Pictured are the nine new citizens celebrating after the Citizenship Ceremony with Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott.
On Tuesday 16 June, Parkes Shire Council proudly welcomed nine new Australian citizens during a citizenship ceremony held at the Cooke Park Pavilion.
The ceremony was attended by General Manager Kent Boyd, Mayor Neil Westcott, Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee, and Councillors Bill Jayet, Ken McGrath and George Pratt, who joined family and friends in celebrating this important milestone.
Introducing our newest citizens:
KOTCHAWAN GORHAM (Jye)
Jye was born in Thailand and arrived in Australia from Thailand in 2014. Jye then moved from Forbes to Parkes in August 2025. Jye lives with her husband and works in Accounts in Forbes.
BRIGITTE JAEHNE (Bridget)
Bridget was born in Germany and arrived in Australia from Hamburg in 1960 and then moved to Parkes in December 2017 from Brisbane. Bridget is living in Parkes with her husband.
WINFRIED JAEHNE (Win)
Win was born in Germany and arrived in Australia from Hamburg in 1960 and then moved to Parkes in December 2017 from Brisbane. Win is living in Parkes with his wife, Bridget; and has a daughter.
DENNIS ROUX KUUN (Dennis)
Dennis was born in South Africa and arrived in Australia from New Zealand in 2012 and moved straight to Parkes. Dennis has his mum, dad, sister and brother who immigrated together. Dennis is a Process Technician for Solar Mining Services in Bogan Gate.
BRADLEY WADE McCONNELL (Wade)
Wade McConnell was born in Canada and arrived in Australia in 2007, arriving in Parkes from Dubbo in 2013. Wade and his wife, Kerrie Stewart live in Parkes with their three children – Maggie (13), John (11) and Cooper (6). Wade has worked at Northparkes since 2011.
KATHARINE JEAN CUMMINS (Kate)
Kate was born in the United States and moved to Australia in 2011, moving to Tullamore from Sydney in mid 2011. Kate lives in Tullamore with her partner, Chris and two children, Eliza (5) and Casey (2). Kate works as the SLSO at Tullamore Central School as well as an Educator at the Trundle Preschool.
LUCIENNE MAXINE McMAHON (Lucie)
Lucie was born in England and moved to Australia in 2011 from the United Kingdom, moving to Tullamore in May 2011. Lucie and her husband and three children live on a farm in between Tullamore and Fifield in the Lachlan Shire. Lucie works as a School Administration Officer at Tullamore Central School three days a week.
ANDREW MARTYN THOMAS (Andy)
Andy was born in Wales, UK and arrived in Australia on 22 June 2018 from the UK, arriving in Parkes in June 2024. Andy and his wife, Tracey live in Parkes. Andy’s parents, son and daughter live in the UK. Andy is working as a Technician which involves work throughout Australia but mainly in NSW.
CAMERON JAMES IVEY-DRAYTON (Cameron)
Cameron was born in Great Britain having moved to Australia from the United Kingdom in 2021, moving straight to Parkes. Cameron has one child living with him in Parkes.
Cameron works as a Train Driver for Pacific National Parkes.