Our Community Archives - Page 91 of 108

Question of the Week?

October 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Are there any more kids activities you would like to see in Parkes?

John Simpson: There are a lot of activities and opportunities, especially sports for kids. I cannot think of anything else and the benefit is that people are less concerned here when kids go out, because we are a country town.

Melissa and Vicki: There are not much we haven’t got on offer here in terms of sports, music and dance. There is only so much to go around in a town of our size, but there could be more family fun activities like the movies. Our town is probably too small for something like Flip Out.

Lee-Anne Glastonbury: We have pretty good facilities, but if I have to find fault the top of my list would be a movie cinema. Overall there is enough here to keep the kids busy with.

Our Gal – Stephanie Hughes

October 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Stephanie Hughes

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? Three years. I love living in Parkes and Forbes. They are great places to live and work.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing. I love working with the amazing and inspiring people in our team each day, to find cost effective solutions for our clients.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? My dog Minnie is pretty special and we do most things together, running, walking, eating out and about, horse riding and water skiing.

What are you really good at? I love cooking, but I’m not sure that I’m actually very good at it, I often try to cook too many things at the same time and burn at least something.

If you could have a super power what would it be? The ability to predict the future. I could be so much more organised if I just knew what was going to happen.

What is your pet hate? People who are judgmental, as though they know what someone else has been through, when they cannot possibly.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Any holiday is a good one! I don’t get many holidays…

OUR Bloke – Greg Ballantyne

October 19, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? In total I’ve lived here for about 30 years. It’s a great place for kids to grow up and experience the wide-open spaces.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? Parkes Christian School. I love seeing kids get interested in classic texts like Hamlet and The Great Gatsby.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I have done a lot of M&D shows. I’m hoping to see the Eels win a premiership one day and I love hanging out with my family. (Greg currently plays the lead male role of Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Little Theatre – Ed.)

What are you really good at? Quoting Star Wars.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I don’t think I’d want one. Batman is the best superhero and he has no powers.

What is your pet hate? Being late.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? I took my wife to London and Paris for her 30th birthday. Seeing the smile on her face when we visited some of her favourite places made it pretty special.

Our Gal – Barbara Newton

October 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Barbara Newton

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I have lived in the Parkes Shire for just on 19 years, in the town of Tullamore. I enjoy living here because of the people. It is so lovely to have a sense of real belonging. We support each other when required and people acknowledge each other. I also love the
space around me.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I have ‘retired’ from my profession as a registered nurse – a profession I have always been very passionate about and continue to be so. I was also in professional theatre – a great time of my life with very cherished memories. I would have to say my work now is as a shire councillor, currently in the position of Deputy Mayor. My time on council has been very challenging and rewarding. I am very proud of the council and all staff. Parkes Shire Council really is an exemplary council.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I like my happy hour! I think to spend time with my husband and family and friends is my usual relaxation. I do enjoy a good book and a murder mystery on TV.

What are you really good at? I suppose the skill I have that stands out is that I sing. This is something I have done since very small. I must say my repertoire has changed since moving out west.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I think I would love to be able to fly, very fast so I could get to my family in London and Sydney quickly whenever I wanted or needed to go. It would be great to be able to make people tolerant and kind as well.

What is your pet hate? I think my pet hate is meanness and cruelty. So much in our world and so destructive.

Tell us about your best holiday ever? It is hard to pick one holiday, but driving over to Perth from Sydney when our children were young teenagers was a great holiday and still brings many a laugh when we remember it.

Question of the Week?

October 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What do you like about playing video games and what do you learn from it? (Asked at Gaming Hour at the PCYC.)

Haidin Hodge (8): It is fun and it is what cool kids do! I like Minecraft because I can build stuff.

Asher Gould (6): I like Minecraft because you can make TNT explode! I learn how to create things playing this game.

Casey Kelly (6): I learn to concentrate playing these games and how things work. I also like playing racing games where you can go really fast.

Our Bloke – Gary Somers

October 5, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Gary Somers

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I was born in Parkes. I have lived here ever since, except for six years at boarding school, one part year working in Sydney and three years of tertiary study at what is now Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga. Parkes is just a great place to live!

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? Our family farm “Trelawney” is just 12km from Parkes in the Coobang Valley. I am fourth generation to work on this farm and feel a deep love and attachment to the property! I see myself as a temporary custodian of this land and feel a responsibility to leave it in better condition for future generations. I have always enjoyed the challenges and rewards that go with farming and grazing livestock!

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy reading, taking our dogs for walks, good food, good coffee and the occasional glass of wine. I love to host family and friends here at “Trelawney”. I also enjoy playing bridge at Parkes Bridge Club and am a keen rugby union supporter (the Boars, Waratahs and Wallabies).

What are you really good at? I think I am more a ‘Jack of some trades and master of none’!

If you could have a super power what would it be? I am sceptic about ‘super powers’ but if I could conjure up a decent fall of rain that would be great!

What is your pet hate? Littering our environment with rubbish! Intolerance and prejudice towards our fellow humans!

Tell us about your best holiday ever? Five weeks visiting my wife Christine’s relatives north of Venice in Italy and visiting friends of my paternal grandfather (JR Somers) and the original Somers farm “Cranmore West” near Bath in Somerset, England.

Question of the Week?

October 5, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What do you think of the Henry Parkes Museum?

Remyle Conran – Royal Far West Orange: I love it. The fact that the displays are kept close to reality is fantastic. I remembered putting my kids in a bassinet stand the same as the one here in the museum.

Nicholas Unger – Alectown: I love to come here to look at all the cool stuff. It is nice to know the history of our community. I like all the old tins and boxes.

Mark Drummond – Board member of Royal Far West, Sydney: It’s brilliant and so diverse. I am particularly attracted to the 2PK and Sunshine Club exhibit as I recognised some of the people on the photos. It is so important to keep record of our heritage and culture. I will definitely bring the family back here.

Question Of The Week

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What was your favourite activity at the Fun Palace at the Parkes Library?

Alex Rawsthorne: I enjoyed the Fizzics Education science show and my favourite part was the fire explosions.

Charlotte Gould: I enjoyed the stop motion activity as it is fun and allows you to be creative. My story is about two people dancing.

Liliani Latu: I enjoyed the scavenger hunt. It was a bit hard but I managed to find all the objects. I also enjoyed the stop motion activity.

Our Gal

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Melodie Moya

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I came to Parkes eight months ago. Living here has been life changing as I come from Paris. I enjoy meeting locals and having a chat in the street or a shop – something you never do in a big city.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work as site foreman at the Parkes Solar Farm. I’m in charge of the civil and mechanical part of the project, and safety. I enjoy working with people from diverse fields sharing our knowledge and culture.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy going to the pub with work mates. I attended the Show last month and was pretty impressed. It is a nice balance between traditional and modern show activities.

What are you really good at? I’m impressed how quickly I’ve picked up Australian slang. I’m also really good at Latin dancing and socialising.

If you could have a super power what would it be? To be able to fly to get everywhere in the world to learn about different cultures and visit all types of landscapes and architecture.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Travelling is part of my life. I love France for its culinary arts and architecture; Spain for its flamenco music; Colombia’s fauna and flora; Mexico’s pyramids and Colorado and the spectacular Grand Canyon. But I reckon the best is still to come travelling around Australia when I finish on this project.

Question of the Week?

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What do you think of the new public art installation in Peak Hill?

Skye Leigh: It is beautiful. It will mean a lot for our town.

Carol Smith: It is absolutely beautiful and looks fantastic! It will hopefully teach the younger generation more about star constellations, and it will be good for tourism.

Brendan Read: It’s great and so good to see a local artist on display. It is fantastic recognition for Sauce who has been drawing since age 5 but very humble about his achievements. I’ve already seen people pull up to have a look, so it’s good for attracting visitors too.

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