Pat Conaghan Mp
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APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER PAT CONAGHAN MP March fl oods THE NATIONALS’ FEDERAL MEMBER FOR COWPER What an extraordinary March member of someone who has we’ve had, and who would have lost their life. imagined that after drought, The Australian Government bushfi res and COVID-19 we would Disaster Recovery Allowance WIN A $100 FUEL VOUCHER! be experiencing another disaster, (DRA) has also been activated. Complete and return my survey on Page 5 for your chance to win one of fi ve $100 fuel vouchers. with such signifi cant rainfall and This is a short-term income sup- fl ooding. port payment to assist individuals I continue to be amazed who have experienced a loss of by the community spirit that is income as a direct result of the demonstrated during times of storms and fl oods. crisis, and to witness fi rst-hand These payments are admin- the generosity, spirit, and Aussie istered by Services Australia. mateship that is ingrained in each For more information visit www. and every one of us. servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster It’s what makes me so proud These assistance measures to represent you as your Feder- have been activated in the local al Member, and I will continue government areas of Bellingen, to advocate on your behalf for Coff s Harbour, Kempsey, Nam- the things that matter to you, bucca and Port Macquarie- subsidies for primary producers, During challenging times through the good times and bad, Hastings. and grants to eligible non-profi t it’s particularly important to right across our wonderful Mid Disaster recovery assistance organisations. know that help is here, through North Coast community. is being provided under the joint- For information on personal checking in with your neighbours, The Australian Government ly funded Commonwealth-state hardship and distress assistance, mates and families, and not being is providing fi nancial assistance Disaster Recovery Funding Ar- contact Service NSW on 13 77 88. afraid to put your hand up if you through the activation of the rangements (DRFA). Assistance To apply for a concessional loan are struggling. If you have been Australian Government Disaster available may include: help for or grant, contact the NSW Rural impacted by the fl ooding, I urge Recovery Payment (AGDRP) – a eligible people whose homes or Assistance Authority on 1800 678 you to access the advice and non-means tested payment of belongings have been damaged, 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au assistance that is available, and to $1,000 for eligible adults and support for aff ected councils to Further information on disas- remember that you are not alone. $400 for eligible children. This help with the costs of cleaning up ter assistance is available on the Also, thank you to the emer- Federal MP Pat Conaghan, Port Macquarie RSL sub-Branch president Greg Laird OAM and Veteran’s Aff airs payment is available to people and restoring damaged essen- Australian Government’s Disaster gency service personnel who SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIANS: whose homes have been lost or tial public assets, concessional Assist website at www.disaster responded during this severe Minister Darren Chester. directly damaged, and people interest rate loans for small busi- assist.gov.au and Service NSW weather event, selfl essly putting who have been seriously injured, nesses, primary producers and at disasterassistance.service.nsw. their lives on the line to protect or are an immediate family non-profi t organisations, freight gov.au their communities. Port Sub-Branch President calls it a day Port Macquarie’s Greg Laird OAM students, teachers and the wider and paternal grandfathers – and friends and mates is considered the heart and soul public, Anzac Day crowds have his father – all serving in diff erent during this year’s Anzac Below is the list of upcoming offi ces: of Anzac Day services in the Port been steadily rising over the last confl icts. Day dawn and morning MOBILE OFFICES Friday, April 30 Willawarrin, Bellbrook Macquarie-Hastings and a cham- 10 to 15 years,” he said. In 1969, Greg was called to services. Looking to raise an issue or discuss a topic with your local MP? Well, pion for veterans’ welfare. “Attending Anzac Day or any serve Australia in the Vietnam “We are normally Friday, May 21 Kempsey, Crescent Head your federal representative Pat Conaghan is here to listen. Over the He has served as president other service is not a glorifi ca- War, spending nearly 12 months out of bed at 3.30am and next few months, Pat will be providing a series of mobile offi ces – Friday, June 11 Bowraville, Nambucca Heads of the Port Macquarie RSL sub- tion of war but a refl ection, an in Vietnam. He says he was heading down to the cenotaph he’s bringing Canberra to you – to some of our great communities Branch for nearly 20 years and acknowledgement, of courage, “roped into” the Port Macquarie to set up before the dawn throughout the Cowper electorate. These mobile offi ces are a great Wednesday, June 30 Dorrigo this year’s Anzac Day services of mateship and, for some, of the branch after arriving in town in service gets underway,” he said. way to provide feedback to Pat on grassroots and national issues and Wednesday, July 21 Sawtell, Repton–Mylestom topics. are destined to be his fi nal act in eternal sacrifi ce. 2003. “Then we may just enjoy Mobile offi ce meetings are always popular, so it’s best if you book Wednesday, September 15 Urunga, Valla the role. “It’s part of the very spirit of During his tenure as pres- some camaraderie at Panthers your day and timeslot well in advance. Some of these meetings are Wednesday, September 29 Bellingen When the Vietnam Veteran who we are as Australians. ident of the Port Macquarie Port Macquarie before returning held in neighbouring centres – if you can’t meet Pat where you live, he refl ects on his own service and “I’m proud that I was part of sub-Branch, Greg has seen for the morning service.” will be hosting meetings close by. To book your spot call 5507 9555 or Friday, October 8 South West Rocks his work with the sub-Branch, the revitalisation of Anzac Day membership climb to close to Greg said he was planning to email [email protected]. The fi rst mobile offi ce is being Wednesday, October 13 Macksville he says his proudest memories as a tradition, particularly here in 450 members which includes a enjoy some travelling with wife held on Friday April 23 at Eungai Rail and in Stuarts Point. will be of increased attendance Port Macquarie. number of long-serving World Lynne once his commitments as numbers at Anzac Day and other “Our focus on youth as guest War II veterans. president are complete. Authorised by Pat Conaghan MP, National Party of Australia, 39 Little Street, Coff s Harbour NSW 2450 services along with helping new- speakers has brought a really He says the camaraderie “I’ll still be around but I will Printed by Axis IQ, 84–90 Industrial Drive, Coff s Harbour NSW 2450 comers to the returned service’s modern look through their young shared between veterans of all be taking a back seat and letting ranks. eyes of what Anzac Day means confl icts is something to be cher- some of the younger blokes take @PatConaghanCowper @PatConaghanNats He can remember the days to them. I love their perceptions ished, particularly during Anzac over for a bit,” he added. when public interest in even and their eff orts in bringing Day services. COFFS HARBOUR: 39 Little Street, NSW 2450 (P.O. Box 2056) | PORT MACQUARIE: Suite 1, Level 4, JBC Building 41–47 Horton Street acknowledging Anzac Day was family stories to life through their With the cancellation of the waning. speeches.” 2020 services, Greg says he is patconaghan.com.au [email protected] Coff s Harbour: 6652 6233, Port Macquarie: 5507 9555 “But now, with the wonderful Greg’s family has long links looking forward to being able support of all our local school to service with both his maternal to acknowledge fallen soldiers, PAGE 8 PAT CONAGHAN MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR COWPER APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER PAT CONAGHAN MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR COWPER PAT CONAGHAN MP THE NATIONALS’ FEDERAL MEMBER FOR COWPER APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER Cenotaph ready for Anzac Day Ministers visiting Cowper The Dorrigo community will have servicemen and one female nurse It’s been a busy couple of weeks double the reasons to acknowl- enlisting. Of those, 47 men did for the Cowper electorate with edge the 2021 Anzac Day ser- not come home and they have visits from two ministers in vices with the historic cenotaph their names inscribed on the March. back in pride of place. column. Minister for Veterans Aff airs The digger had stood for “As well, during World War II, Darren Chester visited on March nearly 100 years before a motor 234 men and women enlisted in 3 and 4 while Minister for the vehicle accident in May 2020 saw the armed services – 28 names Environment Sussan Ley enjoyed the cenotaph destroyed. of those who gave their lives are some of our beautiful forests RSL sub-Branch secretary also listed on the main column. during a visit on March 8 and 9. Bob Denner says the accident “A Dorrigo man who was Minister Chester took the stunned the ex-services members killed in the Korean War is also opportunity to speak directly and the wider community. listed.” with sub-Branch members from “The town felt like it had been Mr Denner said the Dorrigo Coff s Harbour right down to Port gutted,” he said.