David Acheson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here? I live in Forbes but spend a lot of time in Parkes.

What do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am retired. I enjoy having time to devote to my community organisations.

What do you do in your spare time? I like to read, fix things and I try to learn something new every day.

What are you really good at? As a male I am really good at multi-tasking…

What is your pet hate? Non-committal people.

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

Tell us about your best holiday. Christmas 2017: Wagga, Narrandera, Albury, Tooleybuc, Swan Hill, Lake Boga, Adelaide, Cape Jervis, Port Adelaide and Victor Harbour.

Jane Kaczmarek

How long have you lived in Parkes? I moved to Parkes two months ago! It has been a big change from Sydney, where I’ve lived for the past six years — but I love it!

What do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m an astrophysicist at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. The telescope recently had a major upgrade to its receiver, which has the global astronomical community buzzing. Part of my job is to get the new receiver and system working in its full capacity. That is what I love so much about my job — not only do I get to study the intricacies of galaxies far, far away — but I get to help other astronomers carry out truly ground-breaking research and push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe!

What do you do in your spare time? In my spare time, I love camping and hiking. I’ve started to explore the local national parks. I also love pickling vegies!!

What are you really good at? Laughing at my own jokes!

What is your pet hate? Parsley, it tastes like soap!

If you could have a superpower what would it be? I would LOVE the ability to be in multiple places at once!

Tell us about your best holiday. After I completed my PhD thesis, my partner and I went camping in the South Island of New Zealand for four weeks. This was by far the longest vacation I have ever taken and it was wonderful to have the time to just enjoy the outdoors and relax. As an added bonus, I saw the aurora australis for the first time!

Tim Watts

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 around six years. A lot of my family grew up and still live in Parkes so I have been coming to Parkes every year since I was born. I was also born here.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Manager of the Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC). I absolutely love this job and am passionate about what the PCYC does as an organisation. There aren’t many jobs around where you can be stuck behind a personal computer for most of the day then go and join in gymnastics class, play basketball or help kids with an art project. On top of the sports and activities, the work our Police do in the club and around the community incredibly valuable. I am also a Rotarian which is a great organisation to be a part of.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I have a beautiful daughter Tilly and my wife Lizzie and I spend most of our weekends with Tilly… trying to keep up with her. In summer I enjoy water skiing, camping and fishing. I also try to take on the odd project. At the moment I am experimenting with an indoor veggie garden
based on aquaponics.

What are you really good at? Annoying my wife, blowing bubbles off my tongue and I like tinkering with electronics and programming. I am currently putting together a program that if all goes well PCYC will take up state wide to give staff more time to concentrate on activities with kids rather
than paperwork.

What is your pet hate? People who judge before taking the time to understand the other side of the story.

Tell us about your best holiday. The best holiday was our honeymoon. Lizzie had no idea where we were going until we showed up at the airport in Sydney. We spent a week in Cambodia, which was amazing. Then to Thailand for a week. The people, food and the sites, particularly in Cambodia, were fantastic. My ideal holidays in Australia is a trip to either Narooma or camping at Burrendong with the family.

Norma Garment

How long have you lived in Parkes? Barry, Heather, Derek and I moved here in November 1979. I love the smaller town community environment. Easy to shop, easy to park and easy to make friends.

What do you do currently and do you enjoy about it? I teach scripture at three primary schools. I love the preparation, the feedback from the kids and to see them enjoy the lesson and get something from it. We all enjoy singing together.

What do you do in your spare time? We are now retired and enjoy going to church to worship, family, gardening, car club activities, craft groups and friends.

What are you really good at? I might be a bit of an organiser. I enjoy seeing everyone getting together to make something good happen.

What is your pet hate? Swearing – I hate it when I do it and hearing it come out of childrens’ mouths, especially when God or Jesus’ name is used as a swear word.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To make the love that Bishop Michael Curry (Royal Wedding) spoke about, become a reality all over the world.

Tell us about your best holiday. When Barry and I take short trips around Australia in the caravan. Every trip has been the best one. I also enjoy short trips with the Parkes Antique Car Club to see things we have driven past for years and enjoy the fellowship  of other collectors of fine old cars.

Richard Rice

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
All my life. I like the people in Parkes.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am a farm manager and enjoy working outside.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I watch and coach my kids at sport.

What are you really good at? Not much I am still working on it.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To run even faster than I am now.

What is your pet hate? People that are happy to complain about something but are not prepared to get in and help.

Tell us about your best holiday. Travelling to Uluru and around Central Australia and Queensland.