After eight years of serving the electorate of Dubbo as its Member, this is my final Matters Of State column I'd be lying if I said it wasn't bittersweet to realise the end is so close, but I remain at peace with my decision and I wish all candidates well in Saturday's election.
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Since I made my decision to retire last year, I have remained focused on delivering for the electorate and I believe I have done that.
A lot has happened since I was first elected back in 2011. Some has been good, some has been tough, but through it all I have tried to ensure our region is better off than it was when I came in at the back end of 16 years of Labor incompetence. There have been some massive announcements, and close to $2 billion in spending in the electorate of Dubbo. We're currently seeing the redevelopment of Dubbo Hospital and Mudgee Hospital, and we've recently announced plans to establish a rail maintenance facility and a police training centre in Dubbo. Narromine Wetlands received a recent boost, and just last week I was in the town to present $60,000 to the town's high school to create a wellbeing hub. We are also delivering upgrades to facilities in Wellington, including the town's pool and the Caves, which I maintain are a hidden gem of our local tourism industry.
But it's the small wins along the way, the ones that don't make the headlines, that are just as much a part of being the local MP. One of my proudest moments was having a young man and his mother attend my office and have him read for me. A few years prior they had sat in the same spot, the boy unable to read, and convinced me of the need for a centre for effective reading in our region, something that I worked with then Education Minister Adrian Piccoli to deliver in the wake of Labor's closure of the Dalwood facility.
As I sign off from politics, I would like to thank a few people.
Firstly, my family for allowing me to serve, not only as a police officer but also as a politician. Secondly, my staff who have supported me and helped me in delivering outcomes for our region. And finally, the people of the electorate who gave me the job for two terms. I was lucky to be part of a strong government that has delivered for our area of NSW.
It was an honour and a privilege.
