Fran Dixon

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for 47 years after Graham & I married in 1971 – Parkes is a good friendly country town for bringing up your family & it also has good schools and sporting facilities.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I retired from hairdressing six years ago after working for 45 years – now I like to travel with Graham in our caravan and spend time with our six wonderful grandchildren. I am also a member of Parkes Quota where we help children with hearing disabilities, disadvantaged women and many more overseas and community activities.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Don’t seem to get a lot of spare time but when I do I like to do craft & sewing of any kind, but my favourite is patchwork. I also like to get in the kitchen and cook all sorts of different foods. Weekends in the winter I still play hockey, summer time walking, and I like to get in the garden.

What are you really good at? My husband would say “telling him what to do”!! – but I would say my sewing and cooking. Helping and making people happy.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To slow down the clock so I could fit more into a day, week, month and year.

What is your pet hate? Rude, arrogant and selfish people. Crumbs in my honey, margarine & vegemite.

Tell us about your best holiday. I have had a few, but the standout one would be the trip my husband and I took to Canada and Alaska in 2008 – the salmon was to die for.

Craig Gibson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes most of my life. I have spent time elsewhere, but have always called Parkes home because of the country life style and community spirit.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I run and operate a small demolition and asbestos removal business. I am also with Fire and Rescue NSW for 13 years where I am currently the Captain of 417 Fire Station Parkes.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? In my spare time I do karate working towards my black belt. I enjoy time at the gym. On weekends I enjoy the company of my children and grandchildren.

What are you really good at? Being a fire fighter, it gives me the opportunity to help people.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To protect people from fire.

What is your pet hate? People who throw cigarette butts out their car windows.

Tell us about your best holiday. Recently I spent a week at Narooma to catch up with family, we went kayaking with the stingrays and seals. It was just good to be with family.

Angela Wilson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
Most of my life apart from 10 years away at university and working. I love it because my family is here and they get to be a huge part of our girls’ lives. I love our community and the way it rallies together to help and support others.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work part-time at Parkes Christian School as a Special Education Teacher. The staff are amazing and the students wonderful. I am also the facilitator of the Currajong Autism & Special Needs Group to raise awareness and run fundraisers for projects and helping out families with children with special needs.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Spending time with family and friends and pottering in my garden.

What are you really good at? I guess I am good at having an idea and making it come to life.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? The power to take away pain and sickness from those who are suffering.

What is your pet hate? People who don’t treat others as equals.

Keith Turk

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I’ve been in Parkes since May 2012. We moved from Newcastle to be closer to family and a brand new granddaughter. I love the friendliness and the slow pace of the town, and the fact that there are NO traffic lights. People are courteous and patient, they don’t cut you off for a park, they open doors for you and they always have time for a quick chat. Nobody ever seems to be in a hurry.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? Some people call me a street-walker… actually I go around to all homes and farms reading electric power meters. I enjoy getting the exercise and the friendly folk I meet (and the bribes they come up with to try to get me to change the reading… wish I
could!)

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I’m involved with Parkes Camera Club, been interested in photography for years. Love my TV shows and working on my PC which is interfaced with my Amateur Radio setup. Talking and sending/receiving photos to friends around the world via shortwave.

What are you really good at? Working with computers and photography – getting there.

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

What is your pet hate? People leaving rubbish in the streets.

Tell us about your best holiday. My partner and I went to Cairns in Far North Queensland for five weeks. We are due for another great holiday.

Elly Tom

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
Since 1994 moving from Victoria. Parkes has many great community groups to get involved in.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m self-employed and partner in our farm business with my husband. We run merino/fat lambs, cattle and grow a few crops. I really enjoy being a primary producer, in particular a wool grower. I’m a qualified wool classer, and love the natural wool fibre.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I play clarinet in Parkes Shire Concert Band and Lachlan Regional Orchestra, and saxophone with an ensemble for fun. I also volunteer with the Parkes Primary School band. Playing music and supporting it in the community is really a passion of mine.

What are you really good at? Caring for and enjoying time with my family and friends.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Predict the weather – a farmer’s dream

What is your pet hate? People who drop or leave rubbish about.

Tell us about your best holiday. Every holiday is a good one, but last year’s sixweek road trip around Western Australia’s wildlflowers and National Parks was memorable.