Philip Donato | Politician

Philip Donato

Phone: +61 2 6362 5199

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25.01.2022 DOESN’T PASS THE PUB TEST! Page 7 of today’s Daily Telegraph; Alleged shredding of documents (evidence) by the Premier’s office relating to how a quarter of a billion dollars of taxpayers money was awarded/approved for certain projects under the Stronger Communities Fund. This doesn’t pass the pub test, whether technically legal or not.

25.01.2022 WHAT DOES IT TAKE? The systemic failures in the management of public health here in rural and regional NSW astonishes me. I've had Gulgong locals and doctors here in the country raising this and other public health management issues. Their local member hasn't overtly responded to the tragedy at Gulgong, either. I'm here to advocate for the people of the bush, and help make our lives better. When I learned of the tragic death of a patient at Gulgong MPS last month, I wasn't g...oing to let the issue be smothered with Gladysgate or any other news topic of the day. I asked Health Minister Brad Hazzard a question on the floor of Parliament last Thursday about what he was doing to recruit or contract a medical practitioner for the Gulgong MPS. By coincidence, an advertisement was made for a doctor at Gulgong later that same day!!! It shouldn't take me raising this issue in parliament to set the wheels in motion to try and recruit a doctor in a role that has been vacant since June this year. Yesterday I had a very frank telephone conversation with the Acting Chief Executive of Western NSW LHD about the vacant position, and other issues which I raised in parliament concerning the management of this health district. Low and behold the attached news article has been released today announcing a doctor has now been contracted for Gulgong, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! I'll let you join the dots on how this all panned-out, but lazy political representation and failures of government, and their bureaucrats, to deliver basic services such as health, won't be tolerated by fair and reasonable country folk anymore. I will stand up for the people of rural and regional NSW.

25.01.2022 For information of hospitality venues and hairdressers:

20.01.2022 BEGINNER’S LUCK? I had a crack at bowls when visiting the Railway Bowling Club at Parkes. The camera had the beer goggles on today, but the result is clear...beginner’s luck

19.01.2022 It's always great to catch up with the fantastic team at Meals of Wheels in Parkes. This visit was extra special because I got to see the new electronic whiteboard, iPads, and a laptop equipment, funded by the $10k CBP grant I supported. The new equipment will help manage their hectic daily schedules and meal deliveries. Congratulations to Gill Kinsela, Carolyn Rice and the Meals on Wheels team who deliver hundreds of hot and frozen meals across the Parkes community each and every week, improving and extending independent living to many people in the community.

19.01.2022 Beginner’s luck, times two!+The camera still has the beer goggles on though

19.01.2022 SHOOTING THE BREEZE with Phil Donato - Episode 5. Eight-six years ago the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was born in Mississippi, USA. Ordinarily at this time the streets of Parkes NSW would be swarming with people clad with iconic sequence, wigs and glasses by tribute artists and impersonators as they celebrate the annual Parkes Elvis Festival. Due to COVID-19, the festival was cancelled for the first time since it was commenced 28 years ago. Let's hope we see a retru...n of the festival this time next year, bigger and better than ever. Co-founders of Parkes' Elvis Festival, Bob Steel OAM and Ann Steel OAM, were a "must do" for this episode. Recently I had a friendly and informal chat with Bob and Ann about the Elvis Festival and how it all came to be. Not even Bob and Ann would have thought that a themed party would eventually turn into a NSW marquee event that would economically and socially transform the country township of Parkes. Have a listen to their story, it's quite interesting!

19.01.2022 CRICKET CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE - OPEN! This morning I attended the long awaited and much anticipated opening of the Carl Sharpe Cricket Centre at Wade Park in Orange. Funding for this project was promised by the state government just prior to the 2016 by-election, in which I was first elected. I have held the government to account on delivering their promise, and now four years later it’s actually here. This facility will help to develop our local talent, year ‘round

18.01.2022 Looks like, sounds like...FUN!

17.01.2022 CUMNOCK MENS SHED TOOLS FOR THE BOYS CBP FUNDING $6808. I had a great morning at the Cumnock Men’s Shed today chatting to the fellas and sharing a few yarns over morning tea whilst I was delighted to congratulate them on their successful grant of $6808 under Community Building Partnership funding. ... This money has been used to purchase tools and equipment. Men’s Sheds are such a terrific initiative in our communities bringing men together to chat, socialise and embark on a few projects. Congratulations Cumnock Men’s Shed.

16.01.2022 ORANGE KART CLUB It was great to visit the Orange Kart Club today to meet with a few of the passionate individuals who keep the 140+ member club idling along. Pictured here with me are Lisa Darley and Greg McLandsborough, both of whom are working hard to improve the facility so they can continue hosting their meets.... Karting is a very social and family-oriented sport, and I look forward to having another crack at karting when they host their next Try Day.

16.01.2022 Congratulations Kerry Burchett for your award as Volunteer of the Year Central West. Kerry has been involved with St John Ambulance for over 2 decades. The Molong St John Ambulance Cadets is one of the largest in the state and meet each week at Molong Central School where cadets are taught CPR and first aid skills as well as community events attending our shows, local sport, ballon festivals, car races etc etc. ... Over the years Kerry has helped to mentor hundreds of younger cadets, as well as treating patients whilst providing a vitally important service for our community. Congratulations Kerry. Good luck for the state finals.

15.01.2022 This morning I checked out the new arena fencing at the Orange Showground, which was funded through the Showground Stimulus Funding Program. The new fence is looks fantastic and looks like a traditional wooden post and rail fence until you get closer and see it’s a robust metal fence. The arena doubles as an off-leash dog exercise area when it’s not being used for events. Heidi the lab looks like she is happy with it

14.01.2022 TEN4TEN MENTORING PROGRAM This afternoon I hosted a BBQ at my electorate office with members of the Ten4Ten Mentoring Program run by the RDA Central West team. A great initiative involving ten year 11/12 students from across the district and linking them up with individual mentors. ... We were planning on a parliamentary visit but Covid put that on hold, so instead I hosted a BBQ meet and greet and informal chat and tour of the electorate office to see what goes on behind the scenes. It was a fun afternoon with a Q/A, plenty of banter, a few old war stories and a bit of advice for our up and coming future leaders.

13.01.2022 ON LOCATION Out filming the next tv ad. Stay tuned #RazzleDazzle #Prime7 #Groundstone #coffee

13.01.2022 ** Please refer to @WNSWLHD Facebook page for the latest information on additional testing clinics in Orange ** ORANGE - Additional testing capacity has been se...t up today at: - Laverty Drive-Through at the Orange Showground. Open 9am to 5pm (testing concludes at 5pm sharp.) No appointment or referral required. -Orange Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, 7 Dora Street, Orange. Open 10am to 3pm. Appointment and referral required. Call 1800 026 622 - Orange Base Hospital Fever Clinic, Forest Road. Open 10 am to 6pm. No referral, walk in, however appointments maybe made in busy periods. If you have any symptoms, however mild, please get tested. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of taste or smell. For advice or questions about COVID-19, call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. If translating or interpreting services are needed, call 131 450. For current information on where testing is available, symptoms and COVID-19 advice, go tohttps://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics?fbclid=IwAR3o8CIBkMrbnCzYRaY_l3GHzmi4sKAK38OJyC5C92M5opVts2OJ1nxhg_g If you have a COVID-19 test, you must self-isolate until you receive a negative result.

12.01.2022 ORANGE EVENING VIEW CLUB MAJOR RAFFLE DRAW I was delighted to be asked to draw the winning tickets for the Orange Evening View Club major raffle. View Clubs of Australia are a support arm of The Smith Family and raise funds to support disadvantaged school children across Australia. ... The Orange Evening View Club supports 5 disadvantaged children helping in providing school uniforms, digital devices and school support. Well done to all 76 members who sold hundreds and hundreds of tickets throughout Orange raising thousands of dollars. Here I am drawing the four winners with View Committee members Isobel Homann, Yvonne Walker & Jane Bryant.

10.01.2022 ORANGE REGIONAL CONSERVATORIUM This afternoon I caught up with Donna Riles and Tim Cummins at the Orange Regional Conservatorium, and they filled me in on how they’ve adapted to the pandemic. I got to see a lovely pictorial history and their plans for a new Conservatorium.

08.01.2022 SHADY CHARACTERS Today I visited the Parkes Railway Bowling Club as Parkes to see the new bench seating and retractable shade for the benefit of club members and visiting bowlers. I was pleased to support this $7,272 grant for the club, which has a strong patronage of 185 club members and 79 registered players. ... I met a few colourful characters at the club during my visit, who were very welcoming and didn’t mind a laugh. Congrats to President Tony Latter and his club.

08.01.2022 Congratulations to Jason Belmonte of Orange, who has been voted the 2020 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year, for a sixth time!

07.01.2022 TULLAMORE CENTRAL SCHOOL This afternoon I headed across to meet Rebecca Freeth, Principal of Tullamore Central School. I presented a new NSW State flag to replace the old one which was weathered from successive years of harsh conditions. It’s alway great to see our state flag fly high.

03.01.2022 Piano man, ahem, woman! Director Orange Regional Conservatorium, Donna Riles, gave an impromptu performance of Piano Man when I dropped in for a visit this afternoon. Wow!

02.01.2022 The electorate of Orange continues to receive unprecedented level of government investment. Yesterday the Deputy Premier was in town with a bag full of cash making announcement for infrastructure projects and community groups. Finally, Orange is receiving its fair share! ... Rest assured, I will continue to fight, represent and highlight the important issues in our community to bring them to the attention of government. Orange is no longer ignored or forgotten, but front and centre under the noses of Government.