Christmas message from Richard Torbay

January 5, 2008

On behalf of my family and staff I wish the people of the Northern Tablelands a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

I look forward to spending the break with my wife Rosemary,children Leah, Angie and Joel and my extended family who I don’t get to see as much as I’d like during the year due to my hectic work schedule.

The past few weeks have been particularly busy with Parliament sitting and the many events and activities across the electorate. We go into the holiday period with most of our area looking green and lush after good falls of rain over recent weeks. It reinforces my view that we live in one of the most beautiful areas of the State and it is attracting an ever increasing number of investors and tree changers who are relocating to our region.

It has been another good year for our communities with many major projects under way including new multi purpose hospitals at Bingara, Tingha and Warialda. The hospitals at Emmaville,Walcha and Guyra built on the same model are now operating very successfully.

We have water and sewerage projects being undertaken, new bridges being built and roads upgraded. There is still a shortfall in school maintenance funding but Guyra Central School will be opening its new gymnasium soon, the new Newling School hall and the new covered outdoor area at Kellys Plains School are proving a boon to their school communities.

I warmly thank you all for your support at the March State election and during the year. Wherever I go I receive such a warm and friendly reception and it makes my job a pleasure.

We still have testing times ahead but we are building on a lot of success. I remain optimistic about our future and our capacity to work together to manage whatever challenges come our way.

Richard Torbay
Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly
Member for Northern Tablelands