Rose Jones

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have lived in Parkes for 49 years and love living here being close to most of my family as well. I also enjoy the friendly and community spirit.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I volunteer at Henry Parkes Museum, and love the research, restoration and preservation of history and meeting people from all over the world.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? My favourite things are craft and creating items from sewing quilts to crocheting clothes.

What makes you proud? I am very proud of my family and friends and love to share their personal achievements.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a kangaroo, because I love Australia and the freedom and wilderness we have in this country.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite books are history and ancestry and local history.

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was a tour of England with two siblings and a nephew staying in the villages my ancestors lived in before they immigrated to Australia, and going on a Taste of Britain Bus Tour.

What is on your bucket list? I want to go on a cruise and historical tour.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes for the position of Drought Response Officer in February, so only seven months. I like the rural lifestyle, sense of community and the people have been very welcoming.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? As Drought Response Officer I coordinate an effective drought response for the shire and collate and disseminate relevant information regarding drought support. I really enjoy the diverse nature of the role and developing this newly appointed position.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Some farmers have taken me to the local camp drafts and I have become hooked on horse riding. I have a small recording studio to record music for myself and some people in the Shire, especially the youth.

What makes you proud? When I see a community coming together to help each other out and knowing that I have had a small part to play in it.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would like to be a Pelican! To be able to fly would be great. They spend time in both the country and the ocean, the best of both worlds.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Man From Snowy River – it captures a great part of Australia’s history and culture. There should be more movies about our history.

Tell us about your best holiday. Living on a boat for a few weeks surfing around the islands off the West Java Coast, Indonesia. Big waves, crystal clear water and standing up in barrels that you can fit a car into. Biggest barrels of my life. Such an incredible feeling to be able to surf waves like that with good mates.

What is on your bucket list? 1)Ride in a camp draft competition; 2) Ride a Brumby through the Snowy Mountains; 3)Buy a farm; 4) Raise a family; 5) Buy some land on an island in the Pacific – preferably around Fiji.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes in 1989.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m retired so I just swan around.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I have several favourites. I read, of course! Watch old western and musical movies, research war and Jewish history and do cryptic crosswords.

What makes you proud? Hearing from ex-students about the way they are nurturing their children, especially in brain development, from birth.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A bear, so I could hibernate in winter.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movies: Sound of Music and Friendly Persuasion. Song: How Great Thou Art (especially when Barb Newton sings it!) Books: The Source, Winnie-The-Pooh, The Bible, All Quiet On The Western Front. These are my choices because they all reflect my passions.

Tell us about your best holiday. On a group tour, lead by my brother, to Turkey in 1999 when we started an impromptu street dance with some uni students at Canakkale, attended the Dawn Service at Gallipoli when it was held at the original spot, on the beachfront and then, the service at Lone Pine Cemetery.

What is on your bucket list? River cruise from Budapest to Bucharest.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born and bred in Parkes and spent my early years on a farm 30 km outside of town. I have spent some time in Sydney, Canberra and Cairns, and moved back about seven years ago. I like the easy-going speed of life here.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work as a Financial Controller at Neighbourhood Central. I enjoy working with good people and contributing positively to the community I live in. The work we do makes a significant difference in the lives of others.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Getting out in nature and spending time with family. I haven’t hunted or fished much for a long time, and would like to do more of that. I also enjoy making my wife laugh – with three kids under nine, it can be a challenge sometimes.

What makes you proud? Watching my children grow and develop and participate in the world around them. I also like seeing people stand for something.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would be an eagle – they do life almost unnoticed and one needs to look closely to appreciate their nature and beauty.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The Bible is my favourite book – it is unlike any other book, and the author has saved my life and changed me in ways that truly amaze me. My favourite movie would probably be No Country for Old Men.

Tell us about your best holiday. This year I had my first holiday in twelve years. We spent 10 days in Newcastle swimming at the beach, fishing, shopping, relaxing and having a good time.