What was the best thing you’ve ever won?
Karina White: I won a bottle of rum when I was 16, which I had to give to my parents because I wasn’t old enough to drink.
Ben Forrest and his wife Kat: The best thing I won was my wife, or maybe it was a chocolate frog at the Melbourne Cup when I was a kid.
Ben Forrest and his wife Kat: The best thing I won was my wife, or maybe it was a chocolate frog at the Melbourne Cup when I was a kid.
How were you affected by the storm?
Troy Hutchings: I was lucky, I wasn’t affected by the storm much at all, but I am spending this week cleaning up after it.
Derrick Milling and dog Monty: It was just the most incredible wind, it twisted the crowns out of the trees. Most of the devastation was done in three minutes. It was mostly landscape damage. I had some hail through the skylights in the shed.
Liz Noakes: It was really scary – the wind was so intense. We have heaps of small animals and the wind threw their cages all over our property. Two of our rabbits didn’t survive, and some of our chooks were injured by flying debris. Our dog had puppies the day before, and sadly we lost one of them too. We’re still hoping to find our two geese. We’re lucky we didn’t have more damage, but I would have preferred for my animals to be okay.
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.
What is your favourite car? (Asked at the Show and Shine Market Day)
Aaron Thomas with son Carter and wife Tereasa:
My favourite car is the Valiant E49 Charger. I grew up with them – they used to race in Bathurst. My pick of the show is Jeff McClurg’s pink Valiant, I just love the colour.
Oakley Fliendner: It’s hard to choose. I really like them all, but the old Rod’s Repairs truck reminds me of my poppy, so that one is special.
Ross MacDonald: I don’t know about my favourite of all time, but my favourite at the show is the old Chevrolet ute. There’s something about it that I just like. The rust appeals to me – imagine what it’s like under the bonnet.
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.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate Mental Health Month?
Sheree Masling, Katie Cheney, Jen Morrison and Katrina Mudiman: We need to raise awareness and educate the community to reduce the stigma and normalise it. It also helps to get people talking and to promote available supports and services.
Di Gill: It raises awareness and by awareness we have support for others who need it.
Steve Smith: To reduce stigma and to educate the community.
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.
How do you feel about Peak Hill being placed in the top 50 best small towns?
David Cornish: Great! Really good to see Peak Hill get some publicity.
Georgia Sharkey: Encouraging that our town has been recognised for its township and scenic surroundings.
Dianne and David Hewett: Really lovely that our small community with ‘a heart of gold’ has been seen and recognised for its qualities.
What are you doing these school holidays?
Elsie Mansley: I should be studying for the HSC, but I’m enjoying the sun at Bushman’s Dam instead.
George Ward with grandchildren Jacob, Isaac and Olivia Mitchell: Next week the family is going to Coffs Harbour to watch Jacob play soccer in the FFA National Youth Championships.
Erin Hardey (back), Bridie Lacey (front) with Hunter Hardy, Lachlan Pfaff, Charlie Lacey, Kelly Lacey and Ashton Lacey: We celebrated Pop’s birthday with a BBQ, and have been having a great time catching up with cousins.