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.

Emeline Lavaka – Parkes Young Citizen of the Year

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I’ve lived in Parkes all my life and the things I like most are the close friends and family I’ve made.

What do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at the Parkes Pool at the moment and I enjoy the team of people I work with a lot.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I like watching the footy and just hanging out with my friends.

What makes you proud? I was proud when I received my award on Australia Day.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? Something in the sea because the ocean is really cool.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: Remember the Titans and book: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I like emotional movies and books (:

Tell us about your best holiday. My favourite holiday was when I went skydiving at the beach in Wollongong.

What is on your bucket list? To see and live somewhere in Europe.

David Brown

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I’ve lived here all my life. I enjoy the community spirit of Parkes and it’s a very good place to bring up kids.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the owner of Central West Pest
Management and I like being able to help people with their termite problems and set their homes right so that they are safe.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I like to play golf and water sports and often spend weekends at Wyangala Dam.

What makes you proud? My children. I am very proud of the young adults they have become. They are fabulous people.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose and why? A tiger. They are so majestic and such great providers to their cubs.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? The movie Pretty Woman. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are such a great combination.

Tell us about your best holiday. The Amazon. To see the vast amount of water, fish, caiman (fresh water crocodiles) and pink dolphins were amazing.

What is on your bucket list? Egypt. I would like to see the pyramids and walk through the Valley of the Kings.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have lived in Parkes on and off for about 12 years both in town and on a farm. I really like the relaxed country lifestyle.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a mother and I currently work two days a week teaching at St Laurence’s Parish School in Forbes. I love working with children and seeing them experience success at school.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Most of my spare time is spent with family. We love hanging out on the weekend and spend time helping with farm jobs or just being together.

What are you really good at? I’m not sure that I’m particularly good at it, but I love cooking!

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Time travel.

Tell us about your best holiday. I love travelling so this is a hard question. Visiting Africa, America and Eastern Europe were probably some of my favourite holidays as there are so many different types of landscapes, cities and experiences to enjoy.

Jenny Short

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes, grew up in Trundle, had a few adventures before moving back to Parkes 27 years ago. The air is clean, the community strong and opportunity abounds.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a casual tourism officer at the Visitor Information Centre. It is honestly the best job I have ever had! So many people, so many stories. I just LOVE it!

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Nothing beats a cup of tea (or glass of bubbles depending on the time of day), a sunny spot in the garden and a good book.

What are you really good at? Making fruitcakes and offering ‘suggestions’ to my significant other on how he could be spending his ‘spare’ time…

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To create the world John Lennon was thinking of when he wrote ‘Imagine’.

What is your pet hate? Made up words. Lazy speech. Poor grammar. I could go on, how long do you have?

Tell us about your best holiday. Paris – always Paris. Oh, and the west coast of Ireland – gobsmackingly beautiful!