The Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper learned a few life lessons of his own during a visit to the Life Education van and Healthy Harold with kindergarten students at Attunga Public School this week. Harold and Life Education North West Educator Sandy Hayden visited the school on their last stop for 2005, before both enjoyed a well-deserved break after many months of educating school children in the region on basic life lessons. Click here for the full story.

Namoi CMA Upper Namoi catchment co-ordinator James Huthinson-Smith and Wayne Chaffey from Friends of Klori with some Coolatai grass, and the Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and concerned landholder Phil Spark with the new brochure on Coolatai grass. Click here for the full story.

Peter Draper MP with Jim Maxwell, Chairman of the Manilla Showgrounds Users Committee, after the announcement that the Manilla Showgrounds would soon benefit from a new addition to its facilities after funding was secured for a new sheep pavilion. Click here for the full story.

From left: Member for Tamworth Peter Draper with Glenbrook property owner Steve Hall and daughter Eliza, and Namoi CMA General Manager Bruce Brown at the Namoi CMA Field Day ner Manilla. Click here for the story.

Mr Laurie Beattie OAM, Mr Peter Draper MP and Ms Judith Devrie sign on as the Womens Refuge Interim Committee. Click here for the story

Member for Tamworth Peter Draper with, from left, farmers Andrew Bell and Wayne Chaffey and old bridge supports for the old Kootingal Bridge. Click here for the story.

Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Milton Orkopoulos at the launch of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Tamworth Regional Office, in the Coledale Community Centre with, seated from left, Heather King and Aboriginal Elders Robert King, Pearl Trindall and Joe Trindall. Click here for the story.

An emergency exercise was staged Friday October 28 on a sidetrack near the Werris Creek Railway Station. The exercise centred on a level crossing accident involving three cars and a train. Initially, emergency services were dealing with three deceased and eight injured but, as events unfolded, it was discovered the train was carrying hazardous materials. The event involved ambulance personnel including an ambulance chaplain, police, fire brigade rescue personnel and members of the brigade’s Hazmat Unit along with the Volunteer Rescue Association. Pictured: Peter Draper speaking with an SES representative during the Emergency Services Exercise at Werris Creek.

Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, meeting with editor of Owner/Driver Magazine, Barry Whitney, in front of the Volvo FH16 Globetrotter semi-trailer, used to promote the “Sharing the Road with Trucks” Message. Photo taken outside the Tamworth Truck Drivers’ Memorial, Friday, October 28th, 2005.

Pictured (from left): Col Russell (Cummins), Michael Carey Carey Freight Lines), Rod Wood (Stockmaster), Steve Lockwood (Brown and Hurley), Mick McCulloch (McCulloch Bulk Storage), Peter Draper (Member for Tamworth), Greg Parry (Parry Brothers), Cec Healy (Beaumonts Transport), Ian Wood (Howard Haulage), David Eather (Timberline Transport) and David Paddison (Cummins, Tamworth).

The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has welcomed the donation of a 600 horsepower Cummins Signature Engine, worth more than $70,000, to the Heavy Vehicle Section of Tamworth TAFE. Click here for the story.

Member for Tamworth Peter Draper (at rear) with Ingrid and John Perrett and daughter Tammie. Click here for the story.

Students file out of the Life Education van while Peter Draper MP catches up with media during the visit to Timbumburi School on October 24, 2005. Click here for the story.

The Friendship Force of St Petersburg Russia extended a hand of friendship to Peter Draper MP recently with a visit to his Tamworth office. The delegation included Sasha Balandina, her husband Konstantin Serov who is the deputy leader of the St Petersburg Legislative Assembly, and St Petersburg Friendship Force exchange director Luidmila Rusakova. They are pictured with The Friendship Force of Tamworth member Helen Webster, president Peter Webster and Mr Draper who is holding gifts including the Union Russia flag and a St Petersburg calendar.

Tamworth Women’s Refuge Management Committee chair Marilyn Fogarty, Peter Draper MP and founder of the Tamworth Women’s Refuge Laurie Beattie discovered wide community support for a local management model at the public meeting to discuss the future of the Tamworth Women’s Refuge on 29 September 2005. Photo: Courtesy Geoff O’Neill Northern Daily Leader.

The NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Diane Beamer, dropped into Tamworth on Thursday, 29 September, 2005 to discuss operations, programs and consumer concerns with local Fair Trading staff and the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper. Ms Beamer is pictured checking compliance of scanning equipment at Coles Supermarket alongside Fair Trading Investigator David Clayton, Mr Draper and service assistant Keira Biddle.  The equipment proved to be operating at 100 per cent accuracy. Ms Beamer also gave the thumbs up to 15 New England auto wreckers following the completion of a Fair Trading compliance survey resulted in one penalty notice for minor breaches in relation to record keeping and two cautions. Mr Draper said it was encouraging to see Ms Beamer spending time in the region with this visit her first since taking on the Fair Trading portfolio.   

From left: Independent MPs Richard Torbay and Peter Draper discuss Topdale Rd with NSW Roads Minister Jo Tripodi and Walcha Shire Council mayor Bill Heazlett. Click here for the story.

From left, NSW Women’s Refuge Movement Working Party chair Yvonne Wilson and newly elected Tamworth Women’s Refuge Management Committee chair Marilyn Fogarty met with Peter Draper MP to discuss the management structure of the refuge. Click here for the story.

From left: Inspecting the Tamworth Base Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit were Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, Nurse Manager Ms Verity Treeve, Hunter New England Area Health Service Chief Executive Officer Terry Clout, NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos and Ms Margaret Sullivan Maggie Project Officer.

Photo, from left,Tamworth Meals on Wheels client May Taylor had nothing but praise for the MOW service which delivers daily meals to her door when meeting Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, and Tamworth MOW President Laurie Beattie who delivered meals as part of the National Meals on Wheels ‘Building Stronger Communities Day on 31 August 2005.  

Celebrating the commissioning of a new rescue vehicle for the Manilla VRA on Wednesday 24 August 2005 were Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper MP, NSW Minister for Emergency Services Tony Kelly, Manilla Volunteer Rescue Association Squad President Robert Sutherland, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor James Treloar and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association State President Ray Gill.

Photo: Oxley Local Area Command Inspector Darren Steel, Oxley LAC Commander Superintendent Tony Jefferson, Peter Draper MP and NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney met in Tamworth today to discuss policing priorities. Click here for the story.

Peter Draper MP was asked to open the 71st Convention of Apex Australia held in Tamworth on Thursday, 14 July, 2005. The convention attracted 250 delegates to Tamworth from every state and territory to discuss the direction and priority projects for the Apex movement over the next 12 months. Pictured from left are Tamworth Apex member Tony Housden, Peter Draper MP, National President Stuart Hughes and Tamworth Apex Secretary Natalie Wibberley.

Pictured at the opening of the Tamworth Regional Council City Library and Regional Art Gallery on Friday 24 June 2005 were (L-R) Peter Draper MP, Tamworth Regional Council General Manager Glenn Inglis, Tamworth Regional Council Cultural and Community Services Director Meg Larkin, Minister Assisting the Premier in Arts Frank Sartor, Former Tamworth City Councillor Esther Halliday and Aboriginal Elder Neville Sampson.

Photo, from left: At the site of the kitchen for Tamworth Meals on Wheels, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor James Treloar, Peter Draper MP, Tamworth Lions Fundraising co-ordinator John Fittler, Salvation Army Captain Mark Everitt, Tamworth Meals on Wheels Patron Jan Treloar and Tamworth MOW President Laurie Beattie.

 (L-R) NSW Minister for Housing Joe Tripodi, Kylie Trindall, Mary Trindall with her 2005 Public Housing Seniors Achievement Award, Peter Draper MP, 2GB radio presenter Alan Jones and NSW Department of Housing Tamworth Acting Team Leader Kevin Crandell.

Sibling rivalry has had a positive influence on Loomberah’s Sam and Emma Clifton (at left) who last year represented NSW in hockey with both teams coming away the victors.

In recognition of their achievements, Mr Peter Draper, Independent Member for Tamworth, presented Sam and Emma with the State Representative Certificates on behalf of NSW Premier, Bob Carr. The certificates, which feature the State Coat of Arms and the Premier’s signature, recognise athletes who have reached the state level in any competitive field such as dance, sport, the arts or academics.

Pictured (L-R) at the opening of the Country Energy Field Service in Walcha on 27 April 2005 are field officers Gordon Bird, Rod Turner, Greg Partridge, Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, Terry Olsen, Walcha mayor Bill Heazlett, Barry Hoad, Michael Hoy, Denis Makehan and Country Energy managing director Craig Murray.

Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper officially opened new units built in a $1.04 million redevelopment of Tamworth Community Housing accommodation in Vera St on Monday 18 April. He is pictured with tenants Joel and Judy Jerrard and Tamworth Community Housing Manager Jackie Hudson (right).

The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has extended his best wishes to retired Tamworth medical specialist Dr Peter Vines who is entering a portrait of the Tamworth MP in the 2005 Archibald Prize.

Mr Draper said he was extremely flattered to be chosen as a subject for Australia’s premier portraiture award by Dr Vines who has enjoyed painting as a serious hobby for the past 20 years.

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The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper has announced that Citizen Advocacy Northwest would receive $15,000 from the State Government to better assist disabled victims of violent crimes.

Mr Draper said the funding would finance a project run by the Tamworth-based agency which trains volunteers to fill advocacy roles assisting people with intellectual, physical, sensory or neurological disabilities.

Peter Draper MP and the Minister for Community Services and Youth, Reba Meagher, listen to Tamworth Youth Care manager Peter Mudd explain the ways in which young people living at the refuge are helped into long term accommodation during the Minister’s visit to the home on 31 March 2005.

The 2005 Duri Public School office bearers were appointed to office during a special assembly at the school on Friday 11 March 2005.

Peter Draper MP was invited to present the badges to students and is pictured with the Duri Public School Principal, Mr Kerry Kurtz and office bearers including (from left): Vice Captain Toby Johnson, Sports Captain Kyle Ridley, Health and Safety Officer Teagan Bielefeld, Sports Captain Jackson Peterswald, Sports Captain Madison Sippel, Library officers Sarah McKenzie and Sam Ison, Sports Captain Alexander Riley, School Captain Patrick Byrnes and Environmental Officers Tyson Peterswald and Jonathon Byrnes.

From left, Stephanie Halpin and Leica Le Brocq received State Representative Certificates from the Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper on behalf of the NSW Premier Bob Carr after representing NSW as part of the NSW Under 16 Touch team which contested the national titles in October 2004.  Click here for the story.

The Tamworth Electorate Woman of the Year Gae Swain accepts her silver goblet from the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper at a presentation ceremony this morning. Click here for the story.

The Dungowan Hall Trust committee was happy to receive a $12,689 cheque from the Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper on behalf of the State Government to refurbish the 94-year-old Dungowan Hall. Pictured from left Vicki McDonald, Ron Sippel, Peter Draper MP, John McDonald, Robyn Thompson, Chairman Barry Pratten, John James, Treasurer Marlene Sippel and Secretary Valda James.

Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper pictured (second left) with the Dungowan Hall Trust officer bearers (L-R) including secretary Valda James, treasurer Marlene Sippel and chairman Barry Pratten in front of the Dungowan Hall where the windows (pictured) will be replaced thanks to a State Government grant of $12,689. Click here for the story.

Curlewis Progress Association president Tony Rankmore (left) and treasurer Paul Richards accept a cheque for $13,600 from Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper on behalf of the State Government to upgrade Curlewis’ Hamilton Park (21 February 2005). Click here for the story.

Peter Draper MP pictured at left with the 2005 Westdale Public School Leaders including Captains, Vice Captains, House Captains and Vice Captains, and the Library, Sports, Grounds, Health and Safety, Music and Technical officers. Also pictured at left (front) is the Westdale Public School Principal Ruythe Dufty and, at right, the school’s Aboriginal Education Consultant Cathy Waters.

Peter Draper MP was a special guest at the Kootingal Public School Induction Ceremony held on 15 February 2005.

Mr Draper is pictured with the group of office bearers for 2005 with school principal Kaye Lewis. The students from back left include: Student Councillor Murray Kinson, Vice Captain Samuel Brazel, Student Councillor Leah Smith, Captain Dylan Cocking, Student Councillor Cody Jamieson, Student Councillor Alyssa Bennett, Vice Captain Rachael Ostler and Captain Jacinta Lye.  

Independent colleagues – Member for Dubbo Dawn Fardell and Member for Tamworth Peter Draper compare notes on juvenile crime, OH&S laws and the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion during a meeting in Tamworth on 14 February 2004. 

Speakers at the meeting to discuss the draft Bill included: Employers First chief executive Garry Brack, Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, Stacks Goudkamp solicitor Peter Long and Australian Business Limited public affairs manager Paul Ritchie.

From left: Tamworth Department of Housing New England North-West Area Director Jeff Mills, Coledale community elder Mary Trindall, Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and NSW Minister for Housing Joe Tripodi met at the Coledale Community Centre during the Minister’s visit on Wednesday February 9, 2005.

Taking part in the aerial weeds inspection of the Gunnedah district on 8 February 2005 were from left Gunnedah Shire Council deputy mayor Stephen Smith, Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, Pilot David Banovich from Precision Helicopters and Gunnedah Shire Council Senior Weeds Officer Lee Amidy.

Gunnedah’s Carinya Christian School principal Steve Lyne accepts an Environmental Trust certificate announcing $1500 for the school’s Namungona Garden Project from the Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper at the school assembly on 8 February 2005.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald listens to concerns on site at Gunnedah Timbers on Thursday 3 February 2005 from left Peter Draper MP, Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Gae Swain and Gunnedah Timbers manager Patrick Paul.

Speakers at a meeting of business owners organised by the Gunnedah District Development Board on January 21, 2004, included Peter Long of Long, Howland Lawyers and Advisors, Peter Draper MP and GDDB president Mike Broekman.

Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper (second left) pictured (from left) with the Federal Independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor, cinema employee Ashleigh Hodge and The Regent Cinema manager, Grant Lee.

Mr Draper and Mr Windsor have joined Mr Lee in appealing to the community to go along and see a movie at the cinema on Thursday, 20 January 2004 when all proceeds will go toward providing relief for victims of the South Asia tsunami.