Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE ustralia Day is an opportunity to celebrate Ahow lucky we are to be Australian From our freedom and prosperity to our mateship and Aussie spirit, as Australians we have so much to be grateful for Australia Day involves welcoming new citizens who have decided to make their pledge to the great green and gold. I might be a little biased, but I firmly believe the Central West is the best place in Australia to call home, so it was delightful to see dozens of residents across the region become our newest Aussies on Australia Day. I wish you all a lifetime of happiness! "A DISGRACE": NASTY NAB AXES LITHGOW AND OBERON BRANCHES announced it will be abandoning two more branches in the Central West. in a move that betrays the trust of loyal and longstanding country customers, and will make finding a brick-and-mortar bank in the bush even harder, NAB has revealed it will close its Lithgow and Oberon shopfronts in April has While of the banks customers are doing it tough with higher mortgage repayments, the big banks are doing just fine To access face-to-face banking, NAB customers in Oberon will be forced to complete a 90km round trip to Bathurst. Bank closures in our region and across country Australia have become an epidemic and representa stab in the back of the communities which have built the wealth of these banks for generations This is devastating for our community members who continue to bank at these branches, but also for the bank staff members who have often built relationships with customers lasting many years, and who no doubt want to see the branches stay open The big banks say that they're closing branches because fewer people are using them, but we all know the truth For a number of years, the banks have been actively discouraging customers from actually walking through their doors and accessing in-person banking services. They've been driving people out of branches and into online banking for the 2024 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS AT OBERON Day Award nominees on the eve of the big day It was an honour to meet and catch up with so Another big part of the day is getting the chance to acknowledge and celebrate exceptional residents who go above and beyond to make their corner of Australia the very best it can be Locals who personity service above self, and help build the future of our villages and towns and also our country. Congratulations to Oberon legend Barry Richard who was awarded a Fire Service Medal from the Governor General many community members who've made such a wonderful contribution to the Oberon area. Oberon is such a dynamic, vibrant and caring community and it was a privilege to hear all about everyone's achievements over the past year, and their goals for the year ahead. Mayor Mark Kelam and his fantastic team did a superb job in bringing everyone together for a true-blue community celebration before the Australia Day Award winners were announced the following day. Thank you to hosts Jill and Neil simple reason that the banks can make more money if they don't have to pay staff and rent Last year, the big four banks raked in almost $32 billion in profits While I couldn't get to every Australia Day event this year I was honoured to attend celebrations at Oberon Bathurst, Portland Orange and Yeoval In Oberon, I attended the function for Australia The reality is that the banks, including the NAB, are still making healthy profits from our region, including at Lithgow and Oberon. They just believe that they can make even greater profits by closing branches. Not even a parliamentary inquiry has been able to slow the closures I'm calling on the National Australia Bank to reverse this shametul decision and I'm also calling on the federal government to introduce minimum service requirements for banks in regional areas These bank closures are particularly hard on seniors, community groups and businesses who rely on in-person banking services. When a bank branch closes in the city. you can just go to a branch in the next suburb in the country, it can take hours transport. There are many people in our to get to and from a branch if you have community who don't have cars or access to transport. They are being cut-out of banking services. BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 The epidemic of country bank branch closures makes a mockery of the slick advertising of the banks which tells us that they are there for us. The cold hard truth is that they are there for us until they can make more money by deserting our country communities. This is a disgrace with at least 20,000 fans on hand to celebrate the King of Rock & Roll, it sure was a day to remember! The TCB band comprised of three of my amazingly talented staff members with Sinead/Priscilla and Ad Gee THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! My team and I rock-and-rolled into 2004, lacing Kathleen on vocals, and Andy "the Aeon lead guitar up our blue suede shoes the Parkes Elvis Festival parade recently! Members of my office and some terrific volunteers kicked off the new year with The King, forming the TCB (Taking Care of Business band which blasted Blue Suede Shoes all the way down Clarinda Street! They were joined by music legend Brett Norton on bass guitar and Dino the Sydney radio star on ukulele. Thank you TCB band Gee BLACK SPRINGS It is good to see that progress is being made in the Black Springs Mobile Phone Tower project. (02) 6331 0524 @andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au I would like to thank Councillor Clive McCarthy for his Your Country Your Voice Oberon's 2024 Australia Day Award Recipients: Citizen of the Year Wayne Barker Young Citizen of the Year Sam Kavalleros Sportsperson of the Year Jack Brien-Rowlandson Young Sportsperson of the Year Max Meredith Gee Authorised by Andrew Cee MP, Suite 1/179 Anson Street, Orange, NSW 2800 Sports Team of the Year Under 10's Oberon Junior Hockey Community Event of the Year The Oberon Tigers Can Assist Round Volunteer Group of the Year LiveBetter Community Transport Services The Environmental Champion of the Year Can Assist Can Collection Volunteers Australia Day Working Party Special Committee Award Keith & Bronwyn Harvey Special thanks and appreciation also to Roy White. Keith, and Graham for their their superb driving and Elvis logistics skills, talent scout Susan Slattery plus Justine and Matt for their outstanding camera work! Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this year's festival such a success and the community of Parkes for their gracious hospitality! MOBILE PHONE TOWER UPDATE constructive work in helping to find a landholder who will host the tower on their property. Negotiations have been occurring between Telstra and the landholder, and hopefully we will see this move forward positively. For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare I will continue to keep you updated as developments occur. f Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE ustralia Day is an opportunity to celebrate Ahow lucky we are to be Australian From our freedom and prosperity to our mateship and Aussie spirit , as Australians we have so much to be grateful for Australia Day involves welcoming new citizens who have decided to make their pledge to the great green and gold . I might be a little biased , but I firmly believe the Central West is the best place in Australia to call home , so it was delightful to see dozens of residents across the region become our newest Aussies on Australia Day . I wish you all a lifetime of happiness ! " A DISGRACE " : NASTY NAB AXES LITHGOW AND OBERON BRANCHES announced it will be abandoning two more branches in the Central West . in a move that betrays the trust of loyal and longstanding country customers , and will make finding a brick - and - mortar bank in the bush even harder , NAB has revealed it will close its Lithgow and Oberon shopfronts in April has While of the banks customers are doing it tough with higher mortgage repayments , the big banks are doing just fine To access face - to - face banking , NAB customers in Oberon will be forced to complete a 90km round trip to Bathurst . Bank closures in our region and across country Australia have become an epidemic and representa stab in the back of the communities which have built the wealth of these banks for generations This is devastating for our community members who continue to bank at these branches , but also for the bank staff members who have often built relationships with customers lasting many years , and who no doubt want to see the branches stay open The big banks say that they're closing branches because fewer people are using them , but we all know the truth For a number of years , the banks have been actively discouraging customers from actually walking through their doors and accessing in - person banking services . They've been driving people out of branches and into online banking for the 2024 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS AT OBERON Day Award nominees on the eve of the big day It was an honour to meet and catch up with so Another big part of the day is getting the chance to acknowledge and celebrate exceptional residents who go above and beyond to make their corner of Australia the very best it can be Locals who personity service above self , and help build the future of our villages and towns and also our country . Congratulations to Oberon legend Barry Richard who was awarded a Fire Service Medal from the Governor General many community members who've made such a wonderful contribution to the Oberon area . Oberon is such a dynamic , vibrant and caring community and it was a privilege to hear all about everyone's achievements over the past year , and their goals for the year ahead . Mayor Mark Kelam and his fantastic team did a superb job in bringing everyone together for a true - blue community celebration before the Australia Day Award winners were announced the following day . Thank you to hosts Jill and Neil simple reason that the banks can make more money if they don't have to pay staff and rent Last year , the big four banks raked in almost $ 32 billion in profits While I couldn't get to every Australia Day event this year I was honoured to attend celebrations at Oberon Bathurst , Portland Orange and Yeoval In Oberon , I attended the function for Australia The reality is that the banks , including the NAB , are still making healthy profits from our region , including at Lithgow and Oberon . They just believe that they can make even greater profits by closing branches . Not even a parliamentary inquiry has been able to slow the closures I'm calling on the National Australia Bank to reverse this shametul decision and I'm also calling on the federal government to introduce minimum service requirements for banks in regional areas These bank closures are particularly hard on seniors , community groups and businesses who rely on in - person banking services . When a bank branch closes in the city . you can just go to a branch in the next suburb in the country , it can take hours transport . There are many people in our to get to and from a branch if you have community who don't have cars or access to transport . They are being cut - out of banking services . BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 The epidemic of country bank branch closures makes a mockery of the slick advertising of the banks which tells us that they are there for us . The cold hard truth is that they are there for us until they can make more money by deserting our country communities . This is a disgrace with at least 20,000 fans on hand to celebrate the King of Rock & Roll , it sure was a day to remember ! The TCB band comprised of three of my amazingly talented staff members with Sinead / Priscilla and Ad Gee THANK YOU , THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! My team and I rock - and - rolled into 2004 , lacing Kathleen on vocals , and Andy " the Aeon lead guitar up our blue suede shoes the Parkes Elvis Festival parade recently ! Members of my office and some terrific volunteers kicked off the new year with The King , forming the TCB ( Taking Care of Business band which blasted Blue Suede Shoes all the way down Clarinda Street ! They were joined by music legend Brett Norton on bass guitar and Dino the Sydney radio star on ukulele . Thank you TCB band Gee BLACK SPRINGS It is good to see that progress is being made in the Black Springs Mobile Phone Tower project . ( 02 ) 6331 0524 @ andrew.gee.mp @ aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au I would like to thank Councillor Clive McCarthy for his Your Country Your Voice Oberon's 2024 Australia Day Award Recipients : Citizen of the Year Wayne Barker Young Citizen of the Year Sam Kavalleros Sportsperson of the Year Jack Brien - Rowlandson Young Sportsperson of the Year Max Meredith Gee Authorised by Andrew Cee MP , Suite 1/179 Anson Street , Orange , NSW 2800 Sports Team of the Year Under 10's Oberon Junior Hockey Community Event of the Year The Oberon Tigers Can Assist Round Volunteer Group of the Year LiveBetter Community Transport Services The Environmental Champion of the Year Can Assist Can Collection Volunteers Australia Day Working Party Special Committee Award Keith & Bronwyn Harvey Special thanks and appreciation also to Roy White . Keith , and Graham for their their superb driving and Elvis logistics skills , talent scout Susan Slattery plus Justine and Matt for their outstanding camera work ! Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this year's festival such a success and the community of Parkes for their gracious hospitality ! MOBILE PHONE TOWER UPDATE constructive work in helping to find a landholder who will host the tower on their property . Negotiations have been occurring between Telstra and the landholder , and hopefully we will see this move forward positively . For regular updates and news , follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare I will continue to keep you updated as developments occur . f