Melanie Suitor

How long have you lived in the Central West and what do you like most about living here? I’ve lived in the Central West – Blayney, Parkes and Orange since 1994. I love the laid-back country lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of a big city. I also love how friendly everyone is. There is a real sense of belonging and community.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the shared Parkes, Forbes and
Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer for 15 years! I love the diversity of the role – every day is something different. It’s really rewarding to be making a difference to people’s lives.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Spend time with my husband Ben and my two-year-old daughter Felicity. Also love catching up with other family and friends.

What are you really good at? Proofreading. It’s a thankless task sometimes – but I love language and have an eye for detail.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Teleporting. How great would it be to be able to click your fingers and be at your destination without all the travel?

What is your pet hate? Being late and being unorganised.

Tell us about your best holiday. Anything at the beach is a winner. My best holiday was probably this year’s trip to Bonny Hills with my family. It was Felicity’s first time at the beach and she loved it. We went every day.

Dane Millerd

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I currently live in Forbes but work in Parkes when I am not travelling for my other roles. I love how central it is to everywhere and there are some amazing people.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work as a freelance multi-media specialist and filmmaker, but also in media and communications with Currajong Disability Services.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? If I am not working on film projects I can usually be found playing with my kids, playing guitar, writing, drawing or spending time with my wife, family or friends.

What are you really good at? Drawing, writing and storytelling. I am sure I have other talents but that’s up to others to decide.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? If I say I want to be Batman does that count? Is being bitten by a bat a superpower or a pre-cursor to the Hendra virus? Lol

What is your pet hate? I have a few pet hates. The biggest would be people who don’t learn from their mistakes or people who only hear and don’t listen.

Tell us about your best holiday. Best holiday outside my honeymoon was a bucks party holiday in the US for two weeks all expenses paid. It included NBA games, NFL, Yosemite, LA, San Fransisco and Las Vegas. Hard to beat.

Christie Green

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I moved to Parkes in April 1992. I like living in Parkes because it’s been a great place to raise my family and I just love the Elvis and Abba festivals.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work for Neighbourhood Central in Community Transport. I find my job very rewarding. We provide a wonderful community service and I just love dealing with our volunteers and clients.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Music or I’m in the garden. The singing trio, Amitie, keeps me very busy or I can be found at The Parkes Musical and Dramatic society rehearsing for a show (currently Motherhood the Musical).

What are you really good at? I’m not sure what I’m really good at but I love singing, actually I’m really good at being organised, lol.

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

What is your pet hate? Kids putting dishes in sink when dishwasher is right there.

Tell us about your best holiday. Cruising every year with Amitie to South Pacific islands on Rock The Boat or Cruise N Groove.

Ian Giffey

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived here 15 years. I moved
here from Inverell as my wife is a Parkes local. I like the family life we have here, and spending time with my grandchildren.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am retired. My previous job was as
Clerk for the County Council in Inverell.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Fishing. We just came back from a weekend in Mudgee with my grandson. We went motorbike riding, kayaking and fishing.

What are you really good at? Not much. I do a few jobs around the house.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Never thought about it. Life’s okay.

What is your pet hate? Dust and drought.

Tell us about your best holiday. That’ll be the next one. I did spend six weeks riding my motorbike around Australia with the Vietnam Vet Motorcycle Club to raise money, and loved North Queensland. We’ve been back there a few times.

Helen Westcott

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have called Parkes Home for almost 50 years , coming here in February 1969, after marrying Malcolm. I was here for a short time in Trundle and Parkes for 3 years from 62-64. Parkes is a very friendly community and we have a progressive council looking after us.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I was a teacher at Parkes High School for many years and since retiring at the end of 1997, we moved into the family home in town and started operating Kadina Bed and Breakfast, the 1st in Parkes, celebrating 20 years next month. Both Mal and I thoroughly enjoy hosting people from all areas of Australia and overseas and have made friends with many. We have just returned from Japan where we met up with two ladies that we hosted many years ago and we call that a highlight of our trip.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Golf is an interest I have, and I play 9 holes most Tuesdays and Fridays. I enjoy, cooking, sewing, reading and chatting with friends.

What are you really good at? First up procrastinating, and then more seriously, trusting that I offer friendship and hospitality to those who choose to stay at Kadina B&B.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To have rain when we think we need it, but I know it is in God’s hands when it is delivered and I must be patient  and act wisely, encouraging those around me.

What is your pet hate? People not encouraging and helping others. Making extra work for some, for example, people who don’t place litter in the correct receptacle

Tell us about your best holiday. We wanted to take our sons on an overseas holiday, but with a drought in 82/83, it was made difficult. However, we decided on Lord Howe Island, a decision we will never regret. As we left the Island one of the boys said, “wonder who will return here first”. Both have been back.

Darrin Gibson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I have lived in Parkes for approximately nine years, however I was born here in 1967 at Parkes District Hospital. Without doubt I love the people and the relaxed life here.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am semi-retired, however I do manage a small property portfolio with a view to employment at Maccas. I love working with people, in this case tenants. I try to be respectful and prompt and I get the same back in return generally.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I can usually be found in my vegie patch growing something for dinner or robbing one of my bee hives, however I do like to frequent the local cafes for a chat.

What are you really good at? I am really good at negotiating with my partner to get the best outcome for her. She would probably say the same about me actually.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? If I had a superpower I would be Super Mayor and cut our rates by 10% every leap year.

What is your pet hate? My pet hate is people who stretch the truth too far and our current state of politics.

Tell us about your best holiday. My best holiday was in Vietnam as a young soldier backpacking on a motorbike from Saigon to Hanoi exploring all the historical war sites including the Battle of Long Tan at Nui Dat. Also revisiting Vietnam when I took Deb, my partner, when we stayed in 5 star hotels and not in backpackers accommodation, woohoo.