Thursday, 18 December 2025

As another year draws to a close, I find myself back on the road, attending school presentations and spending as much time as possible with local community groups before we pause for Christmas.

As we look back on the year that has been, I can’t help but feel an incredible sense of pride at what we have all been able to achieve, and because of many collective efforts, there is plenty to look forward to as we head into 2026.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the countless volunteers and community organisations across all nine of our Local Government Areas. Your tireless dedication keeps our towns and villages moving forward and ensures no one is left behind. I also congratulate our primary and secondary students on their efforts in the classroom, and sincerely thank the teachers, support staff, parents, and carers who have supported them every step of the way.

To our primary producers - many who have faced a challenging year - I thank you for your resilience, hard work, and commitment to such a vital industry, and wish everyone a safe and successful end to this year’s harvest. I also want to recognise the small businesses that keep our town centres vibrant and encourage everyone to shop local this Christmas season.

Finally, a special and heartfelt thank you to all those who work through the festive season so others can enjoy it safely - our emergency services personnel, healthcare workers, police, and those keeping essential services running. Your service, professionalism, and dedication never go unnoticed.

If you are travelling over the Christmas and New Year period, please take care on our regional roads and in our waterways. For many, this time of year can be difficult, and a little patience, kindness, and compassion can make a meaningful difference.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful, and joyful Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year. I look forward to continuing our work together in 2026 and to seeing many of you out and about across the electorate in the months ahead.