Member for Cootamundra, the National Party’s Steph Cooke has hit the ground sprinting in the 13 days since she was officially announced the winner of the October 14 by-election. Steph has covered the length and breadth of the electorate, chalking up some 5,000 kilometres even before being officially sworn into Parliament on November 14.
“I am so very grateful for the support of so many people during the by-election and very thankful for the opportunity to represent this electorate – so all I want to do is get out there and talk to people to effect even better outcomes for this part of NSW,” she said.
Meeting with constituents, community groups and the many local government authorities has been at the top of her list, as have several formal functions, including delivering the opening address at the 2017 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering held in Narrandera at the weekend.
Steph said that being invited to participate in the 25th anniversary celebration of NSW Rural Women’s Gatherings was something she felt very honoured to be part of.
“It also exemplifies the hard work and dedication of the hundreds of women who have been involved with this event since the first gathering held in Orange in 1993,” she said.
Other highlights of her first 14 days:
- Three days orientation and induction in Parliament House.
- The launch of original song “Sunshine on the Peaks” at Henry Lawson High School in Grenfell – the result of the recent Songwriting for Wellbeing Program in Grenfell.
- Presentation night in honour of Queens Award Recipient Young Girl Guide Cassie Boland.
- Hilltops Community Strategic Plan Community Workshop evening in Harden.
- 2017 Australian National Field Days in Orange.
- Thank you functions for National Party members and volunteers at Narrandera and Grenfell.
- Meet and greet with Narrandera business people.
- Constituent interviews in Gundagai.
- Attended Junee Show.
- REROC meeting in Wagga Wagga.
- Attending various policing meetings with Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys.
“I have already met some wonderful people – all very inspiring and I am definitely on the case with some of the ministers in terms of deliverables for the electorate,” she said.
Steph has taken up the offices of her predecessor – former Member for Cootamundra The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP – at the following addresses.
- 140 Boorowa Street, Young. Phone 6382 2399.
- 25 Seignior Street, Junee. Phone 6924 2533.
All constituents are encouraged to call either office or to contact Steph at cootamundra@parliament.nsw.gov.au
