Parkes Phoenix

Why did you want to plant trees for National Tree Day?

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Sharlia White (11): We’ve done this for many years. I want to plant trees because of deforestation. We need to plant more trees for animals and humans.

 

Michael Dong: I think it is an exciting campaign as we need more greenery. It is also an opportunity for me to meet local people. I have been in Parkes for five months and the people here are very kind and helpful. I wanted to give something back to the community by planting trees.

 

Addison Summerhayes (9): It is good for the environment, and trees give us oxygen! I’ve done it before and really enjoy planting trees.

Our Bloke -Rowen Pearce

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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.

Our Gal -Jane Kaczmarek

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How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes for 16 months. I love its accessibility to space, both in the land and in the sky.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m an astrophysicist at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. It is my job to try and answer some of the big questions we still have about the Universe — it’s this potential to learn something brand new about the Universe that drives me!

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? As tempting as it is to say ‘sleep’, I do love to spend my free time outdoors, either gardening or hiking or just sitting in the sun.

What makes you proud? I’m proud that my life has been far more interesting than I ever thought it would be!

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would want to be an albatross so that I could fly around and see the whole world!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My all-time favourite movie is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I grew up watching it and still laugh at every joke all these years later!

Tell us about your best holiday. It was a three-week backcountry tour of the South Island of New Zealand when I finished my PhD. I really needed that time to reset and there is no more breath-taking a place to do it.

What is on your bucket list? After living in Australia for more than 7.5 years, I’m hoping to finally become an Australian permanent resident this year!

What do you think is the importance of the Parkes Radio Telescope to modern times?

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Melissa Beddie: Parkes Telescope has remained relevant and an important part of Parkes’s tourism and history. The telescope represents in this modern world, the tremendous amount of knowledge yet to be learnt and explored. The reality that there is so much yet to be discovered beyond our own lives. It is a pinnacle of the possibility of unknown to become known.

Alex Rawsthorne: I think it’s important to use the Dish in the modern day because we know so little about the universe and the Dish helps us to discover more.

Kasie Ferguson: I believe the Dish is extremely important from a tourism perspective. It really puts Parkes on the map!

Where were you for the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969?

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Christine Ivey: I was working in Sydney at the GPO. I was on a lunch break and saw the broadcast on a television screen that was in the ANZ Bank. I was mesmerised that it was possible to put a man on the moon.

Doreen McKenzie: I lived in Inverell but was in Parkes at the time. I had come down to babysit for my sister who was having her sixth baby at the time and remember watching the broadcast.

 

Andrew Tom: I was in Sydney at the time with Mum and Dad. I remember Mum saying how powerful it was. Our family knew some of the people who worked at the Dish, which made it all the more special.

Our Young Gal -Tia Dunn (Parkes Public School Captain)

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How old are you? 12 How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Parkes my whole life. I like how kind and nice people are here.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Parkes Public School, I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? I love netball.

What is your favourite food and movie? Favourite food is chocolate and favourite movie is Harry Potter.

What music do you listen to? I listen to pop music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to become a famous netball player.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Probably making money to give to the poor and charities.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. Well my brother and sister and I are really good at cross country.

Our Young Bloke – Riley McMaster

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Riley McMaster

How old are you? 12

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 12 years and I like Parkes.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School. I have been here since Kindergarten and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? My favourite activity is sport, especially soccer.

What is your favourite food and movie?
My favourite food is lasagne and my best movie is ‘Jurassic Park’.

What music do you listen to? I like listening to country music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up I want to work for my mum and dad in their business.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be extra strength.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am captain of our school this year.

Question of the Week?

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What are your thoughts about the proposed Bypass in Parkes?

Laurie Ashcroft: Overall, I’m in favour, however there are some modifications that need to be made. Happy with the consultation, the RMS seem to be listening, lets hope they follow up with action to help those directly affected.

Leonie Guymer: I think it’s a great idea. I don’t know what it will do for business. The only thing against it is whether it will affect the already declining business in the main street, and therefore potential job losses.

Isaac Westcott: Hopefully it will lessen the trucks in town and therefore reduce the noise they make. Hope that its quicker than the Orange bypass!

Our Young Gal

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Elsie Orr

How old are you? 11

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 8 or 9 years. Before that I lived in Cowra. I like that I live near my family.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School. I have been here since Kindergarten and I am in Year 6. I am the girl school captain this year.

What is your favourite after school activity?
My favourite activity is soccer training and hockey training.

What is your favourite food and movie?
My favourite food is carrots and my best movies are ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’

What music do you listen to? I don’t listen to music very much but I like to listen to Mr Harris when he sings at school.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be to have wishing powers so I could wish for anything I want.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am quiet but I am actually louder than people think.

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