Tuesday, 17 December 2019
ANOTHER year has almost passed and many will enjoy an opportunity to slow down, reflect on the year’s achievements and celebrate this wonderful Christmas season with family and friends.
There will be those who won’t have the luxury of time off, instead they will continue to work hard serving our communities. Spare a thought over Christmas for our wonderful emergency service personnel – police, firefighters, ambulance officers, nurses, doctors, SES volunteers – as well as hospitality and retail workers and many others working to keep us safe and comfortable.
In the last 100 days, our amazing firefighters have battled over 570 individual fires in our region and dozens are still burning and threatening property and people. These selfless human beings are absolute legends and deserve our praise, admiration and enduring respect for the work they do.
I ask that we all keep them and their families in our thoughts over Christmas.
Christmas is also a time to be thankful for the all the good things we enjoy in life, appreciate our family, friends and work colleagues who support and nurture us during the year and remember the true Christmas message of humility and generosity towards each other. And as we join together with our loved ones, let us also spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves, or those facing a lonely holiday. Reach out to your neighbours and share the spirit of the season.
It has been another busy and productive year throughout the Northern Tablelands and I’ve again enjoyed working with our local communities on many projects and issues and had the pleasure of meeting so many volunteers who are making such a strong contribution to our wonderful region.
This has been another tremendously difficult year for primary producers and those who rely on the land for their livelihood. They are doing it harder than ever before their Christmas won’t be as cheery as usual. The drought has hit all of our communities incredibly hard and the sheer tenacity and community spirit in terms of support has been amazing. I am continually reminded of why I’m so proud to represent this region. Here’s hoping for rain (and lots of it) to give our farmers the relief they need across the year to come.
Looking ahead, there is much to be excited about with many more opportunities to enrich our region – but it won’t always be easy. Next year is set to be bigger, busier and just as challenging. I’m really looking forward to it!
My staff joins with me in wishing all Northern Tablelands residents a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a safe, prosperous and wet 2020.