Benji Redfern (Year 7): I ride my bike everywhere and catch the bus to school. I will encourage others to start using their bikes more often.

Kaitlyn Neems (Year 12): I have my P plates and teenagers like driving around a lot. I think we can do less of that and start doing jobs together to save on costs. We should also look at taking the shortest route to go somewhere and start walking or riding bikes more.

Lexi Paradowski (Year 5): It is kind of hard for me as we live a bit out of town, which makes it hard to cycle or walk anywhere. Dad is very lucky to get his fuel for free from work.

Ebony Bland, Oscar Hendry and Isabella Tencate:

Ebony: If you like music it would be a great night to come and enjoy it.

Oscar: To come and enjoy the music, and to support the music community after COVID.

Isabella: It will be good to come and see the concert as there will be lots of people with talent and they will be putting it on show, and it will be good to listen to.

 

Louise Moore, Kerrie Peden and Sherree Rosser:

Louise: The repertoire has something for everyone, it is definitely not just opera music! It includes some of the most famous and popular songs of musical theatre and more.

Kerrie: It will be one of the most amazing shows in Parkes ever with professional soloists and a massed choir and orchestra including children and adults from Parkes and all over the Central West.

Sherree: You will definitely be tapping your feet and go away feeling exhilarated. There will be enough opportunity to sing along, especially with the special encore song of a popular pop artist.

Subakthi Fernando: (Subakthi is from Sri Lanka. She first arrived in Australia in 2016, and is a doctor.) It’s a great privilege to be part of the community. I’m so happy as we’ve started a new life here and our two daughters were born here. It is just wonderful and we are so blessed.

Suliana Naqau: (Suliana is from Fiji and first arrived in Australia in 2009. She teaches at the Parkes Christian School.) It means a lot. It has been our aim since we first arrived in Australia in 2009. We’ve been looking forward to this day ever since, as we love this country and its people.

Ratri Dey, Atanu Paul with Jeeshnu Paul (22 months): Ratri and Atanu are from Bangladesh and first arrived in Australia in 2016. Atanu is a doctor at Currajong Street Medical Centre.) Today is a day of excitement mixed with joy as this is the final conclusion of our journey that started in 2014. We can now commit to making more of a contribution to the community and making a difference as responsible and accountable citizens.

Emmanuel Cooper holding Chloe and Fortunate: (Emmanuel is from Liberia and works as a civil construction operator.) It’s overwhelming, and a long-awaited event as I’ve been here since 2010. It’s giving me new hope in life, and I can travel around without worrying about visas. I’m so lucky to have so many good people around me.

Theozeus Melosantos, Cristina Espinitu, Mariah Melosantos, Alfonso Melosantos: (Cristina is from the Philippines, and is an administration officer. Her daughter Mariah is a full-time student at TAFE and works as a carer, and her sons Theozeus and Alfonso are at Parkes High School.) It is a privilege with lots of benefits that will lead to better opportunities and a better future. We moved to Parkes in 2019 from Adelaide to be with family, and we love it here.

Allan Wright: It is the change of season and transition period. I enjoy the changing colours and leaves falling and that the weather is not as extreme.

 

Colleen Mitchell: My wedding day this year on 25th November will be very special as we are celebrating our 50th anniversary after getting married in 1972.

 

Sylvia Glendenning: The 11th of January has turned out to be an important date in my life as all sorts of things have happened on this date. I got my driver’s licence, and I went overseas to name but two events.

 

Adrianne Brown: I like the number 33 as it is the new address of the CanAssist shop in Court Street, and we’ve been very lucky to find this venue. It has been such a good move and the shop is doing fantastic.

Abby Blair with Elsie Pritchard (11 months): I like the supportive community, and would love to see a waterpark and indoor play area.

Hannah Hawker with Joseph (6 months) and Alfie (2): I like all the parks with play areas, and the kids’ area at the pool is great. The CUC is a fantastic addition to Parkes. I’d love a big, indoor play area in town.

Simran Villella: I like the sense of community, the accessibility to so many amazing things and the lack of traffic. I would like to see some more resources going into early education for young children and more structured activities for kids aged 0 – 5.

John and Jenny Short:

John (volunteered 20 times): It is a healthy and happy way of helping the community, and you get to meet lots of new people.

Jenny (volunteered 22 times): It is good fun and you get out in the fresh air that makes you feel so much better. I would absolutely recommend it to everyone. It’s the best time you can have on a Saturday morning and there is always coffee too!

 

Sarah Hartin with Rhylee (3) and Tony Melhuish:

Sarah (ran 26 events): I love running and the Parkes community. Parkrun is great for promoting good health in our town.

Tony (walked 32 events): I started doing it to help me loose some weight. I’ve not only managed to shed 20kg, but it is a great opportunity to do something with the family too.

Mel ten Cate: It brings so much. People from other countries bring their perspectives, experiences, culture, food, music, fashion, dances and more. There is so much we can learn and grow from. All of them enrich our lives and understanding.

 

Dominic Rolfe: Multi-culturalism broadens our horizons and it benefits country NSW as it brings new skills to name but one example.

 

Roel ten Cate: It brings an opportunity for all different cultures to come together in a melting pot. Food, culture, dances, way of living – all these different customs improve all of our lives.

Jacob Cass: It should be a message of reconnecting with the past and reconciliation to build a more unified future.

 

Margot Jolly: It should be about inclusiveness. I think having Australia Day on the 26th of Janu-ary is not inclusive, so let’s reflect it in Australia Day. Every day is a great day to be Australian, so why not draw a date from a hat. The day does not necessarily need a special meaning, as long as it has nothing to do with the British monarchy or any wars.

 

Jenny Kinghorn: I believe all people are equal and we should all treat each other that way. Australia Day is where we can meet each other in the middle.

Jaxon Nusipepa: I’m excited to turn eight, and to start playing footy this year.

 

Ahi and Nai Nusipepa:
Ahi: Getting my first ever haircut, and going swimming every day.
Nai: Starting Year 1 and playing soccer at school.

 

Luka Parkin: I can’t wait to be able to go camping outside of Parkes for holidays.