Steph Cooke MP

Member for Cootamundra

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Steph is committed to fighting for our community and is not afraid to rock the boat if it means ensuring our region gets the services we deserve.

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🍒 GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD 🍒
I had such a great time attending this year’s 39th Sydney Markets Cherry Auction alongside our very own National Cherry Festival King and Queen entrants - Tasman Coulter, Kate Cruickshank, Brianah Griffin, Laura Ower and David Munnerley.

The first of this seasons fresh cherries, direct from the Cherry Capital, sold for $20,000!
All proceeds raised on the day will be donated to @help_for_hirschsprung_disease and @varietynsw_act.
#nationalcherryfestival #sydneymarkets #varietychildrenscharity #helpforhirschsprungdisease

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🇦🇺 REMEMBRANCE DAY 2019 🇦🇺 Today communities from across our Cootamundra Electorate and Australia will commemorate the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in the First World War.

I encourage people to participate in a local commemorative service and observe a minute’s silence at 11am.
Remembrance Day is a time to remember the honourable Australian service men and women who have suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we mark this occasion – it was at this time and date in 1918 that the guns fell silent on the Western Front, officially ending the First World War.

The war came at a great cost for Australia, with more than 60,000 service men and women never returning home, from the 416,000 who enlisted.

This affected every community, including those across our electorate of Cootamundra, and it is important that we continue to honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of these brave Australians.
Thanks to them, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we enjoy freedoms today.
I would also like to acknowledge currently serving NSW military personnel and their families. They continue to make sacrifices for our country and communities.

Thank you for your service. Sx ❤️

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🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️⛳ There is $85,000 up for grabs across the Cootamundra electorate right now under the Local Sport Grant program. Score cash for your club to work on sport development, community events, access and facility development. Find out more and apply before Nov 25: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/localsport

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🎉 REGIONAL YOUTH TASKFORCE ANNOUNCED 🎉

What a pleasure to meet Khawlah Albaf from Young High School who has spent the weekend in Sydney for the launch of the NSW Government’s inaugural Regional Youth Taskforce.
It will give our young people from the bush a voice and direct access to the NSW Minister for Regional Youth, the Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC and the Deputy Premier, John Barilaro.

There were over 300 applications from young people across rural and regional NSW and Khawlah was one of 18 to be finally selected.

I’m so excited to know that we have a young person from the heart of the Cootamundra Electorate who can speak to the issues that matter to young people from our communities - and share our views with other young people from right across inland and regional coastal NSW.

The survival and prosperity of our towns and villages relies on the teenagers and young adults of today, and it’s never been so important to hear from them on the things that matter most.

I’m looking forward to working with Khawlah and the other young people who have participated in the “Pizza and Pitch” to ensure Minister for Regional Youth knows our priorities across areas such as: 👟sporting, recreation and other facilities
👷🏻‍♂️employment
🤗mental health
☎️digital connectivity 🚌public transport
🌳environment

Our young people must have a chance at being involved in the decision-making process on major projects and programs that will impact them - such as having a voice in the design of the redevelopment of Cowra Hospital.

And let’s not forget about the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 3 that will see almost $5 MILLION spent in the Cootamundra Electorate ALONE on youth-specific projects and programs.

The Regional Youth Taskforce will meet twice a year in person and twice a year via video conference.

Please join me in congratulating Khawlah on her appointment! Sx ❤️ 📸 @adammarshallmp 🤣

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🌈🌟100th ANNUAL MORONGLA SHOW🌟🌈 What a fantastic day for the huge crowds that gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Morongla Show! Once again, the Morongla Show Society did an incredible job to put on a show with something for everyone.
The show was opened by Dr Louise Baker, who had been working up until 4.30am this morning delivering two babies at nearby Cowra Hospital - such an inspiration to us all.
There was cake 😋, a special tree planting, a pavilion packed with exhibits from cut flowers to needlework and lego... and people patiently made their way around to see the talent and effort on display. The horse events saw a record 160 entries and the Morongla Challenge obstacle course had the kids lining up 12 deep!

A huge congratulations to everyone who took out Memorial Trophies, including Andrew Gallagher who won the Tim Perkins Memorial Trophy for Man Made Chocolate Cake, iced on top 😃🍰🏆 Thanks once again to publicity officer Marlee Langfield for spending time with me, and 2018 Cowra Showgirl Emma Boland - you are such successful women and your passion for our shows continues to inspire people right across the region.

And finally, well done to President David Langfield, Secretary/Treasurer Carolyn Cameron and the whole committee on a fantastic day. I can’t wait to catch up with you all again soon. Sx ❤️

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🐴🎂BARELLAN WORKING CLYDESDALES 10th ANNIVERSARY🎂🐴 Opening this years significant event - Barellan Working Clydesdales "The Good Old Days" Weekend - was one of the greatest honours I’ve had as Member for Cootamundra.

The not-for-profit event is the brainchild of President Bruce Bandy, and along with secretary Norma Zingel and a hardworking group of volunteers, the weekend event has become a standout and significant event for our region, NSW and Australia.

The Committee, and their helpers cannot be thanked enough. They are truly a wonderful, selfless group - many of whom have been there since the start - who have continued to give and ensure each year is bigger and better than the last. HATS OFF TO YOU ALL. 👏🏻👏🏻 People travel from far and wide to experience the sights and sounds of the good old days.

Consider that Barellan is a community of around 500 people, and the stats are a mind blowing: 🐴 Over 6,000 people at the Barellan show ground yesterday - and thousands more expected today 🐴 Over 600 people for the camp over dinner 🐴 Over $60,000 raised and donated for Barellan community causes over the past decade

The weekend pays tribute to the nation- building teams with working draught animals represented by Clydesdales, Australian Draught horses, bullocks, camels, donkeys and mules and a HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the participating teams from around the country who have gathered to make this years event so special.

Thanks to Sue Robertson of Barellan for making the beautiful 10th anniversary cake. It was shared among our visitors - after I ate 4 big pieces 🤭😋🍰. The offical opening ceremony was perfect, and a little shout out to Jacinta Dickens of Griffith, for playing The Last Post on the violin (which I’d not heard done before) to conclude the official opening. Sx ❤️ #goodolddaysfestival

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💙👫LITTLE BLUE DINOSAUR WEST WYALONG👫💙 Another fabulous launch of Little Blue Dinosaur today with Bland Shire Council at Barnado Park in West Wyalong.
It was terrific to see so many wonderful little poppets from Bland Shire Council Children's Services Unit (family day care) along with Mayor Monaghan, Deputy Mayor McGlynn and the team from Council and community members.

We heard Michelle McLachlin’s inspirational story to ensure no other child or family experiences the tragedy her family has endured since losing their son Tom.

The NSW Government (Community Road Safety Fund) is a proud partner of the foundation and fully support Michelle’s efforts to spread the important #HoldMyHand message ♥️🦕🎉🚸👫🚗✅. Sending a huge thank you to the local councils across the Cootamundra Electorate who are putting up signs and showing such great support - Bland Shire, Temora Shire Council, Junee Shire Council, Coolamon Shire Council, Narrandera Shire Council and the NSW Police Force for their ongoing support.

Finally, a huge shout out to Road Safety Officer, Glenn Sheehan - love your passion for keeping our people safe! Sx ❤️

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It's been such an amazing experience picking the brains of the #Cootamundra electorate's young people over these past three weeks! If you couldn't make 🍕🎤 Pizza & Pitch, I'd still love to hear from you! Fill out my youth survey at bit.ly/stephcookemp and tell me what you would like to see in your town for the chance to win an iPad! 🤓

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The Cootamundra electorate's fields have me feeling pretty mellow yellow this Spring! 🌼🌼🌼 You can chase the #canolatrail feeling too by entering this week's #myriverinamurray competition! The prize pack is full of the best Coota electorate goodness from @coolamoncheese, @juneelicoriceandchocolate, @aviationmuseum and more! Head to @myriverinamurray for more info. 📸 @_grantjenkins_

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There's no business like show business! 🎡🍦🎢 Recent fun at the #Ungarie, #Grenfell and #Barellan shows.

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Over the weekend it was my absolute honour to unveil this incredible tribute to Major General James Mackay, Murrumburrah boy, soldier, writer, politician and a founding father of @the_australian_light_horse! 🐎🐎

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🌸SPRING IS HERE 🌸

My snap of a beautiful Camellia tree on the grounds of Mt St Josephs on a truly beautiful spring day. So lovely to see families out and about and little poppets enjoying nature and the outdoors. Happy Sunday everyone. Sx ❤️