Our Community Archives - Page 97 of 108

Our Bloke

April 6, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Daniel Greef

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
About twelve years, I moved here from the city and like the size of the town and living in a rural community.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I’m the local Crime Prevention Officer for the Police Force. I enjoy getting into the community and working and engaging with them to reduce crime and the fear of crime. It is very satisfying seeing young people build confidence and overcome barriers.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I run and ride bikes, and spend time with my family.

What are you really good at?
You’ll probably have to ask my bosses, friends or family that question.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Does having more tradie skills count? So I can be of more assis- tance with building at the orphanage I vol- unteer at in Zambia.

What is your pet hate?
Dishonesty.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Travelling to Zambia to help out at an HIV orphanage in Ndola; assisting with building and running boys mentoring camps. I’ve gone back three times and will go many more times.

Be Seen…

April 6, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Life guards Jarrad Duffy and Alex Macaulay kept the fun going at the Council’s Youth Week pool party last Sunday.

It was a fun family day out at the Smoke, Rust and Noise Day. L-R are Margaret Fewings, Roanne Fewings, Tyler Ruse, Marley Conway, Ashley Ruse, Jeffrey Davis, Mi- kaela Byrne and Ron Fewings.

Parkes Public School held an Easter Fete last Friday. Ella, Ava and Logan Hamood enjoyed all the fun on offer.

Beau Longhurst and Angus MacGregor hold ducklings at the petting farm stall at the Parkes Public School Easter Fete.

Question of the Week

April 6, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

For Youth Week we asked young people what issues concern them the most?

Josh Winter: Litter – our world has rubbish everywhere. There’s so much plastic in our oceans choking marine life. It’s harmful to wildlife and it’s really gross.

Ally Fryer: I’m really concerned about global warming. All the gasses and pollution are really bad for the environment, and it’s getting warmer every summer.

Lillie Fryer with her younger sister Connie: Pollution is a big issue. It’s destroying our environment.

Question of the Week?

March 30, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Why is local history important?

Mary Balogh: We need to see where we’ve been to know where we’re going.

May Woods and Pat Tomkins: It’s important to pass on traditions, and preserve our heritage buildings. It’s good to know what used to be here, and the history helps promote the town.

Gail Paul, Joan Dean, June Cassell, Shirley Wesgarth and Jean Bennett: Big things have happened in the district over the years. We need to preserve the history for the future generations, so they understand how the town was built and the challenges previous generations faced.

Our Gal – Michelle Wetherell

March 30, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Michelle Wetherell

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here? We moved to the Parkes area in 2014 and shortly after bought a property in Peak Hill. We are back in Parkes following my return from parental leave. We’re back in Parkes because there is more support here with friends and facilities. It’s a great town to raise a child in.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work at Northparkes Mines as the Human Resources and Organisational Development Superintendent. I really enjoy the flexibility as well as the little community we have out there and the way in which the mine supports locals.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? We really enjoy exploring the local area, my husband has a fishing kayak and I’ve got a stand up paddle board so we’re looking forward to using those at the local dams. I’m keen to get back into horse riding, so if anyone has an old plodder sitting in the paddock let me know!

What are you really good at? Talking! I’m happy to have a chat to anyone. Others might say I’m really good at being late for everything….my family lies to me about start times to functions so I arrive on time.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? I’d love to be able to multiply myself so I could have a few Michelles running around getting things done and experiencing everything!

What is your pet hate? Someone moving the tea towel from its spot in the kitchen, my husband and mother-in-law are terrible for it!

Tell us about your best holiday ever. It must be the last 12 months I had off work to have our baby girl, Mackenna. We lived in a little fishing town called Tin Can Bay, Queensland. We were 20 minutes from some amazing places like Rainbow Beach, Double Island Point and Fraser Island and took advantage of every opportunity to get out and explore, while watching our girl grow up.

Our Bloke

March 23, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Daniel Rawsthorne

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I was born here and I like how it’s a small town with big ideas. No where else would you think of building an international airport for the Elvis Festival.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Northparkes Mines and I like the Wednesday bacon and egg rolls, Thursday ice creams and Friday morning teas…!

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
Muck around with the kids and fixing the damn tap again.

What are you really good at?
What my wife said was inappropriate, so I’ll stick with being a good husband.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Go-go gadget arms.

What is your pet hate?
My little brother’s chickens that he still hasn’t picked up four weeks after their holidays.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Contiki around Europe when I was 19 – yep, goooood times.

Question of the Week

March 23, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Why do you think Harmony Day is important?

Liam and Ryan Snyman: You get to share your traditions, and you get to learn about other peo- ple’s traditions and see from their perspective.

Jack McMaster: It’s sharing our cultures and how different our countries are. If we get to know each other then our world can be safer.

Alana Folau: Because we can learn about differ- ent cultures and countries and get to know each other better.

Our Gal – Michelle Bicket

March 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Michelle Bicket

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I moved to Parkes in July 1993. I love the friendly, helpful and caring nature of Parkes residents.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work as a Building Surveyor at Parkes Shire Council. I really enjoy the variation in activities that I deal with. I like helping people, however the enforcement side of the position is not much fun.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy relaxing on the verandah with family, looking at the view, and spending time with my birds and dogs.

What are you really good at? Apparently baking banana cake and apple cake. I am always getting requests.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To make everyone happy; make everyone smile when I talk to them.

What is your pet hate? My pet hate is littering and vandalism.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
My best holiday ever was to Canada with my family, as I adored the snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes and wild animals.

Question of the Week?

March 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What makes you happy?

Mary Gray, Claire Rawthorne and Harvey Gray:
Mary: Going on a holiday.
Claire: Having ice cream and chocolate.

Annabelle Munday, Charlie Tye and Tori Bennett:
Annabelle: Going to the beach.
Charlie: Playing with Tori.
Tori: Riding ponies and birthday cake.

Hayden and Jason Anderson:
Hayden: Everything! I like stories and Lego and playing with Allana.

Our Bloke

March 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Bernie Crowe

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve lived here since 1974, so that’s 43 years. It’s a very active community, full of people who care.

What do you do with your time and what do you enjoy about doing it?
I was employed and ran my own business before I retired. I’ve always been involved in community events. I’m the new President of the Parkes Men’s Shed, and was in- volved in starting it up. It’s great to see the benefit to the members who come here and the contribution it makes towards the community.

What do you do to unwind on weekends?
I played squash and golf, but since retiring I spend most of my time assisting in community events.

What are you really good at?
I’ve got strong organisation and management skills.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To bring healing to people with health issues.

What is your pet hate?
I don’t tend to get upset about things, though I suppose a pet hate would be people who don’t appreciate the advantages they have.

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