Margaret Tanner

How long have you lived in Parkes? For the past 46 years. We moved here from the lower Blue Mountains.

Where do you work? At the Craft Shop. I used to be a teacher librarian at the Holy Family Primary School for 30 years.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The people, customers and members. They are very interesting people and make beautiful crafts.

What do you do in your free time? I love reading historical fiction, listening to classical music, knitting and doing crochet, as well as enjoying time with the family of course.

How do you like your coffee? I prefer black tea.

What makes your day? Having my family all together again, which becomes harder as the children are moving on.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be? I would like to go back to the UK again and really take time to explore it. We went a few years ago, but the time was too short and we did not see much of London as we fell ill.

Peter Magill

How long have you lived in Parkes? I was born in Parkes and have lived in the Parkes region for 53 years.

Where do you work? At Griffins Leading Edge for the past 37 years. I became owner in 1996.

What do you enjoy most about your job? New technologies and the challenges they bring. I particularly enjoy anything to do with digital technology, such as digital two-way radios and digital security cameras.

What do you do in your spare time? I like spending time with my family going camping and water skiing. I also like playing golf.

How do you like your coffee? Milk and two sugars.

What makes your day? When there are people around me who are positive and enjoy what they are doing.

If you could go on holiday anywhere, where would you go? Explore more of Australia, especially Western Australia around Broome, and the Top End.

Katie Monkerud

How long have you lived in Parkes? All my life – I was born and bred in Parkes.

Where do you work? Maintenance Shed.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The variation in my day-to-day duties. Nothing’s ever dull around here, and I work with a great bunch of guys.

What do you do in your free time? I spend most of my free time with my children, and in my actual free time I play soccer.

How do you like your coffee? I don’t drink coffee. I prefer to drink water.

What makes your day? Happy faces!

What is your favourite food? Anything home cooked. I enjoy making new recipes. I also love strawberries.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be? Bora Bora (island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia) – it is just beautiful there. I have always wanted to go there since a friend of mine went there on honeymoon. It will be a relaxation holiday.

John Lovett

How long have you lived in Parkes?
Basically all my life, apart from two years when I moved to Orange for work.

Where do you work?
SportsPower for the past ten years.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
It doesn’t feel like a job to me as I enjoy it so much, especially interacting with customers and seeing new products.

What do you do in your spare time?
I like riding my motorbike, and watching my children play sports.

How do you like your coffee?
Flat white extra hot.

What makes your day?
I need my coffee to get me going in the morning – can’t start without it, and when everything goes to plan.

What is your favourite food?
Home made crumbed chicken legs.

Nicole Ross

How long have you lived in Parkes?
Since I was 16.

Where do you work?
141 on Main.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Interacting with my fabulous customers and helping them look their absolute best.

What do you do in your free time?
We have a property at Tullamore and I spend all my spare time on the farm with my family.

How do you like your coffee?
Two sugars and milk.

What makes your day?
When I get a thank you from a satisfied customer.

What is your favourite food?
Caramel cheesecake

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be?
Las Vegas – I’ve been there four times already. I just love it. The place is such an eye opener to the world, there is so much to see – the desert, how people live – it just makes me feel alive.

 

How long have you lived in Parkes?

All my life – I was born here.

 

Where do you work?

Parkes Newsagency for the past eight years.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety involved in running a newsagency; the nice and interesting people we meet; working with the staff and the challenge of sourcing new and different products for the business.

 

What do you do in your spare time?

We love our garden and spend a lot of time in it. As a mad Sharks supporter I follow the NRL, and keeping up with and supporting the activities of our three children.

 

How do you like your coffee?

Cocoa Moccha Nut.

 

What makes your day?

Happy people! There are too many people out there who whine and moan. Happy people make my day enjoyable, and getting positive feedback from customers about our service.

 

Amanda Corcoran

How long have you lived in Parkes? 15 years.

Where do you work? I am the Aboriginal Project Officer at Parkes Neighbourhood Central. My position is funded by Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council.

What do you enjoy most about your work? My work entails closing the gap in the areas of health, education, early childhood, economic development, transport and housing so I enjoy working with the community and getting positive outcomes, as well as sharing information with new people in town.

How do you like your coffee? I don’t drink coffee but still like a cold shot of caffeine by drinking Coke Zero.

What makes your day? Going home knowing I’ve had successful outcomes and having my children greet me.

What is your favourite food? Greek food. I enjoy the Greek restaurants in Sydney.

What is your worst habit? I can’t leave my house when my bed is not made! It really stresses me out.

Dan Fredericks

How long have you lived in Parkes? Almost seven years. We moved here from Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains.

Where do you work? At the Parkes Library as a Library Officer. I deal with local and family history, the writer’s group and I teach computers.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The variety as I do many different things. And being surrounded by literature and information. I also enjoy being able to provide a service to local people.

What do you do in your spare time? I have three boys I chase after. I also love reading, trying to do some writing and catching up with friends.

How do you like your coffee? Despite all the good coffee shops in town, I prefer my coffee to be brewed at Pete and Trudy’s house.

What makes your day? If I can be of help to someone and when my day is filled with laughter and music. I also like to learn something new – that’s good too!

Natalie Caldwell

How long have you lived in Parkes? For a month but I grew up here until I was 18 before I went to the University of Canberra and then moved to Sydney.

Where do you work? At Parkes Shire Council as the Events Officer.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I have grand plans for spare time, I’d like to get back into dancing, tennis, netball. I love having a coffee or a wine and travelling to visit friends.

What’s your worst habit? I say ‘um’ a lot.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Europe, London, Ireland, Italy and France but I’d want to get out of the major cities and explore off the beaten track.

How do you like your coffee? Skim cap in the smallest cup.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Being happy and embracing the community lifestyle.

Are you enjoying being back in Parkes? Yes, I wanted a bit of time back in my life. I’m really liking the people, they’re genuinely nice.