Tiyana Towney

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived In the the Parkes shire for 13 years. What I love about it is living in the country, walking down the street and getting a hello. It’s the little things I appreciate about our shire.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I perform – that’s what I do for work. Music has been a big part of my life since I was young and performing in front of people is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and now I’m finally doing it!

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
What I like to do to unwind would be sit on the river for a fish, but since we are now in the colder weather I like to sit back and practice new songs inside on my guitar. It helps bring peace to the mind.

What are you really good at?
I’m really good at music and sports. I’ve always had a passion for both, and like to say I’m good at them.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If I could have a super power it would have to be time travel.

What is your pet hate?
My absolute pet hate would be when people chew too loud- it hits a whole other nerve in my body and drives me insane!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
My best holiday ever would have to be when I was a youngen’ around about 8, when I went away to the snow with family, there’s a bit to much to say really but we had some fun times, and must I say cold!

Brenton Hawken

How long have you lived in Parkes for and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Parkes my whole life, for 22 years to be exact. I love the community spirit and local attractions. Wherever I go, I am proud to talk up Parkes as the Elvis Capital of Australia, and the home of ‘The Dish’. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I am a part of the great team at Ron Dunford Chemist. I enjoy working alongside some of the great- est people that I have ever met, and the customers that you get to know quite well.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I don’t get much time to unwind or relax, as there’s always something going on. I’m at university in Wagga Wagga studying a Bachelor of Education trying to keep up with assignments. And when I am home, you often see me working. Boring, I know!!

What are you really good at?
Setting goals and working towards achieving them. I am a person who does what they say they are going to do. Last month, my goal of representing NSW in the National Indigenous Youth Parliament came true, a goal that was six years in the making.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
The ability to control time. Time is such a precious resource that I never seem to have a lot of. Some days I just wish I could reverse time, freeze time or even fast forward time.

What is your pet hate?
Listening to people who sell themselves short, or believe that they are incapable of achieving something. Each individual is unique and more than capable of achieving anything that they set their mind to. If you don’t believe in yourself first, you’ve already lost the race.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Any holiday where I can take a break from University and work is a great holiday. I’ve taken quite a few trips to the Central Coast for holidays with both family and friends. I have plans to travel outside the country when I finish university.

Marg Applebee

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I moved to Parkes with my parents and sib- lings in 1989, was away for a little while and made my way back. Parkes is big enough to have good facilities and services, but small enough to still have a country town feeling. I also love that we are close to cities and fabulous little communities.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I work for Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL). I enjoy meeting people who are doing their bit in their patch, not expecting rewards or promotion. I am learning every day!

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
Spending time with family and friends, gardening, camping.

What are you really good at?
The term ‘really good’ is a bit of a challenge. I think that I try hard to make a difference and I do the best that I can.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
After enjoying watching Wonder Woman on the long weekend, I’m pretty up on my super power knowledge. Mine would be to heal hearts and relationships.

What is your pet hate?
I try not to hate anything, because hate wastes your energy, hurts you and warps your perception. One dislike would be ungratefulness, particularly when we have so much to be grateful for.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I always love Tassie and always want to go back again, but growing up, we lived quite a distance from our grandparents and didn’t get to see them very often. I think visiting my grandparents dairy farm was where I learnt the most about people, relationships and gained my greatest appreciation of nature, farming and their connection.

Jake Adams

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve been in Parkes for about five years. I’m originally Mexican – from south of the border in Geelong. I love the family atmosphere. I have a young family and the kids can play in the street. It’s been such a welcoming community.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I work at Onnies Coffee. I love my customer base, I really enjoy everyone who comes through. Of course, I also love making coffee.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I love a full-bodied shiraz. I also play AFL for a team in Orange, and I try to go surfing at least once a quarter.

What are you really good at?
I’m really good at cooking. I love cooking for my family and friends. I’m pretty good at football too, and talking rubbish.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Teleporting, for sure. I’d teleport to the beach, or into a bank vault. There’s no way I’d be a hero if I had powers.

What is your pet hate?
Incorrect English. I’m constantly correcting people in my head. Also people who eat with their mouth open.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
It’s got to be Vietnam or Laos. We went tubing down a river in Laos. You get a tube at a little village and then sail down the river past all these bars, and they’d all throw you a rope and pull you in. There was a big party at the end too. It’s not just about the beer though, just floating along the river was really fun.

Helen Huntly

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
Since I married 63 years ago. I am part of a friendly, supportive community. Parkes has been a great place to rear and educate my family of four.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I am a retired nurse. Being in health was a rewarding experience, being part of a team that mostly produce good results for the majority of people.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I started with art in my later years. Painting takes me into a positive and creative thought process that in turn revitalises my spirit.

What are you really good at?
I believe I am really good at communicating with most people.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be able to bring peace into hearts, homes and country.

What is your pet hate?
The word ‘hate’.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
About four years ago I went with family and friends on an off road camping and some motels holiday to the Gulf country – sunset over the Gulf, the savannah plains, the Lawn Hill National Park and Gorge, the lovely small towns and the incredible vast- ness of our beautiful country are memories never to be forgotten