Christmas Card Photo Competition winner

A stunning photograph of a bridge over floodwater near Walgett has been selected as the winner of my 2022 Christmas Card Photo Competition. The image from Walgett photographer George Williams, entitled ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, captures the old Two Mile Creek Rail Bridge at sunset, with the colours of the sky reflected in the water below.

I have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of entries to this competition, with so many incredible photos highlighting just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Due to the high quality of the finalists, I have decided to make a collage on the inside of my Christmas card with each of these photos – they were all too good not to include somehow.

My annual Christmas card and fridge magnet calendar will be delivered to every household in the Parkes electorate during the first week of December, so keep an eye out for it in your mailbox next month.

‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ by George Williams from Walgett is the winner of the 2022 Christmas Card Photo Competition.

Photo credit: George Williams, George Williams Landscape Photography

Bulk billing for MRIs achieved in Broken Hill

It was wonderful to catch up with Heather Pearce from Thrive Medical Centre in Broken Hill recently to celebrate the fact that bulk billing has been made available for MRI scans at the centre. Thrive Medical Centre purchased this state-of-the-art MRI machine last year, but up until now, had been unable to bulk bill for the service as they first needed to obtain a Medicare licence.

I have been working closely with Heather to push for this licence to be fast-tracked and I am so pleased that we have been able to achieve this outcome for the community of Broken Hill and surrounding areas.

A win for first responders

The Coalition Government backed in our essential first responders by providing $10 million over two years to charity organisation Fortem Australia, for essential mental health and wellbeing support for those assisting during natural disasters. But in Labor’s first Budget they sought to rip $8 million in funding from the organisation, jeopardising a planned expansion of services in Dubbo in the Parkes electorate.

I was very pleased that the Albanese Government reconsidered its position and decided to reinstate the full $10 million which will provide crucial support for the brave men and women who come to the aid of our communities during natural disasters.