Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
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Edition #11 November 2023
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
Pictured: Entries from Dr Joe’s 2023 Christmas card competition
WHAT’S INSIDE: Black Dog Ride | 2023 Parliament Recap | Project Updates Community Diary | Christmas Recipe | Colouring in Competition PAGE 1
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
INTRODUCTION
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
FOR WAGGA I was honoured toWAGGA be elected for a third time as the State Parliament representative for the seat of Wagga Wagga. It’s a privilege to represent our region and I am proud of the achievements made across our communities.
This year a new State Government was elected and I have welcomed visits to our electorate by the Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads. Along with my Independent colleagues, Alex Greenwich and Greg Piper, I continue to offer confidence and supply to the new government. While this is important to maintain a functioning government, I still vote on all legislation as an Independent. I look forward to continuing to work with this new government in 2024 to ensure our region’s needs are met. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
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I would like to acknowledge the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Owners of this land. I would also like to pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
READ MORE Black Dog Ride .................................................... 4 Raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention in local communities.
2023 Parliament Recap ........................................ 6 Details of advocacy to government.
Project Updates ................................................... 8
Key updates on State Government projects across the electorate. HOLIDAY HOURS: Dr Joe McGirr’s office will be closed Monday, 25 December 2023 to Friday, 5 January 2024 inclusive. The office will reopen on Monday, 8 January 2024.
Community Diary ................................................. 9 A summary of recent events.
Christmas lift-out ................................................. 11
GET IN TOUCH
VISIT 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 PHONE (02) 6921 1622 EMAIL waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au WEBSITE www.joemcgirr.com.au PAGE 3
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
WAGGA WAGGA MentalFOR health challenges are estimated to impact more than one in five people every year. Nearly all of us know someone who is affected.
There’s no doubt more work needs to be done to better support the mental health of people living in the regions. However, here in the Wagga Wagga electorate, we are lucky to be home to many individuals and organisations who work hard to support people with mental health challenges and draw attention to mental health and suicide prevention. One of these organisations is the Black Dog Ride. On the third Sunday of March each year, a Black Dog Ride “one dayer” is held in every Australian state and territory in an effort to ensure mental health and suicide prevention is spoken about, right across the country. Here in Wagga Wagga, the Black Dog One Dayer Ride has been organised for years by locals Graham “Bear” and Nerolie Falconer, who are also the NSW State Black Dog Ride Coordinators. Pictured: Recipients of Community Service Award, Bear and Nerolie Falconer.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
Nerolie and Bear have ridden the Black Dog Ride every year since 2016.
Probus and Black Dog Ride are uniting to spread the word on the psychological and mental health benefits social connectedness brings.
The Black Dog Ride began in 2009 to raise awareness of depression, evolving into a national charity that has raised millions for mental health programs and fostered mental health awareness around the nation.
The partnership will raise awareness and encourage older Australians to join Probus, a social group helping older Australians make new friends and stay active and engaged in their local communities.
Earlier this year, Bear and Nerolie organised a “Bare the Bear” event to raise money for the Black Dog Ride and Ronald McDonald House. The event saw around 100 motorcyclists ride from Wagga Wagga to Junee before returning to Wagga Wagga for Bear to part with his beloved beard. The event raised more than ten thousand dollars. Shaving off his 43-year-old beard was emotional for both Bear and Nerolie but it was done in the name of the cause they love and for which they have given so much. This year Black Dog Ride partnered with Probus to promote the health benefits to Australia’s 4.3 million retirees of staying socially connected.
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Depression and suicide continue to have a huge impact on our community, which is why events like the Black Dog Ride and the work of the Black Dog Institute and Probus are vital. I would like to thank Bear and Nerolie Falconer for their ongoing efforts to foster mental health awareness. It was a pleasure to award them a Community Service Award for their work this year. I would also like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has taken part in a Black Dog Ride, and to all who work or volunteer in other organisations that shine a spotlight on mental health and suicide prevention in our communities.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
PARLIAMENT RECAP
It has been a busy year in the NSW Parliament in 2023.
INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
I was selected by the government to chair a new committee: the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health.
The Select Committee’s role is to review the implementation of the recommendations of the Legislative Council Committee on Rural Health. This will be an important way of keeping the focus on fixing rural health. Petition: 12,000 Signatures
An upper house inquiry into the feasibility of undergrounding the transmission infrastructure for renewable energy projects has concluded that the HumeLink transmission lines are not to go underground. The inquiry was the result of my advocacy and while I was disappointed with the decision, the inquiry has really highlighted the issues associated with transmission lines across the state and has highlighted the need for better consultation with communities on energy projects. Thank you to everyone who appeared before the committee, particularly residents of Tumut, who did a great job. Edition #11 November 2023
I am continuing to work with the Minister for Health, the Hon. Ryan Park, to make radiotherapy free in Wagga Wagga. Following our petition to parliament, which recorded more than 12,000 signatures, work has begun to find a service provider and I hope we will see bulk-billed radiotherapy commence in Wagga Wagga early next year. PAGE 6
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
The NSW Government recently sought feedback on amending the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan regarding how wild horses are controlled. I supported the Minister’s decision to consult with the community and support the government’s very difficult decision to allow aerial culling.
I continue to raise in Parliament that the forced council amalgamations enacted by the former State Government have been unable to achieve the promised benefits and savings. I have called upon the current State Government to support councils who wish to demerge. In September, Snowy Valleys Council submitted its de-amalgamation business case to the new Minister for Local Government.
A Select Committee was established in June to inquire into and report on birth trauma. More than 4,000 submissions were received. Unfortunately, this is an issue not only in Wagga Wagga, but across the State.
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I continue to call for changes to be made to dam management so that flood mitigation is properly considered.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their personal story to improve understanding of the issues. I have been working closely with the Minister and the health service to make sure local concerns are addressed.
Inland Rail is due to finalise its Response to Submissions (RtS) Report and Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) by the end of the year. The RtS report will provide analysis of the issues raised in the submissions and how they have been addressed, while the Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) will provide further assessment of traffic and transport, noise and vibration, and air quality. These reports will be considered by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, which will make a final recommendation for the Minister to approve or refuse the proposed Albury to Illabo project. PAGE 7
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
PROJECT UPDATES
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
FOR WAGGA WAGGA continue across Exciting developments the electorate in 2023.
In July, it was a pleasure to attend the official opening of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. This really is an exceptional, state-of-the-art facility and will play a critical role in the cultural framework of our region. Planning continues for the renewal of Tolland, which will provide approximately 500 new homes. Community feedback has been collected on the draft Tolland Masterplan. Marshalls Creek Bridge in Wagga Wagga continues to cause traffic issues. As a result of my advocacy, the government decided to prioritise fixing Marshalls Creek Bridge over work on the intersections on either side of the Gobba Bridge. However, we still need to continue the planning for the duplication of the Gobba Bridge.
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Following my advocacy for a safer intersection, work has been completed on the new roundabout at the Snowy Mountains Highway and Gocup Road intersection in Tumut. Bomen Park’s Special Activation Precinct (SAP) continues to progress, with land now available to businesses which will hopefully soon see the creation of new jobs. In the State Budget, $154 million was allocated to the precinct over the next four years, taking the government’s total investment to over $212 million. The old Wagga Wagga Ambulance Station will be given back to the community without an unfair pricetag. The $610,000 paid to the NSW government for the station last year will be refunded to Wagga Wagga City Council bringing to an end a long running issue for the community. All three Councils in the electorate have been allocated additional funding from the Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund to deal with urgent road repairs. This funding is much needed and will help create safer roads accross our communities.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
PROJECT UPDATES
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COMMUNITY DIARY Thank you to all the community groups and individuals who have contributed to an exciting event calendar this year. I was privileged to open the Lockhart Show in September. Congratulations to the Lockhart Show Society Committee, President Tony Choujar, Secretary Elle McKay, Vice President Peter Smith and Treasurer Shirley Morgan, on a great show. Batlow United Community Chamber (BUCC) meetings have continued throughout the year, providing community groups with an opportunity to come together and work towards improvements throughout the town. At the most recent meeting, a workshop was held on community priorities for improving the Batlow town and surrounding precincts. Thank you to everyone who participated in these valuable conversations. Thank you to everyone who attended my Pop Up Office in Tumut and Meet the MP event at Southcity Shopping Centre in October. Dates for 2024 Meet the MP and Pop Up Offices will be announced on my website early next year. Pictured: Lockhart Show - 2023 Young Woman of the Year, Olivia McDonnell, and the 2024 Young Woman, Katelyn Colburn.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
COMMUNITY DIARY INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
Some other highlights
Taking part in the Vinnies Sleep Out raising awareness about the prevalence of homelessness throughout our communities. It was a chilly and sleepless night out, but it brought home the reality of life for those who are sleeping rough.
It was fantastic to be at the High Tea for the Batlow Country Women’s Association which celebrated its 95th birthday. Lockhart delivered another wonderful Spirit of the Land Festival this year. Congratulations to sculptor Andy McGill who was awarded first prize at the festival.
I had the privilege of officially starting the 50th Annual Wagga Lake Run and Ride. It was great to see locals of all ages getting out in the sunshine and being active.
Attending launch of Snowy Hydro sponsorship of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail school education program at Adelong Public School.
Welcoming the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians, to our electorate in the lead up to the Referendum. Pictured: Andy McGill’s winning sculpture at the Spirit of the Land Lockhart
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Pictured: Launch of Snowy Hydro sponsorship of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail school education program
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
RECIPES
Kerin’s Turkey Fritters
Dot Russell’s Famous Tomato Relish
Ingredients
Method
2 oz (½ cup) self-raising flour
Sift together flour, salt and pepper. Mix to a batter with the beaten egg and milk before adding in the turkey.
A recipe to use up leftover turkey.
Sal and Rob Leary’s “Relish My Sister”, based on the world-famous relish of Rob’s grandmother Dorothy (Dottie) Russell.
Ingredients
Method
Pinch of salt and pepper
2.7kg ripe tomatoes
Scald and skin tomatoes, cut up with sliced onions and sprinkle generously with salt, stand overnight.
1 egg, beaten
4 onions, thinly sliced 2 cups vinegar 2 tablespoons curry powder 680g brown sugar 1 dessert spoon mustard 1 tablespoon flour ½ teaspoon pepper
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2 tablespoons milk ½ to 1 cup of chopped cooked turkey pieces
Drain off excess liquid and boil tomatoes in large saucepan with half the vinegar for half an hour.
Heat oil in a frypan. Place tablespoons of the batter in and fry on each side until golden brown. Note Triple the ingredients for a family of six.
Mix together other ingredients with remaining cup of vinegar and add to tomatoes and boil for an hour longer, stirring lovingly. Bottle the love in hot sterilised jars, label and store in a dark cupboard.
This newsletter is printed on Revive Laser and is 100% Recycled, and Certified Carbon Neutral by the Department of Environment under the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). No chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process.
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AUTHORISED BY JOE MCGIRR MP, INDEPENDENT, 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650. PRINTED BY CHAMBERS WHYTE DESIGN AND PRINT, 5 Rabaul Place, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 using parliamentary entitlements November 2023.
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
COLOURING IN COMPETITION
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INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
Name Age Phone Edition #11 November 2023
Please drop in your entry to my office at 64 Baylis Street Wagga Wagga or email to waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au by Monday 11 December.
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