Gunnedah Shire Council hosted a thank you reception for outgoing Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and his wife Robyn at The Civic last week.
Mr Coulton is retiring from the position he has held for 17 years.
Welcoming him was Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Colleen Fuller.
“Mark has given regional Australia a voice, and we can’t thank him enough for that,” she said.
“Thank you for recognising the value and the importance of regional and rural areas.
“We hope you and Robyn now have some time to spend together and with the people you love, doing the things that you enjoy.”
Among those also showing their support was Leonie Harley representing Meals on Wheels, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and former Gunnedah Shire Council mayors Gae Swain and Jamie Chaffey. Councillors also in attendance were Kate McGrath, Robert Hoddle, Juliana McArthur and Ann Luke.
Mr Coulton made mention of Mrs Swain as one of his early mentors while he was mayor of the Gwydir Shire Council.
Despite Mr Coulton serving Gunnedah as a part of the Parkes electorate, he also has personal connections. His mother grew up in Hunter Street and his grandmother was one of the first residents of Alkira.
Since then, he has watched as Gunnedah has evolved.
“The progression in this community has been amazing,” Mr Coulton said.
“It’s a positive community. There’s lots happening. Unemployment is way below the national area average, there’s lots happening [and] there’s culture in the town.
“Thank you for all your support.”
He reminisced on a significant moment, when he represented Australia at the first ministerial meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership 11.
“[It was] the biggest trade agreement ever signed in the history of the globe in Tokyo,” Mr Coulton said.
“That’s pretty cool for someone that got off the tractor when they were 50, no tertiary education, had been to Canberra once in their life when they got elected – to be able to represent people.”
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Colleen Fuller and Robyn Coulton.
Cr Kate McGrath, Cr Ann Luke, Cr Juliana McArthur, Cr Colleen Fuller, Mark Coulton, Cr Robert Hoddle, Robyn Coulton and Gunnedah Shire Council general manager Eric Groth. Photos: Supplied.
