever I wanted or needed to go. It would be great to be able to make people tolerant and kind as well.

What is your pet hate? I think my pet hate is meanness and cruelty. So much in our world and so destructive.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? It is hard to pick one holiday, but driving over to Perth from Sydney when our children were young teenagers was a great holiday and still brings many a laugh when we remember it.

Gary Somers

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I was born in Parkes. I have lived here ever since, except for six years at boarding school, one part year working in Sydney and three years of tertiary study at what is now Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga. Parkes is just a great place to live!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? Our family farm “Trelawney” is just 12km from Parkes in the Coobang Valley. I am fourth generation to work on this farm and feel a deep love and attachment to the property! I see myself as a temporary custodian of this land and feel a responsibility to leave it in better condition for future generations. I have always enjoyed the challenges and rewards that go with farming and grazing livestock!

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy reading, taking our dogs for walks, good food, good coffee and the occasional glass of wine. I love to host family and friends here at “Trelawney”. I also enjoy playing bridge at Parkes Bridge Club and am a keen rugby union supporter (the Boars, Waratahs and Wallabies).

What are you really good at? I think I am more a ‘Jack of some trades and master of none’!

If you could have a super power what would it be? I am sceptic about ‘super powers’ but if I could conjure up a decent fall of rain that would be great!

What is your pet hate? Littering our environment with rubbish! Intolerance and prejudice towards our fellow humans!

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Five weeks visiting my wife Christine’s relatives north of Venice in Italy and visiting friends of my paternal grandfather (JR Somers) and the original Somers farm “Cranmore West” near Bath in Somerset, England.

 

Jeff Page

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? All my life – 71 years! In the early days there was
not much choice, you got the first job you applied for, which I got at 16. I’ve always enjoyed the friendly, sporty atmosphere of Parkes. It’s a great place for kids to grow up in.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I am self-employed and have been working at Jeff Page Automotive Services for the past 35 years. I’ve been a motor mechanic all my life and have seen a lot of changes from a basic vehicle that was very easy to fix to the modern computer-operated engine posing many challenges to find out what is wrong.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I played hockey up into my 60s and was very involved with coaching for 40 years. I still play squash and love the game and meeting lots of people.

What are you really good at? I would say being a motor mechanic.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I would love to have a power to ensure the country is being run smoothly with no problems as Australia is such a wonderful place to live. It would be great if everyone could have a job.

What is your pet hate? Nothing really – I am just an easy-going person.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. All my holidays are good. I love going to the Sunshine Coast in winter time.

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I’ve lived here all my life. I like the laid-back country lifestyle and being close to family.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at Roads and Maritime Services and I enjoy getting out on the road, meeting new people and improving the safety of the road for all users.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? After work I like taking my dog for a walk and enjoying the fresh air. On weekends I like to get out and experience new places.

What are you really good at? Losing my phone and finding it in random places.

If you could have a super power what would it be? The ability to predict the future. It would be good to know what’s going to happen next.

What is your pet hate? Bad drivers.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. My first overseas trip was to Christchurch in New Zealand. I went a few years after the earthquake and to see half a city in ruins was an eye opening experience but they found some creative ways to fill in the empty spaces.

 

Deanne Freeman 2017 Parkes Showgirl

Gary O’Brien

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I was born in Parkes and have lived here all of my life. It is such a progressive town and we are lucky to have such a friendly community. The way local business and people from all walks of life support our annual show is a great example of what a great place Parkes is to call home.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work on our family farming operation. I like the variety of tasks a mixed farm offers, being able to work outdoors, the interesting people you meet along the way and the other staff are pretty friendly too.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I don’t mind watching a good movie, going fishing and generally just hanging out with my gorgeous girlfriend Lou.

What are you really good at? I pretend to be really good at cooking but it doesn’t always work out. At the moment I am actually quite good at annoying people by singing the AA Blatch jingle all the time, it’s quite catchy.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Living a bit of distance out of town I think it would be pretty handy to be able to fly, quite the timesaver, not sure about the tights and cape though.

What is your pet hate? Despite having more tv channels than you can poke a stick at there are still times when it is impossible to find something worth watching.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. I have fond memories of family holidays with cousins to Forster. More recently we have explored the coastline around Newcastle, finding some nice little places you don’t hear much about.

Beth Thomas

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes (on and off) since 1968. I kept returning because many of my family are here; it’s such a great community; and it will always be the place I love to call ‘home’.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I have just opened ‘Top Tutors Parkes’ with my husband, Bill. I love how our students come in with a happy greeting and a smile on their face. We know they feel a sense of pride in what we help them achieve.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? My passion is dragon boating. It’s a fabulous sport for fun, fitness and friendship. And there’s not much that beats paddling across the calm waters of Lake Forbes on a Sunday morning, with the drum beating like the dragon’s heartbeat as we watch the pelicans glide across the water. I also like to read, write, garden, ride my motorbike and play bridge.

What are you really good at? I guess I must be good at dragon boat paddling as I represented at national level last April. And I must also be good at writing because Pegasus Publishers accepted my historical fiction novel ‘Remember Oradour’ and it is selling well in England, France and Australia.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? I would love to fly! I often fly in my dreams and it’s the most amazing and liberating experience. Sheer joy!

What is your pet hate? I detest that people drop their rubbish or throw it out of their cars and litter this beautiful land of ours. There’s no need for such slovenly and disgusting behaviour when bins are so easily accessible.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. We are just back from three months in The Kimberley. Although I’ve loved and raved about many overseas destinations there is nowhere comparable to the unspoiled beauty of this last frontier of Australia with its ancient spirituality. I may even have found inspiration there for my second novel….