It was a watershed moment for the Tenterfield branch of the National Party on March 18 at its annual general meeting when party stalwart Val Gardiner stepped down from her post of chairman after holding a variety of positions for the past five decades.
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Terry O'Sullivan was declared the new chairperson, with Josh Moylan appointed branch new secretary.
Mrs Gardiner declared she had never been a backbencher, always the minister, holding either the secretary or chairperson role in the party over the past 50 years. In fact she feels she may have been duped into joining the committee in the first place, drafted in to drive her father (and past branch chairman) Clarry Rose to a meeting, and returning as branch secretary. She later learned that Mr Rose and another party official already had plans for her.
Mr Rose joined the party in the 1930s and went on to become a life member, a rare occurrence in the National Party Mrs Gardiner said.
Having been around the party most of her long life, she remembers current deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce as a boy, along with lots of other kids who now hold powerful positions in Australia’s political landscape.
“It’s a great joy to see them in these roles,” she said.
Some have come as a surprise, others she said she should have been able to pick when they were still in school, from her perspective as a school teacher.
“They’re pretty brave, with what they take on. As Barnaby says he’s just a kid from Walcha Road, and Thomas (George, Lismore MP) was raised in a different sort of atmosphere in pubs and auctioneers offices.
“But once they get smell of it they like to stay there. I haven’t came across anyone yet saying they can’t wait to get out of it. It seems to be a bit addictive.”
She has also found politics addictive, and is experiencing some withdrawal symptoms although she remains a party members and on call for advice and guidance.
With Mr George due to retire at the end of the current term, Mrs Gardiner said the party is already on the lookout for his replacement, with three or four candidates lined up. She is encouraging them now to get out and be seen, particularly given the electorate they will need to serve.
“It’s an awkward electorate,” she said, “stretching from Murwillumbah up to Kyogle and then across the Mingoola. It’s the third largest in the state by area.”
As Mrs Gardiner said in her parting speech at the AGM, if you’re going to get involved in anything you should give it your best.
And she has certainly done that.