It was an extra-special National Party ladies lunch for party stalwart Val Gardiner this year, who was surprised with the presentation of her life membership certificate and pin during the event.
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The honour of a life membership for Mrs Gardiner was ratified at the party conference held in Cowra earlier this year, but she wasn’t able to receive it in person given the long distance to travel. Next year’s conference is a little closer to home, in Inverell in October, so she was aiming to make it to that one but Tenterfield branch president Terry O’Sullivan had other ideas.
“That’s another 13 months away, and she’s been a bit crook,” he said.
“If she received the award now that’s 13 months she could be looking at it.”
The certificate and badge were being held in head office but he maneuvered for it to be dispatched to local state member of Parliament Thomas George, who duly did the presentation honours with the help of Senator John Williams.
The annual invitation-only ladies lunch started off 24 years ago when some party members were throwing around fundraising ideas.
At its peak the lunch attracted 83 ladies, when Julia Bishop as guest speaker was the drawcard several years ago. (Wouldn’t it have been great to have Ms Bishop attend at this point in time, given what’s happening in Canberra?)
This year financial guru Julie Lockeridge gave a timely presentation on the cost of providing aged care facilities. There was a healthy turnout of around 50, not all party members but Mr O’Sullivan always hopes to sign up a few new recruits after the event.
He said it’s not a very political gathering, and there’s no discrimination on party lines.
Mr O’Sullivan said the Tenterfield branch is doing well with more than 100 members, including another dozen or so since he took over as president two years ago with Josh Moylan stepping in as secretary. He lamented that old age tends to reduce the roll occasionally.
Proceeds from the luncheon will go into the coffers to support electioneering, with both state and federal polls coming up soon signalling a busy period ahead for branch members. The state election is scheduled for March 23, with Mr George retiring and Austin Curtin preselected as the party’s candidate.
Mr O’Sullivan will be showing Mr Austin around the Tenterfield Show next February in the lead-up, introducing him to as many voters as possible.
The federal election is slated for May, “if they last that long,” Mr O’Sullivan said, depending on how by-elections go.
Mr O’Sullivan and crew will no doubt be on the hustings, possibly with a few extra female members on the books.
“We’re one of the strongest little branches in the state,” he said.
