Lyn Townsend

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have lived here since 1983. I love that Parkes has a sense of community and will support their own when times get tough.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am Service Coordinator of Community Transport at Neighbourhood Central. I work with the most amazing team, both staff and volunteers and absolutely love going to work every day. I am very lucky.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love the theatre and particularly watching the junior members develop through the years into strong, confident young adults.

What makes you proud? My children. Every day, in different ways.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Anything as long as it roams free.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: Notting Hill. Song: this changes all the time – at the moment it’s “I know it’s today” from Shrek as we are about to audition so this song is playing 24/7 and though I read a lot, I don’t really have a favourite book.

Tell us about your best holiday. Any one of the 14 cruises I have been on. (I’m a cruisaholic!)

What is on your bucket list? I’ve ticked most off, but there’s a few musical productions I aspire to direct: Mamma Mia, Billy Elliott, Wicked, Rocky Horror, Priscilla (though I suspect Parkes isn’t ready for the last two yet!)

Sean White

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have been in Parkes for nearly 20 years. I find it quite a friendly place to live as most people are easy to get along with.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I own and run the pet shop in town and have been doing so for the last 10 years. It’s a rewarding experience helping so many people with their animals and seeing the joy on children’s faces.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Free time can be a hard thing to find when you’re a full-time single dad to three, but spending time with my children and my girlfriend and her children and finding time to catch up with friends.

What makes you proud? Seeing my children growing into fine young adults is the most rewarding and proud part of my life.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Favourite movie of all time: toss-up between St Elmo’s Fire and Shawshank Redemption for great storylines that draw you in.

Tell us about your best holiday. As a single father running a business and the household, any holiday is good, but just spending time on the coast is very relaxing.

What is on your bucket list? To climb Uluru and check out more of this great country.

Elsie Mahon

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived here for about 50 years. It is a great town. We would not want to live anywhere else.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I have a studio at home where I teach art and mosaic classes which I enjoy immensely.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Gardening and playing in the studio.

What makes you proud? My family, and being part of the Parkes community.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? My husband’s little dog, called Daisy, because of all the treats and spoiling she receives.

What is your all time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? A Star is Born; and any Rod Stewart songs.

Tell us about your best holiday. An art tour in England and France, including a visit to Monet’s garden.

What is on your bucket list? To be a great grandmother so I can spoil more lovely babies; and to see everyone, especially men, have an interest or hobby so that when they retire there is something to look forward to every day.

Ellie Hetherington

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for 60 years –
people are very friendly, and over the last eight and a half years their generosity in supporting Ellie’s Plants for Charity has amazed me.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I worked as a Physiotherapy Assistant until 2005 when I was retired medically from a shoulder injury. For the last eight and a half years I have run a community garden with all sales to Can Assist.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Gardening, mosaics and hand raising cockatiels.

What makes you proud? I feel proud that I was able to raise money for Can Assist, thereby fulfilling my sister’s wish.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Sound of Music, I never get tired of watching the reruns.

Tell us about your best holiday. When my children were younger, we used to have camping holidays at Wyangala Dam, lots of fishing and family time.

What is on your bucket list? I will continue to propagate plants and donate them to Donna Monkerud to sell for Can Assist, spend more time in my own garden, and see a lot more of my family.

The new Drought Relief Officer for the Parkes Shire region is Roger Kitson. He was welcomed by the Parkes Shire
Council, in partnership with Neighbourhood Central, this week.

The role, created under the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program Extension, will support the implementation of the NSW Drought Strategy, and to coordinate and disseminate information regarding government and non-government services and initiatives available to affected residents.

Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Roger holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in sustainability and geography, and has completed further training in agribusiness, value chains and consumers in global food systems.

“I look forward to working as a collective with everyone involved to provide the necessary support and a co-ordinated approach to assist farmers and businesses affected by the devastating impacts of the drought.”

Roger comes from a family with a strong connection to the agricultural sector who have been farming for many generations across a range of agricultural industries including grain, cotton, cattle and sheep as well as dairy.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “We are delighted to welcome Roger to the Parkes Shire to assist in the collation and coordination of all available support avenues that our drought affected residents can access. While the Shire has experienced a number of heavy rainfall events in recent weeks, the prolonged dry period continues to impact our community.”

Roger will be based at Neighbourhood Central, 80 – 82 Currajong Street in Parkes, Monday to Friday. Residents and business operators wishing to speak with Roger about the various support programs available can contact 02 6862 3757 or email dro@ncentral.org.au.

For more information about drought relief, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/drought-relief

Graeme Tanswell

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
Fifty-two years – born and bred here. Meeting my wife here. I think it’s a very proactive community and has provided me with opportunities, especially my sport.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work with Wright farming and enjoy the outdoors as I grew up on a farm.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Spending time with Lindy in our garden. Very challenging at present with such dry conditions. Family time is important to me and helping others out when in need.

What makes you proud? My mum, my marriage, our children and their talents used for good, watching people I’ve
coached or mentored, achieve their best.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? Probably a dog. I think I’m loyal. Maybe a bird, they
rely on God’s creation to survive and are free.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Sound of Music and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – very talented natural acting. I really like the music of Casting Crowns – it’s very thought provoking. I also like 70s music. The Bible is a collection of books and in them I find direction and purpose, knowing I’m accepted as I am.

Tell us about your best holiday. A four week tour on west side of USA with my family in 2017. The natural features of Utah, the amazing Rocky Mountains, spending July 4th at Mount Rushmore and being treated to a taste of Hamilton the musical while there. Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Route 66, San Diego Zoo, LA, Disneyland, Baseball, Universal Studios. Mostly spent with wonderful friends from Denver.

What is on your bucket list? To make our gold wedding anniversary. To do some Christian mission work and visit our sponsor child in Kenya.