Riley Sterland: Getting milkshakes. Cody Sterland: Going to the pool.
Chloey Davies: Spending time with my family and going to KAPOW! Phoeby Davies: The all-you-can-eat buffet at the Ikon restaurant on Christmas Day! Ruby Davies: Christmas and going to KAPOW! where we did art and craft.
Stacey McMaster: My dad took us to Sydney for Christmas and we saw the Harbour Bridge. Portia Clarke: We went to the beach in Newcastle.
Louis Smith: A male puppy dog; Emme Wyllie: An iPad; Eva Smith: A new screen for my phone; Lara Smith: A horse.
Bella Neville: Some fishing gear; Madeline Rich: New sparring gear.
Phoebe Longhurst: Slime; Charlie Longhurst: A laser gun; Aisea Filau: A Beyblade; Timmy Longhurst: A laptop.
Liz Naveau: Yes, we always aim to have a family Christmas. It can involve travelling to Dubbo, Orange, the Central Coast and more to get to see everyone, but it’s always nice to go out and have a great meal together.
Dan Fredericks: As children we always used to have croissants for breakfast. Not that we’re French, but it was seen as a special treat. We still do that when we go to my parents for Christmas. Mum also has a rule that Christmas CDs can only be played from 1st of December.
Zarna Gould: We love having Christmas crackers, but they have to be the ones with good jokes in them!
Chloe Magill: You get to see all your family and even the ones that live overseas and you get to have a nice dinner together.
Wira Thomson: It’s about spending time with family and friends. It’s about gathering. And it’s about celebrating the life of Jesus and Mary and remembering that Jesus died for our sins.
Kaitlyne Byrnes: It’s the one time of year when you get to put a tree up in your house and decorate it and it’s the reason why you get so many presents.
Edi Sartori: I am speechless. I feel a lot of emotions – happiness and pride. I want to give a lot of thanks to Australia and the wonderful experience I’ve had here so far. Parkes is a great community with lovely and friendly people.
Mohanned Islam: It means a lot and it is an honour to become a citizen. I feel now I can become a permanent member of the community.
Kate Anzia with Ricky and Abrielle (six months): It is a great opportunity and an honour to be a citizen in a beautiful country with wonderful people. Since my arrival I’ve felt part of Australian life.
Luka Parkin and Tia Dunn: (Parkes Public School Captains)
Luka: The soldiers fought so we don’t have to fight in wars, and we don’t have to experience that pain. Tia: It is important to commemorate all the people who have lost their lives and delivered freedom for us.
Nicayden Greenwood and Faith Hanstock: (Parkes High School Captains)
Nicayden: It is important to continue the legacy of the fallen Diggers and pay our respects to the lost generations. Faith: To pay our respects to the fallen, especially those from the Parkes district.
Kristy Yeo: The sense of community – I’ve been here 20 years and it’s like a big family and very supportive environment. I love seeing the delight in the children’s faces as they come through the door every day.
Amanda Dean: I enjoy the children and playing with them every day. I love watching them grow.
Jenni Harding: I love building relationships with the families and children, and watching them progress and their achievements as they come through the centre.
Jill Peterson: I enjoy playing cards, and I’m a bit competitive. I also enjoy playing a card game that makes you think and provides a challenge. The company is good and it is fun too.
Greig Ball: Bridge is a great game as it stimulates the mind, and every day is different. The fascinating thing is that you can never beat the game, which makes it addictive as you always try to beat it.
Suzie McNamara: I enjoy bridge as it keeps my mind active, which is important for my stage in life. I also enjoy the interaction with other people.
Cathy McPherson: It is an excellent idea and brings awareness to the community. I think a fun run of 5km would be good to get lots of people involved.
Jason Wynstra: Lots of towns get behind the Pink Up initiative. At Mudgee they have markets and many businesses and shops get involved.
Dianne Sondermeyer: It is a lovely idea. It would be good to see more advertising for Pink Up Parkes events other than on social media as many people do not have daily access to the internet or none at all.
Alan Somers: I drive to our family farm “Trel-awney” (I have my full driver’s licence) most week day mornings. I have my own quad bike that I use to inspect crops and livestock for my son Gary. I also help with other light farm jobs. I find the farm visits a great reprieve from town living! I have
a rose garden at my Southern Cross unit that I planted and look after! I also walk regularly. I am very lucky to have good health!
Val Worthington: I eat a healthy diet and have a life of keeping busy with gardening and hobbies since retiring from teaching.
Isabel Orange: I’ve worked hard all my life. I trained as a nurse, had four children and helped my husband working on the farm.