Simeon Kelly: I like playing where no one will comment on my playing.
Nathanael says: I like playing my violin in a tree.
Rosie Parkin: I enjoy clarinet because it is easy to play and has a peaceful tune. It is also lighter and can fit anywhere.
Heidi Parkin: I like being able to practise whenever I want and wherever I want. I enjoy getting to the places where I practise almost as much as I love playing music.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes two weeks before Christmas last year. I love how friendly everyone is, and the horses. Every time you drive around a corner, there is a horse!
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at the fantastic Parkes Phoenix as an Advertising Executive. I enjoy meeting the Parkes community and talking to anyone over the age of five.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love to take photos, my passion is photography, however I do love a glass of red wine, dark chocolate and a bit of comedy.
What makes you proud? My family – having moved from tropical north Queensland to Parkes was a big change and they handled it fantastically. Also with all the changes that have happened so far, they are still happy.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be any animal that can live in the ocean.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite song is ‘You are my Sunshine’. It’s a song my mother use to sing a lot.
Tell us about your best holiday. I travelled by myself around Europe. I had the best time, and visited seven different countries.
What is on your bucket list? To go on a hot air balloon in the early morning.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved from Dubbo in 1976 soon after finishing year 12 so that is about 44 years. I like the laid back lifestyle and the ability to readily partake in activities that I enjoy.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I retired after 42 years on the railway as a train driver. Retirement has turned out to be the best job I’ve ever had as it has allowed me even more time to do those things I enjoy and more time with the family, something that driving trains always made difficult.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy a range of activities including bushwalking and bird watching with my friends in the National Parks Association as well as cycling and swimming for fitness. Riding my motorcycle with family and friends is my favourite.
What makes you proud? My wife, Maureen who is simply amazing and both my children who have grown up to be wonderful human beings with a great attitude to life and each with a beautiful family.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? An Eagle. To be able to soar on the wind far above the earth, though I suppose having to eat raw rabbit may not be so great.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movie – Jurassic Park as ever since I was little, I had a fascination for dinosaurs and to see species recreated reasonably faithfully by CGI was a buzz.
Tell us about your best holiday. My wife and I spent five months last year travelling the ‘half lap’ (SA, NT and WA) in a caravan. It was a steep learning curve but the freedom it allowed us was fantastic. We can’t wait to head off again.
What is on your bucket list? In the immediate future, visit the Queensland Gulf Country for a few months.
We not only need to clean our hands regularly, but these students also cleaned the creek in PAC Park last Friday picking up several bags of rubbish. They are Ella and Curdie Butler and Adam Barnard.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes all of my life, my dad was also born here. I love being part of our community.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Executive Officer at Neighbourhood Central. I started this role in January and am enjoying the variety that the role brings.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? With seven children and one grandchild, I don’t have a lot of free time, but I do enjoy cooking and spending time with my family.
What makes you proud? My children, I cherish the relationships that I have with each of them.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A dog, as long as it could be at our house, the three we have here rule the roost!
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? All time favourite song is I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.
Tell us about your best holiday. I’ve been really lucky to have some amazing holidays, one of my recent favourites was to Darwin where we got to swim with crocodiles.
What is on your bucket list? One of the places on my list would be New Zealand.
Beth Thomas: I just love being at home. Gardening, practising my French grammar, practising my guitar, reading, swimming, keeping fit with my gym and pilates… there’s just so much to do!
Samantha Ross-Walton: Sleepins, Netflix and chill – JOKING! I’ve got kids. Most probably working from home, lesson plans, school work, baking, board games, cubby houses, backyard cricket, dance comps, swimming and lots of movie nights.
Maralyn Nash: Keeping my house clean, colourful and vibrant. Finishing writing my book and lots of creative art making… plus keeping connected with family, friends and community. Stay strong and healthy everyone!
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Just over four years. I really appreciate Parkes’ progressive Council made up of politically independent councillors. I also enjoy the size and familiarity of the town.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Infrastructure Technical Manager at Parkes Shire Council, which means I guide the technical, compliance and sustainability aspects of our water servicing and projects. I think I must have a higher percentage of water in my blood than most as I just really like all things water. And thanks again to our forward thinking Council, I have been fortunate to help deliver our innovative Recycled Water Scheme.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Go swimming with my kids.
What makes you proud? My kids make me proud every day. So does doing work that supports the community but also protects and sustains the environment.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Magpie – to be able to fly and sing to communicate.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? ‘Captain Correlli’s Mandolin’ is a beautiful crafted story set in WWII that absolutely took my breath away. ‘Look Both Ways’ is a wonderful Australian film with enormous heart. Machine Translation’s song ‘Sit in the Sun’ is a wistful delight.
Tell us about your best holiday. Two weeks enjoying the culture, snorkelling and resort food in Vanuatu with my family.
What is on your bucket list? Play drums in an experimental rock band (again), visit Sri Lanka, take a dedicated surf holiday.
Armani Reidy and Sam Hunt won the Best Dressed competition at Middleton Public School’s Country Fair earlier this month.
Nerissa Westgarth with students assisting at the nail polish stall at Middleton Public School’s Country Fair.
The refurbished Wes Cheney Pavilion at Woodward Oval was officially opened last Saturday. At the event were (L- R) Parkes Mayor Keith, Casey Grice, Matt Ellis, Cameron Rosser and Dan Gordon.
Chloe Mudiman with her parents Katrina and Michael after she shaved off all her hair for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for the majority of my life with a couple of stints away in Canberra (university) and Sydney. I love the people of Parkes and the lifestyle living in a small country town offers me.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at the Catholic Education Office in Forbes as an Education Specialist. I love travelling around to the schools in our Diocese and working with principals and teachers.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love playing hockey, taking my two border terriers to dog agility and travelling.
What makes you proud? Seeing children I have been associated with achieve their goals
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Probably one of my dogs as they have a pretty awe- some lifestyle 🙂
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Bohemian Rhapsody (both the movie and the song). I’m a big Queen fan.
Tell us about your best holiday. I am fortunate to have had many fantastic holidays: five weeks in Greece and Italy was incredible but fishing in our boat in Forster is fabulous too!
What is on your bucket list? I would love to travel to see the Northern Lights.
PECC staff at Lindy Farrant’s farewell (L-R) Ali Seaman, Isabella Grosvenor, Annalea Ringk and Jackie Batt.
Amanda Dean, Sherrie Hoffman, Skye Mackinnon and Emilie Grover also enjoyed the farewell for PECC’s Lindy Farrant on Saturday.