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.
Edi Sartori: I am speechless. I feel a lot of emotions – happiness and pride. I want to give a lot of thanks to Australia and the wonderful experience I’ve had here so far. Parkes is a great community with lovely and friendly people.
Mohanned Islam: It means a lot and it is an honour to become a citizen. I feel now I can become a permanent member of the community.
Kate Anzia with Ricky and Abrielle (six months): It is a great opportunity and an honour to be a citizen in a beautiful country with wonderful people. Since my arrival I’ve felt part of Australian life.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes and grew up in Young. I have been in Parkes on and off for around ten years and our family has decided that here is where we will stay.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Club Manager at PCYC Parkes. It is a fantastic place to work as we have a great group of staff and volunteers but it’s the effects that we can have on kids through our programs and building positive experiences which is really satisfying.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? My favourite thing to do is to play with my two kids, Tilly and Edison.
What makes you proud? My family, in particular, my wife who does a great job raising our two kids.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Honey badger, always up for a challenge.
What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Days of Thunder – over dramatised racing, questionable acting, crashes, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman – it’s a winning formula.
Tell us about your best holiday. Heading somewhere outdoors, camping with the family.
What is on your bucket list? Becoming a paramotor pilot.
Mel Wild, Alice Tique and Jingle Pabora attended the Citizenship Ceremony at the Council chamber this week.
YeeWern Teh and her son Christopher with Anna Sinaga and Julie Orr at the Citizenship Ceremony this week.
Ed Sartori celebrated her Australian citizenship with friends Laurie and Margaret Crowley.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I actually live between Parkes and Dubbo, close to Yeoval. I grew up in Molong, married a farmer and moved here about five years ago. I’ve worked in Parkes for the last five years and I love it. It’s got a small-town community vibe, yet the conveniences of a large centre.
Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I own Kerin Physio Co, which I started about three years ago. We now have a team of 12 amazing ladies and we offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and exercise physiology services. I absolutely LOVE what I do – I have a passion for rural healthcare and love seeing our clients receive high quality services from professionals who genuinely care.
What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love a long bath with a wine and good book. Or being outside in the garden, there is nothing quite like the morning sun on your shoulders and the smell of freshly cut lawn. Or a stroll up the paddock during golden hour in the late afternoon, with my baby in the carrier, husband beside me and the dogs running around us excitedly.
What makes you proud? Seeing people go outside their comfort zones and achieve amazing things.
If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I’ve always thought meerkats look like they have a lot of fun! Although if I’m being honest, all my Meerkat knowledge comes from the series, Meerkat Manor (which I was far too emotionally invested in…)
Tell us about your best holiday. South America: snorkelling with the incredible animals in the Galapagos Islands, hiking the ancient Inca Trail and overlooking Machu Picchu at sunrise, enjoying a delicious seven-course lunch with paired wines in Mendoza (Argentina) – the perfect holiday.
Luka Parkin and Tia Dunn: (Parkes Public School Captains)
Luka: The soldiers fought so we don’t have to fight in wars, and we don’t have to experience that pain. Tia: It is important to commemorate all the people who have lost their lives and delivered freedom for us.
Nicayden Greenwood and Faith Hanstock: (Parkes High School Captains)
Nicayden: It is important to continue the legacy of the fallen Diggers and pay our respects to the lost generations. Faith: To pay our respects to the fallen, especially those from the Parkes district.
The Henry Parkes Museum also pinked up for the McGrath Foundation last month with a display of pink la- dies underwear, and volunteers wearing pink all through October. At the Historical Society’s annual church service a total of $136.90 was raised. President Bruce Hall handed the donation to Marg Applebee of the Pink Up Parkes Committee.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack with the Parkes Public School Choir who performed at the Remembrance Day commemoration on Monday.
The Parkes Sharks Swimming Club had a busy month. The points winners for the month of October were Phoebe Forbes and Meg Skinner (joint 3rd), Joan Carolan (2nd) and Nicole Ellis (1st).
The Parkes Sharks boys point winners for October were Khan Jackson (1st), Matty Price (3rd with Charlie Mahon (absent), and William Ellis (2nd).