It was really great to be part of the annual Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival on the weekend.
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I love that our town swells by tens of thousands for this wonderful celebration of old time rock-n-roll, and all the fabulous cars and fashion that go with it. It really gives us the chance to showcase our town, and what beautiful weather we had!
It was an honour to officially open the festival with Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent and Miss Cessnock Emma Myers, and to judge the inaugural cake competition at Kurri Kurri Public School.
I even got back behind the mic for a catch-up with Kev Kellaway, my former 2NUR-FM radio mate.
Well done, once again, to the organisers and I look forward to being part of this great event again next year.
GARDENING FOR FIVE DECADES
It was also my pleasure to say a few words at the 50th anniversary of the Maitland Garden Club on Saturday.
We marked the auspicious occasion in the gardens of the lovely Pinehurst in East Maitland.
It’s wonderful to see a garden club still going strong after 50 years, making it one of the oldest continuous garden clubs in the country.
And it was a delight to see so many people there from different gardening clubs, sharing the occasion and admiring the beautiful grounds of this historic home.
I would also like to congratulate Cessnock Garden Club for its longevity, as that club recently celebrated its 50th birthday too.
Gardening is a love of mine that I inherited from my parents.
I truly love spending time in the garden, getting my hands dirty and enjoying the fruits of my labours.
It’s good for the soul.
CENTRELINK DEBT DEBACLE
I’ve spoken in Parliament a few times now on Centrelink debts and the way the Government is hounding people to prove they have not been overpaid.
I mentioned one example of an aged care cleaner at the end of her tether who had contacted my office for help.
When Centrelink first contacted her in October, they said her debt was $3700. In December it was reduced to $2800. In January it was reduced further to $1100. Then in February it went back up to $1500.
She has spent a lot of time doing what Centrelink has requested – sending payslips, tax returns and bank statements – but it is still not sorted out.
My office has contacted Minister Tudge on her behalf – for a second time – and we are awaiting an outcome.
If you are having problems with Centrelink debts, please be in touch. We may be able to help.
BEWARE CENTRELINK SCAMS
I had some calls last week from people who said they had been phoned by Centrelink about a change in their pension. There was a recorded message asking them to phone back, give a reference number and then their name and Centrelink Customer Reference Number.
Beware; this is another scam, trying to get personal information out of unsuspecting people, mostly the elderly.
If you receive a call like that, do not feel obliged to call back. You can check if Centrelink is really trying to get in touch with you by phoning one of their official numbers or by going into a branch. Generally, they will write to you.
CONTACT ME
Phone: 4983 2401
Address: 35 Sturgeon Street Raymond Terrace
Email: meryl.swanson.mp@aph.gov.au
Website: www.merylswanson.com.au