John Sarkissian

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Parkes for over 20 years, having arrived with my wife in October 1996, to work at the Parkes Telescope. The best thing about Parkes is the people and the sense of community. It’s a great place to live and work.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I am an Operations Scientist at the CSIRO Parkes Telescope. As a school boy, I used to day- dream of working there one day, so for me, it’s literally a dream come true. What I enjoy most is the opportunity to work with so many world-class scientists. We have so many people visit from around the world, that at times it feels like a mini United Nations.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. There’s nothing better than having a barbecue with friends around. Also, a bit of star gazing at night, really puts me at ease.

What are you really good at?
Talking about astronomy. I really can’t help myself.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I’d like to fly like superman. Imagine flying to the moon and back, with- out the need for a rocket. Now, that would be neat.

What is your pet hate?
Phoning a help line and being made to wait an eternity to speak to a human being. Whatever hap- pened to customer service?

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I was backpacking through Europe in 1989, when the Berlin Wall came down. It was a great time with many historic events going on. It’s also when I met my wife.

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
All my life – 84 years. My family has been in Parkes since 1862. I am a local girl, Parkes is my home. I went away to do nursing and came back. I just love Parkes and Forbes.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I am President of the Historical Society. I work at the Henry Parkes Museum every day. I love the history of our area and to see the old machines working. It tells the story of our gold mining and agricultural history.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I spent most of my life teaching swimming, but not this year. I like to read, do crossword puzzles and look after my seven cats and the five kittens I saved from the gutter.

What are you really good at?
Talking, but I’ll have a go at everything. I would say I am an all round person and love being a sticky beak.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I believe we live in such an absolutely fabulous world: from growing up in the war as a child when we had very little to today where we have the internet. This ability to communicate with people in- stantly anywhere in the world is like having a super power – that is just incredible!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
As children we went to Rose Bay in Sydney during the war time. The Japanese subma- rines were in the harbour and we saw the soldiers at the golf club. It left a big impres- sion on me – I was about eight years old.

Andrew Francis

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
Since 2005. Parkes has a very friendly and active community, with a number of key services and opportunities that other towns of similar size don’t have. Moving to Parkes from Sydney was a delight with a short commute, quiet, friendly neighbourhoods and a very progressive Council.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
Parkes Shire Council. I have always been an active member of the community in which I live and working at Council and specifically in a service delivery role, it allows me to affect positive change and work directly with groups and individuals to get positive outcomes.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
Exercise, music, Netflix, meditation and the odd drink get me wound down and ready to play all weekend with the kids.

What are you really good at?
I can whistle with my mouth closed.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Since as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to have the ability to fly, but as an adult a better power may be to be able to read people’s minds…

What is your pet hate?
Cats, hmmm, no, they’re a pet that I hate. I mean, cold showers.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.

Tour of Canada and Europe, wonderful sites, wonderful people, wonderful food and a proposal at the Eiffel Tower to boot.

Karen Creith

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Parkes basically my whole life and love the friendly people and size of our community. It isn’t too big or too small so I feel we have the best of both worlds.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Parkes Furniture One as a stylist and I am the author of two home decorating books. I love my job as I get to work with wonderful people, plus I get to help them bring their home decorating dreams to life. I also work with my hubby every day and we have a great time together!

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I love to stay home and relax. I like to cook and am very partial to the odd Netflix binge session.

What are you really good at?
I am really good at eating and I love food! If there is a great meal being planned I get quite ex- cited!!

What is your pet hate?
Terrible coffee!

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I think I would like to fly because it would make it so much easier to walk around in my stilettos each day!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
My best holidays have always been around the kids and I love the times we spent on the Gold Coast being kids for the day at the fun parks or at the beach. Sometimes I wish I could go back to those days again just to enjoy them all over again!