Thank you Mr President,
I rise this afternoon to encourage everyone to support regional businesses and regional communities by visiting regional NSW.
I did just that before last sitting week and hit the road with my Nationals colleague from the other place Dugald Saunders, Member for Dubbo.
We decided to go out and visit communities that were off the beaten track, explore what they had to offer and talk with them about what they needed to recover from what has been a tough time.
By taking our time and stopping to talk with small businesses and locals on the street, we gathered so much more than information on what we as politicians can do to achieve great outcomes for these communities – we got to see what these communities have to offer as we were essentially tourists making our way from town to town.
And I can report to this chamber Mr President, there is so much to see and do in the West and North West of NSW.
There is no need to worry about not being able to get on a plane and visit Rotorua, Egypt or Italy - Instead you can get in your car and visit Lighting Ridge in our State’s North West.
Lightning ridge is filled to the brim with local stories, history and if you are willing to do some digging – opals.
Amigo’s Castle, the opal mines and of course the naturally heated Artesian Bore Baths – there is plenty to see and do in Lightning Ridge and the locals are always happy to provide advice on how to make your visit ‘uniquely Lightning Ridge’.
Has COVID-19 ruin your plans to visit Canada to see the Northern Lights, or the ancient volcanic rock formations in Hawaii?
Don’t stress because The Milky Way galaxy can be seen from far away when you’re stargazing in the iconic Warrumbungle National Park. Just outside of Coonabarabran, inside the National Park is the Siding Spring Observatory where the largest optical telescopes in Australia are pointed at the sky.
During the day you can pop into the Warrumbungle Visitor Centre or talk to one of the local small business owners about where the best volcanic rock formations are and the best way to get to them.
An hours drive from Coonabarabran you will find the town of Armatree, home to NSW’s Best Bush Pub – The Armatree Hotel.
And if a regional pub crawl is what you are looking for Mr President, I can highly recommend travelling through the communities of Gilgandra and Warren on your way to the Nevertire Hotel. Georgia, Tori and Harriet will provide you with good food, a cold drink and an atmosphere that only a great local pub can provide after a long day on the road.
From Nyngan to Narrabri, Broken Hill to Bathurst, Ballina to Bourke – Go visit our own backyard, hundreds of thousands of people would normally fly from around the world to see what regional NSW has to offer – all you have to do is get in your car and drive.
Commenti