Maureen said she is looking forward to doing some renovating, gardening and volunteering in her retirement.

“I might even play bowls,” she said.

Maureen grew up on a farm in Alectown.

She is married to Colin, an Office Manager at K&H Geotechnical Services, and they have two children Laura and Jonathon (yes this is the correct spelling) and two grandchildren Jordan and Heidi.

Maureen said they would like to do some travelling.

“We have done all the overseas travelling we want to do,” she said.

“We did it while we were working so we could pay for it. 

“Now we’d like to do some travelling around Australia, but not caravaning!”

Maureen said she has had a wonderful career at Parkes Shire Library.

“Besides my love of books, I will really miss the people I work with and our customers,” she said.

Maureen spent her last weeks showing new Librarian Gillian Hunt the ropes.

Gillian was born and bred in Baulkham Hills. 

Her father is a radiographer at Royal North Shore Hospital and her mum works in retail.

She has a younger brother Nicholas who is an engineer.

Gillian completed a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie University before getting a degree in Library and Information Studies through Charles Sturt University.

She has been working at Hornsby Library for the last four and a half years.

Gillian said she has always wanted to move to the country. 

“I have family on a farm in Tasmania and love visiting them and soaking up the country lifestyle,” she said.

“I thought it’s better to make the move while I’m young - and this job came up at the perfect time.”

In her first week in town Gillian experienced the welcoming spirit the Parkes community is famous for.

“Everyone has been so friendly,” she said.

“(Library Services Manager) Shellie’s father (David Wilson) came and set up my washing machine and two 80-year-old gentlemen delivered the lounge I bought at the Can Assist Garage Sale.

“They were very helpful, I can highly recommend the garage sale.”

Gillian said she is looking forward to getting involved in library and community events.

“I’m really looking forward to the Elvis Festival,” she said.

“My brother is getting married next January and I told him he had to wait until after the Elvis Festival is over!”

Maureen’s last day of work was Thursday, March 31. 

“I had to retire on the Thursday,” she said.

“I couldn’t retire on April Fool’s Day!”