Louis Smith: A male puppy dog; Emme Wyllie: An iPad; Eva Smith: A new screen for my phone; Lara Smith: A horse.
Bella Neville: Some fishing gear; Madeline Rich: New sparring gear.
Phoebe Longhurst: Slime; Charlie Longhurst: A laser gun; Aisea Filau: A Beyblade; Timmy Longhurst: A laptop.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Lived in Parkes 22 years and I really love the relaxed pace, the friendly people and the size of the town.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a physiotherapist and I run my own practice in Parkes. I really enjoy the work and it’s been a great way to become part of the community.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I freely admit that I have too many hobbies so it’s hard to pick my favourite thing to do, but it’s probably cycling on my mountain bike, touring bike or penny farthing!
What makes you proud? Definitely my two girls. Watching them grow into happy, young adults with a life of their own makes me enormously proud.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I have absolutely no idea what animal I’d like to be. I think I’m way too practical for that, but probably a mountain goat – my trekking mates will understand why!
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? All-time favourite song has to be My Sharona by The Knack. I’m a tragic for a one-hit-wonder!
Tell us about your best holiday. Best holiday is hard to choose – it has to be an adventure holiday for me so probably riding penny farthings in Thailand.
What is on your bucket list? My bucket list is always full but I think travelling to Antarctica would be at the top.
Liz Naveau: Yes, we always aim to have a family Christmas. It can involve travelling to Dubbo, Orange, the Central Coast and more to get to see everyone, but it’s always nice to go out and have a great meal together.
Dan Fredericks: As children we always used to have croissants for breakfast. Not that we’re French, but it was seen as a special treat. We still do that when we go to my parents for Christmas. Mum also has a rule that Christmas CDs can only be played from 1st of December.
Zarna Gould: We love having Christmas crackers, but they have to be the ones with good jokes in them!
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I am proud to be a Parkes girl. Parkes has always been a warm, welcoming community spirited town.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? My husband Don and I own and operate the Greenparkes Garden Centre. We are proud to have provided Parkes with a first-class venue, a first-class nursery, and a wonderful café in the grounds.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Time spent with my family.
What makes you proud? My beautiful children, their partners and my five grand- children.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? My love of dogs is well known to my children as we often grand-dog sit.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My taste has adapted with time, but I still love Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music from my youth.
Tell us about your best holiday. A driving holiday around Tasmania with all our children (before they were too old to holiday as a family).
What is on your bucket list? A style of retirement suited to us, busy but at a better pace. Continue to live in Parkes Shire.
The Parkes Painting Group held their Christmas party at the Parkes Services Club last week. Attending were (L-R) Kim Chambers, Scarlett Gosper-Chambers, Heather Moss, Sue Woods, Bronwyn Riley, Annette Witherow and Joan Ash.
At the Carols in the Park last Sunday were at the back Isabelle, Isaac and Tyson Lennox with Blaire and Brydie Crisp in front.
The Stokes family enjoyed Carols in the Park. They are (L-R) Elise, Isaiah, Solomon, Avalyn, Mark and Mercy.
The Hewett family with Tim, Tracy, Tyler and Sienna at Carols in Park last Sunday.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I grew up in Parkes through the Eighties, and moved back with my family in 2013. I enjoy the close and supportive community and find it an ideal place to raise a family.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? My wife Marty and I own and manage Regional Business Supplies. I love finding solutions for our customers’ needs and the flexibility of running my own business.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I am an avid Lego collector and builder with my daughter Alex.
What makes you proud? Being part of a regional community that looks out for one another.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I think a kookaburra has my ideal outlook on life. A bit of food, a bit of travelling around and a whole lot of laughing.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I really enjoyed Matt Damon in “The Martian”, especially his adaption to his solitude and per- severance to protect his own life.
Tell us about your best holiday. We had a fantastic Hawaii and Disney World holiday in 2014, and are very keen to repeat it with the new Star Wars park opening soon.
What is on your bucket list? Travelling and experiencing Egypt and the ancient ruins by cruising down the Nile is a trip I’ve always liked to make.
Chloe Magill: You get to see all your family and even the ones that live overseas and you get to have a nice dinner together.
Wira Thomson: It’s about spending time with family and friends. It’s about gathering. And it’s about celebrating the life of Jesus and Mary and remembering that Jesus died for our sins.
Kaitlyne Byrnes: It’s the one time of year when you get to put a tree up in your house and decorate it and it’s the reason why you get so many presents.
The National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch held its Christmas Party at Moorillah, the property of Peter and Merran Cannon last Sunday. Branch President Martin Bell (right) presented long serving member Andy Tom of Parkes with the Prudence Tucker Branch Award for services to the branch and NPA NSW.
Semetria Hubbard had a stall at the first Market Day at the Greenparkes Garden Centre last Saturday.
Renee Purcival was selling Doterra essential oils at the Greenparkes Garden Centre Market Day last Saturday.
Parkes QUE donated $500 to the Pink Up Parkes committee. Pictured (L-R) are Miriam Luyt, Raelene Rout, Lorraine Parker, Carolyn Rice, Ruth Taylor, Jenny Breaden, Nancye Blatch, Bev Laing, Rosemary Morris and Jeanine Boland.
Sue and Ross Smith (right) received an award for exceptional volunteering spirit at the Meals on Wheels Christmas lunch held last week. They are with Gill Kinsela from Meals on Wheels and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.
Another award for exceptional volunteering spirit went to Currajong Disability Services (CDS). Deitre Jackson (middle) received the award on behalf of CDS from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.
Doro Tom (middle) also showed exceptional volunteering spirit during the year and received her award from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.
Maureen Miller (middle) received a farewell gift as a retiring board member from Gill Kinsela and Barbara Newton.
How long have you lived in Parkes? I have lived in Parkes for 13 years.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at Target as a customer service assistant. I enjoy working with all my team.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I hang out with my friends and animals, and paddle with Parkes Dragon Boat Club!
What makes you proud? Seeing our foster animals find their forever homes.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be a dog so I can lay in the sun and sleep all day.
What is your all-time favourite movie? I don’t know what my favourite movie is as I have a few that I love. A Dog’s Purpose is one of the best!
Tell us about your best holiday. Going to the snow with my mum, sister and brother.
What is on your bucket list? To travel as much as I can and see the world.