That is one of the reasons I’ve fought so hard across a range of issues over the past three years.

On a number of those issues I’ve been told by people in Sydney not to fight, because everyone in politics knows you shouldn’t make a fuss unless you know you can win. 

I don’t actually subscribe to that point of view and I don’t think the community does either. 

If there is an important issue that needs to be pressed for the electorate, then you have to stand up and fight.

In this electorate we’ve had some pretty good results, but you can’t win them all.

I spoke out against the education cuts, but couldn’t stop them (although we got it all back under Gonski). 

On the need to ring-fence prime agricultural land from mining, I didn’t totally succeed, but again the fight was worth having.

On the plus side, we have a range of new infrastructure and services. 

Think about the fight for Gulgong MPS, the linear accelerator, the 24-hour helicopter, the Central Tablelands Local Land Service and the fight to preserve DPI jobs in Orange. We also still own the poles and wires (for now anyway).

Over in Mudgee we petitioned for key road upgrades (and got them). 

In the tightly controlled world of politics, strong opinions aren’t always smiled upon and mine have probably put a nose or two out of joint in the Macquarie Street political machine.

I’m just going to keep on fighting because when my time in politics is done, I’d like to be able to say the voices of my constituents were always heard in Sydney, and that I made a contribution to making life better for our communities.

Having said that, I’d like to sincerely congratulate all of the new ministers on their appointments which were announced this week. 

I’m looking forward to working with them. 

Friday is Anzac Day - when the nation honours those men and women who have served and sacrificed for Australia in conflicts dating back to the Boer War.

From dawn in Orange, we once again renew the simple yet sacred commitment to remember them.

Lest we forget.