Geoff Anderson: Wiradjuri was originally here, and people already speak some of it without realising it. It is in the place names we use every day. It is important to learn its meaning and how it fits into the land. All words belong to the land.
Sean Cassidy: Each language has a different mindset, and that helps us to see the world differently. It creates diversity that helps us to grow.
Aesha Charlton: It gives you historical facts about the land and animals and show us how to use words. I enjoy teaching Wiradjuri to school students.
Aileen Ahearne: Just life! I will be married for 67 years this year – got married when I was 18 and had my first child at 19.
Malcolm Nankivell: Just being here! Today is my 96th birthday and I feel very lucky to have ended up living in Parkes.
Neryl Jackson: I love celebrating birthdays, Christmas and anything else that is a cause for a celebration like great grandchildren. I have six of them. My family celebrated my 75th birthday with me on Sunday.
Maree Tanswell: Capturing the moment in that tiny little frame by zooming in from the big picture. I particularly enjoy getting candid shots of people and not so much staged photos.
Steve Ostini: I like capturing the moment or a scene. I also enjoy the process of taking photos and editing them.
Frances Thornton: I enjoy landscape and macro photography and anything that cannot move or run away from me. I like to challenge myself to try out different aspects of photography.
Sandria Andrews: Everyone gets together, no one is biased and that is the way it should be. All the cultures together – it’s wonderful to see it.
Benji Redfern (10): Going to the races and watching the yabbies. Sienna Collins (10): We do the early morning walk every year – I enjoy that. Jayden Redgern (12): Visiting friends and going swimming.
Sue Gersbach: The knowledge that we live in the luckiest country in the world. We have all these freedoms and we can do what we like with so many opportunities. The world is our oyster, to use the cliché, and we should celebrate it every day.
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.