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.

Ken McGrath

How long have you lived in Parkes?
I’ve lived in Parkes all my life, so that’d be 64 years.

Where do you work? I’m self-employed. I own an earth moving and landscaping business, which I’ve run for 40 years.

What do you enjoy most about your work? It’s great doing different jobs all the time. I like working with different people, and facing different challenges. My favourite job has to be building swimming pools. I’ve got nine to do at the moment, everyone’s getting ready for summer!

What makes your day? I just like it when everything goes right. It’s great when you have no problems, no dramas, everything just works.

What do you do in your free time? I follow the kids around. A few have moved away, so we go visit them when we can. I don’t really play sport, but I do follow Rugby League; I’m a St George supporter.

How do you take your coffee? White no sugar.

Where would your dream holiday be?
Somewhere in Fiji. We’ve been there once before and it was incredible. It is such a nice spot, and there’s so much sight-seeing to do. The people there are so friendly, their culture is amazing. It’s just unbelievably lovely.

Raen Fraser

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved here right before Christmas last year, so I feel like I’m still pretty new to town.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? I’m really enjoying the space – I’m living on a couple of acres and can have animals that you can’t have in the city. I also love the landscape, and how it changes with every season – it’s a real thrill.

What do you do for work? I’m a reporter for the Parkes Phoenix.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I love covering local events, it’s a great way to get to know the town. It’s also lovely to talk to people, and hear their stories and find out what they’re doing for the community.

What makes your day? It’s cheesy, but seeing small acts of kindness give me a buzz. I like that most people are instinctively kind.

How do you like your coffee? Cappuccino, no sugar.

Where would your dream holiday be? There’s so much I’d like to see. Even though I hate the cold I’d love to spend a winter in Sweden, it would be magical to skate on the frozen seas and see the Northern Lights.

Craig Smith

How long have you lived in Parkes? My wife and I moved to Parkes in March 2004 from Sydney. My father’s company was going to move here when I was 9 but it never eventuated.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? I enjoy the simplistic lifestyle and a slower pace that goes with it. At times my life can be hectic and it is nice to live in an environment that is peaceful and relaxing.

What do you do for work? I own and operate the Dish Cafe, Dish Catering Co and Dish Foods.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I get bored really easy and need lots of diversity. My work brings that everyday.

What makes your day? Having a problem that needs some thought and solving it. Not always smart enough to solve it myself and often need to rely on one of the many females in my daily life.

How do you like your coffee? I used to drink a lot of coffee – not convinced it was doing me good, so took up tea. Peppermint at work, normal at home.

Shellie Buckle

How long have you lived in Parkes? I was born and grew up in Parkes, leaving in 1994. After time in Dubbo and Sydney I returned to Parkes in 2006.

Where do you work? At Parkes Shire Council, managing cultural, education and library services.

What do you enjoy most about your work? Being able to make a difference in the community. It is very rewarding delivering storytelling, art workshops, exhibitions, providing book clubs, a writers group, author visits, programs for young and old. Offering opportunities for inspiration is important to me.

What do you do in your spare time? I enjoy gardening, cycling, mosaic creating, travelling and of course reading!

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

What makes your day? Being a librarian first and foremost, it is recommending a new author or book to a person and them letting me know they really enjoyed it.

What is your favourite food? I had steamed mussels in an Asian broth travelling once. I dream about going back.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Ethiopia, to trek in the mountains and visit some of the oldest historical sites in the world.

Donald Chisholm

How long have you lived in Parkes?
About 20 months. Before that, we were in Wellington, Cowra and South Australia.

What do you like about Parkes? First impressions are the cleanliness, the friendliness, and that it’s a very progressive town.

Where do you work? I co-manage the Astro Dish Motor Inn with my wife Valerie.

What do you enjoy most about your work? Meeting such a variety of people, and becoming friends with the regulars.

What do you do with your free time? I go to Rotary and Lodge.

How do you like your coffee? I don’t drink coffee – I drink just black or green tea, no sugar.

What makes your day? Getting the rooms stripped and the laundry done early!

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Probably skiing at Sun Peaks in British Columbia, Canada. We had a wonderful holiday there before we came to Parkes.

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.