What did you most enjoy about the Green Army?
Bradley Dunn: I liked the teamwork, the skills we developed, improving the environment and making the world a better place.
Kyasha Palmer: I really liked the team environment and getting out there and helping the actual environment and making a difference.
Sebastian Berry: I enjoyed working as a team and helping the environment – we planted a LOT of trees.
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
How long have you worked with the Phoenix?
I started working with the Phoenix in August last year, so that’s about 10 months now.
What is your role?
I’m a reporter.
What does your usual day look like?
My work days vary depending on what is happening. Some days I’m interviewing or attending events and taking photos. Other times I’m sat at my desk writing up my stories. I’m pretty adaptable and enjoy having a varied routine.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Parkes, but I have been known to wander over to Forbes from time to time.
Best thing about your job?
This job has been great for getting to know the town and meet people. I was fairly new to the region when I started with the Phoenix, so it’s been fantastic to get out and talk to so many different people and see what happens in Parkes. I’ve been impressed by so many of the people I’ve interviewed, it’s great to see the real diversity of talent and triumphs within our community. Everyone has a story, and it’s great to be able to share some of them with our readers.
Future ambitions.
I’ve got a few screenplays at various stages of development – but my big passion project at the moment is a young reader’s novel. The challenge is to balance my time against my responsibilities and make some decent progress on my narrative work this year.
Best Holiday.
I just spent a week training a brumby out near Cobar. It sounds like a very rugged cowboy kind of activity, but the method is more like “How to train your Dragon”. It’s all about establishing trust, it was incredibly gentle and unbelievably easy. My brumby was following me around by the end of the first day, and under saddle by the end of the week. If that wasn’t magic enough, the stars out there were incredible!
Favourite place?
Mon Repos; it’s a sea turtle rookery just near Bundaberg in Queensland. I spent quite a bit of time there in my youth, and we took the kids up a couple of years ago. It’s magical to watch the turtles come up the beach to nest, and to see the tiny little hatchlings dig themselves out of the sand and skitter into the surf. Sometimes there’s luminescent algae in the ocean, and the waves twinkle like blue fairy lights. It’s spectacular.
Favourite food?
Home-cooked meals shared with friends.
How do you spend your weekends?
Sometimes I have to wear my reporter hat, but mostly I kick about with the kids and animals and reluctantly do a bit of housework. My favorite weekends are out with the kids and pony, making pizza, and watching a movie.
Wilbur Harris
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
Aside from a couple of small stints living elsewhere I’ve been in Parkes for 35 years. Parkes is a vibrant and very supportive community, I like the lifestyle it offers.
Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
My wife, Sarah, and I run Parkes Mensland. The best thing that can happen in your working day, is a customer saying “Thank you for fantastic service.”
What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I am part of a pretty big family, so spending time with them watching my kids playing their sports is always rewarding. I also play bowls when I can.
What are you really good at?
Not much… My Mum always says that I am a jack of all trades but a master of none.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be able to spend more time with the loved ones I have lost.
What is your pet hate?
Paper work!
Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I haven’t had one yet.
What does reconciliation mean for you?
Wally Biles: Looking at the past and looking at positive and negative issues. This week of national reconciliation has brought more awareness to the whole community and that government need to look further at development for Aboriginal and Tor- res Strait Islander people.
Jessica Williams and Le-kiesha-Lee Bowden: It means to care about other people and helping them.
David Acheson: People coming together, sharing and behaving as one mob. We live in a multi- cultural society and we should all get on. There is unfortunately still a lof of the them and us mental- ity, but it is getting better.
Kim Boardman
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I grew up in Parkes. My partner and I moved to Mackay in 2006, where we had our two beautiful daughters, Stella 6 and Lotti 4. We moved back to Parkes at the beginning of the year and are all loving being home, surrounded by our amazing family and friends!
Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
After more then 13 years in the beauty industry I decided to open up my own salon, Kindred Beauty Lounge. My days are filled with relaxing facials and beauty treatments. Helping to educate and empower women to feel comfortable in their own skin is my daily goal, and I’m absolutely loving it!
What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
My weekends are all about family and friends, catching up and enjoying all that our beautiful community has on offer.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To have my housework magically done for me! Nobody has time for that, seriously!
What is your pet hate?
Trying to find the end of the sticky tape…!
What is your favourite thing at the fire station?
Tara Dennis: The fire truck is my favourite. I have a lot of relatives who work for the Rural Fire Service.
Mary Gray: I liked the hose. Spraying the water was fun.
Alana Wood: The lights and sirens. I like it when they drive with the lights and sirens when they go to put out fires.
Neil Westcott
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
Lived all my life in Alectown. Parkes has provided us and our children great opportunity and choice. There are so many talented and caring people.
Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
Alison and I run a family farm at Alectown. I love the challenge that every year brings and the sat- isfaction of taking the property through to harvest.
What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
Sing – with friends or on my own.
What are you really good at?
Spent most of my life repairing things, can get myself out of most situations.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To remember everybody’s names I’ve ever met.
What is your pet hate?
Being late and bad sound systems at events.
Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Two notable adventures – our European honeymoon and a tour of the WWI battlefields in France, Belgium and Turkey in 1998.
Why is Mother’s Day special to you?
Marlene Bryant: My family is in Sydney, so I didn’t get to see them today. I just came out for lunch anyway. I’m looking forward to the Barry Green performance later. One of my grandson’s is going to be a doctor, and the other works in the media.
Marjorie Hockey: All the family come together, it’s always nice to see everyone together. I’m a great-grandmother: we have two daughters, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Helen McGregor: I love seeing family and all the grandchildren. It’s also nice remembering all the great memories of your children growing up, as well as remembering your own mum. I had a great relationship with my mum, she lived to be over 100!
Why is Mother’s Day special to you?
Marlene Bryant: My family is in Sydney, so I didn’t get to see them today. I just came out for lunch anyway. I’m looking forward to the Barry Green performance later. One of my grandson’s is going to be a doctor, and the other works in the media.
Marjorie Hockey: All the family come together, it’s always nice to see everyone together. I’m a great-grandmother: we have two daughters, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Helen McGregor: I love seeing family and all the grandchildren. It’s also nice remembering all the great memories of your children growing up, as well as remembering your own mum. I had a great relationship with my mum, she lived to be over 100!