Over the recent summer we’ve all been concerned about the spate of car thefts and property crime here in Orange, which the overworked and under-resourced men and women in blue have struggled to control.

The four additional police officers I negotiated the delivery of to the Orange police station in April 2018 was an important win for our region, but it just wasn’t enough.

Late last year I scheduled a face-to-face meeting with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, which took place last month. I stressed the importance to Mr Fuller of delivering additional front line police and additional proactive resources to our area.

As this was taking place, the Orange Branch of the NSW Police Association instigated a dispute regarding the lack of police to properly staff their shifts and respond to crime.

The combination of my negotiations with the commissioner and the Police Association’s official dispute resulted in Commissioner Fuller undertaking an immediate review the staffing issue, which resulted in an administrative reconstruction of the roster in Orange.

I can advise that the Police Association are satisfied with an offer, which they have since accepted, for an additional six police, comprising four constables and a sergeant, which will be delivered by July 1 this year. The sixth position will be a specialist Child Protection Register officer.

I will continue to support our police; they’re always out there, seven days a week, working hard to keep our community safe.

LAST week I visited with the Orange branch of the Country Women’s Association of NSW to announce funding for the replacement and re-carpeting of the CWA meeting room floor and removal of the adjoining porch area, both of which were well-overdue for this repair work.

This section of the hall was the original entrance of the building which I am told was built around 1924.

The CWA is a wonderful organisation that aims to make life better for women and their families, particularly those living in rural and remote areas of Australia.

I was only too pleased to support the Orange CWA’s application for this funding. It’s an honour to give back to an organisation does so much for our community.

OVER the last few weeks I visited both the Orange Men’s Shed and the Molong Men’s Shed to announce some important funding to support this fantastic organisation.

The Molong Men’s Shed received some much-needed funds to allow them to add roller doors to their shed, which is important both for safety reasons and for warmth in the upcoming colder months.

The Orange Men’s Shed received funds for a sound-proof meeting space, providing somewhere for people to talk one-on-one in privacy when needed.

I was only too happy to support both of these funding applications. The Men’s Shed is a space where men can enjoy the camaraderie of others and expand their skills.

In an era with a strong focus on mental health, the Men’s Shed really makes a difference.