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Collapse Issue 413 - 20 Feb 2017Issue 413 - 20 Feb 2017
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Kathy Smith resigns due to return of cancer
Council withdraws Bullion St carpark from sale
Fines issued over pelican attack
Council presses Cabinet on channel dredging
Chief magistrate presses on with court changes
Lawyer receives scathing letter from chief magistrate
Labor branch condemns rail crossing decision
Demand for new villas and large homes
Time for a new Member, says Chamber
One Nation not registered for Gosford by-election
Belinda Neal may seek election for Gosford
Labor will have strong candidate, says senator
Liberal candidate to be announced soon
Best wishes for Kathy Smith
Third MP to resign due to illness or to die in office
Roads Minister visit was 'important', says MacDonald
Seven intersections, nine roads need funds - Chamber
Chamber warns of voter backlash
Nursing student seriously assaulted
Government insists election will be held on September 9
Let administrator merge planning schemes, says Wales
Gosford audit report delayed until March
More water refill stations
Premier confirms election timing
Progress association to hold annual meeting
New member at Rotary
Rotary donates defibrillator
Community fair
Stall raises funds for guide dogs
Cafe owner leaves 20-year fast food career
Travel expo attracts 30 service providers
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
No evidence new wharf is needed
Apply jetski ban to Central Coast
Disappointed to have been misquoted
Justification for underpass has been made
No wonder Trump is president
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Lifeline offers counselling in Woy Woy
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Eyeing the life of a travelling musician
Seasoned folk musicians play at Troubadour
Dancers come to Ettalong
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Maintenance backlog tops $3M, say Shadow Minister
Volunteer ethics teachers sought
Former teacher dies
Yarning circle complete
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
PCYC gym club is small club of the year
Woy Woy bowler wins Hawaii trip
Women's golf club seeks playing members
Outstanding results in tough conditions
Hayden is junior lifesaver of the year
Social golf club celebrates 50 years
Annual match with blind cricket team
No victories for Peninsula teams

Kathy Smith resigns due to return of cancer

Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith has announced her resignation from NSW Parliament, because her cancer has returned.

The resignation was confirmed in a media statement from the NSW Opposition Leader Mr Luke Foley.

He said that, against the odds, she won Gosford for Labor in 2015.

Ms Smith was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and doctors were confident at the time that she would overcome the disease that first struck her in 1996.

Unfortunately the cancer had more recently metastasised and required further treatment.

"There is no higher honour than to represent your community in Parliament and that is why it is with great sadness that I announce my decision to resign as your Member for Gosford," Ms Smith said.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer last year, my doctors were positive that with treatment I would win my second battle with this disease," she said.

"Unfortunately, the cancer has metastasised and will now require further treatment.

"This was not the result any of us was hoping for.

"It was my first battle with this disease that led me to become a cancer advocate, then Chair of Cancer Voices NSW and ultimately be given the privilege of representing my community in the NSW Parliament.

"I am proud of what we have achieved together on the Central Coast and I know that whoever comes next will continue the great work that I and the Foley Labor team have started.

"I now look forward to spending more time with my family and continuing my treatment and recovery," she said.

Ms Smith thanked her staff, Ms Jane Letteri and Ms Amy Walsh, and her husband Peter whose dedication and support had made so much possible at this difficult time.

NSW Opposition leader Mr Luke Foley said: "I said when Kathy was diagnosed with cancer that she had all our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

"Now with her resignation, we are losing a remarkable, resilient and admirable woman, mother and colleague.

"Her spirit and outlook will be missed around Parliament and important though her work here was, she has a much bigger battle ahead.

"She has our entire sincere good wishes for that struggle.

"Please give her your best thoughts, and prayers.

"She and her family will get strength from that."

Mr Foley said Ms Smith's achievements during her time as Member for Gosford included her exposure of the dangerous condition of the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge which led to an inquiry by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations and forced the Government to make repairs.

She led the fight against the closure of the Roads and Maritime Services office in Woy Woy by collecting a petition with more than 15,000 signatures and forcing a debate in the NSW Parliament.

Ms Smith was credited with stopping the proposed increase in train fares which would have almost doubled fares for seniors by 2018 and would have cost daily commuters from Woy Woy to Tuggerah an extra $386 per year.

"She fought to keep our public hospitals in public hands because patients should always come before profit; campaigned to fix the $12 million maintenance backlog at Gosford schools; and championed Brisbane Water oyster growers in their continuing efforts to re-establish a viable local industry."

NSW Labor Senator Ms Deborah O'Neill, former Federal Member for Robertson, released a statement following Ms Smith's announcement.

"I am very sad that my friend and colleague Kathy Smith has had to resign as the Member for Gosford," she said.

"Kathy has been a strong voice for our community for many years.

"I first met Kathy when she was the chairperson of Cancer Voices NSW and she was fighting to secure funding to build the Regional Cancer Centre at Gosford Hospital.

"Thanks to Kathy's persistent and passionate advocacy on behalf of locals, the Cancer Centre was built by Labor and thousands of locals now receive their cancer treatment right here on the Central Coast.

"Kathy has continued to be a strong champion for our community and has fought against the Liberal Government's attack on our local services, while battling her own illness in the last 12 months.

"My thoughts are with Kathy, Peter, her children, grandchildren and her close friends at this very difficult time."





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