What do you like to do in the school holidays?
Reuben Bondareff: I like making YouTube videos because I like to connect between friends and other gamers.
Ethan Bondareff: I like to play real-time multiplayer computer games as I get to connect with my friends.
Matilda Wilson: I like to spend time with family. These holidays we’ll be going to Nelson’s Bay.
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.
What is your favourite animal and why?
Aimee Ross: A pig, cause they are so cute when they’re babies.
Chloe Mudiman: Cats, because they’re cute.
Jack Jeffery: Dogs, because they make you happy when you pat them.
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.
What has been the best invention yet, and why?
Jan Tanswell: The water and sewage systems, because we need it!
Deborah Wren: Aeroplanes, because they have made the world smaller.
Paul Murray: Computers, because they have changed the world.
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.
What do you like about Easter?
Mary Gray (5) and Eleanor Wyllie (5): Mary: I love finding eggs in my forest in Maquire Road.
Eleanor: I just love chocolate and getting Easter eggs.
Walter Smeaton (9): I like waking up early and going on a big adventure to look for Easter Eggs inside and outside my home.
Elizabeth Smeaton (7) and Ella Jablonskis (10):
Elizabeth: I love seeing the Easter Bunny at school and getting Easter eggs.
Ella: Getting heaps of chocolate and waking up to find Easter eggs in my room.
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.
What Little Athletics event do you like the most?
Ruby Field: I like running
Ruby Wilson: The 70m run is my favourite, but I’m too old for that now, so the 100m run.
Xander Lasserre: Running is my favourite.
Ella-Rose McDonald: Running.
What do you do to minimise waste at home?
Bruce Prior: By using the pre-existing bins I’ve got. I use the green bin a lot.
Jill Crisp: Recycling by using Council bins. We re-use plastic bags. We make our own juices and drinks so we don’t have to buy them.
Ken McGrath: We recycle heaps. Having the green bins is unbelievable. The Return and Earn collection scheme will be good too, the kids will get into it.